International move

Are you planning to move abroad?

An experienced moving company can help you make your move stress-free and safe. Your belongings will reach your new home undamaged – regardless of whether you are moving to a neighboring country or another continent. Here you will find valuable tips, information on costs and procedures as well as all the important details about international moves.

International relocation: cost factors

The biggest cost item when moving abroad is the price of the international moving company. Many factors influence the cost, but the most important are:

• Size of the move: The more items you take with you, the higher the costs, as these are based on the weight and size of the load.
• Distance: The further away your destination is, the higher the transportation costs.
• Transport route: Popular routes are often cheaper, as there are more offers and competition.
• Mode of transportation: The chosen mode of transportation plays a decisive role: air freight is the most expensive, while sea freight is generally cheaper.
• Customs and import fees: Depending on the destination country, additional fees may apply for the import of items.
• Packaging and additional services: Special packaging or additional services such as assembly also increase costs.
• Insurance: To protect your belongings during transportation, insurance fees are charged depending on the value and size of the load.

As there are many variables that affect the price of international moves, it is difficult to determine the exact cost in advance. However, there are guidelines that can give you an idea. Here is an overview of estimated prices for international moves from the US to selected countries.

What do international moves cost?

The cost of international moves depends on various factors, such as the distance to the destination, the size of your household in square meters, the type of transport chosen and additional services such as packing or insurance.

Umzugsgröße	Dauer	Umzugskosten
1 Schlafzimmer	1-2 Tage	1.100 € – 2.200 €
2 -3 Schlafzimmer	2-4 Tage	2.200 € – 4.300 €
4-5 Schlafzimmer	3-5 Tage	4.100 € – 5.500 €

The costs for a move abroad are mainly made up of the transportation costs, which depend on the weight and size of the goods. At first glance, it often seems more expensive to hire professionals than to organize the move yourself. However, even if you carry out the move yourself, you may be faced with unexpectedly high costs. Please note: International moving companies not only offer pure transportation, but often also support you with additional services such as currency exchange, interim accommodation and other services to make your start in the new country easier.

Tips to reduce the costs of your international move

Use our quote form to significantly reduce the cost of your move abroad. In less than a minute, you can contact up to six international moving companies and get non-binding quotes tailored to your personal requirements. Fill out the form and save up to 45% on your move abroad. This means you stay in control and can select the services and options that perfectly suit your budget and needs.

The dream of a new start in another country

Moving abroad is no longer a rarity – on the contrary, it is becoming increasingly popular. Studies show that one in two Germans can imagine moving abroad at some point. In fact, up to 280,000 Germans make this dream come true every year and take the plunge into a new country.

Our service supports you with your international move

Moving abroad is an exciting but also challenging task. Imagine taking on the entire organization and execution alone – it would not only be time-consuming, but also very stressful! But with an experienced moving company at your side, the process becomes much easier. Professional service providers will take care of the logistical challenges for you so that you can concentrate fully on getting started in your new home. The days when moving abroad was considered complicated or unaffordable are long gone.

How does an international move work?

Moving abroad usually involves three key steps:

• Collection: Your furniture and personal belongings will be carefully packed and collected.
• Transportation: The goods are transported safely and efficiently to the destination country, whether by truck, ship or plane.
• Delivery: Everything is unpacked at the new place of residence and can even be assembled directly on request.

Each of these steps requires precise planning and organization. To stay on top of things, we recommend creating a checklist for your move. This will ensure that you don’t forget anything and that your move goes smoothly.

1. collection

Collection is the first step of an international move and includes everything to do with packing and loading your belongings. Your belongings will either be loaded directly into a transport vehicle or into a shipping or air freight container, depending on the means of transportation you have chosen. International moving companies offer various packing and loading options that are individually tailored to your needs. Here are some of the most common packaging services:

• Complete service: The most comprehensive service, in which all items are professionally packed by trained moving assistants. Whether furniture, crockery or works of art – everything is carefully protected to prevent damage during transportation.
• Partial packing service: You only need support with certain items? No problem. Whether it’s valuable furniture, sensitive electronics or just a few small items – you decide which items need to be packed.
• Protecting fragile objects: Moving companies use special materials and packing techniques for fragile items such as glassware, porcelain, lamps or paintings. This keeps your valuable items safe during transportation.
• Special transports: Large items such as pianos, safes or other heavy objects require special equipment and expertise. Moving companies rely on experienced personnel and customized equipment to transport even bulky items safely.
• Pack your own things: If you only have a few things to transport or want to minimize costs, you can also pack your belongings yourself. Although this option saves money, it is often more time-consuming and requires additional packing material.

Regardless of which option you choose, a professional Moving company will ensure that your items are transported safely and efficiently. The right choice of packaging and transportation method lays the foundation for a smooth move.

2. transportation

There are various options available to you for transporting your moving goods, depending on your destination and budget. Each method has its advantages, depending on your individual requirements and the urgency of your move.

Air freight

Air freight is the fastest method of transportation and is particularly suitable if your moving goods are needed urgently. However, the costs for transportation by air are comparatively high, which makes this option less attractive, especially for larger volumes.

Overland transportation

With overland transportation, your belongings are transported to their destination by truck. This method is particularly suitable for moves within the US. You have the choice between two options:

• Full transport: Ideal for larger moves where the entire vehicle is loaded with your belongings. Transportation is carried out directly to your new home, which is the fastest solution.
• Partial transportation: Here you share a vehicle with other customers. This is more cost-efficient, but transportation can take longer, as several stops are made en route for loading and unloading.

Sea freight

Transportation by sea is the most cost-effective option for international moves. However, you must expect longer transportation times, as shipping by ship generally takes longer. There are various options available for sea freight:

• FCL (Full Container Load): Here you rent your own container that can hold all your moving goods. This method is particularly suitable for large moves, such as for a larger household.
• LCL (Less than Container Load): Your items are stowed in a container together with goods from other customers. This option is cheaper than FCL as the costs are shared, but it requires precise planning as the container is not provided exclusively for you.
• Groupage: Similar to LCL, but here several smaller shipments are bundled into one container. This is the cheapest option, but can take longer as the container is only shipped when it is fully loaded.

3. delivery

Delivery is the final step of your international move and includes the transportation of your belongings from the point of arrival to your new home, unloading and – depending on the service you choose – unpacking and placing your items in the appropriate rooms. Once the container has arrived at the port of destination, your freight will be transported onwards by land, either by truck or other suitable vehicles. The exact delivery process depends on what additional services you have booked with your moving company.

• Basic service: Your items are unloaded at your new place of residence and placed in a central location in the house or apartment. In this case, you take care of the unpacking yourself.
• Premium service: In addition to unloading, the moving helpers also take care of assembling the furniture in the desired locations and moving boxes into the respective rooms. This saves time and effort and is particularly practical for larger households.
• Additional services: Some moving companies offer additional services such as connecting electrical appliances, setting up furniture or even disposing of packing materials. These options can make your move much easier.

Depending on the scope of your move and the services booked, delivery can be a decisive factor in ensuring a stress-free start in your new home. With professional support, even complicated transportation, such as carrying bulky or heavy items to upper floors, can be handled efficiently.

Moving within the US: easier and cheaper

Moving to another State is much less complicated and less expensive than moving to distant regions such as Europe or Asia. The comparatively short distances make the process more efficient and less expensive. Without complicated customs formalities and with well-developed transportation networks, moving to another State is often quicker and less stressful.

The right insurance cover for international moves

Moving, whether within the city or to another country, always involves certain risks. Comprehensive insurance cover is particularly important for international moves, which often involve longer distances and additional challenges. In addition to possible damage during transportation, there are also factors such as weather conditions, delays or incorrect handling that can lead to unexpected damage. Although many moving companies offer basic liability insurance, this usually only covers a fraction of the actual value of your belongings. To be on the safe side financially, it is worth taking out special moving insurance. Such policies can cover either the replacement value or the current value of your belongings in the event of loss or damage.

Tips for taking out moving insurance

• Create a value list: Before the moving day, make a detailed list of all items to be transported, including their estimated value. This list not only helps when taking out insurance, but also if claims need to be made after the move. Please note that there is often only a limited amount of time available for this.
• Choose specifically what you want to insure: To save costs, you can decide to insure only particularly valuable items or items that are difficult to replace. This reduces the premiums and still gives you security for the most important items.
• Compare insurance providers: You don’t have to rely on the insurance offered by the moving company. Third-party providers are often cheaper or offer more individual solutions that are better suited to your needs.
• Avoid hidden costs: Sometimes moving quotes seem more expensive because they include extensive insurance that you may not actually need. Make sure you only pay for the cover you actually need.

Moving abroad is easy with the right freight forwarder

Comparing the prices and services of different providers for international moves will help you to find the best offer for your needs. You can save up to 45% on your move abroad. Our request form is quick to fill out – in less than a minute you can receive up to 5 quotes from experienced and trusted international moving companies. With these quotes, you can plan your move stress-free and efficiently.