1st Move International worked with me from the very first phone call explaining everything regarding the shipment of my belongings from the UK to the USA. They made the whole process easy and stress f... See more
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Collecting and packing goods end of Sept - excellent. Keeping in contact - excellent. Quality of packing when left UK - excellent. Goods arrived in around 3 months, but Australian customs delayed ins... See more
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Highly Recommend 1st Move International! We used them for our move from London to South Carolina (US) and it was smooth and easy. The team is extremely friendly and in communication the entire time. I... See more
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From the very first call to when we received our goods, the whole experience with first move was awesome. They were professional, proficient, responded to all our questions and were kind. They held ou... See more
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Company details
- #37 of 39 best companies in Removals company
- #3 of 3 best companies in Exporter
- #24 of 34 best companies in Logistics service
- #34 of 37 best companies in Removals Service
- #19 of 21 best companies in Shipping service
- #2 of 2 best companies in Vehicle Shipping Agent
About 1st Move International Limited
Written by the company
Here at 1st Move International, we have been packing, moving and shipping household goods, furniture and personal effects overseas for more than 25 years.
What We Do Best
Faster Shipping
Unlike other movers, we never have to wait for a container to be full before we can ship out your belongings.
Thanks to our unbeatable packing, we're able to ship using weekly consolidated container shipping services, allowing us to offer our customers faster, guaranteed weekly shipping from the UK.
Once packed, your shipment is immediately booked onto the next weekly sailing. No waiting!
Visit our website to learn more about how we can offer faster shipping from the UK.
Unbeatable Packing
Our packing methods are simply exceptional. We never ship items loose inside of a container. All shipments are carefully packed and arranged onto their own individual pallets.
Palletisation drastically reduces handling of individual items during the moving process, increases efficiency when loading/unloading and offers the absolute best protection for your prized possessions on their journey to your home overseas.
Visit our website to learn all about our safer packing procedures.
Clear & Accurate Pricing
Our packing allows us to measure your shipment exactly. We never have to estimate the volume of your goods and once packed, you will be provided with the EXACT volume of your shipment and a photo of your pallets will be sent directly to you. No guessing!
Our Services
We offer international removals services from the UK to the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Dubai, Cyprus, Malta, Singapore, South Africa, the Cayman Islands, Singapore and many more popular destinations!
Get a Quote
Ready to start your move? Get a free quote on our website today or contact a member of our team.
1st Move International - Faster Shipping
Written by the company
- Regular departures from the UK
- 1st Move International are shipping regularly to the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, UAE and other key destinations worldwide.
Faster Shipping
Faster International Shipping
Here at 1st Move International, we do things differently than other, conventional, international removals companies. This helps us to overcome the additional pressures that are still being seen throughout the international supply chain world as a result of port congestion, causing delays in securing shipping containers and space with vessel operators.
Contact info
International House, Worthy Road, Chittening Industrial Estate, Avonmouth, BS11 0YB, Bristol, United Kingdom
- 01179828123
- yourmove@shipit.co.uk
- www.shipit.co.uk
4.4
Excellent
511 reviews
Asks customers to review
This company invites their customers to review, whether positive or negative
Replied to 75% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 1 month
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I am extremely happy with the service…
I am extremely happy with the service provided by 1st Move International. My personal effects were secured very thoroughly, even the receiving agent CEO (Freight Services, FIJI) was very impressed. I was constantly updated on the status of my shipment throughout the process.
I recommend 1st Move International because others don’t do personal/household effects. Thank you 1st Move International.
6 October 2023
Unprompted review
Reply from 1st Move International Limited
Thank you for leaving a review of your experience in shipping your personal effects with 1st Move International. Your kind words have been passed to the whole team. Thank you especially for mentioning our packing service, our aim is for your goods to be delivered as safely and securely as possible.
Very professional moving service
Very professional moving service, expensive but worth it. The entire team and local agent were extremely professional in handling my relocation, minimal fuss/faff, no extra fees, rapid delivery.
Would recommend to friends and family/use again in the future if need be!
3 October 2023
Reply from 1st Move International Limited
Thank you for your 5 star review, and for your recommendation. Much appreciated!
Awful, items arrived broken
My belonging have only just been delivered today. 3 months after sending them and 3 weeks after I was told they would arrive. All boxes were damaged, as were many of my items. This was an expensive service and to think that you items are treated with such disrespect is awful.
26 September 2023
Reply from 1st Move International Limited
Thank you for leaving a review. We have not been advised of damages by the shipping line or destination agent, so please can you send details including any photographs for us to immediately follow-up with them? In regards to your shipping, we collected your items on 5th July, and they were booked on the next available sailing after packing was completed and the shipping cost paid. Your items departed on the booked vessel, but unfortunately were transhipped on route by the shipping line. Please accept our apologies in regards to this delay. We will await further information from you in regards to the damages and insurance claim so that we can follow this up urgently.
Reply from 1st Move International Limited
We appreciate your positive feedback and four-star rating for 1st Move International. Our team takes pride in providing fast turnaround times and maintaining a polite and courteous approach to customer service. We are always striving to improve, so if you have any suggestions or additional feedback, please don't hesitate to share it with us and help us get to that 5 star review. Thanks again for choosing 1st Move International for your moving needs.
They seem to be the best bang for your buck
I did a lot of research into various shipping companies for my family's house move overseas. 1st Move had a significant advantage over the others in speed and cost.
The moving crew was also pleasant and efficient. I was especially happy that they took special care with fragile items like artwork and heirlooms. Good stuff. Thanks guys!
26 September 2023
Reply from 1st Move International Limited
Thank you for choosing 1st Move International for your family's overseas move, and for taking the time to share your positive experience with us! We're delighted to hear that our services provided great value in terms of both speed and cost. Our dedicated team takes pride in ensuring the safe transport of delicate items such as artwork and heirlooms, and we're thrilled to know that you were pleased with their care and efficiency. Your kind words have been shared with the whole team. Thanks again for trusting us with your move!
Mixed experience.
The UK end of the experience was fine. I got good assistance with the paperwork and the people who came to pick up my belongings were helpful and did all the work. In the end, I did get all my items, and they were well packaged.
The US side was worse. Although 1st never guaranteed any dates, their estimates were never accurate. I did get information about where my belongings were, but each time they moved one step, I got an inaccurate prediction of when they would reach the next warehouse. I would say that any dates 1st moves provided should be classified as "optimistic" at best.
I was also very annoyed that the partner they chose to do curbside delivery failed to notify me of which day they would deliver, twice, and just turned up. Find better US partners.
15 September 2023
Reply from 1st Move International Limited
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We're pleased to hear that your experience with our UK team was satisfactory, from paperwork assistance to the professional handling of your belongings. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience you encountered on the US side, particularly regarding estimated delivery dates and communication. We understand how crucial accurate information and timely updates are during an international move, and your comments about our US partners have been duly noted. We value your input and will use it constructively to make necessary improvements.
Highly recommended
Highly recommended. The process was straightforward and well managed with professional but friendly support. The communication was clear and transparent throughout. Their agent in the US also went above and beyond.
3 September 2023
Reply from 1st Move International Limited
Thank you for your 5 star review, and for your recommendation. We have shared your comments with the whole team at 1st Move.
Terrific service!
I am extremely happy with the service provided by 1st Move International. They answered all of my questions whenever I called, the removal team was on time and very quick and friendly. My personal effects were secured very thoroughly and arrived at the destination in super quick time and in perfect shape. I was constantly updated on the status of my shipment throughout the process.
I wholeheartedly recommend 1st Move International. Worth every penny.
7 August 2023
Reply from 1st Move International Limited
Thank you for sharing your experience of shipping your personal effects with 1st Move International. We are pleased that your goods arrived quickly and safely, and thank you for your recommendation.
Reply from 1st Move International Limited
Thank you for your 5 star review, we are pleased to have been able to help in your move.
Dont ship anything you can't replace with these people!
I was shipping items from my deceased mother's home in the Uk to my home in the USA. I was sending unique unreplaceable items of limited monetary value. I sent the minimum purchase amount of 3 sqM, which i carefully worked out. The items were packed into just 2.08 sqM by 1st Move by placing heavy boxes on top of the one piece of furniture I shipped, my deceased father's chair. This caused two of the chair legs to be smashed off in transit due to the chair being placed on a thin piece of unsupported cardboard and having heavy weight items placed upon it. Other items were also smashed including a small cupboard made by my father, which also had very heavy items stacked on top of it.
Multiple storage boxes had their lids smashed for the same reason. one of these had been taped up, which it was not when collected by 1st move, suggesting they broke it before they packed the pallet, which was sealed on arrival, and they just taped it over and threw it in the pallet anyway. I found a roll of plastic wrap and a discarded used/empty sellotape centre inside the pallet that were not mine. (attention to detail??)
This follows poor communication, in which I had to repeat the same information to different people in the organisation. They send out generic emails, often with repeated sentences and typing errors. A number of emails I received appeared not to relate to my situation at all but were sent out because that is what they do.
Staff members changed entries on my paperwork, without asking me, because they thought they knew better than me what I was shipping before they collected it.
On the day of collection, they arrived hours late for the collection appointment.
They sent me two emails asking me to write this review-how smart is that?
A few pounds of insurance money will not make up for the damage these people have done, to maximise their profits. Please consider other shipping options, especially if you are shipping anything that cannot be replaced.
2 August 2023
Reply from 1st Move International Limited
Thank you for leaving your review, albeit with negative comments. We ask our customers for feedback so that we can review our performance, and investigate any issues fully.
In regards with the storage box that you have advised was smashed and taped up, upon initial review of your items packed in-situ on the pallet we cannot locate an item that has been taped in this manner. We have requested full reports from the shipping line and agent at destination to ascertain how and where this damage has occurred.
The generic emails are designed to ensure that all information is covered when corresponding with our customers, as the shipping process for personal effects (including Customs processes) can be complex and require attention to detail. Further review of these e-mails are ongoing to ensure that there are no repeated sentences and typing errors, so that these can be eradicated if found.
In regards to the paperwork being changed, this was resolved at the time and was amended immediately. This was poor judgment from our operations team, who wrongly assumed that there was a spelling mistake and tried to help by rectifying it. We again apologise for this.
I am currently unable to locate any correspondence regarding the collection being late, and will discuss this with our Transport team. We endeavour to be on time for all collections, and if running late we should keep customers updated of our progress. If this has not happened regarding your collection then we apologise again.
Although your insurance claim has been settled, we can see that it is the sentimental value of your items that were important. We apologise that there were damages in transit for some of your items, and are following up with all parties involved in the shipping process.
Unhappy customer, damaged furniture
Customer service great but packing very poor. My furniture (family heirlooms) was damaged on arrival as it had t been packed properly for export to Australia.
I was also told I didn’t have to pay anything more but had to pay customs here. All in all I wouldn’t recommend them as it’s cost me money to get my things repaired as insurance would pay to repair my items. Very disappointed:(
16 May 2023
Unprompted review
Reply from 1st Move International Limited
Thank you for leaving a review of your experience in shipping with 1st Move International. We appreciate all reviews, positive and negative, and take negative comments very seriously for further investigation. Please note that some Customs costs such as quarantine and inspection fees aren't included in our quotation, and this is noted as such on our paperwork. I am sorry that you feel our packing has been poor on your shipment, and we are looking into this further from our side, as we get many positive comments regarding our packing process. Although the insurance claim has been resolved in accordance with your valuation we are sorry that this does not cover the estimated repair of the items, only the insured value you have stated on your policy. Thank you for stating that the customer service you received was great, this is much appreciated.
I had a very good experience working…
I had a very good experience working with First Move to ship furniture from England to USA. Staff are friendly and helpful, offering good advice about filling in quirky customs documentation and other aspects of the procedure. Everything went to plan. Tracked the container ship leaving London and arriving in New York. Furniture arrived very nicely packaged.
The only stressful part was trying to contact the local delivery company to see if they needed assistance unloading the pallet from their truck. Their 'phone system was down for several days apparently. However, when the truck showed up they managed to move the pallet into my garage so everything worked out ok.
I would definitely recommend 1st move and will probably use them again in future.
17 August 2023
Reply from 1st Move International Limited
We're delighted to hear about your positive experience with 1st Move International! It's fantastic to know that our team provided you with friendly and helpful assistance, especially when it came to navigating customs documentation. We're pleased that everything went smoothly, and it's great to hear that you were able to track your shipment's journey. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we're here to assist you with any future shipments. Thank you for choosing 1st Move International!
Can't fault 1st Move
Can't fault 1st Move. Great communication and guidance, super-speedy packers and delivered to our door on schedule. Would highly recommend.
16 August 2023
Reply from 1st Move International Limited
We are pleased to hear about your experience with 1st Move International! Your kind words regarding our communication, guidance, and the efficiency of our packing and delivery teams mean a lot to us. We take immense pride in ensuring a seamless moving experience for our customers, and appreciate your recommendation. Thank you for choosing 1st Move International, and should you or anyone you know ever need our services again, we'll be here to provide support.
Extremely professional and efficient…
Extremely professional and efficient and all the team from start to finish were very personable.
4 August 2023
Reply from 1st Move International Limited
Thank you so much for your glowing 5-star review of 1st Move International's services for your recent personal effects move. We are thrilled to hear that you found our team to be extremely professional, efficient, and personable from start to finish. Providing an exceptional moving experience that exceeds our customers' expectations is our top priority. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your positive feedback. It is reviews like yours that motivate us to continue delivering the highest level of service to every customer. Thank you again for choosing 1st Move International, and we hope to assist you with any future moving needs.
House move to Vancouver
1st Move International was very professional and careful with our belongings. The process was smooth enough and helped us feel less stressed about moving abroad. The delivery of the cargo was delayed by a month once it reached Canada, but that was not due to any fault of 1st Move. We were told delays were a posibility and the team was quick to send us contact details of the agent who was supposed to receive the shipment here in Canada. When opened the Shrink-Fast packing everything was intact inside, which was surprising and a great relief for us. We are really grateful for this and would highly recommend!
10 July 2023
Reply from 1st Move International Limited
Thank you so much for your kind words and 5-star review! We're so glad to hear that you were happy with our services. We understand that moving abroad can be a stressful experience, so we're always happy to do whatever we can to make the process as smooth as possible.
We're sorry to hear that your shipment was delayed, but we're glad that you were understanding. Unfortunately, delays are sometimes unavoidable, but we always do our best to keep our customers informed.
We're also glad to hear that your belongings arrived safely and in good condition. We take great pride in our packing and handling services, and we're always happy to see that our customers are satisfied.
A model of efficiency and expertise.
The entire process was expertly, professionally and efficiently handled from beginning to end. Extremely careful handling of my property, everything exactly as planned in terms of timing and cost. One of the most important things was that communication was regular, accurate and continuous. I am so pleased that I found this company and would recommend them to anyone shipping goods Overseas. Unpacking at this end was quite fascinating to see how incredibly efficiently and safely things had been packed.
23 June 2023
Reply from 1st Move International Limited
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with 1st Move International! We're absolutely delighted to hear that our team provided you with a model of efficiency and expertise throughout the entire process. Ensuring professional and careful handling of your property is of utmost importance to us, and we're thrilled that we met your expectations in terms of timing, cost, and overall execution. Regular, accurate, and continuous communication is a priority for us, and we're glad it contributed to your satisfaction. We appreciate your recommendation and are happy to hear that the unpacking process revealed the efficiency and safety with which your items were packed. If there's anything else we can assist you with in the future, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thank you for choosing 1st Move International!
House move to Barbados
The whole experience with 1st Move International was easy and smooth. Nothing was too much trouble for any of the team. When you are moving abroad it is a stressful time but the team made it a great experience. The delivery of the cargo was exactly on time to the port in Barbados. When we got the shipment from the port everything was intact. Amazing team. Would highly recommend!
8 June 2023
Reply from 1st Move International Limited
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your fantastic 5-star review of your house move to Barbados with 1st Move International! We're thrilled to hear that your entire experience with our team was easy, smooth, and stress-free.
We understand that moving abroad can be a challenging and stressful time, which is why we strive to go above and beyond to make the process as seamless as possible for our customers. It's great to know that our team was able to alleviate your worries and turn your move into a great experience.
We take great care in handling your belongings, and we're thrilled that everything arrived intact and in excellent condition.
Your kind words about our team mean the world to us. We have a dedicated and passionate group of professionals who work tirelessly to provide exceptional service to our customers. Knowing that we've made a positive impact on your move is incredibly rewarding.
Thank you for recommending 1st Move International. We genuinely appreciate your trust and confidence in our services. If you ever require assistance with any future moves or have any other needs, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to help!
Excellent Service and Safe Arrival
This is a different way of moving "part container" personal effects. I was a bit worried about the concept but Tom in the UK was extremely good at explaining the system and I have to admit it worked perfectly. 1st Move kept us informed in virtually every step of the journey. Our goods were picked up, transported then palletised and shrink wrapped at their Warehouse in Bristol. Our goods arrived in Australia (Brisbane) where their partners Conroys dealt with the Australian part of clearing Customs. All 112 packages arrived safely and intact. So of course - I would thoroughly recommend them!
16 June 2023
Reply from 1st Move International Limited
Dear Kathy,
Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful experience with 1st Move International! We greatly appreciate your kind words and are delighted to hear that our unique shrink-fast packing system exceeded your expectations.
We understand that moving can often be a stressful experience, especially when it comes to entrusting your personal effects to a different approach. However, we're thrilled that Tom was able to alleviate your concerns by providing detailed explanations and guidance throughout the process. Our team takes pride in ensuring that our customers feel comfortable and well-informed every step of the way.
We're also glad to hear that our continuous communication kept you updated on the progress of your shipment. We believe that transparency is key in providing excellent service, and we strive to keep our customers informed about the whereabouts of their belongings.
It's fantastic to know that all 112 packages arrived safely and intact. We take great care in handling and packaging your goods, and we work closely with our partners to facilitate a seamless transition through the customs clearance process. Your satisfaction is our ultimate goal, and we're thrilled that we were able to deliver your belongings without any issues.
Once again, thank you for your recommendation. We value your trust and confidence in our services. Should you or anyone you know require international moving assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We'll be more than happy to assist you.
Generally excellent with a few comments
My things were moved safely and nothing was lost. Only one very fragile item was broken. The packer was efficient and the delivery was much earlier than they said. It would have been nice to know a day or two ahead of time when to expect delivery instead of only hearing on the same day. Also I was disturbed by all the bubble wrap used for packing. Perhaps paper would be more environmentally friendly?
30 March 2023
Reply from 1st Move International Limited
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback regarding your recent move with 1st Move International. We appreciate your overall positive experience and would like to address the specific points you mentioned in your review.
We are delighted to hear that your belongings were moved safely and nothing was lost during the process. Our team takes great care in handling and transporting our customers' items, and we are pleased that we met your expectations in this regard.
We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the fragile item that was broken during the move. While we make every effort to ensure the safe transportation of delicate items, accidents can occasionally occur. We will review our packing protocols to further minimize the risk of breakage in the future.
Regarding the delivery timing, we apologize for any lack of communication regarding the expected delivery date. We understand the importance of having advance notice and will work on improving our communication to provide you with a more accurate timeline in the future.
We appreciate your concern for the environment and understand your suggestion of using paper instead of bubble wrap for packing. At 1st Move International, we are committed to sustainable practices, and we continuously strive to find eco-friendly alternatives. We will explore the feasibility of incorporating more environmentally friendly materials into our packing process without compromising the safety and security of your belongings.
Thank you once again for your valuable feedback. We take customer satisfaction seriously and will use your comments to enhance our services further.
Reply from 1st Move International Limited
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a 5-star review. We greatly appreciate your feedback and are thrilled to hear that your move with 1st Move International went smoothly and that all your belongings were securely packaged without any damage.
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