5 Best International Moving Companies (2025): Expert-Reviewed

Our picks for best international moving companies

How much does an international move cost?

International Van Lines: Best overall

JK Moving Services: Best for high-value items

North American Van Lines: Best for international services

Allied Van Lines: Best for Customized moving plans

Atlas Van Lines: Best pricing options

What is the average cost of an international move?

What is the cheapest way to move internationally?

Do international movers pack for you?

Not what you were looking for?

What to look for in an international moving company:

While we think IVL is your best bet for moving abroad, the companies below all provide stellar international relocation services. The mover you pick will ultimately depend on where in the world you are going and the services you need to get there.

For more information visit International Movers New York.

On average, an international move from the US costs anywhere from $3,000 to more than $15,000, depending on the country you’re moving to, your move size, and any additional services — like packing, storage, and vehicle shipping — you need.

While international moving costs vary widely, here is a quick look at what you can expect.

When you hire a full-service mover for an international move, they’ll ask whether you want to ship your belongings by air or by sea. The option you choose will greatly impact your costs.

Sea freight takes longer — typically between one and two months — but is the most affordable of the two shipping methods. With air freight, you’ll get your items as soon as a few days up to a couple of weeks after moving but you’ll pay for that convenience. Air freight can be anywhere from 10 to 15 times more expensive than sea freight.

89% of users select this mover

IVL (USDOT#2247789) tops our list of best international movers thanks in large part to their decades of experience in global relocations to more than 180 countries. They have the know-how to oversee the complicated logistics of international moves, including coordinating freight forwarding with the ocean liners moving your goods and handling customs clearance.

IVL provides door-to-door delivery, which means you won’t have to pick your belongings up at an overseas port. Instead, IVL will bring them directly to your new home.

We like that IVL’s expertise in international moves doesn’t come at a premium cost — their rates are competitive.

Read our full International Van Lines review

Judging by online reviews, International Van Lines has a solid reputation with customers. IVL earns high marks with customers for their professional and prompt service, but there are some complaints about customer support and delivery delays.

Most of our Better Moves Project participants who used IVL were happy with the experience. Although their moves were domestic, not international, their feedback speaks to the company’s overall service quality and reputation.

Our Better Moves Project gives a $500 moving stipend to qualified applicants in exchange for their honest in-depth insights on moving companies.

89% of users select this mover

JK Moving (USDOT#1065394) made our list of the best international moving companies because of their white-glove approach to domestic relocations and international moves to more than 170 countries. That premium level of care makes JK a great option if you have valuable pieces like antiques, art, or electronics to send overseas.

They have a great GPS tool and climate-controlled storage, too, so you’ll be able to keep track of your pieces and rest easy that they’re safe and protected when they’re not with you.

Read our JK Moving Services review

If JK Moving got a letter grade for its customer reviews, it would be a respectable A-. While not all reviews are glowing, most mention courteous and careful moving crews and responsive customer service representatives. Criticisms, however, often center around crews being less than attentive, leading to damaged items or sloppy packing.

Our Better Moves Project participants are torn on JK Moving, as well. While most were happy with their domestic relocation services, some complained of poor communication and steep prices.

89% of users select this mover

The transition to a new country and culture can be overwhelming, and North American Van Lines (NAVL) recognizes this through an array of value-added international services and resources. In addition to standard offerings like packing and car shipping, NAVL (USDOT#70851) provides global relocation support through home purchase and temporary living assistance, cross-cultural and language courses, childcare and school referrals, and even driving lessons.

NAVL is also one of the most experienced international movers on this list. They’ve been handling moves to more than 130 countries since 1952.

Read our full North American Van Lines review

Surprisingly, for a large van line, NAVL doesn’t have a lot of online customer reviews. And of the ones they do have, many are unfavorable.

We don’t think that should sway you, however. Like a lot of larger movers, North American Van Lines relies on a network of local moving company partners to handle the actual loading and transport work. As such, experiences vary based on the partner handling the move.

Take a look at these NAVL reviews from Better Moves and across multiple consumer feedback sites:

89% of users select this mover

If you opt for full or partial packing, you can rest assured your items will be safe, since Allied uses double- and triple-walled boxes and wraps and pads all furniture and fragile items. They offer extra protection through custom-built wooden crates and high-quality packing materials.

Allied has more than 1,000 personal moving coordinators — designated customer service reps to assist you throughout the process — located within more than 130 countries.

Read our full Allied Van Lines review

Like North American Van Lines, Allied has relatively few customer reviews, and a majority of them are negative. It’s human nature to be more motivated to share a bad experience than a good one, and van lines in particular tend to generate criticism because the quality of the local movers in their extensive network can vary.

One of our Better Moves Project participants moved with Allied and loved the experience. Check out what he and other Allied customers think about the company:

89% of users select this mover

Unlike some of the other movers on this list, Atlas’ online tool actually gives you a quote without waiting for a callback from a sales rep. And the quote is surprisingly accurate, so you have a good idea going into the process how much you’ll pay.

The company’s global service area is a bit limited, though. They only move to 17 countries — far less than the other top international movers.

Read our full Atlas Van Lines review

Atlas Van Lines has a generally positive reputation when it comes to domestic and international moves, especially for customers who value clear pricing and multiple budget-friendly options. While some reviewers noted that communication could be improved during the customs process, most praised the company’s affordability and professionalism.

Check out what these Atlas customers had to say:

Moving to another country comes with unique challenges, from customs paperwork to adjusting to a new culture.

Add these tips to your international moving to-do list for as smooth a relocation as possible:

The cost of an international move typically ranges from $1,500 to $12,000, depending on the size of your home, destination, and shipping method. Sea freight is more affordable but slower, while air freight is faster but comes at a premium price.

Using a shared container service or shipping only essential items is the most budget-friendly way to move internationally. Packing your own belongings and choosing sea freight over air freight can also help cut costs. Downsizing before the move and selling large items like furniture can significantly reduce shipping expenses.

Yes, most international moving companies offer full packing services, including wrapping, crating, and securing items for long-distance transport. Some companies, like Allied Van Lines, also offer partial packing services, where you can pack non-fragile items yourself while they handle delicate or high-value belongings.

The best country for Americans to move to depends on what you’re looking for. Canada is one of the top countries for overseas jobs. The country has a healthier job market, easier immigration pathways, and is culturally similar to the US.

Due to its affordability, vibrant social scene, and remote work-friendly visa options, Portugal is a great place for singles. And Germany is one of best countries for raising families thanks to its generous parental leave policies, excellent health care, and free or low-cost education.

At moveBuddha, we understand that all moving and car shipping companies aren’t created equal. We undertake a rigorous review process to rate and review companies to ensure we provide accurate recommendations.