5 Rules when shipping Household Goods Overseas
What to do and what to avoid if you don’t want unpleasant surprises when shipping your household goods overseas…
Rule 1- Avoid Overflow.
Don’t underestimate your shipment volume. This is the number one mistake made by 30 percent of shippers. There are online tools that allow you to estimate the size of your shipment; always allow additional 15 percent to 25percent depending on the items you are shipping. You will be charged according to the volume you actually ship, not according to the volume on your quote or order for service.
The quote is based on the volume you advised or what an on site estimator calculated according to what you have shown him. In both cases, no matter what you are told, you will be charged according to what was picked up. If what is picked up is a greater volume than what you advised or your on site estimator was shown by you, you will be billed for the extra volume. If you advised and were quoted for 250 CFT, but your International Mover picked up 320 CFT, you will receive a bill for an Overflow of 320-250=70 CFT.
Rule 2 – Let the Professional do the packing.
Always order Full Packing (PBC). When you order a Full Packing (PBC) service your International Mover will do all of the Box Packing and Furniture Wrapping. This is your best choice and in the end, you will save time, money, and possible damage.
When you order a Full Packing service you can also get All Risk Marine Insurance, an option not available if you do your own packing.
Another disadvantage of doing your own packing, if it is not done properly, your shipment may be re-packed by the consolidation warehouse before shipping, and you may be charged for it.
Rule 3 – Know and comply with Customs Regulations.
Knowing the Customs Regulations is solely your responsibility. What you are allowed or have to pay depends on your specific case; you must check and know the Customs Regulations that apply to you.
Your destination country can change its Customs Regulations at any time; you must verify and comply with all current requirements.
Information provided by your International Mover is only a guide, and your International Mover will have a disclaimer protecting him if this information is outdated. You must get the updated Customs Regulations.
Rule 4– Keep in constant contact until your move is completed.
Don’t change your email address. This is a mistake made by too many shippers. You move to a new country and start using a new email address, forgetting that your International Mover and all of its agents are still using the email address you first provided. You must keep the email address used for your quote and contract.
You must check your email frequently; your International Mover and all of its agents will use this email address to communicate with you.
Rule 5 – Pay your bills when received.
Pay amount due upon receiving your bill. The movement of your shipment can’t be stopped. From start to finish, from Origin to Destination, your shipment will pass through terminals and agents.
Payment is due upon receiving a bill and your shipment will not move forward unless your account is cleared.
The contract amount should be paid in full prior to pick up; your shipment will not sail before your account is cleared and if you are charged additional fees, you must pay in full upon receiving your bill.
Your shipment will not proceed unless your account is cleared, so don’t hold back payment while disputing a charge. A fair International Mover will look into your claim, and if justified, you will receive a refund. If you hold back payment, your shipment may be put on hold and you will incur additional charges. Such additional charges due to your shipment being stopped may not be waived even if your claim was found to be justified.
Keeping these rules, and other information provided by your International Mover, will make the shipping of your household goods an easy, hassle free affair.
Jeff Thank you for everything.
10-05-019-19 Move from Naples Florida to Buenos Aires Argentina
From: rubenm123@ [mailto:rubenm123@]
Sent: Tuesday, August 03, 2010 4:55 PM
To: jeff@intlmove.com
Subject: Hola
Estimado Jeff :
Las cosas de Naples FL. USA a Buenos Aires Argentina, llegaron muy bien y sin ningun problema.
Gracias por todo.
Hector R Martins
Translation:
Dear Jeff :
My Items from Naples FL USA to Buenos Aires Argentina arrive in great condition without any type of inconvenience.
Thank you for everything.
Hector R Martins
Frank, I will recommend you to anyone who is moving overseas
From: Barbara Vendriger [mailto:vendriger@]
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 7:57 AM
To: frank intel movers overseas
Subject: RE: Required to accept your booking – Your Move Overseas
Dear Frank,
I appreciate all that you have done for me. The calls and the questions etc.
My mom wants me out before she moves. Her schedule is very tight and the 7th is too late for her to cope with.
We have gone over all possible dates and scenarios and nothing seemed to make a difference.
Your quote, your kindness and understanding were great.
Dates didn’t work out. She is extremely pressed for time therefore after she moves she would not be able to help me with my move. The house is basically closed up.
I tried again discussing this with my husband and with her about the possible dates.
In the end the one who is moving my mom provided us with an alternative, not cheaper but better time.
Thank you for your help.
I will recommend you to anyone I know who is moving overseas or within the US.
All the best.
Barbara vendriger
DELAYS AND WORK STOPPAGES AT ALL SOUTH AFRICAN PORTS
Please be advised that we are in the 8th day of a NATIONWIDE strike
by the South African port, and railway and allied workers Trade Unions.
This strike action means that a number of South African
Ports have, to all intents and purposes, suspended all operations until a
compromise between the Unions and Employers can be reached.
Durban and Cape Town Sea Ports as well as Johannesburg Inland Port being
the most severely effected areas, with rail links for cargo also being
restricted.
lthough negotiations are ongoing, it is anticipated that this current
National Industrial Action, will continue for at least another week to 10 days.
This Strike, has had an immediate impact on transport and shipping related
services across South Africa (and neighbouring countries) resulting in delays
and stops on both imports and exports. Once the strike action is lifted, there will be
a carry on effect, as further delays and difficulties are experienced in clearing the backlog
which will have accumulated.
Doug – delightful experience to work with you
From: zuowei wang [mailto:zuowwang@]
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 11:52 AM
To: Doug
Cc: admistration intlmove
Subject: Re: Thank you for your order and important information for your move overseas
Dear Doug,
Thank you very much for all the arrangements about our door-to-door shipment from Ann Arbor, Michigan to Reading, England.
The ordering procedure went smoothly, and we have been contacted by PUA to set up the pick-up date on next Tuesday (March 16th). We are looking forward to having a smooth and safe shipment of our belongings to England.
It was a very delightful experience to work with you and we are happy with the services you provided. We would strongly recommend you and your company to all our friends who will have similar moving needs.
Many thanks!
Zuowei Wang
I would recommend your excellent service
From: Pablo Catalan [mailto:pablo.catalan@]
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 4:08 PM
To: Diana
Subject: Re: 09-12-007-11 — Your move has been delivered!!!
Hi Diana,
Today we received all our packages, and let me tell you they all arrived in well shape.
The service was wonderful, on time (actually weeks before the date Luis told me in the US), and we did not need to do much, just wait at our home door.
I would recommend your service to any acquaintance that might be planning to move out.
Luis was great, so please give my thanks to him, he did a great job, taking care of all the little details, and answering all our questions and requirements.
The only advice is to improve your tracking system. It was not easy to read through.
Overall. the service was excellent.
Best,
Pablo
09-12-007-11 From GA to Chile
Frank, the move went very smoothly.
From: Kala Davis [mailto:kala1125@]
Sent: Monday, January 18, 2010 10:22 PM
To: ‘Frank’
Subject: RE: Shipping items from the United States
Hi Frank,
I thought the move went very smoothly.
The movers were prompt and courteous.
My only complaint is that it took a little over 10 weeks to get there, but that was not really anyone’s fault.
Just having to deal with customs.
Kala Davis
09-04-008-10 Cypress TX to Camberly UK
I can highly recommend Frank and IntlMOVE
I have been so fortunate to have had Frank helping me co-ordinate my move from the US to UK.
If you are going to move with IntlMOVE, make sure Frank is your guy! I had a RUSH job, and the assistance I was given was second to none.
I was faced with a very stressful situation of clearing the deceased estate of my parents in a very short space of time.
With Frank’s continued help, this was a task that was made so much easier than it could have been.
Thank you Frank for making one more thing on my list go smoothly.
I will personally have NO hesitation what-so-ever recommending IntelMOVE to anyone.
A fantastic relocation company with fantastic people working for them.
Thank you so much again,
Eve Skillicorn
Diana, thanks again
From: quang nguyen [mailto:qtend@]
Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 7:40 PM
To: Diana
Subject: Re: 1438291 Required Information to place your order and schedule your shipment
Diana,
Thanks again for making this happens
I do appreciated so much for you making everything hassle-free for my move.
I have spoken to Steven; picking up agent in Dallas and have set up the date for the 19 of January because he does not have the 18 available.
Thanks again.
Will call you when I get back in town.
My deepest gratitude for your understand, concern and working with me on this.
Thanks.
Quang
10-01-002-07 TX to Vietnam
IntlMOVE – International Movers
IntlMOVE is a leader in the Household Goods international shipping industry, serving its customers with professionalism, reliability efficiency and honesty.
Each month, thousands of customers contact IntlMOVE for their international shipping needs and their satisfaction is widely recognized through the numerous amounts of positive testimonials we receive.
IntlMOVE has grown at an exceptional rate over the past six years because of our commitment to providing our clients with exceptional service, that equates to a lot of happy clients!
At IntlMOVE, we know how important it is to trust an International Movers with your prized possessions.
IntlMOVE wants to earn your trust, which is why we invite you to come and check our operation.
If you cannot visit the facilities personally, we ask you to invite someone you trust to visit our warehouse.
IntlMOVE sets very high standards that are maintained by our well-trained staff.
We are proud of our unparalleled facilities and it is our pleasure to show you around so you can be sure your personal belongings are in good hands.
When choosing an international mover, it is important to consider price but that is only one piece to the puzzle.
Choosing an honest and reliable company who will give you the quality and service you deserve should be more important.
You want to choose a company that has the resources and expertise to coordinate a stress free move overseas.
IntlMOVE will communicate with you through email, which is the fastest and most efficient form of communication and give you details about the progress of your international shipment every step of the way.
Whether you need door-to-door or door-to-port service, IntlMOVE can help.
Door-to-door service includes picking up your belongings at your home, load them into a container, shipping your belongings overseas, customs clearing and delivering your items to your new home.
You will receive the same level of attention if you choose a door-to-port service, but you will have to take over the responsibility of customs clearance and delivery to your new home.
IntlMOVE handles less than container loads (LCL) and full container loads (FCL).
Our move consultants will guide you through the international moving process, which can oftentimes be confusing.
You will receive personalized attention from your move consultant who will manage your international move so you can relax and focus on getting settled into your new home.
IntlMOVE takes great pride in all of its interactions with clients, which is why we spend time and resources in making sure our staff is knowledgeable and detail oriented to give you the best service in the industry.
Your household goods and personal effects will be handled with the utmost care while in transit to the new overseas destination.
Creative marketing and fast-paced sales pitches might get your attention, but seeing is believing and after seeing our operations and meeting our staff, you will know that IntlMOVE is the right choice for handling your international move.
