Are you worried that you have decided to move to Malaysia, but you have no idea how to move?

Moving overseas is very different from moving domestically. When I first moved here, I almost lost a lot of money on estimates and also failed when sorting my luggage. In this article, we will thoroughly explain the latest moving circumstances in 2026 and the steps to avoid failure.

Packing for moving
Packing for moving

[Conclusion] The key to success in moving is "compared quotes from Japanese companies" and "discounting local procurement"

  • 1Contractors must obtain competitive estimates from two or more Japanese companies! (Prices may vary especially during busy seasons)
  • 2The best answer is not to bring furniture or home appliances! (In Malaysia, furnished properties are the norm)
  • 3Stock up to 3 cardboard boxes of food and daily necessities! (You can buy anything at Donki or Daiso)

Now, let's take a look at the specific steps.

📦 Step 1: Sort your luggage — what should you bring?

The most difficult part is sorting the luggage. Condominiums in Malaysia are generally fully furnished (with furniture and home appliances). There is no advantage in bringing large Japanese furniture or home appliances with different voltages (especially those that require a transformer).

Things to bring (recommended):

  • ●
    Standard medicines/favorite cosmetics—It's best to use what you're used to.
  • ●
    High-quality stationery—The quality of Japanese pens and notebooks is overwhelming.
  • ●
    Transformer/conversion plug (several pieces)—BF type is the mainstream, but it would be convenient to have a multi-tap that allows you to plug in a Japanese PC or smartphone charger.

What should be procured locally:

  • ●
    Furniture/Large home appliances—The equipment provided is sufficient. IKEA is also available if you want to buy more.
  • ●
    Daily necessities (shampoo, detergent, etc.)—Japanese products are easily available at Watson, Guardian, and Matsumoto Kiyoshi.

🚚 Step 2: How to choose a vendor and estimate costs

It is common to use Japanese moving companies (Kuroneko Yamato, Nippon Express, etc.).

If you are traveling alone, the average price for a "single pack (shipped)" of 10 to 15 cardboard boxes is approximately 100,000 to 150,000 yen. A single container for a family can cost over 500,000 yen.

How to choose a company that won't fail:

* Be sure to get quotes from at least two companies: Truck availability varies depending on the season, and prices can vary by tens of thousands of yen.

* Check if it's "door-to-door": Choose a plan that will deliver the package to your home in Malaysia or handle all customs formalities on your behalf.

💡 Bonus advice: How to use surface mail and air mail properly

Sea mail takes 1 month to 1.5 months to arrive. Bring the things you need for immediate life (clothing, basic daily necessities, work tools) either by airmail (unaccompanied) or as hand luggage. Airmail will arrive in about a week, but it is expensive, so it is wise to keep it to one or two cardboard boxes.

To all readers (summary)

Preparing for a move can be difficult, but the more you reduce your belongings, the more you will feel lighter and the more you will look forward to your new life. Approach the event with the mindset of ``The worst thing you can do is buy it locally!''

If you found it helpful or motivated to prepare for your move, please like and share.

Please let us know in the comments what you are most worried about when preparing to move!