The international moving industry includes some of the most professional, accountable service companies in the logistics sector — and some of the least. The challenge for a consumer or business planning an international move is that a polished website, a competitive quote, and confident customer service calls can all come from either end of that spectrum.
This checklist gives you the specific, verifiable criteria that separate legitimate, credentialed international movers from operators you should avoid. Every item on this list can be verified independently — you should verify all of them before committing to any international groupage provider.
The 2026 Vetting Checklist
1. FMC OTI License (Verifiable Online)
Any company booking ocean freight on behalf of U.S. shippers must hold a Federal Maritime Commission Ocean Transportation Intermediary (FMC OTI) license. The FMC maintains a public online registry where you can search by company name and verify current licensure status.
| How to Verify |
| Go to: https://www.fmc.gov |
| Navigate to: Licensing & Registrations > Search |
| Search by company name and confirm Active OTI licensure |
| Nobel Relocations: Verify active OTI status at FMC.gov before booking |
2. FIDI-FAIM Certification (Verifiable Online)
FIDI Global Alliance maintains a public directory of FAIM-certified movers. FAIM 3.4 is the current standard; any mover claiming FIDI certification but listing a lower version number should be asked to provide current audit documentation.
| How to Verify |
| Go to: https://www.fidi.org |
| Navigate to: Find a Member |
| Search by company name and confirm FAIM certification status and version |
| Nobel Relocations: Verify FIDI-FAIM 3.4 certification at fidi.org |
3. C-TPAT Trusted Trader Status
C-TPAT status is significant in 2026 because of the updated CBP IOR verification requirements. A C-TPAT certified company has been independently validated by CBP as a secure, compliant supply chain partner — directly reducing the risk of consolidation holds and customs delays.
- Ask the mover directly: ‘Do you hold C-TPAT Trusted Trader certification?’
- Request the C-TPAT certification number
- Note: C-TPAT status is not publicly searchable online, but a legitimate holder can provide documentation immediately
4. Physical CFS Operations
A legitimate groupage operator for household goods either operates its own Container Freight Station or has a documented, long-term operational relationship with a CFS. Ask:
- Where is your CFS located?
- Do you own the CFS or contract with a third party?
- Who supervises the stuffing of the shared container — your staff or the CFS’s staff?
The answer matters: mover-supervised stuffing with the mover’s staff means accountability. Third-party CFS staffing means a handoff.
5. Lift Van Usage Confirmation
Not all groupage operators use Lift Vans — some load household goods as individual pieces in the container alongside other cargo. Ask:
- Do you use Lift Vans for all household goods groupage shipments?
- What type of Lift Van (Type I or Type II) and what is the interior volume?
- Are Lift Vans included in the quoted price or charged separately?
- Are your Lift Vans ISPM 15 compliant?
6. Destination Agent Network
A groupage mover without a destination agent network is a mover that will hand your goods off to an unvetted third party at the destination port. Ask:
- Who handles customs clearance at [destination country]?
- Is the destination agent a member of FIDI?
- How long have you worked with your [destination country] destination agent?
- Do you have a direct accountability relationship with the destination agent, or do you use a broker network?
7. Insurance Documentation
- What marine cargo insurance do you provide, and what does it cover?
- Is it All Risk coverage or a lower tier?
- What is the declared value basis (replacement cost or depreciated value)?
- Who is the insurance underwriter — a named, verifiable insurance company?
8. Transparent Pricing Documentation
- Is the quote itemized by charge type (origin, ocean freight, destination) or presented as a single all-in number?
- Does the quote specify what surcharges are included and which are subject to change?
- Is the volume estimate binding or subject to revision after packing?
- What is the process if actual volume at the CFS exceeds the estimated volume?
9. Reference Checks on Specific Corridors
Ask for references from clients who have shipped to your specific destination country in the past 12 months. An operator with genuine corridor expertise should be able to provide verifiable references without hesitation.
10. Red Flags to Walk Away From
- No verifiable FMC OTI license on the FMC public registry
- Claims of FIDI membership not verifiable on fidi.org
- Inability to name the destination customs broker and explain the clearance process
- Quote delivered verbally with no written documentation
- Payment required 100% upfront before packing begins
- No physical U.S. office address and phone number
- ‘Guaranteed delivery dates’ on ocean groupage shipments — these are not possible
- No mention of Lift Vans in the packing and consolidation process
Nobel Relocations: How We Score on This Checklist
| FMC OTI License | Active — verify at fmc.gov |
| FIDI-FAIM Certification | FIDI-FAIM 3.4 Certified — verify at fidi.org |
| C-TPAT Trusted Trader | Certified — documentation available on request |
| Physical CFS Operations | Yes — Nobel-supervised CFS operations for all groupage corridors |
| Lift Van Usage | Type II Lift Vans, ISPM 15 compliant, FSC-certified timber, included in pricing |
| Destination Agent Network | FIDI-member destination agents across all Nobel corridors |
| Insurance | All Risk marine cargo insurance, replacement cost basis, available through Nobel |
| Transparent Pricing | Itemized quote, volume survey before packing, surcharges disclosed upfront |
| References | Available on request for all major corridors |
| Ready to Move Smarter in 2026?
Nobel Relocations is a FIDI-FAIM 3.4 certified, C-TPAT Trusted Trader, and FMC-licensed OTI with decades of groupage experience across every major international corridor. Contact Our Experts | www.nobelrelocations.com |
