How to Choose an International Moving Company: What to Check Before You Get a Quote

Getting a few international moving quotes and picking the cheapest one is the fastest way to get a nasty surprise on loading day. The final price of a move depends on details that don't always show up in the first number you're given: insurance, payment terms, subcontracting, and what happens if something breaks. Here's what to check before you sign.

What a serious quote should include

A complete quote breaks down the estimated volume (in m³ or number of rooms), the type of transport (dedicated vehicle or groupage), what's included in packing, insurance coverage during transit, and the pickup/delivery date or window. If what you get is just a final number with no breakdown, ask for it in writing before booking — it's the only way to actually compare two offers.

Questions worth asking before you sign

Is the price fixed, or can it go up on moving day?

Final volume is usually confirmed through an inventory, done in person or by video call. Ask what happens if the real volume ends up higher than estimated — a serious operator tells you before you sign, not on loading day.

Who's liable if something breaks or gets lost?

Carrier liability during international transport is usually governed by the CMR convention. Ask exactly what that liability covers, and whether additional insurance makes sense for high-value items or antiques.

Does the company move you themselves, or subcontract?

Subcontracting isn't a problem in itself — not knowing about it is. If your belongings pass through two or three different companies, liability gets diluted and claims get harder to make.

How does payment work?

Be wary of anyone asking for 100% upfront. A reasonable, common structure is a 10% booking deposit with the balance due before unloading at destination.

Red flags before booking

Certain patterns show up again and again in international moving complaints: full payment demanded upfront, no written contract or inventory, a price far below every other quote with no explanation, no verifiable physical address or business registration, and reviews that are all very recent and read almost identically. No single flag is conclusive, but two or more together are a reason to keep looking.

What to compare across quotes

How Layner Group handles this

We've been organizing international moves for more than 5 years, with over 1,500 residential relocations completed and our own fleet from 1 to 24 tonnes. We operate under ISO 9001 certification with CMR liability coverage during transport, flexible payment (10% deposit, balance before unloading), and a preliminary offer within 15-30 minutes — so you're comparing real numbers instead of a blind figure.

Want a detailed quote to compare against others? Request it for free.

Before you decide, you may also find useful our step-by-step checklist for organizing a move, how the real cost of an international move is calculated, and exactly what CMR insurance covers.