Moving Overseas

Moving overseas services

If you’re thinking about relocating and need to obtain a budget to estimate your moving overseas costs, you’ve come to the right place. iContainers provides fast, reliable and affordable services and is your top choice for moving overseas companies.

• iContainers’ platform allows you to obtain instant prices so that you have a good estimation of your moving overseas costs. Here’s how you may book and manage your move easily with iContainers:




• Our moving consultants will be with you every step of the way to guide you with personalized care and attention for your overseas move.

Cut down time and effort when dealing with paperwork by manage documentation online with our platform.

• Stay up-to-date with your move with our Track & Trace feature so you know where your personal belongings are all the time. You’ll also received automated notifications as soon as there’s a change in shipping status.

For a detailed breakdown on the entire process of moving overseas, check out our ultimate international moving guide.

How to book a moving overseas service

Getting a moving overseas quote and booking the service with iContainers’ platform is easy and straightforward.

Make sure to have the following information ready to obtain the most accurate quote: - Port/postal code of where you’re moving from - Port/postal code of where you’re moving to - Total volume of household goods you’ll be sending in cubic meters

Important: If you’re moving from any of the locations listed above, enter the postal code from which you’d like your items to be picked up. If you’re moving from other places to any one that’s on the list, enter the postal code where you’d like your items to be delivered.

Once you’ve entered this information, you’ll be taken to a next page with a list of different shipping rates. These prices vary according to route and carrier. By default, this is sorted by the lowest moving overseas quotes, but you may choose to sort them by transit time.

After you have selected your desired route, you’ll get to choose additional services which can help facilitate your move. Then all you have to do is select your preferred departure date, complete your payment, and you’re all set! Our sales representatives will be in touch to confirm your booking and arrange pick up.

Some shipping terms may be rather confusing especially if this is the first time you’re moving overseas. But fret not, everything is clearly detailed and explained each step of the way. If still in doubt, always speak to your freight forwarder so that they may guide you on the best options available and clarify any questions.

Moving overseas costs

The overall costs of moving overseas vary from move to move. But by and large, they are determined by factors specific to each move.

Ocean freight

The main cost of shipping your personal belongings via sea comes from the ocean freight rate. This is the cost of transporting your personal items on board a shipping vessel to your new home. The origin, destination, whether it’s a FCL (full container) or LCL (shared container), and the container size (20-foot or 40-foot) factor into the overall cost of the ocean freight rate.

Other expenses such as customs clearance and inland transportation for pick up and/or delivery can also affect your ocean freight price. At iContainers, these are included in our moving overseas prices.

Arrival fees

Arrival fees must be paid as soon as your items arrive at destination. These pertain to port charges for the unloading, handling, and transportation of your container.

Duties and taxes

Duties and taxes must be paid after your personal items clear customs. Just like commercial goods, these taxes are paid to the destination country.

Additional moving overseas services

Moving overseas companies often provide a wide range of services. From insurance to the rental of equipment to help with loading/unloading, there are plenty of moving overseas services you may hire to ease the process.

To find out more about the additional services we provide, please contact us.

Other factors that may affect your moving overseas costs

At first glance, it may seem as though you have your moving overseas costs under control and you’re within your budget. But you should be aware that there are external factors that may greatly throw your budget into disarray. These factors are out of your control and there’s no way to anticipate if and when they will affect you. There are, however, steps you can take to mitigate the financial setback should it be necessary.

General Rate Increase

General Rate Increases, or GRI as it’s commonly known, is the adjustment of freight rates (usually an increase) by shipping carriers. This is usually done so at the start of the peak shipping season as a response to changes in demand and supply. The GRI is usually applied only once a year, but depending on the state of the market, it may be applied more than once.

By how much these rates will change and to which routes will entirely depend on the shipping line. In recent years, however, the industry has seen the GRI hit shipments originating from the far east more than any other route.

Emergency Bunker Surcharge

The Emergency Bunker Surcharge, or EBS, applies to a fee that shipping lines implement to cover the costs of sudden and unanticipated increases in fuel prices. This is different from the Bunker Adjustment Factor, which is usually announced in advance and is aimed at covering fluctuating fuel costs and may be already included in your shipping rate when you reserve your shipment.

The EBS may be implemented with as little as one week in advance, and the increase may vary according to country and route.

Trucking shortage

Trucking shortages are not uncommon in logistics and can put quite a strain on your moving overseas costs. As the current trucking shortage crisis in the US has shown, even if you have secured a trucker for pick up day, last minute cancellations are relatively common. This may not only entirely disrupt your moving plan but also increase your shipping costs such as delay fees.

Extra costs

If you run into delays, you’ll be responsible for all extra costs incurred as a result, even if the cause of delay is beyond your control. Delay fees such as demurrage, detention, and per diem are not uncommon. In some cases, detention fees a day alone can cause your shipping costs to increase by 11%. You must also bear all costs related to customs inspections and exams, whether or not it’s a random inspection or if it’s triggered by an error in paperwork filed.

Tips to reduce moving overseas costs

Moving overseas can take quite a toll on your pockets, and that’s assuming everything goes smoothly. Here are some tips that can help to ease some financial stress by reducing your final moving overseas costs:

• Get rid of things you don’t use. If you haven’t used it in the past year, it’s probably time to say goodbye to it. By reducing the volume of personal goods you’re sending, you’re also reducing the cost of your shipment and your overall moving overseas cost. Plus, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Take advantage of this opportunity and hold a garage sale to get rid of everything you don’t want to take to your new home.




• Get free boxes. One box may not cost too much. But when you’re moving a whole apartment worth of belongings, you’re definitely going to need more than one, and that’s where the cost will add up. Source around for free boxes by posting on moving forums or put up flyers in your neighborhood (within legal limits). You may be surprised at the number people who’ll come forward to offer their unused boxes!




• Avoid peak seasons. You’re more likely to be able to reduce your moving overseas costs during the low season. This is when rates for moving overseas services tend to be lower. This means avoiding the summer, the month before the new school year, weekends, and pretty much the holiday seasons.




• Get your tax reductions. If you’re relocating for work, your moving expenses may be entitled to tax reductions. Look into whether you qualify for this as we may be talking about quite a substantial amount of savings here.




• Do your research. Find the company that best suits your budget and expectations. There are tons of moving overseas companies out there with different combinations of services and costs. If you’re on a tight budget and are willing to DIY most things to lower your moving overseas costs, make sure to study the services of the company so you’re not charged for a service you can handle yourself.