INTERNATIONAL MOVING SIMPLIFIED
Personalized, Full-Service International Moving in Seattle
Moving overseas is a significant life change, and everyone’s experience is different. Suddath® brings the experience of a 100-year-old moving company and the support of agile services that can suit every need. From the time you receive you quick and easy international moving quote to the time your goods are delivered at destination, Suddath will guide you through every mile of your international move.
International relocation can seem daunting with all of the paperwork, customs restrictions, legal considerations, and sometimes language or translation requirements. With an experienced and capable international mover guiding you, all of these considerations become simple tasks. Our breadth of experience and service allows our international moving customers to receive quick quotes through an in-person visit or virtual walkthrough, and we are able to provide our customers with options for the level of service that will best suit their needs.
100+ YEARS
international moving experience
16,000
international moves each year
FULLY VETTED
moving crew
4.9/5
on-site review rating for Seattle
SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL MOVING SERVICES
Packing, Unpacking and Debris Removal
Every individual has their own level of comfort and needs concerning packing up their home. Some of our customers enjoy the process of completing the packing on their own. Others find it to be an extremely stressful event that they’d like someone else to handle. Suddath is able to customize the packing and unpacking experience to meet the desires, needs, and budget of each customer.
When you meet with your international moving coordinator, just let them know your preferences. Choose from full-service packing, partial packing, or DIY packing options.
Inventory Prep
Each country has its list of restrictions for the items it allows to cross its borders. Well before you reach a new country, you’ll need an exhaustive inventory of every item packed into your shipment of personal belongings. Suddath will help you complete all of the necessary inventory steps so that everything you pack is approved to deliver to your new address.
Suddath is certified through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) certification. Through our work to qualify for this certification, Suddath’s international shipments always adhere to the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) regulations that protect supply chain, identify security gaps, and implement specific security measures and best practices. Your belongings stay safe, and you will avoid unnecessary issues with the government in your new country.
Document Prep
Document preparation is a critical step in your overseas move process. All Suddath international moving customers are able to benefit from our international move coordinator’s expertise at helping expats to prepare documentation for any country in the world.
While you obtain the documents needed for your move abroad, we work with partners in your new home country to make the process as simple and straightforward as possible. Once we’ve helped you review and complete the forms, you submit them, and Suddath receives the clearance to get your international move started.
Ocean and Air Freight
Suddath provides international moving services via air, sea, and land to get your items to your new home as quickly and safely as possible. All air and ocean freight shipments are packed to meet international shipment standards that are checked for holes and potential leaks prior to departure.
Before and after your container’s arrival at the port, it is held in a secure customs facility until being released into our care and delivered to you.
SPECIALIZED SERVICES
Custom Crating
Constructed to provide maximum safety and minimal expense, our custom crates ensure that your high-value or unique items aren’t at risk during an overseas move.
Piano Moving
Suddath can ensure you don’t have to leave this precious piece behind. Our team can specialty crate and relocate your piano anywhere in the world.
Pet Relocation
There are special considerations and plans you’ll need to make for your four-legged family member when moving internationally. Suddath can coordinate the best possible overseas relocation for your pet.
Storage Services
Our storage facility in SeaTac features 24/7 security monitoring and award-winning warehouse management technology. It is also controlled for climate and we offer secure vault storage for shipments that require it.
INTERNATIONAL MOVING RESOURCES
Seattle 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.
