A Beginner’s Guide to Moving Out of the Country

Moving out of the country can make you feel a lot of different emotions, especially if you just learned your life is about to take a major turn. It’s certainly very exciting, but it can also bring up a lot of stress and uncertainty. You might not know what a move like this even requires. Where do you even start to tackle this big of a move? 

Despite the uncertainty, you can still look towards your future move with confidence… and even excitement.  With nearly a century of experience, National Van Lines has guided thousands of families through international relocations. We’re here to help you understand the process long before you choose a moving company.

Here’s what you’ll learn: 

• What an international moving company actually does
• How international moves work when you are just getting started
• Why international moves are more complex than domestic moves
• Why professional international movers matter early in the process
• What you can do now while you are still getting oriented
•  How National Van Lines supports international moves
• Looking ahead as you begin planning your international move

What does an international moving company actually do? 

When you first hear that you are moving out of the country, it is easy to picture boxes, passports, and a long plane ride. What you may not realize is that international movers manage a much larger system behind the scenes. They coordinate packing, shipping, customs requirements, and delivery across borders. This is so your belongings can travel safely to your new home.

International moving companies handle the complex steps that make an overseas move possible. This includes:

• Preparing your shipment
• Choosing the right transportation method
• Arranging secure loading into containers
• Tracking your belongings during the move
• Working with trusted partners once the shipment reaches your destination country. 

For someone who is brand new to the process, this early understanding helps you see why choosing the right mover will matter later on.

How do I get started with an international move? 

If you are at the very beginning of your journey, you do not need to know every detail. You only need a basic picture of how international moves generally unfold. Most people start with a simple timeline. International moves take longer than local or long distance ones, and they involve both your origin country and your destination country working together.

The early phase often includes learning new terms like freight, customs clearance, destination services, and import rules. Understanding these concepts early on helps you feel grounded before you even begin planning. You will also learn that different countries have different regulations, which shapes how your move will look. For now, the goal is not to master the process, but to get familiar with the ideas that shape it.

Here are two helpful and trustworthy resources we recommend to get up to speed with the words and terms you might hear along the way: 

• FMCSA has a handy glossary of terms you can use to become more acquainted with the language you’ll hear as you plan an international move 
• The Federal Maritime Commission has a fantastic PDF guide that can help you get familiar with terms and overall first steps you’ll want to take for international moving

Why are international moves more complex than domestic moves? 

Moving within the country typically involves packing, loading a truck, and driving to your new home. International moves include that, but also involve many more steps. This is because your belongings are leaving one country, and entering another (as are you!). This means your items must pass through ports, follow customs laws, and meet safety and documentation standards for your new home country. 

International movers also coordinate with shipping carriers for ocean or air transport, which adds more time and more touchpoints. These extra layers are the reason international moving companies play such an important role. They understand the rules, timelines, and potential challenges, so you don’t have to figure them out alone. 

Why should I consider using professional international movers early in the process? 

When you first start thinking about moving out of the country, it can be difficult to picture how your belongings travel such a long distance. Understanding the role of international movers early on gives you a clearer sense of what the process involves and why their expertise matters.

Here is what professional international movers bring to the journey:

• Protection for long distance travel. Movers know how to pack and secure your belongings for ocean or air transport so they stay safe through every step of the journey.
• Knowledge of what can be shipped. Different countries have rules about restricted items. Professionals understand these guidelines and help you avoid surprises.
• Experience with documentation. Customs forms, inventory lists, and shipment details must be accurate. Movers organize these materials so your items can move smoothly across borders.
• Coordination with trusted partners. International moves often involve multiple teams. Movers work with reliable partners overseas to manage each stage of your shipment.

Even if you are not ready to choose a company yet, understanding the value they bring helps you feel more prepared for the decisions that come later. This early awareness gives you a helpful foundation, so when you are ready to plan, you already know the role these professionals play and how they help guide the process.

What are some first steps I can take right now to prepare for an international move? 

When you first learn that you are moving out of the country, it is normal to feel unsure about where to start. You may not be ready to compare international moving companies or make concrete plans. At this stage, your goal is simply to build a little clarity and confidence as you adjust to the idea of an overseas move.

Here are a few easy steps you can take now, without committing to anything:

1. Learn the basics of your destination country. Look up general moving guidelines, cultural expectations, and any common rules for incoming shipments. This light research helps you understand the environment you are moving into.
2. Locate your important documents. Passports, birth certificates, visas, and important records may be needed later. Knowing where they are saves time once the planning begins.
3. Create a light household inventory. You do not need to organize or pack yet. A simple overview of what you own helps you picture what might travel with you.
4. Get familiar with longer timelines. International moves often take more time than domestic ones. Knowing this early makes the next steps feel more manageable.

These early actions give you a clearer sense of direction and help you feel more prepared as you settle into the idea of moving out of the country.

Setting Up For Success With International Moves 

In the past, the idea of international moving may not have been something you needed to think about in detail. Now, you have a clearer sense of how the process works, who supports it, and what early steps can help you feel grounded. Today, you are learning the basics and beginning to picture what your move will involve. As you continue, you will discover how to compare international moving companies, ask the right questions, and build a realistic timeline for your relocation. You’re now one step closer to your journey to your new home. 

You just learned about basic facts and resources you can use to start thinking about your international move. At this point, you’re probably wondering how to start the planning process. Read our dedicated blog on international moves, and how to plan a relocation abroad. 

Or, maybe you’ve already got your questions answered here… and you’re ready to seriously start looking at your international moving company options. Get a quote today, and we’ll talk to you about what it would be like to use National Van Lines for your international move.