Moving Tips
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Planning your move: The important decision regarding which items you choose to ship abroad should be made with the consideration of certain factors:
The choice is easier if you have already purchased or rented residence overseas. If one knows the approximate size of the rooms and has a floor plan, you will be able to easily determine just how smartly your furniture and appliances will fit. Our expert advise in this case, would be to have you make certain that the delivery into your residences will not cause any insurmountable problems due to, for example, a piano, oversized entertainment center, or furniture. You should consider hallway and stairway dimensions, elevators/lifts may sometimes be too small to transport some large items. The decision as to what to ship can often be more difficult for those individuals who do not have definite housing arrangement already made. Make sure the articles selected are not only desirable for your new home, but also worthwhile to ship. Everyone should know their rights with respect to customs regulation. Laws are often subject to change. Information may be obtained from the Consulate's Office, but bare in mind that International Movers representatives are very knowledgeable regarding rights and customs information. Pre move check list: 1. Contact International Movers 2 to 3 months prior to your moving date to arrange for a free estimate. 2. Plan items to be shipped. 3. Plan and purchase any new goods to be shipped. 4. Make an itemized inventory. 5. Determine value of inventory. 6. Confirm moving date. 7. Arrange and have all documents and valuables with you. These should include passports, inoculation records and visas if necessary. 8. Invoices of new items. 9. Shippers name and address - date of sailing - expected arrival date - your container number - number of units shipped - seal number. 10. Provide list of all purchases made and delivered to the warehouse. Itemize your list of goods being shipped with US dollar value for insurance purposes. 11. Provide your address abroad including telephone number, so that you may be contacted by our shipper's office. How to Pack: International Movers trained professionals will expertly pack all your breakable items including dishes and glasses. We do not suggest packing fragile items yourself. Our proficient professionals have many years of experience working with breakable items. They can pack them better in a fraction of the time. We also include all the necessary boxing and wrapping supplies, such as bubble wrap. If, however, you would prefer to pack by yourself, be it for economic or for reasons of convenience, we suggest you follow these instructions:
It is recommended not to ship the following items: Valuable and important papers such as family records, birth certificates, marriage documents, financial information and other such documents.
After preliminary packing is completed, and your effects have been received at International Movers warehouse, goods are now ready for the final phase of boxing. All interior space is utilized so that we can provide you with the maximum density factor. You can choose to be present at our plant during the packing procedure if you wish. We highly recommended that you be present at the loading time. Sometimes the entire household is loaded next to the house. The cubic feet cost of your shipment is determined by the services provided and the final cubic volume of your shipment. The lift van size is standard or may be custom made to suit your shipment Marine Insurance: Marine insurance is an absolute must for every person moving overseas. You may ask "Do I really need it?". Well there is only answer to give. Yes, after all this is not your typical move down the street of across town. This is a move across the ocean which passes through many hands and goes through various obstacles. As such, one needs a strong and reliable insurance policy to protect you from the very moment you ship your household goods and appliances, till the final moment when they are delivered to your doorstep. This insurance could be all that you have in the event of damage, missing items or any catastrophe that could arise. This is the only way to protect your belonging. There are many reputable insurance companies that offer all-risk Marine Insurance of household items. But make sure to insure your shipment for its full replacement value. Ask for the "all risk" policy, it is the most comprehensive and protective policy available to the consumer. Discuss with your International Movers representative how much the deductible will be in the case of a claim. Sometimes there are special deductibles for items such as a piano or computer. In order to fully protect your belonging, it is your responsibility to provide the insurance company with a detailed dollar value inventory list. The lack of such an inventory or any discrepancy / inaccuracy in the data may complicate or delay settlement of any claims. This is avoidable when documentation is precise. Claim procedures requires that you notify the nearest office as indicated in your insurance policy for survey of damages, immediately after taking delivery of your shipment. You may do this by phone or in person, but do not fail to make a written report and keep a copy. The surveyors report, original insurance certificate, packing slip, bills and other documents, as required, will be submitted to the underwriters for approval of the claim. A well documented claim will always help expedite settlement. Things to Avoid: Avoid Extra Unexpected Charges : customers that are delivering their goods to one of our receiving terminals, please make sure that you have the correct terminal address, contact person name and BOOKING NUMBER. If we are picking up your goods, please make sure to have the Marks & Numbers correctly on every piece of your shipment. Make sure to receive our “Packing and Loading” instructions form, it’s very helpful. Call our dispatch department for packing and loading tips. In case of a live load for a full container load, plan your loading very carefully to avoid additional charges. Make sure that there is enough space for the truck to park at your residence, Check if a special permit needed for trucks to enter the street you live on. Check if there are electric wires that will prevent an eleven feet tall truck to access the street. Make sure to send a copy of your inventory to our headquarters right after the container is picked up. Make sure to have your insurance forms filled up correctly and send it to our headquarters prior to the pick up or loading date. Make sure to pay your final invoice within 48 hours after pick up date. That will allow our system to proceed with export formalities, and to arrange all payments to the shipping line, port authorities, customs brokers and the agent at destination if the shipment booked to door. Make sure that our dispatch department has your e-mail address, telephone numbers overseas and in the USA, to enable us reaching you after your pick up date |