Many of the steps for preplanning an international move are similar to those of a domestic move. Do not get quotes over the internet, make sure the company is willing to come out to your home for a visual survey and provided you with International Relocation Brochures. Special allowances must be made, however for the added length of time in transit, the necessary paperwork and the various regulations existing in the United States and foreign countries.

The first step is the selection of an experienced forwarder who has worldwide capabilities and can arrange moves to and from the United States, as well as inter-country moves. Such a forwarder handles the entire process of the move from the shipper’s residence at origin to the shipper’s residence at destination, or “door-to-door” service. Other forwarders may only be capable of delivering your goods from one port to another port in the destination country. You must then arrange pick up of your goods from that port to new residence. By using a “door-to-door” forwarder you will have only one invoice, offering complete responsibility from point of origin to point of destination. Most major domestic household good carriers offer complete forwarder service. Quotes unless otherwise dictated include “door to door”, packing and unpacking.

What to look for in an International Mover :

Most major domestic household good carriers have their own International Divisions that will work along with the agent you selected in pricing and selection of a destination agent.

Although most forwarders won’t meet all of these criteria, here are five important things to look for in an experienced forwarder.

(1) The forwarder has been in business for at least 10 years
(2) The forwarder is a FIDI Member -
(3) RIM (Registered International Mover) Certification. RIM Certification is an AMSA program, and has two major objectives. First it provides customers with a standardized, independent means of differentiating and selecting a qualified moving company operating anywhere in the world. Second, the program raises the overall level of professionalism and performances of international moving companies and their personnel. To become RIM Certified you must pass an initial examination and then met RIM standards for equipment and facilities to handle international household goods shipments, verified by on-site inspections. To remain certified management and personnel, within three years, must complete a minimum of 15 hours of RIM approved continuing education and training, and the company’s facilities and equipment must be subject to re-inspection every three years. To date there are over 142 moving and storage companies that have completed the initial stage of RIM program.
(4) OMNI (Overseas Movers Network International)
(5) ISO 9002 Certified

Surveys and Estimates :

Cost to overseas destinations is based on weight and (cubic) measurement of the household goods when packed for shipment. It includes air or ocean transportation charges and packing and unpacking services of the carrier’s origin and destination agents. Most shipments will be shipped in 20′ or 40′ containers. It does NOT include charges for storage, servicing of appliances, custom duty, liability coverage or extra pick up or deliver.

International rates are not regulated and can be very competitive.