- Getting Reliable Services From Reputable International Moving Companies
- How To Choose The Best International Movers
- Cost
- Customer Service
- Company Reputation
- Insurance
- Storage Services
- Car Shipping
- International Mover Tips
- International Shipping With A1 Auto Transport
- What Stands Us Out?
- Customized International Moving Services
- International Car Shipping
- How Cars Are Shipped Internationally
- International Moving Cost
- Examples Of Cost & Time Taken For International Moves
- Start Early With Preparations
- Visa And Passport Information For International Relocation
- Storage During Your International Move
- Tracking Goods In International Moves
- Transportation Services From The Airport
- How Is Insurance Handled?
- Residency In A New Country
- Renting A Home In A New Country
- Working After Making An International Move
Getting Reliable Services From Reputable International Moving Companies
International moves can be a stressful experience, especially when you are unsure which international movers to choose. The good news is that many reputable international companies specialize in international moves, including A1 Auto Transport. We have compiled some helpful tips for choosing the best company and getting started with your relocation!
Choosing the best international movers for your personal or corporate relocation can be daunting if you are unsure what to look out for. Several factors should influence your decision, including cost and customer service. The list below will help keep you on track as you begin researching other international moving companies:
How to Choose the Best International Movers
Cost
Of course, one of the biggest concerns people have is how much their international moves will end up costing them in the long run since everybody is looking for competitive rates. However, it is important not to base this solely on price alone since other considerations are at play here, such as time spent waiting around facilities or lost/damaged belongings during transit, as well as customs clearance. Also, consider whether additional fees may apply, making more expensive international movers worth their higher rates.
Customer Service
Often, it is not just the cost that you're looking for but rather how well a company handles issues and other problems (especially if they do arise). Make sure to look into customer reviews online or ask friends who have recently moved. Additionally, consider any complaints made against the international movers (if any) through BBB or elsewhere to understand what type of service you can expect from this moving agency.
Company Reputation
Make sure to look into the background of any company you're thinking about hiring. If they've been in business for a long time, this is typically an indication that their experienced international moving company service is good enough that others have continued to hire them over and over again after a successful international relocation.
Insurance
You'll want your goods covered during transport which usually comes at an additional cost but may be worth it if something happens along the way!
Storage Services
When moving internationally, delays are often involved due to customs or paperwork issues. This requires storing some belongings until everything gets sorted out on both ends - one option being storage facilities locally near where you will move abroad (or need temporary housing). Additionally, many international movers offer storage options for those who are temporarily moving back to the US or if you plan on returning for visits.
Car Shipping
For those who need their car transported internationally, there is an option of having it driven over in a partial or full container load with your belongings - but this requires extensive research into costs and timing as well as delivery availability where you're going! Car shipping with a damage free arrival can also be expensive due to how much space they take up and the customs clearance process of the foreign country, so make sure this fits within your budgeting parameters before proceeding.
International Mover Tips
Before you make your international move, here are some tips to help you get started.
Arrange Visas: Visas are required for all countries; however, some are easier to get than others. If you have a passport from the UK, then visiting Europe will be an easy process, while getting into Australia or New Zealand might take more effort. Make sure that everyone in your family has their visa so they can visit different places if desired!
Book Your International Mover: The best way to find international movers is through word of mouth - ask friends who've moved abroad before and see which company handled their international move process. It's also good to check with the embassy where you're moving as they might recommend certain reputable agencies and experienced international moving companies that offer export packing services plus a free moving quote too. Asking online on forums often yields quick results too, plus it gives you valuable advice straight from people who've already made a move.
De-Clutter: This isn't just for your sanity, but having too much stuff can cause you unnecessary stress when it comes to the international move process. Make sure you make proper pre-move planning packing techniques to a good clear out of anything that won't fit in your new home!
Documentation: Depending on where you're moving to, your personal paperwork might need updating. Check with the consulate of your new residence about how long it takes for certain paperwork like customs clearance to come through and if they require anything specific from you before you move.
Change of Address: Moving internationally is all about preparation. Make sure you have notified everyone of your new destination. This includes family members and friends as well businesses that need to know where they can find you in case something goes wrong.
Health Care: If the move means a change in health care at your destination, make sure you are up-to-date with any vaccinations required for entry into the said country before the international removal team arrives on day one! Anyone who's ever had chickenpox knows how unpleasant it can be, so avoid having to get through customs while scratching like crazy if possible.
Relocating Your Pet: This may seem obvious, but it isn't just something people think about when choosing overseas relocation services; pets aren't always welcome everywhere. Be sure to research whether or not pet relocation is part of the services offered and how much it will cost if they come along for the ride!
Finances: This is potentially one of the most important things that should be done well in advance as money will likely be an issue at some point with relocation services. You don't want any nasty surprises, so consider costs from various other international movers, including visas, transport, storage, etc.
Accommodation Costs: Even a corporate relocation or office moves within your own country might mean an increase in rent/home-ownership fees from one city to another so keep such add on services in mind when budgeting as well...not everyone has access to cheap accommodation options like hostels too, especially those who want more space than just a bed on their travels!
Research: It might seem like common sense, but finding out everything possible about where you're moving will save both time and money later down the line. More research, knowledge, and preparation beforehand means choosing the best international relocation services which will save frustration at this stressful point in time.
International Shipping With A1 Auto Transport
At A1 Auto Transport, our global shipping and global moving services along with the add on services are extremely flexible, which means you can choose to ship your vehicle on our North American van lines with other household items (such as clothing and furniture) or forgo the container altogether if you don't need it. We keep you completely informed.
Our process is easy and stress-free, which is why we offer a wide range of services, including customs clearance management and destination services aimed at making moving across borders easier.
For more information on our international shipping options or for a free moving quote, give us a call today!
What Stands Us Out?
Our high-quality service, our pricing, as well as our tri-regional capability are what make us one of the largest independent moving company around. We are not just another "international shipper," but rather a network that provides relocation services to all countries around the world.
This means we have access to more experienced staff members who know how to handle all types of shipments (including team relocations)—no matter where they're going or how big they are! Our team has experience in the moving industry, working in multiple countries around the world. We also offer online tracking so you can see your shipment's progress at any given time.
Customized International Moving Services
We also offer customized international moving services to all countries around the world. We can help you prepare your moving day by first giving you our customized international moving quote. We also do full-service storage as well as destination services depending on the transportation method, so don't hesitate to contact us! Our team will make sure every item gets from Point A to Point B safely with our protective measures, utmost care and large fleet access.
The process involved in our customized international moving services is just as easy. We will load your items into our temperature-controlled and secure storage facilities. Then we'll ship them to the destination of your choice on a date that works best for you, making us one of the best international moving companies.
International Car Shipping
Shipping your car internationally is the best option when relocating to another country. It's also much more affordable than you might think! When going for international car shipping, you should look at the available options and decide on the best one for your needs.
How Cars Are Shipped Internationally
There are several ways that you can ship your car, depending upon the circumstances surrounding it. Some of these options include:
Roll-on/roll-off: This option is a good one for those cars that are "drivable" regularly. This is often the case with sports cars, luxury vehicles, and some other models where you have to drive them every day. They can be shipped with united van lines or Atlas van lines.
Container shipping: You can also ship your car in a container as long as it's less than 20 feet long. The advantage of this option is that there will not be any issues concerning customs clearance or licensing because they're already enclosed within the shipping container itself. One way around this would be if you were having another family membership their vehicle simultaneously so that both containers could then share space inside one larger unit, reducing the costs of move estimates.
Air freight services: This option is only available if you have an international airport nearby that can receive aircraft deliveries from abroad, which makes most small airports in rural areas ineligible since they don't usually fulfill these kinds of standards required for large planes carrying cargo shipments. There are plenty of international moving specialists offering home pickup services, so check around before deciding what kind of transport company you want to go with.
International Moving Cost
Several things go into calculating how much your international moving cost will be, as the size of all your belongings, its weight, the transportation method, and if you want a customized international moving plan. A price per cubic foot is often used for larger shipments, while small ones are usually charged by the pound, which adds up quickly to heavier goods or multiple items that can fit into one box (which may contain either fragile items or books).
Most companies will first assess how much it will cost for the moving process, but they do not include insurance, shipping fees, or taxes in their price.
Examples of Cost & Time Taken For International Moves
| To/From | 2BR | 4BR | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston to Puerto Rico | $3,000- $4,900 | $5,400- $9,000 | 3-5 weeks |
| New York to UK | $3,700- $5,200 | $7,000- $9,500 | 3-5 weeks |
| Miami to France | $4,000- $5,500 | $7,300- $9,900 | 3-5 weeks |
| Detroit to Germany | $4,600- $6,300 | $8,500- $11,500 | 3-5 weeks |
| Phoenix to Costa Rica | $4,100- $7,000 | $7,600- $12,600 | 3-6 weeks |
| Philadelphia to Hawaii | $4,500- $6,200 | $8,500- $11,500 | 4-6 weeks |
| Memphis to Spain | $5,000- $7,000 | $9,300- $12,500 | 4-6 weeks |
| Las Vegas to Japan | $4,600- $6,300 | $8,600- $11,600 | 4-6 weeks |
| Seattle to Argentina | $3,700- $6,200 | $7,000- $11,500 | 4-8 weeks |
| Los Angeles to Australia | $4,400- $5,900 | $8,100- $11,000 | 5-7 weeks |
*Please note that these estimates do not include taxes, customs clearance fees & duties, insurance & quarantine inspections. They assume easy access to both pick up and drop-off addresses and do not allow for special items such as pianos.
Estimated Weight (based on home size):
- 1BR=2600 lbs - 3900 lbs
- 2BR=3900 lbs - 5200 lbs
- 3BR=6500 lbs - 9100 lbs
- 4BR=9100 lbs - 14300 lbs
- 5BR=11700 lbs - 19500 lbs
Start Early with Preparations
It may take little planning to pack up a small truck and move across town to a new apartment or house, but when you move overseas, you must take quite a bit of time to plan everything to ensure safe and efficient services are utilized from start to finish. An international mover based in the United States is required to register their business with the Federal Maritime Commission to move personal goods to another country.
As a consumer in search of international movers that will put your needs first and make sure your property is handled carefully, it is best to start reaching out to company agents no less than 90 days ahead of the planned date of the move. There is a good reason to start planning this far in advance. You want everything to go smoothly and not find yourself facing delays or issues with customs clearance.
Visa and Passport Information for International Relocation
During your international relocation, you must make sure that your visa allows it; otherwise, you might not be able to enter a new nation. This could be frustrating if this weren't planed into the entire move ahead of time, so be sure to check before doing anything else or calling our office about getting assistance with your corporate relocation!
The main types of visas are temporary, which allow people from other countries entry on a short-term basis ranging from one month up until five years depending on what type of work permit has been issued by their destination's government. Alternatively, there are also permanent visas usually given to people who have lived in the country for a longer time.
Before you can head out on an international job assignment or begin working in another country, there are certain requirements about visas and passports that must be cleared first since these could potentially disqualify you from employment if they aren't met during the process before leaving the United States.
Storage During Your International Move
The moving agency should be able to offer storage services using international van lines, so there isn't a lapse between moving out from one country and into another. This also makes traveling more convenient because everything you'll need is already packed up in storage.
If you are looking for a company with such international moving resources, look no further than A1 Auto Transport. We provide storage services to private and corporate clients with pending corporate relocation across much of the British Association, depending on their final destination.
Tracking Goods in International Moves
A tracking number will allow you to monitor each item from when it leaves our warehouse up until it reaches its final destination, which makes giving us a call about any lost or damaged merchandise much easier because we have records of every single package being sent out thus allowing us to quickly track down what may be missing or broken before sending another one out at no extra cost.
Transportation Services from the Airport
One of the most stressful parts of an international relocation after customs clearance management is transporting yourself and your luggage from the airport to where you have rented or have bought a home.
In most cases, it is best to leave all the logistics and pre-move planningfor those relocation services specializing in international relocation, such as Schumacher Cargo Logistics as they will be able to offer transportation services from the airport as part of their contract.
However, if you are looking at doing this on your own, then some things need taking into consideration before attempting such a feat with just one person and all of one’s possessions going by air transport. Such considerations are insurance, the weight of your items, and what they are made up of.
How is insurance handled?
You may need additional coverage like comprehensive insurance for damage during international moving, especially if the move moving household goods overseas, like porcelain vases, glassware, and other things that are easy to break when mishandled. This insurance with overseas partnersand allied van lines is one way to protect your items during an international move.
Residency in a New Country
People planning on moving to a different country to live there for an extended period (more than three months) will need to apply for what is known as residency. This documentation is the first step in obtaining citizenship or permanent resident status, which allows you to live and work within a country's borders on a more long-term basis.
Renting a Home in a New Country
After receiving your visa, it may be possible that you can begin looking into renting accommodations before relocating if there are any houses available at this point. If not, you will most likely get situated after moving once everything has been sorted out with immigration officials. The best way to go about this is to look for van lines international services that have been in your new location for a while and see how they help people to secure living arrangements.
Working after Making an International Move
Unless you are retiring and have a steady source of income, you may have no option other than to find a way to work when you make an international move. Some countries may have restrictions and will not allow foreigners to work as they very understandably want their own citizens to be able to take the employment positions. But if you are able to work remotely from your computer, you can still have a steady income.
Here are a few positions you may want to consider if you live in a country that will allow foreigners to work:
- English Teacher
- Office Assistant
- Laborer
- Waiter/Waitress
- Bartender
These are all service industry and manual labor positions, but they are sufficient to earn a little extra money to make it from one to the next. You will most likely need to apply for a work visa so you can legally work no matter where you are living. In some countries, your employer will need to send a letter before you move so you can obtain a work visa.
There are several organizations you may want to check to help find employment when living abroad. These include the following:
Alliances Abroad - This organization offers work in a variety of countries and even offers temporary hotel stays during the time you are working.
Council on International Educational Exchange Work Abroad Program (CIEE) - This organization offers employment services such as help with obtaining work permits in Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Ireland, and New Zealand for people in search of short-term work. They also offer student exchange programs and educational scholarships.
BUNAC - This organization offers work services in Australia, Britain, Canada, and New Zealand.
If you plan to live abroad and want to work while you are in your new country, be sure to take time to research employment laws for foreigners before you move. Also, be sure to contact the embassy for the country you are moving to so you can find out which visa you need and what you need to do to work when you arrive.
International Moving Guide
- International moving definition, history and types of moves
- Terminology
- The complete modern international moving process
- The benefits of hiring a moving or an auto transport company
- Picking the right moving company
- How to avoid scammer
- Preparing for the move: packing
- On land: road vs land
- Air shipping
- Sea shipping
- International military moves
- How much will it cost?
Related Information
- Take it or leave it? Benefits to shipping vehicles for expatriates
- Know your rights: what to expect of your shipping company when shipping a vehicle overseas
- International vehicle shipping process
- International house moving tips
- International freight forwarders
- International moving and storage
- International moving for students
- International moving insurance
- International moving services by sea freight
- International pet moving
- International relocation services for families
- Moving overseas air freight
- Worldwide movers
Frequently Asked Questions
As with any company, it's always essential to conduct a thorough background check before contracting with them. However, when choosing an international mover, the first and most important factor is to make sure they are correctly licensed.
All international moving companies must be registered with the Federal Maritime Commission or have a Freight Forwarder permit. You might also want to consider moving companies that are a member of a federation such as FIDI Global Alliance or the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA).
If the moving company you're considering is registered and associated with a governing body, they are more than likely trustworthy.
It is advised to contact an international moving company no less than six weeks in advance. Many companies prefer that you contact them at least 90 days from the move so everything can be carefully scheduled.
When you have your household goods or other property shipped door to door, the moving company will arrange to load everything up at your home and deliver it to the port for you. Once it arrives in the new country, they will have it taken to your new home. When you ship port to port, you will be responsible for having your goods transported to the exit port and from the entry port to your home.
Yes, you will need to fill out forms for customs when traveling to another country worldwide. The forms that must be filled out will vary from one location to another as each country has its own regulations for importing personal property.
We offer excellent choices for insurance coverage on all international moving services. If you prefer to insure your items on your own, you may also choose to do so. Per rules set by the Federal Maritime Commission, all worldwide moving services originating from the U.S. must be covered by insurance.
You can bring most household goods and personal items when you move overseas. There are some restrictions that most countries worldwide will have in place to deter the entry of specific items. These items can include: fresh foods, alcohol, religious material, firearms, ammunition, flammable materials, explosives, used automobiles, plants, building materials.
For a comprehensive list of items not allowed, you will need to check with the embassy or consulate to the country you are moving to.
Getting a quote for an international move is easy to do. All you need to do is fill out the instant quote form on this page and an agent will be in touch with your quotes as fast as possible.
Furniture can be shipped overseas in a few different ways depending on how much stuff is and what type of items are being sent. If you're only sending one item, such as a sofa bed, then air freight services would probably suit your needs best, but for larger shipments, sea transport with a single point of contact will most likely be required. The important thing about furniture overseas move is that it has been specially designed with international travel in mind, so make sure they have everything covered before signing a contract.
The cost of this type of move will vary depending on the weight and size of your furniture, which is why it's important to go for a firm with such international moving resources. The thing about moving furniture to another country is that you need to do plenty of research beforehand and make sure the international association can handle the trip.
When your goods reach their destination at the port overseas, international moving companies will connect you with a local shipping agent who will help you with your goods' customs clearance and delivery.
You generally have a choice for unloading your container. You can:
- Arrange for the container to be unloaded at the port and hire a local moving company to deliver your household goods to your new home or
- Arrange for the entire container to be delivered to your new home and unpack it yourself.
Depending on your wishes, a transport broker or international moving company can cover all the details involved in unloading your goods at their destination.
Be sure not to move prohibited items because moving companies will reject them and, if not, can attract significant penalties. These items include – combustible materials, construction materials such as cement, bricks, rocks, soil, firearms, explosives, toxic substances, and live plants.
The customer's responsibility is to ensure that their items can't spill over, leak, or damage other goods.
Most moving companies will help you pack your belongings using various materials such as unprinted newspaper and tissue paper, plastic tape, permanent markers, boxes in varying sizes, bubble wrap, padding for corners, etc.
Be sure to speak with your transport broker or international moving company to discuss your questions or concerns about packing for your move.
Some countries allow household stuff and personal effects to enter their country without duties and taxes. Some don't.
You can learn about general guidelines regarding duties and taxes by contacting the consulate or embassy of the destination country.
Most moving companies will also have a customer service department that can give you general guidelines regarding duties and taxes for your destination country.
Shipping companies can't guarantee an accurate delivery time for your goods. However, the tracking number they provide you will help you keep track of your goods' location while in transit.
You can consider days when shipping by air internationally and weeks to a couple of months for shipping by sea.
An essential factor in selecting a shipping company is to choose the company that provides the estimate that most satisfies your needs. When speaking with international moving companies, consider these factors:
- Customs clearance
- Current restrictions due to COVID-19 – government-imposed limits have led to suspending some delivery routes or delays on open routes.
- Standard or express services
International moving companies provide online tools to help you track your shipment in real-time. All these tools can provide you with coordinates of your shipping container in real-time.
Some tracking systems will also provide the shipper with information regarding the different stages in the transportation process, including any details of status changes of a container.
Some status changes of your container to be aware of are:
- When your container is en route to the shipper
- When your container arrives at the terminal and is in cue for customs clearance
- When your container is loaded onto the vessel at the port of origin
- When the vessel departs with your container
- When the vessel carrying your container departs from the port of transshipment
- When the vessel carrying your container arrives at the port of destination
- When the consignee has the shipment
*Transshipment transfers from one ship, truck, freight car, plane, or other conveyance.
Customs can affect how quickly your belongings arrive and will be ready for pick up.
Ask your moving company how long customs usually takes depending on your destination. In addition, they should know about the different levels of customs efficiencies in different countries. For example, some countries have more strict requirements for entry than others.
If the company you're speaking to doesn't know much about the customs process, then consider it a red flag and find a new company.
It is always wise to ask a moving company about hidden fees. It's not dissimilar to buying a car. There's the sticker price, and the price on the contract is usually different.
You must ask about every fee and understand what it's for so you know what you're paying for and what might be unnecessary.
Some companies will hide fees to appear more competitive, so make it your mission to know all costs included so you know upfront exactly what you're paying for.
International moving companies charging a deposit is standard practice. They will request a down payment to reserve a move date, especially during peak moving season (mid-August and stretching through October according to PLS Logistics Services) when their services are in high demand.
If you cancel your move, the deposit gives them some compensation for their loss in profit opportunities. However, a company taking a deposit is not a way to determine trustworthiness. It's up to each moving company what they choose to do.
You can work this out with your mover. Keep in mind, however, that storing goods for a length of time can be expensive.
Usually, if your goods don't fill a container, items will have to be moved to get to yours or others'. Your goods will be removed and taken to a warehouse to make for a more accessible and less expensive pickup.
In general, you can count on free to five days of free storage at your destination. After this, the charge is approximate $50-$100/day, depending on the amount of freight.
Most shippers don't want to pick up their goods. It's a big deal and can be a hassle. Let your freight forwarder (the company that ships and receives goods on behalf of other companies) know the destination address you want your goods delivered to, and they will arrange overland trucking to that destination.
*NOTE – It's best to know your destination address before the shipping of your goods—the more time you give the freight forwarder, the better – for them and your wallet.
Insurance against certain losses is a good idea; you can self-insure or buy insurance from a third party.
The question you're answering is, "What insurance best meets the needs of my family and me?"
Moving internationally today via air or sea is an automated system because of technological advances. Big ships can carry as much as 35,000 containers per voyage and still be able to load, unload, and rearrange for the next port all in one day.
Even with the advancements in technology and excellent automation, things can go wrong – goods not making it off the plan, containers getting lost, containers falling into the sea, mechanical or technical failures can damage containers, etc.
Don't let this worry you. Just like anything, there is always a chance of accidents and mishaps. Thus, insurance makes sense!
There are two types of International Moving Insurance:
Total loss coverage – This keeps you covered if your entire shipment is destroyed or lost. For this insurance (and all insurance), you will have to include a detailed list of the moved items.
You can pack your shipment if you want total loss coverage.
*NOTE – when movers load your shipment, they will make an inventory list for you. This list is for customs clearance and is not always suitable for insurance purposes. Be prepared to make a detailed list of everything, and if anything is considered "precious" in monetary value, you may need to provide a sales receipt or estimator's valuation.
All-risk cargo insurance – Unlike total loss insurance, all-risk cargo insurance covers partial cargo. For example, if you have one or two damaged items or a box goes missing, all-risk insurance will protect what is lost.
Unlike total loss insurance, you will have professional packers prepare your shipment to purchase all-risk cargo insurance.
The most highly regarded international moving companies will visit their prospective clients in person to get a good idea of what they want to move. They can give a more accurate quote after seeing the belongings.
Do all you can to avoid international moving companies that offer you quotes via email or phone. In addition, if you get a quote that seems "too good to be true," it probably is.
Moving companies can differ in how they calculate a move. So, ask upfront how they calculate their charges.
The most typical way is by the cubic meter (so goods can fit in containers), but there also may be extra fees for duty charges and taxes, storage fees if you need to keep your belongings safe for a while, and visa fees depending on your destination country.
Share on Facebook 
Share on LinkedIn 
Share on Twitter 
