You are moving abroad, and that is exciting! How do you ensure all your treasured possessions get safely to your new home? We’ll examine what international movers offer and how to find the best international moving companies.
How to find the best international moving company
We cover all of these items in detail in the International Moving Companies FAQ below.
Five questions before you compare international moving companies.
- How much do you need to move to your new home?
- When will you be moving?
- How quickly do you need your delivery to arrive?
- What parts of the relocation do you want your international moving company to take care of?
- How will you insure your belongings during the move?
Three things to check before you ask for a moving quote
- Do they have a certified professional license?
- Are they a member of a respected professional association?
- Are they experienced with your type of move?
- Do they provide the expertise, network, services, and help you want for your overseas move?
- Is the right team in place to manage the logistics of your move?
- Do they have excellent customer reviews on Google and sites like TrustPilot?
- Is there a dedicated contact or escalation point if there are any issues?
Get quotes from 5 reputable international moving companies
You’ll be surprised by how international shipping quotes can vary for the same move. To save money, get at least five quotes from a range of quality companies. And don’t just go for the industry names at the top of a Google search. Make sure you consider a variety of movers, global and regional, as you could save up to 50% of your move costs.
There are two approaches.
1) The easy way. Worldwide Moving is an independent service – they’ll match your requirements against their database of 10,000+ quality internal moving companies. They’ll then forward your request to the best companies for your move. You’ll receive free quotes directly from the movers, often with significant savings. Check out the company details and reviews on Worldwide Moving’s website: compare and pick the best one – it is that simple!
Click Here: Get 5 independent quotes now.
2) The hard way. Do your research to pick five reputable movers that can complete your relocation. Complete all the quote request processes and then compare the quotes using your research. Pick the one you trust with your relocation.
Next steps
Our Moving Abroad checklist is a great place to start if you are planning a move abroad. It covers everything you’ll need for a successful move in an easy-to-follow process.
International Moving Companies FAQ
How much does an international move cost?
The quote from your international moving company will depend on many things:
- Your origin country and destination country.
- The personal items that you are moving.
- The international moving service you include.
- The type of shipping you need.
- How fast you want your things delivered.
- The date you book your relocation.
- The extra options you want.
Get quotes from at least five international moving companies – there’ll be a company that best suits your requirements.
How do I estimate moving costs?
Use this guide to gather the needed information and get some quotes. Some websites offer an estimated service, but these are very general and should be used only as a rough guide.
Some companies offer a pricing guideline and then provide a detailed and binding quote if you want to proceed.
How do I find a good international moving company?
1) Use an independent referral service to find a perfect mover.
2) Check out forums, Expat groups, client review sites, and Google search to find recommended movers.
3) If you are moving for work, there may be a corporate supplier or discount you can use.
Why do moves have such different prices?
Distance, customs processes and tariffs, and transport type all impact the final price. These expenses vary around the world. Moving from France to Spain is easier and cheaper than moving from the USA to China.
What services do International Moving Companies offer?
There are three standard services that you can choose from.
- Door to Door: The easiest and simplest. Your international mover and agent handle the entire move, including customs clearance and paperwork.
- Door to Port / Port to Door: You deal with customs clearance and paperwork on one side of your move.
- Port to Port: The cheapest, but understand you have to do all the work with duty, customs clearance, and excise.
What extra options do international moving companies offer?
You’ll select from a wide range of international moving services. The ones you pick may impact the price of your international move.
- A pre-move consultation.
- Full packing, storage, and unpacking.
- Customs and excise process management.
- Shipment protection and insurance.
- Shipment tracking.
- Many more like TV mounting, debris clean-up etc.
What types of transport can I choose from?
- Sea freight: The most common and cheapest worldwide moving service, but it can take a long time.
- Land freight (truck or train): A good plan for regional moves.
- Airfreight: Fast but very expensive for large household moves.
A mix of these solutions may also be the best for you.
How do international moving companies measure my things?
Your international moving service quote will be based on one or more of these three measures.
1) Volume: The most common for land and sea overseas moves. The usual measure is based on a standard shipping container.
2) Weight: Most common for international air moving service.
3) Special Items: International movers may charge more for especially fragile, heavy, or valuable items.
What is a standard shipping container?
A standard shipping container is 20 feet (ca. 6 m) x 8 feet (2.44 m) x 8 feet 6 inches (2.59 m). The volume is 1,360 cubic feet (or 39 m3).
Can I use choose between a full (FCL) and a partial container (LCL)?
In many cases, yes. However, there are impacts depending on your choice.
FCL shipping
FCL stands for “full container load.” When you opt for FCL shipping, you pay for all the space yourself. With FCL the space is for your use only; an FCL is filled with just your furniture and belongings.
If your international relocation is time-sensitive, FCL may be a better option as your load can leave as soon as you pack it.
LCL shipping
LCL stands for “less than a load.” With the LCL option, you pay for a part of a container. In this case, you share the space with cargo belonging to other shippers. Different companies will sell different portions (for example, a quarter, third, or half).
LCL relocations can take longer. Your international moving service will wait until it has more cargo to use the rest of the space at the same destination.
Who will be involved in my international relocation?
Several companies, mediators, and stops can be involved in an international move. You may pay and communicate with only one partner, but that doesn’t mean this is the only partner involved in your moving process. Your international mover may act only as a freight forwarder, which means they deal with the documentation and liaise with all the parties.
Other parties are:
- Truckers (the people responsible for picking up your items and transporting them to the port or airport)
- LCL consolidators (the people responsible for placing your cargo in a container along with that of another shipper)
- Carriers (the people responsible for the vessel that transports your belongings)
- Destination agent (the person who receives your cargo at your international destination)
Tip: Find out if your moving service is responsible for all the steps.
What essential services should all international movers offer?
Insurance
Quality international moving companies will offer insurance for your belongings. However, it is essential to double-check what the insurance covers.
For instance, some companies may cover possible damage to your items during transportation but not during loading and unloading. Other companies do not offer coverage on things you have packed yourself, but only on items, they have packed for you.
Moreover, some international movers prohibit the transit of fragile and valuable items; or deny liability in case of damage.
Valuation of your belongings
The value of your household items is another essential aspect to keep in mind while examining your moving insurance. We advise estimating the approximate total value of your cargo before making a deal with your mover. This way, you can ensure the coverage amount matches the actual value of your items.
Under-insuring your good can be disastrous. Imagine receiving $5,000 as compensation for a cargo that was worth $50,000.
Tracking
Moving your prized possessions to another country can be stressful. Many international moving companies now offer an online tracking service. This shows the location and status of your specific cargo anywhere in the world without calling, emailing, or waiting.
Customer Service
Customer service is another critical factor when you relocate.
Make sure your moving service provider is reachable at all times and answers all your questions quickly and accurately.
Can you pack your belongings for an international move?
Only in some cases, and even then, it may not be the best option.
For some moves, your mover will need to pack your goods so that they can sign off on the customs declarations and other paperwork.
And, in some cases, your moving service will only insure belongings that they have packed.
What certifications should I look out for?
There are many certification agencies, depending on the location of your moving service partner. Here are some popular certifications you can look out for.
Professional movers will handle everything with care, and ensure it is all protected in the truck. They will also offer insurance so that if anything does happen, you will be able to make a claim.
In most countries around the world, it’s advisable for expats to sort out some private medical cover. Even if your new country does have an efficient public healthcare system, it can take a while before you’re able to access it, e.g. you might have to live in the country for a certain period of time, or secure a specific type of residence permit.