Moving to another country is one of the biggest projects a household can take on. Your belongings may travel by sea or air for weeks, pass through ports and customs, be handled many times and arrive in a climate very different from Quebec’s. Every box needs to be packed to survive that journey, every item listed for customs and every date coordinated with visas, leases, flights and schools.

Déménagement NST Moving & Storage helps Montreal families, students and professionals prepare international moves. We handle the Montreal side of the move: planning, sorting, export-grade packing, custom crating, inventory lists, loading and storage for anything you are not taking. We coordinate with the international freight forwarder or shipping company you choose, so your shipment is ready on time and properly documented. When you come back, we can handle the return too.

Quick answer: NST prepares international moves from Montreal with export-grade packing, custom crates, inventory lists for customs, loading and storage, coordinated with your international freight forwarder. Call (514) 458-7786.

What we handle in an international move

How NST prepares an international move – NST Montreal movers

Planning: a timeline built around your departure date, shipping schedule and lease.
Sorting: deciding what ships, what goes into storage, what is sold and what is donated.
Export packing: stronger boxes, extra padding and moisture protection for long transit.
Custom crating: wooden crates for art, antiques, glass and fragile valuables. See custom crating.
Inventory: a detailed packing list, which most countries require for customs clearance.
Loading: loading your shipping container or delivering your shipment to the forwarder’s warehouse.
Storage: secure long-term storage for belongings staying in Montreal.
Coordination: working with your freight forwarder on dates, documents and requirements.

Sea freight, air freight and what to ship

Most household moves overseas travel by sea freight, either in a full container for a large home or in a shared container for smaller shipments. Sea freight is the most economical option for furniture and large volumes, but transit can take several weeks. Air freight is much faster and suits a small shipment of essentials, clothing, documents and work items, but it is far more expensive per kilogram.

Many families combine both: a small air shipment with what they need for the first weeks, and a larger sea shipment with furniture and the rest of the household. Before deciding, compare the cost of shipping furniture with the cost of buying new furniture at your destination. For short assignments, storing furniture in Montreal and shipping only essentials is often the best choice.

Export-grade packing

International shipments face more handling, longer storage in ports and warehouses, and changing temperatures and humidity. Our export packing uses double-walled boxes, extra paper and bubble wrap, mattress bags and plastic wrap over furniture blankets to protect against moisture. Boxes are packed tightly so contents cannot shift, sealed securely and labelled with numbers that match your inventory list. Fragile items are packed individually, and valuable pieces travel in custom crates built to fit.

The inventory list and customs

Customs authorities in most countries require a detailed inventory of household goods. Your list usually needs box numbers, contents and sometimes values. Some countries restrict or prohibit certain items, such as food, plants, alcohol, firearms, medications and items made from certain woods or animal products. Rules differ by country, so always check the destination’s requirements with your freight forwarder or the country’s consulate. We prepare the inventory as we pack, using the format your forwarder needs.

Working with your freight forwarder

International transport is handled by licensed freight forwarders and international moving partners who book ocean or air space, prepare shipping documents and manage customs at destination. We work alongside the company you choose. Before moving day, we confirm the shipping method, container size or volume limit, pickup or drop-off date, documentation and any packing requirements. On the day, we pack and load according to their instructions, so the handover is smooth.

Storage for what stays behind

Many people moving abroad keep some belongings in Montreal: furniture for a future return, family heirlooms, seasonal items or documents. Our long-term storage keeps these items safe, wrapped and inventoried. Sensitive items can go into climate-controlled storage. When you return, we deliver everything to your new home, and with our unpacking service, we set it up for you.

International moving timeline

Three to six months before: research visa and residency rules, decide what to ship and get quotes from freight forwarders.

Two to three months before: book your forwarder and NST, plan storage, sell or donate items you will not take and check customs rules.

Four to six weeks before: finalise the inventory, arrange documents, notify Canadian government services, banks and insurers, and plan pet travel with an approved carrier.

Two weeks before: pack non-essentials, set aside your air shipment and suitcases, and confirm loading dates.

Moving week: export packing, crating, inventory checks, loading and storage of items staying in Montreal.

Documents to keep with you

Never ship these: passports, visas, birth and marriage certificates, school and medical records, employment contracts, property documents, bank cards, prescriptions and medication, jewellery, laptops and hard drives with important data. Keep digital copies of key documents in secure cloud storage as well.

Moving abroad with children and pets

Children adapt faster when they know what to expect. Involve them in choosing what to bring, keep favourite toys and books in your suitcase and plan the first days at destination carefully. Pets need special planning: most countries require vaccinations, health certificates and approved airline carriers, and some require quarantine. Pets travel with specialist pet transport services or airlines, never with household goods. Start planning pet travel early.

Returning to Montreal

When you move back, we can receive your shipment from the forwarder, deliver it with your stored belongings to your new home and set everything up. Many returning expats find it easiest to deliver stored furniture first, then add the returning shipment when it arrives. See long-distance moving if you are moving elsewhere in Canada.

Moving to the United States

Moves to the United States are common from Montreal, especially to New York, Boston, Vermont and Florida. US customs has specific rules for household goods, and documentation is required even for personal belongings. Your freight forwarder or US-licensed moving partner will advise on paperwork, and we prepare and pack your shipment to their requirements.

Corporate international relocations

Companies sending employees abroad often cover relocation costs. We work with HR teams and relocation companies to pack, store and prepare shipments for transferees, and we provide inventories and documentation for expense reporting. See corporate relocation.

Why customers choose NST for international moves

One coordinator managing the Montreal side of your move.
Export-grade packing and custom crating.
Inventory lists prepared for customs.
Coordination with your chosen freight forwarder.
Secure long-term storage for items staying behind.
Licensed and insured movers with trained crews.

Sorting your belongings before an international move

International shipping is priced by volume or weight, so every item you ship costs more than it would on a local move. Before packing, go through each room and sort items into four groups: ship, store, sell and donate. Large, inexpensive furniture is often cheaper to replace at your destination. Electrical appliances may not work with different voltages or plugs abroad. Sentimental items, quality furniture, artwork, books and personal belongings are usually worth shipping or storing. Starting early gives you time to sell items online and arrange donations, and our crew can remove the rest through our junk removal service.

Climate and long sea journeys

Containers crossing the ocean can experience heat, cold and humidity, and condensation can form inside during long voyages. Moisture is the main enemy of household goods in transit. Export packing with plastic wrap over blankets, sealed boxes and moisture protection for wood furniture, electronics and documents helps your belongings arrive in good condition.

International moving FAQs

Do you ship belongings overseas?

We handle the Montreal side of the move, including packing, crating, inventory, loading and storage, and coordinate with your international freight forwarder for transport and customs.

Should I ship my furniture abroad?

It depends on the length of your stay and shipping costs. For short assignments, storing furniture in Montreal is often more economical.

Do I need an inventory for customs?

Most countries require a detailed inventory of household goods. We prepare it as we pack.

What items cannot be shipped internationally?

Rules vary by country. Food, plants, alcohol, firearms, medications and some materials are often restricted. Check with your forwarder or the destination consulate.

Can you store my things while I live abroad?

Yes. Our long-term storage keeps belongings safe until you return.

How should fragile items be packed for an overseas move?

With export-grade packing and custom crates for valuable or fragile pieces.

Can you help when I move back to Montreal?

Yes. We can receive your shipment, deliver stored items and set up your new home.

Do you work with corporate relocation companies?

Yes. We work with employers and relocation companies and provide documentation.

How is an international move priced?

We provide a clear price for the Montreal services, including packing, crating, loading and storage. Transport is priced by your freight forwarder.

Should I ship my appliances abroad?

Often not. Voltage and plug standards differ in many countries, so check before shipping.

Plan your international move with NST

Tell us where you are moving, when you leave and what you plan to ship. We will plan packing, crating and storage and coordinate with your freight partner.

Call: (514) 458-7786 · Visit: 433 Jarry St W #201, Montreal, QC H3N 1E7

Get your free international moving quote today.

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