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If you are moving more than you can bring along with you on a flight, you need to look at ocean shipping. Anything breakable, or irreplaceable, of with sentimental value should be on the flight with you. Anything that you don't need right away should go by boat, unless you have the money to pay air freight. There are many shippers who can ship for you. The most expensive would likely be those who specialize in corporate moves. When you ship to a more developed country (like Ireland, England or New Zealand), really cheap options may be limited. The cheapest options would be companies specializing in shipping for immigrants to the US. For example, when I moved to Kiev, Ukraine last year, I found a shipper who helps recent Russian/Ukrainian/Polish immigrants to the US send parcels back to relatives in the homeland. And family in the former USSR can ship a touch of the homeland back to the USA. Since recent emigrants to the US are rarely rich, this is the cheapest option. I shipped close to 1/2 ton for under $1000. Ireland, England or New Zealand are relatively well-to-do countries and might not have this ultra cheap option. Try to google "cheap shipping USA to country name" (without the quotes). Another option might to try to tap into the US expat community in your destination country. They have faced these issues before. Try to google "US expat country name" (without the quotes) and look for a bulletin board similar to DU where you can post your question.
Furniture. While you can sell that at yard sales, I think you'll be better off trying other options. Much of my furniture went to family and friends. My desk and some old computer hardware went to family, friends, and to members of a computer users group I belonged to. My vinyl record collection and CD's got a good price on Craig's List. Much more than I could have hoped for at a yard sale. And books and excess clothing I had no use for went to the local library and to a local clothing drive. Anything else that wasn't going with me went the yard sale route.
What to bring. Depends. I was moving because this was where my new love was. I knew what she had and didn't have. If you are moving alone or as a family, you likely will not have a furnished place to move into, or not furnished as you would like. Electronics is what you must give the most thought to. If the country you are going to has different voltages, leave all small electronics behind. Buy new stuff when you arrive. But the expensive stuff? Some new computers have universal power supplies, especially if it's a laptop. You just need a new adapter or a voltage transformer. Broadcast radio has few variances, so radios are more likely to work, after the voltage issue is addressed. TV's? Possible big headache. Not only is the voltage different, but the method of broadcast is different. Cable TV is more standardized, I think. Your other computer stuff like printers, scanners, can come with you as long as you buy a sufficient voltage transformer, not the $10 converters. Any of the countries you mentioned should have access to things like printer ink, but in lesser developed countries, who knows?
All of the more developed countries have websites with information about short-term stays, or possibly immigrating to the country. In lesser developed countries, you may have an easier time bending the rules. In the countries you mention, likely more difficult. Understand the rules.
Did not transport a pet, but numerous countries have quarantines for animals shipped into the country. Many will quarantine for many months, at your expense. Having proof may not change that.
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