Frequently Asked Questions
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How much does an international move cost?
The cost of an international move will depend on several things:
Size of the move: The moving costs will be calculated based on volume and / or weight. The more you take, the more expensive it gets. Sometimes movers have groupage services to popular destinations which could make it cheaper.
Ask the mover for the possibilities when you are only taking part of your household or some personal effects.Distance: The greater the distance, the more expensive your move will be. So moving from Spain to France will be cheaper than moving from Australia to the United States.
Route: The more popular the routes between countries, the more containers or trucks will be moved between the countries. It will be cheaper moving from the US to the UK than moving from the US to Uganda.
Transportation method: Moving is done by truck, ship or air. Depending on your preferred method of shipping
the price will be higher or lower. Airfreight is the most expensive but is probably best for small shipments. The moving company will advise you on the best method.Other wishes
An international move can be highly customized to your liking. Therefore, additional costs you might run into include:- Temporary storage
– Help with packing and unpacking
– Additional insurance
– Customs Duties & Taxes
– Visa
– Housing costs
Some moving companies work with relocation companies to further organize other aspects of your move. This includes housing, finding the right school for your children and dealing with all the various documents involved. These companies can help out with everyhthing after the move as well. You can always ask your mover for some recommended relocation companies.
Just an indication for an international move: It usually starts from $1,000 USD (£750; €900) and can easily exceed $10,000 for long distance moves overseas. The actual amount is entirely dependent on the type of move you are going to make. If you are moving internationally quite soon (3 months or less) and are ready to take the next few steps to organize your move, then get free quotes today. Getting quotes from multiple companies is the sure-fire way to get the most out of your budget.
When is the best time to get quotes for your international move?
The best time to contact the moving companies for quotes is within 6 months of moving. Preferably within 3 months. In order to give you accurate pricing it’s helpful to receive a surveyor at home. A surveyor will make an inventory list to get you the most accurate pricing. This is helpful to prevent any additional costs afterwards. You can also use our website to get free quotes and setup your own inventory sheet to email to the mover.
What information does an international mover need to quote me?
To offer you their quote, an international moving company usually needs information about the following:
Origin and destination of move.
Your move size.
Description of things you will be moving.
Estimation of when you will be moving.
Please note that the most accurate and finalized quote depends on whether you wll be needing additional services by your chosen mover.
Is my move insured?
Most of the moving companies provide insurance. However, it’s not standard for each mover. Therefore, always ask for the options regarding insurance. Especially when shipping by sea it’s important to purchase insurance to protect your belongings from mold,theft, and damage from various aspects of the move.
Can moving companies help out with temporary storage?
Do you need temporary storage for some or all of your items? No problem. Most of the moving companies have their own warehouses to help you out with temporary storage. Be sure that it’s included in the quote you receive.
Are the moving boxes being supplied by the mover?
Yes. In most cases the moving company will supply you with moving boxes if you don’t already have them.
Do the movers help with packing and unpacking?
Only if you want them to. However, if you are taking your entire household we do recommend to let the international moving company help you out with packing and unpacking your items. It will help reduce the chance of broken or scratched items. Moving companies have a lot of experience in packing a wide variety of items. They can also make custom crates and packaging for valuable items such as paintings for example.
How do I know which mover to use after I received the quotes?
Now comes the hard part. Which company to choose. Although the pricing can be very differrent, so can the quality. It’s not always the best thing to go with the cheapest one. Ask the moving company for reviews from other expats they’ve moved. Google the company. Although we do our best to ensure only qualified movers, every business is different and sometimes they make mistakes. We recommend reviewing a couple of moving companies to get an idea of the quality and consistency of their services.
