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Ship or Replace Calculator
Enter the mover quote, the value of the goods and what replacing them would cost. The calculator adds insurance, duty and the weeks you would live without them.
Duty relief for household goods on a permanent move exists in many countries but has conditions and deadlines. Confirm the scheme before assuming zero duty.
Price the list, not the container
Movers quote per cubic metre or per kilogram, so the honest comparison is per item group: furniture, kitchen, clothing, books, tools, documents. Some groups are clearly worth shipping, some are clearly not, and the mixed container hides both answers.
Add the weeks without the goods. A late container means buying temporary beds, plates and a desk, which is a real cost and often the line that flips the decision.
What a mover quote does not include
Door-to-door quotes vary in what they cover: packing materials, stairs or elevator fees, customs brokerage, storage, and destination delivery windows. Ask for the exclusions in writing and enter the missing lines yourself. A cheap quote with five exclusions is not cheap.
Insurance is usually priced as a percentage of declared value, and the declared value is also what the carrier will pay if the box is lost. Declaring a low value to save premium shifts the risk back to you.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to ship furniture or buy it again?
Usually buying again wins for bulky low-value items and shipping wins for compact high-value items and anything irreplaceable. Run both lists separately rather than deciding for the whole container.
Should I include the resale value of what I leave behind?
Yes. Selling the goods is the alternative to shipping them, so the net cost of replacing is the replacement price minus what you recover by selling.
Does household-goods duty relief apply to me?
Many countries offer relief for people moving residence, but eligibility, deadlines and documentation differ. Check the customs authority for the destination and keep the moving evidence.
What about storage?
Add storage as a weekly cost for as long as you expect to need it. Storage is often the hidden third option: cheaper than shipping, more expensive than selling.