International Shipping FAQ
Real questions we hear from clients planning an international move, answered directly. As a licensed overseas moving company serving all 50 states, we’d rather tell you exactly how something works than give you a vague, reassuring answer that doesn’t hold up once your shipment is actually underway.
Quotes, Service, and Booking
What’s included in a door-to-door quote?
Every proposal is different, but a door-to-door quote generally covers pickup, ocean freight, customs clearance coordination, and delivery at destination. If professional packing is included, our crew protects your furniture and loads everything according to what was quoted. We’ll go through your specific proposal line by line so you know exactly what’s covered before you commit.
What’s typically not included?
Insurance (unless you’ve added it), duties or taxes if they apply to your shipment, random customs inspections, and difficult access at pickup or delivery, stairs, a long carry, an elevator, or a shuttle truck, can all fall outside a base quote. Unusual port or storage charges outside our control can come up too. What applies to your move depends on your specific route and quote, so ask us to confirm rather than assume.
Can the price change after pickup?
It can. Your quote is based on the volume and services we expect going in. Once our movers take final measurements, we adjust the total if the actual volume differs from what was estimated. Adding items, changing access conditions, or changing the scope of services can also change the price.
Do you charge by weight?
For household goods moving by ocean, we generally price by cubic feet, not weight. That’s why the inventory, photos, and in-home or virtual survey matter so much upfront; they’re what your final volume, and your final price, are based on.
Transit, Containers, and Shipping Method
How long does international shipping take?
It depends on the country, the route, and whether you’re using an exclusive container or groupage. Most international moves run roughly 6 to 12 weeks. Europe groupage tends to run longer, often 8 to 16 weeks, with 12 to 13 weeks being fairly typical. Every estimate is exactly that: vessel schedules, customs processing, and destination delivery windows can all shift the timeline.
What’s the difference between an exclusive container and groupage?
An exclusive container is used for your shipment only. Groupage, also called LCL, means your shipment shares container space with other clients’ goods, which involves more consolidation and handling along the way. Groupage can make sense for smaller shipments, but once your volume gets large enough, an exclusive container is generally the better option.
Is the shipping container waterproof?
Every container is checked before loading for holes or obvious damage, and standard packing is normally sufficient protection; water damage is rare. That said, we won’t tell you a container is 100% waterproof under all conditions, because ocean shipping always carries some unpredictability.
Can I ship my car in the same container as my household goods?
Often, yes. We’ll need the vehicle’s year, make, and model, your destination, and your household goods volume to see how it fits and what your destination country allows.
Packing and Inventory
Can I pack my own boxes?
In many cases, yes. Keep in mind that self-packed goods generally don’t qualify for the same level of insurance coverage as professionally packed items, since we can’t verify how something was protected inside a box we didn’t pack ourselves.
Do you sell packing materials?
We don’t generally sell or deliver packing materials on their own. If you’re packing yourself, we can tell you what type of boxes and materials to use for an international shipment specifically. See our packing services if you’d rather have our crew handle it.
Can I leave clothes or other items inside furniture, like dresser drawers?
We’d recommend against it. Customs generally wants a clear inventory with contents packed into boxes, not hidden inside furniture. It also adds significant weight to pieces that usually aren’t designed to be moved while full, which increases the risk of damage in transit.
How is my shipment’s cubic footage calculated?
We use your inventory, photos, survey, and a standard cubic footage reference for common items. For anything unusual, send us the dimensions and a photo and we’ll estimate it from there. Your final volume can always be adjusted once our movers physically measure the shipment.
What about pianos, artwork, chandeliers, or other high-value items?
Send us photos, dimensions, and value. We can build custom crating when it’s needed and make sure the crew handling your shipment knows exactly what they’re working with. High-value pieces may need additional insurance documentation or a formal appraisal.
Insurance
What insurance options do I have?
Coverage generally falls into three options: full coverage for professionally packed goods, a more limited total-loss option that applies to self-packed goods and vehicles, or declining coverage entirely with a signed waiver. Rates scale with your shipment’s declared value and packing method; we’ll send you the actual insurance application so you can review the exact terms and current rates before deciding.
What’s the difference between full coverage and the total-loss option?
Full coverage is the broader option and requires professional packing. The total-loss option is significantly more limited; it doesn’t mean every damaged self-packed item is automatically covered. We’ll send the actual insurance application so you can read the real coverage terms before choosing.
Customs, Taxes, and Documents
Will I have to pay taxes or duties?
It depends on the destination country, your residency status, and what you’re importing. Used household goods and returning residents often qualify for duty exemptions in many countries, but customs authorities make that determination, not us. We’ll guide you through the paperwork, but we won’t promise a tax-free outcome we can’t guarantee. See our complete guide to international customs regulations for the general process.
Can customs inspect my shipment?
Yes, customs can randomly inspect any shipment. A basic x-ray inspection typically carries a modest fee; a full physical inspection, where cargo is unloaded and opened, costs considerably more. It’s not typical on most routes, but no carrier can guarantee your shipment won’t be selected.
What documents will I need?
It depends on the destination country, but most shipments need a passport, a detailed inventory, and customs forms, plus any residency, visa, or tax-exemption documents your destination requires. Once your move is booked, our logistics team and destination agent will walk you through the exact list for your country.
Port Fees and Extra Charges
What is THC (Terminal Handling Charges)?
THC is the fee a port terminal charges to physically handle your container or shipment within the terminal. Depending on your specific quote and destination country, it’s sometimes included in your price and sometimes billed separately, so it’s worth confirming for your specific route rather than assuming either way.
What is a Delivery Order fee?
It’s a destination or port-related fee that comes up in specific situations, for example, if a port is congested and cargo has to move to a bonded warehouse before customs can process it. It’s not something every shipment incurs.
What are per diem, demurrage, or storage charges?
These are time-based charges that apply when a container or shipment sits at a port or terminal longer than the free time allotted. We plan pickup dates, documentation, and container schedules to avoid them, but vessel delays, customs holds, port congestion, or last-minute client changes can all still trigger them.
What is a GRI (General Rate Increase)?
A GRI is a rate increase carriers apply across a shipping lane, often due to seasonal demand or fuel cost shifts. If you book far in advance or push your shipment date out significantly, the underlying ocean or agent rate can change before your container actually ships, which may require rechecking your rate.
Destination, Access, and Storage
What if I’m moving into an apartment or high-rise?
We’ll need details on the floor, elevator access, parking, truck access, and any long carry distance from the truck to your unit. Stairs, an outdoor-only elevator, a long carry, or a truck that can’t get close to the building can all mean extra labor or a shuttle truck. We need the exact access details before we can quote the fee accurately.
What does shuttle or double handling mean?
Shuttle means the large truck or container can’t reach your residence directly, so we use a smaller truck to bridge the gap. Double handling means your goods are unloaded and then reloaded, usually through a warehouse, along the way. Both add labor and can add cost to your move.
Can I store my belongings at the destination?
Usually, yes. Destination storage typically involves an in/out handling fee plus a monthly storage rate. Tell us your destination and how long you’ll need it, and we’ll get you the current rate.
What does White Glove service mean?
White Glove is our upgraded unpacking service at destination, which can include opening boxes and placing items in your new home rather than just dropping off your shipment. The exact scope and price depend on the destination agent, so we’ll confirm the details before promising anything specific.
Do you remove packing debris after delivery?
Sometimes, depending on the service level, but don’t assume it’s automatic. If debris removal matters to you, ask us to confirm it in writing with the destination agent before your move.
Still Have Questions?
Every international move has its own details, and the honest answer to a lot of questions is “it depends on your specific route and quote.” We’d rather confirm something for you than give you a confident answer that turns out to be wrong. Request a quote or call 877-339-0267 to talk through your specific move.
