Frequently Asked Questions
Moving costs are based on factors such as:
- The volume and weight of your belongings
- Whether your belongings are being shipped by air, sea or road (or a combination)
- Your origin and destination
- Any special requirements you have such as crating for art work
- Ease of access to your property
- Additional services requested
We use the assessment made by our surveyor and the information you provide to calculate your quote.
We have teams of highly experienced professional packers.
We use high quality and appropriate materials to protect and pack your belongings.
* You should not pack your own belongings.
Many countries will not allow entry of goods that have been packed by their owners (PBO). This ensures no prohibited items are shipped with your belongings.
Any boxes labelled PBO are very likely to be opened and searched by customs officials.
Our teams will produce a detailed packing list which they will ask you to sign.
We do not ship prohibited goods, such as:
- Ivory or furs, drugs, weapons, hazardous materials or perishable items.
- Each location has its own export and import regulations. Our teams will be able to advise.
- We do not pack keys or passports (you will need those).
It is recommended that you carry any small high value items, such as jewellery, rather than having it shipped with your goods.
Your normal household insurance is unlikely to cover your goods in transit.
We offer protection cover for your move including marine insurance.
Your shipment may be insured by your origin agent if you are importing your goods to us.
It is very important that you complete a detailed valued inventory of your goods as one box may contain items of much greater value than another.
It helps if you are organised…
- Make sure you have applied for any visas or permissions you will need and have your passports up to date and ready
- Dispose of or sell any items you do not wish to take
- Separate items to be shipped from those to remain
- Separate items to be shipped by air and those to be shipped by sea (if appropriate)
- Label or attach stickers to the items to be packed
- Organise school books or your children’s much loved toys
We will provide you with a comprehensive and detailed quote for our services which should highlight any exclusions.
DUTY AND TAX: Customs/import duty is imposed when people bring goods into a country. Duty can vary widely depending on the country and its specific customs regulations. Personal belongings and household goods are sometimes duty free or have a reduced rate. Exemptions or reductions may apply to some individuals, such as expatriates on short-term assignments and diplomats. Depending on the country there may be other taxes and levys charged on your shipment.
A customs declaration including a detailed inventory, packing list, and relevant identification documents is crucial for smooth customs clearance. Some countries may require additional documents, such as a visa, work permit, or proof of residence. We can provide guidance on the documentation required and potential duty implications.
DEMURRAGE: Demurrage is charged by a shipowner for any delay in loading/unloading a vessel or returning the container beyond the allowed free time. Delays can arise for many reasons including port congestion, customers not presenting the required paperwork on time etc
Free time is generally about 5 days for an air import and 7 days for a sea import (including weekends and holidays). Charges are calculated on a daily rate for each day beyond the free time.
We are unable to include demurrage charges in our quote as they vary. You, your origin agent or your company are usually responsible for paying demurrage. It is important for us to know who to contact so that they can be paid efficiently, the container is released and further unnecessary charges are not incurred.
OTHER
Inspections – Your shipment may be selected for inspection or X-Ray by officials for which there will be an additional fee.
Storage – We are able to store your household goods for you if for example your new home is not ready. We charge warehouse handling and storage for this service.
Handyman – We offer other services such as a handyman if you need other work such as putting up curtains, electrical work, assembly of IKEA furniture and so on….
Out of Hours – Additional may be incurred if you require us to work after hours, on weekends or public holidays.
