Tampa International Movers
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Moving to a completely different country can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re leaving friends and family behind. That’s why our Tampa international movers work closely with you to ensure your international move is as smooth and stress-free as possible.
At 2 College Brothers, we‘re experienced movers ready to help. We proudly serve all of Tampa, the Tampa Bay area, and the entire Tampa Metropolitan area with the best Tampa international moving services you’ll find anywhere.
What Is a Tampa International Move?
An international move crosses national borders and is done by air, sea, or land. Coordinating the different stages of an international move involves multiple parties, detailed documentation, and crystal-clear communication. Everyone works together to ensure your belongings arrive at your new home on time and in proper condition.
These are some terms and partners you should familiarize yourself with for your move:
- Origin agent: Inventories your belongings and prepares them to be shipped; preparation includes packing and loading
- Freight forwarder: Schedules and coordinates logistics to have your items transported; verifies your shipment meets international regulations
- Consolidating warehouse: A storage warehouse where shipments are held and combined before transport
- Export/origin port: The shipping hub from which your items leave the country
- Shipping line or carrier: The company in charge of shipping your belongings; shipping can be done by air cargo, ship, or truck
- Destination port: Your destination country’s point of entry; it’s also where your shipment is received and moves through customs
- Customs: A government authority that inspects your shipment; it also applies taxes and clears your items for entry into the country
- Destination agent: Manages customs clearance and deliveries; can also handle unpacking and other necessary logistics at your final destination
There are countless reasons someone would move overseas. They might be moving for a new job, for retirement, or to be closer to family. Other reasons for such a big move could be school, an adventure, nicer weather, or the chance to experience the different cultures our world has to offer.
Whatever your reason for moving, you can rest assured that our Tampa international movers will provide a hassle-free experience and smooth relocation. You can always trust our reliable moving and storage team to deliver your valuable possessions safely to your destination.
How to Move Overseas With 2 College Brothers
Moving with us is easy and stress-free, which is why we have so many satisfied international moving clients. When you hire international movers like us, we create a tailored moving plan and handle the logistics and necessary documentation.
Let’s go into detail about the ways our international movers in Tampa can help you:
Extensive paperwork? Let our professional movers handle that for you. We’ll assign an international moving coordinator as your personal point of contact; they’ll keep you informed and ensure you have everything you need throughout your international move.
We provide high-quality moving and packing supplies, such as sturdy boxes, tape, and packing paper. If you need help packing, you can count on our packing services. Our movers are trained in proper packing procedures and can pack your most fragile items, even high value items, with care to prevent damage during transit. We can even handle car transport.
When packing is done, we’ll load all boxes, furniture pieces, and other items into a shipping container. We’ll make sure your container arrives safely at your origin port and is shipped to your new home. Keep in mind that once shipped, the container holding your items can take anywhere from 3-6 weeks to make the overseas relocation.
When it arrives, local movers can transport everything to your home. They can even reassemble and place your belongings wherever you’d like them. If you have items that need to be stored, the local movers can make those arrangements.
How Much Does a Tampa International Move Cost?
Each move is unique, so we can’t provide a firm international move cost without a quote. When you work with our international movers, we’ll provide you with a free quote covering your entire moving process. And since we understand flexibility is important, we can complete our quotes in-home or virtually. Rest assured that our virtual quotes will be just as accurate as our in-home quotes.
During a quote, we’ll consider where you’re going and how many belongings you need to ship. We also consider any additional services you need; one of the more common is packing, and yes, we can pack delicate items for safe handling. Once we have this info, we will put together a detailed international moving quote for you.
There are three ways to complete an international shipment: by truck, by air, or by sea. Most international moves are completed by ocean freight, with items stored in containers. For international moves to Mexico or Canada, your belongings will be transported by truck to their new destination. Air shipping is the quickest, but it’s also very expensive; in fact, it’s the most expensive way to ship internationally. It is generally reserved for smaller or time-sensitive shipments.
There are three sizes of shipping containers:
- 20-foot container = 1,172 cubic feet (33.2 square meters)
- 40-foot container = cubic feet (60 square meters)
- 40-foot high cube = taller for extra room
You have a couple of options for shipping containers: full container load (FCL) or less than container load (LCL). Each has benefits, but you won’t know which is best until you get a quote from dependable international movers in Tampa.
- FCL: Your container is filled with your items only, and it has faster customs clearance.
- LCL: Best for smaller loads, which means you’ll share a container with others’ items. Also less expensive.
Of course, several factors will affect your international moving costs. These include moving dates, point of origin, final destination, and customs fees. Other factors include insurance, the cost of vehicle shipping (if needed), and added services like storage or packing. But the biggest factor will be the amount of cubic space required for your shipment.
All of this probably sounds intimidating, but when you use our international movers, there’s no need to stress because we can handle it all. Just pick up the phone and call us for a free, easy international moving estimate.
Our in-home and virtual surveys are comprehensive and accurate. Our virtual surveys are especially impressive because of how convenient they are. Once our survey is complete, we’ll provide you with an honest quote with zero hidden fees.
International Moving Tips From a Tampa International Moving Company
An international move is not the type you plan at the last minute. Start researching well beforehand to limit surprises and stress; your future self will thank you. To get started, our helpful movers have put together this list of vital preparation tips:
- Research your destination country
- Apply for your visa and work permits early
- Collect important documents to have on hand
- Purge your home of unnecessary items
- Book flights and other accommodations far in advance
- If necessary, notify schools; request copies of school transcripts
- Cancel or transfer services
- Make sure your appliances are compatible
- Make arrangements for pets
- Organize your finances
- Create a digital moving file
- Call 2 College Brothers, the #1 international movers in Tampa
Agencies and Resources for International Moving
When moving internationally, it’s important to stay connected with your country of origin. Save the following list of agencies so you can remain informed:
- USA.GOV – Official U.S. government website offering information for Americans traveling abroad. Get information on passports, visas, and customs regulations
- STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) – Register to receive safety updates about your destination country and to be contacted by the country’s embassy in an emergency
- U.S. Embassy or Consulate website – Find information on your nearest embassy or consulate. You can also find details on appointments, local services, and other available assistance for U.S. citizens living overseas
- International Driving Permit – The U.S. Department of State authorizes the American Automobile Association (AAA) to issue International Driving Permits for legal driving in other countries
- US Department of State – Provides up-to-date information about every country; this type of information includes entry requirements, health advisories, travel alerts, and other relevant information for international residents
International Moving FAQs
What Household Goods Should I Not Include in an International Shipment?
Certain household items are prohibited or restricted for shipping internationally by carriers, customs authorities, or the laws of the destination country. Hazardous materials include aerosols, paints, solvents, and propane tanks. Because they are prohibited, international movers will refuse them.
Biosecurity regulations in many countries block entry of perishable foods, soil, and plant material. When it comes to alcohol and prescription medications, regulations vary by country; be sure to research before packing alcohol and medications you’re unsure of. Carry cash, jewelry, and important documents to avoid theft. Movers will typically provide a destination-specific list of prohibited items during your in-home or virtual survey.
Are There Items I Can Exclude to Reduce My International Moving Cost?
Yes, excluding certain items from your international shipment is one of the most effective ways to reduce costs. International moves are typically priced by volume or weight; removing bulky, low-value items like old mattresses, large appliances, cheap furniture, and heavy books can significantly lower your quote. Appliances that are incompatible with the voltage in your destination country are rarely worth shipping. Our movers often urge residents relocating internationally to sell or donate large items locally before departure and replace them at the destination, where costs may be lower.
Can I Pack Belongings in My Car When Shipping Internationally?
In most cases, no. Most international carriers and customs authorities prohibit placing personal belongings in a vehicle during shipping. Many destination countries require vehicles to arrive empty, and the car’s interior will be inspected upon arrival. Items found inside a shipped car can be seized, taxed separately, or cause the entire shipment to be held at customs.
Some international carriers may allow a small number of items in the trunk. But that is usually only under specific conditions and varies by destination country. Be sure of the rules before placing anything inside your vehicle’s trunk. To avoid delays and extra fees, confirm the rules with your movers and a licensed customs broker before you pack anything inside your vehicle.
Choosing the Best International Movers
Whatever you do, do not choose movers based on cost alone. You’ll be doing yourself a big disservice that will make your move harder. To choose a Tampa international moving company, start with reviews. Research and read reviews on Google and Yelp.
Find out how long the movers have been in business. You should also find out how many moves they complete each year and how long they’ve been in business. Ensure they have proper licensing and insurance coverage.
Choose movers with quality equipment and a strong track record of truck maintenance. You should also consider whether a company has great, responsive customer service throughout the entire process.
At 2 College Brothers, we’ve been in the moving business since 2010 and have worked with 15,000+ satisfied customers. We have hundreds of positive Google reviews and have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Our team does an amazing job of properly disassembling and reassembling furniture, and they can handle any situation an international move presents with professionalism, confidence, and a smile.
Call 2 College Brothers for a Free Quote
When you work with experienced Tampa international movers like 2 College Brothers, we provide a stress-free international move. Our Tampa team serves all of Tampa, the Tampa Bay area, and the entire Tampa Metropolitan area with dependable and professional international relocation services.
Call our Tampa moving company today at 813-922-1528 for a free moving quote and a seamless relocation experience. And be sure to ask about our other specialized moving services, like local moves and commercial moving, as well.