Moving your belongings across international borders brings a mix of excitement and genuine worry. You’re starting fresh in a new country, but first, you need to get decades of memories and possessions safely from point A to point B.
The global shipping industry has plenty of options, though not all international moving companies deliver what they promise. Choosing the wrong shipping partner means lost items, damaged furniture, surprise customs fees, and delivery delays that drain your budget and fill your stress levels.
We’ll provide you with a practical evaluation process that protects your belongings and your wallet. You’ll learn exactly what questions to ask potential international shipping services, which red flags signal trouble, and how to spot companies that actually deliver on their promises.
Understanding International Shipping Service
Before you start comparing companies, you need to understand what type of international shipping services match your move requirements.
You can find everything from basic point-to-point shipping to even comprehensive relocation packages from the moving industry.
Let’s learn about the types of shipping services:
Full-Service Moving Solutions
Full-service international moving covers your entire relocation from start to finish. Your move manager handles everything from packing your belongings, coordinating customs clearance, arranging delivery to your new home, and managing all the logistics in between.
You get one point of contact who tracks your shipment through the entire international move process.
Packing Services and Protection Options
Professional packing services are more suitable for international moves than domestic relocations. Because your belongings face longer transit times, multiple handling points, and varying climate conditions during global shipping, you need experienced movers to use specialized materials and techniques.
You’ll find some companies offer partial packing for fragile items only, while others pack your entire household.
Customs Clearance Management
Customs clearance separates amateur movers from experienced international shipping companies. Professional services handle all customs forms, prepare your commercial invoice correctly, and manage personal paperwork requirements for your destination country.
These companies often have established relationships with customs officials in multiple locations to prevent delays that can add weeks to your delivery timeline.
How to Research the Best International Shipping Companies
The cheapest moving quote rarely delivers the best value when your entire household is crossing international borders.
Here’s how to research potential movers before you request quotes:
Step 1: Check Multiple Review Platforms
Look at Google Reviews, Better Business Bureau, and specialized moving review sites. Pay attention to complaint patterns and how the companies handle criticism, rather than isolated negative reviews.
Step 2: Verify Industry Certifications
Check that companies hold proper licensing for international shipping operations. The Federal Maritime Commission regulates ocean freight, while the International Association of Movers provides industry standards.
Step 3: Get Embassy Recommendations
Contact your destination country’s embassy or consulate for approved international moving companies. They maintain lists of movers that understand local customs requirements.
Step 4: Confirm Financial Stability
Check the company’s financial health through business rating services. International moves require deposits months before delivery, so you need assurance that the company will still operate when your belongings arrive.
Step 5: Validate Physical Presence
Professional movers maintain actual offices and warehouses in both origin and destination countries.
Companies that only exist online or operate through partnerships often struggle when problems arise during international shipping. You want direct accountability throughout your entire move process.
Getting Accurate Moving Quotes
A customized international moving quote should reflect your exact shipment size, destination country, and timeline.
You can compare different quote methods like this:
| Quote Type | Accuracy Level | Best For |
| Online estimate | Low | Initial budgeting |
| Virtual survey | Medium | Preliminary planning |
| In-home assessment | High | Final decisions |
Provide Complete Information
Give potential movers detailed information about your shipment. List every room, major furniture pieces, and special items like pianos or artwork. Include your exact move dates and destination address.
Request In-Home Assessments
Virtual surveys work for preliminary planning, but in-home visits provide the most reliable quotes. Professional estimators spot items you might forget and identify packing challenges that affect costs.
Compare Quote Details
Weigh what each quote includes, like packing services, insurance coverage, customs clearance, and delivery options. Some companies quote low prices but charge extra for basic services that others include.
Ask About Additional Fees
International moves involve fees that don’t apply to domestic relocations. Ask about customs duties, port charges, fuel surcharges, and storage fees if delivery gets delayed.
Get Everything in Writing
Verbal quotes change, especially for complex international moves. Request detailed written estimates that lock in pricing and service terms.
Evaluating Safety and Insurance Coverage
Your belongings face unique risks during international transport that domestic moves never encounter. You can get proper protection by verifying:
- Comprehensive insurance coverage options and claim processes that cover full replacement value
- Specialized packing materials designed for international shipment protection during extended transit
- Climate-controlled storage solutions that protect items during delays or customs holds
- Real-time tracking systems that monitor your delivery progress across multiple countries
- Clear handling procedures for restricted items based on your destination location requirements.
From here, you’ll need to check and verify a few things, including:
Insurance Options
Basic coverage only pays a fraction of damaged item values, which is usually around 60 cents per pound. Full-value protection costs more but covers actual replacement costs. Read the fine print because some policies exclude certain items or damage types.
Packing Standards
Professional international movers use reinforced boxes, extra cushioning, and waterproof wrapping for overseas transport. Your items spend weeks in shipping containers exposed to temperature changes and humidity.
Companies that cut corners on packing materials often deal with higher damage rates during global shipping.
Storage Facilities
Drawing from our experience, shipments sometimes require temporary storage due to customs delays or scheduling conflicts. Visit storage facilities if possible, or ask for photos. Clean, secure, climate-controlled warehouses promise professional operations.
Claim Procedures
Ask how the company handles damage claims and what documentation they require. Companies with complicated claim processes often discourage customers from filing legitimate claims.
How to Process Customs Clearance
Custom clearance can make or break your international move timeline, and many people underestimate how complex the process becomes.
One of our clients learned this the hard way when their shipment sat at customs for three weeks because a single form listed “wooden furniture” instead of the required “solid oak dining table with manufacturer details.”
Below are answers to five common questions you may have during clearance:
- What is the required documentation?
Your commercial invoice must list every item with accurate values and descriptions. Personal paperwork like passports, visas, and residence permits also factor into customs approval. Missing or incorrect documentation stops your shipment at the border until you provide proper paperwork.
- How can professional services help?
Experienced international shipping companies know exactly what each destination country requires. They prepare your customs forms correctly the first time and maintain relationships with customs officials that speed up processing.
- What are some common mistakes I should look for?
We noticed that the most frequent errors include undervaluing items to reduce duties, providing vague item descriptions, and missing required certifications for electronics or appliances.
- How do I plan for customs delays?
Political situations, holiday schedules, and random inspections can delay clearance. Companies with customs clearance expertise build buffer time into delivery schedules and keep customers informed about potential delays.
They also offer temporary storage solutions if customs holds extend beyond expected timeframes.
- What are my destination country requirements?
Some countries require fumigation certificates for wooden furniture. Others restrict electronics or require special permits for vehicles. Professional movers research these requirements based on your specific destination and help you prepare accordingly.
Timeline Planning for Worry-Free Moves
International moves involve multiple moving parts across different time zones, so coordination is your biggest challenge. We’ve listed a few pro tips to plan your timeline to handle the complexities of global shipping:
Set Realistic Move Dates
Most international moves require 8-12 weeks from booking to delivery, and rush jobs cost significantly more and increase the risk of problems.
Book your movers at least three months before your planned move dates to get better pricing and secure availability. Check your destination country’s customs processing times when setting expectations.
Coordinate Global Logistics
Professional movers coordinate multiple service providers, like packers, freight forwarders, customs brokers, and local delivery teams. Each step depends on the previous one completing successfully. ]
Your move manager monitors your shipment through different time zones and handles problems before they affect your delivery schedule.
Plan for Delays
Even perfectly planned international moves face unexpected delays. Weather, port congestion, customs inspections, and documentation issues can extend your timeline by days or weeks.
Our tests show that clients who prepare for potential delays experience less stress when problems arise.
Pro Tip: Keep important documents, medications, and a few weeks’ worth of clothing accessible until your main shipment arrives at your new home.
Making Your Final Decision
After thorough research and quote comparisons, trust your instincts about which team feels most prepared to deliver your belongings safely to your new home.
Create Your Decision Checklist
Look for movers who answered your questions completely, provided detailed written estimates, and demonstrated knowledge about your destination country.
Companies that rush through consultations or avoid discussing potential problems often create bigger issues during your actual move.
Review Contract Details
Read every contract section before signing anything. Pay attention to liability limits, delivery timeframes, and additional fee structures. Professional international moving companies use clear language and explain complex terms.
Choose Expertise Over Price
We often see customers select the cheapest option and spend more money fixing problems than they saved initially.
Professional international movers charge fair prices to match the complexity of global shipping, and their expertise prevents costly mistakes that cheaper alternatives frequently make.
Start Your International Journey Right!
Choosing the right international shipping company protects your belongings, your budget, and your peace of mind during one of life’s biggest transitions.
Professional international movers bring expertise that prevents costly mistakes during customs clearance, provide proper insurance coverage for global shipping risks, and coordinate all the logistics across multiple countries.
So, ready to begin your international move with confidence? Contact IBRC Bali today for a personalized consultation and see how our experienced team can make your global relocation worry-free and seamless.