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The Best International Moving Companies Around The World
Get help moving by finding the best international moving companies. Learn what to look for in an international moving company to make your move go smoothly.
Any distance makes it hard to pack up and move your home and belongings to a new place; moving across foreign borders is a whole other ballgame. Traveling to a different country requires more planning and organization than other types of moves. Finding the right foreign mover is important if you want to keep the stress of moving to a minimum.
Some moving companies are better than others and can help you get settled in more easily, but even the best ones can’t get rid of all the factors that cause you stress.
So, it’s time to relocate.
If you look up how to move to a different country, you’ll quickly find that hiring a moving company makes the process a lot easier. But not every moving company is good.
Keep these things in mind as you compare different foreign moving services.
1. Availability and flexibility
Choose an international moving company that will accommodate your timetable and timeframe. Timelines and plans for an international move might change quickly, so the organization must be adaptable enough to handle any delays. For example, inquire if they provide storage options in case you are unable to move into your new house right away.
2. Geographical coverage
Check the moving company’s geographical coverage to ensure they can relocate you to your location. It’s also a good idea to inquire whether they have previously relocated anyone to your destination country and who they work with to ensure a smooth transition. A company with a vast international network and knowledge in your location can help you manage any obstacles.
3. Great customer support
The best international moving companies assign a moving specialist to each transfer. This individual should be knowledgeable with every part of your move so that if a difficulty arises, they can step right in and solve it without requiring much prior information.
Moving internationally may also necessitate coordination across multiple time zones. If this is the case, ask the moving company if they offer longer customer care hours or even 24/7 support.
4. Strong reputation
Pick a moving company with a good reputation, a lot of experience, and great reviews. For starters, Trustpilot and Google Reviews are great places to look.
There will always be some unhappy customers, but keep an eye out for problems that keep happening, like moving teams that aren’t professional or bad communication.
Join an expat group on Facebook and ask people there for suggestions if you can’t find reviews online. This is a good chance that someone knows someone who has moved internationally and can help you.
Also, certifications like FIDI Accredited International Mover (FAIM) will give you peace of mind that the company you’re dealing with is a good one. Companies that move and relocate people between countries are certified by the FAIM program. When a moving company gets this certification, it means that they follow strict quality standards.
5. Full service
Full-service moving provides a stress-free moving experience. Instead of doing it yourself, the firm will pack and unpack your belongings for you. They’ll even take apart (and reinstall) all of your furniture!
Best international movers in various countries
1. International Van Lines (IVL): Best for international moves overall
- Available in: USA and more than 140 other countries
- Pricing: Contact IVL for a free moving quote
- Services offered: Moving, international relocation, storage, packing services, vehicle shipping
- Types of moves offered: Domestic and international (door-to-door service, ocean freight, air freight)
Pros
- IVL is an established company in the moving industry and receives consistently great reviews
- They will store your items for free for 30 days
- Member of the International Association of Movers
- Great for last-minute moves due to availability of moving teams
Cons
- IVL asks for a 25% deposit to book a moving date
- IVL doesn’t support card payments (except to pay for the deposit); only cashier’s checks, money orders, cash, or business checks are accepted for the remaining balance
2. Santa Fe Relocation: Best for corporate relocation services
- Available in: The UK, Austria, Bulgaria, and more than 30 other countries
- Pricing: Contact Santa Fe Relocation for a quote
- Services offered: Moving, corporate relocation, packing, storage, insurance options
- Types of moves offered: Domestic and international
Pros
- Great customer support and moving services
- Each customer gets a relocation expert to support them through their move
Cons
- Some customers reported delays in getting their items
- A few reviews say some of their items arrived damaged, but Santa Fe reimbursed them
3. Choose and Moves: Best for moving to and from Dubai
- Available in: Dubai
- Pricing: Contact Choose and Moves for a quote
- Services offered: Moving, storage services, relocation, delivery, handyman services (plumbing, wall painting, flooring)
- Types of moves offered: Domestic and international (including door-to-door service)
Pros
- Many customer reviews note their attention to detail to avoid damage
- Provides portable refrigerator/freezer to transport food and perishable items
- Fast response to customer service inquiries after moving
Cons
- Some reviews report issues with logistics
- The website doesn’t provide a complete list of their services
4. Universal Relocations: Best for moving to and from India
- Available in: USA, India
- Pricing: Contact Universal Relocations for a quote
- Services offered: Moving, insurance, storage, relocation
- Types of moves offered: Domestic and international
Pros
- Great communication and timely updates
- Moving teams are well-organized
Cons
- A few reviews complained of delays
- Some customers were given incorrect moving quotes
5. Britannia Movers: Best for moving to and from the UK
- Available in: The UK
- Pricing: Contact Britannia Movers for a quote
- Services offered: Moving, business storage, disaster response, records management, shredding
- Types of moves offered: Domestic, international, business
Pros
- An international moving agent handles all aspects of your move, including customs clearance
- Moving teams package all items with care to prevent damage
Cons
- Weekend deliveries are unavailable unless you pay extra
6. Asya International Movers: Best for moving to and from Turkey
- Available in: Turkey
- Pricing: Contact Asya for a quote
- Services offered: Moving, storage
- Types of moves offered: Domestic, international, transportation of fine art
Pros
- Movers place valuable items in special wooden cases to prevent damage
- Asya is FAIM-certified
Cons
- One customer reported that the moving team didn’t reassemble all of their furniture at the destination
7. Intermovers: Best for moving to and from Malaysia
- Available in: Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore
- Pricing: Contact Intermovers for a quote
- Services offered: Moving (including fine art), relocation, storage, car transport
- Types of moves offered: Domestic and international
Pros
- Customers praise the moving teams for their professionalism and efficiency
- Competitive pricing
Cons
- Some customers report damaged items
8. Trans Canada Movers: Best for moving to and from Canada
- Available in: Canada
- Pricing: Contact Trans Canada Movers for a quote
- Services offered: Moving (including commercial moving), storage
- Types of moves offered: Domestic and international
Pros
- Member of the International Association of Movers, an organization that promotes high-quality standards in the moving industry
- Professional moving teams are happy to accommodate customer requests
Cons
- A few customers report that some moving agents weren’t quick to respond to their questions
9. Irish Removals: Best for moving to and from Ireland
- Available in: Ireland, the UK
- Pricing: Contact Irish Removals to get a quote
- Services offered: Moving, storage, packaging
- Types of moves offered: Domestic and international
Pros
- Great customer service and professional moving teams
- Affordable rates compared to other moving companies in the UK
Cons
- One customer reported badly scratched furniture
10. Donath: Best for moving to and from Germany
- Available in: Germany
- Pricing: Contact Donath for a quote
- Services offered: Moving, storage, relocation, car and pet transport, furniture disposal
- Types of moves offered: Domestic and international
Pros
- The customer service team responds quickly to any questions
- Moving teams are professional and efficient
Cons
- One reviewer found Donath too expensive compared to other moving companies
Other incredible companies are:
- Allied Van Lines: Best Overall
- Atlas Van Lines: Best Customer Experience
- United Van Lines: Best Custom Options
- JK Moving Services: Best Full-Service
How to decide which international moving company is best for you
Obtaining an international job in a new place is a thrilling career advancement. However, the relocation process can be scary, particularly if you are becoming an expat for the first time. Here are some important considerations when deciding which international moving company is ideal for you.
1. Understand your moving needs
Before you set a moving date, consider about your individual requirements. Consider the size of your shipment, the distance to your destination, and any specific needs you may have.
Do you already have a position in a multinational organization, or will you hunt for work once you arrive? Are you moving alone or as a family? Are you moving pets or your vehicle? Once you have a clear understanding of your demands, you can begin shortlisting companies that meet them.
2. Compare quotes
When you buy auto insurance, you acquire estimates from multiple insurance companies and then choose the one with the best pricing. The same principle applies when hiring a relocation company.
Contact a few moving companies and obtain specific estimates. Some moving firms will even price match, giving you even more reason to shop around. However, keep in mind that the cheapest option is not necessarily the best.
3. Ask questions
When you talk to possible moving companies, feel free to ask them questions. Ask them if they have experience with moving people between countries, how the process works, what kind of protection they offer, and if there are any other costs that might come up.
For an easy move, it’s important to ask about even small things, like how to pay or if they offer crating services.