The shipping process

A word of advice...

The shipping process normally starts with EXTENSIVE research about the company you choose to hire. You are giving this company the task of moving your priceless personal effects around the world to Israel.

We strongly recommend you get recommendations with other people who have made Aliyah. Ask them about their experience with their shipper. Remember, in this day and age, any company can advertise their services. However, their credibility and reliability is an UNKNOWN factor.

We also recommend you visit websites like www.bbb.org (the Better Business Bureau) or www.movingscam.com. These websites try to warn you away from moving companies that may cause you serious trouble.

Once you have narrowed down your choice of companies, they MUST send a representative to your home to conduct a visual pre-move survey. The home survey is a no cost, no obligation service that allows the moving company to obtain an accurate estimate of the volume / weight of the items you want to move.

This survey will will allow the moving company to price their services as accurately as possible. There are companies that may say “Don’t Worry”, there is no need for the pre-move survey, our price is LOW… the problem is that you never know the real story until your goods are in their hands. And then it is too late.

Once you have chosen your company, you will be assigned a moving coordinator who will follow your moving process from start to end. All communications should be with him or her.

The next step is to set the moving date and start the journey. The moving company will carfully pack and remove the personal effects being shipped and will start the logistical process.

Steps:

• Origin service
• Freight
• Destination service
• Insurance
• Storage.

Origin Service

Origin service is usually the most influential part of your move. It includes:

1. The pre move survey. During the survey, you should advise the representative what items you want to move. At this time you should advise your preferred packing dates, if you need storage, what you want to pack yourself, what special delicate items items with high value need special attention like custom crates. Always ask for a copy of the survey.
2. Good packing is critical for a good move with no breakage. The advantage - better protection and less space used => lower cost.
3. Preparing an inventory list. – Best to have a computerised list. The packing crew must prepare a detailed, numbered packing list including description and condition of articles shipped. This is important in the event of an insurance claim. If damage is noticed upon delivery, please note this on the damage report. – supplied by the delivery crew and make sure the crew saw and noted the damages. If you pack goods yourself (PBO=Packed By Owner) we recommend you make your own detailed, numbered list including the content.
4. Preparing instructions for the ocean carrier and export documents
5. Export Customs clearance

Then, your goods are on their way to the holy land – Israel J

Freight:

By Air or Ocean

There are many carriers for Air and Ocean shipments. It is the moving coordinator’s job to choose the best carrier for your needs.

Destination service

1. Clearing the shipment upon arrival to Israel
2. Delivery into new residence in Israel.
3. Complete all suporting service documents including the “Delivery report” and the “Damage report” – when nessessary.

*** If, for any reason, the container seal is broken, a box or crate are open when you first see them, or there is any sign of damage, notify your moving coordinator and specify problem on the delivery report. The delivery crew will give you a delivery report. It will be impossible to claim an insurance loss if the shipment arrives intact and there is no note on the delivery report mentioning a shortage. Check off all articles on the packing list as they are removed from the truck and record the results. We recommend using a bingo sheet. You may obtain this from the mover.

Please note, on occasion, shipments go to inspection. In this event, extra charges will apply. We strongly recommend you insist on receiving on the Customs’ inspection report to insure your goods were inspected.

Adi and Gera, fyi, Customs no longer allows the client to be present during inspections

Storage

If you need storage, consult with your international moving specialist as you will need to get a storage rider for your insurance to insure your insurance coverage continues during the period of storage.

Storage cost:

At Origin: Normally $10-$15 per cubic meter per month with a min of $75 per month. Always in a warehouse – not your shipping container.

In Israel: If you have a full container, rates are posted below under FCL (Full Container Load) Storage. If you need storage for more than 2 weeks, it will usually be cheaper to unload (De-van) the container into a warehouse. The rate in this case would include a handling fee to truck the container from the port, to unload the container and then reload your goods into the delivery truck This would cost about $22 per Cubic meter + some other fees amounting to $125.

Adi, do you want to put in prices? What is the $125 above?

Note: If you choose to keep goods in a private storage, not associated with the moving company, your marine insurance will be null and void.

Private storage is not always cheaper. When the moving company delivers to a private storage facility, their job ends and you will need to pay again for a moving company to deliver from storage to your home. If storage is at the moving company, they will include delivery to your home.

Insurance

Insurance is optional but recommended for your shipment. There are several insurance options with different coverages. Ask your moving consaltant what is best for you.

There are 2 types of insurance:

1. Total Loss: Cost is relatively low and only insures against total loss of your shipment.
2. All Risk: Cost is higher and only available when the mover packs for you. This is a more comprehensive insurance that includes coverage of damage to your goods. We always recommend this type of insurance.

• Note that there is usually a deductible in your insurance policy. Make sure you know what it is.

Note. If you choose not to insure your shipment, your shipment will not be covered for any loss or damage. In addition, you may be subject to charges under marine law, in the event the shipping vessel is damaged!

Adi, I never heard of marine insurance covering General Average – is this what you mean above?

Valued Inventory: In order for your goods to be insured, you should prepare a list of all your goods and their value.

The insured value is something to consider seriously. On one hand, the higher the insurance value, the higher the cost to you. On the other, you want to have enough insurance to save you from catastrophes. Some insure their goods at current (depreciated) value. However, it is recommended to use the “replacement value” when insuring. This means, in the event you do not get your container, you will have adequate funds to purchase and replace what you have lost. Also, keep in mind, replacement value of your goods in Israel is higher than in other countries. We normally recommend to factor in a value of 20%-50% more.

Please note, insured art over a certain value will need a receipt or a professional appraisal.

In the event of a claim, you will have a limited amount of time to register your claim. You will need to provide the insurance company with all supporting documents including photos. At the insurance company’s discretion, they may send an appraiser to assess the damage.

PBO (Packed By Owner) boxes will not be insured for damages as the insurance company has no reference to the condition of the items packed prior to packing. They will only be covered on a Total Loss basis as described above. We recommend you leave these boxes open and make sure the packers inspect and repack as necessary. Depending on your contract, there may be extra charges associated with this.

If you require storage, you will need a storage rider to your insurance policy. Storage rider insurance should cost about $3 per $1,000 of insured value per month.