An international move is the most complex relocation any family can undertake. Beyond the normal challenges of packing, loading, and transporting your belongings, an international move adds customs documentation, export and import regulations, ocean freight or air freight logistics, container loading standards, fumigation and wood treatment requirements for certain countries, insurance that covers ocean transit, and coordination with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and destination agents across time zones and languages. A single missing document can hold your entire shipment at a port for weeks. An improperly packed container can result in water damage, crushing, or rejection by customs at the destination country.
Frank & Sons Moving and Storage provides international moving services from Southwest Florida through a partnership model that gives you the best of both worlds: our 40+ years of professional packing, wrapping, crating, and origin logistics expertise combined with the global network of trusted international freight and logistics partners who specialize in ocean transport, air freight, customs clearance, and destination delivery. We handle everything at the Southwest Florida end: professional packing to international shipping standards, custom crating for fragile and high-value items, detailed inventory documentation, loading, and transport to the port or freight consolidation facility. Our international logistics partners handle the ocean or air transport, customs clearance, and final delivery at the destination country. Together, we provide a seamless door-to-door international moving experience.
40+Years of origin services
IM-24FL Mover Registration
CustomCrating and export packing
GlobalPartner network
International Packing Standards Are Not Optional.
Ocean containers endure weeks of salt air, humidity, temperature swings, and the vibration of ocean transit. Your belongings must be packed, wrapped, and crated to survive conditions that no domestic move encounters. Frank & Sons packs to international shipping standards so your belongings arrive at the destination country in the same condition they left your Southwest Florida home. Call
(239) 574-4151 for a free international moving consultation.
International Moving Services We Provide
Origin Services (Handled by Frank & Sons)
Export-grade professional packing - international shipments require packing that exceeds domestic standards. Dishes and glassware are packed in reinforced cartons with additional cushioning. Furniture is wrapped in quilted blankets, stretch wrap, and corrugated cardboard layers. Electronics are packed with anti-static materials and moisture barriers. Every item is packed to survive weeks of ocean transit in a metal container exposed to salt air, humidity, and temperature changes
Custom crating - artwork, antiques, marble tabletops, glass pieces, chandeliers, and any item that cannot survive standard box packing is custom-crated in wood crates built to the exact dimensions of the item. Crates are lined with foam and protective material, and the item is secured inside to prevent any movement during transit. Some destination countries require heat-treated wood (ISPM 15 compliant), and our crates meet these requirements
Detailed inventory documentation - international customs requires a complete, itemized inventory of every item in the shipment. We create a detailed packing list with descriptions, quantities, and declared values for every box, crate, and piece of furniture. This documentation is essential for customs clearance at the destination country
Container loading - your belongings are transported from your Southwest Florida home to the port or freight consolidation facility and loaded into a shipping container (20-foot or 40-foot depending on volume). Loading is strategic: heavy items on the floor, fragile items cushioned and braced, and the entire container secured with load bars, straps, and blocking to prevent any movement during the ocean crossing
Coordination with international logistics partners - we work directly with licensed international freight forwarders and customs brokers to ensure a seamless handoff from our origin services to the international transport and destination delivery
International Transport and Destination (Handled by Our Partners)
Ocean freight - full container load (FCL) for larger shipments or less-than-container load (LCL) for smaller shipments. Ocean transit times vary by destination: 2-3 weeks to Europe, 3-4 weeks to South America, 4-6 weeks to Asia, 5-7 weeks to Australia and New Zealand
Air freight - for smaller shipments or time-sensitive items that cannot wait for ocean transit. Air freight is significantly more expensive than ocean freight but delivers in days rather than weeks
Customs clearance - our logistics partners handle all customs documentation, import duties, and clearance procedures at the destination country. Requirements vary significantly by country and by the type of items being imported
Destination delivery and unpacking - at the destination country, local agents receive the container, transport your belongings to your new home, unpack, place furniture, and remove packing materials. Door-to-door service from your Southwest Florida home to your new home abroad
Common International Destinations from Southwest Florida
Caribbean and Central America - the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Panama, Belize, and Mexico. The closest international destinations with the shortest transit times. Popular with retirees and expats seeking lower cost of living or island lifestyle
South America - Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. Growing expat destinations with specific import regulations that vary by country. Some countries restrict certain electronics or require pre-approval for household goods imports
Europe - United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, and Scandinavia. Corporate relocations, returning expats, and retirees choosing European lifestyle. EU customs regulations and documentation requirements apply
Middle East and Asia - UAE, Israel, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, India, and the Philippines. Corporate transfers and returning nationals. Some countries have strict import restrictions on alcohol, certain electronics, and personal items that must be addressed before shipping
Australia and New Zealand - the longest transit time from Southwest Florida at 5-7 weeks by ocean. Both countries have strict biosecurity regulations that require fumigation of wood items and declaration of any organic materials. Our packing and crating meet these requirements
Canada - the most common international destination from the US. Shorter transit times, simpler customs than most countries, but still requires proper documentation, inventory lists, and compliance with Canadian Border Services Agency requirements
What You Need to Know Before an International Move
Start planning at least 8-12 weeks before your move date - international moves require more lead time than domestic moves. Container booking, customs documentation, and logistics coordination all take time. The earlier you start, the more flexibility you have on dates and rates
Research your destination country's import regulations - every country has different rules about what can and cannot be imported as household goods. Some countries prohibit certain electronics, medications, or food items. Some require used items to be declared separately from new items. Our international partners provide country-specific guidance
Downsize before you ship - international shipping is priced by volume (cubic feet or cubic meters). Every item you do not ship saves money on freight. The cost of shipping a piece of furniture internationally may exceed the cost of buying a replacement at the destination. Evaluate carefully what is worth shipping versus selling and replacing
Gather essential documents in advance - passport copies, visa documentation, work permits, customs power of attorney forms, detailed inventory lists with declared values, and any country-specific documentation your destination requires. Missing paperwork delays your shipment at customs, sometimes for weeks
Understand insurance options for ocean transit - ocean transit carries risks that domestic transport does not: severe weather, container damage, water intrusion, and extended exposure to humidity and temperature swings. Marine insurance provides coverage against these risks and is strongly recommended for international shipments
Why Frank & Sons for Your International Move Origin
Export-grade packing expertise - four decades of professional packing experience applied to international shipping standards. We know the difference between packing for a 30-minute local move and packing for a 6-week ocean crossing, and we pack accordingly
Custom crating capabilities - we build custom wood crates on-site for artwork, antiques, marble, glass, and any item that requires rigid protection for international transport. ISPM 15 compliant heat-treated wood when required by the destination country
Detailed inventory documentation - our itemized packing lists meet customs documentation requirements for international shipments. Accurate descriptions, quantities, and declared values for every item
Trusted international logistics partners - we work with licensed international freight forwarders and customs brokers who specialize in household goods shipments. These are established, experienced companies, not a random shipper we found online
Single point of contact in Southwest Florida - you work with Frank & Sons from start to finish on the origin side. We coordinate with the international partners so you do not have to manage multiple companies, multiple contacts, and multiple timelines yourself
Moving Abroad? Start with a Company You Can Trust at Home.
Frank & Sons Moving and Storage provides professional origin services for international moves from Southwest Florida. Export-grade packing, custom crating, inventory documentation, and coordination with global logistics partners. FL Mover IM-24. Call
(239) 574-4151 for a free international moving consultation.
Frank & Sons Moving and Storage has been providing professional moving services from Southwest Florida since 1982, and our international moving services extend that expertise to relocations around the world. Whether you are moving from Naples to London, Fort Myers to Costa Rica, Cape Coral to the Bahamas, or Bonita Springs to Sydney, we provide the export-grade packing, custom crating, detailed documentation, and logistics coordination that international moves demand. Licensed. Insured. FL Mover IM-24. USDOT 1122554. Family-owned since 1982. And your trusted Southwest Florida origin for international relocations worldwide.
Ready to plan your international move? Call (239) 574-4151 or fill out our contact form for a free international moving consultation.
