Your Intl move

The decision has been made – an international move is in the works.

From this moment, the entire process begins: finding a new home, making new friends and a new life in a new home.

Moving your house hold goods is one of the most stressful parts of this process and picking the right moving company is one of the most important decisions that will make your move successful or … not.

So what do you need to know when picking a moving company?

To start the process, call two or more moving companies (if possible, based on recommendations) and invite the company representative or salesperson to your home to perform a pre-move survey. This way, you can judge the company’s professionalism, knowledge and the company itself.

You should insist on this pre-move survey and distance yourself from any company who does not want to do a survey.

As a rule, the sales person will accompany you throughout the moving experience. He or she should advise you on available shipping options, packing needs, crating requirements, tax and customs issues in your destination country and the time line of your shipment.

Try to start this process as early as possible so you can get your preferred packing date and a timely arrival at your new home.

A few points to check:

• Does the moving company have licensed customs brokers to handle both the export customs formalities and the import customs clearing at destination?
• Does the moving company have trucks to handle your shipment or will they rent a truck on the day of your move?
• Does the mover have a warehouse in case your goods must be stored until they are ready to load on the boat?

Insist on good communication with the movers. Who will be packing? What is the name and phone number of the crew chief? When will they arrive? When is your shipment scheduled to sail? On what vessel? Is it changing boats on the way? When is it scheduled to arrive? ETA?

Today, with the availability of internet and the web, modern moving companies are even providing on-line updates so you know where your shipment is while en route.

You are entitled to be informed and updated throughout your move.