INTLMOVE’S TIPS ON CUSTOMS INFORMATION

The greatest benefit if using an international moving company is that you have access to tools that will help you determine the volume of your shipment, help you to decide if you want to pack yourself or have the shipment packed for you, what kind of insurance coverage is available, what to expect throughout the process and to help you find out if you have to pay duties and taxes on your shipment in your new destination country. We will concentrate on Customs Information in this article.

The service of a customs clearance agent to handle / facilitate the paperwork for normal customs clearance is included in the door to door service. If you want door to port service, you will need to provide your own customs clearance agent.

The documents, duties or taxes that you may be required to produce / pay vary depending on your status for entering the country. Are you a returning citizen, a retiree, a student, looking for work, already obtained a work visa, etc? As you can see each situation is individual and unique. It is your responsibility to have the proper documentation available. For example if you are a returning citizen, will your country require you to prove that you were living outside in another country for a specified amount of time (the requirement could be 6 months, 2 years or other)? What kind of proof will they require? You will need to have that documentation available to send to the customs clearance agent. The regulations are subject to change without notice. Your international moving company cannot tell you the specific requirements for how you are entering the country for your shipment, but they can direct you on how and where to get this information.

You must contact the consulate or embassy for the latest updates in regulations or requirements. You can also visit our website www.intlmove.com, “customs information”, under the flag use the scroll down arrow next to the box “select a country”. This will open to the government Customs page for your destination country. If you are not able to find the information you are looking for, there is always an option to “contact us” meaning you can email the Customs personnel for your destination country to ask questions specific to your needs.

The government Customs site for your destination country will also provide information about what constitutes used or new household goods. Some countries consider goods new unless they are at least 6 months or older, but each country is different. If you want to bring in firearms (if you can at all) you will more than likely need to obtain special permits and or licenses. Products made from materials such as animals bones or ivory could be confiscated. Obviously you wouldn’t ship fresh meat, plants or any living thing in a container, but some countries will not allow dried grasses, seeds, animal hides or pelts to be brought into their country. Learn what items are banned and / or restricted and what items can be brought in but may be taxed. If you want to ship your car; did you know that some countries will only allow you to bring in your vehicle if you are a diplomat? Some countries restrict the age of the vehicle (over 5 years old is a very common restriction). The emissions requirements, the tires, etc may have different requirements in your destination country than what you are used to in the USA. Are you prepared to pay taxes and or covert your vehicle to meet their codes and rules? Most countries prohibit the sale of any household goods for a period of up to two years after importing. There can be extreme variations which are affected by religious and political cultures that may involve watching every movie or examining every book page by page that you bring into the country.

A shipment may be stopped at Customs even if you have followed all of the rules and provided all of the correct paperwork. Customs operations are entirely outside of your international moving company’s control. Think of it like the TSA at the airport. When you are flying, before boarding your plane, the TSA will sometimes set up spot checking of carry on baggage. If you are selected for this, you will comply. If Customs wants to inspect a shipment for whatever reason, you will comply. If your goods are held up by customs, remember to keep calm and cooperate. If you have done your homework, this will only be a temporary delay. It might; however, be a good idea to set aside an emergency fund for unexpected duties or similar expenses.

Over the years, the restrictions of what can and cannot be brought into a country have grown and are subject to change without notice. It is essential to check the guidelines for your destination country and make sure you are up to date so that your shipment can travel, unhindered, to your new home. When it comes to Customs regulations, do not assume or guess – KNOW!

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Do I need an International Mover?

This question, if you are planning to relocate overseas, is very relevant. You could probably handle this task on your own, but you must take into account all of the following factors before you make a decision:

An international move is a very complex procedure that requires more-than-basic knowledge; it will have you spending hours on the phone in search of moving companies (domestic and foreign), trucking companies, shipping companies etc.

Does it really require experience?

In addition to the knowledge required and the proper license to legally ship your belongings overseas, nothing can replace the amount of experience that an international mover has and that you, probably, lack. Even if you moved before it couldn't have been as many times as an international mover has dealt with these procedures. Think of it in more simple terms: even if you changed the oil in your car several times, that does not qualify you as a fully trained mechanic yet – you will still need to learn a lot and acquire enough experience before you will be able to be good at fixing your car, not to mention other people's cars. If we use this example, an international mover is a very experienced, highly regarded auto shop with a very good reputation, and one you won't hesitate to allow to fix your car.

How complicated can it be?

To help you grasp the extent of the complications you might need to overcome if you choose to do this on your own, here are just a few of the types of companies you will surely have to deal with when moving overseas:

1. A domestic moving company
2. A domestic trucking company if shipping an full designated container
3. A trustworthy shipping company
4. Foreign Customs Authority
5. Foreign moving company

Those are just the essential basic services that you will need to know how to find and deal with. Sound easy? Hold on…

Finding a domestic moving company can be simple, but how will you know that they are really as good as they say? Do you have any experience with such services in an extent that enables you to be sure?

Same goes for finding a shipping company: do you know who is the best? Do you have the ability to negotiate with them on a good price?

Would you like to spend the time required to narrow the gap between the moving company and the shipping company? Someone has to make sure that all that left your home will be loaded on the ship. Someone also has to make sure that all that is unloaded at your port of destination, is loaded on a local truck and safely delivered to your new location.

Dealing with foreign Customs authorities is in itself worthy of a separate article. You will have to master all local laws and regulations and overcome, to some extent, the language barrier.
Now go find a local moving company in your destination country. If you thought finding a good one in the USA is a bit of a hassle, try doing it by phone / fax / e-mail in Italy, France or any other country where they probably speak less English than the local Customs personnel.

The bottom line – get a quote

In short, unless you have moved hundreds of times, it would probably be wise to let an international moving company that handles thousands of international moves annually take care of your move and allow you to make better use of your time in preparation for the big step.

Getting a quote is free, what have you got to lose?

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Understanding the Steps of International Moving

Are you just about to move internationally? If so, here are the basic steps you will need to take:
Once you have decided to move internationally and have a known destination, it is time to make all the necessary arrangements for your move. You will need, of course, to start packing. If you are packing mostly household goods you might prefer to do this on your own to save costs; although this can be done, for a fee, by the moving company in charge of transporting your possessions to the port of departure.

The moving company will be the first of many stages in the journey that you will have to deal with. They will be in charge of the first part of your move. When they have delivered your goods to the port another step takes place: storing and loading. Your goods will be taken to the port in a container, fully loaded (that's in case you ordered an exclusive container), or will be stored in a warehouse together with other goods being shipped to the same destination, and will be consolidated to a shared container and sent on their way overseas.

The next stage or link is the shipping company. They are the ones who run the ship onto which your container or the shared container holding your belongings is loaded and transported across the ocean.

Now your goods have landed on foreign soil; they must be cleared through Customs by a Customs clearance agent. Each country has different rules and regulations which are subject to change without notice. Depending how you enter the country will have an effect on the rules and regulations as well. It is essential that you familiarize yourself with these rules beforehand.
After your goods have cleared by Customs, they must be loaded and transported to your home. This is done by a local equivalent of the American moving company – those friendly people that you encountered in the beginning. These companies overseas may look the same as the domestic ones you are used to dealing with, but they might not be capable of communicating in English as well as you might expect.

Now you are at your destination, your belongings have arrived and all that is left is to unpack (whew, aren't you relieved?).

You must remember that during the process of moving, especially overseas (what would be referred to as an international move), you must handle many steps, or segments of the move and familiarize yourself with a lot of facts, figures, rules, laws etc. You will need to do all of these in a not less than perfect way since the safe arrival of your goods depends solely on your performance of all the above.

If you fear that it is too complicated or simply think (and who wouldn't), that it's too big of a risk to take on yourself, you are not alone. If you are wondering whether there are professionals out there doing this day by day, people who know all there is to know about international moving, whose field of expertise is getting your goods from the USA to any other place on the face of the earth – the answer is YES: they are called INTERNATIONAL MOVERS.

These people are the experts who will deal with all the stages of your international move and make sure that all is handled in the quickest, safest and most cost effective way, so that you will have the time to prepare for your relocation without the worries and hassle of transporting your goods overseas.

If you are worried about the price just remember: it may cost a bit more but will assure the success of your move. It may even cost less just because they know exactly who will do every step for the best price at any given time. You should consider hiring an International Mover and remember – getting a quote won't cost you a penny.

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Why do you need an international moving company?

You have reached a stage in your life in which you are about to move overseas. It may be for work or personal reasons. You are used to doing things by yourself and you might even be generally opposed to using contractors or middlemen, so now you must be asking yourself: "can't I do this on my own?, how difficult or complicated can it be?".

In a sense, you're right – it shouldn't be complicated. In fact it isn't complicated. Nothing really is complicated when you're a pro. That's why a pilot will not consider flying a 747 complicated, a carpenter thinks building a new kitchen is a piece of cake and any other professional will tell you his job is simple. International moving companies will always tell you it's simple to move overseas, because that is their field of expertise. That means they have learned, sometimes the hard way, how to do it right, how to be cost efficient and who are the best in each stage of the complex procedure with whom are worth working.

The actual move begins with the packing of your household goods and transporting them to a warehouse where they will either loaded into a designated container, in case you need a full container, or they will be consolidated with other goods being transported to your destination – this will eventually save you money.

Do you really want to start looking for a good and reliable shipping company? Do you have the essential basic knowledge necessary for this task? An international moving company does and already knows who can be trusted with your belongings. When you hire an international mover, you purchase, amidst their variety of services, the experience and knowledge they already have and that saves you time, money and most important of all – the grief of disappointment that you might encounter when taking all of this on yourself without having the required experience.
If you're thinking "all this doesn't sound that hard" remember: getting your goods in a container and loaded on a ship is only half of the journey. Now that the ship has reached its port of destination, you will have to deal with local Customs. Would you rather learn the full manual of the Customs authority in your destination or have a local expert deal with them? Would you like to try and find that local expert on your own, while possibly dealing with a language barrier, or have one already waiting for your shipment on the spot? When your goods have been cleared, would you rather try and find a local mover on your own, or have a good and reliable one already hired for you?

When you plan an international move you could probably take the time to learn all of the required facts, laws etc. and spend time on the phone or even on the net, searching for the right people to handle each stage of the move and then supervise and coordinate between them as the moving process advances.

You could also hire the services of an international moving company, watch them pick up your packed goods and spend the time left for preparing yourself and your family for the relocation. You can sleep well at night and smile all day long, knowing the next time you will have to deal with this is when you unpack your belongings at your new location.

So why take upon yourself the hassle and gamble? If you are about to move overseas, call an international moving company and let them take the burden off your shoulders so you can keep smiling.

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Understanding Moving – Full Container Load (FCL)

FCL is the abbreviated code for a Full Container Load shipment. Whether you decide on a full container load or an LCL (less than container load) shipment depends on the volume of the belongings you want to ship. If you are not sure that you need a full container, it is essential that you complete an item list of your belongings.

You can do this on line, at your leisure, to determine the volume of your shipment. It is not difficult, and you can access an on line calculator through your International mover. Generally if you have 600 Cubic Feet (CFT) or more, you will want to ship in a full, designated container. It will more than likely be more cost effective and will reduce the delivery time frame. When shipping an LCL (less than container load) shipment, your goods will be consolidated into a larger container with other shipments. The consolidation process increases the time frame to receive your belongings.

Shipping containers come in two standard lengths, 20 feet and 40 feet. The dimensions of the 20 foot and 40 foot containers are the same in width and height but obviously differ in length. The interior dimensions for a 20 foot container are 7’8” Wide by 7’10” High by 19’4” Long. The interior dimensions for a 40 foot container are 7’8” Wide by 7’10” High by 39’6” Long. The 20 foot container will accommodate approximately 900 CFT of household goods, and the 40 foot standard container will accommodate approximately 1800 CFT of household goods.

There is also a 40 foot High Cube (HC) container that is approximately one foot higher than the 40 foot standard container and will hold approximately an additional 400 CFT of household goods. The volume that can be fit into a container depends on the shape and sizes of the items you are shipping. The more uniform in shape and size, the more the loading team will be able to fit into the container. The less uniform in shape and size, the less the loading will be able to fit into the container. Odd shaped items create “dead” spaces and these “dead spaces” take up volume.

The containers belong to the ship lines. Many of the ship lines and trucks that carry the containers are no longer releasing the containers to private residences for a variety of reasons. Some of the residences cannot accommodate the large truck carrying a container, special permits may be required and some of the trucking companies will no longer bring the container to a residence due to insurance restrictions. They are insured to bring container to and from warehouses. To accommodate these changes, your International mover will pick your belongings up in a truck, transport them to the warehouse and load the container at the warehouse at no additional cost to you.

Loading the container at the warehouse turns out to be a much safer and cost effective option for the customer. On the day of your move the pick up team will arrive with a truck, generally at a designated time and will carefully load your belongings into the truck without the time restrictions of a live load situation at the residence. There is no “wait” time for the pick up team and no need to coordinate the event with multiple parties who will be involved. Your belongings will be transported to the warehouse and unloaded from the truck. When it is time to load your shipment into the container, the trucker will bring the container from the port, drop the container at the warehouse loading dock and the loading team will carefully load, block, brace and secure your shipment into the container. When they are done, your container will be sealed and delivered to the port. This extra step of handling allows for greater control to care for your shipment and handle unforeseen circumstances such as a flat tire on the truck, without costing you additional expense and time.

If you require storage, your International mover will pick up your belongings in a truck, bring it to the warehouse where your shipment will be moved into secured storage until you are ready to have the shipment loaded into the container and shipped to your new home in your new country. The shipment cannot be stored in the container because the container is the property of the ship line.

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Important International Moving Tips

Whether you are relocating as part of a career move, or seeking new opportunities abroad, moving overseas is definitely a life-changing experience. Regardless of the reason, moving overseas requires planning and organization. One of the biggest concerns of planning an overseas move is knowing where to begin, what questions to ask and where to go for answers. Your plan and what you will take depends if this is permanent or temporary move. With the assistance of an International Moving Company, you can lessen the stress involved with moving and enjoy the thrill of this new adventure.

Many countries have restrictions on what can and cannot be brought into the country and some forbid certain items such firearms or agricultural products to name a couple. Take some time to find out which household appliances will work in your new home. Different countries operate with different voltages and plug types than what you are used to in the US and your electronics may need some customization or replacement. In many countries, room sizes are much smaller than in the US so it is essential to find out if your furniture will fit. If that California King bed will fit in your new home, will you be able to buy sheets for it? Most countries use the metric system and consequently every measurement and dimension will differ to what you are used to in the US.

If you are planning to bring a vehicle, first you must find out if you can bring it. Some countries will only allow you to bring in a vehicle if you have diplomatic status. Some countries will not allow vehicles over 5 years old. The vehicles may have to be modified to drive on the roads of your destination country. Some countries require the vehicle to be steam cleaned. All of these variances will cost extra money.

You will want to contact the consulate or embassy for your new destination country. The consulate will assist you and will be able to answer any questions you may have. They can also provide valuable information on visas, customs, and other documents that you may need. Depending on how you are entering the country will determine if you will be exempt from duties and taxes. If you have to pay duties and taxes, what is the rate? Are there restrictions on how many things I can bring into the country? Most countries also have a Customs website where they provide information and there is usually a “contact us” page so you can email questions directly.

When you have decided what you want and or can bring with you, the next thought is the budget you wish to allow for this move. How much can I ship for what price? Do I pack myself or let the professionals do it? Do I want to insure my shipment? What kind of coverage is available and what are the restrictions of the coverage? How much will all of this cost? How long will it take to get my things? How far in advance do I need to begin?

Learn everything you can about your new country and prepare yourself to become accustomed to your new surroundings. If English is not spoken in your new country, you may want to start learning their language. If you need to refresh your skills or learn a new language from scratch, purchase audio tapes, books or take a class to learn how to speak, read and write the language. If you can’t be fluent by the time you get there, it would be helpful to be conversational. Take a cooking class and learn about the flavors, spices and aromas of the foods that are prepared and served in your new country.

Find other people who have lived or live in your destination country to get their perspective and tips for a stress free transition. It is a good idea to research local traditions, practices and customs, to prepare ahead of time and hire the right international mover. The more you know, the more comfortable you will be when you arrive so you can really enjoy this exciting new adventure.

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Is an On-Site Survey Needed For An International Move?

Most reputable moving companies realize that moving can be extremely stressful and an international move even more so. Professional and very experienced international movers are dedicated to easing your concerns and answering your questions. One of the most frequently asked questions is why some moving companies do not send an agent to your home to do a survey to estimate the cost of moving your goods. This question is less likely to be asked by anyone who has moved before and observed on-site estimators at work!

Some moving companies send a representative or agent to the customer’s home and armed with a checklist and calculator they go from room to room, while you follow them around, marking down the furniture you think you might be taking, estimating the number of boxes that may be needed and they work out an estimated volume of the goods to be shipped. When dealing with someone it is easy to forget items in the basement, attic or off site storage facility because the agent will set the pace of the assessment; your role is reactive. Also realize that the agent will NOT come to your home multiple times as you change the list of things to be shipped. This is a one shot deal.

The agent will do some more calculations assuming you have forgotten things and will present you with a quote which they expect you to sign on the spot. After all, they have taken the time to come to your home, the company has paid their salary and they are expected to return with your sale! You are paying for this service. Despite the fact that international movers will advertise free quotations the money to pay these agents has to come from somewhere and this is reflected in the overall charges levied by some firms.

Why not deal with a moving company that trusts you to do your own survey? You, as the owner of the goods, are more qualified to do the assessment yourself. It is not necessary to employ someone to estimate boxes, list furniture and do simple calculations. You, the customer, are quite capable of working out your own requirements and with the help of online guides and assistance from the international moving company’s consultants you can eliminate the need for an on site survey. You can utilize easy to follow, on-line forms to estimate the volume of your shipment at your own pace, at any time. Take the form in hand completing it as you move around your home slowly and give yourself time to consider exactly what you want to ship.

There is no need to rush your choices or make an ‘on the spot’ decision. There is no need to allocate a day for a representative to call. There is no need to pay, indirectly through high moving fees, for an unnecessary service that simply puts more pressure on you.

Internet based companies use the World Wide Web to advertise and communicate with the customer. This enables them to keep overhead costs down and offer an excellent service.

This system of allowing the customer to estimate the volume of their shipment for a quotation is only one of the reasons why dealing with Internet based companies has become so popular. At first, this ‘self survey’ system was a cost saving exercise but now it is often regarded as another ‘stress reliever’.

Cost and stress are the two greatest issues that customers face. A good, customer service based international mover should be dedicated to relieving both. Allowing you, the customer to carry out your own site survey was initially a reflection of being an Internet business but it is now seen as one of the many innovative steps introduced to help change the process of international moving for the better. Over the years moving companies have listened to customers’ feedback and changed or altered procedures accordingly. They have added user-friendly tools to their websites to make the process of estimating quick and easy. Use the Internet; try an online, no obligation, and truly free quotation service.

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