# Moving to Germany from the USA

> Relocating to Germany from the United States — sea-freight costs, transit times, EU customs relief and German visa routes (Blue Card, Opportunity Card, freelance).

Canonical: https://www.portunusai.com/moving-from-usa/germany
Direction: USA → Germany
Data last reviewed: 2026-06-15

## Typical moving costs

- Studio: $2,584–$4,080
- 1 bedroom: $3,944–$6,120
- 2 bedrooms: $5,304–$8,500
- 3 bedrooms: $7,820–$12,240
- 20ft container: $3,910–$5,980
- 40ft container: $6,460–$9,880

## Transit times

- New York → Hamburg: 12–20 days
- Houston → Bremerhaven: 22–32 days
- Los Angeles → Hamburg: 30–42 days

## Customs & import notes

- Germany is in the EU: used household goods enter duty/VAT-free under transfer-of-residence relief.
- Generally requires you lived outside the EU 12+ months and owned/used the goods 6+ months.
- A detailed inventory and German registration/residence documentation are required.
- New items, alcohol/tobacco over limits and vehicles have separate rules.

## Visa & residency options in Germany

- EU Blue Card: For graduates with a qualifying job offer above the salary threshold.
- Job Seeker Visa / Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte): To enter Germany and look for work.
- Freelance visa (Freiberufler): For self-employed professionals — popular in Berlin.
- Student visa: For enrollment at a German institution.

## Moving companies serving this route

- SDC International Shipping — Sea freight, Door-to-door overseas (https://www.sdcinternationalshipping.com/)
- International Van Lines — Best overall, Full-service moves (https://www.internationalvanlines.com/)
- Crown Relocations — Premium, Corporate relocation (https://www.crownrelo.com/)
- Seven Seas Worldwide — Budget, Small moves & students (https://www.sevenseasworldwide.com/)
- PSS International Removals — Worldwide shipping, Part & full loads (https://www.pssremovals.com/)
- Sirelo (compare multiple movers) — Compare several quotes at once (https://www.sirelo.com/)

## Related resources

- [Moving to the USA hub](https://www.portunusai.com/moving-to-usa)
- [Moving from the USA hub](https://www.portunusai.com/moving-from-usa)
- [Site-wide llms.txt](https://www.portunusai.com/llms.txt)