Planning an international move from Chicago requires careful coordination, strategic timing, and attention to countless details. Unlike a domestic relocation, moving overseas involves navigating customs regulations, international moving logistics, and the complexities of establishing a life in a new country. With the right approach and timeline, however, you can transform what seems like an overwhelming process into a manageable, even exciting, transition. Here’s your comprehensive guide to planning an international move from the Windy City.
The golden rule of international moving is simple: start earlier than you think necessary. Ideally, begin planning six months before your intended departure date. This timeline provides breathing room for unexpected delays, allows you to make thoughtful decisions rather than rushed ones, and helps you secure better rates from moving companies.
Your first step should be researching your destination country’s entry requirements, visa processes, and customs regulations. Each country has unique rules about what you can bring, documentation requirements for household goods, and restrictions on certain items. Understanding these regulations early prevents costly mistakes and ensures your belongings can legally enter your new home country.
Selecting the right international moving company is perhaps your most critical decision. Not all movers are created equal, especially when it comes to overseas relocations. Look for companies with specific international experience, membership in organizations like FIDI or IAM (International Association of Movers), and positive reviews from customers who’ve made similar moves.
Schedule in-home assessments with at least three companies. During these consultations, reputable movers will conduct a thorough walk-through of your home, discussing what you plan to take and what you’ll leave behind. They should explain their process clearly, provide detailed written estimates, and answer your questions patiently. Be wary of quotes provided over the phone without seeing your belongings—accurate international moving estimates require visual assessment.
Ask specific questions: How do they handle customs clearance? What’s included in their insurance? Do they have partnerships with companies in your destination country? How do they communicate during the moving process? The answers will reveal whether a company truly specializes in international moves or is simply a domestic mover dabbling in overseas shipments.
International moves are expensive, with costs typically calculated by volume. This reality makes decluttering not just emotionally healthy but financially smart. Start the decluttering process at least four months before your move, working through your home room by room.
Create four categories: take, sell, donate, and discard. Be ruthless in your evaluation. That old college textbook collection? Probably not worth moving across an ocean. Furniture that won’t fit your new country’s electrical outlets or aesthetic? Consider selling it and buying locally at your destination.
Chicago offers excellent options for selling unwanted items. Host a garage sale, list items on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, or consign valuable pieces to local shops. For donations, organizations like The Salvation Army, Goodwill, and local charities will often pick up large items, making the process easier.
Every country maintains restrictions on importable items, and violations can result in fines, confiscation, or serious delays. Common restricted items include plants, certain foods, firearms, medications, and some electronics. Some countries have surprising restrictions—Australia, for instance, has strict regulations about wooden furniture due to biosecurity concerns.
Create a detailed inventory of everything you’re considering moving, then cross-reference it with your destination country’s customs restrictions. When in doubt, consult with your moving company’s customs experts. It’s better to leave something behind than to have your entire shipment held at customs because of one prohibited item.
International moves generate substantial paperwork. You’ll need a detailed inventory of your shipment for customs, proof of residence in your destination country, passport copies, visa documentation, and potentially a “change of residence” declaration. Start a dedicated folder—physical or digital—for all move-related documents.
Your moving company should provide many of the required forms, but you’re responsible for ensuring everything is complete and accurate. Mistakes or omissions in customs paperwork can delay your shipment by weeks, so review everything carefully. Keep copies of all documents separate from the originals, and maintain digital backups accessible from anywhere.
Chicago’s climate and urban layout present unique planning considerations. If you’re moving during winter months, build extra time into your timeline. Snow, ice, and extreme cold can delay shipments and make moving day more challenging. The best moving months from Chicago are typically April through October.
Consider Chicago’s building regulations if you live in a high-rise or condo building. Many buildings require move reservations, elevator reservations, and certificates of insurance from your moving company. Contact your building management at least two months in advance to understand their requirements and reserve your moving date.
Parking presents another Chicago-specific challenge. For moving trucks, you may need to secure parking permits or no-parking zones from the city. Your moving company can often handle this, but don’t assume—confirm who’s responsible for obtaining necessary permits.
Approximately one month before departure, begin the process of disconnecting utilities and services. For international moves, you can’t simply transfer services—you’re truly closing accounts. Schedule disconnection dates for after your moving day to ensure you have power, water, and internet through the packing process.
Set up mail forwarding with USPS, but understand that international mail forwarding is limited. Consider using a mail scanning service or having mail sent to a trusted friend or family member who can forward important documents to you abroad. Notify banks, credit card companies, insurance providers, and other important institutions of your move well in advance.
Your final month becomes operational. Confirm all details with your moving company, including exact dates, delivery addresses, and contact information. Pack essential documents, medications, and valuables to carry with you rather than ship. Create a “first week” box of items you’ll need immediately upon arrival—basic kitchen items, toiletries, a few changes of clothes, and important documents.
Arrange temporary housing if needed, either in Chicago before departure or at your destination upon arrival. International shipments can take weeks or months to arrive, so plan for an interim period without your belongings.
Don’t let logistics overshadow the emotional aspects of your move. Schedule time to say goodbye to favorite places, gather with friends and family, and acknowledge the significance of leaving. Chicago has been your home, and honoring that connection makes the transition to your new country more meaningful.
Planning an international move from Chicago is undoubtedly complex, but with systematic preparation and the right partners, it’s entirely manageable. Start early, stay organized, and don’t hesitate to ask questions of your moving company and others who’ve made international moves. Your preparation now sets the foundation for your success in your new home country. The journey of a thousand miles—or several thousand, in this case—truly does begin with a single step, and that step is a solid plan.
Looking for the best international movers in Chicago? Look no further than Allied International. With over 100 years in the industry and an experienced team of professionals, we’re proud to provide seamless, stress-free international movers from Chicago to anywhere in the world. Want to learn more about our services? Give us a call at 877-685-0355 or get a free quote online to get started!
We carefully and methodically pack and crate your items, ensuring their safe and secure arrival. We take pride in the expert packing, crating, and handling of your possessions.
Our aim is to have your belongings safely and quickly transported to your new location, with a focus on customer service and your utmost satisfaction.
We provide you with a personal moving coordinator. You can check in any time you wish, connecting to the same person who will be very familiar with your particular custom moving plan.
