FAQ

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

Please provide our surveyor and operations manager with as much information as possible.

We use the assessment made by our surveyor and the information you provide to calculate your quote.

As each move is unique our service usually begins with a survey. Our surveyor will estimate the volume of goods to be shipped and the materials needed. He will listen carefully to any special instructions or requests you may have. He will also make an assessment of the property checking for any access issues (narrow gates or height restrictions) and look at lift access and staircases.

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.

Please read our terms and conditions for information on liability.

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

From start to finish the entire moving process has a number of steps:

Survey - please book your survey as far in advance as is practical

Quote - once your survey is done our team will contact shipping line and destination agents. Once all this information is in and collated we can provide you with a quote/estimate.

PLEASE NOTIFY US OF ANY CHANGES

Packing dates - we can be very busy especially at peak packing time in the summer months. We will always aim to pack on or close to your preferred dates when possible

Transport to port

Export clearing

Loading onto shipping vessel

Transit by sea or air - this can take a day to several weeks. We can give an estimated time of arrival (ETA) to help you with planning. However, many things affect the transit time and are out of our control: technical issues, weather, international incidents, port congestion etc. Your shipment is tracked and the ETA adjusted accordingly.

Offloading from the vessel

Import clearing

Transport to storage or your new home

Unpacking and debris removal

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.

International relocation of pets involves careful planning and adherence to regulations to ensure the safety and well-being of your furry friends.

We have moved many pets all over the world including USA, UK, many EU countries, New Zealand, Australia, Cyprus, Thailand, Singapore....

Pet import requirements and regulations vary and some countries have strict rules and timelines to which you must adhere.

Ensure that your pet has a compliant microchip registered with your contact information.

Visit your veterinarian well in advance and ensure your pet is up-to-date on all vaccinations required by the destination country. Give parasite treatments according to the regulations of the destination country. Obtain a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian shortly before travel.

An import permit may be required by the destination country. Obtain the necessary permits and ensure compliance with any waiting periods. Be aware of any quarantine requirements in the destination country.

You will need an IATA and airline-approved travel crate that provides enough space for your pet to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Familiarise your pet with the crate before travel. Include familiar items like blankets or toys in the travel crate (but no choking hazards). Ensure access to water and any necessary medications during the journey.

We organise the door-to-door relocation of pets, from collection at your residence, booking with the airline, airport procedures and processing, arranging a destination agent and hand over or delivery to your new home. We select an airline we trust with experience in transporting pets. We consider the travel time, any transfers and their location so that we choose the best route for the comfort and safety of your pet/s. Some airlines have specific pet travel programs.

You will need to provide original copies of all your pets documents. We will also need your old and new address and contact information.

NB: Do not give your pet any sedative or calming medications/supplements - these can have devastating affects at altitude. We will refuse to ship your animal if we suspect it is sedated.

We can also relocate other animals and always adhere to regulations. If your pet is CITES listed you will need to provide the correct paperwork.