Moving from Switzerland to the USA
A practical guide to shipping household goods from Switzerland to the United States, including shared containers, sea freight timing and US customs Form 3299.
How the move usually works
Moving from Switzerland to USA is typically handled by ocean freight. Swiss Moving Service packs and collects the goods in Switzerland, prepares export handling, arranges sea freight and coordinates customs clearance with trusted partners in the United States.
Plan the survey and volume
Start with a household-goods survey in Switzerland so the shipment can be packed, measured and priced by actual volume. Smaller moves can usually travel in a shared groupage container instead of a dedicated container.
Choose groupage or container shipping
Groupage combines compatible Swiss household shipments to major US ports, reducing cost for partial moves. Larger homes may need a 20-foot or 40-foot container loaded for your move only.
Prepare customs documents
US Customs requires clear documentation for personal effects, including passport details, inventory, residency information and Form 3299 for unaccompanied household goods.
Pack, export and ship
Professional export packing protects furniture for ocean transport. After Swiss export handling, the container ships to the US port and is processed by customs before final delivery.
Groupage containers to the USA
For many Swiss households, a shared groupage container is the most efficient option. Your goods are packed separately, loaded with other compatible consignments and shipped to a US gateway such as New York on the East Coast or Los Angeles on the West Coast. You pay for the volume you move, while still getting professional export packing and destination coordination.
US Customs Form 3299
Form 3299 is the main US customs declaration for unaccompanied personal effects and household goods. It helps US Customs and Border Protection identify who owns the shipment, what is being imported and whether the goods qualify as personal effects rather than commercial merchandise.
- Importer details: your full name, date of birth, passport or ID information and US address if already known.
- Arrival details: the date you enter or entered the United States and your flight, vessel or travel information where applicable.
- Shipment details: the moving inventory, number of packages and whether the goods are household effects or personal effects.
- Declarations: statements confirming ownership, use abroad and whether restricted goods such as alcohol, food or vehicles are included.
Complete the form carefully and keep the information consistent with your passport, inventory and travel documents. If anything is unclear, ask your move coordinator before signing so the US clearance process is not delayed.
What to prepare before packing day
Prepare passport copies, visa or residency documents where applicable, a delivery address or contact in the USA, and a clear inventory of goods. Avoid packing prohibited or restricted items without prior advice, especially food, plants, alcohol, firearms, vehicles and high-value new purchases.