Moving on an international basis can be an exciting time for you and your family: adopting a new work position, combined with the excitement of developing new acquaintances, exploring your new environment and adopting a new culture, can make your international relocation an extremely enjoyable experience.
What you don’t need is the distraction of problems arising with the relocation of your personal possessions to your new country. It is important to undertake some planning and research, to ensure you understand the requirements involved in moving your treasured possessions, and to appreciate the laws and regulations governing the importation of your personal and household effects into your new country.
The following information is provided as a general guide, however we would encourage you to contact us with your specific requirements to ensure all of your moving needs can be met.
However, there are differing service levels available in this category. In moving goods internationally, like most things, there are usually several options available governing the level of service provided, the length of time taken for the journey and the reliability and frequency of the ocean carrier.
Some carriers provide a direct service, where a consignment remains on the same vessel for the entire journey – from the original port, through to the destination port. Other carriers provide services, which transship the cargo en route i.e. the cargo is moved from one vessel to another at some stage during the journey.
As a general rule, a direct shipment will be more expensive than a transshipment service. However, this cost factor is normally offset by the transit time, as transshipments often mean longer times at sea.
A transshipment service also incorporates an additional risk, in that the cargo is transshipped in a foreign port, where there is little direct control from either the origin or destination country.
In addition there are various services available in handling your goods:
Full Container Load (FCL) – Sole-use container
This category ensures that the container carries only your goods, and under normal circumstances these can be loaded directly into the container, with the container sealed, at your residence.
This leaves the container ready for delivery, direct to the departure wharf, without the need for any further handling of your goods in the origin country. As a rule, because the entire container is utilised, this is the most economical method of shipment. It also generally provides the fastest transit times, as there are no delays in waiting for other freight to fill the container.
Less than Container Load (LCL) Consignments
This method is used when there is insufficient cargo to justify the use of an entire container. Shipping Companies and Freight Consolidators provide this service by consolidating freight from different shippers to a common destination into container loads. When shipping via LCL, the goods are required to be crated, to ensure their protection during transit.
This is necessary, as there is no guarantee as to what other cargo may be consolidated with your household effects in the container. Unfortunately, due to the necessity of crating the goods, and the higher freight cost involved, this can be an expensive means of forwarding goods overseas.
Groupage Service – Shared Use Container
This is an alternative service, provided by Allied Pickfords, whereby we consolidate several household and personal effects shipments into containers destined to common destinations. This allows us to pass the freight savings on to you, and because only household and personal effects are loaded into our Groupage containers, there is no need to crate the goods prior to shipment.
This of course alleviates the additional cost involved in crating the consignment. Whilst this is an economical alternative to LCL, longer transit times may be experienced whilst awaiting the receipt of other consignments needed to complete the loading of the container prior to dispatch.
Whilst, as a general rule, airfreight is more expensive than surface freight, there are situations where even entire households may prove to be more economical to be forwarded via air.
As with the services offered by surface carriers, there are similar options available with air carriers, with consolidated and transshipment services being widely available.
Every individual household will have its own requirements, and we would be happy to discuss the most suitable options available to you with regard to your own specific needs.
Allied Pickfords is able to provide a snapshot view of a number of countries through our ‘Moving To’ series of brochures, and in addition we are able to provide our customers with a comprehensive country profile, which is available for over 80 individual countries.
Restricted Items
Many countries apply stringent rules, as to the acceptability of some items being imported. Indeed, some items which may be common in your country of origin could be prohibited in your country of destination.
Most countries apply restrictions to firearms, alcohol, drugs and often, political or pornographic literature is totally prohibited. In other instances, some items can attract Duty or Tax liabilities.
In order to avoid any problems at the time of clearance of your goods, you should make enquiries with the embassy or consulate of your country of destination, to ascertain their advice. We can also assist in this regard, and our removals consultants would be happy to discuss this with you in advance of your move.
Additionally, you should be mindful that due to differing voltage requirements and broadcasting frequencies, some of your current electrical items may not be suitable for use in your new country. Again, you can discuss this with our removals consultants.
Visas/Passports
For entry into most countries, on a long term or permanent basis, it will be necessary to have the appropriate visa and passport requirements. You should contact the consulate of the country to which you are relocating to ensure that your documentation is in order, and that entry of both yourself and your goods is allowable.
Some countries apply strict regulations in importing your household effects, and heavy financial penalties can be applied if the appropriate visas or work permits are not in place. Allied Pickfords cannot advise you in respect of immigration and the Consular Representative should be equipped to advise you of all documentary requirements, and how to apply for appropriate Visas and work permits.
Vaccinations and Inoculations
You and your family may need immunizations, inoculations or booster shots before moving overseas. You can find out what inoculations are necessary (and recommended) by contacting the Consular Representative of your destination country. Your family Doctor should also be able to provide valuable advice in this area.
Personal Records/Valuables or Documents
You and your family should get complete medical and dental check ups, prior to your departure, and obtain copies of your records to take to your new country.
In addition, you should obtain all other personal documentation e.g. prescriptions, birth certificates, marriage certificates etc. and carry these with you for quick reference, if necessary.
Valuables from safety deposit boxes, jewellery boxes and the like should also be carried on your person.
The overseas department of your current bank should be able to provide assistance with the transfer of funds, letter of credit, currency exchange rates etc.
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