How to Choose an International Moving Company in Egypt
Search for international moving companies in Egypt and you will find long lists of names but very little help telling them apart. Two quotes for the same move can differ widely, and the cheaper one rarely tells you what it leaves out.
This guide shows you how to compare quotes properly when you are shipping household furniture and personal effects abroad. It covers what a quote should include, how to check insurance and customs handling, which credentials to verify, and the warning signs to avoid. It applies whether you are a family relocating overseas, an expat leaving Egypt, or a diplomat or embassy staff member on a new posting. At the end, we show how MovEx answers each point, so you can judge us by the same standard.
Why two quotes for the same move can differ by thousands
An international move has three stages, and different companies quote different slices of them:
Origin: survey, packing, crating, dismantling, loading, and export paperwork in Egypt.
Transit: sea or air freight, port or airport handling, and shipping documents.
Destination: import customs clearance, delivery to your door, unpacking, reassembly, and debris removal.
A cheap quote often covers only stage 1 and part of stage 2. The destination charges then arrive later, when your shipment is already on the water and you have no leverage. Before you compare prices, make sure you are comparing the same scope.
Step 1: Insist on a survey before any firm price
A reliable mover cannot price a move without knowing what is being moved. Look for an in-home survey or, at minimum, a detailed video survey where the surveyor walks through every room, the attic or storage, the balcony, and the garage.
A quote given from a phone call or a WhatsApp message with “a 3-bedroom apartment” is a guess. When the real volume turns out larger, you pay the difference.
Ask the company to state the estimated volume (cubic meters) or weight in writing, and ask how it is verified when the shipment is loaded.
Step 2: Check what the price actually includes
Use this checklist to line quotes up side by side. Every line should be marked “included”, “excluded”, or given a price.
Packing materials and labor: Is full packing included? Are the materials export-grade? Is crating for fragile items priced separately?
Dismantling and reassembly: Who does it, at the origin and at the destination?
Special access: Are high floors, narrow streets, or lifts included?
Freight method: Sea (container or shared) or air? Which port or airport?
Export documents: Who prepares and submits them in Egypt?
Destination customs clearance: Is it included, or handled by a partner and billed separately?
Delivery and unpacking: Is it door-to-door, or port-to-port only?
Insurance: Which type, what value, and what exclusions?
Storage: Are there free days, and what are the charges after?
Payment terms: What are the deposit and the balance, and what triggers each payment?
“Door-to-door” should mean exactly that. Ask the company to confirm in writing where its responsibility ends.
Step 3: Understand sea freight vs. air freight
The freight mode changes both the price and the timeline, so the right mover will explain your options rather than push one.
Ocean freight suits large shipments such as household furniture and personal belongings. It costs less per item, but transit is longer.
Air freight is the fastest option and works for smaller, urgent shipments, at a higher cost.
A good advisor will ask about your timeline, your volume, and what you need on arrival, then recommend a mode or a combination. If a company quotes one method without asking you anything, that is a signal.
Step 4: Read the insurance terms, not just the word “insured”
Every mover says your goods are insured. The real question is how.
What is covered? Loss, damage in transit, handling damage, delays?
On what basis? Declared replacement value or a limited amount per kilogram or shipment?
What is excluded? Items packed by you, electronics, antiques, and artwork are commonly treated differently.
How do claims work? Who do you contact, what evidence do you need, and how long does it take?
Get the policy terms in writing and photograph valuable items before packing. If you own antiques or artwork, ask for specialist handling and cover. At MovEx, fine arts moves include wooden crating, insurance, and custom clearance as part of the service.
Step 5: Ask who handles customs, at both ends
Customs is where many relocations stall. Rules change by country and over time, so you want a mover who handles the paperwork and keeps you informed.
Ask:
Who clears the shipment in Egypt, and who clears it at the destination?
What documents will you need to provide (typically passport or ID copies, a detailed inventory, and residency or relocation papers where relevant)?
Will you receive a written checklist, and who is your point of contact if the shipment is held?
Always ask the company to confirm the current requirements for your specific route rather than relying on a general list, including ours.
Step 6: Verify credentials instead of trusting logos
Memberships are useful because they signal that a company has agreed to industry standards and has a network of vetted partners abroad. But a logo on a website is not proof.
Check the relevant association’s member directory yourself. In international moving, the names you are likely to see include:
IAM (International Association of Movers)
FIATA (international freight forwarders)
FEDEMAC (European movers federation)
EIFFA (Egyptian freight forwarders association)
Also ask how the company chooses its destination agents, since your goods will be delivered by someone in the destination country, not by the Egyptian office.
Step 7: Look for tracking and a single point of contact
Your belongings will be away for weeks. You should know where they are. Ask whether you get shipment tracking, how often you receive updates, and whether one coordinator owns your move from survey to delivery.
Red flags to watch for
A price far below the others. Someone is leaving out costs, and you will meet them later.
No survey, or a quote based on a rough description.
Vague insurance language (“fully covered”) with no policy document.
No clear scope. “Door-to-door” that is never defined.
Pressure to pay the full amount upfront, or cash-only payments with no invoice.
No verifiable office address, or reviews and credentials you cannot confirm.
Reluctance to put anything in writing.
If you see two or more of these, keep looking.
A practical way to compare two quotes
Ask both companies to quote the same inventory, same freight mode, and same delivery point.
Put the quotes in the table above and mark what is missing.
Add the estimated cost of anything excluded to the lower quote.
Ask each company for two recent references or reviews for a move to your destination country.
Choose the company that is clearest, not the one that is cheapest on paper.
Moving as a diplomat or embassy staff member
Diplomatic relocations follow different rules from private moves, and a mistake can delay your posting. Shipments for diplomats and international organizations often depend on documentation issued or endorsed by the mission or the relevant ministry, and privileges vary by country, rank, and posting. Confirm the exact requirements with your embassy’s administration or protocol office, then check that your mover can work within them.
Ask any company you are considering:
Experience: How many diplomatic and embassy moves has it handled, and can it give references from missions or international organizations?
Paperwork: Who prepares and tracks the documents needed for privileged or duty-free clearance, and who liaises with your mission?
Fixed dates: Can it pack, store, and deliver to a set posting date, and what happens if your housing is not ready on arrival?
Security and discretion: How are staff selected, how are containers sealed, and how are valuables and confidential items handled?
Inventory and valuation: Will you receive a detailed, itemized inventory that matches your insurer’s and your mission’s requirements?
Extras: Can the same company ship your car or motorcycle and crate artwork or antiques, so you deal with one team?
A mover that treats diplomatic moves as routine will answer these questions immediately and in writing.
How MovEx approaches an international move
MovEx specializes in international moves of household furniture and personal effects, and is the first choice of many embassies and diplomats in Egypt. Founded in 2010 by logistics specialists to bring internationally standardized moving services to the country, we handle door-to-door relocations to and from any country, by sea or by air, and we advise you on which mode fits your timeline and volume. Our network includes more than 3,000 agents worldwide.
Our services cover packing and unpacking, dismantling and reassembly, fine arts and antiques, storage and warehousing, and vehicle shipping for individuals, corporate clients, and diplomats. We are members of IAM, FIATA, EIFFA, and FEDEMAC, and you can review our credentials on our certificates page. You can also follow your shipment with our tracking page.
Whatever you decide, compare us on the same points: scope in writing, survey first, insurance terms you can read, customs handled at both ends, and one team you can reach.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to move internationally from Egypt?
Cost depends on volume or weight, destination, freight method, packing level, and whether destination services are included. A reliable company can only give a firm figure after a survey, so be cautious about any price quoted without one.
How long does an international move from Egypt take?
Air freight is the fastest option. Ocean freight takes longer and depends on the route, shipping schedules, and customs clearance. Ask for an estimated timeline for your specific destination.
Should I choose sea freight or air freight?
Sea freight is usually the better fit for furniture and large household shipments. Air freight suits urgent or smaller consignments. Your mover should explain both and recommend based on your needs.
Is my furniture insured during an international move?
Only if you have confirmed it in writing. Ask for the policy terms, the covered value, exclusions, and the claims process before you sign.
Who handles customs clearance?
It depends on the company and the quote. Ask who clears the shipment in Egypt and at the destination, and whether those costs are included.
Can I ship my car as part of the move?
Yes, many movers offer vehicle shipping for cars and motorcycles, often separately from household goods. Ask for a dedicated quote.
Do you handle moves for diplomats and embassy staff?
Yes. Diplomatic and embassy relocations are a core part of what MovEx does, including household goods, personal effects, and vehicles. Contact us with your posting dates and your mission’s requirements, and we will plan the move around them.