International moving – from anywhere in Germany
From customs clearance to reassembling your furniture at the destination: Koch has been organising international moves to over 180 countries since 1900 – from anywhere in Germany. With our own team of specialists, international association memberships and a personal contact – right from the start.
Why a German moving partner makes the difference
Punctuality, thoroughness and certified quality – what international clients rely on when moving from Germany.
German punctuality
Agreed dates are binding. Loading, shipping and delivery run to plan – not to chance.
Thoroughness down to the detail
Every crate is export-packed, numbered and logged in a detailed inventory list. Nothing gets lost.
Certified German quality
AMÖ-certified mover and IAM member – with our own specialist fleet and trained permanent staff, to German standards.
Family business since 1900
Four generations, one name, full accountability. You get a real point of contact who stands behind the result.
Binding fixed price
What we quote, we honour. Your fixed price is set before the move – no hidden costs, reliably German.
German liability & insurance
Insurance and claims handled under German law and in German – with the legal certainty of a German company.
Which countries do our clients move to?
Click on a country for detailed information on transit, customs and key considerations.
USA
Australia
Dubai
Singapore
Japan
Canada
China
Thailand
Sea, air or land – we choose the optimal route
Four transport options for every volume, every destination and every timeframe.
Sea freight – FCL
Your own container
Best for
Complete households, from approx. 25 m³
Format
20ft (~28 m³) or 40ft (~58 m³)
Transit time
4–12 weeks
Sea freight – LCL
Groupage (LCL)
Best for
Small households, 5–20 m³
Format
A share of a consolidated container
Transit time
6–14 weeks
Air freight
Express worldwide
Best for
Urgent shipments, high-value goods
Format
Pallets or ULD containers
Transit time
3–7 days
Road transport
Within Europe
Best for
European destinations
Format
Specialised truck direct to your address
Transit time
2–10 days
To the other side of the world in six steps
Realistic timeframes and transparent steps – so you know exactly what happens and when.
Initial consultation
Week 0A personal consultation with Christian Braunschweig covering destination country, volume, timeline and any special requirements.
Survey & fixed-price quote
Week 1–2On-site or video survey, preparation of the inventory list and a binding fixed-price quote including all customs and transport costs.
Documents & planning
Week 2–6We prepare all customs documents, arrange insurance and plan packing, shipping and delivery at the destination.
Packing & shipping
Day XOur packing team packs to export standard in line with ISPM-15 and hands over to the shipping line or airline.
Transport & tracking
TransitYou stay informed throughout the shipping. We handle customs clearance at the destination and coordinate with our local partner.
Delivery & setup
ArrivalOur local partner takes care of customs clearance, delivery, unpacking and furniture assembly – so you can settle in right away.
Christian Braunschweig
Management
Christian leads the strategic and operational management of international moving projects – from logistics planning and customs clearance through to coordinating our partners in Asia, the Americas and around the world.
How long does transport take?
Realistic door-to-door times for the most important regions worldwide.
| Region | Example destinations | Transit time | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
Europe (road) Paris, Vienna, Madrid Road | Paris, Vienna, Madrid | 2–7 days | Road |
USA East Coast New York, Boston, Miami Sea freight | New York, Boston, Miami | 4–6 weeks | Sea freight |
USA West Coast Los Angeles, San Francisco Sea freight | Los Angeles, San Francisco | 6–8 weeks | Sea freight |
Canada Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal Sea freight | Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal | 5–8 weeks | Sea freight |
Middle East Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha Sea freight | Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha | 4–6 weeks | Sea freight |
Asia Singapore, Tokyo, Shanghai Sea freight | Singapore, Tokyo, Shanghai | 6–10 weeks | Sea freight |
Australia & NZ Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland Sea freight | Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland | 8–12 weeks | Sea freight |
South America Buenos Aires, São Paulo Sea freight | Buenos Aires, São Paulo | 6–10 weeks | Sea freight |
Africa Cape Town, Nairobi, Lagos Sea freight | Cape Town, Nairobi, Lagos | 6–10 weeks | Sea freight |
Worldwide Urgent shipments Air freight | Urgent shipments | 3–7 days | Air freight |
Guide values for typical shipments. Actual times vary depending on port, season and customs clearance.
What we take care of for you
Six areas in which we think your international move through to the end.
Logistics & transport
- Sea freight (FCL/LCL), air freight and road transport
- Port handling and container loading
- Tracking throughout the transit
- Local partner at the destination
Customs & documents
- Complete customs and export documentation
- Inventory list prepared in German and English
- Advice on the destination country's import regulations
- Clarification of special permits and tax exemptions
Packing
- Export-grade packing to ISPM-15 standard
- Custom-built wooden crates for art & antiques
- Climate-protective packing for sensitive items
- Every crate labelled with its contents
Insurance
- Marine all-risk insurance available
- Insured value based on replacement value
- Claims handling in German
- Advice on specialist insurance for art
Special items
- Vehicles (cars, motorcycles, classic cars)
- Upright pianos, grand pianos and musical instruments
- Artworks and antiques
- Wine collections with climate control
Family relocation
- Advice on visas and residence permits
- Support with finding a home
- School guidance for children
- Intercultural preparation
Even the extraordinary arrives safely
From classic cars to wine collections – we know the requirements.
Vehicles
In a container or as RoRo shipping – including customs clearance and registration at the destination.
Pets
Advice on entry requirements, vaccinations, rabies certificates and any quarantine.
Art & antiques
Custom-built wooden crates, acid-free materials and climate protection for valuable pieces.
Pianos & grand pianos
Specialised constructions, trained packers and climate-protective packing.
Wine collections
Climate-controlled transport, professional packing and advice on import limits.
Plants
Advice on phytosanitary certificates and country-specific import regulations.
We handle the bureaucracy
So you can focus on your fresh start.
Documents we prepare
- Complete inventory list (DE/EN) with values
- Customs declaration and export accompanying documents
- Bill of lading or air waybill
- ISPM-15-compliant wooden crate certificates
Documents we need from you
- Passport and, where applicable, visa/work permit
- Confirmation of deregistration of your residence
- Inventory list with declared values
- When emigrating: additional tax documents
Settling in is more than unpacking
Through our international network, we support you even after the move.
So that it's not just your belongings that arrive – but you, too.
Finding a home
We connect you with estate agents and relocation agencies at your destination.
Schools & nurseries
Advice on international and German schools as well as enrolment processes.
Intercultural training
Preparation for the country, language and cultural differences – for children too.
Authorities & banking
Support with registration, tax identification and your first dealings with local authorities.
Four factors determine the price
An initial guide – we provide the binding fixed-price quote after the survey.
Estimate your cost now
Use our interactive cost calculator – by destination, volume and service level.
Volume
A one-room apartment holds around 15 m³, a three-room household 25–35 m³. More volume means higher total cost, but a lower price per m³.
Distance & destination
Europe by road is significantly cheaper than overseas by container. Even within the same region (e.g. Asia), prices can vary considerably.
Mode of transport
Air freight is 5–10× more expensive than sea freight. From around 25 m³, FCL is more efficient per m³ than LCL.
Additional services
Full packing service, furniture assembly, interim storage, insurance, specialist packing and family relocation are added on top.
Guide prices for popular destinations
Mallorca
20 m³from approx. €4,800
Road + ferry
London
25 m³from approx. €5,500
Road + ferry
New York
30 m³from approx. €7,000
Sea freight FCL
Dubai
20 m³from approx. €7,500
Sea freight
Singapur
25 m³from approx. €8,000
Sea freight
Sydney
30 m³from approx. €8,500
Sea freight
Non-binding guide values. Actual costs depend on volume, additional services and destination country.
Which country are you moving to?
Through our partner network, we are active in over 180 countries.
Rely on vetted partners worldwide
Memberships that stand for quality, compliance and reliability.
IAM
International Association of Movers
Worldwide network with over 2,000 members in 170+ countries.
PAIMA
Pan American International Movers Association
Exclusive network for high-quality door-to-door logistics.
GEM
Global Exclusive Movers' Network
Mid-sized premium moving companies with no direct competition.
ARA
Asian Relocation Association
The strongest network for moves across the Asian region.
AMÖ
Bundesverband Möbelspedition und Logistik
The German industry association with binding quality standards.
Frequently asked questions about international moving
Answers to the questions our clients ask before an international move.
For overseas moves we recommend 8–12 weeks' lead time so that all documents, customs formalities and shipping dates can be arranged without stress. Within Europe, 3–4 weeks is usually enough. In urgent cases we'll find a solution at short notice too – just get in touch.
Thanks to careful preparation and many years of experience, this rarely happens. Should it occur, our customs team works with our local partners to secure clearance as quickly as possible. The most common reasons are incomplete paperwork or random inspections – both of which we resolve as a matter of routine.
As standard: passport, visa or work permit, confirmation of deregistration of your German residence and an inventory list. Depending on the destination country, further documents may be required (e.g. marriage certificate, police clearance certificate, employment contract). Christian Braunschweig will put together an individual checklist with you.
Yes, we ship vehicles either in a container (safer, more expensive) or as RoRo (roll-on/roll-off, cheaper). The destination country's import regulations are key – some countries have age limits or emissions standards. We check this in advance and handle the customs clearance.
We offer marine all-risk insurance that covers the full replacement value. You declare the value in your inventory list and we calculate the premium (typically 2–3% of the value). Important: for sea transport, the General Average risk should be expressly included. You'll find more details on our transport insurance page.
FCL (Full Container Load) means a container exclusively for your household goods – faster, fewer handling points and economical from around 25 m³. LCL (Less than Container Load, groupage) shares the container with other shipments – cheaper for small volumes, but with longer transit times and more handling.
Yes, we offer heated and secure storage space both in Osnabrück and through our partners at your destination. Ideal if your new home isn't ready to move into yet or you'd like to organise the move in several stages.
Through our international network, we connect you with specialist relocation agencies at your destination. They help with estate agents, schools, dealings with the authorities and settling in. Christian Braunschweig coordinates the whole process.
Ready for the next step?
Christian Braunschweig and his team support you personally – from your first enquiry to the last box on the other side of the world.