Meet Dustin Oien: An International Moving Expert at Laser International | Part 4

Meet Dustin Oien

Dustin Oien joined Laser International seven and a half years ago after working in domestic cargo operations and logistics. He has always been interested in other countries and cultures, so international moving offered a natural way to bring that interest together with his experience in logistics.

Today, he helps customers make sense of a process that can seem daunting at first. His approach is straightforward: explain what needs to happen, take it one step at a time, and make sure customers know what to expect.

The Importance of Planning Ahead

Ask Dustin what he wishes every customer knew before moving overseas, and his answer comes quickly: “start planning early.”

Unlike a domestic move, an international relocation involves additional considerations, particularly when it comes to destination customs requirements. Each country has its own regulations, documentation requirements and restrictions that customers need to understand well before their shipment arrives.

"Three to six months in advance, I think is the sweet spot for planning an international move," he says.

He's also seen the other end of the spectrum: a customer recently wanted to book on a Friday for a Monday pickup. Tight timelines like that leave little room to gather documents or deal with unexpected requirements.

His advice is to contact a relocation manager early, even if the move is still several months away. Laser's International Moving Checklist can also help customers keep track of the steps ahead.

Understanding the Customs Process

Customs is one area where preparation really matters. Through his experience, Dustin has seen how important it is for customers to understand destination requirements well before their shipment arrives.

He helps customers navigate the customs process by explaining applicable regulations, prohibited items and the documentation that customs authorities may request. While Laser's relocation managers guide customers through these requirements and coordinate the shipment, customers are responsible for obtaining and providing many of the personal documents needed to establish their eligibility for duty and tax-free importation, where applicable.

Depending on the destination country, customs authorities may require proof that the customer has been living outside the destination country for a specified period, evidence of their legal right to reside there, and documentation establishing their new residence. This may include a visa or residency documentation, a lease agreement or a utility statement showing their name and address.

He also reminds customers that a moving company can guide them through the requirements, but it cannot obtain every personal document on their behalf. Understanding what needs to be provided and gathering those documents early can make a significant difference in avoiding delays.

What Should You Actually Ship Overseas?

One mistake Dustin sees often is people paying to ship belongings they haven't used in years.

He's even encountered customers preparing to send boxes that were never unpacked after their previous move. His advice: use an international relocation as a chance to sort through what you actually want to keep.

For customers who are downsizing, retiring or transitioning into a smaller home overseas, he suggests considering estate sales, Facebook Marketplace and donation or junk removal services to help pare down belongings before the move.

He's noticed more customers taking a middle path: shipping boxes, essential belongings and a few meaningful furniture pieces instead of moving an entire household.

The question is not simply what can be shipped, but what will be useful or meaningful in the new home. Anything else can add cost without adding much value.

Packing for an International Move: Common Customer Questions

Two questions come up in Dustin’s conversations almost every day: Can I use plastic tote bins? And can I pack some of my own boxes?

He says the short answer to both is yes.

He explains that plastic tote bins are perfectly acceptable for international shipments and can be a convenient way to protect belongings in a rigid container. They can also serve a second purpose once customers arrive at their new home, providing useful storage for household items.

He also points out an important catch with customer-packed boxes: the packing crew needs to inspect the contents before shipment so Laser can prepare the inventory needed for customs and insurance purposes.

He reminds customers that Laser uses its own labeling system. Each box and item receives a numbered sticker that corresponds with the shipment's packing list.

For customers who want to locate a specific book or other item soon after delivery, he suggests keeping a more detailed list of their own. Laser's numbered packing list serves a different purpose.

He encourages customers to get a head start on packing, as long as they understand that the crew will still need to inspect and document what is going.

Groupage or an Exclusive Container: Understanding Your Options

When helping customers choose between groupage and an exclusive container, one of the first things he discusses is budget.

He explains that groupage, or shared-container shipping, allows several shippers to share container space. For smaller shipments, that can be much more economical than booking a container exclusively.

For example, someone moving into a furnished apartment overseas may only need to ship personal belongings, boxes and a few select furniture items. In that situation, paying for an entire container may not make financial sense.

An exclusive-use container gives one shipper dedicated space and generally offers a faster shipping option. It may suit customers who place a higher priority on timing or prefer not to share space with other shippers.

A relocation manger’s job is to help customers weigh those trade-offs against their shipment size, destination, budget and preferred timing.

Choosing an International Moving Company: Reputation Matters

Dustin’s first piece of advice when choosing an international moving company is simple: look at its reputation, not just the price.

A low quote can become less attractive if important services or additional charges were not made clear at the outset.

At Laser International, he takes pride in the company's customer feedback, Better Business Bureau accreditation and IAM Trusted membership. These credentials and affiliations reflect the importance Laser places on accountability, professionalism and delivering a positive customer experience.

For him, the point is not that customers should choose Laser without comparing options. It's that they should know who they are trusting with their belongings and what the quoted service includes.

A Memorable Move to the Orkney Islands

One move that has stayed with Dustin involved a family relocating to Scotland's Orkney Islands.

The islands lie north of mainland Scotland, and the delivery depended on coordinating a ferry crossing around weather and sea conditions. That left a narrow window to get the family's belongings across safely.

The family's circumstances made timing particularly important, adding another layer of responsibility to an already challenging delivery.

He has a longstanding affection for Scotland and the wider UK, so the destination held a personal appeal as well. Successfully arranging a move to such a remote place was satisfying for both reasons: the logistical challenge and the opportunity to help a family settle somewhere remarkable.

It was a reminder that international moving can take a team well beyond the usual major-city routes.

Making International Moving Less Stressful

After years of speaking with customers, Dustin has noticed that many people worry their move is unusually complicated—or that their home isn't organized enough for a virtual survey.

He often hears apologies about cluttered closets or the number of belongings in a room. His response is reassuring: he's seen it before, and what feels overwhelming to a customer is usually quite familiar to an experienced moving team.

"It's very rare these days that we come across a situation that is new to us," he says.

That experience helps him put customers at ease. They don't need to know every step at the beginning; they need to know what comes next.

He prefers to work through the move in a clear sequence, explaining each stage before moving to the next.

What he values most is earning a customer's trust and helping a move that initially felt complicated become manageable.

His parting advice is much the same as his first: allow time to plan, ask questions early and work through the process step by step.

With preparation and an experienced team, customers can spend less time worrying about logistics and more time looking forward to their new home.

At Laser International, the aim is to provide practical guidance and dependable support from the first conversation through delivery.

Ready to Make Your Move?

An international move comes with plenty of decisions. Starting early and having someone to guide the process can make those decisions easier.

Whether you're exploring a move or ready to get started, Laser International can help you understand your options.

Request a free, no-obligation quote to start planning your move.