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International moving comes with far more logistical considerations than a domestic move does. Such relocations will include filing customs clearance and immigration paperwork and arranging for details surrounding a new home in a new country.
After in-depth research into the best moving companies, we’ve reviewed and ranked the top movers for an international relocation.
The Best International Moving Companies
We’ve listed our top international moving service providers for your consideration. Read below to learn more about each.
- Best Overall Mover: International Van Lines
- Best for High-Value Goods: American Van Lines
- Best Mobile App: JK Moving Services
- Best Appliance Movers: North American Van Lines
- Best for Customer Experience: Allied Van Lines
- Best for Self-Service Moves: 1-800-PACK-RAT
Best Overall Mover: International Van Lines
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Full service
- Specialty services: Yes
- Get a quick quote: Visit International Van Lines’ site
What We Like
International Van Lines (IVL) has a two-decade history of providing domestic and international shipping for moves of all sizes. Aside from acting as a broker and carrier within the United States, it also acts as a direct carrier and point of contact for all international moves.
Whether clients prefer air or ocean freight for their moves, IVL offers door-to-door service. It also provides specialized closed-container shipping services for antiques and specialty items. We think IVL is a quality option for your overseas moving needs.
Cost
International Van Lines estimates that a three- or four-bedroom residential move between the United States and the United Kingdom will cost between $8,000 and $12,000. This rate is typical for moves of such size and distance.
To find your cost with IVL, you should fill out its moving quote form. We recommend doing so at least a few months in advance. A customer service representative will contact you to conduct a visual estimate and fully inventory your goods. You’ll receive a detailed plan for your move, with IVL providing door-to-door service.
Services Offered
International Van Lines offers premium service plans to protect your household goods in transit. IVL can provide every service you’ll need throughout the moving process, such as full unpacking and packing services and custom crating for bulky items. This includes vehicle shipping and long-term storage in your destination country if needed.
State availability: 50 states
Read more: International Van Lines Review
Best for High-Value Goods: American Van Lines
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Moving carrier
- Specialty services: Yes
- Get a quick quote: Visit American Van Lines’ site
What We Like
American Van Lines has decades of experience providing relocation services as a carrier. While many moving companies with a wide service area tend to broker out moves to third-party carriers, American Van Lines provides all these services in-house.
American Van Lines is one of the best options for customers who want more personalized service. It advertises moving crews that average a decade of experience within the industry, which helps ensure the quality of add-on services it provides. Optional services include full-service packing, crating, and antique moving.
Cost
American Van Lines offers flat-rate pricing for all moves it carries out. Your quoted rate includes all basic and add-on services to be performed and will not shift unless you add extra services or inventory to your relocation package.
After getting your customized binding estimate and booking your move, American Van Lines will take a deposit of 10% to 50% of your total cost. The remaining payment will be due when all services in your contract are completed.
Services Offered
American Van Lines’ experienced crews are its decided strong point. With this, it can provide a full line of services with quality and efficiency. This carrier can provide excellent assistance if you require packing, custom crating, home staging, storage, or antique moving services.
State availability: 48 states (all but Hawaii and Alaska)
Read more: American Van Lines Review
Best Mobile App: JK Moving Services
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Full service
- Specialty services: Yes
- Get a quick quote: Visit JK Moving Services’ site
What We Like
JK Moving Services has provided full-service moving assistance to clients since 1982, with more than 500,000 individual moves completed. Its commitment to quality service is supported by its moving crews, who undergo comprehensive background checks before hiring.
JK Moving Services is a member of the International Federation of International Movers (FIDI) Global Alliance, which upholds standards for accredited international movers. FIDI members have to pass a quality inspection, which entails more than 200 individual requirements, aside from signing anti-bribery and anti-corruption contracts. This makes it one of the safest and best international movers, and it’s the only FIDI member on our list.
Cost
JK Moving Services offers one of the best mobile interfaces in the moving industry, which can greatly assist with yielding mobile estimates. Its proprietary app can produce moving quotes and accurately assess inventories with the help of AI, so you can be assured of accurate international moving cost quotes.
When you contact JK Moving Services for an international moving estimate, you’ll be contacted by a move coordinator who will walk you through an estimate and draw up a plan for international relocation services. JK Moving Services can also provide you with full valuation insurance coverage at an added cost.
Services Offered
JK Moving Services offers a typical range of basic and additional services for clients. These include packing, unpacking, storage services, and managing ocean and air freight moves.
State availability: 50 states, with local service limited to Washington D.C., Virginia, and Maryland
Read more: JK Moving Services Review
Best Appliance Movers: North American Van Lines
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Full service
- Specialty services: Yes
- Get a quick quote: Visit North American Van Lines’ site
What We Like
North American Van Lines (NAVL) was founded in 1933, and it has provided local and long-distance moving services within the United States since then. It now operates a network of more than 500 local partners and carriers across the country to facilitate your international move.
NAVL is a part of the larger partner company SIRVA. This moving network also encompasses Allied Van Lines and numerous other subsidiaries that can assist with international moving or residential and corporate relocation.
Cost
Customer reviews report that getting a free moving quote and a moving plan drawn up by an NAVL representative is fairly straightforward. Simply fill out the quote form on its website with basic information about your move, and you’ll be contacted to conduct an estimate.
While moves of this scope are expensive, NAVL offers different pricing options to assist clients with any moving budget. This includes special “bottom-line” and “not-to-exceed” pricing options.
Services Offered
North American Van Lines provides a range of services, including packing, custom crating for fine art, shipment tracking, and valuation insurance options for clients who require added protection for their goods. It provides full furniture assembly and disassembly for customers who would rather not take on any DIY moving tasks.
State availability: 50 states
Read more: North American Van Lines Review
Best for Customer Service: Allied Van Lines
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Full service
- Specialty services: Yes
- Get a quick quote: Visit Allied Van Lines’ site
What We Like
Allied Van Lines is another of North America’s most recognized moving companies. It provides full-service moving options for customers in the United States and Canada and international shipping to more than 130 other countries.
Like North American Van Lines, it is under the umbrella of SIRVA and provides customers with a similar service area. From the day you get your quote to the day your belongings arrive at your new home, you’ll be given a fully customized moving experience.
Cost
Allied Van Lines offers easy quotes. Simply fill out a quote form with your name, email, phone number, and current and new addresses to contact a booking agent for your upcoming international move. All quotes will include services such as packing and unpacking, GPS tracking, and valuation insurance coverage if needed.
Deposits typically range between 10% and 50% of the final move price with Allied. Half of the remaining total will be collected at the pickup point, with the remainder due before delivery. Allied accepts certified checks and credit cards for international moves.
Services Offered
Allied Van Lines provides full-service specialty packing for residential and commercial customers. It also acts as a vendor for packing supplies for customers moving from the United States.
Allied Van Lines offers specially catered in-house solutions for larger items, such as pianos, pool tables, and even vehicles.
State availability: 50 states
Read more: Allied Van Lines Review
Best for Self-Service Moves: 1-800-PACK-RAT
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Container shipper
- Specialty services: Yes
- Get a quick quote: Visit 1-800-PACK-RAT’s site
What We Like
1-800-PACK-RAT is our choice for the best container-shipping company. Whether you’re looking to handle all the heavy lifting yourself or to book moving assistance through its partnership with HireAHelper, 1-800-PACK-RAT offers a budget-friendly solution to international shipping and moving.
This company offers three sizes of all-steel weatherproof containers, which are easily shipped and work as convenient mobile storage options.
Cost
1-800-PACK-RAT’s costs are largely determined by your shipment’s total volume. While this or any shipping-container provider can be a budget-friendly option for moving, you’ll see sharp pricing increases with each container added to your shipment. For this reason, it is the most economical solution for small moves while being more costly for large moves. All cost estimates include at least a one-month storage rental, which may differ on international moves.
Services Offered
1-800-PACK-RAT provides three sizes of mobile storage units:
- 16-foot unit: Ideal for small two-bedroom apartments
- 12-foot unit: Ideal for most small one-bedroom homes
- 8-foot unit: Idea for a single room
Beyond this, customers are welcome to book moving assistance through HireAHelper if needed for domestic loading and packing services.
State availability: 30 states and Washington, D.C. (all but Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming)
Read more: 1-800-PACK-RAT Review
How to Pick an International Moving Company
When looking into international moving companies, you should ensure that your provider is properly licensed, offers all services you may need, and is well-reviewed when handling international relocations.
- Federal Maritime Commission licensing: Licensing from this body or carrying a Freight Forwarding permit will allow for smooth overseas shipping and easier moves to most other countries. Most movers who carry such licensing and conduct international moving services will advertise such permits on their websites.
- FIDI membership: The International Federation of International Movers maintains the most stringent licensing criteria for international moving companies. Thirty-one United States movers maintain FIDI standards and membership, including JK Moving Services. This is the largest and most respected umbrella organization for international movers currently operating worldwide.
- Adequate service profile: Your moving company will be responsible for handling labor accommodations on either end of your move. Before booking, you should look into the exact service profile any mover can provide. This is a vital step you have to take to ensure the quality of any move.
- Positive reviews: Online reviews are a key resource in vetting any moving company. Google, Yelp, Better Business Bureau (BBB), and social media can all host helpful customer reviews. Look into reviews that specifically mention international moves when evaluating your options.
What Factors Influence Your International Move’s Cost?
International moves are far more involved than domestic relocations. While local moving needs can almost always be handled in a single workday, the planning and execution of an international move is a weeks-long proposition. Here are the cost factors you should be aware of:
- Move size: Shipment weight is a primary cost factor in an international move estimate. International freight via air or sea is costly and will depend on weight.
- Move distance: A relatively simple move between New York and London will cost between $8,000 and $12,000 according to International Van Lines. Shipments will take between six and eight days to arrive at this distance if all goes well.
- Added services: Add-ons such as packing, crating, piano moving, and special provisions for antiques will increase your final cost. Ask about these when you get quotes, and be sure to disclose any such needs during the estimate phase.
- Door-to-door vs. port-to-port: Door-to-door shipping is a much more personalized move and is far closer to full-service moving than the alternative. Movers will handle your shipment in its entirety, from pickup to delivery. Port-to-port shipping, however, leaves the logistics of getting the shipment to and from each shipping point up to the customer.
- Vehicle shipping: According to International Van Lines, the average vehicle shipment to another country will cost between $1,500 and $4,000, on top of regular moving expenses.
- Valuation insurance: Full-value coverage for goods comes at a premium rate, which you should discuss with your movers when getting a quote. Waiting until move day to mention goods that should be insured could prevent you from receiving adequate coverage. You should get any covered goods appraised to ensure they will receive more protection beyond the $0.60 per pound per item that comes with all moves.
Our Recommendation
To have a successful and stress-free international move, we recommend starting the moving process early. Best practices for international relocations indicate that you book at least 12 weeks ahead of your ideal move date. Moving companies will require at least that time to schedule logistics and handle the paperwork to get you through customs.
The movers we’ve listed above are among the best in the industry at providing such assistance. International Van Lines’ operating territory is among the largest worldwide, and JK Moving Services’ certifications and training give clients custom moving plans. We recommend requesting at least three quotes and comparing those options before booking your move.
International Moving Company FAQ
How far in advance should I book an international move?
You should try to book your international move at least 12 weeks in advance, if not more. Full-service movers will require this amount of lead time to handle customs paperwork and forms and to ensure that your shipment can lawfully enter your destination country.
Can movers help me to find a home in a new country?
Certain international movers can assist with finding a home in a new country. Typically, this will involve handling temporary accommodations until you find a permanent home on your own. However, the type of assistance each mover can give in this area will vary.
What is SIRVA?
SIRVA Worldwide Relocation & Moving Services is an umbrella company with affiliates in 177 countries and 1,085 locations worldwide. It currently has more than 2,900 vetted partner companies and services moves on six continents. Its partner companies include Allied Van Lines, North American Van Lines, and many more globally recognized relocation companies.
What is the best way to save money on an international move?
The best ways to save money on an international move are handling your own packing and downsizing. Full-service packing for an entire home can be among the most expensive add-on services. Downsizing ahead of your move can lower your cost by a sizable margin, depending on the volume and weight of the goods you get rid of.
How We Chose the Top International Moving Companies
We researched and analyzed dozens of full- and self-service moving companies and formulated a moving review methodology based on a number of factors, including package options, pricing, and reputation. We also identified customer pain points based on customer-review analysis, proprietary consumer surveys, and interviews with former and current moving professionals.
Speaking directly to a representative at each company, we determined the number of package options available, the coverage provided, the types of moves available (long-distance, local, and international), and any extra perks offered, such as mobile apps, moving checklists, and 24/7 customer service.
We also gathered pricing data from each of the companies and determined whether they provide ballpark estimates or binding quotes. To determine reputation, we evaluated companies based on their rating with the Better Business Bureau as well as their overall score on Yelp.