--- title: Moving Overseas: How International Household Moves Work url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-overseas/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - Moving overseas: how international household moves work # Moving overseas An overseas household move has four parts: packing and loading in Reno, the haul to a port, the ocean leg, and customs clearance and delivery at the other end. O'Brien's arranges international moves through partner carriers, and a call to 775-359-6683 starts the plan. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) Moving across an ocean is different from moving across a state. The belongings travel in a container, several companies take part, and two governments check the paperwork. This guide explains the parts, the regulators and the questions to ask. ## Part one: packing and loading International packing is more careful than local packing, because the load travels a long way and is handled several times. Crating protects furniture, art and electronics, and an inventory lists everything with its condition. The [full packing](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/full-packing/) and [custom crating](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/custom-crating/) pages describe how O'Brien's crews work. The estimator visits the home so the list matches what you are moving. The visit is free, and the 10 free heavy-duty boxes come with it. ## Part two: the haul to a port The container is loaded and sealed, then hauled to a port by road or rail. Reno is inland, so this leg matters. For the details of how a shipment is routed, ask the office rather than relying on general descriptions, since routing varies by shipment. ## Part three: the ocean leg and who regulates it In the United States the Federal Maritime Commission regulates ocean transportation intermediaries, the companies that arrange ocean shipments. Ask any company that quotes an ocean move to explain who is carrying your container and under what rules. Get the answer in writing. Schedules at sea are set by carriers, and the dates in a quote are estimates. Your written estimate is the place to read what the company commits to. - Ask who carries the container at each stage. - Ask what the quote includes and what it leaves out. - Ask how the shipment is protected, and read the coverage terms. - Ask who deals with customs paperwork at the destination. ## Part four: customs and delivery Each country sets its own rules for household goods. The destination government's customs agency is the authority, and its website lists what is allowed, what is restricted and which forms to file. U.S. Customs and Border Protection sets the rules for goods coming into the United States. For neighbors, see [moving to Canada](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-to-canada-from-the-us/) and [moving to Mexico](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-to-mexico-from-the-us/); for the reverse trip, see [moving to Reno from abroad](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-to-reno-from-abroad/). ## Plan the paperwork and the stay Start with your visa and residency, since the rest depends on them. Make a detailed inventory with the [home inventory builder](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/tools/inventory-builder/), and decide what to sell, ship or store. Vault storage in the Sparks warehouse starts from $40 per month, with about 2 to 3 weeks notice to ship. See [international moving](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/international-moving/) for the service overview. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [Federal Maritime Commission](https://www.fmc.gov/) - [U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Travel](https://www.cbp.gov/travel) - [U.S. Department of State, International Travel](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [International moving through partner carriers](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/international-moving/) - [Custom crating for art, glass, antiques and machinery](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/custom-crating/) - [Moving to Canada from the US](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-to-canada-from-the-us/) - [Moving to Mexico from the US](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-to-mexico-from-the-us/) Moving guides ## Read next - [How much to tip movers](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-much-to-tip-movers/) - [How much do movers cost? What drives the price](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-much-do-movers-cost/) - [What goes into a long-distance moving cost (weight, distance, services)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/long-distance-moving-cost/) - [Binding, non-binding and not-to-exceed estimates](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/binding-vs-non-binding-estimates/) - [Released value vs full value protection](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/valuation-released-vs-full-value/) - [Your rights and responsibilities when you move (FMCSA)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/your-rights-and-responsibilities/) - [The bill of lading, explained](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/bill-of-lading-explained/) - [How to check a mover's USDOT and MC number](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-check-a-movers-usdot-number/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Who regulates ocean shipping of household goods? In the U.S. the Federal Maritime Commission regulates ocean transportation intermediaries. ### Can O'Brien's arrange an overseas move? Yes, through partner carriers. Call 775-359-6683. ### What should I ask for in writing? Ask for what the quote includes, who carries the goods, how they are protected, and who handles customs. ### What should I do first? Settle your visa or residency, then build an itemized inventory. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) E Edward G. September 14, 2025 James and the crew were terrific. N Nicole B. June 25, 2025 The crew worked extremely hard and treated our belongings with care. Customer service was outstanding leading up to, during, and after move. Thank you! C Charles C. May 31, 2025 Great company, I'd highly recommend for any move!!! ### Owner's reply Charles, It was a pleasure working with you on your moves. We hope your trip is amazing and if you ever come back our way, we will be happy to help. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to complete this review on our behalf. ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070