Houston’s Leading International Mover
International Movers in Houston
Planning an international move from Houston means coordinating customs clearance, overseas shipping and destination regulations — often while managing career or family transitions. For over 40 years, Suddath has partnered with Houston residents making complex overseas moves. We manage more than 16,000 global relocations each year, and we eliminate the stress from international moving so you can focus on your new opportunity abroad.
One Experienced Advisor for Your Entire Move
Coordinating an overseas relocation involves dozens of interconnected tasks — each with its own timeline. Missing one deadline can delay everything. Suddath pairs you with a single experienced move counselor from day one. This professional learns your specific situation, tracks every requirement for your destination country and proactively solves issues before they become delays. You have one reliable contact who handles your entire relocation to your new home abroad.
100+ YEARS
international moving experience
16,000
international moves each year
FULLY VETTED
moving crew
Complete International Relocation Services
As one of the leading international moving companies in Houston, we've built our services around the real challenges customers face when moving overseas.
Inventory Preparations
When moving abroad one of the most critical steps is to comply with the customs process and different regulations for your new destination. With certifications such as Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), Suddath international movers are committed to following all compliance and security measures to the high standards expected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This certification and other expert steps taken by Suddath will help you in preparing your household inventory for international relocation. Import restrictions and special permits create uncertainty for many international movers. We walk through your home — on-site or via video — identifying items that might face restrictions and outlining exactly what happens at each stage. You get clear answers before packing begins.
Document Preparation
A single incomplete customs form means your shipment sits in a foreign warehouse while you scramble to correct paperwork from thousands of miles away. We complete every required form before your belongings ship. Our C-TPAT certification confirms we follow protocols that help shipments clear U.S. and international customs efficiently.
Packing and Storage Solutions
Suddath offers a selection of packing solutions to fit any budget and timing needs. Especially in international moves, time becomes a factor. There are many things to do and people to see before moving, and time may not be on your side. With our full-service packing option, our team packs all the belongings in your home which gives you more free time to prepare for life in a new international location. We also offer partial packing and DIY packing solutions that may help offset costs during the international moving process. Suddath can also assist you with any short- or long-term storage solution needs, if you won’t be taking everything with you overseas.
Overseas Freight
Your Suddath counselor maps out optimal transportation based on your destination, timeline and budget. Houston's port infrastructure connects you to worldwide shipping lanes, and our tracking systems provide updates as your belongings progress toward their destination.
How Early Planning Makes Your Move Seamless
International relocations involve country-specific requirements that take time to fulfill. For example, Germany requires specific labeling on all boxes. Singapore has strict regulations about electronics and wooden furniture. When you engage Suddath months before your move date, we build these requirements into your timeline from the start. You avoid rush fees, last-minute complications and unnecessary stress because we've already mapped out every step. Our proactive approach means nothing catches you by surprise.
Get Started With Your International Move
International relocation doesn't have to feel overwhelming when you have experienced support. Contact Suddath's Houston team to request a quote. We'll review what you're moving, explain your destination's requirements and outline a realistic timeline that keeps your relocation on track.
Specialized Coordination for Unique Items
Custom Crating
Secure fragile heirlooms, artwork or electronics with custom-built crating engineered for international shipping.
Moving with Pianos
If your beloved instrument is making the journey with you, our team is well-trained in carefully prepping it for an international move. If you need it carefully stored in an environmentally safe facility while you’re overseas, we can assist you with that as well.
Moving Pets Overseas
Coordinate safe animal relocation with specialists experienced in destination-specific veterinary requirements and quarantine procedures.
International Auto Transport
Transport cars or motorcycles overseas through our established international auto shipping partners.
INTERNATIONAL MOVING RESOURCES
HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL MOVERS FAQ
Try to book a moving company at least 10 to 12 weeks before your international move date. Remember, overseas moving companies are in especially high demand during the summer months.
Purchasing a comprehensive international moving insurance policy to protect your goods during transit is highly recommended. Extreme care is taken when packing, loading and moving your items to your new location, however accidents do happen.
A good policy should cover your door-to-door for full replacement value at destination. This value is based on your assessment of what your items would cost to replace. Inquire with your Suddath move coordinator, as we can help facilitate international moving insurance.
A high value inventory form is an insurance company form where an individual item, pair or set in excess of $3,000 (or whatever the individual insurance policy dictates) is specifically identified for coverage during the international move.
Yes, we can move your pet. Suddath coordinates with various specialist pet relocation companies that provide a quality relocation service for your furry family members. Allow extra time for vaccinations, health certificates, chips, etc. as every country is different and some may require quarantine. Suddath can provide all this information, just allow extra time. With pets, sometimes six months or more of planning is required in advance of packing for an international move.
Yes, we can arrange auto transport services and vehicle transport services. It’s as simple as providing your Suddath move coordinator with the year, make and model of the vehicle. From there, we can check to ensure your car is authorized and allowed to be shipped to your country of destination, secure a vehicle transport quote and advise you of your costs and regulations. One thing to remember—don’t leave personal items in your vehicle. It needs to be empty of everything other than the standard items it came with from the dealership when first purchased.
Your goods can be moved on any date you choose. Weekdays are best, as there can be additional costs associated with weekend or holiday moves. Try to plan accordingly and work closely with your move coordinator for more ideas on how to avoid additional costs, and please note that some countries require two weeks or more to secure an international shipping container.
The delivery date at destination will depend on the size of your shipment, sailing schedules of the steamship lines between ports and finally, customs clearance procedures and the destination agent’s availability. Once a pack date is determined at origin, estimated transit time will be calculated and advised.
Suddath takes many precautions and train our teams with certified international packing standards to ensure your belongings arrive on time and without damage. However, our claims team is here to start the settlement process in the unlikely event that something gets damaged during your international move. Your agreed upon insurance coverage will determine the settlement for any potential claims The claims filing process can be easily completed online.
Move cost is determined based on weight/volume. There are many factors that go into determining the cost of your move abroad, but the weight of your items is the biggest.
Other factors that might influence cost are:
• Specialized moving services that may be required
• If any of your items need custom crating
• Shipment destination
• Specialized access needs
Your move coordinator can discuss these costs with you and determine if there are any factors that would put additional cost onto your move.
There are some general items that cannot be shipped, international or otherwise. For example, plants, paint cans or ammunition, to name a few. Make sure you understand what cannot be shipped ahead of time and speak with your Suddath move coordinator for any items that may be specific to the country or region you are relocating to. For example, places like Australia, Singapore and China have stricter rules than others, and ignoring these rules can create delays at customs or even hefty fines.
It depends on where you are moving. In most countries, if you have owned items for more than six months, or sometimes a year, you do not. However, some countries have different rules for expats vs returning nationals. Your Suddath move coordinator will provide specific, up-to-date customs regulations for your country of destination.
As this is considered an international service, you do not pay local state taxes on your expatriate move if it is out of the United States. Your Suddath move coordinator will provide additional information on the overseas moving process and rules at your country of destination, to help you understand if you will be subject to any taxes or fees in your country of origin or destination.
Yes. Suddath has a network of trusted, accredited partners with approved household goods storage facilities around the world. Your household goods can be held for just a few days or as long as you need.
As a true, specialized international moving company, Suddath provides password protected access to our online tracking system to view the status of you move.
Tracking your overseas move online is something to help you feel at ease with the status of your move at any one time but is of course only part of a personalized experience. Your Suddath move coordinator will keep you fully up-to-date with key milestones and you will be proactively prompted to complete all tasks required for a seamless experience.
