Read about some of the costs associated with moving overseas and what you should consider for your budget.

Moving to another country is exciting, but it also comes with many challenges. Whether you’re moving for work, or just a change of scenery, here are some additional costs you might need to consider when moving overseas, as opposed to cross country.

Shipping

When moving overseas, it’s much more expensive to get your things to you. You’re going to have to ship it, and that often costs more than your average cross-country move. Keep in mind that most shipping companies charge by weight, so when it comes to things like your book collection, you might be better off paring it down or leaving it at home and investing in an ereader.

Airfare

The same goes for yourself. Rather than simply paying the cost of gas to drive yourself and any other members of your household to your new home, you’ll need plane tickets, and you’ll probably need to pay the extra fees for checking in your luggage, depending on the airline you choose.

Visa and Passport Updates

Assuming you’re moving to a country where you don’t already have citizenship, you’ll need to apply for a visa and make sure your passport is up to date and won’t expire for at least six months after your expected departure date (assuming you have an expected departure date). Updating all those documents comes with their own fees and charges, so be ready to pay those.

Customs and Immigration

Many countries let you import household goods up to a certain value, but beyond that value, they tax you for those items. Make sure you know what those limits are for your new home country, as well as the combined value of everything you’re bringing. You might want to consider leaving some of your more valuable items at home to avoid both taxes and the possibility that they’ll get lost or damaged in transit.

Storage

If you’re never planning on coming back, it might make sense to sell or give away whatever you don’t want to take with you, but if you’re only going for a few months or years, then it might make sense to place some of your items in storage while you’re away.

Pets

Do your research before deciding whether to bring your pet(s) with you. Depending on the customs and immigration regulations of your new home, your animal friend(s) might be better off finding a new family to take care of them. If you can bring your pet(s) with you, make sure to research the best way to go about doing that, as well as the costs associated. Ideally, you’ll want to take them on the plane with you, and at the very least you’ll need a crate or special carrier if you don’t already have one, so add that into your moving costs.