International Van Lines Review 2026: Real Customer Experiences
Here’s the bottom line: International Van Lines (IVL) is one of the best options for people planning an international or long-distance move who want strong customer support, binding estimates, and a wide range of add-on services. It’s especially appealing if you need help with packing, storage, or auto transport.
IVL isn’t the cheapest mover we’ve reviewed, but if you value service, flexibility, and transparent pricing over rock-bottom rates, IVL is one of the strongest full-service moving companies we recommend. Use our moving cost calculator to get accurate quotes from IVL and other reputable moving companies based on your move details.
- 10% discount for veterans and seniors
- Very competitive rates due to their national coverage
- Services local, long-distance, and international moves
- Can service most domestic moves within 48 hours
- 24/7 customer service
International Van Lines stands out for its broad range of moving services and ability to handle complex relocations from start to finish.
- Full-service flexibility: IVL handles international moves to more than 180 countries, while also supporting long-distance, cross-country, and local moves across the U.S.
- All-in-one moving solution: In addition to transportation, IVL offers packing, storage, and car shipping, making it easier to manage everything through a single provider.
- Strong fit for complex moves: This is a particularly good option if your move involves multiple services, long distances, or international logistics.
- Backed by real customer experiences: Through our Better Moves Project, we’ve collected first-hand reviews to give you a clearer picture of what it’s like to move with IVL.
Below, we break down International Van Lines’ pricing, services, and customer experience to help you decide whether it’s the right fit for your move. To see what a move with IVL or its competitors might cost, use our moving cost calculator.
Pros and cons of moving with International Van Lines
- Handles international moves to 180+ countries
- 30 days of free storage services
- Donates a portion of profits to charity
- Discounts for seniors and bundled services
- Provides comprehensive insurance with higher compensation rates
- No online quotes (you’ll have to call, email, or wait for them to contact you for a quote)
- Not always the most affordable moving option
- Subcontracts local moves to other companies that might not be as reliable
Jump to the International Van Lines info you’re looking for:
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 4,500+ moving companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
What customers had to say about International Van Lines
Most of the moveBuddha Better Moves Project participants we interviewed chose International Van Lines for their helpful customer service representatives, fair pricing, and broad scope of available services.
Suresh’s International Van Lines review
When Suresh hired International Van Lines to move his 2-bedroom home cross-country, he was impressed with the quality of the service he received. He was grateful for IVL’s open line of communication, noting that they reached out to him regularly during the moving process to keep him updated.
He also appreciated IVL’s careful consideration for his fragile glassware—the professional movers got all of his belongings to his new home without any damage.
Fabiana’s International Van Lines review
Fabiana said IVL’s communicative customer service and binding estimate during the quote process gave her confidence. IVL moved her belongings from Miami to her new home in New York, and her items arrived unscathed.
Mary’s International Van Lines review
That being said, not all International Van Lines customers have a great experience. When Mary used IVL to move the contents of her one-bedroom apartment from Austin, Texas, to New York City, she experienced a variety of communication issues with IVL and their brokered movers, as well as several delivery delays.
International Van Lines pricing: How much it costs to move
International Van Lines’ cost varies depending on the specific factors of your move, but the company works hard to provide its customers with adequate pricing and payment information.
IVL provides binding estimates, which lock in the amount due as long as the scope of your move doesn’t change. The shipping carrier charges hourly if you’re moving within 50 miles of your pickup location.
How International Van Lines pricing compares to other movers
One of the best ways to evaluate a moving company is to compare real quotes side by side. When Fabiana planned her move from Miami to New York, she requested quotes from several top-rated movers.
International Van Lines came in at $4,153—right in the middle of the pack—offering a balance between price and service. Here’s how her quotes compared:
| Company | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| JK Moving | $7,069 |
| Safeway Moving | $5,991 |
| International Van Lines | $4,153 |
| Colonial Van Lines | $3,102 |
| American Van Lines | $2,500 |
What real customers paid for International Van Lines moves
To give you a clearer sense of what you might pay, we analyzed real move data from our Better Moves Project. These examples show what customers actually paid for long-distance moves with International Van Lines, based on distance and shipment size.
| Better Moves Participant | Approximate Distance | Route | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suresh | 1,050 miles | Columbus, OH, to Plano, TX | $4,500 |
| Mary | 1,750 miles | Austin, TX to New York | $6,400 |
| Fabiana | 1,300 miles | Miami to New York | $4,153 |
Important note: Moving costs vary depending on the details of your move. To get a quote on your move and find out about the best movers in your area, check out our moving cost calculator.
International Van Lines services
International Van Lines has vast experience and provides a long list of moving services. Here’s a quick overview of its standout services:
- Local moving: With locations across the country, International Van Lines offers local moving anywhere in the United States. Services include packing, loading and unloading, disassembly, and storage.
- Long-distance moving: IVL is one of our best long-distance moving companies for customer service. The company can ship customers’ household items anywhere nationwide, including Hawaii and Alaska.
- International moving: IVL is high on our list of the best international moving companies, providing air and ocean freight transport to more than 180 countries. They can even deliver vehicles.
- Office relocation: IVL can create personalized plans and work with business owners to formulate the logistics required for each move.
- Furniture assembly and disassembly: IVL movers will reassemble furniture in your new home, if necessary.
- Short- and long-term storage: International Van Lines has access to storage facilities nationwide and offers 30 days of free storage with their moves.
- Government and military moves: International Van Lines is authorized to work with the U.S. government. The company can handle temporary or PCS military moves.
rating
4.6 / 5
89% of users select this mover
How International Van Lines stacks up against the competition
International Van Lines compares favorably to many of its top competitors, including big names like American Van Lines and Safeway Moving.
International Van Lines consistently stands out for its helpful customer service reps, customizable move options, and competitive pricing.
| Company | Our Rating | BBB Score | State Availability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Van Lines | 4.45/5 | A+ | 50 | Customer service |
| Safeway Moving | 4.85/5 stars | B- | 50 | Overall value |
| Mayzlin Relocation | 4.9/5 stars | A- | 48 (not in AK or HI) | Personalized service |
| American Van Lines | 4.5/5 stars | A | 48 (not in AK or HI) | Moving experience |
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rating
4.6 / 5
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International Van Lines vs. Safeway Moving
Safeway Moving is another of our favorite moving companies. Customer reviews praise their competitive pricing and professionalism, particularly when it comes to obtaining quotes, though communication throughout the rest of the move process can be a bit hit-or-miss.
Safeway Moving shares some of the same pros and cons as IVL. They offer 30 days of free storage on their moves, but you can’t get an instant online quote. However, Safeway Moving also offers price matching and flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees to help you get a good deal for your move.
One big drawback of Safeway Moving is a lack of local moving services and auto shipping. While IVL also services local moves, Safeway does not.
International Van Lines vs. Mayzlin Relocation
Mayzlin is ideal if you’re looking for a tailored yet budget-friendly moving experience and transparent, accurate quotes for a move in the US. Their focus on customer satisfaction and straightforward pricing makes them a great choice if you value consistency and communication throughout the move.
International Van Lines, however, stands out for its versatility, with extensive coverage for everything from local to international moves. Their additional services like auto transport may give you added flexibility for more varied moving needs. Both companies require a 25% deposit, so the choice may come down to the range of services you need and your preferences.
International Van Lines vs. American Van Lines
American Van Lines is a standout moving option for the continental United States, offering exceptional customer service and some of the best pricing in the industry. With free no-obligation quotes and binding estimates, you can have confidence when working with them.
While American Van Lines is an excellent moving option, it’s worth noting that their services are only available in the 48 contiguous United States (while IVL also services Alaska, Hawaii, and international destinations). They also don’t provide auto shipping. American Van Lines also requires a large upfront deposit of up to 50% of your total moving cost.
How moving with International Van Lines works
International Van Lines strives to provide customers with quality customer service throughout the moving process. Here’s a breakdown of how the moving process works.
Getting a Quote
Customers can book an appointment using the phone number or email on IVL’s website. The company also provides a live chat feature for customers to initiate the quoting process.
International Van Lines also gives its customers access to its virtual in-home estimating app. Customers can share the belongings included in their shipment directly with a relocation specialist without an in-person visit.
Booking and moving
If you book with IVL, you’ll need to pay a deposit to secure your moving date. The shipping carrier also offers a refund on deposits if you cancel at least 48 hours before the move.
Fabiana requested quotes from five moving companies before deciding International Van Lines was the best fit for her needs. She liked that they offered a binding quote that included loading and unloading, door-to-door transportation, elevator charges, shuttle charges, and limited liability coverage of $0.60 per pound per item.
After scheduling her move and paying the deposit, IVL confirmed her appointment the day before she moved. While IVL provided a three- to 21-day delivery date window for her items in New York, it took just seven days for her belongings to join her at her new home.
The moving company confirmed delivery a few days ahead of time so Fabiana could be there to receive it, and the crews gave her an estimated arrival time.
FAQ
Is International Van Lines a mover or a broker?
International Van Lines is both a carrier and a fully licensed moving broker. A broker is a moving company that arranges relocation services for its clients, while a carrier provides moving services directly.
According to the Department of Transportation, all brokers must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and use FMCSA-registered movers for all services.
Does International Van Lines charge an extra fee for specialty items?
Yes, International Van Lines charges an extra fee for add-on moving services for specialty items because they require more labor, space, and care than other items.
Specialty items may include exercise equipment, pianos, motorcycles, and large furniture. If you’re looking for movers who are great with antiques, check out our guide on finding the best antique moving companies.
What is International Van Lines’ cancellation policy?
International Van Lines’ cancellation policy will return the full deposit amount (25% of the moving estimate) up to 48 hours before your scheduled moving date. So even if your plans change with short notice, you won’t be penalized.
How we chose the best moving companies
The moveBuddha team has spent nearly 10 years evaluating moving companies using a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies. Our thorough methodology evaluates each moving company's services, cost, customer service, and reputation:
Moving services (35%):
We verify operating authority, insurance, and service scope against FMCSA/SAFER and state databases. We confirm availability via standardized mystery-shopping calls (packing tiers, storage type, specialty handling, delivery windows, valuation), and then review contracts alongside complaint and claims patterns over time.
Customer feedback (28%):
We run structured post-move surveys through our Better Moves Project with verifiable documentation. We emphasize on-time performance, care of goods, and estimates’ accuracy, and we investigate outliers before they influence scores.
Online reviews (7%):
We aggregate ratings across multiple third-party sites to reduce platform bias, analyze overall trends and company response behavior, and discount obvious spam/fake signals such as sudden bursts, duplicate language, and low-history profiles.
State availability (12%):
We confirm USDOT numbers, broker vs. carrier status, and any required state permits, then score a state-by-state service matrix that accounts for coverage gaps, seasonal limits, and lane strength. We award additional credit for documented cross-border or specialty lanes.
Additional services (12%):
We verify whether add-ons are performed in-house or subcontracted, look for crew training/certifications for high-value or oversized items, count only documented offerings (tariffs, photos, written service descriptions) confirmed via mystery shopping, and reward robust pre-move planning (virtual surveys, itemized crating).
Quotes/Payment options (6%):
We test standardized move profiles to assess estimate type (binding, not-to-exceed, non-binding), line-item transparency, and disclosed surcharges, require clear written policies for deposits, refunds, and cancellations, and award points for secure, flexible payment methods and customer portals.
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