FMC registration means a company is licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission, the US federal agency that regulates ocean shipping, and has filed a surety bond that protects your money if the company fails. BLUEmove International Relocation holds FMC Ocean Freight Forwarder License No. 020452 and a $50,000 surety bond.
When you plan an international relocation, one of the easiest checks to overlook is whether your mover is registered with the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). It takes five minutes, it costs nothing, and it tells you whether the company is legally allowed to arrange your ocean shipment at all. This guide explains what FMC registration means, how it differs from other credentials, and how to check any mover yourself before you sign.
What does FMC registration actually mean?
The Federal Maritime Commission licenses Ocean Transportation Intermediaries, the companies that arrange international ocean shipping for American households and businesses. To hold a license, a company must prove financial responsibility through a surety bond and name a Qualified Individual with real industry experience. Anyone can call themselves an international mover. Not everyone can be licensed.
There are two kinds of Ocean Transportation Intermediary license. An Ocean Freight Forwarder arranges and books your shipment and prepares its documentation. A non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC) issues its own bills of lading and acts as a carrier. BLUEmove holds an Ocean Freight Forwarder license.
What FMC registration covers:
- Ocean transportation, not trucks. The FMC regulates the ocean leg of your move. Trucking between US states is a different agency.
- A bond you can rely on. The surety bond gives customers recourse if the company fails or mishandles funds. For an Ocean Freight Forwarder, the bond is $50,000.
- A named, accountable person. Every license names a Qualified Individual who answers for the company’s compliance.
- A license that must be renewed. Licenses are not permanent. A lapsed license means the company is no longer compliant, so check the renewal date, not only the name.
One thing FMC registration does not do is insure your belongings. The bond is a financial guarantee, not damage cover. Transit insurance for your household goods is a separate product, and a good mover will explain what it covers before you buy it.
FMC or FMCSA: which one should an international mover have?
They are different agencies regulating different things. The FMC regulates ocean shipping and licenses the companies that move your belongings overseas. The FMCSA regulates trucking within the United States. A mover with only an FMCSA number is licensed to drive your goods across state lines, not to arrange shipping them abroad.
| FMC | FMCSA | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Federal Maritime Commission | Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration |
| Part of | Independent federal agency | US Department of Transportation |
| Regulates | International ocean transportation | Interstate trucking within the US |
| Relevant to | Moving your household overseas | Moving your household between US states |
| Credential issued | OTI license (Ocean Freight Forwarder or NVOCC) | USDOT / MC number |
| Financial protection | Surety bond ($50,000 for an Ocean Freight Forwarder) | Cargo and liability insurance requirements |
| Look it up at | FMC’s list of licensed OTIs | FMCSA SAFER system |
| If a mover has only this | Licensed to arrange your international shipment | Not licensed to arrange your international shipment |
A USDOT number is not an international moving credential. A company can hold a valid USDOT number and still have no FMC license. For a move from the US to another country, the FMC license is the one that governs the ocean leg.
FMC, IAM, FIDI/FAIM, ProMover: which credentials actually matter?
Only one of these is a government license. The Federal Maritime Commission licenses companies by law. IAM, FIDI and ProMover are industry bodies with voluntary membership and their own standards. Good movers often hold more than one. A trade association badge is not a substitute for a federal license, and no membership can replace one.
| Credential | Type | Issued by | What it proves | Mandatory? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FMC OTI License | Federal license | Federal Maritime Commission (US government) | Legally licensed to arrange international ocean shipping; surety bond filed | Yes, to operate |
| IAM membership | Industry association | International Association of Movers | Code of ethics, dispute resolution between members, global network | No |
| FIDI / FAIM | Audited industry standard | FIDI Global Alliance | Independently audited quality and financial standards | No |
| ProMover | Industry program | ATA Moving & Storage Conference (American Trucking Associations) | Vetting and consumer-protection commitments, mainly domestic | No |
BLUEmove holds: FMC Ocean Freight Forwarder License No. 020452 and IAM membership. Together, that makes BLUEmove FMC-registered and IAM-certified: the one credential the law requires, plus the industry’s largest global network. A company with a trade badge and no FMC license is not licensed to arrange your shipment, however good the badge looks.
How do you verify an international mover is FMC-registered?
You can check in about five minutes, for free, without contacting the company. The Federal Maritime Commission publishes every licensed Ocean Transportation Intermediary. If a company is not on that list, it is not licensed, whatever its website says.
- Ask for the license number. A licensed company will give it without hesitation. Refusal or vagueness is your answer.
- Search the FMC’s list of licensed Ocean Transportation Intermediaries. Search by company name or license number.
- Check the record matches. Confirm the legal name, address, license type and surety bond, and check that the renewal date has not passed. A record with a blank bond section is not compliant.
- Check IAM membership separately in the IAM Mobility Exchange. The two are independent, and one does not imply the other.
What a compliant record looks like. Search the FMC list for BLUEmove and you will find: BLUEMOVE INTERNATIONAL RELOCATION, INC., License No. 020452, 10440 Little Patuxent Pkwy Suite 300, Columbia, MD 21044. Ocean Freight Forwarder. Surety bond PB10381100006 with Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company, $50,000. Qualified Individual: Mark Spitzer, President. Renewal date 28 February 2027.
We publish our own record and invite you to check it. Ask every mover you are considering to do the same.
What happens if you use an unregistered international mover?
Using an unlicensed company to arrange an ocean shipment removes the protections this page describes:
- No bond. There is no surety bond behind the company, so there are no protected funds if it collapses mid-shipment.
- Weaker recourse. The FMC can take enforcement action against unlicensed operators, but you lose the bond that would otherwise stand behind your claim.
- Goods held at port. Unpaid freight or port charges can leave your container held at the port, even after you have paid someone in full.
- Nobody responsible. In broker-and-vanish arrangements, your shipment is sold on and no licensed party holds responsibility for the container.
The FMC’s Consumer Affairs and Dispute Resolution Services (CADRS) team can also tell you about a prospective mover’s complaint history at the FMC before you book. It is a free service and worth using.
Registered movers vs unregulated brokers
| FMC-registered, IAM-member mover | Unregulated broker | |
|---|---|---|
| Federal license | Yes, verifiable on the FMC’s OTI list | None |
| Surety bond | Filed and public | None |
| Professional standards | IAM code of ethics and member dispute process | No professional oversight |
| Who handles your goods | The company you hired and its vetted partners | Sold on to whoever bids lowest |
| Quote reliability | Itemized, survey-based estimate | Low headline number, surprise charges later |
| Accountability if something goes wrong | Named, licensed, bonded | Disappears after collecting payment |
| Experience you can check | Years in business, verifiable references | Recent LLC, no track record |
A broker who sells your move on to the lowest bidder is not accountable for what happens next. An FMC-registered and IAM-certified mover is. It holds a federal license, it has filed a bond, and it answers to a professional code of ethics. BLUEmove is FMC-registered, which keeps every international shipment we arrange from the USA fully compliant.
Red flags that should end the conversation
🚩 No license number offered when asked, or a vague answer without a number you can check
🚩 A quote far below every other quote. For international moves, the reason it is cheaper is what has been left out.
🚩 A large deposit demanded up front, before you have a written contract
🚩 No written, itemized estimate. Verbal-only pricing hides something.
🚩 No physical US address, only a PO box or a website
🚩 Volume estimated without a survey, then revised upward after collection
🚩 No insurance options, or unclear coverage
🚩 Generic email domains, such as @gmail.com rather than a company domain
🚩 No verifiable reviews from Americans who have actually moved internationally
Concerning behaviors. These are not automatic dealbreakers, but they call for harder questions:
⚠️ Evasive answers about international moving experience
⚠️ Cannot name destination port partners
⚠️ Provides only cost ranges, never itemized estimates
⚠️ No clarity on the customs clearance process
⚠️ Pressures you to decide immediately
⚠️ Claims “we handle everything” without explaining how
Eight checks before you sign with an international mover
1. Verify the credentials first
Covered in full above: license number, FMC list, IAM directory. If a company fails this step, nothing below matters.
2. Read the reviews properly
Generic praise tells you nothing. Look for reviews naming your specific route, and look for detail: how customs went, what condition things arrived in, how often the company made contact.
“Mark and Jennifer were very communicative throughout the process and made sure all my questions were answered… My boxes all arrived safe and sound with no customs issues.” — Ashlee Gonzalez (USA to Netherlands)
“Everything was handled in an efficient, professional manner for my move from Florida to Dublin IE. I would recommend BLUEmove International without reservations.” — Casey O’Reilly (Florida to Ireland)
What to distrust: vague complaints without detail, repeated mentions of unexpected cost increases, delayed deliveries with no communication, and customs problems, which point straight at inexperience.
3. Assess diplomatic and embassy moving experience
Foreign embassies and diplomatic missions across the United States hold their movers to standards most private clients never see. Posting dates cannot slip. Customs and duty status is complex. Documentation has to survive official scrutiny, and there is no tolerance for improvisation.
A mover with a real record in this work has proved it can navigate complex international customs rules, handle time-sensitive relocations, keep clean and compliant documentation, coordinate trusted partners worldwide, and deliver white-glove service under pressure.
BLUEmove has spent 21+ years moving embassy and diplomatic households out of the Washington DC area to posts on every continent. BLUEmove is also an approved relocation provider, authorized for diplomatic household goods moves, which means our process is vetted to federal standards.
That expertise transfers directly to private families. You get a process built for clients who cannot afford a mistake.
4. Verify experience on your exact route
“We ship everywhere” means nothing. Ask for recent, documented moves on your route. Each corridor has its own traps:
- USA to France: port selection (Le Havre or Marseille), the attestation de déménagement, VAT exemption procedures for Americans, and partner coordination for final delivery.
- USA to the UK and Ireland: post-Brexit customs requirements, UK import rules, door-to-door delivery in dense cities, and insurance requirements.
- USA to Spain and Portugal: fiscal representative requirements, NIE number coordination, Mediterranean port logistics, and rural delivery capability.
- USA to Asia and Latin America: the longest transit times of any route, tropical-climate packing, widely variable port infrastructure, and destination partners you cannot vet yourself. Ask for the realistic transit window on your specific port pair, in writing, before you sign.
“Blue Move was instrumental for my move from Atlanta to Paris, very efficient, comprehensive and fast.” — David Ruffel
“Overall, the moving experience from Washington DC to the south of France was excellent. Teams on both sides were professional and very helpful.” — Mary Carnell
“My husband and I shipped 20 boxes from northern Virginia to Pontevedra, Spain… delivery was timely, well orchestrated, and professional.” — Maria Luisa Clark
5. Judge communication standards and pricing transparency
Reliable companies assign a named coordinator who stays with you from survey to delivery. When the same names recur across years of reviews, that is a stable team rather than revolving-door staffing.
“Mark Spitzer was extremely knowledgeable, competent, kind, and helpful. My experience with Jennifer Bridge in the US and Jennifer Sloan in France was equally good.” — Tina Bucuvalas (USA to France)
“Mark, Jennifer and others at Blue Move were a pleasure to work with… They communicated quickly and clearly the entire time.” — Ian Sole (USA to overseas)
“BLUEmove made my international move incredibly stress-free. Mark and Jennifer were constantly on top of communications… Any time I had a question, they answered quickly.” — Derin Basden
Expect regular updates as your container moves from US pickup through ocean transit to delivery. A gap of more than five to seven days should prompt a call.
On pricing, insist on a written, itemized estimate covering:
- Volume-based pricing (cubic feet or container size)
- Packing scope (full pack, partial pack or fragile-only), materials and labor
- Shipment method (dedicated container, LCL shipping or air freight)
- Ocean freight
- Destination port fees, documentation charges and customs broker fees
- Delivery to your final address
- Insurance coverage levels and deductibles
- Payment terms and schedule
“I spoke with numerous companies who ship internationally and Bluemove was not the cheapest and not the most expensive. I felt Mark was experienced, honest and patiently answered all my questions.” — Stuff From Kenya
6. Compare value, not headline price
Cheapest rarely means best. Here is what the price actually buys.
- Packing built for ocean transit. Your belongings face four to eight weeks at sea plus handling at several ports. International packing is not domestic packing.
- Customs expertise, which is what prevents expensive delays: the required documents for each country, tax exemptions available to Americans relocating permanently, prohibited items, and correct declaration of valuables.
“The paperwork was easy and straightforward, and the goods went through Spanish customs without a glitch.” — Maria Luisa Clark (Virginia to Spain)
- Genuine door-to-door coordination. That means pickup from your US home and delivery inside your new residence, not a container dropped at a foreign port.
- One accountable point of contact when a ship is delayed or customs asks a question.
“BLUEmove might cost a little more than other companies, but their overall competence, knowledge about the legal and practical exigencies of a transnational move (in my case to France), and willingness to answer questions or concerns was worth every penny.” — Tina Bucuvalas
Saving a few hundred dollars on an international move means nothing if your belongings arrive damaged, delayed or stuck in customs.
7. Ask for references from recent clients
Established movers will give you references from comparable moves in the past six to twelve months. Ask them how customs clearance went on their route, whether their goods arrived when promised and in what condition, how often the company made contact, and whether they would use the company again.
“I have worked with Mark since 2008 when I first made an international move, and I highly recommend his services. Thanks Mark for a comfortable move.” — Lakshmi Moola
“Best movers we’ve ever hired! We used Bluemove to relocate overseas and then back to the US three years later and both times the move went flawlessly.” — Colleen Hill
Americans do not keep hiring the same international mover for fifteen years unless the moves go right.
8. Watch for the dealbreakers
See the red flags above. Any one of them is reason enough to walk away.
What this looks like on a real move
The difference between a reliable international mover and a mediocre one shows up in what clients say afterward.
USA to Thailand: long-distance expertise
“I moved a lot of my belongings to Thailand. BLUEmove was super responsive. This was the longest move that I have ever experienced and it was the best by a mile!” — Phil Galbraith ($2,000+ move)
USA to France: the most requested route
“From start to finish, my experience with BLUEmove International was exceptional! Mark Spitzer was extremely knowledgeable… their overall competence, knowledge about the legal and practical exigencies of a transnational move (in my case to France) was worth every penny.” — Tina Bucuvalas
Virginia to France: a 20-foot container
“A seamless move from northern Virginia to France. I moved a 20-foot container… communications were constant, clear, and helpful. Pack-out was in late February 2025 and delivery was April 1. I recommend BLUEmove International without hesitation.” — D.S.
USA to New Zealand: complex logistics
“Excellent moving company for an international relocation between US and New Zealand. We shipped a 2br house worth of items in a 20ft container… Everything arrived in good condition. Good communication throughout (especially with port strike delays).” — Parth Sheth
Moves into the USA
“Bluemove moved us from England to Delaware. From the people who arranged the move to the crews on both sides we had a fabulous experience. We’d definitely work with Bluemove again.” — Susan O’Grady
Specialized services for unique needs
International relocations often involve more than standard household goods. An FMC-registered mover with the right experience handles these professionally.
Diplomatic and corporate relocations
Foreign embassy and diplomatic mission staff, and corporate executives on assignment, face fixed timelines and strict confidentiality expectations. Experienced movers plan around posting dates, expedited shipping needs and discreet handling.
Family relocations with school-age children
Families moving with children benefit from a mover who plans around academic calendars, gets comfort items to the new home quickly, and keeps disruption to a minimum.
Retirement relocations and downsizing
Retirees moving abroad often downsize significantly. That calls for help deciding what to ship, what to store and what to let go, handled with care for a lifetime of possessions.
Vehicles and specialty items
Vehicles ship inside your household goods container or in a dedicated container. Pianos, artwork and antique furniture need specialized crating, and a good mover arranges it as part of the same move.
Claims and customer support
Should something go wrong, you want a mover that owns the problem.
- One point of contact. Your coordinator handles the claim with the insurer, the shipping line and, where needed, the destination partner.
- Documented packing. A detailed inventory and condition report at pack-out makes any damage claim faster and fairer.
- Federal backing. If a dispute with a licensed mover cannot be resolved directly, the FMC’s CADRS team offers free help, and the surety bond stands behind the company’s financial obligations.
Is BLUEmove International Relocation FMC-registered and IAM-certified?
Yes. BLUEmove International Relocation, Inc. holds Federal Maritime Commission Ocean Freight Forwarder License No. 020452, with a $50,000 surety bond, and is a member of the International Association of Movers. The company is based in Columbia, Maryland, has been moving American families for 21+ years, and ships household goods in dedicated containers.
| BLUEmove credential | Detail |
|---|---|
| Legal name | BLUEmove International Relocation, Inc. |
| FMC License No. | 020452 |
| License type | Ocean Freight Forwarder |
| Surety bond | $50,000, Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company, bond no. PB10381100006 |
| FMC Qualified Individual | Mark Spitzer, President |
| Current through | 28 February 2027 |
| IAM | Member |
| Headquarters | 10440 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Suite 300, Columbia, MD 21044 |
| In business | 21+ years |
| Countries served | Over 150 |
| Google rating | 4.9 from over 120 verified reviews |
Frequently asked questions
How can I verify if a moving company is FMC registered?
Ask the company for its FMC license number, then search the Federal Maritime Commission’s list of licensed Ocean Transportation Intermediaries by name or number. Check that the legal name, license type, surety bond and renewal date all match. A legitimate company will give you its number without hesitation and encourage you to check it.
What is the difference between FMC and FMCSA registration?
The FMC licenses companies that arrange international ocean shipping. The FMCSA, part of the US Department of Transportation, regulates trucking between US states. For a move abroad, the FMC license is the one that matters. A mover with only a USDOT or MC number is not licensed to arrange your ocean shipment.
Is FMC registration the same as being bonded and insured?
No. FMC registration requires a surety bond, which protects customers if the company fails or mishandles funds. It does not insure your belongings against damage. Transit insurance is a separate product. Ask any mover for both: the FMC license with its bond, and written details of the insurance it offers.
What happens if I choose an unregistered international moving company?
You lose the protection of the FMC surety bond, so there are no protected funds if the company collapses. Unlicensed operators often sell your move on to third parties, and unpaid charges can leave your container held at the port. The FMC can act against unlicensed operators, but that does not get your goods moving.
Do all international moving companies need FMC registration?
Any company that arranges ocean shipment of household goods to or from the United States must be licensed or registered with the FMC. Companies offering only air freight fall outside the FMC’s remit. Since most household moves go by sea, treat a missing FMC license as a serious warning sign.
How do I know if an international moving company is a scam?
Watch for a quote far below everyone else’s, a large deposit before a written contract, no physical US address, no survey before pricing, and no FMC license number. Check the license on the FMC’s OTI list and ask the FMC’s CADRS team about the company’s complaint history before you book.
Does FMC registration guarantee my belongings won’t be damaged?
No. The license and bond cover the company’s financial responsibility, not the condition of your goods. What reduces damage is professional export packing, a detailed inventory and careful loading. Protect your belongings with transit insurance, and read what it covers before you buy it.
Can international movers help with customs paperwork?
Yes. A reliable international mover prepares or coordinates the customs documentation as part of the service. It should explain what you need to declare, which tax exemptions are available to Americans relocating permanently, and which forms your destination country requires, so your shipment clears without delay.
How do I verify an international moving company’s credentials before hiring them?
Start with the FMC’s list of licensed Ocean Transportation Intermediaries, then check IAM membership in the IAM Mobility Exchange. Confirm a physical US address. Ask for references from recent moves to your destination and contact them. Finally, read reviews that name specific routes and describe how customs went.
Why does diplomatic moving experience matter if I’m not in government service?
Diplomatic relocations demand precise timing, rigorous documentation and reliable international partners. A mover that meets those standards for foreign embassies and diplomatic missions brings the same systems to every client: detailed inventories, established claims handling, and destination agents held to professional standards.
Is BLUEmove International Relocation FMC-registered and IAM-certified?
Yes. BLUEmove International Relocation, Inc. holds FMC Ocean Freight Forwarder License No. 020452, backed by a $50,000 surety bond, and is a member of the International Association of Movers. Based in Columbia, Maryland, BLUEmove has moved American families abroad for 21+ years.
Your final checklist before signing
✅ FMC license number given without hesitation, and verified on the FMC’s list
✅ IAM membership confirmed independently in the IAM Mobility Exchange
✅ Written, itemized estimate covering every cost line
✅ Documented experience on your specific route
✅ A named coordinator you have actually spoken to
✅ References from comparable moves in the last six to twelve months
✅ A clear explanation of the customs process at your destination
✅ Several detailed reviews mentioning “seamless”, “stress-free” and “professional”
Ready to Start Your International Relocation Journey?
Don’t leave your international relocation to chance. BLUEmove International Relocation combines 21+ years of international moving experience with FMC registration, IAM membership and personal service, so your family’s move abroad starts with confidence.
Contact BLUEmove International Relocation today:
📞 Call: 855.808.4900
✉️ Email: info@blue-move.com
🌐 Website: www.blue-move.com
Let our experience and FMC registration work for you, ensuring your move abroad starts with confidence and ends with satisfaction.
