International Van Lines Review: Pricing and Services (2024)

Here’s the bottom line: We are blown away by International Van Lines’ (IVL) commitment to customer service and transparent pricing for international, local, long-distance, and cross-country moves, so much so they are one of our favorite moving companies in the country.

IVL is an international moving company that offers serves 180 countries, while also offering long-distance moves, local moving services, and auto transportation. Most moving companies only offer a portion of the specialty services that International Van Lines offers. Whether it’s a local move from a two-bedroom apartment or a long distance move full of high value items, a moving crew at IVL will be equipped to handle the entire process. It will just likely be at a higher price-point.

Keep reading to learn more about why we consider International Van Lines’ services to be among the best moving companies in the nation.

Pros and cons of moving with International Van Lines

Our Thoughts

• International Van Lines (US DOT: 2293832) is a family- and minority-owned van line based in Florida. The company serves its community by donating some of its earnings to support struggling families, substance abuse treatment programs, and single mothers.
• IVL’s global availability and wide range of services for local, intercontinental, long-distance, and cross-country moves make it one of the best moving companies in the industry.
• This moving company receives overwhelmingly positive customer feedback about their pricing accuracy, and the sweeping majority of customers had their moving date come and go with minimal stress.

Jump to the International Van Lines info you’re looking for:

• International Van Lines: Featured reviews
• International Van Lines pricing: How much it costs to move
• International Van Lines offers a wide variety of services
• How International Van Lines stacks up against the competition
• How moving with International Van Lines works
• Should you use International Van Lines to move?
• FAQ

International Van Lines: Featured Reviews

Generally speaking, moveBuddha Better Move Project participants choose International Van Lines thanks to their helpful customer service representatives, fair pricing, and broad scope of available services.

For example, Suresh heard from a friend who moved with International Van Lines that they were a great company. This glowing review prompted him to hire IVL to move his family 1,050 miles from Ohio to Texas in the spring of 2023. His move went off without a hitch, and he couldn’t have been more satisfied with the stress-free professional service.

Here’s what he had to say:

“My items were delivered perfectly on time and I received communication daily about the transit. I could clearly see their professionalism in packing, unpacking and delivery.” – Suresh

 

Fabiana was incredibly cautious because a mover damaged her household goods during a previous move, but IVL’s communicative customer service and binding estimate during the quote process gave her confidence. After a lot of online research, she ultimately tapped them to move her belongings from a storage unit in Miami to her new home in New York, and her items arrived unscathed.

Here’s what Fabiana had to say in her International Van Lines review:

“My items were delivered safely and I was truly impressed that none of my items were damaged and in great condition. Everything was surprisingly great. It would have been nice to have more clear communication or a person of contact leading up to the move and after.” – Fabiana

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.

These challenges were largely a result of the brokered moving company IVL contracted for the move, with issues like the workers arriving late to load the moving truck, and crated items not being able to be unloaded at her new apartment at the same time as everything else.

“I wish that the move hadn’t been delayed so long — we were a month without anything, living off an air mattress and carry-on suitcase. We didn’t have any overlap anywhere else, so it was a lot of time in an empty apartment waiting for our things.

I wish they had communicated timelines clearly and did not miss deadlines. I wish that I had gone with a different company that didn’t broker out the actual moving — no one was accountable to me.” – Mary K.

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. While every move is different, International Van Lines offers plenty of resources to understand how much each move will cost.

This moving company gives free quotes after prospective customers fill out a short form, or call or email them directly. To get started, customers must provide pickup and drop-off locations, move type, and contact information.

Fabiana’s move cost $4,153 for 3,941 pounds of items — her actual cost was precisely what IVL quoted her at the beginning of the moving process. All her belongings arrived without damage, and nothing was lost in transit.

Fabiana chose International Van Lines because their pricing fell right in the middle of the other quotes she received. She didn’t want to be too cost-conscious and risk damaging items, but she also wanted to make sure she wasn’t overpaying. She also knew she didn’t want a self-service company.

Here’s how Fabiana’s full-service moving quotes compared:

Suresh had a similarly positive experience with the quote process. However, he ended up paying $600 more in moving costs than his original free moving estimate of $3,916 because he added a large suitcase, some boxes, and specialty items to his move that weren’t initially accounted for.

Suresh had a strict budget. He hoped not to spend more than $4,000 for his move, so he requested quotes from three different companies. He was surprised when his original quote didn’t include packing services, but he was ultimately pleased that doing it himself would cut his costs.

He ultimately chose IVL because they offered him the most competitive pricing option.

Here’s how Suresh’s moving quotes compared with other moving companies:

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.

Services provided in IVL’s estimates include:

• Disassembly and reassembly of basic furniture
• Loading and unloading
• Protective equipment (pads, straps, etc.)
• One flight of stairs
• Tolls, mileage, and fuel
• Basic liability coverage

IVL provides binding estimates to most long-distance moving customers. Binding estimates lock in the amount due as long as the scope of the move doesn’t change. The moving company prices local moving a little differently compared to cross-country moves. The shipping carrier charges hourly for those moving within 50 miles of their pickup location. International Van Lines provides a breakdown of what customers can expect to pay hourly for their local move during the quoting process.

If you book with IVL, you’ll need to pay a deposit to secure your moving date. You’ll pay half of the remaining balance on moving day and the other half when the delivery team unloads your items at your new home. The shipping carrier also offers a refund on deposits in case of a cancellation. Customers must provide a written statement of their decision to cancel at least 48 hours before the move to get their refund.

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 offers a wide variety of services

Initially providing international moving services as a company licensed with the Federal Maritime Commission, International Van Lines has vast experience and provides a long list of moving 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: We rated them the best long-distance moving company for customer service. With the capacity to handle a wide range of cross-country moves, the company can ship customers’ household items anywhere nationwide, including Hawaii and Alaska.
• Interstate moving: IVL holds an excellent reputation for providing top-notch service offerings on interstate moves, making them a top pick for best interstate moving companies, as well. They ensure a seamless transition across state lines, covering all corners of the country.
• International moving: Originally working with the Federal Maritime Commission as an international mover, the carrier brings many years of experience to customers looking to move out of the country. In fact, we recommend them as one of the best international moving companies in the game. The moving company provides air and ocean freight transport to more than 180 countries. They can even deliver vehicles.
• Office relocation: International Van Lines also has experience working with businesses and their employees. They create personalized plans and work with business owners to formulate the logistics required for each move.
• Packing and unpacking: IVL provides full and partial packing services (including custom crates for electronics and fine art) for residential and corporate moves. They also sell packing supplies if you want to pack everything yourself, including specialty packing items like a wardrobe box.
• Furniture assembly and disassembly: IVL movers will reassemble modular and basic 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
• Vehicle shipping: The company can ship vehicles with residential or business moves at an additional cost. They can also ship vehicles internationally.
• 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.
• Full-value protection coverage: In addition to its free basic liability coverage, International Van Lines offers a more comprehensive option in the form of its All Risk Insurance plan. This plan provides far greater compensation rates on the declared value of any damaged or broken items, but keep in mind that the extra insurance also comes with additional fees. But if you wanted to purchase insurance either way, this may be convenient option.

International Van Lines offers a unique virtual walk-through option. Customers can use this option to share the details of their move, including stairs, specialty items, and other unique situations, with a sales rep.

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 has consistently stood out for its helpful customer service reps, customizable move options, and competitive pricing.

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.

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 during the rest of the move process can be a bit hit or miss. Compared to a less professional service, their basic moving solutions are hard to beat.

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. Safeway also has a lower grade with the Better Business Bureau.

So, how much does International Van Lines cost in comparison to some of its top competitors? While the exact cost for your move can vary based on size, distance, and other factors, this table can give you a general idea of how they compare.

*Estimated costs are based on moving the contents of a three-bedroom home 1,000 miles.

How moving with International Van Lines works

International Van Lines strives to provide customers with quality customer service throughout the moving process. As a full-service moving company, they ensure that you don’t have to break a sweat!

Customers can book an appointment using the phone number or email on its website. The company also provides a live chat feature for customers to get started with the quoting process.

Representatives are available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The company is closed on Sunday.

Fabianna 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 labor, door-to-door transportation, elevator charges at origin and destination, shuttle charges at origin and destination, and limited liability coverage of $0.60 cents per pound per item.

After scheduling her move and paying the deposit, IVL confirmed her appointment the day before she moved. On the day of her move, Fabiana met her movers at her storage facility in Miami, and she was impressed by how gentle they were with her items — a huge plus given her previous experiences with other moving companies.

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 as the crew approached, they gave her an estimated arrival time.

Suresh exchanged several calls with IVL as his moving day approached because he handled packing on his own and needed to adjust the inventory list he originally provided. On the day of the move, IVL movers arrived on time and loaded all his items in about five hours.

His items met him in Texas in just five days, and he received updates daily during transit. As the team unloaded his belongings, they checked off items on his inventory list, ensuring nothing had been lost or damaged.

Should you use International Van Lines to move?

So, is IVL a good choice for your move? With over two decades of experience in the moving industry, they generally have a solid track record of safely transporting household goods.

You should hire International Van Lines if:

• You’re moving internationally. IVL can facilitate moves to more than 180 countries across the globe — meaning that pretty much no matter where you want to go, they can get you there.

• You’re moving to Hawaii or Alaska. IVL is one of just a few major moving companies that can get you to either Alaska or Hawaii.
• You need more than just basic a moving company. International Van Lines can help with packing, auto transport, and other helpful move-related tasks to streamline the process of getting to your new home. In many instance, the moving company is also equipped to accommodate a very tight schedule.

Don’t hire International Van Lines if:

• You’re concerned about using a broker. As some negative reviews have indicated, IVL’s status as a carrier and broker means that move quality can vary depending on if they broker your move, rather than handle it directly.

• You’re looking for the cheapest option. While IVL’s prices tend to be in line with industry norms, they’re usually not the cheapest option among long-distance moving companies.

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’re not getting totally screwed.