Moving to Europe From Chicago? Here’s What You Need to Know First
Finding the right Europe moving company is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when relocating internationally — and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the options.
Quick answer: Top things to look for in a Europe moving company:
- Accreditations — Look for FIDI or IAM-certified movers with verified USDOT registration
- Services — Confirm they offer door-to-door delivery, packing, customs clearance, and insurance
- Shipping options — Choose between shared container (LTL/groupage) or dedicated container (FTL) based on your volume
- Reviews — Check independent platforms for verified customer feedback
- Transparency — Get itemized quotes with clear transit time windows before committing
Whether you’re leaving Chicago, Melrose Park, or anywhere else in Illinois, moving your household goods across the Atlantic involves a lot of moving parts — literally. There are shipping methods to compare, customs paperwork to prepare, insurance to arrange, and timelines to plan around.
The good news? With the right company and a solid plan, it’s very manageable.
This guide walks you through everything — from choosing a mover to understanding costs, timelines, and documentation — so you can relocate with confidence.
Key terms for Europe moving company:
How to Choose a Reliable Europe Moving Company
Selecting a reliable Europe moving company requires looking beyond a polished website. Because your belongings will cross international borders and oceans, you need an experienced partner who understands the complex logistics of global relocations.
We always recommend starting your search by verifying professional credentials. The gold standard in international moving is the Fédération Internationale des Déménageurs Internationaux (FIDI) accreditation or membership in the International Association of Movers (IAM). These organizations ensure that movers adhere to strict operational, financial, and safety standards. FIDI’s FAIM certification, for instance, is the most rigorous quality program in the industry, requiring regular independent audits of a mover’s processes, staff training, and equipment.
Additionally, any reputable US-based company coordinating international moves must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and hold a valid USDOT number. You can review federal moving guidance through the FMCSA’s Protect Your Move resources before choosing a provider. Checking customer feedback on independent review platforms is equally crucial. Look for consistent praise regarding communication, handling of fragile items, and transparency in pricing. To make the process smoother, we have established ourselves as trusted Affordable International Movers who specialize in handling these exact requirements for Illinois residents.
Understanding Services Offered by a Europe Moving Company
An experienced Europe moving company offers comprehensive, end-to-end solutions to ensure your belongings arrive safely at your new home. Standard offerings generally go far beyond simple transportation. When moving across continents, you cannot rely on standard domestic moving techniques; international transit requires specialized export wrapping and heavy-duty materials.
When planning your move, you can expect a suite of professional services, including:
- Custom Packing and Crating: Professionals use export-grade materials, double-walled boxes, and custom wooden crates for fragile valuables, fine art, and antiques. Every item is wrapped to withstand the vibrations of ocean transport.
- Door-to-Door Delivery: This encompasses loading at your home in Illinois, overland transport to the port, ocean or air freight, customs clearance at the destination port, and delivery directly to your new European address.
- Storage Solutions: Secure short-term and long-term storage facilities are available if your new home isn’t ready when your shipment arrives. These facilities are climate-controlled to protect your goods from humidity and temperature fluctuations.
- Real-Time Tracking: Modern logistics companies provide digital tracking updates so you can monitor your shipment’s journey across the Atlantic, giving you peace of mind throughout the transit.
For a deeper dive into what you should expect during your relocation, check out our International Moving Services Complete Guide.
LTL vs. FTL: Shipping Options with a Europe Moving Company
When shipping your household goods to Europe, you will typically choose between two primary container shipping methods: Less than Truckload/Container (LTL), often referred to as groupage or shared container service, and Full Truckload/Container (FTL), which is a dedicated container. Understanding how your shipment’s volume is calculated (usually in cubic feet or cubic meters) is essential for making the most cost-effective choice.
To help you decide which option fits your relocation timeline and budget, we have compiled a comparison of these shipping methods:
| Feature | LTL (Groupage / Shared Container) | FTL (Dedicated Container) |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Small apartments, partial moves, or single rooms | Large 3+ bedroom houses or vehicles |
| Cost | Highly economical; you only pay for the space you use | Higher flat rate for the entire container |
| Transit Time | Longer (typically 6-9 weeks as you wait for the container to fill) | Faster (typically 3-5 weeks on water from the East Coast) |
| Control | Packed alongside other shipments | Complete control over packing and loading |
Key Steps and Timelines for Your International Relocation
A successful international relocation is built on early preparation and a clear timeline. We recommend starting the process at least 12 to 16 weeks before your target moving date. This generous window allows you to secure visas, organize paperwork, declutter your home, and obtain multiple competitive quotes without feeling rushed.
The process begins with a detailed household inventory. Today, many companies utilize virtual surveys, allowing you to walk through your home with a smartphone to record your belongings. This ensures an accurate volume assessment for your quote, minimizing the risk of unexpected surcharges later. Once you book your move, the packing phase begins, followed by overland transit to the port, ocean shipping, customs inspection, and final delivery. To learn more about how we manage these phases, read about our specialized Relocation to Europe services.
Navigating Customs, Insurance, and Documentation
Crossing international borders means dealing with customs regulations, which vary significantly by country. When moving from the US to Europe, you will generally need to present:
- A valid passport and visa or residence permit for your destination country.
- A highly detailed, itemized inventory list with declared values for every box, written in the destination country’s official language or English. This is often referred to as a packing list and must match your shipment exactly.
- Customs declaration forms for personal effects (which are typically exempt from duties and taxes if you have owned and used them for at least six months prior to your move).
Navigating these requirements can be daunting. For example, many European nations require a formal “Transfer of Residence” (ToR) application to grant tax-free entry of your household goods. Failing to submit this paperwork correctly can result in costly port storage fees and unexpected customs duties.
Because your goods will travel thousands of miles across the ocean, standard basic carrier liability is rarely enough. We highly recommend securing comprehensive “All-Risk” Goods in Transit insurance. This coverage protects your belongings against potential damage or loss during loading, ocean transit, and final unloading. Additionally, keeping digital scans of all your paperwork stored securely in the cloud ensures you can access them instantly at any European port. For a seamless transition, explore our guide on Cross-Border Moving.
Relocation Services from Chicago and Illinois
If you are preparing to move from the Chicago metropolitan area, local expertise is invaluable. As premier Illinois movers based in the region, Bernard Movers is proud to serve families and businesses across Chicago, Melrose Park, Des Plaines, Franklin Park, Park Ridge, Elmhurst, Wood Dale, and surrounding suburbs. We understand the unique logistical challenges of moving from the Midwest, including navigating seasonal weather changes and coordinating transport to major East Coast ports.
For Illinois expats, we recommend following this essential preparation checklist:
- Sort and Downsize: Sort through your belongings in your Chicago or Melrose Park home. Shipping internationally is priced by volume, so donating or selling heavy items can save you thousands of dollars. Ask yourself if it makes sense to ship appliances that run on different voltages (US uses 110V, while Europe uses 220V).
- Secure Local Storage: If you are renting out your Illinois home or leaving family heirlooms behind, coordinate secure local storage.
- Gather Documents: Keep your physical passports, birth certificates, and visa paperwork in your carry-on luggage—never pack these in your shipping container.
- Coordinate Local Suburb Resources: If you need local packing assistance, storage, or specialized services in nearby suburbs, work with a full-service mover who can coordinate all logistics from your doorstep to your final destination.
- Plan for Suburban Logistics: If your move starts in other Chicago suburbs like Park Ridge, Elmhurst, or Wood Dale, ensure your moving company has experience navigating local parking regulations, narrow streets, and suburban association rules.
While we specialize in helping Illinois residents move across the globe, we also handle domestic relocations with the same level of care. If your future plans include moving down south instead of across the ocean, keep in mind our signature promotion: we offer a 20% additional discount on moves to Georgia and Florida booked for delivery by March 15, 2025.
Ready to start planning your international relocation? Contact Bernard Movers today to discuss our rates and secure your booking with one of the most trusted Affordable Moving Companies in Illinois.
