Start with what matters to you.
List what is travelling, what stays behind and what you are still deciding about. Photographs and dimensions help explain pieces that an item name alone cannot describe.
INTERNATIONAL HOUSEHOLD REMOVALS
International moving.
Clearly managed.
International Moving Company (IMC) manages worldwide door-to-door household removals. We bring collection, international transport and home delivery into one agreed plan, with the services and responsibilities explained at each stage.
Discover how we manage your move Worldwide moves Door-to-door coordination
YOUR MOVING PLAN
Plan your move
Start with where you’re moving from and to.
- 1Address
- 2Details
- 3Contact
A MOVE IS PERSONAL. THE PLAN SHOULD BE SPECIFIC.
Your life doesn’t
fit a standard shipment.
An overseas job, a family relocation or a return home can call for different priorities. The belongings you want to keep, the items you need first and the date your home is ready all belong in the moving plan.
Access is part of the move.
Stairs, lifts, parking and the distance to the vehicle affect the work at both ends. Include the destination property in the assessment, even when some details remain open.
Work backwards from arrival.
Separate your travel date from your collection window and the date you can receive your belongings. Discuss essentials and storage before those dates become a problem.
THE BIG PICTURE. THE SMALL DETAILS.
From your front door.
To the next one.
IMC brings origin services, international transport and destination delivery into one agreed plan. Start by establishing the work and responsibilities at each stage.
International removals
Door-to-door moves between countries, built around your origin, destination and belongings.
FROM HOME TO HOMERelocation management
Bringing the stages of your move together, with the responsibilities and practical details made clear.
THE JOURNEY, CONNECTEDPlanning your move
Start with your priorities. Discuss timing, shipment size and the help you need along the way.
A CLEAR PLACE TO STARTOne moving plan. Connected responsibilities.
IMC
Relocation managementOne agreed scope across every handoff
- 01
Origin
Prepare for departure
- Assessment
- Packing
- Collection
- 02
Transport
Move between countries
- Shipment handling
- International transport
- Milestone updates
- 03
Destination
Complete the move
- Release arrangements
- Home delivery
- Receiving checks
THE CONNECTING RECORD
Your inventory + agreed service scope
YOUR MOVE, AS A WHOLE
What does an international
door-to-door move involve?
A door-to-door removal connects collection at your current home with delivery at your new one. The useful question is what happens between those doors—and exactly which services your quotation includes.
Packing & inventory
Decide what travels, what stays and who packs it. A room-by-room inventory makes the shipment easier to assess. Flag fragile items, dismantling and any special handling early.
Transport & containers
Compare sea freight, shared-container and full-container options against your shipment size and timing. Availability and the right configuration depend on your route.
Documents & clearance
Prepare the inventory and supporting documents required for your shipment. Customs and biosecurity requirements are specific to the destination and your circumstances.
Storage & delivery
If your belongings and your new home will not be ready at the same time, discuss storage, handling and redelivery as part of the plan.
Protection & responsibilities
Ask how your belongings are protected, what the terms exclude, who handles each stage and how to report any issue. Keep the agreed scope in writing.
Time-sensitive belongings
Identify anything you need sooner than the main shipment. Discuss whether a separate air shipment or carrying essentials with you is appropriate.
These are the main elements to discuss when planning your move. The agreed quotation determines the services, partners and responsibilities for your shipment.
BUILD THE PLAN AROUND YOUR BELONGINGS
A household, a smaller shipment
or a move in stages.
A complete household
Build the inventory room by room, including items in lofts, garages and gardens. Discuss the packing workload and receiving arrangements as well as transport.
Start with the survey →Selected furniture and boxes
Confirm what is actually travelling. Compare the available shipment options, any minimum charges and how flexible your delivery window can be.
Compare transport options →Belongings arriving separately
Separate what you need immediately from what can arrive later. Discuss separate shipments and any storage, without assuming they will follow the same schedule.
Plan storage and arrival →START WITH THE RIGHT INFORMATION
What a pre-move assessment
needs to establish.
An assessment connects the belongings you want to move with the work required to move them. It should cover the inventory, packing requirements, property access and the points that could change the scope.
An inventory-led assessment
Useful when you can describe and measure the shipment clearly.List each room and storage area. Include quantities, dimensions where useful, photographs and items needing special handling. Flag anything you are undecided about.
A video walkthrough
Useful when the shipment needs a guided look across several spaces.Prepare to show furniture, cupboards, garages and outdoor belongings, as well as stairs and the route to the collection vehicle. Keep measurements available for items that are difficult to judge on screen.
An in-person assessment
Worth discussing for complex access or a substantial shipment.Make the relevant areas accessible and identify items needing dismantling, crating or additional protection. Discuss what will change between assessment and collection.
Leave the assessment with a clearer scope.
Confirm which assessment methods are available for your location and move before arranging one.
- What is included in the inventory—and what is excluded.
- How volume or weight has been assessed and which assumptions remain.
- Who packs, dismantles and prepares each part of the shipment.
- What access, timing or destination details still need confirmation.
FROM THE FIRST CONVERSATION TO DELIVERY
A clear plan at every stage.
Use this sequence to understand the decisions and handoffs in a door-to-door removal. Your quotation and booking documents establish the arrangements for your move.
A transport date is only one milestone
01
Before collection
Agree inventory, quotation and preparation
You confirm belongings, access and documents
02
Collection → departure
Packing, handling and consolidation if applicable
Departure can follow collection at a later date
03
International transport
The shipment follows the agreed route
A sailing or flight date is not a delivery appointment
04
Arrival → release
Destination handling and applicable clearance
Arrival alone does not confirm release
05
Delivery appointment
Arrange home access, receiving and checks
Confirm the appointment after dependencies are resolved
- 01
Define your move
Establish the collection and delivery locations, your timing and the belongings you want to take.
- Your part
- Share addresses or locations, a date window and any immediate questions.
- What to have clear
- A starting brief with the main requirements and open questions.
- 02
Assess the shipment
Build an inventory and assess volume, packing, handling and access. Agree how this assessment will be completed.
- Your part
- Include storage areas, outdoor items and anything awkward or fragile.
- What to have clear
- A recorded shipment scope and the assumptions behind it.
- 03
Review the quotation
Compare the proposed transport, services, conditions and exclusions against your needs.
- Your part
- Check who handles each stage and ask about any unclear or conditional charges.
- What to have clear
- A written scope you can evaluate before making a booking decision.
- 04
Confirm arrangements
Agree the booking terms, preparation requirements and dates that can be confirmed.
- Your part
- Check the payment schedule, document requirements and what happens if plans change.
- What to have clear
- A booking record and a list of actions before collection.
- 05
Prepare and collect
Complete the agreed packing and collection arrangements, with inventory and condition records.
- Your part
- Separate items staying behind, keep essentials with you and confirm access.
- What to have clear
- A record of the belongings collected and any agreed exceptions.
- 06
Transport the shipment
Coordinate the agreed route and the handoffs between origin, carrier and destination services.
- Your part
- Keep contact details current and understand which dates remain estimates.
- What to have clear
- Relevant transport information and the next expected milestone.
- 07
Prepare for release
Resolve the destination document and release requirements that apply to your move.
- Your part
- Provide requested information promptly and confirm how any additional requirements will be handled.
- What to have clear
- Confirmation of release when available, followed by delivery arrangements.
- 08
Deliver and check
Complete the agreed delivery, placement and any contracted unpacking or reassembly.
- Your part
- Be available to receive the shipment, check the inventory and record concerns using the agreed procedure.
- What to have clear
- A delivery record and clear follow-up for any outstanding items.
Keep the same plan through each handoff.
Ask who your contact is, which updates to expect and who can resolve questions at origin and destination. A change to inventory, dates or access should be reflected in the agreed arrangements.
CHOOSE WITH THE TRADE-OFFS IN VIEW
Shared container, full container
or air freight?
Start with how much you are taking and when you need it. Compare the options together before deciding what fits your move.
One inventory. Three shipment arrangements.
START HERE
Your inventory
What needs to travel?
Volume · weight · dimensions- 01
Shared sea freight
Other shipments share the container
ASSESSConsolidation and date flexibility - 02
Sole-use sea freight
The container is reserved for your shipment
ASSESSUsable space and collection access - 03
Air freight
Selected time-sensitive belongings
ASSESSChargeable weight and dimensions
Shared space versus sole use
| Option | Worth discussing when | What to weigh up | Ask before deciding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared containerGroupage / consolidated sea freight | You have a smaller shipment and can allow flexibility. | Your belongings share container space with other shipments. Consolidation and the departure schedule affect timing. | How is space charged, when is departure expected and what happens if consolidation takes longer? |
| Full containerFCL / dedicated container | You have a larger household shipment or want dedicated container space. | Assess the usable load and access arrangements. A dedicated container does not remove clearance or delivery dependencies. | Which container size and loading method suit the inventory and both properties? |
| Air freightTime-sensitive shipment | You need selected belongings ahead of the main move. | Weight, dimensions, item restrictions and destination handling matter. Flight time alone is not door-to-door time. | What weight basis, item rules and complete delivery estimate apply? |
One move can have more than one shipment.
For example, discuss sending essentials separately while furniture travels by sea. This is a planning option, not a promise of availability or a recommended split for every move.
Air-freight pricing context: IATA explains actual and volumetric weight.
BEFORE YOU COMPARE QUOTATIONS
The small details
that change the plan.
A useful moving conversation makes the assumptions visible. Take these three questions into your assessment.
Understand your moving quotation →“Does my inventory include everything?”
Check garages, lofts, cupboards and outdoor storage. Keep packed carton counts separate from their contents so the same belongings are not counted twice.
“Which part of the journey does that date cover?”
Collection, departure, arrival, release and home delivery are different milestones. Ask which dates are estimates and what must happen before the next appointment can be confirmed.
“What happens if my plans change?”
Ask how additional items, difficult access, storage or a different delivery date would affect the agreed services and charges. Record the revised arrangements.
UNDERSTAND THE QUOTE
What affects international
moving costs?
Your route, shipment size and service scope shape the price. A useful quotation explains the assumptions as clearly as the total.
Does the headline quote cover the whole move?
Use your written quotation to mark each component. “Separate charge” means an amount still needs to be reconciled with the total.
4 of 4 components remain unconfirmed. Ask for the written inclusions and exclusions.
Route & transport
Collection and delivery locations, transport mode and routing.
Size & preparation
Packed volume, weight where relevant, packing and special handling.
Access & handling
Stairs, lifts, parking, carry distances and vehicle access at both homes.
Timing & arrival
Departure availability, storage needs and delivery arrangements.
Compare like-for-like
service scope.
Two quotes can look similar while covering different work. Use the same inventory, addresses and dates when requesting them.
- Included services
- Packing materials, collection, freight, destination handling, delivery and any unpacking.
- Conditional or excluded costs
- Ask about duties or taxes, examinations, storage, port-related charges and difficult access; establish which apply and who pays.
- Protection and changes
- Check protection terms, valuation, excesses, exclusions, quote validity and how inventory or date changes are priced.
BEFORE THE JOURNEY. AFTER ARRIVAL.
Packing, storage and delivery
deserve their own plan.
Agree how each item will be prepared.
Discuss whether full packing, selected-item packing or owner packing fits the shipment. The quotation should identify the work included, any materials supplied and the preparation you are responsible for.
- Furniture: identify protective wrapping, dismantling and reassembly needs.
- Fragile or awkward items: flag unusual dimensions, delicate finishes and any need for bespoke protection.
- Cartons and inventories: establish labelling and recording arrangements so the shipment can be checked.
- Essentials: keep travel documents, keys and items you need immediately separate from the removal shipment.
Before packing items yourself, confirm acceptance requirements and how owner-packed contents are treated under the applicable protection terms.
Plan for the gap between two homes.
If collection and delivery dates do not align, ask whether storage at origin or destination is appropriate. Establish its location, handling arrangements and how the goods will be released for onward delivery.
- Dates and charges: clarify the charging period and the cost of handling and redelivery.
- Access: ask whether you can retrieve individual items and what notice or handling is involved.
- Protection: confirm what applies during the full storage period.
- Delivery scope: agree receiving arrangements, room placement and any unpacking, reassembly or packing-material removal.
Give the delivery team the relevant access details before scheduling: stairs, lifts, parking restrictions and any limits on vehicle size.
MAKE SHIPMENT SIZE TANGIBLE
How much space
will your belongings take?
Calculate the volume of a packed item or a set of identical cartons. This helps you understand cubic metres before a full inventory or survey.
MEASURE A CARTON OR PACKED ITEM
Measure the packed outside dimensions
Calculation: length × width × height in centimetres × quantity ÷ 1,000,000. Use packed outside dimensions. Dimensions: up to 1,000 cm each; quantity: 1–10,000.
Calculated item volume0.8 m³
Approximately 28.25 cubic feet
Item volume only. Packing, loading space and shipment charges require assessment.Where a 2.10 m³ inventory estimate comes from
ITEM / CALCULATIONESTIMATED VOLUME
10 small cartons10 × 0.05 m³
0.50 m³
2 bookcases2 × 0.80 m³
1.60 m³
Combined estimate0.50 + 1.60 m³
2.10 m³
From an item measurement to a moving survey
Repeat the calculation for different items and add their volumes. A survey then considers the whole shipment: protective wrapping, furniture shape, dismantling, loading and items that cannot stack. Bedroom count alone is not a measured shipment volume.
Worked example: ten cartons measuring 50 × 40 × 40 cm occupy 0.8 m³ before any allowance for loading space. This tool calculates geometry; it does not calculate a removal price or select a container.
LESS TO HOLD IN YOUR HEAD
Your international moving checklist.
Check the topics you have already worked through. We’ll highlight the next question to resolve so your conversation starts with the details that matter.
THE DETAILS THAT CHANGE THE PLAN
Prepare for departure.
Plan for arrival.
Customs & biosecurity
Use your destination’s current requirements to prepare the document set. Depending on the move, this may include identification, an inventory, shipping documents and evidence relevant to your residence or import status.
Check restricted items before packing. Do not assume household goods, food, plants, outdoor equipment or batteries can travel under the same rules everywhere.
Consult FIDI’s country customs guides ↗Industry reference, not a statement of IMC membership. Confirm current requirements with the relevant authority and your move coordinator.Inventory, condition & cover
Keep a clear inventory and record the condition of items before collection. Ask what protection is available and read the applicable policy or contractual terms.
Discuss valuation, exclusions, excesses, owner-packed items, storage periods and the process for notifying loss or damage. Do not assume a mover’s liability and separate transit insurance provide identical protection.
Your useful question“What applies to my belongings during each stage, and what would I need to do if there were a problem?”
Timing, storage & home access
A sailing or flight schedule covers only part of the move. Collection, preparation, consolidation where relevant, release and final delivery all need to fit into the plan.
If your new home is not ready, discuss storage location, handling, access, protection and redelivery costs. Confirm parking, stairs, lifts and who will receive the goods before delivery day.
Your useful question“Which dates are estimates, what could change them and when will the next update be available?”
MEET IMC
The people behind
your moving plan.
We’re International Moving Company — IMC for short. We manage door-to-door international removals worldwide, bringing the stages, responsibilities and practical details of your move together.
Warwick Woodley
Warwick brings more than four decades of hands-on experience in international moving and freight forwarding. A former FIDI Academy trainer, he has trained moving professionals around the world.
At IMC, he draws on that experience to help make international moving more personal and transparent, with clear explanations of the services, responsibilities and practical details involved in your relocation.
Warwick on LinkedIn
Maiane Cassanego
Maiane previously worked at New Zealand Van Lines before joining the Export Division at CaroTrans. She brings that relocation and export experience to helping IMC clients understand each stage of their move, from initial enquiry to arrival at destination. Her approach combines attention to detail with personal client care, supporting families and individuals as they prepare for life overseas.
Maiane on LinkedInLOOK BEHIND THE QUOTATION
The details that change your moving plan.
A service name, a volume estimate and a sailing date each tell only part of the story. Resolve these three questions before deciding which quotation fits your move.
Who is consolidating your shipment?
Household groupage and general-freight LCL can involve different handling arrangements. Identify the crews, facilities, billing units and destination scope.
Are you paying for space or weight?
An 8 kg carton measuring 60 × 50 × 40 cm has a 20 kg volumetric weight at a divisor of 6,000. Explore the calculation and confirm the actual tariff.
When do storage charges begin?
Ask which event starts each allowance, the last free day and who invoices later charges. Vessel arrival alone does not tell you when home delivery can happen.
PLAN WITH CLARITY
Go deeper into your move.
CLEAR ANSWERS, BEFORE YOU ASK
International moving questions.
- What does an international relocation management company do?
- It coordinates the stages and parties involved in moving belongings between countries. IMC focuses on worldwide door-to-door removals. The written scope should identify what is managed, who performs each stage and what you need to provide.
- Can IMC manage a move between two countries outside my home country?
- IMC’s focus is worldwide door-to-door moves, rather than a single origin market. Share the actual collection and delivery locations so route feasibility and service requirements can be assessed.
- What information do I need for an international moving quote?
- Start with origin and destination, your collection window, a working inventory and any known access issues. Add packing, storage, fragile-item and timing requirements. A survey may be needed to establish the shipment scope.
- Can I move just a few boxes or part of a household?
- A smaller shipment needs its own assessment. Ask about available shared-container or other suitable options and compare minimum charges, handling and timing. Do not assume that a small volume automatically makes air freight or sea freight the better choice.
- Can I pack my own belongings?
- Discuss this before packing. Acceptance, packing standards and the treatment of owner-packed items under protection terms depend on the service and route. Keep an inventory and check any required inspection or repacking arrangements.
- How long does an international move take?
- There is no useful worldwide delivery time that fits every move. Ask for a route-specific estimate covering collection to delivery, including consolidation if relevant, clearance and receiving arrangements. Distinguish indicative dates from confirmed appointments.
- Does door-to-door mean all charges are included?
- No. Check the written inclusions and exclusions. Duties, inspections, storage or unusual access can require separate treatment depending on the agreement and circumstances.
- Should I ship furniture or replace it after arrival?
- Compare its usefulness, replacement cost and suitability for the new home against the incremental cost and practical demands of shipping it. Include sentimental value, dimensions, access and any electrical compatibility checks for appliances.
Your next step starts
with a clearer picture.
Keep your route, inventory and timing together as you plan your move.