Moving From San Francisco/Bay Area to Europe

Q: Can You Move My Whole Household to Europe?

Yes, AMS Bekins provides full-service international household moves from San Francisco and the Bay Area to countries throughout Europe, including the UK, Germany, France, and Spain. As a Bekins Van Lines agent, they coordinate every stage of your overseas relocation, including professional packing, ocean or air freight coordination, customs documentation, and door-to-door delivery to your new home. Transit times from the West Coast to Europe range from four to eight weeks, depending on the destination and shipping method.

Q: Do I Ship by Ocean or Air Freight?

The majority of items for international moves from the Bay Area to Europe ship by ocean freight, which is the most cost-effective method for large shipments and typically takes four to eight weeks port-to-port. Air freight is faster, arriving within one to two weeks, but costs significantly more; it is generally reserved for smaller shipments or essential items needed quickly. Many people combine both methods, sending a small shipment ahead by air while the rest ships by sea. The right choice depends on your needs, timeline, budget, and shipment size.

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Rely on AMS Bekins for all your corporate and employee relocation needs. AMS Bekins is a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated moving company that has been in business since 1949.

Whether you plan on moving to Europe from San Francisco for personal, family, or career reasons, relying on trusted Bay Area movers with decades of proven success will help ease your transition. AMS Bekins has been a professional mover since 1949, and became a BBB-accredited business in 1975 for providing years of quality, customer-oriented service.

AMS Bekins is also an agent of Bekins Van Lines, which gives us membership in a national network of moving professionals and allows us to complete household moves anywhere in the world.

In addition to San Francisco, our San Francisco/Bay Area to Europe movers also serve San Mateo, Santa Clara, Marin, Alameda, and Contra Costa County.

Moving to Europe From the Bay Area

Our San Francisco to Europe movers at AMS Bekins understand the careful planning involved with international moves. From coordinating ocean freight and timelines to getting through customs without issues, we ensure your belongings and household goods are secure door-to-door.

Moving to Europe from the US is an involved process, but we do everything we can to make it as smooth as possible. To begin, we will send one of our international moving professionals to your home. They’ll assess what you need moved and provide a free written estimate of moving costs. From there, you will be assigned a qualified international move coordinator. They will answer all of your questions and guide you through the process of moving from the San Francisco Bay Area to Europe.

When moving from the Bay Area to Europe, you can expect comprehensive moving services. We offer the following customizable options for more control of your total costs and experience:

Full-service packing & unpacking
Debris removal
On-site custom crating
Air freight delivery
Vehicle shipping
Piano shipping
Online shipment tracking
Customs clearance
Third party services
Short-and long-term storage

How Does an International Bay Area to Europe Move Work?

When shipping internationally, your items will likely travel by sea. Other forms of international shipping include air, which is less common and more expensive, or truck to neighboring countries.

To ensure your belongings arrive safely while you’re moving from the San Francisco Bay Area to Europe, they will be packed into shipping containers. Once they’re packed, they will depart from a port along the West Coast. The shipping company you use will ensure your items clear customs, and once shipped, it can take 4-8 weeks for them to arrive during a Bay Area-to-Europe move.

The cost of a Bay Area to Europe move varies. Factors affecting cost include how many items you need moved, whether you need additional services like packing, and when you move. For in-depth information about how all international moves work, not just European moves, our San Francisco international movers can help.

AMS Relocation: The Best San Francisco to Europe Movers

Our San Francisco international moving company has helped customers from all walks of life move from the Bay Area to Europe for years. We have been family-owned and operated since 1949, and we’re licensed, fully insured, and offer affordable, reliable moving services. We’ve won countless awards, including Bekins Agent of the Year in 2026. We’re also accredited by the Better Business Bureau.

Great reasons to partner with us for your international relocation include:

Dedicated San Francisco to Europe movers
Hundreds of positive Google reviews
Clean, reliable fleet
Fair pricing and the best rates
Full-service moving support and storage

Help is just a phone call away! If you’re moving from San Francisco to Europe, call us today at 650-284-2931 for a quick, honest quote.

Moving From San Francisco to Europe: International Relocation FAQs

Can You Move My Whole Household to Europe?

Yes, we provide full-service international household moves from San Francisco and the Bay Area all throughout Europe, including the UK, Germany, France, and Spain. As a Bekins Van Lines partner, we coordinate every stage of your overseas relocation. We offer access to professional packing, ocean or air freight, customs documentation, and delivery to your new home. We handle moves from San Francisco/Bay Area to Europe door-to-door, so you don’t need to rent unnecessary moving trucks. Transit times from the West Coast to Europe range from four to eight weeks depending on the destination and shipping method.

What Items Can’t I Ship Internationally?

International shipments cannot include hazardous or restricted items, such as aerosols, paints, propane tanks, firearms, ammunition, alcohol, and perishable foods. Plants, soil, and even certain wood products are prohibited due to agricultural regulations. Many European countries restrict certain medications, specific quantities of tobacco, and items made from protected animal materials. Since customs regulations vary by country, your international mover will conduct a detailed inventory of your belongings before packing them. This helps prevent customs delays, so you can receive your items faster if you’re moving from San Francisco/Bay Area to Europe.

Do I Ship by Ocean or Air Freight?

Most items for international moves from the Bay Area to Europe ship by ocean freight. This method is the most cost-effective for large shipments and typically takes four to eight weeks port-to-port. Air freight is faster, arriving within one to two weeks, but costs a lot more; it is generally reserved for smaller shipments or essential items that need to be delivered quickly. People often combine overseas shipping and air, sending a small shipment by air while the rest ships by sea. If you’re moving from San Francisco/Bay Area to Europe, the right choice or combination of shipping methods for you depends on your individual needs, timeline, budget, and shipment size.

San Francisco/Bay Area to Europe Moving

Starting a new job? If your relocation is being decided by your employer, have your company contact AMS Bekins for more details on our custom employee relocation services. AMS Bekins will meet the requirements of both you and your employer, providing you with a comfortable full-service household move while meeting your employer’s predetermined schedule and budget. We offer the custom services you need to complete your San Francisco to Europe move, and we also serve clients in San Mateo, Santa Clara (near San Jose), Marin, Alameda, and Contra Costa County.

Moving from San Francisco/Bay Area to Europe doesn’t have to be hard. No matter if you’re moving to a city like London or to Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Dublin, Madrid, Frankfurt, or Zurich, call now to speak with a helpful moving specialist or fill out our online quote form to receive a free estimate.

Contact AMS Relocation for Your San Francisco to Europe International Move

Moving from the Bay Area to Europe? Our experienced San Francisco/Bay Area to Europe movers can make your transition smoother than any other company in the Bay. We’ve served the Greater Bay Area for decades, and when you work with us, you can be sure you’re working with experienced overseas moving professionals. Your personal effects are in good hands, and you’ll pay fair prices, guaranteed.

If you’re moving to London, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Dublin, Madrid, Frankfurt, or Zurich, start planning your move now. Our estimates are always free with zero strings attached. Call us at 650-284-2931 to speak with a helpful moving specialist or request a quote online.