Door-to-door and door-to-port move

What is an international maritime move?

An international maritime move transports household goods, personal belongings, furniture or vehicles between countries by ocean freight.

The service can be arranged from door to port or from door to door:

• Door-to-port: The booked service starts at the agreed origin address and ends at the named destination port or terminal.
• Door-to-door: The booked service includes collection from an agreed origin address and delivery to an agreed destination address after the required customs and carrier releases.

“Door-to-door” describes the agreed pickup and delivery scope. It does not automatically include packing, furniture dismantling, loading, unloading, customs charges, duties, taxes, storage, difficult-access handling or placement inside the destination property. Check the quotation for the exact services, locations, exclusions and customer responsibilities.

How does a door-to-port move work?

A door-to-port move normally follows these stages:

1. Shipment preparation: The customer prepares, packs and labels the household goods unless a separate packing service is expressly included in the quotation.
2. Collection: The packed shipment is collected from the agreed origin address when collection is included.
3. Origin handling: The goods are transported to the origin facility or port and prepared for export.
4. Export procedures: The customer provides the required information and documents. A freight forwarder or customs representative may coordinate export formalities when included in the booked service.
5. Ocean transportation: The shipment travels from the origin port to the named destination port.
6. Destination handover: The door-to-port service ends at the location specified in the quotation. The customer or appointed destination agent normally arranges import clearance, pays applicable destination charges and organizes collection or onward delivery unless those services are expressly included.

Port access, cargo release and collection procedures vary by destination. Confirm who will handle customs clearance, terminal charges and onward transportation before booking.

How does a door-to-door move work?

A door-to-door international move normally follows these stages:

1. Preparation: The customer prepares the household goods, inventory and required documents. Packing or furniture dismantling is included only when expressly confirmed in the quotation.
2. Collection: The packed goods are collected from the agreed origin address.
3. Origin handling and export: The shipment is transported to the origin facility or port. Export formalities are coordinated according to the booked service, but the customer remains responsible for providing complete and accurate information.
4. International transportation: The shipment travels to the destination country using the transport mode and route shown in the booking.
5. Import clearance: A destination customs broker or agent may coordinate clearance when included. Customs may request documents, payment or an inspection. Duties, taxes, inspection charges and other destination costs are included only when the quotation expressly says so.
6. Carrier release: Any required carrier documents and destination charges must be completed before the shipment can leave the terminal or warehouse.
7. Final delivery: After customs and carrier release, the shipment is transported to the agreed destination address.

Delivery normally means arrival at the accessible point stated in the quotation. Unloading, unpacking, furniture assembly, inside placement, storage, stair carry, long carry, crane service and removal of packing materials are not automatically included.

Available services vary by route and quotation. Confirm packing, collection, export formalities, import clearance, duties and taxes, unloading, access requirements and final-delivery scope before booking.

Door-to-door moving explained in 35 seconds

Follow a household-goods shipment from collection and export procedures through international transport, import clearance and final delivery.

International moving time explained

Watch the complete moving timeline from packing and collection through export clearance, international transportation, import customs and final delivery.