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Point A to Point B: How International Moving Companies Transport Your Belongings

Uprooting your entire life to another country can be exciting but planning the move of your belongings can become an overwhelming and stressful chore. It can also be a challenge to find reliable answers to the questions that can help you make good decisions, such as:  

  • Should I use air freight or ocean freight? 
  • Do I need half or a full container for shipping my belongings? 
  • Should I move my belongings door to door or door to port?

Moving abroad does not have to be complicated. When you work with a reputable and experienced international moving company, the process of getting your belongings from point A to point B can be surprisingly stress-free and easy. At Suddath, we can transport your belongings according to your preferences, whether by air or by sea. 

We organize approximately 16,000 international moves every year and know all there is to know about transporting your belongings safely and efficiently overseas. Contact us for more information now at (888) 903-7695.

Transporting Your Belongings by Air 

Moving items overseas via air freight tends to be expensive and generally less common than using maritime transportation. Moreover, you can only ship limited weights via air freight as planes have relatively small cargo capacities. On the other hand, using air transportation is much faster, more secure, and more convenient than using ocean freight. Air freight can be worth considering if:

  • You are moving abroad in a tight timeframe
  • Or for only 6- 18months and going to a furnished apt
  • You do not have a great amount of furniture and bulky items to move
  • You intend to take care of shipping small and valuable items such as electronics, documents, heirlooms, or antiques yourself

You have a surface shipment but need some immediate need items to get the family settled while waiting for the surface shipment

International Moving via Sea Freight

Moving your belongings abroad using a cargo ship and via a 20ft or 40ft container is usually the most common and cost-efficient way. If you choose this option, your international moving company will send a shipping container to your home. Once your belongings are packed and ready to be picked up, a truck will collect the container and deliver it to the port.

Door-to-Door Move

A door-to-door move is a hassle-free way to move overseas. Your international moving company picks up the items from your home and delivers them to your new home overseas. They assume single responsibility through the whole door to door moving process a

  • Dismantling your furniture where required
  • Packing your items securely in specialist international packing materials
  • Handling and advising on all customs paperwork and customs clearance at destination
  • Arranging for ocean transport to the destination port
  • Transporting your belongings from the destination port to your new home
  • Can provide valuation coverage to protect your shipment
  • Utilizes vetted supply chain

Deciding Between FCL Full Container or LCL Less Than Container Load

When moving your belongings via sea freight, you have the choice of using a steamship container on an exclusive-use basis or a LCL via a wooden lift van, depending on the volume of your belongings. A pre move survey will evaluate these concerns.

  • Having a container to yourself is more secure as you are not sharing
  • LCL is a great option if you only have personal effects to move
  • Exclusive use reduces risk that customs could hold up your belongings bc someone else cannot clear customs

Which Size Container Do I Need?

Shipping containers are usually 20 or 40 feet in length and 8 feet wide. Heights may be “standard” (8.5 feet tall) or “high cube” (9.5 feet tall). A 20-foot container can generally hold the contents of an 800-square-foot apartment, while a 40-foot container could hold a vehicle in addition to your belongings.

Therefore, if you’re considering taking your car overseas, a 40-foot container may be a good choice. Your international mover can advise you on the right size of container for your circumstances.

International Moving Services Can Help

Moving overseas involves a lot of decision-making which can make your head spin. When you work with Suddath, you do not have to make these decisions on your own. We deal with international moving issues every day and have a solution for nearly all type of move. To make your move as easy as possible, we will assign you a dedicated international move counselor who can help you with all aspects of your international move, including:

  • Pre-move surveys
  • Picking the right size of container
  • Document and customs preparation
  • Valuation protection options
  • Choosing the right shipping method for your belongings
  • Coordinating overseas shipping from point to point

We take the worry out of your international move, leaving you free to concentrate on settling in and enjoying your new home.  

Documents Required for Moving Your Belongings Overseas

Moving overseas comes with a considerable amount of paperwork. Knowing which documents you need is vital for ensuring a smooth international move. A minor mistake or oversight on a crucial customs document, for example, can cause severe delays of your shipment and additional expenses. 

For an international move, you generally need to prepare and submit:

A Comprehensive Packing List

Every box you pack should be listed on the packing list, together with a description of its contents, weight, dimensions, and value. Once every box is recorded, you will have to estimate the overall weight, dimensions, and value of the entire shipment. It is important to complete this information as accurately and as thoroughly as possible to prevent any customs problems. 

A Power of Attorney Form

Your freight forwarder will need power of attorney to arrange customs clearance for your items. You must sign the form and provide it to your freight forwarder. 

The Bill of Lading 

The bill of lading is a legal document detailing the goods to be shipped and the destination. The document also serves as a receipt of your shipment and must be shown at the destination port when retrieving your belongings. 

Other Important Moving Documents 

You will need to provide a copy of your passport or ID to ship belongings internationally. If you intend to ship a vehicle overseas, you may have to provide additional documents, such as the original title of the car and an import permit. 

Belongings You Cannot Send Internationally

Not all items can be shipped internationally. Attempting to ship a prohibited item could result in having the items destroyed and your shipment seized by customs. While countries tend to have various rules on what can and cannot be sent in an international shipment, prohibited items may include:

  • Plants and animals 
  • Food items such as vegetables and fruits
  • Medicine
  • Drugs
  • Weapons
  • Flammable items

It is crucial to note that your shipment must not include any commercial items you intend to sell in your new home country. Commercial products must be imported separately with their own set of paperwork and different legal and financial obligations.

Suddath Can Make Your International Move Stress-Free

Even a local move can be a challenge, let alone moving thousands of miles away to a different country. An international move requires considerable planning and preparation, ideally with the assistance of international movers. Suddath can expertly get your belongings to your destination and make the process as effortless as possible by offering:

Contact Us Today

Suddath is your one-stop shop international moving company. You can focus on your new home and surroundings while we coordinate moving your belongings. Contact us today with your questions or to obtain an international moving quote at (904) 647-2750.

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