How to Choose The Best International Moving Company
So you need to choose a reliable international moving company. Here’s everything you need to know to make the decision and save some money doing it.
Have you been offered an opportunity to live abroad?
With an estimated 9 million Americans living abroad, there are different reasons why life is better for expats. However, the logistics of relocating to another country can be downright complicated and overwhelming. For this reason, it is important to seek the help of a professional to make the entire process manageable.
And if you will be taking some of your personal and household items with you, finding the right international moving company should be a top priority. But with so many moving companies on the market, selecting the best one for you can be quite confusing.
Here’s everything you need to know to make the best choice.
Look for Specific Experience in Arranging Moves out of the Country
The logistics of moving across the globe can be complex and confusing. Finding a mover that has specific experience in arranging for international moves is critical to ensure the entire process goes smoothly.
When seeking out an international moving company, make sure they are well-acquainted with the customs rules and regulations for the destination country. Experienced movers will be able to explain to you all the documentation and fees required to get customs clearance for your shipment. More importantly, they will be able to navigate customs smoothly.
They will also be able to tell you how long it would take to deliver your shipment to your new country. This way, you can take the guesswork out of estimating how long it will take for your belongings to be delivered.
Don’t take a big risk by settling for a moving company that doesn’t have lots of experience in moving shipments abroad.
Look for a Reputable International Moving Company
Look for a Reputable International Moving CompanyLooking into prospective moving companies’ reputations is another important thing to do before making a final choice. Choosing a reputable mover is critical to enjoying peace of mind knowing that your ‘sense of home’ is in safe hands. You certainly don’t want your shipment to be tampered with, delivered late or go missing without a trace.
Reputable moving companies are known for delivering the quality of service that they promise their clients. This means ensuring timely delivery of shipments and offering safety guarantees.
But how can you know that a moving company has a good reputation?
You can get recommendations from friends and family that have made a similar move before. Or, you can go online and check their ratings and reviews. You can also ask for testimonials from previous customers. This way, you can learn about other clients’ experiences dealing with these movers.
Also, choose from moving companies that are affiliated with international associations of professional movers such as FIDI. This helps to ensure international movers comply with the minimum industry standards for moves across the globe.
Look for a Mover That Offers the Additional Services You Need
Determining what to pack and what to leave behind is an important part of planning for your overseas move. You will want to compare the logistics and costs of each before making a decision.
If you’re not making a permanent move, storing some of your belongings is a viable option. You can leave items like furniture, kitchen appliances, bedding, and utensils behind and purchase new ones when you get to your destination country. If you’re traveling with your fur babies, you will also need to have them shipped for you.
When hiring an international moving company, be sure to consider the additional services you may require from them. Do you need self-storage service, pet transport a full unpacking service upon delivery or house cleaning?
Choose a mover that offers the optional services you need for truly personalized service.
Look For a Mover That Offers Excellent Customer Support
The best international movers know that providing quality customer service is key to staying ahead of the competition. For this reason, they constantly strive to meet and exceed customer expectation by providing exemplary customer support.
Choose a moving company that’s able to answer your questions and address your concerns in a satisfactory and timely manner. If you find one that has a customer support team dedicated to attending to customers 24/7, the better for you. This is because you will be able to contact the support team any time you like.
Look for a Mover That Offers the Best Value for Your Money
Pricing is another important variable to look into when comparing international moving companies. The best way to compare prices is to request quotations from multiple movers that you’re considering hiring and then review each quotation.
Be sure to check what is and isn’t included. Key charges such as loading fees, customs clearance charges, terminal charges, and port handling charges should be included in the quotes. This is because bids that look cheap may end up costing you more if you incur additional charges at a later date.
Also, ask prospective movers about their claims and dispute resolution processes. Make sure you’re comfortable with how they handle customer disputes.
Keep in mind that price shouldn’t be the only factor to consider when choosing an international mover. Consider price as well as the other factors discussed above to determine the best mover for you.
You can learn more about how to find movers and save money from our page.
Cost to Ship Furniture Internationally
The cost of moving furniture our of the country depends on a wide array of factors including how much furniture you need relocated, the dates of your move, and whether you move it by air, or by sea. As a rule of thumb you should expect to pay between £1,000 ($1300 USD) and £4,000 ($5,000 USD) to move your furniture internationally.
Look for an International Moving Company That Gives You Peace of Mind
Don’t let the nerves creep in when it is time for you to finally experience life on the other side of the world. Use the above-discussed tips to ensure you find an international moving company that will make your move a smooth and stress-free one.
In addition, find a mover that provides real-time tracking. You will feel a lot calmer knowing the exact location of your shipment at all times.
Do you need help finding the right professional for your international move? Contact us today!
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