There are many factors to consider when budgeting for a move. However, before deciding on a packing and transport company, you need to calculate the cost of moving to the US to avoid any last-minute surprises and caveats.
Not to worry. We’ve compiled a list of some key considerations below.
Deciding on a container size
Depending on the volume of goods you want to ship, you can opt for a full container load (FCL) or a less-than-container load (LCL). A 20-foot container of 33 cubic metres typically holds the contents of a three-bedroom house and costs between 20,000 and 24,000 AED*. Similarly, a 40-foot container of 67 cubic metres accommodates the equivalent of a four-bedroom (and more) house. 40-foot containers tend to be better value for money for families with kids and cost between 30,000 and 34,000 AED*. They allow packing space for furniture and personal items, as well as a vehicle. Conversely, if you have a small number of things you want to ship, you can opt to share space in a single container.
A sea freight shipping quote for a 40-foot container to the US can take up four to six weeks to arrive at its final destination.
Sea or air freight
Choosing to ship via sea or air freight can greatly affect the cost of moving to the US. Deciding between the two modes of transport depends entirely on your priorities and budget. Air freight, via cargo plane, can transport your personal items in under three days. Shipping via sea, on the other hand, can take from four to six weeks. Sea freight is low cost. Broadly speaking, it’s about five times cheaper than air freight and is a great option for families wanting to move on a budget.
Take advantage of economies of scale
Anyone moving with kids knows that there’s a lot of bric-à-brac accumulated over the years. Opting to ship via sea offers better value in terms of cost per cubic metre. Your moving company will charge a flat rate for the container, where you can decide what to pack. This means that you can choose to ship your car safely and securely along with your personal belongings. An FCL container also benefits you by moving all your goods in one go. Sharing a container with other people’s cargo involves added waiting time and costs. Your belongings have to be loaded and unloaded at each port, with extra transport costs added for carrying your boxes to their final destination.
Moving a vehicle
Both the US and the UAE have left-hand driving. This means you can transport a favourite set of wheels with you when you move to the US. If you decide on a 40-foot container and have few household items to move, you can pack the car with your personal belongings. Alternatively, you can opt for a second 20-foot container that can safely move your car.
Local storage options
Depending on where you are in your career and the reasons behind your move to the US, it’s heartening to know that there are many local storage options. Should you choose to leave some things behind, your packing company will provide safe, secure, CCTV- monitored and temperature-controlled storage facilities that can house your belongings till you come back.
With years of experience as international movers, GAC are a reliable and well-budgeted moving company. For information on how much it costs to move to the US, click here.
*Note: the figures quoted are accurate at the date of publishing. For up-to-date costings, please contact your moving company.
