The Ultimate Guide to International Moving

Do you need international movers to handle your shipping?

Think about it. Moving from one house to another within the same city is complicated enough. Now imagine moving from one country to another.

You’ll have to navigate borders and deal with customs. And who knows how many international regulations you have to familiarize yourself with. All of that just to get your belongings to your new home.

An international moving company can help with that.

There’s a reason why the international moving market is at $2.736 billion as of 2024. A lot of people need help moving abroad.

With a domestic move, you don’t have to worry about customs inspections or import restrictions. It’s a far simpler process. An international move is a different beast. It involves packing, shipping, customs clearance, and delivery of your possessions.

You have multiple transportation options, too. If you’re moving to a neighboring country, a car or truck might do. But for longer distances, you might have to opt for ocean or air freight.

International moves require more planning. Mistakes can cause delays or added fees. That’s why hiring international moving services is often the right call. They can help with all the necessary paperwork you’ll need for international relocation. You can also ask them about what type of items you can ship for your peace of mind.

Who needs international moving services? It’s for anyone who needs help with logistics. It’s families moving abroad or professionals relocating to a new country. You could be a retiree starting a new chapter.

What Services Are Included in International Moving?

International moving is an umbrella term that covers a wide range of services. If you’re considering overseas shipping, think about the following international moving services.

Core Services

These are the basic services you’ll need if you’re moving belongings to a new country.

• Professional Packing: Your belongings are packed using techniques suited for long-distance transport. This helps prevent damage during extended handling and transit.
• Export Wrapping: Movers will wrap items with materials designed for overseas shipping. This helps guard against moisture, vibration, and pressure changes.
• Custom Crating: Your belongings get packed using wooden crates. International movers use custom crates to ship items that are too fragile (or too big) for standard shipping boxes. These include paintings and antiquities.
• Inventory Management: Movers also keep a record of your belongings. They’ll use that information to track them as they’re transported to your new home.
• Labeling: Boxes and crates are clearly labeled for easier identification and handling.
• International Transportation Coordination: Ocean or air freight is planned and managed on your behalf. The movers will take care of scheduling, documentation, and coordination with their overseas partners.

Destination Services

International movers also cover destination services. These refer to the support you’ll receive after your belongings arrive in your new country.

It starts with customs clearance. Your mover will guide your shipment through local customs authorities. They’ll help you process the required documents and be guided through the inspection process. You’ll be told if there are country-specific regulations you should be aware of. This attention to detail means lower risks of delays and unexpected fees.

Destination services also include the following tasks.

• Delivery to Final Residence: Your belongings are transported from the port or warehouse to your new home. It includes handling local access requirements for apartments or gated communities.
• Delivery Scheduling Coordination: Delivery is planned around your availability and local regulations. It can help find storage solutions in case of missed deliveries, access issues, or last-minute delays.
• Unpacking and Debris Removal: As part of the moving process, items are unpacked and placed where you want them. Afterward, the moving team clears your house of boxes, packing materials, crates, and other debris.

Optional Add-Ons

Scheduling conflicts can dampen the excitement of moving. However, some moving companies do offer add-ons to give you more flexibility. These services help address common challenges related to storage, vehicles, and pets.

• Storage at Origin or Destination: Moving containers are placed in a secure facility if your move-in date isn’t set yet.
• Vehicle Shipping: You can have your cars, motorcycles, and specialty vehicles transported overseas. The movers will handle all the logistics on your behalf.
• Pet Relocation: Some moving companies can relocate pets for you. They’re equipped to handle your pet’s travel, health, and entry requirements.

How Much Does It Cost to Move Abroad?

Many factors affect overseas shipping. You’ll probably have to ask movers for a quote if you’d like to get specific figures. It will mostly depend on your needs and where you’re shipping items to.

Key Cost Factors

So, what are the key factors you need to pay close attention to when considering commercial moving services?

• Volume or Weight: The number of boxes you ship isn’t the issue. It’s all about weight or volume. The heavier your packages are, the higher the cost.
• Destination Country: Shipping costs are typically higher the farther you go. You’ll also have to consider port fees and local regulations.
• Shipping Method: Choosing air freight costs more but it will get your possessions to their destination much faster. Ocean freight costs less but takes longer.
• Customs Duties and Taxes: Some countries charge import duties or taxes on household goods. It all depends on your residency status and the types of items you’re bringing in.
• Insurance Coverage: It protects you financially if something is lost or damaged during the move. But it’s also an added cost.

Typical Price Ranges

Out of 1,000 respondents, 44% said the total cost of their move surprised them. But why?

It’s hard to give price ranges for relocation specialists. The main reason is that pricing isn’t standardized. You’ll be quoted based on the size of your shipment and the services required. Shipping the contents of a small apartment will cost less than shipping everything inside a household.

Destination also plays a major role. Moves to Europe are often simpler and more predictable due to established shipping routes. However, things would be different if you’re moving to Asia or Australia, as they’re farther from the United States.

The only way to understand your actual cost is through a detailed survey. You’ll have to get a formal quote.

How to Get an Accurate Quote

The only way to get reliable pricing is through a detailed survey. The good news is that getting one isn’t as inconvenient as you might think. You can have movers visit your home to assess your belongings. They can even do assessments virtually. Having someone conduct a survey will lead to more accurate rates.

Be wary of ballpark estimates. Why? Because they don’t account for customs rules, destination fees, or shipment complexity. A low estimate upfront often leads to higher costs later.

If you want clear pricing based on your actual move, get an international moving quote.

How Does International Shipping Work?

If you’re considering joining the 5.4 million Americans who live abroad, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with international moving.

All international movers have a process. It’s mostly the same, though. Global moving services follow a structure that’s designed to move belongings across borders safely.

1. Pre-Move Survey: It all starts with a survey of what you’re shipping. The mover’s goal is to plan the logistics of your move.
2. Packing and Inventory: Your items get packed for transit. You’ll receive an inventory that details everything in your shipment for tracking and customs clearance.
3. Export Documentation: Paperwork is prepared for international transport. This includes shipping documents, inventories, and other required documents.
4. Freight Transport: Your shipment moves by air or ocean.
5. Customs Clearance: Your movers will try to clear your possessions through customs. Local authorities will review your documents and may inspect items.
6. Final Delivery: If cleared, your belongings will be brought to your new home.

Shipping Methods Explained

There are two main ways of transporting your belongings across borders. The first is air freight. This is the fastest option, but it’s also expensive. Also, it’s more commonly used for smaller shipments and essentials.

Your other option is ocean freight. This is the more cost-effective method. However, it will take some time for your stuff to arrive at its destination. When you use ocean freight, you’ll be given two choices. You can do a Full Container Load (FCL) or a Less Than Container Load (LCL) Load.

• Full Container Load (FCL): Your belongings fill an entire shipping container. Because all your belongings are in one container, transit times are more predictable.
• Less Than Container Load (LCL): You’ll share a container with other customers. If you only need to move a few items, this might be the best option. You’ll only pay for the space you use, making it more economical. However, this setup could lead to longer wait times.

Timelines and Common Delays

The reality is that movers (even the most experienced ones) will encounter delays from time to time. But why does this happen? Below are the most common culprits.

• Port Congestion: If the port is busy, your shipments won’t be unloaded in time.
• Customs Inspections: Sometimes, inspectors will pull aside random shipments for inspection. This can add days or weeks.
• Seasonal Shipping Factors: More items get shipped around the holidays, adding to the bottleneck. Summer months often see heavier demand and longer timelines.
• Bad Weather: Expect a delay when your freight encounters bad weather.

Refer to our post on air vs. ocean freight for international moves if you’d like more information.

Why Choose Oz Moving for Your International Move?

The right company can make your international move a seamless experience. It has all the tools and experience needed to get your belongings from point A to B. Working with a company that understands the process helps you avoid costly mistakes.

Risks of DIY or Inexperienced Movers

Doing the move yourself can cause a lot of headaches. There are so many rules and forms to navigate. And there are so many problems you’ll have to deal with, which is terrible for someone inexperienced at it.

For starters, you could damage items if you don’t pack them correctly. Keep in mind that your belongings will have to endure the long travel abroad. And your shipment will get handled by multiple people along the way.

Your shipment can get delayed if you don’t fill out or file your paperwork correctly. And some hidden fees might catch you off guard.

Do you know what to do if your shipment gets delayed? Probably not. But a moving company would. These are just some of the issues that a DIY mover might encounter. There are simply too many unknowns to leave it all up to fate. You’ll want to work with an experienced company.

What to Look for in an International Mover

You don’t want just any mover. Look for a company that has experience shipping packages overseas. Here’s how you can tell who the experts really are.

• Licensing and Certifications: You’ll want to look for affiliations with credible organizations. Examples include the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), the International Association of Movers (IAM), and FIDI.
• Global Partner Networks: Reliable movers work with trusted partners in destination countries.
• Transparent Pricing: A trustworthy moving company can provide clear, detailed quotes.
• Dedicated Coordinators: One main point of contact manages your move from start to finish.

Why Choose Oz Moving

Oz Moving has years of experience handling shipments to international destinations. It’s received lots of positive reviews from satisfied customers. Not only that, but it also has the credentials and licenses to back it up.

The company’s global reach allows shipments to move smoothly across borders. It already has established partnerships overseas. That means it has the necessary infrastructure to support customs clearance, delivery, and destination services.

Learn more about Oz Moving here.

How to Prepare for an International Move [Checklist]

Preparing early helps you avoid costly mistakes. This checklist breaks the process into simple phases.

8–12 Weeks Before Moving

• Declutter and Downsize: Decide what to move, sell, donate, or discard. 24% of Americans said they wish they had discarded more belongings before they moved.
• Research Destination Regulations: Learn what items are restricted or prohibited in your new country.
• Gather Documents: Collect passports, visas, inventories, and required customs paperwork.

4–6 Weeks Before Moving

• Finalize Mover: Get confirmation from your international mover. And make sure you lock in those dates.
• Schedule Packing: You’ll want to set aside a few days for packing. Also, let your movers know when they can drop by to pick up your stuff.
• Arrange Insurance: Choose valuation or coverage based on shipment value.

Final Weeks

• Essentials Inventory: List the items you’ll need immediately upon arrival. You don’t want everyday belongings to be packed with less important cargo.
• Confirm Delivery Timeline: Review the transit estimates and destination delivery plans. If something feels off, ask the mover to clarify.
• Prepare for Customs Inspection: Ensure inventories are accurate and documents are ready.

Read our post on international moving to find even more tips.

Frequently Asked Questions About International Moving

How long does an international move take?

Most international moves take several weeks to a few months. Transit time depends on destination, shipping method, customs clearance, and port conditions. Air freight is faster, while ocean freight takes longer.

What items can’t be shipped internationally?

The list of restricted items will vary by country. However, they often include food, plants, alcohol, weapons, and hazardous materials. You’ll want to keep an eye out for countries that limit the import of electronics, medications, or wooden items. Always check destination regulations before packing.

Do I need moving insurance?

Insurance isn’t required, but it’s strongly recommended. It will protect you financially if your belongings are lost or damaged during transit. International moves involve multiple handoffs, which increases risk.

How early should I book?

You should start planning at least two to three months. Earlier booking gives you better scheduling options, more accurate surveys, and fewer last-minute complications.

How to Get Started With Your International Move

You can start by requesting a free quote and sharing basic details about your move. Without one, Oz Moving can’t determine what services you may need.

Next, schedule a virtual or in-home survey. Let the Oz Moving team assess your shipment volume, timelines, and any special requirements.

Finally, you’ll receive a customized moving plan based on your destination, schedule, and specific needs. That way, you’ll know exactly what to expect and how to move forward.