In fact, it can be as simple as this

Go to the International Movers website (www.intlmovers.com). Type in the details of what you’d like to have shipped from where to where, then sit back and wait for estimates from international shipping firms interested in the gig. This online brokerage service is how I found the company that delivered our container-load of furniture to Panama, and I heartily recommend it.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Maybe you don’t want or need to ship an entire container-load of furniture and belongings to your new home. In some cases it doesn’t make sense to undertake that investment. Start by thinking through (as objectively as possible, using a system of “benchmarks,” as Lucy described) what you need to take with you (on the plane), what you want to ship for immediate delivery, and then whether or not it makes sense in fact to invest in shipping a full container-load of stuff. One key to making these decisions is knowing what you’ll be able to replace easily in your new country of residence and at what cost.

The UPS Store is probably still the best choice for shipping things you want waiting for you upon your arrival.