The most expensive mistake: bringing everything
Moving countries brings a very human temptation: not letting go of anything. But hauling your whole apartment to the other side of the world is usually the most expensive and least worthwhile decision in the entire move. Before calling a container company, ask each object a simple question: can I replace it there for less than it costs to bring it? For ninety percent of your things, the answer is yes.
Thailand makes and sells good, cheap furniture, apartments and condos are often rented already furnished, and local electronics run on the plug and voltage used there. Bringing a sofa from Madrid to Bangkok means paying freight for something you can buy new around the corner.
The three routes
| Route | Ballpark cost | Timeline | For what |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suitcases (plane) | Ticket cost + excess baggage | With you | Clothes, laptop, the essentials |
| Sea consolidated freight | Hundreds of € | 6–10 wks | A few boxes: books, kitchen items, keepsakes |
| 20-foot container | ≈ €4,000–7,000 | 6–10 wks | Whole apartment (rarely worth it) |
| Air freight | By the kilo, pricey | Days | Small, urgent volume |
These are orders of magnitude, not quotes: the real price depends on the exact volume, the port of origin, the final destination within Thailand and the season. Always ask an international moving company for a quote against a closed inventory, and compare at least two.
What's worth bringing
The rule is to bring what can't be replaced, not what takes up space. In one or two suitcases and, at most, a few consolidated-freight boxes, almost everything that truly matters fits:
- Clothes and shoes that fit you — heads up, larger sizes are harder to find there.
- Medication with your prescription, spare prescription glasses.
- Tools of your trade: the laptop, the camera, the instrument, whatever earns you a living.
- Important documents (passport, apostilled diplomas, medical history) and their copies.
- Sentimental items with no replacement value.
- Some specific gadget you use a lot and is hard to find there — always check the voltage.
What to leave in Spain
- Large furniture: sofa, bed, wardrobes. Buy them there or they come with the apartment.
- Appliances: fridge, washing machine, microwave. Freight eats the savings.
- Bulky housewares and anything you can buy for a few euros at any market.
- Anything you haven't used in years: moving is the perfect excuse to let go of dead weight.
Customs, without drama
Thailand allows importing used household goods, and in certain cases — depending on your long-stay visa or work permit, and meeting timing and prior-use requirements — import benefits can apply. It isn't automatic: it depends on your situation, the type of goods and the paperwork. New items, high-value electronics and, especially, vehicles have their own tariff treatment (bringing a car to Thailand is notoriously expensive and complex, rarely worth it).
The order that works
- Inventory and purge. Separate the irreplaceable from the replaceable. Be ruthless.
- Decide on housing first. If your apartment arrives furnished, the "bring" list shrinks on its own.
- Get quotes for consolidated freight and container based on the already-purged inventory.
- Sell or donate what doesn't travel: fund part of the move with it.
- Ship by sea with margin (weeks) and travel yourself with the essentials in suitcases.
Where Bexpat fits in
We're not a moving company, but the decision of what to bring depends on things we do handle: which visa you'll hold (it affects customs), which city you're landing in, and whether your apartment comes furnished. We line up that timeline so you don't ship a container before knowing where you'll live. For the physical transport we refer you to trusted international movers. Start with the visa test or calculate your budget.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth bringing the furniture?
In bulk, almost never: a container runs €4,000-7,000 and furniture here is new and cheap or comes with the apartment. It's worth bringing what can't be replaced (clothes that fit, tools of your trade, keepsakes), not a whole living room.
How much does a container cost?
As an order of magnitude, a consolidated shipment of a few boxes can run a few hundred euros, and a full 20-foot container between €4,000 and €7,000 door to door, depending on origin, destination and season. The real quote comes from the company against your inventory.
Do I pay customs on used items?
Used belongings can qualify for benefits in certain cases (depending on visa and requirements), but it isn't automatic. New items, high-value electronics and vehicles have their own tariff. Confirm it with the company and a customs agent before shipping.