For many who are relocating from the US to a country overseas, the logistics involved in transporting their worldly goods over the ocean and via truck to their new home are daunting. In addition to the stress of getting everything packed and organized on this end, arranging ocean freight, trucking to and from port, and export and customs paperwork, etc. can feel overwhelming.
Fortunately, there are household goods shipping companies that specialize in handling international moves on a regular basis. But how do you go about finding the firm that’s just right for your situation? Here are some of the key things to consider as you conduct your research.
Do They Provide Comprehensive Services?
Find out what kinds of transportation services the company provides. Most household goods shipping companies will offer door-to-door transportation as a standard service for a personal effects move. This means a container is delivered to the home by the contracted trucking company, but you as the homeowner are responsible for loading it and securing all the items inside. The carrier then picks it up within the designated amount of time for shipping to the port of departure; it could be a three-hour window or over a couple of days.
The homeowner has to work with a household goods shipping company, such as a freight forwarder, to make sure the container can be safely delivered up to the home for loading. Sometimes the layout of a driveway, as well as things like tree limbs or overhead wires, can make the home difficult to access by truck. And carriers don’t want the liability of leaving a container and chassis on the street for any length of time.
Port-to-port options are also available. The homeowner makes their own arrangements for getting their container loaded and hauled by a trucking firm to the destination port, and unloaded and delivered at the other end, with the forwarder handling all the details with the ocean line. But this is not a very popular choice. Let’s face it, you’re not familiar with the logistics of home-to-port transport and, besides, you’ve got enough with arranging the many details of life in a new country. When it comes to the physical move, it’s typically best to partner with one company that can manage the entire process, door to door. Make sure the companies you consider have this ability.
Are They Experienced With International Shipping of Personal Goods?
When choosing a company to ship your household goods overseas, experience and reputation are essential. International moves involve multiple steps, all of which require knowledge of local regulations and coordination with various partners. An experienced logistics provider understands these complexities and can anticipate issues before they disrupt your plans.
A company with a proven history of managing hundreds of successful international moves is more likely to deliver on promises, keep communication clear, and handle unexpected challenges responsibly. This increases confidence and provides peace of mind in what can already be a stressful situation.
As you manage all the other changes associated with international relocation, you don’t need the added stress of managing the physical move. Look for a personal goods shipping partner that can patiently guide you through the preparation and shipping process. One that combines knowledge with a commitment to personal service. I.C.E. Transport, for instance, has published a guide to shipping personal effects overseas. They also have a handy International Moving Checklist, which spells out a customer’s key shipping requirements in a simple, easy-to-follow format.
Have They Handled Personal Goods Moves to My Destination Country?
OK, this one is pretty important.
Find out from the prospective household goods shipping company what experience they have in managing moves to the country you’re relocating to. How many moves have they been involved with? Over what period of time? How knowledgeable are they about the ins and outs of a move to that country (where customs offices are located, local regulations, etc.)? How broad is their network of reputable local trucking firms that can transport shipping containers?
I.C.E. Transport, a freight forwarder in business for over 35 years, has handled thousands of personal goods moves between the US and many European countries, including the UK, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Lithuania, Germany, and Poland, among others.
“We’ve been doing personal goods moves to Europe for the entire time we’ve been in operation,” said Andrew Rozek, president of I.C.E. Transport, a family owned and operated business with offices in Poland, Lithuania, and the UK. “It’s a strategic focus of ours, so we know all the processes, potential pitfalls, and guidelines. We know what constitutes personal effects, what doesn't, and what you can and cannot bring. Those are the kinds of things you can only gain through lengthy experience within particular countries.”
Do They Offer Fully Transparent Pricing and Estimates?
When evaluating a household goods shipping company to handle your overseas move, pricing transparency is just as important as service quality. A reputable provider should offer an all-inclusive door-to-door quote, clearly outlining what is covered and what is not. Typically, this includes container delivery, trucking to port, ocean freight, and destination delivery. The only exceptions are factors outside the company’s control, such as customs inspections or extended waiting times during loading or unloading.
Just like in commercial ocean freight shipping, these quotes come with a validity period, meaning rates are honored within a set timeframe. A percentage-based deposit is paid in advance. The best companies will take the time to explain these details upfront, so you are not caught off guard by hidden fees. Look for a logistics provider such as a freight forwarder that provides full visibility into your costs and openly communicates potential scenarios where extra charges could apply.
Can They Help Me Reduce the Cost of My Overseas Move?
Helping you find ways to cut down the total expense of your move should be a key responsibility of your household goods shipping company. There are ways to do this that go beyond trucking and ocean shipping costs. An experienced provider should be able to spell these out for you. Here are a few examples.
Defer or Eliminate Duties
Many countries have programs that provide for reducing, deferring or outright eliminating taxes and duties on household goods moves. For instance, the UK’s Transfer of Residence Relief (TOR) program allows for tax-and-duty avoidance as long as you can prove that you were a US resident for at least 12 months prior to the move, and owned the goods for personal use for at least six months.
Maximize Shipping Container Space
Proper packing techniques such as stacking items safely, disassembling furniture, and using standardized containers, allow more belongings to fit in a single container. If you can get away with using just one for your move – unless an auto is involved – that’s a substantial reduction in ocean freight, trucking fees, and your insurance premium.
Avoid Hidden Charges
A company that’s well-versed in all aspects of international moves can help you avoid or reduce extra charges and hidden fees. Examples include value-added tax (VAT) on luxury and high–value items, port handling, inspection, and storage fees.
Can They Help Manage Customs Clearance in the Destination Country?
It’s important to find out from your household goods shipping company how customs clearance will be handled at the destination port. They will take care of all the details of export paperwork from the US and documentation for the ocean line, but how customs clearance is handled overseas has some nuances to it that your household goods shipping company needs to explain clearly.
Freight forwarders often have an office presence in destination countries in Europe, for example at the port of Gdynia in Poland. They either have their own customs brokerage services or a contracted partner that handles customs clearance for moves in the vicinity of the port. But in countries where they don’t have such a presence, or a move is further inland, it’s up to you to work out customs clearance.
Your forwarder will instruct you how this process works, which starts with contacting the customs office nearest to the city where you’re relocating. You just need to let them know you’re importing a container of personal goods on a certain date, and they’ll walk you through the paperwork required. The freight forwarder will file for an in-transit permit with the customs authority at the port of entry, which allows the container to leave and travel via truck to the inland customs office and on to your new home. There, documents are verified and any duties and taxes are assessed.
Do They Have Good Customer Service and Communication?
In commercial ocean freight shipping, dates for the arrival and departure of ocean liners is always understood to be given as an estimate, because there are so many moving pieces and external factors involved with the carriers. For someone who is likely using this type of service for the first and last time as part of a personal move, these things are less than clear and need to be spelled out by your freight forwarder.
When choosing a company to handle your overseas move, look for one that clearly communicates the realities of ocean shipping and timing. Even if you schedule a container delivery at your home for a specific date, shipping lines operate on fluid schedules, and the vessel may arrive early or late. A reliable shipping provider – such as a freight forwarder – will set realistic expectations, explaining that loading dates may need to shift by a day or two and planning accordingly. They should also guide you on managing associated costs, such as trucker storage fees or shipping line detention charges if a container sits too long.
Look for a forwarder that proactively coordinates the logistics, works with experienced trucking partners, and provides contingency planning so last-minute changes don’t turn into costly surprises. Reputable forwarders can arrange for an ocean shipment in as tight of a turn as two weeks’ notice, but arrangements can of course be made sooner than that. The right company keeps your move on track while protecting your schedule and your budget.
Finding a Reliable Partner Helps De-Stress Your Move
Clearly, much is involved in managing an international move from the US. You have enough on your plate just readying for your new life in a foreign land. That’s why finding the right household goods shipping company is of critical importance, increasing the odds of a successful move.
The best partners will assign you a personal moving specialist who prepares the necessary shipping documentation and manages all move details on your behalf until your valuable property arrives safely.
At I.C.E. Transport, our experience and logistics expertise helps ensure smooth transport of your household goods from door to door. And our large network of carriers on land and sea enables us to provide competitive, volume-based rates. Ready to take the first step? Contact us today to learn more.
