International Sea & Air Shipping Reviews 

We used International Sea and Air Shipping to move our daughter from the US to the UK to start her PhD in London. All of her belongings arrived in excellent condition and she said that the crew who unloaded were very friendly, polite and professional.

The whole process was very smooth and they were excellent at communicating where we were at the various steps along the way. Everyone was very professional and friendly (especially Robert and Jeanine) and we really appreciate it!

All boxes shipped received. Little breakage. Good service. Thanks.

Amazing Experience!

I had a great experience from start to finish! The team was professional, friendly, and highly organized. Communication was excellent, my belongings were handled with great care, and the entire international moving process was smooth and stress-free. I truly appreciated their reliability and commitment to customer satisfaction. I highly recommend this company to anyone planning an international move!

Disappointing Experience with International Sea & Air Shipping

My 74-year-old father recently moved back to Israel and used International Sea & Air Shipping to ship his belongings from New Jersey.

Initially, my father was very pleased with the team and the shipping process. The container arrived at the Port of Ashdod, and the company arranged for people to be at my father’s apartment to unload it.

Unfortunately, the problem began when the container was scheduled to be released from the port. We were informed that the recorded weight in Ashdod was approximately three tons greater than the weight documented when the container left New Jersey.

We immediately contacted Mr. Ami Oded in New Jersey to request an explanation. It was around noon in Israel and early morning in New Jersey. Mr. Oded told us he would have an answer after the container was scanned. However, we still did not have an explanation for the significant difference in the recorded weights.

As the delay continued, we asked Mr. Oded to confirm that my father would not be held responsible for additional port charges, storage fees, or other expenses while the discrepancy was being investigated. We needed clear answers and reassurance that my father would not be left paying for a problem beyond his control.

A difference of approximately three tons is significant and requires a clear, documented explanation. We expect International Sea & Air Shipping to reconcile the weight recorded in New Jersey with the weight recorded in Ashdod, explain the discrepancy in writing, and take responsibility for any additional costs resulting from an error on its part.

What began as a positive experience has become a disappointing one because of the lack of clear answers when a serious issue arose. We hope the company will resolve this matter professionally, transparently, and fairly.

International moving helped me to relocate from New Mexico to Marseille, France. The quote was clear and clearly indicated was was covered and what was not. Good communication. No issues with the movers in the US or France. Everything arrived intact.

We recently completed an international move of our household goods from Moscow, Russia to Enumclaw, Washington with International Sea & Air Shipping.

Overall, we had a very good experience. Our shipment included a large sectional sofa and several boxes with personal and sentimental items. Everything arrived safely and in good condition, including the sofa, which was especially important to us.

International shipping is a long process and there were a few unexpected circumstances along the way, including a customs inspection in Lithuania, but Bryan kept us informed and was always helpful in answering our questions.

The final delivery went very smoothly. The crew arrived within the scheduled window, brought everything inside and removed all the packing materials.

Most importantly, everything we chose to ship made it safely from Moscow to our home in Washington. We are very happy to finally have these things back with us and are satisfied with the service provided by International Sea & Air Shipping. I would recommend them to anyone planning an international move.

UPDATE: Company resolved the issue and refunded me in full

After I posted this review and filed my complaint, Talia Aviani, President of International Sea & Air Shipping, contacted me personally. She reviewed the history of the shipment and discussed the situation with their destination agent, Schmidt Global.
She acknowledged that the shuttle requirement and the reasons for it had not been communicated as clearly or consistently as they should have been and offered to refund the full €381 shuttle charge.
There was one final detail that I think is worth mentioning. Because of the change in exchange rates, €381 was now worth less than the $450.60 I had originally paid. I told her I was willing to accept the lower amount. She nevertheless authorized a refund of the full $450.60 that the charge had actually cost me. The payment has now been received.
I appreciate the way Talia handled this once the matter reached her attention. My original review below describes the experience that led to the dispute, and I think it's appropriate to leave that history intact. But it's equally important to acknowledge when a company steps in, takes a complaint seriously, and makes things right.
I've therefore updated my rating to 3 stars.

ORIGINAL REVIEW:
I used International Sea & Air Shipping for a door-to-door groupage shipment of household goods from California to Budapest. My belongings ultimately arrived safely, and I want to be clear that my complaint is not about damage or the delivery crew. It is about an additional €381 shuttle charge and, more importantly, how that charge was explained.
Shortly before delivery, their destination agent, Schmidt Global Relocations, told me that a shuttle was required. The initial explanation was unequivocal: “All is in city Budapest, all need shuttle.” I was subsequently told that Budapest vehicle restrictions limited the weight and size of trucks entering the city and that the shuttle was therefore necessary to comply with local restrictions.
That didn't make sense for my delivery. The destination was a commercial storage facility on Gyáli út capable of accepting large trucks. I checked Budapest's official freight regulations and found that the relevant section of Gyáli út is specifically excluded from the applicable 12-ton restricted zone.
I sent the regulation to the companies. Schmidt acknowledged the specific Gyáli út exemption.
At that point, the explanation changed.
I was then told that the shuttle was required because my shipment was part of a groupage delivery service and that the vehicle and logistics had been organized on that basis.
International Sea & Air subsequently acknowledged the distinction in writing, telling me they did not want to “misrepresent the reason for the shuttle” by suggesting that my particular address was inaccessible because of a city restriction. They instead explained that the shuttle was part of the consolidated/groupage delivery arrangement.
That's the heart of my complaint.
I don't dispute that the contract says shuttle service can result in additional charges. But International Sea & Air knew from the beginning that I was buying groupage service to Budapest. If their planned groupage delivery operation required a shuttle, I believe that foreseeable cost should have been identified when the service was quoted rather than presented later as an additional charge, initially justified by a local vehicle restriction that did not apply to my delivery location.
I paid the €381 because my belongings were already in Europe and I wanted the delivery completed. I subsequently disputed the charge directly with International Sea & Air and gave them the opportunity to refund it. They declined.
The physical shipment itself was successful. My belongings arrived safely. But based on my experience, I would advise anyone considering International Sea & Air Shipping to ask before signing whether groupage delivery at the destination will require a shuttle, transshipment, parking permits, long carries, or other destination charges, and to get the answer and estimated costs in writing.

International Sea & Air Shipping made our move from the USA to Spain completely seamless.
The packing crew was extremely professional, and every single household item arrived in Spain in perfect condition with zero damage. Throughout the entire journey, communication was proactive, clear, and prompt, which made navigating international logistics stress-free.
I couldn't have asked for a better experience and highly recommend them to anyone planning an international move.

International Sea & Air handled our international move professionally and with great care. The team was consistently courteous, organised, and attentive throughout the process, and they did an excellent job ensuring our belongings were protected during transit. Only minor damage occurred, which is to be expected with an overseas move in a shipping container, and overall we were very pleased with how well everything arrived.

Their packing team was thorough—sometimes a little too thorough, as a few items were packed unnecessarily (such as an open box of tissues). However, this came from a place of wanting to safeguard everything, and we appreciated their commitment to preventing damage.

Communication was clear, the process felt well‑managed, and the staff demonstrated genuine professionalism from start to finish. We’re grateful for their efforts and would feel confident recommending International Sea & Air to others planning an international relocation.

Very Good, nice, smooth and positive experience, we recently moved our house belongings in a 20' container DOOR to PORT from Boston USA to Galicia Spain, from the first day my wife contacted via e mail International, Sea and Air shipping we had a great experience, communication was fast, clear and effective, from first encounter with Niki, then to Ronnie, Jeanine and Tanya afterwards we were always informed and notified about all changes in schedules and what not. the price was good, our container was delivered in our driveway exactly on time, driver was courteous, we loaded the container ourselves and once the door was locked, the journey begun. our container was right on schedule, they told us about 45 days and we had 2 days delay from the ETA we were given but not a problem at all, once at the PORT of destination, our custom agent forwarded us the paperwork, we coordinated with them and in a matter of 2 weeks after that, our container was right at our new home door. we have nothing but good things to say about this company and we recommend it. thank you guys!!!! we will use them in the future if needed.

The whole team at International were thorough and efficient in taking care of my move. They kept me informed at every step of the way and answered all my questions right away and were incredibly available. I was so pleased that my household items arrived safely and without a hitch. I have recommended that a family member use their services too. Thanks to everyone at International for a smooth transatlantic move!

International Sea and Air Shipping moved me overseas. Everything arrived in good condition and the communication with my coordinator was excellent.

I hired them to ship my furniture and belongings from the UK to the US. During delivery to my house valuable furniture was dropped from the delivery truck by the movers. Even though the men stated in writing on the delivery receipt that they had dropped and destroyed the item I have never been reimbursed for the damage. So far it has been months, I have made multiple phone calls and email attempts to resolve this issue.

I recently completed a move from the Nashville area (Lebanon, TN) to Zemun/Belgrade, Serbia, and I cannot recommend International Sea & Air Shipping highly enough.
Ana Ilic and the entire team made what could have been a complicated, stressful international relocation feel organized, professional, and surprisingly straightforward.
Ana was my main contact, and she was exceptional - responsive, knowledgeable, patient, and always on top of every detail. She explained options clearly, kept me updated throughout the process, and never left me guessing. The rest of the team (including Jeanine and the operations side) worked just as smoothly together. Communication was consistent from the initial quote through packing, ocean transit, customs, and final delivery.
The packing and handling of my belongings was careful and professional. Everything arrived in Serbia in excellent condition. They coordinated the sea shipment (via the Netherlands) and the last-mile transshipment at my home without warehouse delays or extra hassle. Customs documentation and support were handled properly, which is no small thing when moving into Serbia.
For anyone considering a move to Serbia (or anywhere internationally), this is the company I would choose again without hesitation.
Ana Ilic and the International Sea & Air Shipping team delivered exactly what they promised: a well-managed, door-to-door experience with real people who actually care about getting it right. Highly recommended.

Thank you, Ana, and thank you to the whole team for an excellent job.

We used this company for a personal intercontinental move. The shipment itself arrived generally intact, which we appreciated. However, the overall experience was difficult, particularly regarding the delay and communication after the shipment had arrived in Europe.

We understand that international shipping can be affected by circumstances outside a company’s control, including geopolitical issues and ocean transit delays. However, our main concerns related to the period after the shipment had already arrived in Europe.

Our shipment was picked up at the end of February and delivered at the end of July, even though the vessel had arrived in Europe in May.

Once the shipment was in Europe, communication and coordination through the company’s chosen partners became difficult. We were given broad estimates rather than a reliable delivery timeframe, including a 1–6 week delivery window after customs clearance, without a clear delivery date or reliable scheduling information.

During May, June, and July, we were unable to properly plan our summer travel because we had no reliable understanding of when the shipment would actually be delivered. Important updates were often only provided after we contacted the partner company ourselves rather than through proactive communication.

One important thing for anyone considering using this company: pay close attention to the exact wording of the contract and make sure it matches what you are being told during the booking process. In our case, the signed contract contained a 350 CF minimum under the “Special Notes” section, while the pricing information provided to us by the agent indicated that the applicable rate would be based on the actual measured volume, with a 250 CF minimum. The company later acknowledged that there had been conflicting information and offered a partial refund to resolve the issue which we accepted.
I appreciate that they took the time to investigate the matter and that we were ultimately able to reach a resolution.

UPDATE: I reached out directly to ISAS after catching them in a lie (they claimed they allowed me the option of booking a parking permit myself, I confronted them with the email chain proving this false). They did not once apologize, but they did offer a partial refund of the extortionate parking fee. They clarified that although the parking fee would have cost only about $150 and I was charged $675, they were only responsible for $150 of that $525 markup. Apparently they outsourced the acquisition of the parking permit to a third party and were shocked, shocked I tell you, that this price had been inflated by 450% when they would have only condoned 200%. They did not seem to understand that their defense was that they weren't unethical, merely incompetent, but alas. It is worth noting that their support staff did seem to take the complaint seriously, which is valuable. Their willingness to actually meet at the negotiating table is what merited the second star.

Simply put: don't book with ISAS.

Here's the good news: we got our stuff, and it was only slightly dented. That's the end of the good news.

If you sign with ISAS, read the fine print very closely. Every item that the estimate does not include is something you WILL be paying for. ISAS neglected to check if our destination allowed tractor trailers and charged us nearly $700 for a permit. The sales agent said that they couldn't possibly check the parking rules for every city. I was incredulous; these were supposed to be moving experts, and they couldn't find what I had foudn after 30 seconds of googling?

I should mention, the municipality sells that permit for just under $100. This incompetence bordering on malfeasance would become a pattern.

We were given a quote and then one day later given an invoice for a different amount. We were later told we wouldn't be able to receive our goods unless we paid 50 euros for an "elevator fee" because the contract only allowed for use of the elevator up to the 2nd floor. I have no idea what is so particularly arduous about pushing the number 4 instead of pushing the number 2, but it was apparently worth 50 euros.

Upon arrival, our movers complained about the shoddy work of the packing. They pointed out obvious defects: boxes overpacked with heavy goods, boxes underpacked and caving in, boxes splitting, insufficient taping, etc.

This moving company made me research how far off an "estimate" would have to be before I could pursue a civil suit against the company. It was that bad. I cannot recommend enough that you stay away from ISAS. Each step of the process was painful, expensive, and designed to wring out your wallet like a dirty sponge. Any other moving company would be preferable.

Follow up: ISAS is claiming that what they did isn't illegal, and I don't dispute that. But their pricing is highly unethical, most notably this sequence: 1) receive a down payment; 2) inform the customer that they had neglected to check if they would need to arrange for shuttle service and parking; 3) charge the customer a 600% markup on the parking permit without informing the customer that they had the option to get their own permit.

ISAS is now claiming that they informed me that I could get my own permit, which is patently false. They also do not dispute the ludicrous markup, that the movers on the receiving end complained about the quality of the packing, or that the movers on the packing end incorrectly estimated the volume of goods. They also do not dispute charging me 50 euros to use the elevator in the building, which they did not need to reserve or pay for.

To summarize: what they did isn't criminal, but it's incredibly unethical.

The whole process felt unprofessional and frustrating.
Very bad experience with this company. They lack transparency and communication, and they add unexpected costs after the shipment has already been sent and is in transit. They also do not respond to emails, which made it extremely difficult to get clear information or resolve issues in a timely manner. Based on this experience, I would not recommend this company at all.

We had a very good experience with International Sea and Air Shipping moving a container of household goods from California to the UK. Their pricing and quotes were competitive and their communication was clear and responsive. Come the move, everything was packed very well. Our items were unloaded into storage for 4 months, then packed onto a shipping container, shipped, and then unpacked into a smaller van for delivery. The delivery team were helpful and efficient, delivering items over a five-floor townhouse. We were very happy with the service we received.

I highly recommend Int'l Sea & Air Shipping for shipping from Australia to the US.
Their communication is excellent. In particular, our assigned contact was very transparent, proactive and responsive throughout the 4-month process. This was very important to us, as we had to handle everything remotely.

5-stars!

Highly professional and recommended!