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How to choose the right removal company for an international move?

Christiaan van der Ent ·

Choosing the right moving company for an international move comes down to verifiable experience with cross-border transport, official certifications, in-house customs expertise, and a fully transparent service package. Not every moving company is equipped for the complexity of an international move: customs formalities, foreign regulations, and long transport routes require a specialized partner. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions so you can make a well-informed decision.

What should you look for in an international moving company?

When choosing an international moving company, the primary factors are proven international experience, owned transport vehicles, in-house customs expertise, and a clear point of contact throughout the entire process. A company that only handles domestic moves lacks the specific knowledge required once borders are crossed.

Key points to consider:

  • Own fleet and storage facilities: companies that work with their own resources have greater control over planning, quality, and costs than parties that outsource everything.
  • In-house customs agents: international moves always involve paperwork. A moving company with its own customs agents handles this in-house, preventing errors and delays.
  • Track and trace: with an international shipment, you want to know where your belongings are at all times. Not all moving companies offer this as standard.
  • Local presence at the destination: a branch or reliable partner in the destination country ensures smooth delivery and knowledge of local regulations.
  • Fully managed approach: this includes coordinating parking permits, shuttle service when the moving truck cannot reach the final destination, and handyman service upon arrival.

For example, we operate from the Port of Rotterdam for worldwide relocations and have our own branch in Malaga for the popular Netherlands-Spain corridor. That makes all the difference on complex routes.

What certifications should a reliable moving company have?

A reliable international moving company should at minimum hold recognition as a certified mover and membership of a reputable industry association such as FIDI, IAM, or Top Movers Nederland. These certifications guarantee that the company meets established quality and safety standards.

Below you will find the most important quality marks and what they mean:

  • FIDI (Fédération Internationale des Déménageurs Internationaux): the most leading international quality mark for moving companies. Membership requires rigorous audits on financial stability, operational quality, and customer satisfaction.
  • IAM (International Association of Movers): a global network that facilitates cooperation between moving companies and sets quality requirements for members.
  • Top Movers Nederland: the Dutch industry association for certified movers. Members are assessed on professional competence and reliability.
  • Harmony Relocation Network: an international partner network that ensures cooperation and quality standards for cross-border moves.
  • ISO 14001 and CO2-prestatieladder: environmental certificates demonstrating that a company takes sustainability seriously and continuously works to improve its environmental performance.

As Van der Ent Group, we are a member of all these networks and on 6 April received the Royal Warrant (Hofleverancier des Konings), awarded by the King’s Commissioner. This warrant is held by only approximately 1,200 companies in the Netherlands and is one of the most meaningful quality marks a company can carry.

How do you compare quotes from international moving companies?

When comparing quotes from international moving companies, price alone is not enough — what matters most is exactly what is included. A low price may mean that essential services such as customs assistance, insurance, or packing are billed separately or not offered at all.

When comparing, pay attention to the following points:

  • What is included? Ask explicitly whether packing, unpacking, assembly and disassembly of furniture, and parking permit applications are part of the quote.
  • How is the volume determined? International moves are often priced based on cubic meters. Make sure the volume estimate is realistic and based on a home visit or digital inspection.
  • Are customs costs included? Some companies charge customs declarations separately. Ask whether this is included in the price or considered additional work.
  • What are the payment terms? Pay attention to the deposit, final payment, and cancellation conditions.
  • Is there a dedicated contact person? A move coordinator who guides the entire process prevents miscommunication and provides peace of mind.

A quote that appears more expensive at first glance may ultimately prove more cost-effective when all services are included. Quality and completeness carry more weight in an international move than the lowest price.

What does an international moving company handle regarding customs and paperwork?

A specialized international moving company manages the complete customs process, including preparing an inventory list (also known as a packing list), applying for import exemptions, and arranging all required country-specific documentation. This is one of the most underestimated yet most critical parts of an international move.

Specifically, this involves the following:

  • Inventory list and customs documentation: for virtually every international move, a detailed list of all goods to be moved must be submitted to customs in the destination country.
  • Import exemptions: those emigrating are entitled in many countries to exemption from import duties and VAT on personal belongings. This exemption is subject to conditions, such as demonstrable residence in the country of origin for a certain period.
  • Vehicle import: importing a car or motorcycle can be done via a removal exemption (BPM exemption), avoiding high taxes. Our move coordinators guide the entire import process, including the technical inspection and vehicle registration.
  • Pets: moving with animals requires specific documents, such as a health certificate and a microchip. Through our pet service, we provide full guidance for all steps and documents.
  • Country-specific regulations: every country has its own import rules. Knowledge of the specific regulations for the destination — whether that is Spain, the United States, or another country — is essential for a problem-free arrival.

Companies without their own customs agents depend on external parties, leading to delays and less control over the process. We handle this entirely in-house.

What about insurance for an international move?

For an international move, a specific transport insurance policy for household goods is essential. Standard contents insurance does not cover damage during transport in most cases, especially not for cross-border transport. A specialized moving insurance policy covers damage to and loss of your belongings throughout the entire transport.

Keep the following in mind:

  • Check your existing policy: most contents insurance policies offer no or limited coverage for international moves. Read the policy terms carefully or check with your insurer.
  • All-risk versus limited coverage: an all-risk moving insurance policy covers all damage, including accidents during loading and unloading. A limited policy only covers specifically described risks, such as fire or theft.
  • Valuation of household goods: ensure a realistic valuation of your belongings. If in doubt, take photos or a video of valuable items before they are packed.
  • Ask about the claims procedure: a reliable moving company explains in advance how to submit a damage claim and within what timeframe this must be done.

For every international move, we document in advance what is being transported and in what condition, in part to handle any damage claims quickly and correctly.

What questions should you ask a moving company before signing a contract?

Before signing a contract with an international moving company, ask about experience, certifications, exactly what is included, how the customs process works, and who your dedicated contact person is. A good moving company answers these questions clearly and without hesitation.

These are the most important questions to ask:

  1. How much experience do you have with moves to my destination? Ask specifically about the route, not just international moves in general.
  2. Do you have your own customs agents? This largely determines how smoothly the process goes.
  3. Who is my dedicated contact person and how do I reach them? A dedicated move coordinator makes the difference between peace of mind and chaos.
  4. Is track and trace available? This allows you to follow the progress of your shipment at any time.
  5. What is included in the quote and what is not? Think about packing, disassembly, parking permits, and shuttle service.
  6. How do you handle damage and what does the claims procedure look like?
  7. What certifications and quality marks do you hold? Ask about FIDI, IAM, Top Movers, or other relevant accreditations.
  8. How sustainable are your operations? More and more people want to know the environmental impact of their move.

A moving company that struggles to answer these questions, or gives vague responses, is a signal to keep looking. For a move within Europe or an intercontinental move, the same applies: transparency and demonstrable expertise are the best guarantee of a smooth process. Want to know more about what our relocation services entail? We would be happy to tell you all about it.

Veelgestelde vragen

Hoe ver van tevoren moet ik een internationaal verhuisbedrijf inschakelen?

Voor een internationale verhuizing is het verstandig om minimaal 8 tot 12 weken van tevoren contact op te nemen met een verhuisbedrijf. Bij verhuizingen naar bestemmingen buiten Europa, of in drukke periodes zoals de zomer, is een voorlooptijd van 3 tot 6 maanden aan te raden. Vroeg plannen geeft ruimte om douanedocumentatie tijdig voor te bereiden, de juiste transportoptie te kiezen en eventuele tussentijdse opslag te regelen.

Wat is het verschil tussen groupage en een exclusief transport bij een internationale verhuizing?

Bij groupage wordt jouw inboedel samen met goederen van andere klanten in één container of vrachtwagen vervoerd. Dit is doorgaans goedkoper, maar de levertijd is minder voorspelbaar omdat de lading pas vertrekt zodra de container vol is. Bij exclusief transport is de vrachtwagen of container volledig voor jou gereserveerd, wat snellere en beter planbare levering biedt. Voor grotere huishoudens of tijdgevoelige verhuizingen is exclusief transport vaak de betere keuze.

Kan ik mijn auto meenemen bij een internationale verhuizing en wat zijn de kosten?

Ja, het is mogelijk om een auto mee te verhuizen, en in veel gevallen kun je via een verhuisvrijstelling (zoals de BPM-vrijstelling in Nederland) hoge invoerbelastingen vermijden. De exacte kosten hangen af van de bestemming, het type voertuig en de geldende importregels in het bestemmingsland. Een verhuisbedrijf met eigen douanedeclaranten kan het volledige importproces begeleiden, inclusief de technische keuring en kentekenregistratie.

Wat gebeurt er als mijn nieuwe woning nog niet beschikbaar is op de verhuisdatum?

De meeste gespecialiseerde internationale verhuisbedrijven bieden tussentijdse opslagmogelijkheden aan, ook wel ‘storage in transit’ of ‘depot’ genoemd. Je inboedel wordt dan veilig opgeslagen totdat jouw nieuwe woning beschikbaar is. Vraag bij het opvragen van de offerte altijd naar de opslagkosten per week of maand, de verzekeringsdekking tijdens opslag en de minimale opslagperiode, zodat je niet voor verrassingen komt te staan.

Hoe weet ik zeker dat mijn inboedel goed verpakt is voor een lange internationale reis?

Professioneel inpakken door het verhuisbedrijf zelf is de meest betrouwbare manier om schade tijdens transport te voorkomen. Gespecialiseerde verhuisbedrijven gebruiken specifiek materiaal voor kwetsbare en waardevolle items, zoals kunstwerken, elektronica en antiek. Vraag bij het afsluiten van de overeenkomst expliciet of de inpakservice is inbegrepen en of er een conditierapport wordt opgesteld vóór het inladen, zodat de staat van je bezittingen goed gedocumenteerd is.

Zijn er goederen die ik niet mag meenemen bij een internationale verhuizing?

Ja, elk bestemmingsland hanteert eigen regels over wat wel en niet ingevoerd mag worden. Veelvoorkomende verboden of beperkte goederen zijn bepaalde voedingsmiddelen, planten, wapens, medicijnen en gevaarlijke stoffen. Daarnaast gelden er strikte regels voor het meenemen van huisdieren. Een verhuisbedrijf met kennis van landspecifieke regelgeving informeert je hier proactief over en helpt voorkomen dat goederen worden tegengehouden aan de grens.

Wat moet ik doen als er schade is aan mijn inboedel na aankomst?

Documenteer de schade zo snel mogelijk na aankomst met foto’s en video’s, en meld dit direct bij je vaste contactpersoon bij het verhuisbedrijf. De meeste verhuisbedrijven hanteren een vaste termijn waarbinnen schade gemeld moet worden, vaak binnen 24 tot 72 uur na levering. Zorg dat je vooraf weet hoe de schadeprocedure werkt, welke verzekering van toepassing is en binnen welke termijn je een vergoeding kunt verwachten, zodat je hier snel en correct op kunt handelen.

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