International Moving Companies: How to Compare Quotes, Costs and Services

Choosing an international moving company is one of the biggest practical decisions in an overseas relocation. The mover may be responsible for packing, transporting, clearing and delivering a large part of everything you own.

But comparing international moving companies is not as simple as choosing the lowest quote.

Two companies can quote very different prices because they include different services, calculate shipment size differently, use different transport methods or exclude costs that will only appear later.

This guide explains how international moving companies work, what affects the cost, how to compare quotes properly and what questions to ask before trusting a provider with your household goods.

What Does an International Moving Company Do?

An international mover specializes in transporting household belongings between countries.

Depending on the company and service package, this can include:

• Pre-move survey
• Packing
• Furniture disassembly
• Collection
• Export documentation
• International transport
• Customs coordination
• Destination handling
• Delivery
• Furniture reassembly
• Unpacking
• Storage
• Shipment protection or insurance arrangements

Not every quote includes every service, which is why comparing only the final price can be misleading.

International Moving Companies: What Should You Compare?

Factor	What to Check
Experience	International and destination-specific moving experience
Survey	How shipment volume or weight is estimated
Quote	Included and excluded services
Transport	Sea, air, road or combined transport
Destination service	Who handles your shipment after arrival
Customs	What customs assistance is included
Protection	Available insurance or shipment-protection options
Storage	Origin and destination storage options and costs
Timing	Estimated collection and delivery windows
Claims	Procedure if belongings are lost or damaged

1. Start With a Proper Moving Survey

A reliable quote depends on understanding what you are actually moving.

International movers may assess your shipment through:

• In-home survey
• Video survey
• Detailed inventory
• Online inventory tool

The purpose is to estimate the volume, weight or other shipment characteristics used for pricing and planning.

A quote based on incomplete information may change once the company sees the actual shipment.

Prepare before the survey

Decide which belongings will:

• Move with you
• Travel in your luggage
• Go into storage
• Be sold
• Be donated
• Be discarded

The more accurate your inventory, the easier it is to compare movers on the same basis.

2. Understand How International Moving Costs Are Calculated

International moving prices depend on several variables.

Common factors include:

• Shipment size
• Shipment weight where relevant
• Origin
• Destination
• Transport method
• Access at collection and delivery addresses
• Packing requirements
• Storage
• Customs procedures
• Special items
• Insurance or protection selected

That means there is no meaningful universal price for an international household move.

For the wider financial picture, see our complete guide to the cost of moving abroad.

3. Compare Like-for-Like Quotes

This is one of the most important rules when comparing international moving companies.

A cheaper quote may simply include fewer services.

For each quotation, check whether it includes:

• Packing materials
• Professional packing
• Collection
• Loading
• Origin handling
• Export documentation
• Main international transport
• Destination handling
• Customs clearance assistance
• Delivery to your new home
• Unpacking
• Furniture assembly
• Removal of packing materials

Create a comparison table instead of comparing only the total amount.

Example International Moving Quote Comparison

Service	Company A	Company B	Company C
Packing	Included	Extra	Included
Collection	Included	Included	Included
International transport	Included	Included	Included
Destination handling	Included	Check	Included
Final delivery	Included	Included	Included
Unpacking	Extra	Extra	Included
Storage	Extra	Extra	Limited period included

The lowest headline price is not necessarily the lowest final cost.

4. Ask What Is Not Included

Instead of asking only what the quote includes, ask specifically what it excludes.

Potential additional charges can include:

• Customs duties or taxes where applicable
• Customs inspection
• Port charges
• Terminal charges
• Storage caused by delays
• Difficult property access
• Long carry distances
• Stair or elevator complications
• Special handling
• Parking permits
• Additional delivery attempts

Not every shipment will incur these charges, but you should understand which costs could arise.

Our hidden costs of moving abroad guide covers other expenses that can appear during relocation.

5. Understand the Difference Between Sea, Air and Road Freight

The appropriate transport method depends on your origin, destination, shipment size, timeline and budget.

Sea freight

Sea transport is commonly used for larger international household shipments.

It can be suitable when:

• You are moving a significant amount of furniture
• Your destination is overseas
• Transit time is less important than cost

Air freight

Air transport can be useful for smaller or time-sensitive shipments.

It is generally considered when:

• You need belongings quickly
• Your shipment is relatively small
• You are sending essential items separately

Road freight

Road transport can be practical for moves between countries connected by suitable land routes.

The mover should explain why the proposed transport method fits your move.

6. Full Container vs. Shared Shipment

For sea moves, you may encounter different shipping arrangements.

Dedicated container

Your shipment uses a dedicated container or container space arranged specifically for your move.

Shared or consolidated shipment

Your belongings travel with shipments belonging to other customers.

Consolidation can sometimes reduce costs for smaller moves, but timing may be less predictable because several shipments need to be coordinated.

Ask the mover:

• Which method is being quoted?
• How does it affect price?
• How does it affect timing?
• How will your goods be identified and separated?

7. Ask Who Handles Your Shipment at the Destination

The company collecting your belongings may not be the same company delivering them abroad.

International movers often work with destination partners.

Ask:

• Who is the destination agent?
• What services will they provide?
• Who is responsible for communication after arrival?
• Who handles customs procedures?
• Who arranges final delivery?
• Who handles a complaint or claim?

You should understand the complete service chain before your belongings leave.

8. Understand Customs Responsibilities

Moving household goods internationally usually involves customs procedures.

Requirements depend on:

• Destination country
• Your immigration status
• Type of belongings
• How long you have owned them
• Whether restricted items are included
• Local import rules

Your mover may help prepare or coordinate customs documentation, but you remain responsible for providing accurate information.

Ask for a prohibited and restricted items list

Do not assume an ordinary household item can automatically be shipped internationally.

Restrictions can apply to items such as:

• Food
• Plants
• Alcohol
• Medication
• Certain batteries
• Chemicals
• Weapons
• Animal products

Rules vary by destination and transport method. Verify current requirements before packing.

9. Ask About Insurance or Shipment Protection

Do not assume that every type of loss or damage is automatically covered by the moving price.

Ask the mover to explain:

• What protection is included automatically
• What optional coverage is available
• How belongings are valued
• What exclusions apply
• Whether owner-packed goods are treated differently
• How claims must be submitted
• What deadlines apply to claims

Read the actual terms rather than relying only on a verbal explanation.

10. Check How Special Items Are Handled

Some belongings require additional planning.

Examples include:

• Artwork
• Antiques
• Musical instruments
• Large televisions
• Fragile collections
• Safes
• Large appliances
• Unusually heavy furniture

Tell the mover about special items during the survey rather than on collection day.

Ask whether specialist packing, crating or handling is required.

11. Understand the Estimated Transit Time

International moving dates are usually more complicated than domestic moving dates.

Ask for:

• Estimated collection date
• Expected departure window
• Estimated transit time
• Expected arrival window
• Expected final delivery process

Also ask what could cause delays.

Possible factors include:

• Shipping schedules
• Weather
• Port congestion
• Customs inspection
• Documentation issues
• Consolidation schedules
• Local delivery availability

Treat estimated transit times as estimates unless your agreement explicitly states otherwise.

12. Plan for Life Without Your Shipment

Your household goods may arrive after you do.

Pack essential items separately, including:

• Important documents
• Medication
• Work equipment
• Enough clothing
• Children’s essentials
• Basic electronics
• Chargers
• Items you need immediately after arrival

Do not place passports, immigration documents, irreplaceable records or essential medication in your household shipment.

13. Ask About Storage

Storage can become necessary at either end of an international move.

You may need storage if:

• Your property is not ready
• Your visa timeline changes
• Your shipment arrives before you can receive it
• You are using temporary accommodation
• You are moving in stages

Ask:

• Where goods are stored
• How storage is charged
• Whether a minimum period applies
• Whether handling fees apply when goods enter or leave storage
• What protection applies during storage

14. Check the Payment Schedule

Understand when payments become due.

A moving company may require payments at different stages, such as:

• Booking
• Before collection
• Before shipment
• Before destination delivery

Ask for the payment schedule in writing.

Also understand:

• Accepted payment methods
• Currency
• Cancellation terms
• Refund conditions
• Charges if the move date changes

15. Read the Contract Before Paying

Your moving agreement should explain the relationship between you and the provider.

Review:

• Services
• Price
• Payment terms
• Estimated shipment details
• Liability provisions
• Claims process
• Cancellation terms
• Storage terms
• Additional-charge provisions

If something important was promised during the sales process, make sure you understand whether it appears in the written agreement.

How Many International Moving Quotes Should You Get?

There is no required number, but comparing several suitable movers can help you understand the market and identify differences in scope.

The goal is not simply to collect as many prices as possible.

You want enough comparable quotations to evaluate:

• Shipment estimates
• Transport methods
• Service scope
• Timing
• Protection options
• Destination services
• Total expected cost

Why Can International Moving Quotes Be So Different?

Large differences do not automatically mean one company is overcharging.

The companies may have estimated:

• Different shipment volumes
• Different transport methods
• Different packing services
• Different destination charges
• Different delivery services
• Different protection levels

If one quote is substantially lower, ask why.

What Is a Binding or Fixed Moving Quote?

Terminology and legal meaning vary by country, so do not rely on the label alone.

Ask the provider exactly under which circumstances the quoted price can change.

Possible reasons may include:

• Shipment size changing
• Additional services being requested
• Property-access conditions being different
• Storage being required
• Customs or third-party charges

Get the pricing conditions in writing.

International Moving Company Red Flags

Investigate further if a mover:

• Provides a very low quote without understanding the shipment
• Refuses to explain what is included
• Cannot explain destination handling
• Provides unclear company information
• Pressures you to pay immediately
• Uses unexplained additional fees
• Will not provide written terms
• Cannot explain the claims process
• Guarantees unrealistic delivery dates without qualification
• Asks you to misdeclare goods or customs information

One unusual detail may have a reasonable explanation. Several unresolved warning signs deserve caution.

How to Check an International Moving Company

Before hiring a mover, investigate the company itself.

Depending on the country, you may be able to check:

• Business registration
• Relevant licences or registrations
• Industry memberships
• Physical address
• Years in business
• Customer reviews
• Complaint history where available

Do not treat a logo displayed on a website as proof of a licence or membership. Verify important claims with the relevant organization where possible.

Should You Use Customer Reviews?

Reviews can help identify patterns.

Look particularly for repeated comments about:

• Communication
• Unexpected charges
• Packing quality
• Delays
• Damage handling
• Claims
• Destination delivery

A single positive or negative review is less informative than consistent patterns across multiple customers.

Questions to Ask International Moving Companies

Before choosing a mover, ask:

1. Do you regularly handle moves between my origin and destination?
2. How did you calculate my shipment size?
3. Which services are included in the quote?
4. Which costs could be charged separately?
5. Which transport method will you use?
6. Will my shipment be consolidated with others?
7. Who handles the shipment at the destination?
8. What customs support is included?
9. What insurance or shipment protection options are available?
10. What is the estimated transit time?
11. What happens if my move is delayed?
12. What storage options are available?
13. How are loss or damage claims handled?
14. What are the payment and cancellation terms?
15. Who will be my main contact?

What Information Should You Give a Moving Company?

Better information usually produces a more useful quotation.

Prepare:

• Origin city and country
• Destination city and country
• Approximate moving date
• Current property size
• Inventory
• Special items
• Collection access information
• Known destination access information
• Storage requirements
• Desired packing service

If your destination or moving date is uncertain, say so.

Should You Pack Your Own Belongings?

Self-packing may reduce some service costs, but it can also affect packing quality, liability or available protection depending on the mover and policy.

Before deciding, ask:

• Are owner-packed goods accepted?
• Does self-packing affect coverage?
• Are there items the mover must pack?
• What packing standards are required?

For fragile or high-value items, professional packing may be worth considering.

Should You Ship Furniture or Buy New?

Not everything you own is worth moving internationally.

Compare:

• Shipping cost
• Replacement cost
• Furniture value
• Destination property size
• Electrical compatibility for appliances
• Expected length of stay

Selling and replacing some items can reduce shipment size, but remember to include replacement purchases in your relocation budget.

International Moving With Children

Families should plan for the possibility that the shipment arrives later than they do.

Keep children’s immediate essentials with you, such as:

• Clothing
• School materials
• Medication
• Favorite personal items
• Necessary electronics

Our family relocation guide covers schools, housing, healthcare and other family-specific considerations.

International Moving With Pets

Household-goods movers do not necessarily handle pet transportation.

International pet relocation can involve separate veterinary, airline and import requirements.

If you are taking a pet, ask whether the mover provides pet services directly or whether you should use a specialist provider.

When Should You Book an International Moving Company?

Start researching movers early enough to:

• Complete surveys
• Compare quotes
• Reduce your shipment
• Prepare customs documentation
• Arrange packing
• Coordinate your collection date

Peak periods and particular routes may have limited availability.

Use our international moving checklist to coordinate moving-company tasks with the rest of your relocation.

What Happens on Moving Day?

The exact process depends on the service, but you may expect the moving team to:

1. Confirm the inventory
2. Pack agreed items
3. Protect furniture
4. Label packages
5. Prepare shipment documentation
6. Load the shipment
7. Provide relevant collection records

Before the team leaves, make sure you understand how to track the shipment and who to contact next.

What Happens When Your Shipment Arrives?

The destination process may include:

• Arrival notification
• Customs procedures
• Payment of applicable destination charges
• Delivery scheduling
• Delivery to your property
• Unpacking where included
• Checking for visible damage

Follow the provider’s instructions for documenting loss or damage and submitting any claim.

International Mover vs. Relocation Consultant

An international mover primarily handles household-goods transportation.

A relocation consultant may coordinate a wider range of services, including:

• Immigration
• Housing
• Schools
• Insurance
• Settling-in support

If you need broader assistance, read our guide to relocation consultants.

How to Make the Final Decision

Before choosing an international moving company, compare the complete offer rather than the headline price.

Your final review should cover:

1. Relevant experience
2. Shipment estimate
3. Included services
4. Excluded charges
5. Transport method
6. Destination partner
7. Customs support
8. Insurance or protection
9. Timing
10. Storage
11. Claims procedure
12. Payment terms
13. Company verification

A good quote should make it easier to understand what you are buying, not harder.

How WTMG Helps You Find International Movers

WhereToMoveGuide helps people find relocation providers based on service and destination.

If you need an international mover, you can browse providers or submit a relocation request describing:

• Where you are moving from
• Where you are moving to
• Your expected timeline
• The relocation services you need

This allows you to identify providers relevant to your move rather than searching through unrelated moving companies.

International Moving Companies FAQ

How do I choose an international moving company?

Compare relevant international experience, shipment estimates, included services, destination handling, customs support, insurance or protection options, timing, claims procedures and total expected cost. Do not choose based on headline price alone.

How much does an international moving company cost?

Costs vary according to shipment size, origin, destination, transport method, packing, storage, property access and other services. Obtain quotes based on a realistic inventory for your particular move.

How many international moving quotes should I get?

There is no required number, but comparing several suitable providers can help you understand differences in pricing and service scope. Make sure each company is quoting for substantially the same shipment and services.

Why are international moving quotes so different?

Companies may estimate different shipment volumes, include different services, use different transport methods or treat destination charges differently. Ask each mover to explain the quotation in detail.

Is international moving insurance included?

Do not assume it is. Ask what protection is included, what optional coverage is available, what exclusions apply and how claims are handled.

How long does an international move take?

Transit time depends on route, transport method, shipment type, customs and other logistics. Ask the mover for an estimated collection-to-delivery timeline and the factors that could delay it.

Can I pack my own belongings for an international move?

Often you can, but policies vary. Self-packing may affect available protection or claims, so confirm the mover’s rules before packing.

Should I ship my furniture when moving abroad?

Compare shipping cost with replacement cost, furniture value, destination housing size and how long you expect to remain abroad. Shipping every item is not always the most economical option.