10 Questions to Ask International Movers

By International Sea and Air Shipping / January 22, 2020

Among the other common moves, planning an international one is no small feat. Yet as you prepare for such a move, it’s crucial to have the questions ready that you’ll ask international movers before packing those boxes. Moving abroad takes even more planning and preparation than your average across-the-country move.

You’ll encounter many challenges that call for you to be careful to not commit an ordinary move. Furthermore, you will need to have the necessary paperwork ready. You are responsible for clearing customs and paying all applicable duty or taxes at the time of entry into your country. But before any of that, you’ll need to find an international moving company that can manage the move for you!

Knowing the right questions to ask any international moving company will ensure that your move is pulled off smoothly and without incident. Be sure to inquire about the following:

1) So I know how long you guys have been a company. How experienced are you with international moving?

Not every moving company handles or offers international moving services. Likewise, not every international moving company is a trustworthy and dependable one, despite what they may claim.

Before you choose an overseas shipper, take some time to check them out and make sure they have a stellar reputation and a lot of experience with international moves. It’s usually best to hire a moving company that only does international moves.

2) Does your company provide in-home or virtual estimates?

Be cautious of moving companies that don’t offer in-house estimates, as they may be scams.

Call to see if a company rep will come to your house to do the pre-move survey, as those estimates are most accurate. Make sure that the representative actually works for the company itself and is not a broker. A company employee can also answer any questions you have about the move.

3) How will you determine the moving price?

The purpose of receiving an estimate prior to your move is to provide you an idea of how much your move will cost; however, there will often be additional charges levied on top of the primary cost of shipping your goods. So be sure to inquire about how the company charges for extras.

Be sure to ask a lot of questions about your shipment. Furthermore, consider that it’s generally only size and weight that determine how much moving things across borders costs. Additional costs may include destination port charges, customs examinations and delivery, packing materials, and terminal handling, to name a few.

4) Are you properly licensed and insured for international moves?

International movers need to be accredited and registered to perform overseas relocations. Every shipping company that ships things overseas should be registered with the Federal Maritime Commission and have an FMC number. This will ensure that the company is a regulated, professional, and trustworthy moving company.

Furthermore, remember to inquire about memberships with other reputable overseas moving organizations such as the Fédération Internationale des Déménageurs Internationaux (FIDI) and the Registered International Mover Certification (RIM) through the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA).

5) Do you offer door-to-door international moving services?

By having some international movers provide door-to-door shipping, your things will move directly to your new home without switching ships. Moving your shipment from ship to ship during the move increases the likelihood of damage or loss. So, ask the moving company what kinds of shipping services it offers its customers.

6) Who will be responsible for unloading and picking up my shipment at the destination port?

While you may hire one international moving company to load and transport your goods to the nearest port to be shipped overseas, there will usually be an entirely different company waiting in your destination country to receive your shipment.

This company is typically referred to as a Destination Agent in the overseas shipping industry, and you should ask your Origin Agent what company will be responsible for receiving and handling your shipment once it arrives at its destination.

This way, you can do the necessary background check on an international moving company to make sure that they are reputable and trustworthy. It is also a beneficial idea to prepare any questions you may have for the destination agent regarding the import duties and customs regulations currently in place in the country you are moving to.

7) Do you provide any customs assistance for your business?

Many international shipping companies will have a customs brokering service to assist you through customs when you land in your travel destination. There are many forms and documents to complete when passing through customs in several countries. It can be very stressful if you’re moving abroad for the first time.

Your customs broker will assist, but they can only get a head start by doing your paperwork and calculating how much you owe in fees, taxes, and duties, ensuring that your shipment is properly prepared for clearance when it arrives.

8) Do I have to be present for my goods to clear customs?

This will vary from country to country, so it’s a crucial question to ask prior to your move. In some countries, customs may demand the presence of the customer responsible for the shipment to clear the goods.

If the customer is required to be present and doesn’t attend, the port authorities often hold the shipment until it completes customs clearance, which can potentially lead to incurring hundreds of dollars in additional port fees.

9) What kind of storage do you have?

When you’re off to another country, you may need to store some of your items for a short period until everything settles and you find somewhere to live. Some international moving companies do provide storage, but you should ask about this even if you don’t think you need it—plans can change. Having a backup plan is always beneficial.

10) What kind of moving insurance policies do you offer?

This is one of the most important questions to ask. This is important, as moving your belongings overseas will put them at a greater risk of being damaged. Make sure to insure your goods adequately. Before hiring an international move company, ensure they have a comprehensive insurance plan that covers your belongings in the event of loss or damage.

Insurance for an international move may be a lot pricier than for a domestic one, but it’s definitely worth the investment. Make sure you also inquire about the extent of the coverage and the conditions of liability.