How Much Does an International Move Cost? The Key Pricing Factors

When planning an international move, one of the first questions people usually ask is: How much will the move cost?

It is not always possible to provide an accurate answer immediately, as the price depends on several factors. These include the volume and weight of the belongings to be transported, the origin and destination countries, the services required, and the conditions affecting loading and transportation.

To prepare an accurate quotation, we first need to understand the details of the move. This is where a moving survey comes in. It allows us to plan the necessary services and the transportation process.

In this article, we explain the factors that influence the cost of an international move, why a proper survey is important, and how a quotation is prepared.

What Determines the Cost of an International Move?

The cost of a move is determined by more than just the distance or destination country. The following factors collectively affect the resources required and the final price:

  • The quantity, volume and weight of the belongings to be transported.
  • The origin and destination countries and the transportation route.
  • The range of services required.
  • The type and extent of packing.
  • Loading and unloading conditions.
  • Items requiring special handling.
  • Any storage requirements.
  • Customs clearance and other administrative requirements.

The volume of the shipment determines how much space is needed in the vehicle, while its weight affects how the load can be arranged and the vehicle's payload capacity. For road transport, the truck's permitted payload must also be taken into account.

This information helps determine the type of vehicle, workforce, packing materials and logistical arrangements required.

Why Is a Moving Survey Important?

A survey is the basis for preparing an accurate quotation. Its purpose is to provide a comprehensive overview of the belongings to be transported, the services required and the practical circumstances of the move.

The survey can take place in person or by video call, depending on the nature of the move and the customer's circumstances. The survey is free of charge.


What Do We Assess During the Survey?

The survey covers, among other things, the following:

  • Shipment volume and weight: The estimated volume of furniture, boxes and other belongings, as well as any factors relevant to the shipment's weight.
  • Packing requirements: Which items need professional packing and what packing materials will be required.
  • Special items: For example, pianos, paintings, glass display cabinets, or other large, valuable or fragile items.
  • Furniture disassembly and reassembly: Whether any furniture needs to be dismantled and reassembled.
  • Loading conditions: Property access, floor level, elevator availability, staircases, parking and any vehicle access restrictions.
  • Special equipment: For example, whether an external furniture lift is needed or a loading area must be reserved in advance.
  • Storage: Whether temporary storage is needed before departure or after arrival.
  • Other requirements: Customs clearance and administrative procedures associated with the specific route.

The survey helps us estimate the labour and time required, identify the necessary equipment and determine the appropriate transportation solution.

What Are the Main Pricing Factors for an International Move?

1. Shipment Volume and Weight

Both the volume and weight of the belongings are important when planning a move.

Volume determines how much space is required in the vehicle, while weight affects the amount of cargo that can be transported and how it can be positioned. The permitted payload of the truck or container must also be taken into account.

A large but lightweight shipment may require different capacity from a smaller but heavier load. Therefore, when selecting a vehicle, it is not enough to consider only the available loading space.

For overseas moves, volume plays a role in planning container capacity, while weight must comply with the applicable weight limits.

To prepare an accurate quotation, both the estimated shipment volume and the relevant weight considerations must therefore be taken into account.


2. Origin, Destination and Route

The method and cost of transportation also depend on where the customer is moving from and to.

  • Moving within Europe: Depending on shipment size, weight and requirements, groupage transport or a dedicated vehicle may be suitable.
  • Moving to European countries outside the EU: In addition to the route, customs clearance and other administrative requirements must be considered.
  • Overseas moving: Sea freight in containers is arranged according to the shipment's size, weight and route.

3. The Services Required

The cost also depends on which tasks the customer wants the moving company to handle.

These may include:

  • Transportation and loading.
  • Full packing services.
  • Door-to-door moving.
  • Furniture disassembly and reassembly, as well as other additional services.
  • Relocation services, such as home search and assistance with settling-in arrangements.

It is important to clarify the customer's requirements during the quotation process so that the appropriate range of services can be established.


4. Special Items and Furniture Assembly

Transporting pianos, paintings, glass display cabinets, oversized furniture or particularly fragile items requires special attention and may involve specialist packing or equipment.

These items should be identified during the survey so that the necessary arrangements can be planned in advance.


5. Loading and Property Access Conditions

Loading conditions also influence how a move needs to be organised.

Relevant factors include:

  • Parking availability outside the property.
  • Whether parking or vehicle access permits are required.
  • Narrow streets and traffic restrictions.
  • The absence or size of an elevator.
  • The layout and characteristics of the staircase.
  • Whether an external furniture lift can be used.

Clarifying these factors in advance helps the move to be organised more efficiently.

What Does a Fixed-Price Quotation Include?

Euromove & Relocations prepares a fixed-price quotation based on the survey and the services agreed with the customer. This requires the essential details and circumstances of the move to be clarified in advance.

The price stated in the detailed quotation applies to the services and conditions specified in it. It is therefore important that all relevant circumstances—such as the quantity, volume and weight of the shipment, packing requirements, loading conditions and special items—are known when the quotation is prepared.

If the agreed conditions subsequently change, or additional tasks arise that were not previously disclosed, extra costs may result. This is why a thorough survey and clear communication are in the interests of both parties.

How Is a Quotation Prepared?

The process consists of three main steps.

1. Understanding the details of the move

We establish what needs to be transported, the circumstances of the move and the services required.

2. Planning the move

Based on the available information, we plan packing, loading, transportation and any additional services that may be required.

3. Preparing the detailed quotation

We prepare a fixed-price quotation based on the agreed conditions, setting out the services and costs involved.

How Can You Prepare for a Quotation?

Preparing the following information in advance can help us put together a quotation:

  • The origin and destination addresses.
  • The planned moving date.
  • The approximate quantity of furniture and personal belongings to be transported.
  • Packing requirements.
  • A list of special or high-value items.
  • Important information about property access and loading conditions.
  • Any storage or relocation requirements.

You do not need to weigh every item in advance. However, it is important to tell us if the shipment includes particularly heavy items, such as heavy furniture, machinery or other specialised belongings.

The more complete the information available, the more accurately we can plan the move and prepare the quotation.

How Can You Request a Quotation from Euromove & Relocations?

There are two online options for requesting a quotation, depending on which method is more convenient for you.


1. Quick, 3-Minute Quotation Request

If you already have an idea of the size of the shipment you want to move, the 3-minute quotation form is the simplest option.

With this form, you enter the estimated volume of your shipment in cubic metres (m³). It is practical if you already know this information or have previously estimated the volume of the belongings to be moved.


2. Detailed, 10-Minute Quotation Request

If you do not know how many cubic metres of belongings you need to transport, you can use the 10-minute quotation form.

In this case, you do not need to estimate the shipment volume in advance. Simply select the items to be transported and enter their quantities. The system automatically calculates the estimated shipment volume in cubic metres (m³), using the average volume of each item.

This option is particularly useful if you can prepare a detailed list of your furniture and personal belongings but do not know the estimated volume of the shipment.

Important: Both online quotation forms provide a starting point for planning the move. To prepare an accurate final quotation, the other circumstances of the move and the services required must also be taken into account.

So, How Much Does an International Move Cost?

The cost of a move always depends on the specific job. Shipment volume and weight, the route, the range of services and the loading conditions collectively determine the solution required.

An accurate quotation starts with an appropriate survey of the moving circumstances and a detailed discussion of the customer's requirements. This helps ensure that the quotation reflects the actual work involved and that the move can be planned in advance.


Planning an International Move?

Contact us and tell us about your moving plans. Based on the information provided and the survey, we can help identify the solution that best suits your requirements.

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