Intercontinental moving
Moving to America, Asia, Australia or Africa is on a different scale from a move to Berlin. Intercontinental moves take weeks, pass through several hands and two customs clearances, and a mistake in the inventory can hold a container up in port. 4RELO prepares such a move in Wrocław – from the pre-move survey to sealing the container – while the sea voyage, clearance in the destination country and delivery are handled with partners from the FEDEMAC network, of which we are a member.
We say it openly: we do not have our own ships or offices on other continents. What we do have is a proven way of working with moving companies that follow the same association standards and collect your shipment at the destination port.
When to start planning
When moving to another continent, it is not the voyage that takes the most time but the preparation. Visas, residence permits, booking space on a ship and customs documents all have their own deadlines, and some of them depend on authorities nobody can influence. Below is an approximate timeline that works for most destinations.
| How long before departure | What to do |
|---|---|
| 3–4 months | check the country's customs requirements, request a quote, decide what goes and what stays |
| 8–10 weeks | agree the size of the shipment and the transport method, book the packing date |
| 4–6 weeks | gather copies of your passport, visa or residence permit and lease |
| 2–3 weeks | prepare the inventory, set aside items for your air luggage |
| packing day | packing, loading, signing the inventory and sealing the container |
The most common destinations outside Europę
North America
The United States and Canada – the Atlantic crossing is relatively short, but clearance requires declarations filed before the ship is even loaded in Europę.
Middle East
The Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Israel. A quick voyage through the Suez Canal, but strict inspection of contents and a list of items that may not be imported.
Asia
Singapore, Japan, China, South Korea, India. A long journey and clearance that depends on your residence status – often you first need to obtain a residence document locally.
Australia and Oceania
The longest voyages and the strictest biosecurity checks in the world. Clean garden furniture and sports equipment really matter here.
Latin America
Brazil and Mexico – household effects procedures require documents certified by the consulate while you are still in Poland.
Africa
South Africa – the port of Durban or Cape Town and onward overland transport inland.
How we share the work with partners
- Wrocław – 4RELO. Quote, inventory, export packing, furniture disassembly, loading and departure documents.
- Port in Europę. The container goes to the port of transshipment, most often Gdańsk, Gdynia, Hamburg or Bremerhaven, and is loaded onto the ship.
- Destination country – FEDEMAC partner. Customs clearance, collection from the port, delivery to the address, carrying in, unpacking and furniture assembly.
You have one contact person on our side throughout the shipment. If you need to store some of your belongings in Poland during your first contract abroad, they stay in our storage. We write more about European destinations on our international moving page.
What the cost depends on
The price depends on the volume of your belongings, the choice between your own container and space in a shared one, the destination and port, the scope of packing, port charges on both sides and the distance from the port to your new address. On top of that come clearance costs and any inspections, which are random in some countries and mandatory in others. That is why, before we give a figure, we ask for the specific destination address, not just the country.
Questions about moving to another continent
Is it better to ship my belongings or buy new ones there?
With just a few boxes, air luggage or shopping locally often works out cheaper. With a furnished flat, valuable furniture or family keepsakes, sea freight usually makes sense. We help you work it out when preparing the quote.
How long does an intercontinental move take?
From a few weeks to the Middle East or the US East Coast to two months or more to Australia and New Zealand. Timing also depends on available space on a ship and how clearance goes, so we give time ranges rather than exact dates.
Do I need to be there during customs clearance?
In many countries yes, or at least your entry must already be recorded in your passport. We check the requirements for the specific country before shipping.
Are my belongings insured during the voyage?
For sea freight we recommend separate cargo insurance based on the declared value of your goods. We discuss the terms before the contract is signed.
What should I take with me on the plane?
Original documents, medicines, your laptop, keys and things for the first few weeks. The container arrives later, and its contents cannot be accessed during the journey.
A move to another continent starts with a plan
Tell us where you are going – we will set a timeline and prepare a free quote.
Free quote