So you finally made up your mind: you’re moving to a different country. Now what?
Relocating internationally can naturally be overwhelming: How are you going to move your inventory across the globe? What about apartment hunting? How will you adapt to a new environment and culture Although times of transition can be challenging, FlatRate is here to make the moving process as smooth as it can be.
With over 160 agents stationed internationally, FlatRate has a dedicated International Moving Department that handles all logistics and goes above and beyond to make sure your relocation is easy and streamlined by taking care of customs, regulations, shipments, and much more for you. Rather than port-to-port or curb-to-curb delivery, we provide full home-to-home services. From the initial shipment to set up at your new destination, we complete every step along the way.
Here are all the steps you need to know when it comes to international moving:
Free Consultation
To get you started, FlatRate highly recommends scheduling an on-site appointment so one of our Relocation Specialists can check your inventory in person and provide an accurate estimate. Our guaranteed price includes all labor and travel expenses and won’t change throughout the move unless you add items to your inventory.
Custom Move Plan
Because every move is different, our team of international movers will create a tailored move plan for you, focused on your moving needs, schedule, floor plan, and delivery window. FlatRate will also send you all the necessary forms and customs documentation to be completed. When you have reviewed and completed these forms, including customs, declaration, regulations, and insurance, we will begin to schedule your shipment.
For guidelines on which items are eligible for shipping, visit the International Moving in FAQs. If you have any questions or need any help filling out the forms, our team is always ready to assist you with the process.
Packing & Pick Up
Once you complete all the forms and send them to our team, FlatRate will review the documentation for customs approval. Once we have both cleared through this process, we will proceed with your shipment’s booking. When the big day comes around, our skilled crew of international movers will create a photo inventory of your items to make sure nothing is left behind and deliver them to our international carrier.
FlatRate takes pride in being the best when it comes to packing and there’s nothing we can’t move — we have developed a series of packing services and strategies to always assure that your inventory arrives safely. We offer special packing for international moves (focusing on long-term protection) as well as many additional packing services such as custom crating, art & antique protection, and more.
International Shipping
With proximity to all major U.S. ports, FlatRate’s global network facilitates the shipping process for international moves. We have a wide variety of choices to fill your international moving needs with shipments by land, sea, and air.
If you’re moving to Mexico or Canada, we highly recommend using our land shipment. Your items are hauled via one of our trailers equipped to carry large amounts of freight safely across long distances. The size of the truck will depend on the size of your move.
If you have some flexibility with the delivery window, sea shipping is the best option for you. This type of shipping is the most cost-effective and affordable.
If you have a larger shipment, your inventory will be sent through a Full Container Load (FCL). Do you have a small shipment that does not fill an entire container? Your items will be consolidated with other customers going to the same destination.
For tight delivery timeframes, FlatRate’s air service is the answer. Offering climate-controlled units and exact delivery dates, our aerial service is the fastest form of international shipping. You set the pickup and delivery dates, with a delivery window of about 3 weeks.
Storage Solutions
What if you’re moving internationally but your apartment is not ready yet? In addition to our international moving services, FlatRate offers short-term storage before your move. Our global network of storage facilities will keep your items safe. If your new home isn’t ready for everything all at once we will ship to you when you’re all set.
We offer 24/7 security, photo inventory, and door-to-door service. You can relax knowing that your belongings are safe while being stored in a different country. If you’re planning an international move or have any questions about the process, call FlatRate now and we’ll be happy to assist you in any way we can.