Moving abroad can be one of the most exciting chapters of your life. It can also be one of the most complex. You’re not just shipping a couch and a few boxes—you’re navigating customs, port handling, insurance, and timelines that depend on weather, vessels, and paperwork. The right international moving company can make your life easier. The wrong one? That’s when costs balloon, shipments get stuck, and stress hits hard.
In this guide, I’ll show you the 10 most common mistakes people make when hiring international moving companies—and how you can dodge each one. Keep it handy as a pre-hire checklist so you can protect your time, money, and sanity.
Mistake 1: Not Researching the Company’s Reputation
A polished website doesn’t equal reliable service. For international moves, reputation matters more than anything. You want a company with a track record handling origin services, export documents, international transit, customs clearance, and destination delivery—not just local moves.
What to do instead
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Read pattern-based reviews, not just scores. Look for consistent praise or repeated complaints (damage claims, delays, surprise charges).
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Check memberships/affiliations with recognized global networks (e.g., FIDI/FAIM-certified agents, IAM membership). These don’t guarantee perfection but signal standards and audits.
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Verify how long they’ve handled international shipments, not just how long they’ve been in business.
Quick test: Ask for two recent international references similar to your route (e.g., US→Germany, US→UAE). Call them. Ask, “What went wrong and how did the mover fix it?”
Mistake 2: Choosing Based Only on the Lowest Price
International quotes can vary a lot because companies make different assumptions about volume/weight, packing level, transit method, port fees, and delivery conditions. The cheapest offer often comes from underestimating your volume or excluding key services—and you pay for those later.
What to do instead
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Compare apples to apples. Put quotes in a simple table: volume (cubic feet/m³), packing included, insurance type, port/terminal charges, customs brokerage, delivery to residence, stair or shuttle fees, storage, and expected transit time.
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Beware vague terms like “approximate” or “subject to destination charges.” Ask for a range of likely destination charges and examples of what’s excluded.
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Ask for a revised quote after a video or in-home survey. Accurate volume estimates reduce surprises.
Pro tip: If one quote is 25%+ cheaper than the others, assume something is missing and press for a line-by-line explanation.
Mistake 3: Forgetting to Check Licensing and Credentials
For ocean shipments, your household goods will involve licensed freight forwarders, NVOCCs, and overseas agents. Companies without proper credentials may outsource critical steps or cut corners.
What to do instead
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Ask: “Who is the origin agent, freight forwarder, and destination agent on my lane? Are they in-network partners you work with regularly?”
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Confirm they can issue a bill of lading (or will work with a licensed carrier who does).
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If you’re in the US, ask whether they comply with relevant federal and maritime regulations and whether they use bonded warehouses when needed.
Green flag: They answer clearly, share partner names, and explain each role without defensiveness.
Mistake 4: Overlooking Insurance Coverage
A lot of people assume the mover “covers damages.” Not necessarily. Basic carrier liability is usually minimal and based on weight (for example, a few dollars per pound)—not the real value of your items.
What to do instead
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Understand the difference between:
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Released/Basic Liability: Very limited, often pennies on the dollar.
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Declared/Full-Value Protection (FVP): You declare a total value; covered up to that amount, subject to deductibles and conditions.
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Ask whether “All Risk” coverage is available for properly packed items and what exclusions apply (electronics, antiques, self-packed boxes, moisture/mold, force majeure).
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Complete the valuation inventory carefully and keep receipts/photos for high-value items.
Pro tip: If you plan to self-pack, know that many policies exclude or reduce coverage for owner-packed cartons. It’s often worth paying for professional packing on fragile or high-value goods.
Mistake 5: Ignoring What Services Are (and Aren’t) Included
“Door-to-door” can still hide a lot of gaps. Are we talking packing, crating, customs clearance, port fees, delivery to residence, unpacking, debris removal, and stair/shuttle surcharges? Or just curbside drop?
What to do instead
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Request a written scope of work that spells out:
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Packing level (owner-packed vs. professionally packed)
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Special crates (TVs, glass, art)
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Origin and destination access conditions (elevator, long carry, shuttle truck)
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Port/terminal handling and customs brokerage responsibilities
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Storage (if your residence isn’t ready)
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Ask for scenario pricing: “If the truck can’t access my building and needs a shuttle, how much is that likely to cost?”
Red flag: A mover that won’t list inclusions/exclusions clearly.
Mistake 6: Failing to Ask About Customs Rules and Paperwork
Every destination has rules: prohibited/restricted items, document requirements, duties/taxes, and rules for temporary vs. permanent import. If your paperwork is wrong or late, your shipment can be delayed, fined, or even refused.
What to do instead
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Ask for a country-specific customs guide early. Read it.
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Clarify whether you’re moving under temporary import, work visa, residency, or diplomatic status—each affects taxes and documents.
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Confirm who prepares what: inventory lists, copies of passports/visas, proof of residence, tax IDs, and power of attorney for the broker if needed.
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Ask how used household goods must be documented and whether new, sealed items trigger extra duties.
Pro tip: Keep a digital folder with scans of passport, visa, lease/utility bill, job letter, inventory, purchase receipts for high-value items, and insurance policy. Share only through secure channels.
Mistake 7: Not Meeting the Company (or Doing a Real Survey)
International volume estimates from a rough phone call are risky. If your estimate is off by 20–30%, your container plan, costs, and timelines can change.
What to do instead
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Get a video or in-home survey for an actual volume (cubic feet/m³).
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Walk the estimator through attics, closets, garages, storage units, balconies, and anything outdoors.
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Show oversized/awkward items (pianos, artwork, gym equipment). Ask about custom crating and costs.
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Confirm how they’ll protect furniture (export wrap, corner guards, floor protection).
Green flag: The surveyor asks smart questions about origin access, elevator bookings, and destination constraints (like narrow streets).
Mistake 8: Waiting Until the Last Minute to Book
Peak seasons (summer, year-end, back-to-school) can fill up quickly for both movers and shipping lines. Late bookings can mean higher prices, slower sailings, or fragmented service.
What to do instead
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If possible, book 3–4 months ahead. You’ll get better time slots, better routing options, and more predictable container space.
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If your move date is flexible, ask about off-peak timing (shoulder seasons often save money).
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Build in buffer time for paperwork, packing, and unexpected port congestion.
Pro tip: Lock in packing dates at least 2–3 weeks before your departure flight so you’re not juggling movers and airport check-ins the same day.
Mistake 9: Ignoring Red Flags During Communication
Bad communication early on usually becomes worse during transit. If a company is slow, vague, or evasive now, imagine how they’ll be when your shipment is stuck in customs.
Red flags to watch
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Delayed replies, no single point of contact, or constantly changing contacts.
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Verbal promises with nothing in writing.
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Unclear on tracking, ETA windows, or who to call at each stage.
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Pressure tactics: “Pay now or lose your spot,” without proper documents.
What to do instead
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Ask for a named move coordinator with direct contact info.
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Request a milestone plan: packing date, port cutoff, sailing date/ETA, customs clearance timeline, delivery window.
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Confirm how you’ll receive tracking updates (email cadence, portal access, or both).
Mistake 10: Not Reading the Fine Print in the Contract
This is where people get burned—cancellation policies, storage charges, demurrage/detention fees, insurance deductibles, claim deadlines, and liability limits.
What to do instead
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Read every clause related to:
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Delays outside the mover’s control (weather, strikes, port congestion)
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Free time at port and what happens when it’s exceeded
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Delivery windows vs. guaranteed dates
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Claims: timeframe to report damage (often very short for concealed damage)
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Ask for real examples: “If customs inspection delays my container 10 days, who pays the extra port/terminal fees?”
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Confirm the currency for destination charges and how exchange rate shifts are handled.
Pro tip: Don’t sign until everything you discussed verbally is on paper—including packing method, insurance type, and all likely access surcharges.
Bonus: Extra Tips for a Smooth International Move
Build a Clear Timeline
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T-12 to T-16 weeks: Shortlist movers, schedule surveys, gather documents.
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T-10 to T-12 weeks: Compare quotes, confirm inclusions, choose your mover.
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T-8 weeks: Finalize insurance valuation, purge non-essentials, start admin tasks (schools, banks, mail).
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T-4 weeks: Confirm packing dates, elevator bookings, parking permits, and flights.
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T-2 weeks: Separate carry-on essentials (documents, meds, jewelry, work laptop).
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Move week: Photograph valuables, walk through inventory with crew, sign off on packing lists.
Pack With Customs in Mind
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Don’t ship prohibited items (aerosols, certain batteries, perishables, plants, some alcohol, firearms).
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Label boxes by room + brief contents (“Kitchen – Pots & Pans,” “Office – Books”).
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Keep original boxes/receipts for high-value electronics if possible.
Protect Your Arrival
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Arrange temporary housing buffer in case of delays.
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Keep a starter kit in your luggage: a few utensils, towels, sheets, basic tools, and kids’ comfort items.
Practical Tools You Can Copy-Paste
Pre-Hire Questions (Ask Every Company)
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How many international moves like mine (origin/destination) have you handled in the last 12 months?
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Who are your origin, freight, and destination partners on this route?
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What services are included in “door-to-door” for my quote? What’s not included?
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What insurance options do you offer, and what are the exclusions?
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What are typical destination charges on my lane, and in what currency will I pay them?
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What’s the expected transit time window, and how will I get updates?
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What are your claims procedures and deadlines?
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If access issues (stairs, narrow streets) arise at delivery, how are shuttle/long-carry fees calculated?
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What happens if customs selects my shipment for inspection—who coordinates and who pays what?
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Can you share two recent references for my lane?
Quote Comparison Table (Make One Row Per Mover)
| Mover | Volume (ft³/m³) | Packing Included | Insurance & Deductible | Port/Terminal Fees | Customs Broker | Delivery Type | Access Surcharges | Storage (If Needed) | ETA Window | Total Est. Cost | Notes |
|---|
Essentials Kit (Carry-On)
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Passports/visas, lease/job letters, insurance docs
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Birth/marriage certificates, school records, immunizations
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Medications + prescriptions, a few days of clothes
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Work laptop/chargers, basic toiletries, kid/pet essentials
Quick Recap: The 10 Mistakes to Avoid
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Skipping deep research on reputation and international experience.
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Picking the lowest price without checking what’s missing.
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Ignoring licensing, partners, and credentials.
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Assuming you’re fully insured.
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Not clarifying what “door-to-door” includes.
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Overlooking customs requirements and documents.
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Skipping a real video/in-home survey.
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Booking too late for peak seasons.
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Overlooking communication red flags.
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Signing without reading the fine print.
FAQs
How far in advance should you book?
Ideally 3–4 months before your move date. You’ll get better schedules, space, and pricing.
Sea freight or air freight?
Sea is cheaper for whole-home shipments but slower (weeks). Air is fast (days) but expensive—best for essentials or tight deadlines.
Can you save money by self-packing?
Maybe—but it can reduce insurance coverage for those boxes. Consider professional packing for fragile/high-value items.
What if your shipment is delayed at customs?
Expect storage and port fees if “free time” is exceeded. Make sure your contract explains who pays and what support you’ll get.
Should you ship your car?
Depends on your destination’s import rules, taxes, and whether your vehicle meets local standards. Ask your mover for country-specific guidance.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be an expert in global logistics to have a smooth international move. You just need to ask the right questions, compare quotes properly, and lock down the fine print before you sign. Do a thorough survey, get real insurance, and clarify customs support. When you do that, you’ll cut out most surprises.
Use this guide as your pre-hire checklist. Take your time, protect your budget, and you’ll step into your new life abroad with confidence—not chaos.
