Moving can be exciting and stressful, but even more so when planning an international move. Even though this time can be overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be because there are plenty of ways to help reduce your stress and take items off your to-do list. As the best Charlotte international movers, Make A Move will help make your transition to a new country as stress-free as possible–giving you peace of mind. Being a top-rated Charlotte international moving company, we serve Charlotte and the Charlotte Metropolitan area.
What Is A Charlotte International Move?
A Charlotte international relocation is a move overseas, and as an agent of Bekins Van Line, we can service any international move. Some of the phrases and terms that you can expect to hear during this out-of-the-country relocation include:
- The origin agent: A local Charlotte company will complete a visualized survey of your move
- The freight forwarder: A freight forwarder is a company that will be in charge of the details for exporting and importing your belongings and household goods
- Consolidating warehouse: When your belongings don't fill a shipping container, your items will get put into other shipping containers that aren't full either
- Export/origin port: After your belongings are put into the shipping container, they will get taken to port and put onto the ship
- The shipping line or Carriers: Your items are then shipped overseas to your new country by a large ship
- Destination port: Once your belongings are in the new country, they will go through a final inspection, be unloaded, and then cleared by customs
- Customs: Customs officials are the people in charge of handling the imports and exports in the new country
- Destination agents: A destination agent will handle everything from paperwork, taxes, and procedures to help make this transition into a new country as seamless as possible
Regardless of the reason why you’re moving, a job, college, being closer to your loved ones, wanting to purchase a house, or experiencing a new culture, Make A Move is here to make your transition seamless–giving you peace of mind!

How To Move Overseas With Make A Move
As a full-service Charlotte international moving company, Make A Move will handle all the details and logistics for you! On average, an overseas relocation is a longer transition, and it will take anywhere from 3-6 weeks for your belongings to arrive in the new country.
The best Charlotte international moving companies will provide the following services:
- Help with the necessary paperwork and customers to make your overseas move go smoothly
- You will receive a personal Move Coordinator
- Professional-grade materials and supplies
- Properly packing your belongings to ensure nothing gets damaged during this transition
- Loading your furniture and boxes into the container
- Transporting the container to the port and making sure it gets to its destination
- Unloading your boxes and furniture
- Carrying everything into your new home
- Assembling your furniture and unpacking your boxes
- Storage available at your origin and destination (if requested)
- Moving your appliances (but we do not disconnect or reconnect them)
- Shipping your car (if you decide to take it with you)
If you have any questions regarding our Charlotte international moving services, contact our customer service team for more information!
How Much Does A Charlotte International Move Cost?

When it comes to moving internationally, there isn’t a one size fits all for the final cost because different factors and variables can influence the price. In addition to the moving company, you also have to consider the costs of the visas and traveling to your international destination.
If you’re moving internationally, the three most common ways to relocate are by truck, ocean, and air. As an agent of Bekins Van Lines, Make A Move can service any international move. Air is an expensive option, so it’s really only used for small shipments, and then when it comes to the sea, your belongings will be added to a shipping container and put onto a ship.
There are three main sizes of containers:
- 20 feet long: give you 33.2 square meters or 1,172 cubic feet of volume of space to add your belongings
- 40 feet long: you will have 60 square meters or 2,120 cubic feet of volume for your items
- 40-foot high cube: this shipping container is ideal if you need to ship taller items
Something else that can influence the price for shipping your items in a cargo container(s) is if you decide on a full or partial crate.
Full Container Load (FCL): You will not share the container space with anyone else and only your items will be placed in this container. This option is less likely to be detained by customs.
Less Than Container Load (LCL): If you don’t fill an entire container, your belongings will get added to another shipping container and share it with another person. This option is less private but it’s also less expensive, so if you’re on a budget then this could be a good option for you.
In addition to the above information, we also have to take into consideration other services so we can give you an accurate international moving estimate.
A few other factors that can influence your international moving cost include:
- The country you plan on moving to and how far it is from Charlotte, NC
- The weight and volume of your belongings
- When you plan on moving because the weekends and the spring & summer months are more expensive than weekdays, and the fall & winter months
- Customs clearance
- Paperwork fees
- Insurance
- If you plan on shipping your car
- Additional services like packing & unpacking
- Storage at your current destination and your new country
Our professional and expert Charlotte international movers will be there for you every step of the way! For an accurate quote, contact our customer service team, and we can get a virtual or in-home assessment scheduled!
International Moving Tips From Charlotte
We can’t cover all the tips and tricks for a Charlotte International move right here, but we can reassure you that our crew members will make this transition as stress-free as possible.
Here’s an overview of an international moving checklist that we recommend:
- Do plenty of research about your new country before you relocate
- Apply for a visa, and any work permits that you might need
- Get all your important documents and place them into one place (driver's license, birth certificate, passports, visas, etc.)
- Declutter and clean your home
- Book your plane tickets and hotels
- Let the schools (both here and abroad) about your plans and get the necessary transfer certificates
- Fill out a change of address
- Sell your home (if you will not rent it out)
- Research what you need to do about car registration and the requirements when importing a car
- Learn about the process of getting a driver's license in your new country
- See if your bank has an overseas location
- Bring pets and do the proper research to learn more about quarantine laws and vaccines
- Sign up for health care in your new country
- Sell anything that you don't need
If you’re ready to make this transition to your international destination, call our Charlotte overseas movers to handle the details for you!
Agencies and Resources for International Moving
- USA.GOV- The USA.GOV website is perfect for getting helpful resources for US citizens before they relocate overseas or travel outside of America.
- STEP- You can register here with the U.S. Embassy’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. When you do, you will get notified by the local US embassy when there is an emergency within the country.
- The U.S. Embassy or Consulate- If you’re looking for the contact information for the local consulate within the country, you can find it here.
- International Driving Permit- If you’re interested in getting your driver’s license in this new country, you can learn more here. And AAA is authorized by the US Department of State to give you an International Driving Permit.
- The U.S. Department of State- Find up-to-date information for the covid status, what you need to know, travel information, and necessary contacts for all of the countries.
Choosing the Best Charlotte International Moving Company
Choosing the best Charlotte international moving company doesn’t have to be overwhelming or feel impossible. To help you with finding the top-rated team of crew members, we recommend asking the following questions:
- What are your Google Reviews?
- How long have you been performing international relocations?
- Are you an agent with a van line company, like Bekins Van Lines?
- How many crew members do you have working for your company?
- Which countries do you provide international moving services?
- What is your claim rate?
- Do you have the necessary insurance and license(s)?
- Do you offer short-term and long-term storage options?
- How long have you been in business?
- On average, how many overseas moves do you perform each year?
As a full-service Charlotte international shipping company, our crew members are highly-trained and professional and will be there for you every step of the way. With 8+ years, an average of 2,200+ moves per year, 25+ certified and trained employees, and being an agent with Bekins Van Lines, we are the #1 Charlotte international moving company out there!
Are you interested in pulling the trigger and making your relocation to the new country a reality? Make A Move is the best Charlotte overseas moving company and will always provide top-tier Charlotte international moving services! We service the Charlotte and the Charlotte Metropolitan area. To learn more about our Charlotte international moving services, call us at (704) 378-8588 for a free estimate!