Planning to hire an international moving company for your overseas relocation, but not sure what to ask them? You’re in the right place.
Choosing the right moving company isn’t easy. Many promise great service but often fall short. The good news is that you can avoid these unreliable movers with a few simple questions.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to choose the best team by asking 7 specific questions. We’ll show you what answers to expect, which red flags to avoid, and how to protect your belongings as you settle into your new home abroad.
Ready? Let’s get into it.
Is the Company Accredited and Experienced in International Moves?
The most important factor when choosing an international moving company is accreditation. It’s proof that the company meets global standards and follows industry best practices. And, the company’s experience shows they’ve handled real-world complications across borders, ports, and customs desks.
Why Accreditation Matters
Accreditation matters because it shows a company is serious about quality, safety, and accountability. Look for companies certified by recognised organisations like FIDI FAIM. This certification checks everything from supply chain management to financial responsibility. Plus, because audits are done by independent third parties, you can trust that these standards are regularly checked and enforced.
Why Experience Matters
International removals involve different laws, customs clearance procedures, and risks depending on the country. A team that’s done this work before will understand how to avoid delays, complete documents correctly, and ensure your household items arrive when and where you need them.
What to Ask
We understand how stressful it can be to trust someone else with your life’s belongings, especially across borders. That’s why you should make sure that the company you choose don’t just offer vague promises. Test their experience by asking them:
- Are you FIDI FAIM certified or accredited by another global body?
- How many international moves have you completed in the past year?
- Have you handled relocations to my destination country before?
Hiring an international removals company with verified credentials and recent experience makes the whole process feel a lot more manageable.
Next, let’s look at whether your moving company will handle everything directly or hand parts of your move off to subcontractors.
Does the Company Handle the Entire Move or Use Subcontractors?
Some companies manage every part of your international move themselves. Others hand over parts of the job to subcontractors, and that can create issues.
When too many hands are involved, you might deal with gaps in communication, inconsistent service, or unexpected costs. Companies that handle your move from start to finish offer more control, better coordination, and clearer accountability.
What to Ask Your Movers
To know who’s in charge and how your move will be managed from start to finish, it’s important to ask a few direct questions. Try asking them:
- Do you manage the entire international moving process in-house?
- If you use subcontractors, how do you ensure they meet your standards?
- Will I have one point of contact throughout the move?
You will get a better idea about how the move will be handled when you know who’s responsible at each stage. That way, if anything unexpected comes up, you’ll know exactly who to contact to get it sorted.
And talking about unexpected things, don’t forget about insurance. Many people miss asking whether the movers cover loss or damage. Don’t be one of them. Bring it up early to ensure that your moving company offers the protection you might need.
Does the Company Offer Insurance Coverage?
Insurance matters, as things can get lost or damaged when moving across countries (even with the best movers). And let’s be honest, no one wants to pay extra for something that shows up broken or missing. That’s why it’s important to know exactly what kind of cover your moving company provides.
A reliable international moving company should clearly explain your insurance options. They’ll help you understand what’s included, what isn’t, and how to file a claim if you need to.
Why Insurance Matters
International moves involve many steps, from packing to transit to final delivery. Each stage carries risk. You may face situations like these:
- Items can get damaged during long-distance travel or rough handling
- Shipments can be delayed, misplaced, or exposed to bad weather
- Accidents can happen at ports, warehouses, or while unloading
- Some countries have unpredictable customs inspections
Without insurance, you could end up paying out of pocket to fix or replace what’s lost. But if your movers have a good policy in place, things like partial damage or total loss will be covered. It also shows the company takes responsibility seriously and is ready for whatever comes up.
Types of Coverage
Not all insurance policies cover the same risks, so it’s worth knowing what’s included. Most international movers offer a few standard options. The right one depends on what you’re moving, your budget, and how much risk you’re willing to take on.
- All-Risk Insurance: This is the most complete type of protection. It covers your household items from the time they’re packed until they reach your new home. You may need to submit a detailed inventory with estimated values for each item.
- Named Perils Insurance: Covers only specific incidents listed in your policy, such as theft, fire, or major shipping damage. It costs less than all-risk insurance but offers less flexibility if something goes wrong.
- Total Loss Insurance: It applies if your entire shipment is lost or destroyed. It’s the most limited option and won’t cover partial losses, but it can be a budget-friendly choice for some.
Questions to Ask Your Movers:
The best way to understand the ins and outs of their insurance policy is to ask them directly. You want clear answers so you know exactly where you stand if something goes wrong.
Here are a few questions to bring up:
- What types of insurance coverage do you offer for international moves?
- Are there any exclusions or coverage limits I should know about?
- How is the value of my belongings calculated?
- What is the claims process if something is lost or damaged?
These questions can help you avoid confusion about the moving company’s insurance policy. But don’t stop there. If you’re also wondering (like many people do) what happens when your belongings arrive before you do, there’s something else to check. It’s a good idea to ask if the company can store your items safely until you’re ready to receive them.
Does the Company Offer Storage Services?
If your belongings arrive in the new country before you’ve even sorted out a place to sleep, storage gives you a safe place to keep everything in the meantime. Good international movers include storage services as part of their overall offering. It’s about protecting your belongings while the rest of your plans fall into place.
Basic Considerations
Storage becomes essential quickly if plans change. A good mover should be ready with clear, flexible options.
- Availability: Check that the company offers both short-term and long-term storage. This gives you breathing room if your housing situation changes or flights are delayed.
- Security: Not all storage is created equal. Make sure your items will be kept in secure, climate-controlled facilities. Your household items deserve more than a dusty shed and a shaky padlock.
- Access and Retrieval: The process should be simple. If you need to grab something specific, like your winter coat, it shouldn’t involve six emails and a forklift.
Based on our past experiences, the people who plan for storage up front usually end up needing it the most. Even if your timeline seems tight, unexpected gaps pop up. It’s better to have secure, clean storage ready than to ask your new landlord if they mind holding a couch in the foyer.
Next, we’ll look at how much it matters that your movers actually know your destination country, not just the general direction.
How Will the Company Communicate and Provide Updates During the Move?
A good moving company will communicate clearly and provide updates throughout the entire moving process. You should know where your things are at any moment. That’s why it’s important to ask how your movers plan to stay in touch and keep you informed.
Good communication keeps things clear and reduces stress, especially when juggling flights, documents, and new home logistics. In our experience, companies that assign you a single point of contact tend to offer smoother moves. You’re not left chasing five different departments or wondering who’s in charge of what.
Many top-tier international removalists also use digital tracking tools, live shipment updates, and email alerts to keep you informed. A few even offer mobile apps where you can check shipment status in real time.
What to Look For
Some companies say they’ll “keep you posted”, but that doesn’t mean much unless you know how they’ll actually do it. Ask questions like:
- Do they offer real-time tracking or delivery updates?
- Will one person manage your move and keep you informed?
- How quickly do they respond when you call or email?
Pro tip: Try contacting them during your research stage. If it takes three days to get a quote, imagine waiting for an update about your furniture.
Being kept in the loop helps you relax and focus on what matters most. And speaking of peace of mind, let’s finish strong by covering what real movers do to prevent common problems in the first place.
What Common Problems Do They Help Prevent?
Moving overseas sounds like a grand adventure until your sofa ends up in Singapore when it was supposed to be in Sydney. A good international moving company helps you avoid problems like that before they ever begin.
Customs Complications
Each country has its own paperwork, rules, and inspection procedures. Skip a single form, and your shipment might be stuck for weeks. Experienced movers know how to go through customs clearance without delays or last-minute fees.
Item Damage
International shipping involves trucks, ships, containers, and a whole lot of movement. Professional movers use high-quality packing materials and proven techniques to protect your furniture and household items, even on the roughest rides.
Hidden Fees
Here’s where things get sneaky. Some companies quote low prices, then hit you later with charges for stairs, customs checks, or delivery timing. Honest movers walk you through the real costs up front so you know exactly what you’re paying for. No surprises. No stories.
Logistical Issues
A smooth international move is all about timing. Movers with strong coordination skills keep your belongings and your schedule in sync. So, your stuff doesn’t arrive two weeks before you do, or two weeks after.
The best movers won’t pretend that problems never happen. Instead, they stay ahead of them with solid planning, fast updates, and smart solutions.
Make Your International Move Smoother from the Start
A successful move overseas begins with choosing the right international movers. Every detail, from insurance and storage to customs and communication, directly affects how easy or stressful your experience will be.
In this guide, we’ve gone through the seven questions that help you compare moving companies with confidence. We’ve shown you what to look for, what to avoid, and how real planning makes a difference.
Our findings show that clients who ask these questions early feel more organised, less overwhelmed, and better equipped to manage their international move.
If you’re ready to take the next step, we’re here to help. Visit ikkuonline.com to speak with our expert team and get advice based on your destination and timeline. We’ll help you protect your belongings, stay on schedule, and settle into your new home with less stress and more peace of mind.