International Movers
Moving internationally is one of the most significant decisions a person or family can make. It takes careful planning, real logistics coordination, and a moving company you can trust with everything you own. As an FMC-licensed door-to-door moving company (License #FMC 022380N) headquartered in Sherman Oaks, California, SDC International Shipping manages international relocations for individuals, families, and corporations, handling every step from pickup at your U.S. home to final delivery at your overseas destination.
This page covers how the process works, what’s included, how cost is determined, and where to go next for country-specific detail. Call 877-339-0267 for a personalized estimate, or read on for the full picture.
International Moving from Any U.S. State
You do not need to live near a major port to move overseas. SDC arranges pickup from any U.S. state, then routes your shipment through the export gateway that best fits your schedule, destination, and budget. Whether you’re in a major metro or hours from the nearest port, our logistics team plans around your location, not the other way around.
Your dedicated coordinator confirms pickup access, packing requirements, storage needs if any, and the shipping plan that fits your timeline, working alongside our professional packers and administrative team so nothing falls through the gaps between first contact and final delivery.
Our International Moving Process, Step by Step
1. Consultation and Planning
Every move starts with understanding your timeline, household size, origin and destination access, and anything requiring special handling. This is also where we identify whether a dedicated container, shared groupage space, or air freight fits your situation best, and for corporate relocations, where we align with HR or mobility teams on scope and scheduling.
2. Professional Packing and Inventory
Our crews use export-grade materials and handling techniques suited to long transit times and multiple transfer points. Every box and crate is inventoried and labeled for customs purposes. This matters beyond damage prevention: shipments packed and documented by the owner, rather than professionally, can face additional customs scrutiny, since there’s no third-party record confirming what’s actually inside. Our professional packing service covers materials, crating, and full documentation.
3. Customs Compliance and Documentation
Customs rules vary significantly by country, and incomplete or inconsistent paperwork is the most common cause of delays at the destination port, not the shipment itself. We prepare and review your documentation before departure and flag destination-specific restrictions early, rather than leaving them to be discovered at clearance. See our international customs regulations guide for country-specific detail.
4. Shipping: Ocean or Air
Ocean freight is the more economical choice for full households; air freight suits urgent or smaller shipments, and the two can be combined, essentials by air while the rest travels by sea. For vehicles, we containerize alongside household goods, which keeps customs and delivery under one coordinated file. Compare the tradeoffs in detail on our air freight vs. ocean freight page.
5. Delivery and Settling In
Once your shipment arrives, our destination-side teams coordinate delivery, including basic unpacking and debris removal where included in your service plan. If your new home isn’t ready yet, climate-controlled storage is available at origin or destination so a timing gap doesn’t force a rushed decision.
What’s Included
You get a coordinated plan, not a list of disconnected vendors. Scope and options are confirmed in writing before anything is scheduled.
- Nationwide pickup, arranged from your home or storage location regardless of proximity to a major port
- Professional export packing, with materials and methods suited to international handling and transit
- Custom crating for artwork, antiques, glass, and other fragile or high-value belongings
- Ocean or air freight, chosen based on your timeline, destination, and budget
- Documentation guidance and customs support, reducing the risk of delay at destination
- Door-to-door or port-to-port delivery, depending on your plan
- Storage when needed, short or long-term, in the U.S. or abroad
Why Work With SDC
Licensed and Accountable
SDC is licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission (License #FMC 022380N) to handle international ocean freight. That licensing means real regulatory accountability behind your shipment, not just a claim on a website.
One Coordinator, Start to Finish
You work with a single dedicated coordinator from initial survey through final delivery, not a rotating cast of departments. If something needs to change mid-move, you have one person who already knows your full situation.
A Direct Vehicle Shipping Policy
We ship vehicles only when they’re containerized alongside household goods. We do not offer standalone roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) service. This is a deliberate choice, not a limitation: containerizing keeps your vehicle and household goods under one customs file and one delivery schedule instead of two separate shipments to track.
Written, Comparable Quotes
Your estimate is broken down by what’s included and what’s optional, not bundled into a single number you have to take on faith. See our guide to requesting an international moving quote for what to expect.
Understanding the Cost of an International Move
Shipment Volume
This is usually the single biggest cost factor. Ocean freight is priced by volume, air freight by weight. Clients who declutter before packing often see a meaningfully lower bill simply because they’re shipping fewer cubic feet.
Shipping Method
A Full Container Load (FCL) suits larger households; a shared container, Less than Container Load (LCL) or groupage, suits smaller shipments at a lower cost, with some added time for consolidation. Air freight costs more but moves faster, and is typically reserved for urgent or smaller shipments.
Destination and Routing
Shipping to a major port is generally more straightforward and affordable than a destination requiring additional inland trucking or rail. Duties and documentation requirements also vary widely by country, which your coordinator factors into your estimate upfront rather than as a surprise later.
Service Level
Door-to-door covers packing through delivery in one service. Port-to-port asks you to manage pickup and delivery on either end yourself, which can lower cost but adds coordination on your side. Most clients choose door-to-door for the simplicity.
Vehicles, Artwork, and Specialty Items
We ship vehicles only when they are containerized with household goods; we do not handle vehicle-only shipments. If you’re including a car or motorcycle, we plan container selection early and confirm the destination country’s import requirements before you ship, not after. Full detail is on our international car shipping page.
For fine art, antiques, and grand pianos, our team builds custom crates designed specifically for international transport, and we recommend insurance coverage for anything irreplaceable. See our overseas artwork shipping and international piano moving pages for how each is handled.
Insurance and Storage
Two coverage types cover most shipments: Total Loss, which protects the full shipment if it’s lost or destroyed and is the more affordable baseline, and All-Risk, which also covers individual-item damage from handling or transit and suits higher-value shipments. See our International Moving Insurance page for a full comparison.
If your housing or travel timing shifts, climate-controlled storage can be arranged at origin or destination so your move stays on track without a rushed decision.
Where We Ship
SDC coordinates household goods moves worldwide. Here’s what to expect in our most common corridors, with links to full country-specific guides for each.
Moving to Germany
One of Europe’s most common corporate transfer and expat destinations. Shipping to Germany involves strict documentation, particularly for vehicles and electronics. See our Germany moving guide for customs and shipping detail.
Moving to France
France continues to draw American families, professionals, and retirees, with real customs and documentation requirements for household goods. See our France moving guide for details.
Moving to Italy
Italy’s customs process and regional delivery logistics have their own quirks worth planning around. See our Italy moving guide for what to expect.
Moving to Portugal
Portugal has become a popular destination for American retirees and remote workers alike. See our Portugal moving guide for residency and customs specifics.
Moving to Mexico
One of the fastest, most accessible international corridors from most of the U.S., particularly from West Coast origins. See our Mexico moving guide for timing and customs detail.
Moving to the United Kingdom
One of the most common destinations for American expats, with Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief available for qualifying shipments. See our UK moving guide for the full process.
More Destinations
Beyond these corridors, we regularly coordinate moves to Canada, Japan, China, Thailand, Singapore, Israel, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and destinations across six continents. If you don’t see your destination listed, reach out directly, since our corridor coverage extends well beyond this list.
International Moving FAQs
How far in advance should I book my international move?
Book 6 to 8 weeks before your desired departure. This allows time for packing preparation, shipping arrangements, and customs documentation. Around peak summer months or major holidays, booking earlier helps secure your preferred dates.
What items are restricted or prohibited when moving overseas?
Restrictions vary by country, but hazardous materials, certain plants or seeds, alcohol, and some food products are commonly restricted. Your coordinator provides destination-specific guidance before packing begins, not after.
Do you offer vehicle shipping?
Yes, containerized alongside household goods. We do not offer standalone roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) shipping. Our specialists handle the paperwork, inspections, and compliance requirements at both origin and destination.
Can my vehicle and household goods ship together?
Yes, and this is our standard approach. Loading both into the same container keeps logistics simple under one coordinator and one customs file, and can reduce overall cost compared to separate shipments.
Do you provide temporary storage if my new home isn’t ready?
Yes, climate-controlled storage in the U.S. or through our destination partner network, for as short or long a period as you need.
What happens if my shipment is delayed?
Weather, port congestion, and customs inspections can all cause delays. We keep you updated in real time and coordinate alternate arrangements, storage or an adjusted delivery schedule, if needed. Your coordinator remains your direct point of contact throughout.
Is moving insurance required?
Insurance is optional but strongly recommended, given the long transit times and multiple handling points involved in an international move. We offer Total Loss and All-Risk coverage options depending on your shipment.
Do you help with customs paperwork?
Yes. We prepare and review required customs documentation, from inventories to declarations, and flag country-specific requirements before your shipment departs.
Do you offer corporate relocation services?
Yes. We coordinate with HR and mobility teams on scope, budget, and timeline for employee relocations, from a single executive move to larger team transfers.
Can I track my shipment?
Yes, from pickup through delivery. Your coordinator keeps you informed at each key milestone so you’re never left uncertain about status.
Should I pack my own boxes?
You can, though owner-packed boxes can face additional customs scrutiny and insurance coverage may be more limited on them. For anything irreplaceable, professional packing is worth the cost difference; we’re happy to advise on what’s safe to pack yourself versus what’s better handled professionally.
What do you need from me for an accurate quote?
Your origin and destination addresses, preferred move window, and a room-by-room inventory. Flag high-value or fragile items and any special handling needs upfront. A brief virtual survey is often the fastest way to confirm volume and avoid surprises in the final quote.
Ready to Move?
Your move is more than a shipment, it’s a new chapter. Whether you’re moving across an ocean or to the other side of the world, our licensed team will guide you through every step with clarity and care.
Call us today: 877-339-0267 | Request your free moving quote
