International Moving
Moving to a new country sounds exciting right up until you start thinking about all the logistics. There is paperwork to complete, strict timelines to meet, careful packing to handle, and the lingering question of whether your couch will survive a transoceanic shipment. If you are relocating from Tustin, CA, or anywhere in Orange County, you likely want to work with trusted international movers in Tustin, CA who have real experience handling overseas relocations and can guide you through each step of the process without turning it into a stressful ordeal.
Maison Moving is a licensed, full-service moving company based in Tustin that has been helping Southern California residents relocate since 1984. That includes international moves to countries worldwide, whether you are heading to Europe, Asia, South America, or somewhere else entirely. Our international moving specialists coordinate every stage so you can focus on settling into your destination country.
There is a common assumption that moving overseas works the same as a long-distance move, just with a longer truck ride. That is not how it goes. An international relocation involves coordinating between shipping carriers, freight options, customs agencies, and sometimes government offices in your destination country. Timelines stretch from weeks to months, and documentation requirements shift based on international regulations specific to that region.
A typical international moving process starts with an in-home or virtual consultation where a move coordinator reviews your inventory, discusses move dates, and walks through specific move requirements you might not have considered. Things like voltage differences for electronics, climate concerns for furniture materials, and restricted items that cannot cross certain borders.
Our professional international movers have handled relocations to multiple countries, and that rich experience means fewer surprises. Every destination has its own rules about what clears customs and what gets held up, and knowing those differences ahead of time changes the entire pace of a move.
Just the thought of moving overseas can be daunting, but with Maison Moving, we’re committed to making it a seamless experience.
At Maison Moving, we can handle your international relocation and help you with the unique challenges that accompany moving to another country. We put ourselves into your shoes, then plan your move with that next level of scheduling, equipment, manpower, and route preparation it takes to meet your specific needs.
Reinforced cartons, custom crating for fragile items, and moisture barriers for ocean transit
Complete customs paperwork and clearance coordination handled on your behalf
Flexible shipping options with transparent cost breakdowns for both methods
Short and long-term storage solutions during your international transition
A single point of contact who handles scheduling, freight, and keeps you updated throughout
Customs clearance is probably the part of an international move that catches people off guard the most. You can pack perfectly, ship on time, and still end up with your belongings sitting in a warehouse overseas because a form was filled out wrong or a restricted item slipped into a box.
The customs clearance process is coordinated well before anything gets loaded onto a ship or plane. Detailed inventory lists are prepared to match the format your destination country requires, items that need special documentation get flagged early, and everything is labeled correctly so it can clear customs without delays. Some countries have stricter rules about what can come in, where wood furniture might need treatment certificates, electronics could require proof of purchase, and certain medications may be restricted. All of that gets sorted on your behalf.
One of the bigger decisions in any overseas move is whether to ship by sea or air. The right call depends on how much you are shipping, how quickly you need it, and your budget.
Sea freight is the standard for full household shipments. It is slower, usually three to eight weeks depending on the route, but significantly more affordable for large volumes.
Air-based shipping is faster, sometimes delivering within a week or two, but the cost per pound is higher. A lot of our clients end up doing a combination, sending the bulk of their household by sea and shipping a few necessities by air, so they are not waiting weeks without basic items.
During your international moving consultation, we break down the cost estimates for both options so you can make an informed decision. No pressure to go one way or the other. It is your move, and we want you to feel good about how it is structured.
International moving costs are not as straightforward as domestic ones, which is why getting a customized international moving quote matters so much. The final number depends on several moving parts, and understanding each one helps you budget realistically.
We provide transparent cost estimates during the consultation so you are not guessing. If something changes, like a shift in your move dates or a reduction in what you are shipping, we adjust the quote accordingly. Other international moving companies sometimes bury fees in the fine print, but that is not how we operate.
Volume and weight of the shipment
Shipping method and distance to destination
Special packing for fragile or high-value items
Customs duties and import taxes by country
Insurance coverage for transit protection
Storage fees if there is a gap between move dates
Packing for an international shipment is a different game compared to a local or cross-country move. Your belongings will be loaded into containers, transported to a port, loaded onto a vessel, possibly transferred between ships, cleared through customs at a foreign port, and then delivered to your new address. Every transition point is a chance for something to shift or get damaged if it was not packed correctly.
International shipments are packed using export-grade materials designed to withstand long-haul transit. Reinforced cartons, custom crating for artwork and antiques, and cushioning systems that keep fragile items secure even when a container hits rough seas. Electronics get wrapped and padded individually. Furniture is blanketed and strapped.
If you prefer to handle some of the packing yourself, we can supply materials and provide international moving tips on how to pack specific items. For high-value or fragile pieces, though, we strongly recommend letting our team handle them so insurance claims stay straightforward if anything happens in transit.
Maison Moving is an agent of National Van Lines, the international moving company whose logo you see on interstate highways every day. We’re part of an experienced network designed to help customers relocate nationally as well as abroad.
We work with National Van Lines because of their strong reputation for customer service, their award-winning drivers, and their top rating with the U.S. Government’s General Services Administration. They work with us because of our loyal customer base and our reputation as one of Orange County’s best movers.
One thing that separates Maison Moving from other international moving companies is that you get a dedicated point of contact assigned to your relocation. This is your one person for everything, from timeline questions to shipment updates to concerns about customs paperwork.
Your move coordinator handles scheduling, confirms move dates, arranges the packing crew, coordinates freight, and keeps you updated on your shipment from the moment it leaves Tustin until it arrives overseas. If something needs to change midstream, they adjust the moving plan and keep you informed.
Moving internationally comes with enough uncertainty. The actual physical move should be the part you worry about the least, and that is the whole point of working with a trusted partner who has done this for decades.
If you are planning an international move from Tustin, Orange County, or anywhere in Southern California, contact our team for a free international moving consultation. We will go over your move details, talk through sea or air shipping options, and put together a personalized quote based on your specific requirements.
Get Your Free Quote“In the last two decades, we have moved multiple times out of state and overseas and this by far has been the smoothest transition ever. Hector, Danny & Matt took very good care of our personal property and we greatly appreciate their work ethic and professionalism. Thanks for making life easier!”
