Meet Doug Korte: An International Moving Expert at Laser International | Part 3

With more than 35 years of experience in international transportation, Laser International Relocation Manager Doug Korte has helped customers navigate the complexities of moving around the world.

In this edition of our International Moving Experts series, Doug shares practical advice on planning your move, understanding international moving costs, and choosing a moving company that puts your needs first.

1. Not All International Moving Quotes Are Created Equal

One of the most common questions Doug hears from customers is simple: Why are international moving quotes so different in price?

The answer often comes down to shipment size, included services, and the level of service provided.

International moving costs are heavily influenced by the volume of belongings being shipped. If one company quotes a full shipment while another bases its estimate on a much smaller volume, the price difference can be significant. A lower quote may initially look appealing, but it may not accurately reflect the amount you need to move.

Doug recalls working with a customer who used painter’s tape to map out the estimated dimensions of his shipment after a virtual walkthrough. When the customer received a competing quote at a substantially lower price, he discovered that the other company had quoted only half the volume he expected to ship.

The result? A lower price that did not reflect the customer's actual needs.

Doug’s advice: Compare quotes carefully and make sure you understand what each one includes. Look at the estimated shipment volume, packing services, transportation, destination services, and any potential additional charges. If something doesn't make sense, ask questions.

At Laser International, our relocation managers help customers understand their moving estimates so they can make informed decisions and compare services more confidently.

2. Start Planning Your International Move Early

If there is one thing Doug wishes every customer understood before moving overseas, it is the importance of planning ahead.

“Plan in advance” is more than a recommendation. Depending on your destination, you may need customs paperwork, consular documentation, or other documents before your household goods can be imported.

Having a passport and permission to visit a country does not automatically mean you meet the requirements to import your personal belongings. Some documents can take months to obtain, so waiting until the last minute can create unnecessary stress.

Doug recommends beginning the planning process at least three months before your anticipated move, with even more lead time whenever possible.

Timing also matters. The moving industry's typical peak season runs from early May through late September. If you plan to move during this period, advance notice is especially important when securing your preferred moving dates.

Doug’s advice: Start researching destination requirements early, understand which documents you may need, and work with an experienced relocation manager who can help you prepare for the process.

The earlier you begin, the more time you have to address questions, coordinate logistics, and prepare for your next chapter.

3. Every International Move Is Different

One common misconception is that all international moving companies are the same—or that moving an entire household overseas can be priced using a simple, one-size-fits-all estimate.

In reality, no two customers have exactly the same needs.

One household may be shipping only a few boxes, while another needs to transport a large home filled with furniture. Some shipments may include a piano, valuable artwork, or oversized furniture that requires special handling. Each situation calls for a different approach.

Doug describes international moving as a craft that requires listening to the customer, understanding their priorities, and developing a proposal tailored to their circumstances.

Technology can be helpful, but it cannot replace the importance of understanding what a customer actually needs to accomplish.

Doug’s advice: Look for a moving company that takes the time to understand your shipment, answer your questions, and explain the services that make sense for your situation. Your move should be planned around your needs—not a cookie-cutter package.

4. Share Your Destination Details as Early as Possible

Planning an international move involves more than knowing the country where you are headed. Your specific destination address can also make a significant difference.

A large moving truck may have no trouble reaching a suburban home in the United States, but delivering to a residence in Europe can present a different set of challenges. Narrow streets, steep roads, limited parking, small elevators, and tight stairwells can affect how household goods are delivered.

Depending on the location, additional services such as shuttle transportation or long carries may be necessary.

These logistical considerations can also affect destination charges. Without a complete delivery address, it may be difficult for a moving company to identify potential access issues or determine whether additional services will be required.

Doug’s advice: Provide your relocation manager with the most complete origin and destination addresses available as early as possible. This allows the team to research access conditions, anticipate potential challenges, and help you understand what to expect.

The more information you share, the better your moving team can prepare.

5. Understand Your Shipping Options: Groupage or Exclusive Container?

Choosing the right shipping method is another important part of planning an international move. According to Doug, the decision between groupage and an exclusive-use container often comes down to the size of your shipment, the dimensions of your furniture, and overall cost.

Groupage (shared container shipping) allows your belongings to share transportation space with other customers' shipments. Depending on the shipment, goods may be packed into lift vans or crates, or secured on pallets.

This option may make sense for smaller shipments. However, the dimensions of the packing unit can limit what fits. Large sofas, long dining tables, and oversized armoires may be difficult to accommodate.

Exclusive container shipping provides the use of a dedicated shipping container for your household goods. Depending on your shipment volume, a 20-foot or 40-foot container may be appropriate.

For larger shipments, an exclusive container may offer better overall value. The size and shape of individual furniture pieces can also influence which option works best.

Customs regulations and destination requirements may introduce additional considerations, so the decision should be based on more than volume alone.

Doug’s advice: Discuss your inventory, larger furniture items, destination, and budget with your relocation manager. An experienced professional can help evaluate the options and determine which shipping method best fits your move.

6. Prepare for Customs Before Your Shipment Arrives

Customs requirements are an essential part of any international household move. Missing or incomplete documentation can lead to delays and additional stress when your belongings arrive at their destination.

Doug emphasizes the importance of understanding the destination country's requirements well before shipping day.

At Laser International, customers receive destination-specific customs guidelines to help them understand the documentation process. When appropriate, Laser can also arrange a conference call with its overseas team so customers can discuss their questions directly with professionals familiar with local requirements.

For example, customers may need clarification about whether a particular document is acceptable or whether additional documentation from an employer or another organization is required.

Although customs decisions are made by government authorities and cannot be controlled by the moving company, preparation and communication can help customers understand what is expected and reduce avoidable surprises.

Doug’s advice: Review your destination's customs requirements early, organize your paperwork, and ask questions whenever something is unclear. Your relocation manager can help guide you through the process and connect you with destination partners when needed.

7. Choose Experience, Reliability, and Personal Service Over Price Alone

When selecting an international moving company, Doug believes customers should look beyond the lowest quote.

He recalls a long-time customer in his previous job who once explained why she continued working with him: cheaper options were always available, but what mattered most to her was reliability, honesty, integrity, and excellent service.

That perspective has stayed with Doug throughout his career.

International relocation involves valuable belongings, complicated logistics, important deadlines, and often a major life transition. Whether you are moving for a new job, retirement, or another opportunity, you want to know that the people coordinating your move understand your needs and will communicate with you throughout the process.

At Laser International, our relocation managers work directly with customers from the beginning of the process through the completion of their move. Rather than being passed from one contact to another, customers have a consistent point of contact who understands their shipment and can help guide them through each stage.

This continuity is what we call The Laser Advantage.

Doug’s advice: Choose a reputable international moving company and a relocation manager you feel comfortable working with. Ask questions, evaluate the services being offered, and make sure you understand the value behind the price.

The goal isn't simply to find the cheapest move. It is to find the right partner to help you get where you need to go.

The Most Important Part of an International Move? The People.

After more than 35 years in international transportation, Doug has learned that successful relocations are about much more than moving household goods from one country to another.

Moving is widely recognized as a major life stressor, and an international relocation can involve additional layers of complexity. Customers may be coordinating employment changes, retirement, housing, travel, documentation, and family needs—all at the same time.

Doug sees his role as being a steady hand throughout that process: listening carefully, understanding each customer's circumstances, and helping make the experience as manageable as possible.

For him, one of the most rewarding parts of the job is getting to know customers and becoming part of their journey as they move into the next chapter of their lives.

That customer-first philosophy is at the heart of Laser International. We believe international moving should be built on communication, accountability, and personal service—not just transportation.

Planning a Move Overseas? We're Here to Help.

Whether you're moving a few cherished belongings or an entire household, having the right team makes a difference.

Laser International provides worldwide moving and storage services, helping customers navigate the logistics of international relocation with a dedicated relocation manager and personalized guidance throughout the process.

Ready to start planning your international move? Contact Laser International to discuss your shipment, explore your shipping options, and get a personalized moving quote.