International Movers Near Me

It’s the opportunity of a lifetime: moving to a new country to start a job or spearheading a corporate relocation. Or possibly you are fulfilling the dream of retirement in a quieter part of the world, a less hurried land. Maybe the challenge came out of the blue, or perhaps it’s something you’ve long been working toward. Whatever the reason, here you are, ready to go. But now you need to pack up your house and go. It’s time to find an international mover to partner and work with you every step of your overseas move. And international moves around the world with customs clearance is not easy.

How do I find an international mover near me?

The good news about international moves is that you have plenty of moving services from which to choose. Any international moving company operating from the United States must register with the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), which licenses companies authorized to handle international relocations.

Coordinating international and worldwide deliveries requires the company to work with a network of subcontractors, agents, and moving specialists including trucking companies, van lines, warehouse and storage providers, and ocean transporters. The international moving company you choose must be reliable and aboveboard. If you live near an origin port in the U.S., and moving to any of the countries around, the total distance may be shorter, but there are still multiple steps and logistics involved in the process.

The FMC maintains a consumer resource site where you can identify licensed and registered international moving services and investigate whether the international moving companies you are considering have a history of complaint issues. You should also consider checking with your state consumer protection agency for customer concerns and look for cases reported to the Better Business Bureau.

You may want to start with U.S DOT licensed local agents of national van lines that offer international moving services including customs clearance. With any household relocation around the world, the work you do at the pre move stage in your move planning, to find a trustworthy international moving company will pay off as you continue through the process. In an international move, the importance is higher since you relinquish control for a longer time and greater overseas distance.

Ask for referrals from people you know have made international moves. Chances are they used a local United States company that has a network with one of the major overseas vendors that will be able to coordinate your international relocation.

What’s the best way to start my search for international movers?

The FMC suggests starting with a moving plan, including the following pre move elements:

Make a list of everything you plan to ship before packing.

Keep in mind that international relocation is expensive, so you may want to cull this list down to the essentials of your personal belonging, especially if the moving cost is coming out of your wallet. If the move is temporary, consider putting some of your household goods in storage or donating them before you go. You may want to decorate your new home in the style of the country of your new home. You may also be occupying less square footage in your new residence, so we advise customers don’t take too much of your belongings with you internationally.

Obtain several written quotes based on an onsite inspection of the goods you are shipping.

The minimum recommended number of estimates is three, but you may want to get more. Getting an appraisal is an excellent way to familiarize yourself with a representative of the international mover and decide if you’re going to partner with them. Make sure that you read the mover’s terms of service and understand any conditions they place on the move.

International shipment charges are based on the amount of space that your shipment occupies, and often the moving quote does not include packing material, which requires additional space, or palletizing, which adds even more. Palletizing protects your goods from shifting while in land, air or worldwide sea transit to international country destinations and may also supply an added layer of protection against weather but does increase the cubic volume. Verify with the international moving companies you are considering how much this will increase the estimates they provide.

Insurance is essential, and it is often necessary to obtain coverage from a third party rather than from the mover. The insurance company may require that your goods be packed by the international mover, not by you. Carefully review the insurance terms of any policy before you agree to it. Some marine insurance policies only offer protection in the event of a total loss of the vessel, and not any coverage of routine damage during the move. There may also be exclusions and other loopholes that you want to be aware of in advance.

Talk to potential moving vendors about their role in customs documentation and customs clearance, both for exiting the U.S. and entry into the destination country. They may charge for these services, and you want to consider those fees as part of the overall cost. You can also research the customs requirements at S. Customs and Border Patrol.

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What are the red flags that an International moving company might be shady?

The FMC cautions that consumers should be wary of the following when considering relocation services for their international move:

Can I ship my car to another country when I move?

Probably. The same moving company that you use to move your household shipment is likely to be a good source of information about moving a vehicle, or you can research it on your own. Where you are going, what kind of car you want to move, and how long you are staying are factors in determining whether it makes sense. Usually, a vehicle exported for personal use needs to be without a lien. It will be subject to an import tax and must comply with local regulations in the destination country. It probably won’t travel with the rest of your belongings, so you may also want to look at alternatives for shipping the car. You can send a vehicle as unprotected cargo in a “Ro/Ro” or Roll On/Roll Off transit, or in an exclusive or shared container.

In a Ro/Ro transit, the vehicle is driven onto a vessel with a huge cargo area that is essentially a parking lot on board. Shared container involves multiple vehicles loaded into a shared container. There are more fees–terminal handling charge, a trucking charge, unloading charges, and customs clearance charges. This takes more time because the container has to be full to leave. “Full container” means one vehicle in a shipping container, which is more expensive, but is the most secure and fastest means of global auto delivery.

Popular Areas We Service

Three Men And A Truck services moves nationwide. Below are some of the most popular areas we work in, and have movers and moving trucks ready to assist:

Frequently Asked Questions About International Moving

Moving internationally comes with a lot of questions you might need the answers to. Here, we broke down the most commonly asked questions we get into a straightforward primer.

What steps should I take in planning for my international move?

Move planning, especially for international moving can be a complex logistical problem to sort out. The first place to start is to make a list of the things you’re definitely carrying. Anything that doesn’t fall on the list, you should consider giving away or selling (if you can). Choosing a moving company like Three Men and a Truck will give you the peace of mind that all your selected items get from source to destination at your door safely.

How long before my move should I consult a moving company?

The amount of time that you have available to contact a mover will vary. Ideally, you should start talking to relocation services between seven and ten weeks from when you decide moving overseas. This discussion will allow you to confirm details like your departure documents, arrival details, and if anything you’re carrying needs to be quarantined. It’ll also allow us time and logistics to get international move to the other end of your destination.

What items should I definitely avoid carrying internationally?

Countries differ in what they permit for international moving. However, aside from illegal items, there are a few very distinct objects that you would do better to leave at home instead of taking them with you on your move. A good rule of thumb is that anything that may become flammable or leak while in transit should be left on the ground. Good examples of items that should never be earmarked to travel are:

aerosol cans, gas canisters, and any object under pressure
wood, soil, rocks, or cement of any type
firearms and ammunition
explosives or corrosives
plants

These items might cause hazards to the transport carrying them and any passengers on board or the local flora and fauna on arrival.

How much does an international move cost?

Unlike other shipping, international shipping tends to focus on the dimensions of your shipping package, not the weight. Depending on where you’re going and how far it is from your source location, different prices may apply. Costs will also vary based on whether it’ll be land based, air based, or sea based. Consult us today to find out what Three Men and a Truck can offer you in terms of price. Get our quote today for stress free moving and storage process.

Can I take my car overseas?

Shipping a car to oversea destinations can be a complicated process. Depending on where you’re going, you may have to tack on the cost of shipping taxes and the cost to clear the vehicle. All the car’s documents need to be in order before shipping to present to customs officials at the destination port.

How can I tell if an international shipping company is reputable?

The most obvious way to tell if the company you’re shipping with offers quality service is to read their customer reviews. There are several places online aside from the company’s website that will clue you in to the type of service you can expect. Additionally, looking at the company’s management team page, testimonials, and the layout of their website can give you a decent idea of how professional a moving company they may be.

Is a visual inspection of items necessary?

Less reputable companies might not be interested in coming to knock at your door for visual inspection, but professionals will always send a member of their team to see what they’re supposed to be moving beforehand. This approach helps us to plan for eventualities, like special needs for particular items to ensure safe handling and delivery.

Can a moving company charge more than the estimate?

Unless the estimate is a binding estimate, the company has a lot of room to operate when it comes to charging its customers. In some cases, companies just give a ballpark figure for a move. The move itself may come up to more or less. When the final price is negotiated and the details worked out, the amount you pay might be a bit more than the original quote. This more considerable value is nothing to be alarmed about, but planning for a higher cost may be a good idea.

Should I have to pay extra for using a credit card to cover moving costs?

If a company asks you to pay extra for using a credit card to cover your costs (or worse yet, doesn’t even take them), you should be wary. Companies like these can be trouble since they are likely operating on the fringes of the law. Three Men and a Truck will offer you the ability to pay with your credit card, with no extra fees tacked on.

Should my moving company provide insurance?

All reputable international moving companies provide insurance for their client’s goods. This consideration keeps their clients’ goods secure in the event of a disaster. Three Men and a Truck offers insurance for each move that we make, giving you the peace of mind you need when shipping your stuff to global destinations.

Who do I contact when I arrive at my destination?

Typically, international moving companies have a receiving agent at the destination port. Ideally, you would get to your destination ahead of your items and prepare for their arrival. For any details, we’ll even provide you with a contact sheet of an individual at the destination country to liaise with directly.

Is it cheaper to sell some items than move with them?

Depending on the destination, moving with certain items may simply be too cumbersome. Ideally, you’d sell them off before you leave your location for your destination. You may even be able to afford a replacement with the money garnered from the sale in some cases.

Will my electronic items be protected?

If you call your moving company early enough beforehand, they will provide support for your electronic items to ensure that they aren’t damaged in transit. Items such as plasma or LCD TVs especially have particular needs when moving from point to point.

Should I take the first written quote I get for international moving?

Ideally, you would ask around for a few different sources and compare the prices for international relocations. Don’t settle for the one with the cheapest moving quote or the most expensive one, but somewhere in the middle. It would help if you focused on local companies with offices you can visit in person.

Cost To Ship A Container To

Written by Chris Townsend

Chris Townsend is a moving professional and relocation expert that has more than 10 years of experience in the moving industry. With a background that includes working in virtually every aspect of the company, he has distinguished himself as an integral part of our operations with expertise in all things related to moving.

If you have any questions about moving, our services, or anything else you think he may be able to help with, you can contact Chris by emailing him at Chris@threemenandatruck.net

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International Movers Near Me