International moves are carefully planned and professionally managed, but they involve multiple steps, countries, carriers, and government authorities. While experienced international movers take every precaution to protect your shipment and keep it on schedule, certain factors are outside anyone’s direct control.

Common Causes of International Moving Delays

Delays can occur at various stages of an international move and may result from:

  • Customs clearance and inspections: Customs authorities may request additional documentation or select shipments for inspection, which can extend clearance timelines.
  • Port congestion or carrier schedule changes: Busy ports, limited vessel availability, or carrier rescheduling can affect sailing and arrival dates.
  • Weather conditions: Severe weather can impact ocean vessels, air freight, and ground transportation, sometimes requiring schedule adjustments for safety.
  • Incomplete or incorrect paperwork: Missing, inaccurate, or late documents can delay customs clearance until the required information is provided.
  • Local holidays or labor disruptions: Public holidays, strikes, or labor actions in the origin or destination country may temporarily slow operations.

Common Causes of Damage During International Moves

International shipments are handled multiple times throughout transit, from packing and loading to ports, vessels, warehouses, and final delivery. Even with professional care, damage can occur due to:

  • Multiple handling points: Goods may be moved by several trained teams across different countries, increasing exposure to routine handling risks.
  • Long transit times: Extended ocean or air transit can expose items to vibration, movement, and stacking over time.
  • Packing quality: Fragile or high-value items that are not professionally packed are more vulnerable during international transport.
  • Owner-packed items: Items packed by the owner may not meet international packing standards or use proper materials. Although movers handle these boxes carefully, normal human factors during repeated handling can still lead to damage.
  • Environmental conditions: Changes in temperature and humidity during international transit can affect sensitive items that are not properly protected.

Why Transit Insurance Is Important

International moving involves human handling at many stages. While incidents are uncommon, no transportation process is entirely risk-free. Transit insurance provides essential financial protection and peace of mind in the unlikely event of loss or damage.

For the highest level of protection, professional packing combined with appropriate transit insurance coverage is strongly recommended for international moves.