Top International Mover for Washington, D.C.
Suddath® is a proven industry leader in residential moving, both domestically and internationally. As a true international mover, we perform 16,000 international moves alongside 54,000 domestic moves each year. Our extensive moving expertise supports our position as a leader in employee and corporate relocation programs around the world, getting you wherever you need to go to in every corner of the world.
Our Washington, D.C. international moving team is best-in-class at making international moves originating to and from Dulles run smoothly so you can focus on your destination. As an epicenter for both residents and business, D.C. is a prime location for overseas relocations. Throughout the international relocation process, our team works diligently to make stresses disappear, using quality procedures and highly-trained staff who navigate unique moving circumstances, like paying special attention to scheduling and customs requirements.
Suddath exemplifies the innovation and best practices to exceed customer expectations for each move and sets the standard for excellence in global relocation. This is evident by our numerous awards and certifications that further validate our top standing in the industry, including being a five-time EMMA winner for International Moving Company of the Year. While our global reach is extensive, our customer’s experience personalized attention. You will work with a dedicated move coordinator, trained in international moving logistics, who visits with you to thoroughly assess your move needs and present you with a free, accurate estimate and a detailed outline for your move abroad. This trained and tenured team member will guide your move throughout the entire process.
100 YEARS
international moving experience
16,000
international moves each year
FULLY VETTED
moving crew
4.3/5
on-site review
TRUST GOES A LONG WAY
The team was great and very professional. Carrie at Suddath was awesome. Thank you
Frank Herrera
Washington D.C.
Shelby coordinated our move and was an absolute joy to work with. Due to work constraints, I had to be moved quickly and had some complexity required. Shelby was able to quickly navigate those needs, coordinate the various parties, and gave me a completely stress free move. 100% satisfied, easily the best move experience I’ve ever had.
Nicholas` Shevnock
Washington D.C.
Everything was done correctly
Travis Felix
Washington D.C.
Great crew that dropped off my belongings. Very helpful and patient with me. Excellent service!
Roberto Padilla
Washington D.C.
Excellent service and communication! Couldn’t have had a better experience.
Rosie Cash
Washington D.C.
Could not have been more appreciative to have been paired with Elaine Bagby as my moving coordinator. She updated me consistently throughout the move, answered every and all of my questions, and was always extremely pleasant to speak to. As a recent grad moving cross country for the first time, I do not think I could have had a better experience.
Terry Wilcox
Washington D.C.
I highly recommend Suddath. They made my cross country move much less stressful. Rachel was always communicative and quick to respond, and Buzz and his team did a wonderful job with my full pack.
Jennifer Freud
Washington D.C.
Elaine was great. She kept us updated and checked in with us throughout the entire process!
Travis Voss
Washington, D.C.
Great service by Kate Miley and Jimi’s team.
Bruno Raposo
Washington, D.C.
INTERNATIONAL MOVING SERVICES

Document Preparation
When planning a move abroad with our D.C. moving team, document preparation is a critical first step. We ensure that every detail is thought of, and every procedure is followed along the way. An important first step is to have to the right plan in place for execution. A Suddath team member will thoroughly assess your home via an in-person survey or a virtual walkthrough, to help prepare an accurate estimate, outline and list of needed documents for your move. For international moves in particular, careful attention is paid to size and type of items in your home, as shipping regulations may dictate how and what gets moved. Your dedicated Suddath coordinator will help prepare and organize all the documentation and procedures needed to make your exciting move from Washington, D.C. to an international destination as stress-free as possible.
Inventory Preparation
When moving abroad to or from D.C., you must comply with a variety of regulations upon entering your new destination, particularly through the customs process. With certifications such as Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), Suddath 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 steps taken by Suddath to prepare your household inventory for international relocation are just a few of the qualifications that set Suddath apart in the industry as a top choice for international moving.


Packing Options and Storage Solutions
A wide range of packing and storage solutions to fit any budget and timing needs, particularly when it applies to international moves. With our full-service packing option, we pack 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 moving process. Learn more about how our expert staff can help with your packing as well as your unpacking needs. Plus, we can assist you with any short- or long-term storage solutions you may need, with over 3 million square feet of Suddath storage space across the globe.
Overseas Freight
For international moves, our experienced team will diligently map out the best methods to transport your belongings between D.C. and your international destination. Distance, waterways and potentially the lack of roads to an overseas destination, will all be considered as Suddath professionals plan a moving route that will use a combination of land, sea and air shipping procedures to safely and securely move your belongings. Your Suddath coordinator will determine the best method for transporting these items, taking into consideration, weight, volume, destination, costs and more. Learn more about Ocean and Air Freight procedures here.

SPECIALIZED SERVICES
Custom Crating
Special crating comes into play for items that are unable to fit securely into a standard moving box due to size, shape or weight. In that instance, Suddath professionals will build custom packing crates for you.
Moving with Pianos
Pianos are sensitive and fragile instruments. Suddath team members have the necessary experience to carefully prep for an international move.
Relocating with Pets
Suddath has long-standing partnerships with organizations who provide a smooth relocation process for your pets.
Moving Vehicles
Suddath is able to provide you with the options to decide if it’s right for you to move your automobile from Washington, D.C. to your new destination and provide you with secure options.
INTERNATIONAL MOVING RESOURCES




International Moving 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.