Whether you’re moving across the state or across the ocean, you need a moving company that is professional, experienced, trustworthy and dependable. In business for more than 25 years, and having successfully handled more than 20,000 moves per year since then, International Van Lines (IVL) is all those things. In this comprehensive review, we’ll do a deep dive into this leading national moving company, examining its services, pricing, pros and cons, and more—to help you determine if it’s the right choice for your big move.
| Highlights |
|---|
| Long distance carrier with its own fleet of trucks and in-house personnel. No need to worry about unreliable third party movers |
| Highly acclaimed with a A+ BBB rating & several prestigious industry awards |
| Handles out-of-state and international moves |
| 30 days storage comes free with a scheduled move |
| Get a free online quote within minutes |
About International Van Lines
Founded in 2000, IVL is a national and international full service moving company offering relocation services across the United States and to and from more than 150 countries globally. IVL is both a carrier and a licensed moving broker (a carrier provides moving services directly while a broker coordinates relocation services for customers). This, coupled with its full suite of moving services, makes IVL a comprehensive relocation solution for movers worldwide.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Full-service local, long-distance & international moving company | May subcontract local moves to other companies, which may not be as dependable |
| Rated best moving company by Forbes, US News, USA Today & Better Homes and Garden | Extra charges for things like elevator use, stairs beyond the first flight, long carries & more |
| Awarded Newsweek’s Best in Customer Service 2021 | |
| Services the entire U.S. and more than 150 countries worldwide | |
| Large and small moves for residences, corporations & commercial properties | |
| Licensed carrier with a large fleet of trucks & in-house crews | |
| Licensed freight forwarder and direct source for ocean and air freight | |
| Domestic and international automobile transport | |
| Packing and storage solutions plus option for furniture disassembly & reassembly | |
| Long- & short-term storage with the first month free if stored in current location | |
| Free and fast, no obligation quote by phone, email or via virtual home tour | |
| Change your moving date for no additional fee | |
| Focus on sustainability with eco-friendly practices & packing materials | |
| GPS tracking for added convenience and transparency | |
| Generous discounts for military, seniors, students, law enforcement & first responders | |
| 100% money back guarantee if you cancel your move | |
| 24/7 customer support |
International Van Lines Services
IVL is known for its wide range of moving services, which customers can piece together to create a full customized relocation solution. Here’s a look at some of the company’s offerings:
Long Distance Moving
IVL offers long distance moving services nationwide. The company maintains physical locations in multiple states, and can cover any out-of-state move—whether it’s a small, studio apartment or an expansive estate.
International Moving
The company handles international moves to and from more than 150 countries, and provides full door to door service. IVL is licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission as a freight forwarder and a direct source for ocean and air freight, so you can trust them to handle your oversea move.
Local Moving
IVL offers local moving services anywhere within the U.S. You can add on packing and storage support, and can opt to have your furniture disassembled and reassembled for an added fee as well.
Automobile Transport
IVL offers domestic and international transportation for vehicles, including cars, boats, motorcycles, RVs and more.
Packing Solutions
IVL offers professional packing services by trained specialists who take every precaution to ensure your belongings are safe, secure and ready for transport. If you’d prefer to do the packing yourself, the company sells boxes in a variety of sizes, bundles of boxes to cover various room quantities, and packing supplies ranging from bubble wrap and packing tape to packing peanuts and mattress covers.
Storage Solutions
IVL offers long- and short-term storage for moves of every size. Your household goods will be placed in local moving services storage crates and placed securely in a temperature controlled warehouse for long-term storage. You are able to access your items anytime, and they will be ready to be delivered whenever you’re ready. The storage locations are fully secured with camera systems, and all items within you store are fully insured.
You can store your belongings near your current location for one month free (after that, you’ll pay a monthly storage fee). If you’d prefer to have your items stored in the city, town or state you’re relocating to, you can opt for the company’s Storage in Transit (SIT) option, which enables you to store your items close to your destination town or city for a fee. The fees in both of these cases are based on the footage required.
International Van Lines Pricing
IVL’s rates are competitive with other similar services. The exact amount you’ll pay depends on a number of factors, including the distance of your move, the amount and size of items to be moved, the logistics of getting in and out of your current and future locations (stairs, elevators, etc.), and whether you want to add additional services like packing, storage, furniture disassembly and assembly, etc. IVL provides a cost calculator on its website, which gives a pricing estimate, or you can contact one of their relocation coordinators at 877-647-1336 to get a free quote. IVL also offers the unique and convenient option to schedule a virtual home tour with one of their moving specialists, who can provide a quote remotely.
International Van Lines Customer Service
IVL receives high praise from customers for their customer service. The company offers 24/7 access to their customer support team, and a number of ways to get in touch. They offer an online chat option on their website or you can call them at 754-547-6333. You can also request an update on the status of your move by filling out an online form available on the company website.
The IVL website is also home to a blog full of helpful information, as well as an FAQ section with additional details about moving.
How International Van Lines Compares
Here’s a look at how IVL stacks up against other popular moving company picks:
IVL vs. American Van Lines
Like IVL, American Van Lines is a full service moving company that offers everything from packing, storage and transportation solutions. The biggest difference between these two companies is their coverage area. Whereas American Van Lines primarily handles long-distance moves within the U.S. (excluding Alaska and Hawaii), IVL provides relocation services across all 50 states and internationally in more than 150 countries.
IVL vs. U-Haul
U-Haul is a great choice for anyone who wants to pack up and transport their belongings themselves—and just needs a larger vehicle to do it with. But for those who prefer to avoid all the heavy lifting, IVL is the better choice by a mile. IVL’s comprehensive suite of moving services, which includes both domestic and international transport, plus add-ons like vehicle transport, packing and storage solutions, and furniture disassembly and assembly, allows you to be as hands off as you’d like in the moving process. Of course, you’ll pay more for a professional moving service like IVL than you will to simply rent a truck with U-Haul, so ultimately the better choice for you boils down to your preferences.
Bottom Line: Why We Love It
IVL’s comprehensive suite of moving services and expansive reach both nationally and internationally make it a standout choice for movers looking for any level of relocation support. We love that the company is both a carrier and a licensed broker, since it enables them to handle or facilitate moves around the corner or across the globe. We also appreciate that customers can pick and choose add-on services to create a customized relocation solution that meets their exact needs. It also doesn’t hurt that IVL offers one month of free storage, and deep discounts for military personnel and certain professionals. Their commitment to sustainable moving practices and eco-friendly packaging is simply the cherry on top.
The cost of an international move depends on a number of factors, including the distance of the move, the volume or weight of your items, the types of services you require (packing, unpacking, storage, for example), and any extras you need, like vehicle shipping or insurance. You can request a free quote to get an idea of what you’ll pay for your move.
Yes, it is recommended that you purchase moving insurance, especially if your move is international. IVL offers basic insurance coverage, often free of charge (but it may not cover full replacement costs), and full value protection insurance, which covers the full replacement cost of items that are lost or damaged.
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