While the process of moving locally can be a less-than-enjoyable experience, the process of moving halfway around the world can become truly terrifying. Unlike the logistics of a move across town, or even across the country, an international move will include dealing with customs, language barriers, currency issues, immunization records, licenses, permits, and even how to handle moving pets and house plants, as well as many other tasks. While local and national moving companies may be perfectly acceptable for moving short distances, it takes the knowledge and expertise of a global moving company to handle the intricacies presented by a complicated international move.

International moves are often necessary for employment in some industries. When this is the case, the employer often partners with a global moving company to expedite and simplify the process for the employee. Once the employee's transfer has been authorized, the human resources department will often work directly with the global mover to ensure that passports and all necessary documentation is provided in a timely manner. While this can be a good way to handle a move, many other people move to accept work with other companies or for other reasons, and therefore must take on the responsibility of their own move. These people will also benefit by partnering with a reputable global moving company.

The first thing that will be needed for a successful international move is time. These types of moves often must coordinate storage, the transport both to and from an ocean port or airport, shipping via air or sea, as well as the sorting, packing and crating that must done prior to the move. Because of this, allowing several months to plan and execute the move is optimal, and often necessary. Since the logistics of transporting anything long distance will involve many different parties, the documentation that accompanies the goods must be perfectly executed. Even small errors and omissions can cause all or part of the shipment to be left dockside or refused by the country it is bound for. A global moving company understands all the things that can go wrong in a complicated moving scenario, as well as how to avoid them.

The next thing that can help ensure the success of an international move is having a good basic plan. Due to the more complicated nature of moving to a foreign country, it is vitally important to include a good timeline, as well as detailed checklists for each step of the moving process. Often, some good basic checklists may be available through the global moving company that will be assisting with the actual move. Taking a few moments to gather these checklists and customize them to fit individual needs can save time and ease frustration during the actual moving process.

While a good global moving company will be able pack, store, transport and oversee all the details of the actual move, there is still some very important work that must be done by the people or family who will be making the move. This is the work of sorting. While important during any move, even across town, sorting takes on a critical importance during an international move. Taking a careful inventory and then purging all those items that are not needed can save thousands of dollars in freight costs, while making the move less stressful, as well. In many cases, the cost of replacing basic items such as excess clothing, appliances, and personal items in the new location is far more affordable than paying the cost to ship them halfway around the world. Since many global moves are for only a few years, leaving bulky or very heavy items such as books, cars, and antique furniture with extended family can be a much better option than paying to ship them overseas.