International Van Lines Review 2026: Real Customer Experiences
- 10% discount for veterans and seniors
- Very competitive rates due to their national coverage
- Services local, long-distance, and international moves
- Can service most domestic moves within 48 hours
- 24/7 customer service
International Van Lines stands out for its broad range of moving services and its ability to handle complex relocations from start to finish.
- Full-service flexibility: IVL handles international moves to more than 180 countries, plus long-distance, cross-country, and local moves across the U.S.
- All-in-one moving solution: IVL offers packing, storage, and car shipping on top of transportation. One provider handles all of it, so you’re not coordinating between multiple companies.
- Strong fit for complex moves: IVL is a particularly good option if your move involves multiple services, long distances, or international logistics.
- Backed by real customer experiences: Through our Better Moves Project, we’ve collected firsthand reviews to give you a clearer picture of what it’s like to move with IVL.
Pros & cons of moving with International Van Lines
- 30 days of free storage
- Binding estimates
- Moves to 180+ countries
- 10% off promotions
- Partners with 4KIDS charity
- No instant online quotes
- Not the cheapest option
- Some moves brokered to other carriers
- Delivery delays in some reviews
Why compare movers with moveBuddha?
- On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before booking.
- When you choose a moveBuddha Certified mover, you get $1,000 in added move coverage, plus dedicated support throughout your move.
- If something goes wrong, moveBuddha provides dispute mediation with Certified movers to help resolve the issue and protect your move.
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What do customers say about International Van Lines?
Most of the moveBuddha Better Moves Project participants we interviewed chose International Van Lines for its helpful customer service representatives, fair pricing, and broad range of services. The Better Moves Project has awarded more than $50,000 in grants to people who document their moves in detail, so these reviews come from verified customers, not anonymous posts.
Suresh’s cross-country move with IVL
When Suresh hired International Van Lines to move his two-bedroom home cross-country, he was impressed with the quality of service. IVL reached out to him regularly during the move to keep him updated.
Suresh also appreciated the crew’s care with his fragile glassware. The movers delivered all of his belongings to his new home in Texas without any damage.
Fabiana’s Miami to New York move with IVL
Fabiana said IVL’s communicative customer service and binding estimate gave her confidence during the quote process. IVL moved her belongings from Miami to her new home in New York, and her items arrived unscathed.
Mary’s delayed Austin to New York City move with IVL
Not every International Van Lines customer has a great experience. When Mary used IVL to move her one-bedroom apartment from Austin, Texas, to New York City, she ran into communication issues with IVL and its brokered movers, plus several delivery delays.
What do BBB & Trustpilot reviews say about IVL?
Third-party reviews of International Van Lines are more mixed than its ratings suggest. As of September 2026, the Better Business Bureau gives IVL an A+ rating, with BBB accreditation since April 2025 and an average of 4.61 stars across 647 reviews. On Trustpilot, IVL holds a 3.9 TrustScore from 495 reviews, but 28% are one-star reviews that mostly cite late deliveries and damage claims.
“I moved from Chicago to Florida. International Van Lines was with me every step of the way. The communication is outstanding!”
—Sherry A., Trustpilot
“I have used this company 3 different times in the last 5 years. They do a great job on everything. Will continue to use them in the future. Highly recommend them.”
—John E., BBB
“Worst experience for any service, ever…. My FADD was May 26th, its now June 27th and I’ve yet to receive my delivery.”
—Eric G., BBB
“We were extremely prepared and repeatedly identified our most valuable piece, a $20k vintage sculptural wood table…. Upon delivery, the $20k table was destroyed.”
—Daniel W., Trustpilot
How much does International Van Lines cost?
Better Moves Project participants paid $4,153–$6,400 for long-distance moves with International Van Lines, depending on distance and home size. IVL provides binding estimates, which lock in your price as long as the scope of your move doesn’t change. For in-state moves, IVL charges by the hour instead.
According to moveBuddha pricing data, fuel surcharges add 8%–15% to transportation charges on long-distance moves, so ask IVL whether fuel is built into your estimate. The moveBuddha moving cost calculator factors in distance, home size, services, and access, so the range you see reflects your move instead of a flat national average.
How does IVL pricing compare to other movers?
Comparing real quotes side by side is the best way to judge a mover’s price. When Fabiana planned her move from Miami to New York, she requested quotes from five top-rated movers, and the spread between the highest and lowest estimate came to nearly $4,600. International Van Lines came in at $4,153, right in the middle of the pack.
Fabiana’s five quotes for the same Miami to New York move ranged from $2,500 to $7,069. Comparing estimates before you book is the simplest way to avoid overpaying.
You don’t have to call five movers to run the same comparison. The moveBuddha Mover Marketplace collects up to five no-obligation quotes from a single request, matched to movers’ real-time availability. Here’s how Fabiana’s quotes compared:
| Company | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| JK Moving | $7,069 |
| Safeway Moving | $5,991 |
| International Van Lines | $4,153 |
| Colonial Van Lines | $3,102 |
| American Van Lines | $2,500 |
What did real customers pay for International Van Lines moves?
Better Moves Project participants paid $4,153–$6,400 for long-distance moves with International Van Lines. These examples show what each customer paid, based on distance and shipment size.
| Better Moves participant | Approximate distance | Route | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suresh | 1,050 miles | Columbus, OH, to Plano, TX | $4,500 |
| Mary | 1,750 miles | Austin, TX, to New York City, NY | $6,400 |
| Fabiana | 1,300 miles | Miami, FL, to New York, NY | $4,153 |
What services does International Van Lines offer?
International Van Lines covers local moves, long-distance moves, international relocations, storage, packing, and car shipping. Here’s a breakdown of its core services:
- Furniture assembly & disassembly: IVL movers will disassemble and reassemble furniture in your new home, if necessary.
- Military moves: International Van Lines lists military moving among its core services. See our military moving guide to plan a PCS move.
- International moving: IVL ranks high on our list of the best international moving companies, with air and ocean freight to more than 180 countries. IVL can ship vehicles, too.
- Local moving: International Van Lines offers local moving and charges by the hour for in-state moves. Services include packing, loading and unloading, disassembly, and storage.
- Long-distance moving: IVL is one of our best interstate moving companies for customer service. The company can ship household items anywhere nationwide.
- Office relocation: IVL creates personalized plans and works with business owners on the logistics each commercial move requires.
- Short- & long-term storage: International Van Lines offers storage and includes 30 days of free storage with its moves.
rating
4.6 / 5
How does International Van Lines compare to competitors?
International Van Lines holds an A+ BBB rating and handles international moves, which gives it more reach than the three domestic movers below. Here’s how IVL compares to three popular alternatives (BBB ratings as of September 2026):
| Company | BBB score | State availability | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Van Lines | A+ | 50 | Customer service |
| Safeway Moving | B | 48 (not in AK or HI) | Overall value |
| Mayzlin Relocation | B+ | 48 (not in AK or HI) | Personalized service |
| American Van Lines | C | 48 (not in AK or HI) | Moving experience |
rating
4.6 / 5
- 24/7 cust. service
- Competitive rates
- 10% discounts
International Van Lines vs. Safeway Moving
Safeway Moving is another of our favorite moving companies. Customer reviews praise Safeway’s competitive pricing and professionalism, particularly during the quote process, though communication during the rest of the move can be hit-or-miss.
Like IVL, Safeway doesn’t offer instant online quotes. Safeway Moving uses flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees, so the quote you sign is the price you pay.
The biggest difference is reach. Safeway serves the 48 contiguous states, while IVL also handles international moves and car shipping.
International Van Lines vs. Mayzlin Relocation
Mayzlin Relocation is ideal if you want a tailored, budget-friendly move with transparent, accurate quotes within the U.S. Mayzlin’s focus on customer satisfaction and simple pricing makes it a great choice if you value consistent communication throughout the move.
International Van Lines stands out for its versatility, with coverage for everything from local to international moves. IVL’s auto transport adds flexibility for more varied moving needs. Both companies require a 25% deposit, so the choice may come down to the range of services you need.
International Van Lines vs. American Van Lines
American Van Lines is a standout moving option for the continental United States, with strong customer service and some of the best pricing in the industry. American Van Lines offers free no-obligation quotes and binding estimates, so you know your price before you book.
American Van Lines only serves the 48 contiguous states, while IVL also covers international destinations. American Van Lines doesn’t provide auto shipping, and it can require an upfront deposit of up to 50% of your total moving cost.
The takeaway: Choose International Van Lines if your move is international or needs car shipping. For a move within the Lower 48, compare IVL’s estimate against Safeway, Mayzlin, and American Van Lines before you book.
How does moving with International Van Lines work?
IVL keeps customers informed at each stage of the move, with a virtual survey, a refundable deposit, and confirmed delivery windows. Here’s how the process works.
How do you get a quote from IVL?
You can request a quote from International Van Lines by phone, by email, or through the quote form on IVL’s website. IVL’s online cost estimator shows ballpark prices based on averages, but a firm quote requires a survey of your belongings.
IVL’s virtual survey lets you walk a relocation specialist through your home on video, so you don’t need an in-person visit.
Run your move through the moveBuddha moving cost calculator before you call. The calculator draws on 1,000+ live price points collected every month, so you’ll have a real benchmark to measure IVL’s binding estimate against.
What happens after you book with IVL?
International Van Lines requires a deposit of about 25% of your estimate to secure your moving date. IVL refunds the full deposit if you cancel at least 48 hours before your scheduled pickup.
Fabiana requested quotes from five moving companies before deciding International Van Lines was the best fit. Her binding quote spelled out exactly what was included: loading and unloading, door-to-door transportation, elevator charges, shuttle charges, and basic released value coverage of $0.60 per pound per item.
Released value coverage is the no-cost minimum under federal rules, and it isn’t moving insurance. If you have high-value or fragile items, ask IVL about Full Value Protection before you book. Booking a moveBuddha Certified mover adds $1,000 in move coverage and dispute mediation if something goes wrong.
IVL confirmed Fabiana’s appointment the day before her move. IVL gave her a three- to 21-day delivery window for New York, and her belongings arrived in just seven days.
IVL confirmed delivery a few days ahead of time so Fabiana could be there to receive it, and the crew gave her an estimated arrival time.
Pro tip: List every item worth more than $100 per pound, like art, antiques, or a designer table, on your paperwork before pickup, or your mover can limit what it pays on a claim. Our guide to filing a moving damage claim explains what to document.
International Van Lines FAQ
Is International Van Lines legit?
Yes, International Van Lines is an FMCSA-authorized household goods carrier (USDOT 2293832) with an A+ BBB rating as of September 2026. Customer reviews are mixed, with complaints about delivery delays and damage claims. Get your binding estimate and delivery window in writing before you pay a deposit.
Is International Van Lines a mover or a broker?
International Van Lines is a licensed moving carrier that runs its own trucks and crews, and the company says it also holds household goods broker authority. That means another carrier may handle part of your move, as happened on Mary‘s move. Ask IVL who will transport your shipment, then check that carrier on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website.
How much does International Van Lines cost?
Better Moves Project participants paid $4,153–$6,400 for one- and two-bedroom long-distance moves with International Van Lines. Your price depends on distance, home size, services, and move date. Use our moving cost calculator to see a price range for your move before requesting an IVL quote.
How long does International Van Lines take to deliver?
International Van Lines gives long-distance customers a delivery window, and Fabiana’s Miami to New York window ran 3–21 days, though her items arrived in seven. Some customers, including Mary, report waiting a month or more. Get your first available delivery date in writing and ask what happens if IVL misses it.
Does International Van Lines offer free storage?
Yes, International Van Lines includes 30 days of free storage with its moves. Ask IVL what storage costs after the free period ends. Get that rate in writing if your new home won’t be ready by delivery day.
What does International Van Lines’ basic coverage include?
International Van Lines’ basic released value coverage pays $0.60 per pound per item, the no-cost minimum under federal rules. That means a 50-pound TV would get about $30 if it’s damaged. Ask IVL about Full Value Protection before your move, and read our moving insurance guide to compare your options.
What is International Van Lines’ cancellation policy?
International Van Lines refunds your full deposit, about 25% of your estimate, if you cancel at least 48 hours before your scheduled pickup date. IVL returns the deposit to your original payment method. Confirm your move date before that 48-hour cutoff.
How we chose the best moving companies
The moveBuddha team has spent nearly 10 years evaluating moving companies using a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies. Our thorough methodology evaluates each moving company's services, cost, customer service, and reputation:
Moving services (35%):
We verify operating authority, insurance, and service scope against FMCSA/SAFER and state databases. We confirm availability via standardized mystery-shopping calls (packing tiers, storage type, specialty handling, delivery windows, valuation), and then review contracts alongside complaint and claims patterns over time.
Customer feedback (28%):
We run structured post-move surveys through our Better Moves Project with verifiable documentation. We emphasize on-time performance, care of goods, and estimates’ accuracy, and we investigate outliers before they influence scores.
Online reviews (7%):
We aggregate ratings across multiple third-party sites to reduce platform bias, analyze overall trends and company response behavior, and discount obvious spam/fake signals such as sudden bursts, duplicate language, and low-history profiles.
State availability (12%):
We confirm USDOT numbers, broker vs. carrier status, and any required state permits, then score a state-by-state service matrix that accounts for coverage gaps, seasonal limits, and lane strength. We award additional credit for documented cross-border or specialty lanes.
Additional services (12%):
We verify whether add-ons are performed in-house or subcontracted, look for crew training/certifications for high-value or oversized items, count only documented offerings (tariffs, photos, written service descriptions) confirmed via mystery shopping, and reward robust pre-move planning (virtual surveys, itemized crating).
Quotes/Payment options (6%):
We test standardized move profiles to assess estimate type (binding, not-to-exceed, non-binding), line-item transparency, and disclosed surcharges, require clear written policies for deposits, refunds, and cancellations, and award points for secure, flexible payment methods and customer portals.
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