Moving from Turkey to the USA: A Step-by-Step Guide for 2025

Moving from Turkey to the United States can be one of the biggest decisions of your life. A new country, a different continent, a completely different lifestyle… Whether you’re moving for work, education, family reunification, or simply a fresh start, moving your household goods from Turkey to the USA requires a separate and serious plan.

In this article, we explain the step-by-step process of moving from Turkey to the USA, without overwhelming you with technical terms but with enough detail to actually help you.

1. Deciding to Move to the USA: Where Should You Start?

The moving process goes hand in hand with your visa or residence process. So the first things you need to do are:

• Clarify your visa / residence type (work, student, Green Card, family reunification, etc.)

• At least have an idea about which city you will live in in the United States

• Roughly determine your work / school start date

  
  

Based on these dates, you can work backwards and create a timeline. In general:

• 3–4 months before: Research moving companies, plan your initial budget, prepare your paperwork

• 2 months before: Sort your belongings, sell/donate, schedule a pre-move survey (expertise)

• 1 month before: Packing, official procedures, final confirmations

The earlier you start planning, the less stress you’ll have.

2. Which Items Are Worth Taking to the USA?

Even when moving between cities within Turkey, we often say, “I wish I hadn’t brought this.” When an overseas, transatlantic move is involved, the cost of every single item increases.

Ask yourself:

“Is it more reasonable to buy this item again in the US, or to move it from Turkey?”

The following items are usually candidates to leave behind:

• Worn-out, old sofas and wardrobes

• Very heavy furniture with low monetary value

• White goods that can be bought at a reasonable price in the US

  
  

You can create a simple list:

• To take

• Not sure yet (check US prices)

• To sell / donate / throw away

  
  

Remember: In international moves, the price is usually calculated based on cubic meters (m³). So every extra piece increases both your costs and your stress.

3. Budget Planning: Not Just the Moving Fee

Many people ask, “How much will the move cost?” but the process is not just about the truck/container fee. In rough terms, you should consider these items:

• International moving fee from Turkey to the USA

• Professional packing service (if done by the company)

• Customs and port charges

• Moving insurance

• Storage or other extra costs in Turkey

• First-time expenses in the US (additional furniture, small household items, internet, electricity subscriptions, etc.)

  
  

Open a simple Excel file and write an estimated amount next to each of these items. As you receive quotes from companies and get clearer figures, you can update them and keep your budget under control much more realistically.

4. Transportation Methods: Sea or Air?

When moving household goods from Turkey to the US, the most common method is sea freight (containers). Generally, you’ll see these options:

4.1. Full Container Load (FCL)

• The entire container is dedicated only to your belongings.

• If your volume is large (for example, a full house), this becomes more reasonable.

• There is less handling, so the risk of damage is relatively lower.

  
  

4.2. Less than Container Load / Shared Container (LCL)

• You share the container with other customers.

• If your volume is small, it can be more cost-effective.

• Loading/unloading at origin and destination is more complex, so the overall transit time can be longer.

  
  

4.3. Air Freight

• Generally not used as the main method for full household moves; more suitable for urgent and small shipments.

• It is much more expensive than other options, but very fast.

You should definitely clarify the following at the quotation stage:

• Which method will be used,

• From which port your cargo will depart and at which port it will arrive,

• What the estimated transit time will be.

  
  

5. Choosing a Professional International Moving Company

Working with an experienced international moving company makes moving to the US dramatically easier. A good company will:

• Visit your home for a pre-move survey, calculate the volume and assess the details,

• Plan services such as packing, dismantling/assembling furniture, external lift if needed,

• Inform you about which documents you will need in the customs process,

• Offer you insurance options,

• Provide door-to-door service so you don’t have to deal with the chaos of ports and terminals.

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Focusing only on “the cheapest price” when choosing a company is a big mistake. Make sure you ask:

• What is included and what is excluded in the quotation?

• Who will do the packing?

• Who handles distribution/delivery on the US side?

• How does the insurance work in case of damage?

• Which US cities have they moved to before? (New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Houston, etc.)

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Don’t hesitate to ask for references; companies with strong experience on the US route are usually proud to share their previous jobs.

6. Documents and Customs Procedures: General Framework

US customs (CBP) procedures and export procedures on the Turkish side can change over time. That’s why the most up-to-date rules should always be confirmed through official sources and experts. What we share here is only a general guide.

During the moving process, you’ll usually deal with the following documents:

• Passport, visa or residence permit documents

• Documents showing your address in the US (rental contract, employment or school letter, etc.)

• A detailed packing list

  • Listed room by room, including brand/model information for important items

• Bills of lading / transport documents prepared by the moving company

• Customs declarations and forms where necessary

• Moving insurance policy

  
  

In some cases, household goods for personal use can enjoy certain customs advantages, depending on various conditions. However, these conditions may vary based on:

• Your residence/visa status,

• How long you will stay in the US,

• Whether you have lived in the US before,

• The nature of your belongings.

  
  

Therefore:

Before making final decisions, always check the current regulations both with the customs department of the moving company you choose and through official sources.

7. Packing and Insurance: Protecting Your Belongings

In an overseas move, your belongings spend much more time in trucks, containers, and terminals. That’s why the quality of packing becomes critical.

For good packing (a good moving company will do all these for you – and we at Bafa Group always aim to do it at the highest standard):

• Wrap fragile items in several layers using bubble wrap, kraft paper, and similar materials,

• Use corner protectors and sturdy boxes,

• Write the room name + contents on every box (for example, “Kitchen – Plates”, “Living Room – Books”),

• Avoid making boxes excessively heavy; distribute the weight evenly.

On the insurance side, when requesting a quote, be sure to ask:

• Which risks are covered by the insurance? (breakage, loss, theft, water damage, etc.)

• How is the insured value calculated?

• How does the process work in case of damage, and how long does it usually take?

  
  

If you make a rough valuation of your belongings yourself and fill out the insurance form accordingly, you can prevent many potential disputes later on.

8. Common Mistakes

Here are some of the most common mistakes people make when moving from Turkey to the US:

• Pushing everything into the last few weeks

  • Last-minute stress leads to mistakes and inflates costs.

• Choosing solely based on the lowest price

  • If customs handling, insurance, or packing is missing, a cheap quote can become expensive very quickly.

• Not taking paperwork seriously

  • Incorrect or incomplete declarations can cause serious delays and extra costs at customs.

• Underestimating the volume

  • Many people think “one truck will be enough” and then end up paying extra when the container is full. Show every wardrobe and storage area during the survey.

• Lack of communication

  • Not staying in regular contact with the company creates confusion about loading, departure, and delivery dates.

    
    

9. Final Words: Be Organized and Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

At first glance, moving your home from Turkey to the United States can seem very intimidating. However, when you break the process into smaller steps and move forward gradually—or when you work with a good international moving company—everything becomes much more manageable.

Being organized, planning ahead, and getting support from professionals when needed will make your journey to the US much smoother, both for you and for your belongings.