International Van Lines is one of the Forbes Home team’s top picks for the best moving companies, scoring 4.6 stars out of a possible 5. This is due in part to its widespread availability, extensive list of services, generous cancellation policy and competitive pricing
To help you better understand whether International Van Lines is right for you, we’ve analyzed the company’s service offerings, customer reviews, quote process and more to create a comprehensive review.
NOTE: While International Van Lines offers services almost anywhere, it only directly handles moves in a limited number of locations. It acts as a broker in the other areas, depending entirely on contracting third parties. Our review focuses on the company’s performance as a carrier. Brokering is a common practice within the industry, so it’s essential to research the broker and the carrier they choose to work with.
*Our researchers requested an estimate for a “two-bedroom” full-service packing and moving from Brooklyn, NY (11202) to Hoboken, NJ (07030) – a total distance of 10 miles.
Pros
- Full-service options available
- Accommodates local, long-distance and international moves
- Extra insurance coverage is available
Cons
- Requires a 25% deposit
- Inconvenient quote process
Table of Contents
- International Van Lines: An Overview
- International Van Lines Services
- International Van Lines Quote Process
- International Van Lines Reviews and Experience
- What We Like About International Van Lines
- What We Didn’t Like About International Van Lines
- Methodology – How We Selected the Best Moving Companies
International Van Lines: An Overview
International Van Lines (IVL) is a full-service moving company headquartered in Coral Springs, Florida. It offers both local and long-distance packing and shipping services (including vehicles), and its extensive service network covers all 50 states (yes, even Alaska and Hawaii) and more than 150 countries.
Because IVL is a full-service moving company, it doesn’t offer van or truck rentals as self-service options. It will pack, move and unload any size residence or office you need.
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International Van Lines Services
Local Moves
Moving across town isn’t an issue with IVL because the company offers local moving and packing services. According to IVL’s website, local moving is priced hourly and can change depending on the number of movers and types of services required. The company may also use subcontractors from its network to facilitate your move.
The website also states that rates will be lower if you pack the items yourself, but won’t change significantly, so it recommends using its packing services.
Long-Distance and International Moves
IVL’s strongest offering is its long-distance and international services. The prices and services may vary if the company uses one of its subcontractor companies for your move. With international services, the company leans on more than 3,000 moving partners, which enables the company to offer air freight and ocean freight services globally.
IVL offers port-to-port, door-to-port, port-to-door and door-to-door international moving services.
- Port-to-port: Customers drop off items at an outbound port and pick them up at the inbound destination.
- Door-to-port: Customers’ items are packed and picked up from homes to be shipped and picked up by customers at the inbound port.
- Port-to-door: Customers drop off items at the outbound port, and a service provider picks them up at the inbound port and delivers them to the customer’s door.
- Door-to-door: This is the complete full-service option. Items are picked up by IVL or its subcontractor, shipped and then delivered to the customer’s door.
The company also offers:
- Packing and storage options
- Corporate office relocation
- Vehicle transport
- GPS tracking
- Additional insurance
International Van Lines Quote Process
Receiving a quote from IVL is frustrating, to say the least. When writing this review, it appears the company has two options for getting a quote. The company’s website promotes a “Get A Free Moving Quote” page and a moving cost calculator.
On the “Get A Moving Quote” page, we entered a scenario to estimate a cross-country move for a 3-bedroom home and vehicles from Tuscon, Arizona, to Chicago. After submitting our initial information through the form, we landed on a page that said someone from the company would contact us via phone soon.
It’s annoying not to receive even a rough estimate of costs immediately, especially if you’re trying to gather pricing information to compare with other moving companies.
However, prospective customers can also get an estimate, not a quote, of a move using the company’s online moving cost calculator. We ran the same Tuscon-to-Chicago move scenario through the calculator and received a rough estimate of $5,250 to $7,688.
International Van Lines Reviews and Experience
International Van Lines has a mixed online reputation. As of Jan. 16, 2025, it holds a 3.02 out of 5 stars on the BBB with an A+ rating, though it isn’t accredited. It’s ranked higher on Trustpilot, with a 4.3 rating. Our Consumer Sentiment Index analyzed nearly 40,000 reviews and gave the company a 3.8, noting its strongest category as Insurance and Liability Coverage.
The reviews range from glowing anecdotes of pain-free moves to others complaining about price differences between initial quotes and actual moving costs. Keep in mind that IVL works with third-party companies (especially for local moves), which may explain the range of customer experiences with the company.
What We Like About International Van Lines
IVL offers many flexible moving and packing options for its customers. The company assigns two account managers to every move so that questions and any issues can be addressed in a timely manner.
The company’s large service area and full-service features are its strongest appeal, especially with its long-distance and international options.
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What We Didn’t Like About International Van Lines
We don’t like that the company requires a 25% deposit to book; however, its cancellation policy is generous, allowing you to cancel up to 48 hours before the moving date. Additionally, the quote process can be cumbersome and left us wanting more immediate answers. Having even a rough estimate of costs would be more helpful than waiting for a call to receive a specific quote.
Moving Companies By State
Methodology – How We Selected the Best Moving Companies
We developed our list of the best moving companies by first identifying competitors that met basic criteria such as licensing, insurance and legal registration. We reviewed the 52 most widely available companies from that list and scored them all based on 78 different attributes. Each company’s rating is determined by evaluating a variety of metrics including years in business, pricing and insurance, move types, services and options, consumer sentiment analysis and customer reviews/support and nationwide availability.
You can find out more about how Forbes Home rates moving companies on our detailed methodology page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I get an International Van Lines moving quote?
You can begin the quote process online but need to speak with a customer service rep for any specific figures. The company has an online moving cost calculator, but its accuracy is unclear.
Can I move a vehicle with International Van Lines?
IVL offers domestic and international transportation for various vehicles. The company offers moving services for boats, motorcycles, cars, trucks and SUVs. Costs vary depending on destination and vehicle type.
