Planning an overseas move involves much more than simply "loading containers onto a ship." A skilled international mover acts as your project manager, shipping coordinator, customs guide, and logistics partner—providing seamless, door-to-door service that minimises stress and risk at every stage. Here’s a clear, step-by-step breakdown of what professional international movers, like Transworld, bring to the table.
Every successful move begins with a thorough consultation. This can be done virtually or in-person, where a consultant reviews key details such as your destination, timelines, property access, special items (like artwork, pianos, or antiques), and your budget. They’ll estimate the volume of your belongings (in cubic metres), recommend the most efficient shipping method, highlight any potential restrictions, and outline a realistic timeline. The result is a customised move plan and precise quote—rather than a generic “per-box” price.
International relocations are complex, with numerous moving parts—packing schedules, shipping deadlines, transit times, customs paperwork, storage arrangements, along with insurance, and delivery timelines. A professional mover consolidates all these elements into a cohesive plan, updating you at every milestone: from packing and uplift to customs clearance and final delivery.
Transworld’s service is designed to handle the entire process from start to finish, including packing, shipping, and storage. This eliminates the need to juggle multiple providers, ensuring your move is smooth and stress-free.
Export packing requires a different approach than domestic packing, and trained crews are essential for the job. At Transworld, we use international-grade materials, including sturdy cartons along with custom crating if required to ensure your belongings are protected. Each item is documented in a numbered inventory that travels with your shipment—an essential step for both insurance and customs clearance. Learn more about our expert packing methods and the range of cartons we offer, such as dishpacks, wardrobe boxes, and TV cartons, on our site.
When it comes to moving internationally, selecting the right transport option is key. Your mover will guide you toward the best solution based on cost, speed, the volume of your shipment and its final destination. Here are the primary options:
Your consultant will consider factors such as transit times, sailing schedules, and logistics at destination ports or airports to ensure smooth and timely delivery, avoiding unexpected delays.
Paperwork is where many DIY moves go wrong. Your mover advises you on what forms to complete and when, which items are restricted or may be dutiable. Your mover discusses your departure and arrival dates to ensure that you meet any customs requirements for clearances in your country of destination. If you arrive after your goods, in some countries this can create expensive storage charges and delays. Transworld’s customs guidance notes that key destinations such as Australia, the UK and USA require forms before you leave NZ, and highlights common prohibitions (e.g., weapons) that may need permits.
On the quarantine/biosecurity side, movers will brief you on cleaning requirements (bikes, garden tools, golf clubs) and biosecurity sensitivities. Transworld’s quarantine page also points out CITES-controlled goods (e.g., coral, ivory, reptile skins) that need special treatment or are prohibited.
Even with perfect packing, international transport exposes goods to sea/air risks, handling, and weather. Your mover arranges marine transit insurance matched to your shipment (whole-of-consignment cover, optional extensions like mould/mildew or electrical/mechanical failure). Transworld’s GlobalSure policy is designed for door-to-door cover and includes up to 28 days’ free in-transit storage insurance when using Transworld’s storage facility before shipping.
If your new home isn’t ready yet—or you’re waiting on visas—your moving company can safely store your belongings. Transworld provides secure, alarmed, and dry warehouses in New Zealand, using sealed “home packs” for added protection. Need offshore storage? They can arrange that too, through their trusted global partner network. (Pro tip: Storing your items in NZ and shipping them once you have the keys is often more cost-effective depending on your destination country.)
International moving isn’t as simple as “booking a vessel.” Reliable movers handle every detail of the process, including:
Transworld works exclusively with a carefully screened global partner network, chosen for their service quality, ensuring your shipment moves smoothly from start to finish.
Once your belongings arrive at their destination, your mover will work in collaboration with their local partners to handle everything. From clearing customs and quarantine to scheduling delivery, placing furniture, unpacking cartons, and even removing packing debris, they make your transition effortless.
Transworld’s services include customs/quarantine assistance, in-home unpacking (for professional packed items), and debris removal, so you don’t have to deal with a mountain of cardboard in your new living room.
International movers often provide additional services to save you time and stress. Transworld offers practical add-ons, including:
These extras ensure every detail is covered, giving you peace of mind during your move.
When selecting an international mover, prioritise independent quality certifications, expertise with your specific route, and clear service transparency. A key global standard to look for is FIDI-FAIM accreditation, which ensures excellence in quality management and financial stability through rigorous, independent audits. Transworld is proud to be part of an exclusive group of movers worldwide that hold FIDI-FAIM status, with audits conducted by Ernst & Young in New Zealand.
