International Moving in St. Louis

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St. Louis International Movers You Can Trust

Planning a move overseas is one of the biggest transitions you’ll ever make, and it comes with a mix of excitement and stress that no other type of move quite matches. Between visas, customs paperwork, shipping timelines, and figuring out what can and can’t cross a border, an international relocation has more moving parts than a typical household move.

That’s exactly why so many families and businesses across the region turn to McGuire Moving & Storage. As experienced St. Louis international movers, we’ve spent over 80 years helping clients navigate the logistics, documentation, and cross-border coordination that come with relocating to another country, whether it’s for a new job, retirement abroad, a family relocation, or a military or corporate transfer overseas.

• Family-owned operated
• 80+ years in the moving industry
• Accredited Bekins Van Lines agent
• Certified ProMover
• Bekins Silver-Certified in senior moves
• A+ Better Business Bureau rating
• Extensive international moving options
• Short & long-term storage services
• Affordable pricing
• Great customer service

As one of the most established international movers St. Louis has to offer, we combine local, personal service with a global logistics network, so you get expert guidance from the first phone call all the way through delivery at your new front door, wherever in the world that may be.

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Why McGuire is the International Moving Company St. Louis Families Recommend

McGuire Moving & Storage has been family-owned and operated in St. Louis for more than 80 years, and that longevity matters more than most people realize when it comes to international relocation. Overseas moves require relationships (with customs brokers, freight carriers, destination agents, and shipping lines) that take years to build. We’ve spent decades cultivating exactly those relationships, which is part of why we’ve become one of the most trusted St. Louis international moving companies for households and businesses relocating abroad.

Our international capabilities are backed by our status as an accredited agent of Bekins Van Lines, giving us access to a worldwide network of moving and logistics partners. That means we can coordinate packing, crating, pickup, ocean or air freight, customs clearance, and final delivery in destinations around the globe, all while you have a single, local point of contact here in St. Louis managing the process on your behalf.

We’re also proud to hold Bekins Silver Certified status for senior moving, reflecting the consistency and quality of service we deliver for seniors headed abroad. Combined with our Certified ProMover designation through the American Trucking Association and our A+ Better Business Bureau rating, these credentials confirm what our decades of customer relationships already show: McGuire is a mover you can trust with something as significant as an international relocation.

Why McGuire is the Right Choice Among International Moving Companies St. Louis Has to Offer

Choosing the right moving partner for an overseas relocation can make or break the entire experience. Here’s what sets McGuire apart from other international moving companies St. Louis residents and businesses have to choose from:

Decades of International Moving Experience

Since 1935, McGuire has handled moves of every size and complexity, and international relocations are one of our specialties. We’ve built our processes around the realities of cross-border moving: customs regulations, documentation requirements, and shipping timelines.

A Track Record of Recognition

Our commitment to service excellence has earned us recognition that few local movers can match, including multiple Angie’s List Super Service Star Awards, multiple ACES Agent (Agents Committed to Excellent Service) honors from Bekins Van Lines, a St. Louis Magazine A-List People’s Choice Award, and a Bekins Spire Quality Award. You can view our full list of awards and affiliations to see the credentials backing every move we complete.

A Global Network With a Local Feel

As a Bekins Van Lines agent, we’re plugged into an international network of moving professionals, customs specialists, and freight partners. That global reach means we can move your belongings almost anywhere in the world, but you still get the responsiveness and personal attention of a family-owned, St. Louis-based company that answers the phone when you call.

Comprehensive International Services

International moving involves more than loading a truck. Our services include custom packing and crating for fragile or high-value items, secure pickup and transportation, ocean and air freight coordination, customs documentation and clearance support, vehicle shipping, and delivery to your new home overseas. We also coordinate with our residential and commercial moving teams when an international relocation is part of a larger move, and we offer both short-term and long-term storage for belongings that need to stay behind temporarily.

Knowledgeable, Responsive Staff

International moves generate a lot of questions about paperwork, timelines, restricted items, and logistics you’ve probably never had to think about before. Our team is trained to walk you through each of those questions with patience and expertise, from your first estimate request through the moment your shipment arrives at its destination.

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International Moving Challenges Specific to St. Louis

Every international move from St. Louis is shaped by local realities: our airport, our port access, our housing stock, and even our weather. Understanding these factors is part of what separates experienced St. Louis international movers from moving companies that only handle domestic relocations.

Working Around a Landlocked Departure Point

Unlike coastal cities, St. Louis isn’t home to an ocean port, so every international shipment has to be trucked to a departure port or air cargo hub first. Common routing options include trucking freight to the Port of Houston or the Port of New Orleans, or coordinating air freight through Lambert-St. Louis International Airport for smaller, time-sensitive shipments. That extra domestic leg adds time and cost, which makes accurate timeline planning essential.

Documentation Delays Tied to Local Consulates

St. Louis doesn’t have consulates for every country, so residents relocating internationally sometimes need to travel to Chicago, Washington D.C., or another regional consulate to process visas, work permits, or notarized shipping documents. We regularly advise clients to build extra time into their moving timeline specifically to account for this, which is a detail movers unfamiliar with our region often overlook.

Historic St. Louis Homes and Fragile Belongings

Many St. Louis neighborhoods are known for older housing stock: brick two-flats, century-old single-family homes, and narrow stairwells or doorways that surround antique furnishings requiring careful handling. When those pieces are headed overseas rather than across town, the stakes for proper crating are even higher, since damage during international transit is far harder to repair than damage from a local move. Our custom crating services are built for situations like these.

Seasonal Weather and Shipping Windows

St. Louis summers bring heat and humidity that can affect wood furniture and electronics left in transit too long, while winter ice and snow can delay the trucking leg of a shipment before it ever reaches a port or airport. Building a buffer into your timeline, especially for December-through-February moves, helps prevent weather delays from cascading into missed international shipping windows.

A Strong Military and Corporate Relocation Population

With Scott Air Force Base nearby in Illinois and several St. Louis-headquartered companies with global operations, our region sends a steady stream of military families and corporate transferees overseas each year. That’s given McGuire deep, practical experience with the documentation, deadlines, and entitlement processes tied to military and corporate-sponsored international moves.

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Practical Moving Tips for St. Louis Residents Relocating Internationally

Based on over 80 years of experience in helping St. Louis families and businesses move abroad, here are some of the most common problem areas we help clients avoid:

Start Earlier Than You Think You Need To

International moves involve customs paperwork, visa processing, and freight scheduling that domestic moves simply don’t require. Booking your move 8 to 12 weeks in advance gives you enough runway to handle documentation delays, especially if your destination country requires travel to a consulate outside St. Louis.

Research Your Destination Country’s Restricted Items List

Every country has its own rules about what can and can’t be imported, covering everything from certain foods and plants to electronics, firearms, and even some furniture materials. Checking this list before you start packing prevents costly surprises at customs and avoids paying to ship items that will simply be seized or returned.

Separate Immediate Needs From What Can Travel by Sea

Ocean freight is more affordable than air freight but takes considerably longer, often six to twelve weeks depending on destination. Pack a smaller air-freight or luggage shipment with essentials for your first few weeks, and let the bulk of your household goods travel by sea to save on cost.

Get a Detailed, Written Inventory Before You Ship

Customs officials in most countries require a complete inventory of shipped goods, and a thorough list also protects you if you need to file an insurance claim. Professional movers like McGuire prepare this documentation as part of the packing process so nothing gets left off.

Understand Duty & Tax Obligations Before You Arrive

Many countries charge import duties on used household goods unless you qualify for an exemption tied to residency or work visa status. Researching this ahead of time (or asking your moving coordinator for guidance) helps you budget accurately and avoid unexpected fees on arrival.

Protect Valuables With Proper Insurance

Standard moving valuation often doesn’t cover the full value of high-value items during an international shipment. Ask about full-value protection or supplemental insurance for antiques, artwork, electronics, and other valuables before your shipment departs.

Keep Critical Documents With You

Passports, visas, birth and marriage certificates, medical records, and financial documents should travel with you personally rather than in your household shipment, which can take weeks to arrive and occasionally faces customs holds.

Start Your International Move With McGuire

An international relocation deserves a moving partner who understands both the logistics of crossing borders and the realities of moving out of St. Louis. With more than 80 years of family-owned experience and a global network through Bekins Van Lines, McGuire Moving & Storage is ready to help make your move as smooth as possible.

Ready to get started? Request your free moving quote or call us at (314) 241-0600 to speak with one of our knowledgeable moving agents. We’ll walk through your timeline, destination, and specific needs, then build a customized moving plan for your international relocation. You can also learn more about our Bekins Van Lines agency and browse our full range of moving services to see how we support every stage of your move.

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International Moving FAQs

What should I consider when choosing an international moving company?

Choosing the right international mover starts with experience: look for a company with a proven track record handling overseas relocations, since the customs, documentation, and freight logistics involved are far more complex than a standard local or long-distance move. Verify their licensing, insurance options, and industry affiliations, such as ProMover certification through the American Trucking Association or agency status with an established van line network. Read customer reviews specifically related to international moves when possible, and ask detailed questions about how they handle customs clearance, shipping timelines, and communication throughout the process before making your final decision.

How are shipping costs calculated for international moves?

International shipping costs are calculated using several factors working together, including the total volume or weight of your goods, the distance between your origin and destination, and whether you choose ocean freight or air freight. Ocean freight is typically more economical for larger shipments but takes longer to arrive, while air freight costs more but delivers much faster. Additional factors like destination-country import duties, customs brokerage fees, and the complexity of your specific route can also affect your final quote, which is why a detailed in-home or virtual estimate is the most accurate way to understand your total cost.

How do I pack for an international move?

Packing for an international move requires more planning and structure than a typical relocation, so it helps to start the process well in advance and work through your home in manageable sections rather than all at once. Use sturdy, high-quality boxes and generous cushioning to protect items during a longer transit period that may include multiple handling points. It’s also essential to check your destination country’s customs regulations before you pack, since prohibited items vary widely and packing something that isn’t allowed can delay your entire shipment at the border. McGuire’s professional packing services help ensure everything is packed to survive international transit and documented properly for customs.

What documents do I need for international moving?

The specific documents required vary by destination country, but most international moves require a valid passport, visa or work permit, and detailed customs forms describing everything in your shipment. You’ll typically also need a complete inventory list of items being shipped, proof of residency or employment at your destination, and any additional permits required for specialized items like vehicles or firearms.

Since requirements differ so much from country to country, it’s worth confirming the exact list with your destination country’s consulate or embassy well before your move date, and keeping copies of every document both digitally and in physical form.

Do I need insurance for international moving?

Yes, insurance is strongly recommended for any international move, since your belongings will typically travel farther, spend more time in transit, and pass through more handling points than they would during a domestic relocation. Most international moving companies, including McGuire, offer valuation coverage options, but it’s important to understand exactly what’s included and whether it covers the full replacement value of your belongings.

Ask about supplemental insurance for high-value items like electronics, artwork, or antiques, and review the claims process and coverage limits carefully before your shipment departs so you know exactly what’s protected.

What international moving services does McGuire Moving & Storage offer in St. Louis?

McGuire provides comprehensive, end-to-end international moving services designed to handle every stage of your relocation. That includes professional packing and custom crating, secure pickup and domestic trucking to your departure port or airport, coordination of ocean or air freight, customs documentation and clearance support, and final delivery to your new home overseas.

We also offer unpacking and setup assistance at your destination when available, along with short-term and long-term storage solutions if your timeline requires your belongings to be held before or after shipment. Our goal is to manage the complexity so you don’t have to coordinate multiple vendors yourself.

How does McGuire Moving & Storage handle customs and import regulations?

Our team has extensive experience navigating the customs and import requirements tied to international relocations, and we handle the documentation process as part of our standard service. This includes preparing detailed inventories, completing required customs forms, and helping ensure your shipment complies with the specific import regulations of your destination country before it ever leaves St. Louis.

Since customs requirements can change and vary significantly by country, we stay current on the documentation standards for the destinations we ship to most often, and we communicate clearly with clients about what’s needed and when it needs to be submitted.

Can McGuire Moving & Storage transport vehicles internationally?

Yes, McGuire offers international vehicle transport as part of our overseas moving services, whether you’re shipping a car, motorcycle, or another type of personal vehicle. International vehicle shipping involves its own set of regulations, including emissions standards, registration requirements, and import duties that vary by destination country. Our team will help coordinate the documentation and logistics required to ship your vehicle safely and in compliance with those rules. We recommend discussing vehicle shipping early in your planning process, since it’s often handled on a separate timeline from household goods.

How far in advance should I book my international move?

We recommend booking your international move at least 8 to 12 weeks in advance whenever possible, since overseas relocations involve considerably more coordination than local or even long-distance domestic moves. That lead time allows enough room for visa or work permit processing, customs documentation preparation, and scheduling ocean or air freight, all of which can take longer than expected if any step hits a delay.

St. Louis residents in particular should account for potential trips to a regional consulate for certain paperwork, since our area doesn’t host every country’s consular office locally, which can add extra time to the overall process.

What items are restricted or prohibited in international moves?

Restricted and prohibited items vary significantly from country to country, but common categories include firearms and ammunition, hazardous materials and chemicals, certain foods and agricultural products, and some electronics or vehicles that don’t meet destination-country standards.

Some countries also restrict specific furniture materials, like certain woods, or require special permits for antiques and cultural artifacts. Our team will review your destination’s specific restrictions with you during the planning process and helps ensure your shipment complies with every applicable regulation, which helps you avoid delays, fines, or having items seized at customs.

Does McGuire Moving & Storage offer storage during an international move?

Yes, international moves don’t always align perfectly with housing timelines at your destination, so McGuire offers both short-term and long-term storage solutions to bridge that gap. If your new home overseas isn’t ready when your household goods arrive in the country, or if you need to store belongings in St. Louis before your departure, our secure storage facilities can hold your items until you’re ready. This flexibility is especially valuable for corporate relocations, military moves, and situations where visa or housing approval timelines are uncertain.

What is the difference between ocean freight and air freight for international moves?

Ocean freight and air freight differ primarily in cost, speed, and volume capacity. Ocean freight is typically the more affordable option for shipping the bulk of your household goods, but transit times can range from several weeks to a couple of months depending on your destination and any port congestion along the way.

Air freight costs considerably more but delivers in a fraction of the time, making it a good option for essential items you need shortly after arrival. Many clients choose a hybrid approach, shipping a small air-freight package with immediate necessities while the majority of their belongings travel by sea.