Part of our Moving Abroad from U.S. Cities guide · Moving abroad from California
International Movers in San Francisco Bay Area (2026 Guide)
How to move overseas from San Francisco Bay Area, California: departure ports, local tips, popular destinations and licensed movers.
Short answer
International moves from San Francisco Bay Area usually ship by sea container through the Port of Oakland, with air freight through SFO for urgent items. Choose an FMC-licensed mover, book a survey so every quote uses the same volume, and confirm which destination charges are included.
Moving abroad from San Francisco Bay Area: local tips
- Steep streets and narrow access can require a smaller shuttle truck.
- Oakland sailings to Europe are long; compare sea and air for urgent items.
- Direct Pacific lanes serve Australia and New Zealand.
Departure ports and airports
| Sea freight | The Port of Oakland |
|---|---|
| Air freight | SFO |
Popular destinations from San Francisco Bay Area
- Moving to France: Service-Public.fr: moving to France from outside the EU (customs)
- Moving to UK: HMRC Transfer of Residence relief (GOV.UK)
- Moving to Australia: Australian Border Force: unaccompanied personal effects
- Moving to New Zealand: New Zealand Customs: household effects
Route guides from San Francisco Bay Area
Licensed international movers
Compare the licensed movers we work with — Sunset International Shipping, Shepherd International Movers, Schmidt International Relocations, My International Movers — on our 2026 rankings. The full comparison also includes other companies.
Other U.S. cities
Los Angeles · New York · Chicago · Miami · Houston · Seattle · Boston
Frequently asked questions
How do I move overseas from San Francisco Bay Area?
Get survey-based quotes from at least two FMC-licensed movers, choose sea or air freight, prepare customs documents for your destination, and book pickup two to three months ahead.
Which port do international moves from San Francisco Bay Area use?
Most household shipments use the Port of Oakland.
How much does it cost to move abroad from San Francisco Bay Area?
It depends on volume, destination and shipping method. See our cost guide for real signed prices and the cost drivers.
Which international movers serve San Francisco Bay Area?
Sunset International Shipping, Shepherd International Movers, Schmidt International Relocations and My International Movers — the four licensed movers we work with — handle international moves from major U.S. metros. Our 2026 comparison also includes other companies. Request free quotes from the four we work with with one form.
Get free quotes from licensed movers
One short form for International Moving Company. Pick items from the inventory list or upload a quick video walkthrough. Your request is shared with Sunset International Shipping, Shepherd International Movers, Schmidt International Relocations and My International Movers so you can compare their quotes. Free, no obligation.