How to Choose the Best Time to Move Internationally

Relocating to another country is one of the most significant life transitions a person or family can undertake. Between organizing your household, navigating customs requirements, and adjusting to a new culture, timing is everything.

But when is the right time to move internationally?

While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, certain times of year (and life) are more favorable for international relocations, both financially and logistically. At Asian Tigers Group, we help thousands of clients move every year across Asia, the Americas, and beyond. Drawing from that experience, we’ve compiled this guide to help you choose the best time to make your international move.

1. Understand the Seasonality of International Moves

Peak Season: May to August

This is the global high season for moving, especially for international families with children who want to relocate during school holidays. While this timeframe offers more flexibility for families, it also comes with:

• Higher demand for movers and shipping containers
• Longer lead times
• Higher costs for services, freight, and storage
• Port congestion and customs delays in certain countries

Off-Peak Season: September to April

If you can move during the off-peak season, you may enjoy:

• More availability of reputable movers
• Shorter transit and booking timelines
• Discounted rates from shipping lines and service providers
• Less competition for visas, customs clearance, and housing

Tip: For business relocations or single professionals, the off-peak season is often ideal, offering savings and faster timelines.

2. Consider School Calendars if Moving with Children

If you have school-age children, your moving window is largely defined by academic schedules.

• Northern Hemisphere: Summer break usually runs June to August.
• Southern Hemisphere: Breaks often occur in December–January.
• International schools may have unique terms that don’t align with local calendars.

Whenever possible, aim to move 1–2 months before the new school year starts. This gives children time to settle in and for families to adjust to the new home and routines before school begins.

3. Factor in Weather at Your Destination

Weather might seem like a secondary concern—but it directly affects moving logistics and comfort.

• Avoid monsoon or typhoon seasons in regions like Southeast Asia.
• Winter moves to Europe or North America may face snow-related delays.
• Extreme heat or humidity can affect packing conditions and make the transition more physically taxing.

Plan your move during moderate weather conditions whenever possible. You’ll reduce risks of weather-related delays and make unloading and settling in more pleasant.

4. Align With Job Start Dates and Work Permits

When moving internationally for a job, the start date often dictates your move timing. But remember:

• Work visa approvals can take weeks or even months.
• Customs clearance for household goods may require you to be physically present.
• Storage-in-transit (SIT) may be needed if your home abroad isn’t ready yet.

The best strategy is to start the visa process early and work backward from your start date, factoring in enough time for packing, shipping, and temporary accommodation if needed.

Asian Tigers frequently helps clients coordinate these complex timelines by managing both move-out and move-in logistics.

5. Consider Holidays and Local Events

Major holidays, both in your origin and destination countries, can affect everything from customs clearance to mover availability:

• Golden Week in China and Japan (late April to early May)
• Lunar New Year (January or February)
• Christmas and New Year closures in Western countries
• Eid or Diwali in South and Southeast Asia

Customs offices, port authorities, and even landlords may be unavailable during these times. Try to avoid moving during or immediately before major holidays—or at least plan for potential delays.

6. Watch Global Freight and Logistics Trends

Freight markets, container availability, and fuel costs all impact the timing and cost of international moves. In recent years, global supply chains have faced major fluctuations due to:

• Port strikes
• Pandemic recovery backlogs
• Fuel price spikes
• International conflicts and sanctions

By working with a relocation expert like Asian Tigers, you gain access to up-to-date logistics data, preferred carrier pricing, and rerouting options if necessary.

In fact, moving outside of high-demand periods (like Q2) often results in lower freight rates and fewer surprises at the port.

7. Maximize Personal Readiness and Flexibility

Sometimes the “best” time to move is simply when you’re most mentally, emotionally, and financially ready.

Ask yourself:

• Have I sorted my important documents (passports, visas, insurance)?
• Do I feel comfortable saying goodbye to friends and routines?
• Is my support system in place at the destination (housing, job, school, network)?
• Do I have time to manage the pre-move logistics?

Trying to move during high-stress periods—such as during family illness, job instability, or financial uncertainty—can make the experience much harder than it needs to be. When possible, plan your move during a season of personal stability.

8. Don’t Forget Storage Options

Not all moves go exactly as planned. You might arrive before your shipment, or your destination home may not be ready. Having storage-in-transit (SIT) arranged at origin or destination gives you breathing room.

Asian Tigers offers both short- and long-term storage with:

• Secure, climate-controlled facilities
• Barcode inventory management
• Flexible redelivery timelines

This is especially helpful when you’re trying to match your move with work, school, or real estate availability.

9. Leverage Professional Movers for Seasonal Advice

A professional international mover does more than just pack boxes. We act as strategic advisors, helping you:

• Assess optimal timelines
• Coordinate household and vehicle shipping
• Prepare customs documentation
• Provide destination-specific timing guidance
• Offer local knowledge about holiday closures or school deadlines

Asian Tigers Group works across 14 countries in Asia and collaborates with hundreds of trusted partners worldwide. Our consultants are trained to align your relocation with seasonal factors and regulatory timing, so everything flows smoothly from departure to arrival.

10. Plan at Least 3–6 Months in Advance

One of the most common regrets people have when moving internationally is not starting early enough. We recommend the following rough timeline:

Moving is a journey. Starting early gives you the flexibility to adjust based on visa approvals, weather, or port schedules—without scrambling.

Final Thoughts: The Right Time Is Your Time

There’s no perfect global calendar date to move. The best time to move internationally depends on:

• Your family’s needs
• Your career goals
• School timelines
• Freight conditions
• Your emotional and financial readiness

With expert guidance and good planning, you can reduce stress, control costs, and settle into your new life smoothly.

Need Help Planning?

Let Asian Tigers guide you through the entire relocation process; from strategic timing to delivery at your new doorstep. Whether you’re moving for work, education, or adventure, we’ll help you manage the move.

Contact us and we’ll make sure each step of your moving journey is manageable.