# Moving to Thailand from the USA

> Relocating to Thailand from the United States — sea-freight costs, transit times, Thai customs and long-stay visa routes for Americans.

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

## Typical moving costs

- Studio: $2,964–$4,680
- 1 bedroom: $4,524–$7,020
- 2 bedrooms: $6,084–$9,750
- 3 bedrooms: $8,970–$14,040
- 20ft container: $4,165–$6,370
- 40ft container: $7,055–$10,790

## Transit times

- Los Angeles → Laem Chabang: 20–35 days
- Oakland → Bangkok: 22–35 days
- New York → Bangkok: 30–45 days

## Customs & import notes

- Used household effects can be duty-free for returning residents or holders of a qualifying non-immigrant visa.
- Goods generally must arrive within six months of your arrival; a detailed inventory is required.
- Import is strict — new items and certain electronics may be dutiable.
- Restricted items (some medicines, drones, e-cigarettes) need care.

## Visa & residency options in Thailand

- Non-Immigrant O / O-A: For retirees (50+) and various long-stay purposes.
- Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa: 10-year visa for wealthy/skilled applicants and remote workers.
- Thailand Privilege (Elite) visa: Paid-membership long-stay visa.
- Non-Immigrant B / work permit: For employment in Thailand.

## Moving companies serving this route

- SDC International Shipping — Sea freight, Door-to-door overseas (https://www.sdcinternationalshipping.com/)
- Schumacher Cargo Logistics — Vehicle shipping, Large household moves (https://www.schumachercargo.com/)
- International Van Lines — Best overall, Full-service moves (https://www.internationalvanlines.com/)
- Crown Relocations — Premium, Corporate relocation (https://www.crownrelo.com/)
- John Mason International — Established carrier, Sole-use containers (https://www.johnmason.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)