An international move looks simple on a calendar, but it rarely behaves that way in real life. You will juggle visas, school records, power adapters, pet vaccinations, and that vintage sofa your aunt insists you must keep. If you are leaving Encino for London, Lisbon, or Lima, the right mover becomes your project manager, logistics partner, and sometimes your translator. Knowing what good Encino international movers actually do, how pricing works, and where the friction tends to appear will save you money and stress, and it will protect your belongings from preventable damage.
What separates international from domestic moving
International relocations add layers. Customs paperwork replaces a simple inventory. Transit modes shift from trucks to containers, roll-on roll-off vessels, or air freight. Timelines stretch from days to weeks, sometimes longer when ships queue at congested ports. Insurance moves from standard valuation to true marine cargo policies with named perils and exclusions. On delivery, local partners handle import clearance and last-mile transport, and they do not always operate on your schedule.
A client of mine shipped a two-bedroom home from Encino to Copenhagen. The domestic portion took one day to pack and load. The ocean voyage took 28 days dock to dock. Clearance, inspection, and delivery added another 12, spread across three appointments. None of this was unusual, but it felt strange to a family used to weekend moves within Los Angeles.
Good Encino full service movers will spell out the stages in plain language, with a contact at each handoff. If they speak vaguely about “customs delays” without specifics, press for detail. Delays happen, but the reasons are knowable.
The pre-move survey is where the truth starts
Expect an in-home or video survey that lasts 45 to 90 minutes for a typical apartment, up to two hours for a house with a garage and storage. The surveyor measures volume, flags fragile or high-value items, checks access at both locations, and asks about deadlines. They are looking for cubic footage, not just weight, because ocean freight is billed by container or cubic meter, and air freight cares even more about volumetric weight.
An experienced surveyor will notice the steep driveway in Encino and ask whether a shuttle truck is needed because a 53-foot trailer cannot reach your front door. They will point out that your sectional sofa might not clear a London terrace house staircase, and suggest either disassembly at origin or a hoist at destination. These observations prevent surprise charges later.
If a mover sends a “quick quote” based on room count or an online form, it can be a starting point, but ask for a formal survey before you sign anything meaningful. Accurate volume drives accurate pricing.
Packing standards make or break claims
International packing is different from a Saturday do-it-yourself boxing session. The cartons are double-walled. Fragile items get custom crates or foam-in-place. Furniture edges are protected with corner boards and export-grade moving blankets. Wardrobe boxes are used sparingly because they waste air space unless carefully packed with soft goods at the bottom.
I still remember a shipment to Singapore where a client decided to pack their own stemware “to save time.” The mover wrapped every glass again at the residence and refused to accept liability on owner-packed cartons. That caution was justified. Rough seas near the Malacca Strait did their usual tossing, and only the professionally packed items arrived without incident. If you care about something, let the crew pack it. If you must pack some items yourself, stick to books, clothing, and non-fragile household goods.
Encino international movers should assign a crew chief who photographs finished crates and labels. Keep those photos. They serve as evidence if a claim arises, and they help you track boxes at destination. Professional teams will also create a detailed packing list with item numbers that match your cartons and pieces. That list becomes a customs document in many countries.
Pricing, line by line, without the mystery
International move quotes contain more moving parts than a standard long-distance estimate. Get them to explain each line.
- Origin services: survey, packing, materials, disassembly, crating, and loading. If access is tight, a shuttle truck fee may apply. If your elevator requires reservation or proof of insurance, note the time window. International transportation: ocean or air freight. Ocean rates are often quoted as LCL (less than container load) by cubic meter, or FCL for a 20-foot or 40-foot container. Air freight is priced by chargeable weight, which reflects size more than actual weight. Destination services: import clearance, delivery to residence, basic unpacking, debris removal, and reassembly of standard furniture. If your destination address has limited access or requires a hoist, there will be a surcharge. Port and terminal fees: these are unavoidable and vary by port. Expect swings of several hundred dollars depending on local conditions. Customs, duties, and taxes: these depend on country and your status. Some destinations waive duties for used household goods when the owner has the correct visa. Others charge value-added tax on certain items, especially new goods. Insurance: a separate marine cargo policy based on declared value. More on this shortly. Storage: short-term storage at origin or destination if your housing timeline slips. Ask for monthly rates and handling charges.
Cheap movers Encino can tempt you with a low base rate that omits destination charges or underestimates port fees. That strategy pushes costs downstream. Always ask, in writing, whether the quote is door to door and which charges are excluded. A reputable firm will give you a range for variable items like demurrage or storage if customs hold your container longer than expected.
Transit time is elastic, not rubbery
Two Encino neighbors can ship to Sydney and see different outcomes. One container clears in 10 days and arrives on schedule. The other gets randomly selected for inspection, sits at the terminal because of a labor slowdown, then misses a feeder vessel connection. Suddenly the timeline slips by 14 days. The mover did nothing wrong, yet you are living out of suitcases.
Plan your travel with cushion. If you can, carry your essentials and a week’s worth of clothing. If you have infants or school-age children, pack a “first week” box with bedding, basic cookware, device chargers, school uniforms, and documents. Have the crew mark it for last-on, first-off, and keep its number handy.
For air shipments, expect faster transit but higher cost and stricter size limits. I often split shipments for clients: essentials by air, the bulk by sea. The blended approach adds flexibility without blowing the budget.
Customs rules that frustrate first-timers
Most countries allow duty-free import of used household goods when you can show residency or long-stay visas. That said, they enforce restrictions on alcohol, food, plant material, and new items. If you just bought a designer sofa 20 days before shipping, some customs offices treat it as new and assess duty based on a receipt or estimated value.
A few examples that catch people:
- United Kingdom: generally generous with used household goods, but HMRC will scrutinize duplicate items that look like commercial quantities, and there are strict rules on importing alcohol. Australia and New Zealand: serious about biosecurity. Outdoor furniture, bicycles, golf clubs, and anything that touched soil will be inspected. Clean them thoroughly. Expect inspection fees. United Arab Emirates: religious materials and medications face scrutiny. Obtain prescriptions and avoid shipping prohibited content on media. Brazil: complex bureaucracy. Paperwork must be immaculate, and timelines can stretch. Plan extra buffer.
Your mover’s destination agent should provide a country guide with banned items, limits, and required documents. Read it. Then read it again. If something is unclear, ask before you ship.
Insurance that actually pays when you need it
Do not rely on “released valuation” or basic carrier liability. That is a domestic concept with pennies-on-the-pound payouts. For international shipments, buy a marine cargo policy. Two main flavors exist: total loss only, or all-risk coverage itemized by value. All-risk requires you to declare a value for each item or group category. It costs more, but it responds to partial damage.
A claim I handled years ago involved a piano that shifted inside its crate during a transshipment in Antwerp. The crate was intact, but internal bracing failed, and the soundboard cracked. All-risk insurance covered specialized repairs and environmental acclimation at destination. Total loss would have paid nothing. That difference mattered.
Be honest on your valuation. Under-insure and you invite coinsurance penalties where the insurer pays proportionally less because the shipment was undervalued. Over-insure and you pay premiums you do not need. Use replacement value at destination, not sentimental or original purchase price.
What a full-service experience feels like
Encino full service movers should handle everything from packing and crating to paperwork and delivery setup. On pack day, a foreman introduces the crew, walks through the house, confirms special instructions, and assigns zones. Fine art gets custom crated on site or transported to a crating facility. Electronics are packed in anti-static materials. Mattresses receive export-grade bags plus protective cartons if needed for long sea journeys. The team inventories each piece with descriptive condition notes.
A good crew moves with a pace that looks steady rather than frantic. They label consistently. They protect floors and doorways. They keep pathways clear. If you have pets, they do not leave gates ajar. Small details predict the larger outcome.
On the administrative side, your coordinator should send you a schedule that includes the last possible pack day to meet the vessel cut-off, expected sailing date, and estimated arrival window, with a plan B if the ship is rolled. You will receive customs forms prefilled where possible, with request for scans of passports, visas, and any country-specific paperwork. If you are shipping a vehicle, expect a separate file of documents including title, lien release, and proof of ownership duration.
How Encino’s local realities shape your move
The Valley has quirks. Summer heat can turn a moving truck into an oven, which affects candles, cosmetics, and instruments. If you are shipping in July or August, set aside heat-sensitive items for air shipment or carry-on. Traffic matters. Your mover may schedule pack days to avoid the 405 at certain times. If your street has permit restrictions, the company should secure a temporary no-parking permit for the container drop or for the shuttle truck. If they shrug and hope for the best, you may watch a CHP officer ask a driver to move an illegally staged container.
Older Encino homes sometimes have tight side yards and limited backyard access. The crew may need to crane or hoist oversized items. Confirm any hoisting plan early. Hoists require permits in many municipalities and add cost. They also demand experienced riggers. You want a company that does this monthly, not annually.
Comparing movers without losing your weekend
Collect at least two, ideally Cheap movers Encino three, door-to-door quotes from Encino international movers with a track record in your destination region. Make sure each quote is based on a survey and that they are quoting the same scope. A mover that excludes destination delivery cannot be compared apples to apples with one that includes it.
Read reviews with discernment. Look for patterns in comments about communication during delays, claim handling, and the professionalism of pack crews. One glowing review about a domestic move tells you little about international competence. Ask for references from recent customers who moved to your target country.
Do not be overly swayed by a “Cheap movers Encino” ad if it masks inexperience with customs or a weak partner network abroad. A lower pack rate means little if your shipment sits in a foreign port for lack of the right document or if your destination agent misses a delivery window and charges storage. Price matters, but delivered value is what you live with.
What you can do to lower cost without creating risk
Volume is the main lever. Even a small reduction in cubic meters can shave hundreds of dollars on LCL shipments and thousands on FCL if the cut allows you to drop from a 40-foot to a 20-foot container, or if it consolidates better with other freight. Edit your wardrobe and books. Sell bulky, low-value furniture that is cheap to replace. Keep heirlooms and high-quality pieces worth the shipping.
Time your purchase of new items. If you buy just before shipping, you may pay duties at destination. Buy after arrival when you know your space. Consider a split shipment if you need essentials quickly and can wait on the rest. Air for time-sensitive items, sea for the bulk.
If you are on a tight budget, ask about a partial pack. Some movers let you pack non-breakables while they handle fragile goods and furniture. This hybrid approach can work, but make sure the insurance terms remain clear. Claims on owner-packed boxes are often denied.
Documents that make or break customs clearance
Your mover will guide you, but the responsibility rests with you to provide accurate, timely paperwork. Expect to need a passport copy for all adults, visas or residence permits, a detailed inventory with values, and, for certain countries, proof of employment, a tax ID, or a letter from your employer. If you shipped a vehicle, add title, registration, and export clearance. If you are moving with pets, veterinary records and microchip documentation will be essential.
Name consistency matters. If your passport says Katherine and your work permit says Kate, harmonize or provide a notarized letter. Some customs offices care about such details more than others. Keep scans and physical copies separate and accessible. Never pack the original documents in your shipment.
Delivery at destination is a second move, not an afterthought
People exhale when they hear their container has arrived. The logistical work is not over. The destination agent will schedule delivery based on customs release, trucking availability, and your building or neighborhood rules. If your new city has narrow streets, a shuttle truck or even a hand-carry may be necessary. If there is an elevator reservation window, coordinate with the building and your mover early.
Plan where things go before the crew arrives. A simple floor plan with room labels speeds everything. Instruct the crew chief clearly on what to unpack and what to leave boxed. Many clients ask for full unpack and debris removal to avoid living with a wall of cartons. That service is worth it. Cardboard and packing paper pile up fast, and disposal rules vary by city.
If anything arrives damaged, note it on the delivery receipt with specifics. Photographs help. Then contact the claims department promptly. Claims windows are short, often 7 to 30 days for concealed damage under different policies. Do not wait.
Red flags during the sales process
Trust your instincts if the salesperson glosses over customs, cannot explain marine insurance, or promises a delivery date with false certainty. If a company refuses to provide a copy of its terms and conditions before you pay a deposit, walk away. If the deposit seems unusually high or non-refundable under all circumstances, ask why. If they cannot name the destination agent in your arrival city, they probably do not have a reliable one.
Licensing and affiliations are signals, not guarantees. For ocean shipments, look for an FMC-licensed forwarder or a mover that partners with one. Industry groups like FIDI or IAM indicate a firm is in the network and follows certain standards. Still, judge by the quality of the survey, the specificity of the quote, and the clarity of their answers.
A realistic timeline from Encino to abroad
Here is a typical cadence for a door-to-door sea shipment from Encino to a major European city when things go smoothly. Treat it as a pattern, not a promise.
- Week 0 to 2: surveys, quotes, selection, paperwork started, visas in process. Week 3: packing, crating, and container loading. Week 4: container at port, clears export, sails within a few days depending on vessel schedule. Weeks 5 to 8: ocean transit. Faster to the UK or Netherlands, longer to the Mediterranean. Week 8 to 9: arrival, import clearance, possible inspection, payment of local fees. Week 9 to 10: delivery, unpacking, and debris removal.
If you are headed to Asia or Australia, add 1 to 3 weeks depending on routing and port congestion. Latin America varies widely by country and season. Air shipments condense origin and transit time, but do not eliminate customs steps.
The value of a good origin crew and an equally strong destination partner
You will remember faces at both ends. A thoughtful Encino crew that packs with care sets up success, but if the destination agent is disorganized, boxes go missing in local warehouses and delivery dates slip. Ask who the destination partner is and research them. If the mover says “we will select one later,” push for specifics. In practice, the network makes or breaks the experience.
I worked with a family moving from Encino to Madrid. The origin pack was flawless. At destination, the first local agent proposed a delivery date three weeks out. We escalated within the network to a second agent who could accept the shipment immediately and deliver in four days. That sort of course correction only happens if your mover has options and relationships.
Two short checklists to keep you on track
Pre-move essentials, four weeks out:
- Confirm visa status and gather required documents for customs. Complete the in-home survey and demand a door-to-door quote with inclusions and exclusions. Decide on insurance type, all-risk or total loss, and begin your valuation list. Edit belongings to reduce volume, especially bulky, low-value furniture. Identify heat-sensitive or prohibited items to carry or ship by air.
Delivery day readiness at destination:
- Reserve elevator and confirm building access requirements and insurance certificates. Share a labeled floor plan with the crew and prepare a “first week” essentials box for immediate unpacking. Keep passports, visas, and original documents on your person, not in the shipment. Have payment ready for any destination charges not prepaid. Inspect items as they come off the truck and note visible damage on the delivery receipt.
When a “cheap” move becomes expensive
Price pressure is understandable. But the most common sources of surprise cost are predictable. Incomplete or sloppy inventories lead to underquoted volume, and you pay for overflow. Omitted destination charges reappear as “local fees.” Owner-packed fragile boxes arrive damaged and insurance does not respond. Missed building reservations trigger redelivery fees. Storage accrues when customs clearance takes longer than your free time at the terminal.
Cheap movers Encino may hit the headline number by cutting pack time, using thinner cartons, skipping custom crates, and relying on weak overseas partners. Those shortcuts show up later as dents in furniture, delays in delivery, or maddening email silence when you need answers. A fair price with competent execution costs less in the end.
The bottom line on choosing Encino international movers
You are not just buying a truck and some boxes. You are buying foresight. The right mover will predict access challenges on your Encino street, select the right container or consolidation, match you with a destination agent who knows your new city, and walk you through the customs maze with clean paperwork. They will quote clearly, explain insurance in plain English, and answer your questions without drama.
Interview more than one company. Ask detailed questions. Push for transparency on destination fees and timelines. Consider the total picture rather than the cheapest line item. With solid preparation and a professional team, your international move becomes a complicated project that is handled methodically, rather than a leap into chaos. And when your boxes are stacked neatly in your new living room across the ocean, you will be grateful for every meticulous label, every measured carton, and the crew that treated your things like their own.
Contact Us:
Encino Mover’s
17642 Burbank Blvd, Encino, CA 91316, United States
(818) 296 9095