Miami is the gateway to Latin America — and one of the country's biggest international moving hubs. Every week, families relocate to Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Spain, and beyond through MIA and PortMiami. Every one of those moves forces the same decision: what ships overseas, what gets sold, and what stays behind in storage waiting for your return — or your next chapter. Search Miami storage for your move.
The International Move Storage Decision
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International moves have a unique storage calculus. Shipping a container overseas costs $3,000-$8,000+ and takes 4-8 weeks — and that's before customs, duties, and the reality that your US furniture may not fit a Latin American or European apartment. For most international movers, the smart play is a hybrid:
- Ship the essentials: clothes, documents, electronics, sentimental items — the things you need immediately and can't replace
- Store the keepers: furniture you love, items that won't fit the new place but you can't sell, things for the eventual return — a 10x10 or 10x15 holds a household's worth of keepers for $120-$280/month
- Sell the rest: furniture that ships poorly (particleboard, oversized sectionals), appliances (voltage differences), and anything cheaper to rebuy than ship or store
The math: storing a 10x10 for 2 years costs $2,900-$4,800. Shipping the same contents internationally costs $3,000-$8,000 one-way — plus the risk of damage, customs delays, and the reality that your US king bed may not fit a Buenos Aires bedroom. For moves under 3 years, storage usually wins. For permanent moves, sell more and store less.
What to Store vs Ship vs Sell
The framework Miami international movers use:
| Category | Decision | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Quality furniture (solid wood, antiques) | Store | Ships poorly, expensive to replace, fits a future US return |
| Cheap furniture (particleboard, IKEA) | Sell | Costs more to store 2 years than to rebuy |
| Documents, photos, heirlooms | Ship or store | Irreplaceable — carry documents with you, store the rest |
| Electronics (US voltage) | Sell or store | 110V doesn't work in most of LatAm/Europe — sell unless returning |
| Car | Store or sell | Import duties are brutal — store if returning, sell if not |
| Clothes, personal items | Ship | You need them immediately — ship the essentials |
| Kitchen items, appliances | Sell | Voltage + size differences make them useless overseas |
| Business inventory, equipment | <If you're keeping the US business running — see our business storage guide |
What Size Unit for an International Move
| Situation | Unit Size | Miami Price | What Fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boxes + a few furniture pieces | 5x10 | $65-$130/mo | 20-30 boxes, small furniture |
| 1-bedroom apartment keepers | 10x10 | $120-$200/mo | Bed, dresser, sofa, boxes |
| 2-3 bedroom house keepers | 10x15 or 10x20 | $160-$320/mo | Full household minus sold items |
| Car + household | 10x20 + vehicle space | $250-$400/mo | Everything including the car |
Climate control is mandatory: you're storing for 1-3+ years through Miami summers. Non-climate storage destroys furniture, electronics, and documents in months — see our climate guide. For long-term storage, see our long-term storage guide.
Long-Term Storage Logistics for International Moves
Storing from overseas requires setup before you leave:
- Autopay is non-negotiable: you'll be in another country when rent is due. Set up autopay at move-in, verify it processes, and keep the card current — an expired card means a lien on your unit.
- Choose a facility with online management: you need to manage the account from overseas — payments, contact updates, eventually move-out. The major chains (Public Storage, Extra Space, CubeSmart) have the best online portals.
- Designate a local contact: give a trusted friend or family member access authorization — someone who can check the unit, handle issues, or coordinate move-out if you can't return.
- Prepay for a discount: many facilities offer 5-15% off for 6-12 month prepayment — real savings on a long-term store. But only prepay if you're certain of the timeline.
- Insurance: verify your coverage works for long-term international storage — see our insurance guide. Photograph everything before you leave.
- Pack for the long haul: plastic bins not cardboard (Miami humidity penetrates cardboard), furniture covers, DampRid in every bin, and a detailed inventory — you'll thank yourself in 2 years. See our packing guide.
- Keep the lease flexible: international plans change — a 1-year move becomes 3, or you're back in 6 months. Month-to-month storage handles both. See our month-to-month guide.
- Vehicle storage: if you're keeping the car, indoor storage ($190-$360/month) protects it through hurricane season — outdoor storage for a car sitting 1-3 years in Miami is asking for UV and storm damage. See our long-term vehicle guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does storage cost
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for an international move from Miami?
Find Storage Near You in Miami
Search by neighborhood — Hialeah, Doral, Brickell, Miami Beach, Kendall & more. First month free deals available.
Don't Overpay for Storage in Miami
Prices vary by up to 300% across Miami neighborhoods. Compare facilities side-by-side and lock in the best rate before prices increase.
Compare Storage Prices Now →No credit card needed · Compare 50+ Miami facilities · Free reservation
A 10x10 climate-controlled unit (a 1-bedroom's keepers) costs $120-$200/month — $1,440-$2,400/year. A 10x20 for a house's contents runs $200-$320/month. Compare that to $3,000-$8,000 one-way for international shipping — storage wins for moves under 3 years.
Should I ship my furniture overseas or store it in Miami?
Store quality pieces you'll want back; sell cheap furniture. Shipping a container costs $3,000-$8,000+ and takes 4-8 weeks — and US furniture often doesn't fit Latin American or European apartments. For moves under 3 years, storing a 10x10 ($1,440-$2,400/year) is usually cheaper than shipping and rebuying.
Can I manage a Miami storage unit from overseas?
Yes — set up autopay before you leave, choose a facility with online account management (the major chains have the best portals), and designate a local contact with access authorization. Keep your payment card current — an expired card can lead to a lien on your unit.
What size storage unit do I need for an international move?
For a 1-bedroom's keepers: 10x10 ($120-$200/mo). For a 2-3 bedroom house: 10x15 or 10x20 ($160-$320/mo). For boxes and a few pieces only: 5x10 ($65-$130/mo). Store only what you'll want back — sell the rest before you leave.
Do I need climate control for long-term international storage?
Absolutely — you're storing for 1-3+ years through Miami summers. Non-climate storage destroys furniture, electronics, and documents in months. Climate control maintains 55-85°F and under 55% humidity — mandatory for anything you're keeping.
What should I do with my car when moving internationally from Miami?
Store it if you're returning (indoor storage $190-$360/month protects through hurricane season), sell it if you're not. Import duties on US cars in most countries are prohibitive — shipping rarely makes sense. For long-term storage, prep properly: fuel stabilizer, battery tender, breathable cover. See our vehicle guide<
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How do I pack for long-term international storage?
Plastic bins not cardboard (Miami humidity penetrates cardboard in days), furniture covers, DampRid moisture absorbers in every bin, a detailed inventory with photos, and everything off the floor on pallets or shelving. Pack for 3+ years even if you plan 1 — international timelines always extend.
Can someone else access my storage unit while I'm overseas?
Yes — designate a local contact with access authorization at move-in. They can check the unit, handle issues, or coordinate move-out if you can't return. Give them the gate code and make sure the facility has their contact info on file.
Ready to store for your international move? Search Miami storage by ZIP — filter by climate control, online management, and month-to-month terms across 50+ facilities. See also our moving to Miami guide and storage for moving guide.
