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Moving Abroad Quotes

Moving abroad demands both time and money, but this article will help guide you in planning your relocation while keeping costs down. Here, we’ll show you how you can secure cost-effective moving abroad quotes from experienced removal firms and tackle your major transition – from coordinating logistics to settling into a new country.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

What Affects the Price of International Removal Quotes?

The main cost of moving overseas will be for the transportation of your valuables to your new home. Typically, the price you’ll see in your moving abroad quotes includes several core factors, such as:

1. Volume of Items

Shipments are measured by weight and volume, so the more items you have, the higher the price you’ll be quoted in your international moving quotes.

2. Distance

The farther your new home, the higher the transport costs for bringing your belongings.

3. Transport Route

Busy and common shipping routes tend to be cheaper because they will usually have more competition which tends to drive prices down.

4. Method of Transport

There are different modes of transport, each with its advantages and disadvantages. In general, airfreight is the costliest while land or sea shipping are cheapest.

Budgeting for Your Moving Abroad Quotes

Based on the individual factors above, check out this for estimated price ranges of different shipping options to popular relocation destinations:

Country
20ft Shipping Container
40ft Shipping Container
Airfreight
Australia
£1,137 – £1,454
£1,984 – £2,171
£6,890 – £7,200
Canada
£1,066 – £2,269
£1,915 – £3,507
£6,500 – £7,900
USA
£988 – £2,400
£1,475 – £3,115
£3,400 – £5,700
France
£424 – £661
£633 – £1,256
£1,555 – £1,719
Spain
£434 – £737
£649 – £2,155
£2,669 – £2,948
Singapore
£1,155 – £1,277
£1,777 – £1,964
£4,620 – £5,106

Whether you’re heading abroad soon or a year from now: Your best course of action is to get a real quote from an international removal company for a full rundown of what it’ll cost.

Additional Items in International Moving Quotes

If you decide to tack on some extra services to go along with shipping, the international removal providers you’re matched with will typically detail the related fees in their response to your quote request. Here’s a sample figure for a few of these extras:

Type of CostCost Details
Price Range
Packing & Unpacking– Expert packing and unpacking of your belongings
£75 – £400
Insurance– Varies on amount and type of goods being transported
Starting from £75
Storage– Added cost while waiting on transit for goods
– Secure place for temporary storage
£75 per month
Custom Duties & Taxes– Charged based on the value of goods
– Depends on destination country
Average rate is 5% – 9%

Other services include moving pets, vehicle transport, and assistance with adjusting to your new surroundings. Generally, any additional costs will vary depending on the thoroughness of the service you require.

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The Best Time to Request International Removal Quotes

Here’s the deal: generally, it’s smart to start getting quotes and packing stuff up about 8 weeks ahead of your move. However, moving abroad is a whole different ball game – it tends to be much more complex and time-consuming. So, it might be a good idea to start looking for your ideal removal company roughly 3 months before your departure date. Especially if you’re shipping your items by sea freight, as that may take 6-8 weeks.

And hey, try not to rush it with the decision-making process if you can. Most moving abroad quotes will last for a month or two, so you’ve got some room to figure out which removal company works best for you. It’s not always about going for the cheapest option; what matters most is finding a mover you can rely on. In the end, taking your time to pick the right company will ultimately pay off with a smoother and more cost-efficient move abroad.

“If I’m an advocate for anything, it’s to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. Walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food. It’s a plus for everybody” – Anthony Bourdain

What to Look for in Your Moving Abroad Quotes?

When you’ve got your quotes at hand, it’s important to make sure they cover all your basic requirements. For most people moving overseas, these essentials typically involve pick-up, transport and delivery of their packed belongings, creating detailed inventories and handling export and customs clearances. Depending on your specific needs, here are some aspects you might want to consider in your international removal quotes:

1. Import and Customs Fees

There will usually be handling charges associated with either arrival at the destination terminal or customs and tax payments. These costs may be mandatory when importing your belongings from the UK, so make sure you account for them if they are not included in the quote. That way you can compare your international removal quotes like-for-like accurately.

2. The Included Moving Services

Sometimes a moving company will charge extra for packing and unpacking your possessions, for the materials used or for assembling furniture. In most cases though, these services will be part of the quote. Again, make sure you check which services are included in the quotes to prevent accidentally selecting a cheaper offer that might not cover everything you expected.

3. Insurance

Insurance is also something that you will need to think about. Some companies include this in their pricing and some don’t so check the small print. If the cost of this seems excessive, you can also get quotes from a third-party insurer to cover your property until it arrives at your destination.

4. Type of Transport

If you prefer to have all your possessions in one container, also known as a Full Container Load (FCL) then this will typically be faster and more expensive than a Less-than Container Load (LCL) where you’ll be sharing a container with others headed for the same port.

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Things to Check for in an International Moving Firm

For any move, especially for relocating overseas, you need an experienced company that you can trust completely. That’s why it’s crucial to properly vet movers along with their credentials, capabilities, and reliability. Here are some things you might want to consider when looking for an international removal company:

1. Personal Recommendations

If you happen to know someone who’s made a move abroad, ask them about their situation and how they managed to orchestrate their relocation. They might just share some great (or not-so-great!) stories about the moving companies they dealt with.

2. Check for Credentials

Look for a company that is a member of the British Association of Removers (BAR) or the Fédération Internationale des Déménageurs Internationaux (FIDI). Membership means that the company complies with strict quality requirements and continually passes a recurring assessment by an independent auditor.

3. Shop Around

It’s a good idea to get at least 3 moving abroad quotes. You’ll be able to compare prices, services, and availability to narrow down your options. While the cost is very important, do not just choose the company with the lowest quote since you need to take into account their experience and credibility to prevent any unexpected costs later on. Go to our dedicated removal quotes page for more details.

4. Ask, Ask, Ask

If you find yourself unsure or have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification! Any reputable removal company will gladly provide further details to make you feel at ease. It is also in your best interests to communicate clearly and regularly with the removal company to ensure that all details and services match your needs.

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