If you are planning on moving to another country and have never hired international movers before there are a number of questions that you should ask to make sure that you have selected the right international movers for your needs. These questions have to do with geography, mode of transport and experience in the industry and in the country that you are moving to.

Geographically, international movers charge you by the mile, the weight and the degree of difficulty that is involved in traversing the geographical terrain between your current home and your new one. For instance, if you are moving from Atlanta to Nova Scotia you will need international movers to relocate you but they have a choice of sea, air, or land routes that pose different degrees of difficulty. Always ask what the prices are for each option so that you can compare and select the best one for you.

International movers also charge more or less based on the mode of transport. Trucks, trains, cargo ships and planes are all vehicles that can carry your belongings to another country. International movers usually have a preferred mode of transport and many advertise it on their website. Trucking companies are a good example.

Other international movers will have a variety of choices available and you should price each one of them before you make your final decision. The most obvious choice may not always be the most affordable. Air, sea and land rates fluctuate based on season and the prices of fuel so don't assume that you know what mode of transport is best before you do your homework.

The miles traveled by international movers are another factor in the price quote you will be given when you first begin your arrangements. Remember that miles are not calculated in a straight line, or as the crow flies. Each leg of the journey that your international movers take is measured and charged for. If you are moving your belongings overseas by ship you will be charged for the transport to the seaport, the trip itself, and then the transport to your new location.

It is very important to know what route will be taken and make sure that it is the shortest and most direct available. Ports of exit and entry should be close to pick-up and drop-off locations and shipping routes should be non-stop. Confirming these details will save you time and money during the actual move.

Experience is something that cannot be substituted for. Anyone can familiarize themselves with regulations and entry requirements for a country and calculate the tax rate, but actually going through the process is something else entirely. Customs officials and border patrols have a certain way of doing things and if the international movers you hire are not familiar with them your shipment could get detained or even seized upon entry into your new country. Make sure that you only hire international movers with experience in the country you are moving to.

You never get a second chance to make a first impression and you wouldn't want yours to be having to retrieve your seized belongings from Customs.