International Moving FAQs

Are all charges included in the price?

This depends on the type of moving services that you’ve purchased. If you request a door-to-door move, then all transportation charges should be included in the price that’s quoted to you.

However, even on a door-to-door international move, you’ll be responsible for customs clearance charges plus any applicable taxes or duties on your shipment.

Review your moving quote with your Lile International Moving representative to ensure you understand your quotation’s terms, particularly when you’re comparing several different service/price options.

What are the different cost/service options available to me?

When moving overseas, you have several moving services available to you. You may select a moving service based on the price, transit time, method of containerization, routing consolidation opportunities, sea or air freight, port of exit, etc. Each option’s cost component determines the amount you’ll pay.

In general terms, selecting the most direct route with a minimum amount of handling is advisable. However, every move and personal budget is different, so it is essential that you work with your moving representative to determine the best moving services to meet your unique needs.

Remember, when calculating the cost of your international move, you should be aware of the total cost, including the amount of time you’ll have to wait for the arrival of your goods at your destination. If you have to stay in a hotel or other temporary housing until your household shipment arrives, you’ll need to consider these costs as well as the shipping charges. Many people mistakenly selected the slowest transit time (lowest price) and then had the expense of two to three weeks of hotel costs while awaiting the delivery of their shipment.

What advice can you give me on how to plan for moving overseas?

As soon as you know that you will be moving overseas, contact your international moving company.

In addition, consider separating items to be sold, stored, disposed of, given away, moved by sea, moved by air, or delivered to another family member before your departure. It would be best to clearly understand these categories before completing the pre-move survey.

As you approach moving day, consider which items will accompany you when moving overseas, specifically travel papers, immediate clothing, passports, medical documentation and records, family papers, valuables, jewelry, medication, school records, etc.

Lile Relocation Services can provide various host country information, including destination profiles and country fact sheets.

When should I contact an international moving company to organize my pending international move?

Timely preparation is the key ingredient to a successful international move. You should contact your international mover approximately seven to 10 weeks before your intended departure date. This will allow sufficient time to confirm documentation requirements, pre-book international transportation services, and pre-advise the destination agent of the forthcoming international shipment.

How do I know that I’m dealing with a reputable international moving company?

You must verify the credentials of any moving company, particularly for an international move.

Lile is a northAmerican agent and has been moving families and businesses overseas for over 60 years. 

What should the representative visiting my home be able to tell me about my international move?

Your representative should be able to describe every aspect of your forthcoming international move. This should include all services: packing, crating, transit times, insurance, unpacking, storage, and customer service capabilities.

The representative should be able to advise you of the different shipping options available to your overseas destination and make an accurate estimate of the volume and weight of your shipment. In addition, you should be given an overview of the paperwork that will be required, information on the company selected to deliver your possessions in the destination country, and advice on how to prepare for moving overseas.

Within a day or two of completion of the pre-move survey, the international movers should provide a written moving estimate explaining the level of moving services to be provided and confirming the recommended shipping option.

What items should I NOT include in an international household goods shipment?

Use common sense when thinking about what to include in your international shipment. You should avoid perishable goods and anything that could leak during its journey and cause significant damage to the articles surrounding it.

You should NOT include the following:

• hazardous materials such as paint, matches, aerosol cans, gas canisters, or other flammables
• materials such as wood, bricks, cement, rocks, and soil of any type
• firearms and ammunition
• plants of any kind
• corrosives and explosives

If you have any doubt about what should and shouldn’t be included in an international shipment, consult your Lile moving representative as soon as possible.

Can international moving companies provide insurance for my international move?

All reputable international movers can provide you with coverage for your household and personal effects during an international move.

No one standard international moving coverage is available that all international moving companies utilize. Therefore, you must check any policy to determine the extent of the coverage, the nature of any exclusions, the amount of any deductible, and the procedure if you have to file a claim.

For more information, contact your Lile moving representative or call us at 888-507-6304. 

How do I determine the insurance coverage required for my belongings in an international move?

In general, you should consider what it would cost to replace your household goods and personal effects in the destination country.

Some consulates and embassies will carry cost of living and price index data that you can refer to as a guideline.

When completing your international valuation paperwork, please be as detailed as possible. Remember to mark down individual items that have a high replacement cost. It’s better to have too much information than not enough in this instance.

If you have any questions about the coverage of your international move, contact your Lile moving representative immediately.

Who will provide delivery services at the destination?

Lile is an agent for northAmerican Van Lines. northAmerican has developed a comprehensive network of corporate overseas agents based on their quality of service and experience. They have over 380 international agents who represent northAmerican around the world today.

Their overseas offices and agents provide moving services and expertise in the following areas:

• port of arrival and customs clearance procedures
• transportation from the destination port of arrival
• temporary or long-term moving storage if required
• delivery to residence
• full unpacking services
• removal of all related packing debris and moving supplies

When I arrive at my overseas destination, whom should I contact to determine the status of my shipment?

Before your departure, your international moving company should provide you with a destination contact sheet. This will contain information about who to contact when you arrive at your final destination.

When you move with Lile and northAmerican, we’ll provide you with the contact names and details of either our office or agent in the destination city to which you’re moving. In most cases, we’ll have already sent your information to your office/agent, and they’ll contact you when you arrive. You may also use our online tracking tool to keep updated on the status of your shipment.

Where should I go to find the most up-to-date information regarding customs clearance documentation requirements?

Due to the frequency in which paperwork requirements change, it’s important (and ultimately your responsibility) to contact the local embassy or consulate to verify the documentation needed to obtain duty-free entry of used household goods and personal effects.

Although a reputable international moving company will have a list of the most recent documentation requirements, it’s still your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation for your personal situation.