International Moving Company Reviews
Published by Chris Townsend
International Moving Companies Reviews
Whether you’re relocating your home or your business, moving overseas can be an exciting adventure. However, moving virtually everything you own to a different country can be stressful and overwhelming. Therefore, it’s incredibly important that you find the best international movers to help execute your relocation. While there are many international movers out there to choose from, choosing the wrong one could mean the difference between a seamless transition and a disastrous experience.
Often, hiring the right international moving company is far from easy. Your best bet is to take the time to do plenty of research and get to know who you’ll be working with. After all, moving internationally is typically a long and involved process, and you need to choose movers you can trust to handle some of your most valuable possessions.
Like with most things today, you have countless options for international moving companies. This fact often makes your decision all the more difficult. However, that’s where we come in! We’ve compiled a list of some key factors that must be considered when comparing haulers– such as their ratings, experience, rates, and credibility. We’ve also outlined several tips to help simplify the process of finding the best international moving company for your upcoming relocation!
Ratings and Reputation
One of the most important factors you should consider when choosing an international moving company is their ratings and reputation. Start by asking your friends, family members, and coworkers who may have shifted recently for references and recommendations.
While they may not have moved internationally, it’s a great place to start. Another excellent way to determine an international moving company’s ratings and reputation is by looking online. As with almost every major purchase, the internet can be a valuable resource. You’ll want to ensure you’re using a reliable source to find reviews.
The Better Business Bureau and a variety of online review sites can be great resources for learning more about customers' experiences with a moving company. Finding testimonials and ratings from previous customers will help you make an informed decision about whether or not the movers are reputable, and you’ll have a good experience with them.
Experience Matters For an International Mover
Like reputation and ratings from past customers, experience is just as important. Many moving companies out there will boast that they can facilitate an international move. However, if they don’t have years of experience performing these types of shifts, you could be taking a major risk. Local and even interstate moves are far less complex than international moves. International relocations require meticulous attention to detail, as there are more moving parts (literally and figuratively), and your movers must know how to navigate the process.
Make sure that the international moving company you choose has considerable experience in successfully coordinating and executing international relocations. Not only should they have years of experience in the moving industry, but they should also have a nearly equal amount of experience in completing these types of moves. Trust us, it’s going to make a world of a difference.
Relocation Services Require Customs Expertise
This factor goes along with experience, but it’s important enough to highlight separately. You want to hire an international moving company that is familiar with the customs clearance process. More specifically, they should know your destination country's customs procedures and regulations.
A reputable mover will educate you on the expected charges associated with this process, including customs duties and port fees. They will also manage the paperwork and documentation required for a seamless customs clearance.
At Three Movers, we assign you a personal moving coordinator to handle customs clearance of your belongings. They will be your single point of contact during the move, answering your questions, making sure paperwork is in order, and keeping everything on schedule. This is exactly what you want in a mover—customs expertise and personalized attention.
Gathering Estimates
It’s always recommended that at least three quotes be collected to compare international moving companies. This has been proven actually to save you up to 50%. Selecting the first international moving company could lead to a great experience, but you’ll never be sure unless you compare multiple movers. Speaking with various companies is crucial to securing the best possible international moving costs and avoiding scams.
Although price is important, it isn’t everything. You want to find the perfect balance between quality and affordability. Unfortunately, moving scams do happen, and an estimate that is significantly lower than others is often a big red flag. This can lead to surprise fees or simply working with an unqualified moving company that could damage or lose your prized possessions.
Understanding International Haulling Costs
Again, it’s important to remember that the lowest moving estimate doesn’t always mean you’ll get the best deal. Pay attention to the fine print, as an international moving company that offers you an exceptionally low rate might be providing lower-quality services or accepting much less responsibility should anything go wrong.
It’s common for companies to lowball you with their initial estimate and not factor in the true door-to-door service. In this case, customers arrive in their new country to discover hundreds, if not thousands, of extra fees, tacked onto the original quote. The best way to avoid this from happening to you is to ask the moving company some questions first:
- Does this quote include terminal/port charges? (Also called ‘Destination Terminal Handling Charges,’ or DTHC)
- Does this quote include packing and unpacking services?
- Does this quote factor in the movers using stairs and/or elevators?
- Can this quoted rate change?
- Is insurance included in this quote?
- Are there any other hidden fees I should be aware of?
These are just a few questions you should ask before considering hiring an international moving company and signing a contract for its services.
Start Early
Moving internationally is far more complicated than moving locally, interstate, or performing any domestic relocation. Aside from the numerous paperwork involved and customs clearance, all necessary arrangements for moving your belongings via sea or air must be made well in advance. Ironing out all the logistical details of the move is a long process, requiring a lot of planning. Therefore, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to begin planning your international move as early as possible.
Don’t assume you can wait a few weeks before moving day to choose your international company. You may want to give yourself several months to research international moving company ratings properly, gather multiple quotes, and ultimately decide on the right relocators to hire.
Schedule Your International Move with Three Movers
Uprooting your life and moving abroad is one of the biggest changes you will ever experience. Like any major life change, you want to ensure that it happens as smoothly and effortlessly as possible. Hiring a reliable, experienced international moving company can take most of the stress out of the process, but only if you select the right one.
Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place. Look no further than Three Movers for the job! We are a reliable local, long-distance, interstate, cross-country, and international moving company. We've shipped household belongings to several countries around the world and completed overseas corporate relocations as well.
Fill out our convenient online request form or call us at (888) 202-0036 to receive your free, no-obligation quote and learn how you could save up to 20% on your next international relocation.
