Average Cost of

an International Move

International Moving

THIS ARTICLE WILL HELP YOU GAUGE THE AVERAGE COST OF

AN INTERNATIONAL MOVE

LCL ¦ FCL ¦ OCEAN FREIGHT

Hiring the best international moving companies to transport your household goods to another country can be an expensive luxury. It can also be very stressful if you’ve never done it before. There’s a lot to think about – a new culture, a new city, and canceling all your existing bills. The last thing you want to worry about is coming across a horrible international moving company. I created this article to help you gauge what to expect in terms of cost.
There are many options when it comes to overseas relocation. You’ll have the choice of a door to door, door to port, port to door, or port to port. The best shipping option for you will all depend on your budget and how much work you’re willing to put in. We hope this article on the average cost of an international move helps. Check out this article on the best tools for researching moving companies.

LCL – LESS THAN CONTAINER LOAD (SMALLER MOVE)

LCL moves are consolidated into a container with other household goods that are heading to the same destination. An LCL would be considered anything 500 cubic feet or less. The below are average prices for a full door-to-door service. Remember that there are factors that can affect the cost.
100 cuft 200 cuft 300 cuft 400 cuft 500 cuft
$1400-1650

LCL - Door to Door

$1500-1800

LCL - Door to Door

$1700-2100

LCL - Door to Door

$2100-2600

LCL - Door to Door

$ 2700-3500

LCL - Door to Door

WHAT CAN AFFECT THE AVERAGE COST OF AN INTERNATIONAL MOVE?

Before I go on with the average prices, I want to make clear that these are just estimations. Many factors can affect the cost of your move. First, you will have the option to self-pack or pay for professional packing. You will also have the opportunity to drop your household goods at the port or have them picked up. All of these things can either increase or decrease the rate. To make things easy, the averages below are based on door-to-door service. The best thing to do is to contact an international moving company and provide them with your details. Remember that all moves are not the same, so there is no way to give you a flat rate without specifics. Check out this article on packing for an international move.

FCL – FULL CONTAINER LOAD (LARGER MOVE)

If you’re planning on moving a three-plus bedroom home, an FCL ocean freight service will suffice. You will have the option of a 20′,40′ or 40′ HC container. If you’re planning on shipping a car, you can consolidate your household goods and vehicle into one container. Below are the average cost of an international move and these can change based on different factors. We always recommend that you speak with a relocation specialist to get an exact quote.
20' Container 40' Container
$4500-5500

FCL - Door to Door

$6000-8500

FCL - Door to Door

SERVICES THAT CAN AFFECT YOUR COST

The averages mentioned above are just a general idea of what to expect when moving internationally. Some factors can affect the cost of shipping. We always suggest speaking with an agent to get a detailed breakdown of what you will pay. Check out the different container load sizes.
Packing: you will have the option to pack yourself or paying for professional packing. It can play a significant role in the overall cost of your move. Check out this post about packing for an international move.

Self Loading: If you’re utilizing a container to transport your household goods you can load the container yourself at your door which will reduce the shipping cost.

Service: A port to port or door to port service will be less expensive than a full door to door service, but we would recommend speaking with an agent to make sure this is a good fit for you.

Size: The most critical factor that can affect the average cost of an international move is how much stuff you bring. You can reduce your load size to save money. Check out this article on charities that will pick up your stuff for free.

Inc 500

Find the right company for your needs

We suggest you check for licensing and then reviews. Just like most industries the moving industry is full of scams and inexperienced companies that claim they have experience. As a licensed NVOCC (non-vessel operating common carrier) we have direct contracts with ocean carriers and can offer beneficial rates. IVL also ships over 10,000 ocean freight shipments per year, so we have buying power. You can check out some of our reviews here. We wish you the best of luck with your relocation. International Van Lines offers ocean freight and air freight services for our overseas move. If you would like to speak with a representative you can contact us or fill out the form below. We will have an expert get back to you. The call will take about 10-15 minutes and we will go over all the details and different options that we offer.
Overseas relocation can be a stressful endeavor. Don’t waste your time and money going with a company that has no experience because you will end up paying more for your move. IVL is ranked #1 on Moving.co and Consumer Advocate. They have also been featured in the Sun Sentinel as a preferred international moving company.

HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT INTERNATIONAL MOVING COMPANY

If you’re planning an overseas move, it’s essential that you find a company that has experience. Just because someone offers moving services doesn’t mean they know international. First off, anyone that provides ocean freight transportation must be licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission. The FMC is the governing agency that regulates ocean transport.
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Frequently Asked Questions

The average cost for an international move is $2000 to $6000. You can reduce your moving cost by downsizing and or self-packing.

The peak moving season is between May and August. You will find it more affordable to move during the winter months.

The peak moving season is between May and August. You will find it more affordable to move during the winter months.

The pros of self-packing are you will reduce your moving cost. However, it can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. You will still need to buy packing material that can set you back and affect your insurance options.

Yes, it would help if you considered purchasing moving insurance.

A cross-border move to Canada or Mexico can cost $1500 to $7,500. Your move size is the most significant cost factor.

You should start by checking the FMC website. You can also ask for references and study reviews. A mover must know the destination country you’re moving to.

If you have an expensive painting, furniture, or a piano, you can have the company crate them.

You should only get up to three moving quotes. Getting more than three quotes can cause confusion and a wrong decision.

You can file a claim for the declared value if you have insurance, but there may be a deductible. You will get 60 cents per pound per article if you don’t have insurance. Some international movers have different insurance policies, so it’s best to speak directly to the company of your choice. 

The typical transit time for ocean freight can be 12 to 20 days. Airfreight will be closer to 7 to 12 days. If you move door to door, the transit time will be longer. It’s best to speak with the moving company regarding transit times.

Most international moving companies offer storage options at the origin or destination location. Storage costs average from 60 cents to $1 per cubic foot. It’s best to speak with your choice of an international moving company about the details of their storage.

There are a few things to remember when securing a visa for travel overseas. The first is to ensure that you have all the necessary documentation. It includes your passport, birth certificate, and any other relevant paperwork. Next, you must contact the consulate or embassy of the country you plan to visit. They will help you with the visa application process and provide you with any specific requirements that need to be met. Know More Here: How to save money when moving abroad Finally, preparing for an interview with consulate staff is essential. It’s your chance to show them you’re a serious traveler and have everything in order. Be sure to dress professionally and bring all required documents with you.  Follow these steps, and you’ll be on your way to securing a visa for travel overseas. With the proper preparation, it can be a relatively straightforward process. Good luck! you
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