At Bournes International Moves we often hear from customers comparing our international removal quotes with those from other companies to ensure they are getting the best value for their investment, which we would always advise (three is the magic number!). However, the international moving industry in the UK is unregulated, with a wide range of service levels, so what truly makes a company "best" isn't always obvious from a simple price comparison (in fact, comparing on price only can put you at risk!).

In this post we aim to clarify what defines excellence in international removals from the UK and to highlight (in our opinion) some of the top removal companies in the industry, including our own. We believe in transparency and empowering you with the knowledge to make an informed decision for your overseas move.

What Makes a UK International Removal Company "Best"? - The Hallmarks of Excellence

When entrusting your entire life's possessions to a company for an overseas move, and investing significant money to do so, "best" goes far beyond just a competitive quote. It’s a balance of experience, reliability, comprehensive services, financial stability, and a commitment to quality.

Here are the key factors that distinguish the best international removal companies operating out of the UK:

• Extensive Experience in UK-to-Worldwide Moves: The "best" companies have a proven track record of successfully navigating the complexities of international removals from the UK. This includes deep knowledge of UK customs procedures, efficient logistics for departures from British ports, an understanding of diverse destination country regulations and strong partnerships for destination services. The distinction between local and worldwide movers is important here – many movers can provide an amazing service within the UK, but would struggle to navigate an international move.
  
  
• Comprehensive Door-to-Door Service: A truly "best" international mover offers a full door-to-door service for both Full Container Shipping and Shared Shipping Containers . This means they handle everything from packing at your current UK residence to unpacking at your new home overseas, including all transportation, customs procedures, and any necessary storage both in the UK and at your destination. Be wary of companies that offer "port-to-port" or "kerbside" services, as this leaves you responsible for making logistical arrangements, completing complex documentation and potentially exposed to significant hidden costs at either end of the move.
  
  
• UK Industry Certifications and Memberships (Your Assurance of Quality): This is a critical indicator of a company's commitment to high standards within the UK moving industry and provides you with peace of mind that a mover has been pre-vetted in important areas of due diligence.
  
  
  • British Association of Removers (BAR) Membership, specifically the Overseas Group: For any move originating from or destined for the UK, membership in the British Association of Removers (BAR) is a strong sign of a reputable company. The BAR is the UK’s leading professional association for Removal Companies, and members adhere to a strict Code of Practice approved by Trading Standards, offering consumer protection, including an Advance Payment Guarantee scheme and access to a free, independent ombudsman service for dispute resolution. Look specifically for companies that are members of the BAR Overseas Group, which signifies expertise in international removals as standard BAR membership without this only provides reassurance for UK to UK moves. You can check membership on the BAR website.
    
    
  • FIDI FAIM Certification: To date, the FAIM Quality Certification is the world's only recognised quality certification for professional international moving and relocation companies. Companies with FAIM certification undergo rigorous independent audits across various areas, including their operations (vehicles, materials and qualified staff), processes (like clear quotes, effective move management etc), customer service, risk management, data protection, and financial stability. Choosing a FIDI FAIM certified company offers immense peace of mind, demonstrating they meet global best practices. You can find a list of FIDI FAIM certified companies here. Read more: Why should I choose a FIDI FAIM company for international moves?
• Strong Customer Reviews and Reputation: While a few negative reviews are normal for any service industry (and it would be highly suspicious to find none at all!), consistently high ratings and positive feedback on independent review platforms (like Trustpilot and Google Reviews) are excellent indicators of customer satisfaction. Look for companies that not only receive good reviews for international moves specifically but also respond constructively to any issues raised.
  
  
• Transparent Pricing and Communication: The best companies provide clear, detailed, and transparent quotes with no hidden fees, specifically outlining what's included and any potential additional charges (e.g., customs duties at destination, if not covered). They also maintain excellent communication throughout the entire process, keeping you informed about the status of your shipment from the UK to your destination.
  
  
• Comprehensive Insurance Options: Accidents can happen. A professional UK international mover will offer comprehensive insurance, to protect your belongings against unforeseen circumstances during transit, and will explain exactly what you are covered for and the process to claim if you need to.
  
  
• Global Network and Local Knowledge: An extensive global network of trusted partners ensures seamless coordination and efficient handling of your move in both the UK and the destination countries. Local knowledge of customs, regulations, and even cultural nuances at your destination can significantly smooth the relocation process.
  
  
• A detailed Pre-Move Survey: There is so much that goes into planning and pricing for an international move that the best way to assess the move accurately is through a pre-move survey. Ideally this will be in person (either via video or in your home) and not via a form or rough ‘number of bedrooms’ based calculation as this can leave you at risk of additional charges if what you listed turns out to be different in reality to the assumptions made. (e.g. a 2 seater sofa can come in quite a range of different sizes, and a large part of move quote is based on volume). The survey also gives you an opportunity to meet a representative from the company to get a feel for what its like working with them.

Who Are the "Best" International Removal Companies in the UK for 2025?

Based on the criteria above, here are some of the international removal companies (in no particular order and not an exhaustive list) operating from the UK that our customers also mention for consistently receiving high praise and holding appropriate certifications for international moving, demonstrating a commitment to great service.

While this list includes some of our competitors, we believe in providing you with a comprehensive overview to help you make the best choice for your unique needs.

UK International Removal Companies with High Customer Reviews & Reputation:

• Pickfords: Probably the most recognised name in UK removals, Pickfords consistently receives high ratings for their international services and is often cited as a top choice for global moves. They are FIDI FAIM certified and members of the BAR Overseas Group. Read independent reviews on Trustpilot:
  
  
• Bournes International Moves (That’s us!): We cover international removals to/from anywhere in Southeast England. As a member of the BAR Overseas Group and FIDI FAIM certified we’re proud of our consistently excellent Trustpilot rating and customer feedback. Established in 1875, with a dedicated training school and your own dedicated move manager we pride ourselves on providing a high-quality, personal service that focuses on making your move experience a positive one. You can watch our video to find out what some of our previous customers thought about their move with Bournes. 
  
  Visit our website: https://www.bournesmoves.com/international-removals-shipping
  Read independent reviews on Trustpilot: https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.bournesmoves.com

• Britannia Movers International: As part of a large network of independent movers across the UK, you’ll likely find a local member near you in England, Scotland or Wales . Britannia International Movers are FIDI FAIM certified and are members of the BAR Overseas Group. Read independent reviews on Trustpilot 

• John Mason International Movers: With a long history (founded 1884), John Mason is a highly respected UK mover specialising in international moves and well known for smaller shared load services. They are FIDI FAIM certified and BAR members. Read independent reviews on Trustpilot

• White & Company: Another of the UK’s oldest moving firms with many branches throughout England and Scotland and a strong reputation for both domestic and international moves. They are also FIDI FAIM certified and BAR members. Read independent reviews on Trustpilot

• Cadogan Tate: While known for high-value and fragile item removals, Cadogan Tate also offers comprehensive international household moves and has a strong reputation for meticulous service. They are FIDI FAIM certified and a BAR overseas member. Read independent reviews on Trustpilot
  
  
• Doree Bonner: With several branches throughout England and Scotland Doree Bonner are FIDI FAIM certified, and BAR Overseas members with a strong reputation for their specialism in International Moves. Read independent reviews on Trustpilot
  
  
• GB Liners: Another member of the BAR overseas moving group and FIDI FAIM certified GB Liners are a third generation family company with 11 branches in England and Scotland. Read independent reviews on Trustpilot

Key UK Accreditations to Look For:

When you're shortlisting companies, actively check for these accreditations, which signify adherence to the highest standards in the industry:

• FIDI FAIM Certified: You can verify a company's FAIM certification by searching the FIDI Global Alliance website. This global directory lists hundreds of quality-certified international movers, including many prominent UK firms.
• British Association of Removers (BAR) Member: The BAR website (https://bar.co.uk/) allows you to search for and verify member companies across the UK. Look for those explicitly listed as part of the BAR Overseas Group for international specialisation.
  
  

Comparison Sites vs. Direct Quotes

Generally, in the moving industry, comparison sites won't give you instant quotes. There are lots of ‘broker’ sites out there that take your details and sell them to multiple movers, and you'll usually get calls from around 6 if not more to arrange quotes. This is fine and a way to save time but may not mean you’re getting access to the whole of the market (in a similar way that not all car insurance companies are on comparison websites) - their list of top movers will often only include companies that pay to be listed, so this isn't an independent way to review your options. 

You should also make sure to do your quality checks on the companies selected by the broker site before accepting any quote as their listing on a broker site does not guarantee their standing as a reputable mover and the broker will usually take no liability if things go wrong. For example, one popular comparison site for moving says "some of our recommended companies are FIDI FAIM/BAR certified" but on further investigation, many of them are not! 

So which mover really is the best for me?

Selecting the "best" international removal company for your move from the UK in 2025 requires looking beyond just the initial quote. Prioritise companies with proven experience in UK international moves, comprehensive door-to-door services, strong industry certifications like FIDI FAIM and BAR membership (especially the Overseas Group), and consistently positive customer reviews.

Here’s a step by step guide to help you get started in finding the right mover for you:

1. Get Multiple Quotes

3 is a great number. This allows you to compare quotes to make sure no one has missed anything obvious and to understand different options available to you. 

To help narrow down your options check out our guide to finding an international removal company

2. Arrange a Pre-Move Survey

For an accurate quote and move plan, arrange pre-move surveys with each mover and ask questions to find out if their services and company are right for you. 

Read more: top important questions to ask an international removal company). 

3. Compare your Options Carefully

Compare your options carefully, taking into account service, price AND quality, making sure all quotes are based on a like for like scope of services and move plan. To help,  check out our guide to comparing international removals quotes.

By focusing on these key indicators, you can ensure your international relocation from the UK is handled with the professionalism and care it deserves.

We encourage you to use this guide as a starting point for your research and to ask prospective movers about their certifications, specific service offerings for your destination, and how they handle potential challenges. Your international move is a significant life event, and choosing the right UK partner will make all the difference!

Bournes International Moves: Our Commitment to Excellence in UK International Removals

At Bournes we pride ourselves on upholding the highest standards in the international moving industry from the UK. We are FIDI FAIM certified, members of BAR and specifically the BAR Overseas Group, and our dedicated team is committed to providing a truly door-to-door, stress-free international relocation experience for our UK based customers.

We understand that every move is unique, and that's why we offer personalised service, transparent pricing, and a commitment to clear communication every step of the way, from your initial enquiry in the UK to the final delivery overseas. When you compare our quote, you're not just comparing a price; you're comparing a commitment to quality, security, and peace of mind from a trusted UK international mover.

For more information about international removal companies and how they work check out our Ultimate Guide to International Removal companies.