New York International Movers
Moving overseas from New York is one of the most complex relocations imaginable. Narrow streets, doorman buildings with strict Certificate of Insurance (COI) rules, 10-minute loading zones that vanish the moment a truck double-parks, elevator reservations booked weeks in advance, co-op boards that demand 48-hour notice, New Yorkers know the drill. When you layer an international destination on top of all that, the stakes rise dramatically.
SDC International Shipping has been the trusted partner for New Yorkers moving abroad for over a decade. We specialize exclusively in international household moves, no domestic trucks, no local storage units filled with short-term clutter, just seamless, door-to-door relocations to Europe, Asia, Canada, South America, the Middle East, and beyond. With our own teams on both coasts and vetted partners in every major port worldwide, we give New Yorkers the rare combination of hyper-local NYC expertise and true global reach.
From day one, you are assigned a dedicated relocation coordinator who has handled hundreds of moves just like yours. They know how to submit COIs to the most demanding Manhattan co-op boards, how to sweet-talk a Brooklyn super into an extra 15 minutes at the curb, and exactly which customs forms your destination country will demand six weeks from now. Our professional packing crews use only export-approved materials, build custom crates for artwork and pianos on-site when needed, and create the detailed, valued inventory that customs officials actually accept without follow-up questions.
Thousands of successful moves later, from a 2-bedroom in Chelsea to a 5-bedroom in Scarsdale, New Yorkers choose SDC because we turn what feels impossible into a calm, predictable process.
New York Neighborhoods & Areas We Serve
We cover every corner of the five boroughs and the greater metro region. Below are just some of the neighborhoods we serve daily:
Manhattan
The Upper East Side and Upper West Side marble lobbies, Midtown East and West glass towers, Chelsea galleries, West Village and East Village walk-ups, Tribeca lofts, SoHo cast-iron buildings, Financial District high-rises, Battery Park City waterfront condos, each presents its own elevator rules, freight-elevator hours, and loading-dock rituals. Our Manhattan teams know every doorman by name and every building manager’s preferred COI format.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill historic brownstones with four flights of stairs, Park Slope and Carroll Gardens tree-lined streets where double-parking is an art form, Williamsburg and DUMBO converted warehouses, Bushwick and Bed-Stuy vibrant multi-family homes, Fort Greene elegant pre-war co-ops, our Brooklyn crews protect original hardwood floors and maneuver custom crates through century-old staircases without a scratch.
Queens
Astoria and Long Island City high-rises with sweeping Manhattan views, Forest Hills and Kew Gardens classic Tudor homes, Flushing and Jackson Heights bustling multicultural blocks, Sunnyside and Rego Park garden apartments, Queens gives us some of the best loading access in the city, which translates directly into smoother packing days and lower overall cost for you.
The Bronx & Staten Island
Riverdale and Fieldston private homes with driveways perfect for onsite container loading, Pelham Parkway and Throgs Neck spacious co-ops, Kingsbridge and Woodlawn family houses, St. George and Todt Hill hillside estates, more square footage usually means more belongings, and our Bronx and Staten Island teams are experts at maximizing 40ft containers for full-household moves.
Long Island, Westchester & Northern New Jersey
Great Neck, Roslyn, Manhasset, Garden City, Huntington, Dix Hills, Scarsdale, Chappaqua, Rye, Bronxville, White Plains, Yonkers, Hoboken, Jersey City, Fort Lee, Edgewater, Paramus, Ridgewood, these suburban moves often allow us to bring larger crews, load containers directly in the driveway, and finish packing in a single day when needed.
Complete Door-to-Door International Moving Services
SDC provides true end-to-end service. We arrive with export-grade materials, pack and crate everything to international standards, create the detailed inventory required by customs worldwide, coordinate building approvals and freight elevators, load your container or LCL shipment, transport it to the Port of New York/New Jersey, and hand it off to our overseas partners for final clearance and delivery.
For vehicles, we ship cars, SUVs, motorcycles, and classics only inside containers alongside household goods, the safest, most compliant method for almost every destination. Read our full comparison of container vs. RoRo shipping at RoRo vs. Container Guide.
High-value items receive white-glove treatment: custom crates built on-site for artwork, pianos, sculptures, wine collections, and antiques. Details on specialized handling at Artwork & Valuables Shipping.
Air Freight vs. Sea Freight From New York
Air freight is perfect for urgent essentials, passports, laptops, a few suitcases of clothing, or irreplaceable documents, delivering in days instead of weeks. Sea freight remains the choice for 95% of our full-household moves because it’s dramatically more cost-effective and accommodates everything from furniture to gym equipment.
From the East Coast you can choose a private 20ft or 40ft container (FCL) or economical groupage/LCL if your shipment is smaller. Transit times to Europe are typically the fastest overseas routes; Asia, South America, and the Middle East follow predictable schedules. Many families ship a small air-freight box for immediate needs and send the balance by sea. Full comparison at Air vs. Ocean Freight.
Popular Destinations New Yorkers Choose
Europe (France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Scandinavia), Canada (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver), Israel, UAE, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Japan, Singapore, and South America top the list. Each has unique customs rules, duty exemptions, and delivery quirks, our destination agents have decades of experience clearing New York shipments quickly and correctly. Complete country-by-country guide at International Customs Regulations.
Customs Documentation & Clearance Support
During packing we produce a precise, valued inventory that satisfies even the strictest customs authorities. Your coordinator tells you exactly which additional documents are required: passports, visas, residency letters, work contracts, and reviews everything before the container seals. Our overseas partners then manage inspections, duty-free processing when applicable, and final delivery to your new home. Step-by-step customs form help at How to Fill Customs Forms.
Flexible Storage Solutions
Need to vacate your NYC apartment before your visa or overseas housing is ready? SDC offers secure, climate-controlled storage in the New York area and at most major destinations. Everything is packed to export standards from day one, so when you give the green light your belongings are loaded and on their way within days. More information at Storage Services.
Marine Insurance for Complete Peace of Mind
We offer optional all-risk marine insurance that covers your goods door-to-door, including while in storage or transit. Many New York clients choose it when shipping fine art, antiques, or full households. Full details at International Moving Insurance.
Ready to Start Your International Move From New York?
Contact SDC International Shipping today at 877-339-0267 or request your free personalized quote online. Your dedicated coordinator is standing by to turn the complexity of an overseas move into the exciting new chapter it should be.
