5 Tips for Finding the Best International Moving Company
Florida may be among the most popular states for people moving within the US, but there are also families who decide to move abroad entirely. And while moving to a different city within the US is relatively simple, an international relocation involves a different set of challenges. Moving overseas comes with more cost and more complexity than a domestic move, which means the planning process needs to shift too.
Fortunately, if you’re moving from Florida, there are plenty of moving companies that can help with an international relocation. Before you pick one, though, it’s worth putting in the effort to find the right service provider. You’re trusting someone to move your personal belongings thousands of miles, and you’ll want to know they’re everything they claim to be. Below, we outline what to look for in an international moving company, whether you’re relocating from Florida or anywhere else in the US.
1. Reputation
For any Florida international moving company(opens in new tab), reputation is everything. Before you turn to the internet, it’s worth asking your trusted circle first. Personal recommendations tend to be the most reliable signal you’ll find. If no one you know has a recommendation, search “best international moving companies,” read the reviews, and cross-check results with the Better Business Bureau. A pattern of bad reviews is an instant red flag. Shortlist a few providers based on how previous customers describe their experience.
2. Compare Costs
The cost of moving your belongings abroad can quickly reach five figures for a full household move, so it’s worth getting estimates from at least three highly rated companies. Compare them apples to apples and read the fine print carefully.
Some companies bury additional charges in the fine print rather than including them in the initial estimate, hoping you’ll pick them over the competition on price alone. Ask for the full landed cost, not just the base freight rate, since origin charges, destination fees, customs brokerage, duties, and last-mile delivery can all add up separately. A company that’s transparent about its charges and willing to walk through the full breakdown is generally the one worth hiring.
Part of comparing costs is understanding how your belongings will actually travel. Ocean freight is typically slower but more affordable for large household shipments, while air freight costs more but moves much faster, which is worth considering if you need your belongings soon after you arrive. Ask each company which option they recommend for your situation and why.
3. Look at the Services Offered
Compare what each international moving company actually offers. You may find this online, but if not, make sure it’s spelled out in your estimate so you know exactly what you’re paying for. It’s also worth understanding their process, will you have a dedicated coordinator you can reach directly during your move, or a 1-800 number and whoever picks up? A good international moving company should give you a single point of contact to streamline the whole process.
You’ll also want a company that’s genuinely fluent in the details of international moves, customs clearance, import and export requirements, duties, taxes, and the operational realities of shipping by air or sea. This should be on top of the general services, flexible loading and packing, that any reputable mover offers. Customs requirements, prohibited items, import taxes, and required documentation vary by destination country, so don’t rely solely on what one moving company tells you, your destination country’s customs authority is the actual source for what’s required to bring your belongings in.
If you’re moving into the US instead, U.S. Customs and Border Protection(opens in new tab) publishes its own guidance on household effects and duty-free thresholds worth reviewing directly.
4. Necessary Certifications and Accreditations
Verify that the company you’re considering has the accreditations needed to complete your relocation safely and legally. Overseas moves require navigating the administrative procedures of multiple countries, so credentials matter more here than in a domestic move.
The FIDI Accredited International Mover certification, which requires audits across more than 200 components of the moving process, is the most widely recognized industry accreditation. For ocean shipments specifically, U.S.-based companies acting as freight forwarders or non-vessel-operating common carriers must be licensed or registered as required by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)(opens in new tab). Ask your mover which company will actually handle the ocean transportation portion of your move, and when applicable, verify that specific company’s FMC status directly on the FMC’s website before you book.
5. Relevant Liability Insurance
Damage risk exists on any move, but international relocations raise the stakes considerably. It’s worth confirming ahead of time that your moving company carries adequate insurance coverage in case something does go wrong.
A reliable international mover should clearly explain what liability or valuation coverage is available for your shipment, and be able to walk you through exactly what that coverage does and doesn’t include before you sign anything. Your existing homeowners policy may provide some coverage depending on the specific terms, but that varies by insurer and by policy, so don’t assume it applies without checking directly with your provider.
Once your belongings leave the country, your mover’s own liability or valuation coverage typically becomes the primary protection, which is exactly why understanding what’s included matters as much as verifying licensing does.
International Moving Company vs. Freight Forwarder
Some companies handle everything end to end, while others expect you to manage more of the logistics yourself. Here’s how the two generally compare:
| Factor | International Moving Company | Freight Forwarder |
|---|---|---|
| Packing | Usually available | Varies |
| Transportation | Coordinated for you | Coordinated for you |
| Customs Assistance | Usually included | Often available |
| Door-to-Door Service | Often included | Depends on provider |
| Your Involvement | Lower | Higher |
| Best For | Full-service, hands-off moves | People comfortable managing more of the logistics themselves |
Red Flags When Choosing an International Moving Company
Watch for these warning signs before you commit to any company:
- An estimate that’s dramatically lower than every other quote you’ve received
- A large deposit or full payment demanded upfront
- No verifiable physical business address
- Reluctance to share licensing or credential information
- Vague or evasive answers about who actually transports your shipment
- An estimate that isn’t detailed or isn’t provided in writing
- Poor communication before you’ve even signed anything
- Refusal to clearly explain liability or valuation coverage
- Reviews with a recurring pattern of surprise charges or missing belongings
Questions to Ask Before Hiring an International Mover
Come prepared with these questions for any company you’re seriously considering:
- Who will actually transport my belongings, you, or a subcontracted partner?
- Is this estimate binding, or can it change later?
- What charges aren’t included in this quote?
- Who handles customs clearance, and what’s my responsibility in that process?
- What happens if my shipment is delayed?
- Where will my belongings be stored if there’s a gap between pickup and delivery?
- What liability or valuation coverage is included, and what does it actually cover?
- What’s the process if something is lost or damaged in transit?
Moving Internationally From Florida
Florida’s coastline puts residents within reach of several major ports handling international ocean freight, which can affect both cost and timeline depending on where your shipment departs from. Movers who regularly work out of Florida tend to be more familiar with local pickup logistics, from navigating gated communities and HOA-controlled access to seasonal demand that can affect availability and pricing.
If you’re selling a home as part of your move, ask potential movers how they typically coordinate pickup timing with a real estate closing. Experienced companies will have handled this before and should have a straightforward answer.
Selling Your Florida Home Before Moving Overseas
If your international move is tied to selling your current home, the timing gets more complicated than a typical relocation. A few things worth planning for early:
- Coordinate your move date with your closing date, not the other way around. International shipments often need to be booked weeks in advance, so lock in your closing timeline before you commit to a pickup date.
- Plan for a gap between closing and shipment departure. International movers rarely offer same-day pickup and departure, temporary storage is common and worth budgeting for.
- Build in a buffer for closing date changes. Real estate closings shift more often than people expect, avoid scheduling your international shipment so tightly around your closing date that a short delay throws off the entire move.
- Coordinate with the buyer’s possession date if you’re not moving out immediately at closing, so your moving company’s pickup window doesn’t conflict with when the buyer expects access to the home.
Our guide to preparing your home for sale covers the earlier steps in this process if you haven’t listed yet.
International Moving Checklist
- Research and Shortlist Moving Companies
- Verify Licensing and Credentials
- Get at Least 3 Written Estimates
- Take a Full Inventory of Your Belongings
- Decide What Isn’t Worth Shipping
- Review Insurance and Valuation Coverage
- Confirm Customs Requirements for Your Destination
- Ask About Storage Options
- Confirm Delivery Arrangements at Your New Home
- Get Everything in Writing
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an international move cost?
Costs vary widely based on distance, the volume of your belongings, mode of transportation, destination country, and any customs or import fees, and can cost $10,000 or more for a full household move. Get detailed quotes from a few reputable companies for an accurate estimate, and ask for the full landed cost rather than just the base freight rate.
How do I choose an international moving company?
Start with reputation, ask people you trust, then check online reviews and the Better Business Bureau. Compare at least three written estimates, verify licensing and FMC registration, and confirm what insurance coverage is actually included before you decide.
What should I look for in an international moving company?
Verifiable licensing and credentials, transparent pricing with no vague fine print, a single point of contact throughout your move, clear communication about customs requirements, and valuation coverage you actually understand.
What’s included in an international moving quote?
A detailed quote should break down packing, transportation, customs brokerage, insurance or valuation coverage, and any delivery or storage fees. Be cautious of quotes that only list a base rate without itemizing what else might be added later.
Do I need moving insurance for an international move?
Your homeowners policy may offer some coverage, but that varies by insurer, so don’t assume it applies without checking directly. Your mover’s valuation coverage is typically your primary protection once your belongings leave the country, so understand exactly what it covers before you book.
How does customs clearance work when moving overseas?
Requirements vary by destination country, but generally involve a detailed inventory, proof of residency or ownership, and specific import forms. Your destination country’s customs authority determines the requirements, duties, exemptions, and restrictions that apply to your shipment. A reputable mover can handle much of the paperwork, but it’s worth understanding the basics yourself.
Is it cheaper to ship belongings by air or sea?
Ocean freight is typically the more affordable option for large household shipments, while air freight costs more but arrives significantly faster. The right choice depends on your budget and how quickly you need your belongings after you arrive.
How far in advance should I book an international mover?
Start researching and requesting quotes at least 2 to 3 months before your move. International moves involve more logistics, documentation, and scheduling than a domestic move, so the extra lead time gives you room to compare options properly.
Final Thoughts
Moving to another country from the US isn’t an easy task, even if you’ve handled a domestic move before, the challenges of an international relocation are a different scale entirely. A reliable moving company can streamline the whole process, but only if you put in the time to vet them properly. You’re trusting this company with belongings you can’t easily replace, so it’s worth the extra research to find someone genuinely trustworthy, not just the first company that shows up in search results.
If your move is domestic instead, our guide to choosing a moving company and long-distance moving dos and don’ts cover the same ground for a move within the US. And once your mover is booked, our complete moving checklist and guide to finding moving boxes can help with everything else.
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Comparing international moving companies? See how to evaluate estimates, credentials, insurance, and services before you trust a mover with your move. #moving #internationalmove
About the Author
Michelle has worked with Florida homeowners who are selling, relocating, and coordinating moves of every kind, so this guide comes from the real estate side of that process as much as the moving side of it. She wrote it to help her clients think through the parts of an overseas move that generic moving sites tend to skip.
Michelle has been specializing in residential real estate since 2001 throughout Wellington Florida and the surrounding area. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or rent she will guide you through the entire real estate transaction. If you’re ready to put Michelle’s knowledge and expertise to work for you, call or e-mail her today.
Areas of service include Wellington, Lake Worth, Royal Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach, Loxahatchee, Greenacres, and more.
