International Sea & Air Shipping Reviews 

We used this company for a personal intercontinental move, and the overall experience was extremely disappointing.

We understand that international shipping can be affected by circumstances outside the company’s control, including geopolitical issues and ocean transit delays. However, our main concerns relate 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, the communication and coordination handled through the company’s chosen partners became extremely difficult. We were given broad estimates rather than a realistic 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.

The most concerning issue came after delivery. Our final final invoice was based on 350 CF, which we had previously questioned as we expected the volume to be lower. We were informed that the increase was due to palletization. However, the delivered pallet was labelled 147 CF.

We contacted the original company multiple times over two weeks requesting clarification and supporting information regarding this discrepancy. Despite previously receiving prompt responses from the same contacts, we have received no response to this question.

Delays can happen in international moving, and we understand that not every part of the process is within a company’s control. However, customers deserve transparency, proactive communication, and clear explanations when there are questions about significant charges.

We are still waiting for an explanation regarding the billed volume.

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!

They were professional and easy to talk to.
The shipment did arrive intact regardless of the many dishes and glasses.
The delivery people were in time and very helpful.
Everybody did a great job.

I absolutely love it when I can post a genuinely glowing review, so this will be fun.

From start to finish, working with International Sea & Air was a pleasure. As a rule I dislike shopping for services because I don’t like high pressure sales tactics. None of that with International. My first contact was with Hillary, who ended up patiently following (OK, maybe it was more like hand-holding!) us through what, for me, was a first international move. No high pressure, just rational advice and tailoring of the job to our needs…and maybe a bit of gentle nudging when needed.

Hillary was informative, responsive, and reassuring throughout. She put up with a number of my ”yeah, but what if…“ moments and talked me down every time. She’s been doing this for a while and she really knows her game!

Also want to mention Jeanine, Kai, and all the folks who did the actual loading, moving, and unloading of three storage units into a massive intermodal container. I have nothing but good things to say about them!

So now come the surprises. First, we have a LOT of breakable dinnerware, glassware, art, etc. All of it (!) made the journey from California to Europe without so much as a crack. Unbelievable!

Next surprise: there were a handful of delicate furniture items that we simply didn’t have time to crate, so we made the difficult decision to pay an expected high price to have International do it. Their price was maybe 20 percent of what I anticipated. AWESOME. And the crates are practically indestructible.

Like I said, this was my first experience with an international mover. There might be better companies out there but I really can’t imagine what that would look like. They are all true professionals, and I would use International again without a second thought!

Timely and efficient pick up and delivery. Good problem solving when a little issue arose, a great experience all around!

I used this company for a recent move and from beginning to end they were very easy to work with. They have a well run operation with people that take pride in the details. The packing crew was methodical and organized; I was amazed that everything arrived in the same condition as when it left!

My coordinator was always available to answer questions and provide guidance (even when it got repetitive). I appreciate that my sales rep was upfront about potential additional costs. I truly couldn’t ask for more out of a moving company.

Lied to during the sales period. Items were not packed properly leading to damage. Insufficient communication and management of the process, including leading to additional charges due to their lack of management and not informing me of what I needed to provide.

I even talked directly with the President of the company who shared no apologies or concern for the treatment here. This attitude and disdain for customers is clearly an issue coming from leadership.

Update (based on reply): The packing of art was not done correctly. Paintings were put in shared boxes with no protection leading to damage. Canvases were punctured because of poor packing. This isn't just an issue of things moving, but negligence. I had made clear that art would be included, sent pictures of the paintings and even verified there was experience with this sort of fragile item. Despite all of this, there was no attempt to ensure correct packing nor care for the art. Multiple pieces were damaged, not just a one off. I was lied to about the capacity of this shipping company directly by the company.

Update 2: I believe the representative responding to my review is lying. The company has not requested any pictures from me and has not provided me any details of what they are investigating as of yet despite publicly saying that they have.

Don't trust this company to be honest, communicate, or able to pack and care for your stuff.

Update 3: I just proactively sent photos. I sent a response to the note that there was to be an investigation and even asked what it would be covered. But you all decided not to respond through email and are instead choosing to add details here instead of trying to work with me.

For the public record, I had sent photos of the art that needed to be shipped back in October and was told that it would be packed carefully. This was still false and very clearly so based on the damage. While details can be missed because of the stressful situation, it doesn't help that the company chooses to work in public and not take responsibility - also what occurred late last year when there was no communication for a month that the shipment was pending information from me and I needed to follow-up to even learn that fact. The agent coordinating even noted that they had assumed I was communicated that information to me even though it wasn't. The president of the company defended those actions and that treatment of a customer and poor communication and instead blaming it on me and charging me additional fees, even if reduced. Throughout the whole process I have had to manage the communication despite being told that it was one of the services they provided and continually noted that. Despite the president of the company being aware of this. This is not the behavior of a good company, but one that is just trying to sell you their service and then stops caring about the customer and experience in some cases. Based on the positive reviews, there are clearly some customers who are treated better than others.

Everyone was kind and courteous.

Communication was great and the price was great too!

This is the company you want to hire. They were highly responsive, assisted at every turn. Showed up when they said they would. Each step of the way, each person was professional and accurate.
The company they coordinated for me in Uruguay, AB Trucking was as responsive and went beyond with their help making the smooth transitions with language and immigration. Seamless.
Everything we shipped arrived! I mean everything.
Thank you so much, to all of you, Hillary, Brian, Logistics, Inventory of my belongings, the gentlemen who carefully loaded the trucks, everyone. Alejandra and Zaskia, Thank you to all! May your bosses give you raises.
Wendy and Josephine

Professional and helpful team. Everything went smooth from US to France. All in time and no bad updated prices and invoices at the arrival and at delivery. Warmly recommended. Not yet the time to check all the boxes for potential breaks but the furniture were as we send them and well packed and protected

Excellent communication throughout the process. A few additional costs from customs, but that was a known variable. No hidden costs. Pickup and delivery were friendly and fast. Truly an excellent experience, would recommend.

Regret using this company, I now have two shipments sitting in limbo and being forced to pay extra charges. My first shipment is still sitting in the United States after a month without leaving, having to chase to get updates and no urgency or consideration on timing my good are now scheduled to arrive a month and a half later. I stupidly booked another LCL shipment before this happened and not only did they get the quote wrong for which I had to then pay another 1000$ just before pick up, they sent a shuttle instead of the container and supposedly packed too much and are now proposing another 4000$ in charges for a half empty container when they restricted what they collected and I still have other items left over in my empty house, STAY AWAY

Recent update April 2026: For the first container I was able to pay with card with no issue or mention of exception, the company is now refusing to accept card, my shipping date has already been delayed and they are still refusing and threatening additional storage charges.

There is a lengthy response below but as you can appreciate, these are only excuses, this has come about due to poor communication and lack of process, there was no email confirmation from me. I am not one to usually complain, this has been an incredibly painful process and I need others to know

We trusted this company to move our valued possessions to Valencia Spain. They were supposed to put all our boxes in a private container from the destination, to avoid losing anything. But seems that they did forget including one of the boxes from the origin warehouse. We didn't know this had happened until receiving our possessions in Spain 7 months later. By this point they told us that it was impossible to find it at their warehouse, and they could not do anything for us. Very disappointed with their final response. And nothing we can do as we had to pay when we shipped.

Robert is a true professional and was very instrumental in helping me with my international move. I would highly recommend anyone to do business with your company.

They made me feel at ease with what was going to happen when. You could say they had my back with one of the most stressful events in our life, and that was moving abroad. The entire team was wonderful to work with.