Sea freight is priced by volume and air freight by weight, so a genuinely minimalist move — shipping only what you actually need — cuts your bill directly rather than just making packing easier. A smaller shipment can also mean choosing LCL (shared container space) instead of a full container, at roughly $0.50–$2 per kg versus $2.50–$8 per kg for air freight. What you don't ship doesn't have to go to waste either: several free-pickup donation services operate across Saudi Arabia for exactly this situation.
Moving can be quite a hassle – even if you are doing it within your own city. So imagine just how much trouble moving overseas can cause. Here, you might have the opportunity to really look at your home before you move – maybe you will just get accommodations from your company. Then, you will need to deal with a sea of paperwork. These can often vary based on the country you are moving to, as well, so they make things even more difficult. And on top of all these variables, you need to do the regular moving logistics like packing, getting transportation, etc. So, one of the things you need to consider during these complicated moves is to go minimalistic. Pack as little as you can and spend as little as you possibly can on the move. Can you really do it? Find out in this article!
| What you do with an item | Best for | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| Ship it (LCL, shared container) | Furniture and household items you’ll actually use, under a full container’s worth | Priced by volume (CBM) — smaller shipments cost less |
| Ship it (air freight) | A small number of items you need fast on arrival | Priced by chargeable weight — heavier or bulkier costs more |
| Store it | Items you’re not ready to part with but don’t need immediately | A storage unit in Saudi Arabia, kept until you’re settled or return |
| Donate it | Furniture, clothes, toys and books in usable condition | Free-pickup donation platforms operating across Saudi Arabia |
| Sell it | Anything with resale value you won’t need again | Local resale marketplaces before moving day |
What going minimalistic for moving overseas includes?
Before we begin, we should take a moment to explain what going minimalistic even means. Maybe you have not heard the word, or you might have heard it in another field – definitely not for moving. Minimalism in moving, just like in art, means removing the excess of stuff. What this means is that you are, for example, packing fewer items. Because of this, you will need to carry less and thus pay your professional movers Saudi Arabia less. However, this can include some brave choices and ideas:
- starting over from scratch after moving overseas;
- get a tiny truck;
- divide everything 50-50.
Some of these ideas might seem too crazy for you. Some might sound like the natural thing for you to do. Let’s dive deeper into each of them and examine them further. This will, hopefully, help you make your move easier on yourself.
Start over in your new place
Moving overseas can often be a frightening experience. You are moving to a new, unknown place. There will be new people around you, and, if you are moving to a different country, a new language and culture to get used to. So, since everything around you will be new, why not restart your life as well? So, before you move, just sell or give away everything you own.
Start fresh – like for New year!
There are a couple of benefits to this. First, a lot of moving companies will charge you by the weight and the size of your items. If you don’t have much – then you might not even need to call the company itself. Also, there are no moving calculators to deal with. You can stuff things in a couple of boxes, put them in a car (or plane) and drive off into the sunset with them. Then, you can use the money you earned from selling your old things to buy new ones. This will help you figure out where your priorities lie. Maybe you can make do with an older coach, but you know you want a new, good TV set – and this will help you get it. Also, if you give stuff away, your friends and family will forever be grateful to you.
When is starting from scratch when moving overseas not a good idea?
Think about your children when packing.
The downside to this comes in the shape of your family. If you have a child (or kids), they might be attached to some of their stuff. Any type of moving (and especially moving overseas) can be super stressful for them. This is because children love the things they know, and throwing them into a whole new world can be pretty scary. In order to help ease them into the process, you should keep some of their stuff. Toys, books, a favorite blanket – anything that can help them is valuable. It might also be a good idea to keep a couple of bigger pieces of furniture – like the couch where you spend your evening together, too.
Get a tiny truck to help you pack
Another thing that might help you when moving overseas in a minimalistic way is to get a tiny vehicle to move your stuff. You should talk about moving services Saudi Arabia about what they can provide, but you can also just go with your car if you are single. Think about it this way – if it’s so tiny that you start to panic, then it’s the proper size. That way, you will only be able to take the essentials with you.
This way of prioritizing might seem a bit over the top to some people, but it’s pretty effective. And when you want a minimalistic move, anything that works is golden. This way, not only do you pay less than when getting a moving truck, but you will also be carrying less stuff. Because of that, you cut the packing and unpacking time short, too.
Cutting everything in half
This is a famous method that a lot of minimalists use. Whenever you need to move but don’t want to take everything with you – cut it in half. This means you respect this literally, and you are being ruthless with it. Doesn’t matter if you are a book lover or you are ready to die for fashion. If you have 50 books – you’re only taking 25 with you. If you have 20 dresses, only 10 of them can come along.
Cut everything 50/50.
The good thing about this is that, after moving overseas, you are left with only your favorite stuff. This way you can get rid of all those boring gifts and thoughtless purchases you had no excuse to get rid of before. For an even extra effort, divide everything you have into half again. The best minimalists work with only 20-25% of their stuff! Now, all that’s left is to request a free quote and start packing.
Start planning
A minimalist move isn’t about giving up everything — it’s about shipping only what’s actually worth the cost of moving it. Four Winds Saudi Arabia can quote your shipment by volume or weight before you decide what stays, and offer storage for anything you’re not ready to part with. Get a free moving estimate and find out exactly what a lighter shipment would cost you.
FAQs
Does packing less actually save money on an overseas move?
Yes. Sea freight is priced by volume and air freight by chargeable weight, so a smaller shipment directly lowers the cost — it's not just a packing convenience.
Where can I donate furniture or clothes before moving in Saudi Arabia?
Galaxy Generosity and Kiswa KSA both offer free home pickup for clothes, books, toys, and household items across major Saudi cities, including Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.
Is LCL cheaper than a full container for a minimalist move?
Usually, yes, if your shipment doesn't fill a full container. LCL (less than container load) charges by volume, so a smaller shipment costs proportionally less than booking a full container you don't need.
Should I store items instead of shipping them if my move might be temporary?
Often, yes. If there's a real chance you'll need the same items again within a year or two, local storage can cost less than shipping them abroad and then shipping them back.
How do I decide what to keep when moving with children?
Keep the items your children are attached to — toys, books, a favorite blanket — even if you're otherwise packing minimally. The cost savings from cutting other categories usually outweigh what a few sentimental items add to the shipment.