International Moving to the US: What to Ship, Sell, Store, and Leave Behind

Moving to the US for a job or visa? This shipping and packing decision guide saves you money and customs headaches before you land.

You have an offer letter. Your start date is eight weeks away. You have an apartment's worth of belongings, a suitcase allowance on your flight, and no clear framework for deciding what comes with you, what goes to family, what gets sold, and what gets shipped in a container. Nearly every international hire on F-1, OPT, STEM OPT, or H-1B faces this exact decision and makes it mostly by instinct — which is how people end up paying $800 to ship a rice cooker they could replace for $40 in the US, or leaving behind a custom piece of furniture they regret for years.

This guide gives you a framework for the four buckets — ship, sell, store, leave behind — and the real logistics behind each one, including customs rules, shipping cost ranges, prohibited items, and the timing decisions that interact with your visa situation.

The four-bucket framework

Before touching anything, sort your possessions into four mental buckets:

• Ship — items worth the logistics cost: cannot be replaced in the US, have high sentimental value, or are cost-effective to bring
• Sell — items with meaningful resale value in your home country that would cost more to ship than to rebuy
• Store — items you are not ready to part with but do not need in the first 12 months (family home storage is free; commercial storage in your home country is cheap relative to US rates)
• Leave behind — items with low value and no sentimental attachment; give them away, donate, or discard

Most people undersell the "leave behind" bucket. Items that feel significant when you are surrounded by them feel much less significant once you are 8,000 miles away.

What to ship: the short list that actually makes sense

Documents and irreplaceable personal items

Always carry in your personal luggage — never in a shipped container:

• Passport, visa, I-20 or DS-2019, I-797 (H-1B approval notice), travel history documents
• Educational transcripts, degree certificates, mark sheets
• Medical records and vaccination history
• Original employment offer letter and any contracts
• Family photos and physical sentimental items (fit these in your luggage if possible)

Clothing and textiles

Clothing generally makes sense to bring, especially formal or professional attire in non-Western cuts that is difficult to find in the US. Indian ethnic wear, custom-tailored suits, salwar kameez, and similar pieces are worth shipping or bringing in checked baggage. US clothing is inexpensive and sizing is widely available, so basic items like jeans, t-shirts, and casual wear are easy to buy on arrival.

Specialty food items (in moderation)

Certain specialty ingredients — specific regional spices, lentils, rice varieties, dried goods — are genuinely hard to find outside major South Asian grocery markets in big cities. A modest supply (within customs rules) in your checked bags is fine. Do not ship food in international freight; CBP restrictions on plant products and the risk of spoilage make this impractical.

High-value personal electronics you already own

Laptops, cameras, and professional equipment you already own are worth bringing in your carry-on or checked luggage. These items are expensive in the US or carry regional warranty complications if purchased abroad. Note that US power is 110V/60Hz — most modern laptops and phone chargers auto-switch, but standalone devices like electric shavers or hair tools designed for 220V need a step-down transformer or replacement.

Items that are hard or expensive to replicate

• Custom-made or heirloom jewelry (insure it; keep it in carry-on)
• Specialty musical instruments
• High-end formal wear that is custom-tailored
• A trusted bicycle (shipping bikes in a hard case via air freight is common)
• Professional reference books in specialized technical fields

What to sell before you leave

The resale logic is straightforward: if the shipping cost plus destination cost is higher than the US replacement cost, sell it.

Sell large items at least 8 to 10 weeks before departure. Use local classifieds or Facebook Marketplace equivalents in your country. Price items to move — your negotiating leverage drops to zero once you have a flight ticket.

What to store: family storage vs. commercial storage

Family home storage (preferred)

The simplest and cheapest option. Items worth keeping but not needed immediately — heirloom furniture, family photographs, books in your native language, seasonal clothing — can stay at a family member's home without cost. Be realistic about the space you are consuming and the indefinite timeline you are asking family to manage.

Commercial storage in your home country

If family storage is not practical, commercial storage in India, China, or most Asian countries is significantly cheaper than US storage rates. Expect to pay approximately $30 to $80 per month for a small unit. This is a viable holding pattern for 12 to 24 months while you determine whether you will stay in the US long-term.

US-side storage

Avoid committing to US commercial storage during your first year. Prices in major metro areas run $100 to $300 per month for small units, and your address and housing situation will likely change. If you ship a container, work with your freight forwarder to deliver to your US address directly.

Shipping logistics: the actual mechanics

Air freight vs. sea freight

Two realistic international shipping options:

Air freight is fast (5 to 10 days) but expensive — typically $8 to $15 per kilogram for international air cargo, making it practical only for essential items under 30 to 50 kilograms. A small air freight box of items you need immediately (professional clothing, books, specialty kitchen tools) while the rest follows by sea is a common hybrid approach.

Sea freight takes longer but is dramatically cheaper per kilogram. You have two options:

• LCL (Less-than-Container-Load): Your goods share a container with others. You pay by cubic meter. Rates from India or China to a major US port range roughly from $150 to $400 per cubic meter, plus a significant add-on for customs brokerage, destination fees, and delivery. A typical studio apartment's worth of goods might be 3 to 8 CBM — so $500 to $3,200 just in freight before additional fees. Budget at minimum 50% on top of the quoted freight rate for all ancillary charges.
• FCL (Full Container Load): You rent the entire container (20-foot or 40-foot). Only makes sense for a full apartment or house's worth of goods. A 20-foot FCL from India to the US East Coast runs approximately $2,000 to $5,000 for the container, plus fees.

The customs paperwork you actually need

US Customs and Border Protection requires an inventory list (detailed, with declared values) and CBP Form 3299 (Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles) for household goods being imported duty-free. To qualify for duty-free entry:

1. Items must have been owned and used abroad for at least one year
2. You must not intend to sell them
3. You must be relocating to the US (visa documentation proves this)

New items, clearly unopened electronics, and items without evidence of prior use may be assessed duties. Keep receipts for any high-value items. Your customs broker prepares and files these documents on your behalf — do not attempt to handle customs clearance on a container shipment without a licensed broker.

Choosing an international moving company

Get quotes from at least three companies. Look for:

• FIDI (Fédération Internationale des Déménageurs Internationaux) accreditation, or BAR (British Association of Removers) for UK-origin shipments
• A licensed US customs broker as part of the service, or a named third-party broker they work with
• All-in quotes that include origin packing, freight, destination customs clearance, and last-mile delivery
• Written confirmation of transit insurance coverage (standard coverage is often inadequate for high-value items; purchase additional coverage)

Avoid movers who quote only the ocean freight line and omit destination charges — the all-in cost is routinely 40 to 80% higher than the freight-only quote.

A realistic shipping timeline

If your US start date is Week 0, here is a working backward timeline for sea freight from India or China:

1. Week -16 to -12: Finalize ship/sell/store decisions. Get three freight quotes.
2. Week -12: Book freight forwarder. Begin selling items you will not ship.
3. Week -10: Professional packers arrive or you pack for LCL. Inventory list prepared.
4. Week -8: Goods picked up and consolidated at origin port.
5. Week -6 to -4: Shipment departs origin port.
6. Week -2 to 0: Shipment arrives at US destination port; customs clearance begins.
7. Week +1 to +3: Final delivery to your US address.

This means your shipment arrives after you do — which is expected. Plan to have everything you need for the first 4 to 6 weeks in your checked luggage and carry-on. IKEA, Amazon, and Facebook Marketplace are your friends during the gap period.

Prohibited and restricted items — do not skip this section

CBP enforces strict import rules and penalties for under-declaration can be severe, with consequences that extend to your visa status. Items to be aware of:

• Fresh fruits, vegetables, and certain meats — most fresh produce from Asia is prohibited without a USDA APHIS phytosanitary permit
• Seeds and plants — require inspection and permit; declare everything
• Prescription medications — you may bring a 90-day supply for personal use with a prescription; quantities beyond that require import permits
• Firearms and ammunition — require Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) import permits; not practical for personal relocation
• Alcohol — one liter duty-free; above that, federal duty applies plus state regulations vary
• Counterfeit goods — not legal to import regardless of personal use claims
• Currency over $10,000 — must be declared on FinCEN Form 105; failure to declare is a federal offense

Declare everything on your CBP form. Honest declaration of borderline items results in inspection and sometimes a small duty payment. Non-declaration of prohibited items results in confiscation, fines, and a CBP violation record — a serious problem for anyone on a visa.

Timing your move around your visa status

Your visa situation affects your move logistics in ways that are easy to underestimate.

If you are arriving on F-1 for a new degree program, you typically arrive with just your luggage. Do not ship a container until you know your US address — and your first housing assignment (a dorm or shared house) often cannot receive large shipments.

If you are transitioning from F-1 to OPT, the 90-day unemployment clock means you need employment quickly after OPT begins. Focus your first months on job-search stability, not moving logistics. Once employed and in a stable housing situation, shipping additional belongings makes more sense.

If you are arriving on an H-1B or STEM OPT with a confirmed job and long-term housing, you have the clearest case for a container shipment. Your employer may offer a relocation package that covers some or all of the shipping cost — always ask before assuming it is not on the table.

Read more about your first 90 days as an international hire for the practical settling-in checklist beyond the move itself.

Setting up your US life without your belongings

Your shipment will arrive weeks after you do. In the meantime:

• Bedding and kitchen basics: Walmart, Target, and IKEA have sub-$100 starter kits. Amazon same-day delivery is available in most major metros.
• Furniture: Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist in major US cities are excellent for cheap or free second-hand furniture. University off-campus housing boards also list give-away items near the start of semesters.
• Apartment requirements: Many US landlords require first month, last month, and security deposit before move-in — plus sometimes a co-signer or proof of income. Read our guide on renting an apartment without US credit history to understand your options before you arrive.
• Banking: Open a US bank account in your first week. Without a US account, you cannot set up direct deposit, rent an apartment, or pay bills easily. Some banks (Wise, Revolut, certain credit unions) allow international account setup before arrival.

Common mistakes

Dramatically overestimating what is worth shipping. The emotional weight of familiar objects is real, but furniture and appliances almost always fail the cost-benefit math. Do the calculation: shipping cost + destination delivery vs. US replacement cost. Let the math win.

Shipping first, sorting later. Packing everything and deciding on arrival is expensive. Items you cannot resell in the US and did not need still cost full shipping rates.

Not reading the CBP prohibited/restricted list. Discovering that your carefully packed shipment contains restricted food items or seeds at the port of entry creates delays, fees, and stress. The CBP website publishes the full list — spend an hour with it.

Using a broker who quotes only the ocean freight line. The all-in price including origin services, destination charges, customs brokerage, drayage, and last-mile delivery is the number you need. Get it in writing before booking.

Shipping before your US address is confirmed. A container arriving at a US port when you are in temporary housing or between apartments requires you to arrange port storage — typically $50 to $100 per day after the free time expires. Know your delivery address before your shipment departs.

Forgetting transit insurance. Standard carrier liability is minimal — often $0.60 per pound for damaged goods. For anything of value, purchase additional all-risk coverage through your mover or a third-party provider.

Assuming appliances will work. The US 110V/60Hz standard is incompatible with most appliances from India, China, Europe, and most of Asia. Step-down transformers work for some devices but not motors (blenders, washing machines, fans) where frequency mismatch causes overheating. Buy US-standard appliances after arrival.

Frequently asked questions

Can I ship my household goods to the US duty-free as an international student or visa worker?

Yes, under US Customs and Border Protection regulations, non-US residents and returning residents relocating to the US may import household and personal effects duty-free when the items were owned and used abroad for at least one year and are not intended for sale. You must complete CBP Form 3299 (Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles) and arrive in the US before or within a reasonable time after your shipment. Electronics purchased specifically for the move or items clearly new may attract duties, so keep purchase receipts and arrival documentation handy.

How long does sea freight take from India, China, or Europe to the US?

Transit times vary by origin port. Shipping from India (Mumbai or Chennai) to a US East Coast port typically runs 25 to 35 days for an LCL or FCL shipment. From China (Shanghai or Shenzhen) to the US West Coast expect roughly 18 to 28 days. From Europe to the US East Coast ranges from 12 to 20 days. Add 5 to 15 days for customs clearance, domestic trucking, and delivery at destination.

Is it worth shipping furniture and appliances from India or China to the US?

Rarely for most newcomers. Sea freight for a standard 20-foot container from India runs approximately $2,000 to $4,500 in shipping fees alone, before brokerage, delivery, and storage costs. Comparable quality IKEA or second-hand furniture in the US often costs less than that total. Appliances are especially poor candidates because of the 110V/60Hz voltage and frequency mismatch. Shipping sentimental or custom pieces can make sense; shipping commodity furniture almost never does.

What items are prohibited or restricted from entering the US in a personal shipment?

CBP prohibits or restricts a broad range of items. Prohibited items include counterfeit goods and many fresh food products (fruits, vegetables, meats from specific countries). Restricted items requiring permits include firearms, prescription medications beyond a 90-day personal supply, certain plants and seeds, and alcohol beyond one liter. Declare everything honestly on CBP Form 3299 — under-declaration penalties are severe and can jeopardize your visa status.

Should I store belongings at home or in the US while on OPT or awaiting H-1B approval?

Storing at home is the lower-risk choice for high-value or sentimental items while on OPT or in the cap-gap period awaiting H-1B approval. OPT can end if employment authorization lapses — the 90-day unemployment limit applies — and your US housing situation may change multiple times in the first year. Shipping a small air-freight package of essentials first, then shipping the bulk of your belongings after securing stable housing and visa continuity, is a practical and common approach.

Working through your US relocation alongside a visa transition is genuinely complicated — moving logistics, housing, banking, and employment authorization all have interdependencies. F1Jobs has helped hundreds of international hires navigate exactly this period. Reach out if you want a sounding board on timing or priorities.