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When should I contact a removal company to discuss my prospective move?
How do I obtain a quotation and how do you calculate the removal cost?
What are the different cost and service options available to me and are all charges included in the price?
Will you pack for me or can I pack myself?
What happens on arrival at destination of my belongings and who will provide delivery and clearance services?
What insurance cover does Simpsons Removals & Storage provide for international moves?
How do I determine the level of insurance that is required for my belongings?
What items are prohibited from either shipment or importation?
How much notice must I give to book a date for packing and removal?
How do I find up-to-date information regarding Customs and local authority regulations and documentation?
Is it cheaper to ship certain items rather than sell and replace them at destination?
When and how do I pay?
Do you provide storage?
How long will it take to arrive at destination?
If you have a question that has not been answered here please contact us and we will be happy to help.
When should I contact a removal company to discuss my prospective move?
It is never too early to contact a removal company, advance preparation is probably one of the most important factors in choosing the right removal Company. Household removal can be one the most stressful things a family will ever have to cope with, even more so when you are planning to move overseas. Therefore, the earlier you start your search for a removal company, the better. It will be one less thing for you to worry about and will allow you and your family time to reflect on the many other points which you will have to attend to. Generally, we would recommend that you begin your search no less than 12 weeks prior to your move and in some cases, people start their search as much as 12 months prior to their move. Whatever you decide is most suitable for you and your family, what is important is that you do not leave it to the last moment, this could be potentially disastrous resulting in making hasty decisions.
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How do I obtain a quotation and how do you calculate the removal cost?
Contact our office and speak with any one of our coordinators who will book an appointment for one of our experienced sales consultants to visit your property. You may also contact us by email or by fax (01322 383467). During the visit, our consultant will be able to discuss all aspects of your move including any specific questions that you may have. He or she will complete an inventory for all items that you wish to ship, and can also complete a separate list of items that you may wish to take depending on shipping cost. Our consultant will also be able to identify any special requirements that may affect the cost of your removal such as parking restrictions, abnormal size items requiring special handling, potential problems with moving items within your property and such like.
Alternatively, you may complete our on-line quote request This is ideal if you wish to obtain a general idea of price or if you simply do not have the time to spend on a home visit. Submit the quote request taking special care to supply as much information as you can and to pay particular attention to the quantity of boxes that you may require as this is often an area where people under estimate.
On receipt of your survey, whether completed by our consultant during a home visit or as an on-line survey, you will be allocated with your own personal coordinator who will calculate the overall volume of your shipment. Taking into account any special instructions that may have been received in respect of cases required for specific items, parking permits, special lifting equipment and so on, your personal coordinator will calculate your quotation and forward this to you by mail, email or fax as indicated by you along with all relevant information on overseas removal and specific information on the Country to which you are moving. If you have indicated various options such as maybe a small quantity of essential items by air or specific items to be coasted separately, your personal coordinator will include the cost of these options within your information pack.
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What are the different cost and service options available to me and are all charges included in the price?
Overall costs are broken down into three elements; (a) origin services; packing and removal to store or loading into the container at your residence depending on circumstances. (b) freight and charges port to port or airport to airport and (c) destination services; terminal handling/port charges, import Customs clearance, delivery to your new home (or storage facility if required), unloading and placing your items within your property, unpacking and disposal of debris. When calculating your costs, we have to take into account each of these elements and include or exclude any items which you do not wish us to perform or indicate them as options for your consideration. The actual cost of these services various depending on how much work you wish us to undertake on your behalf, the destination you are going to you and the mode of transport that will be used. Finally, the quotation will vary on the overall volume or size of your belongings or, if you are shipping by air, we will have to also take into account the actual weight of your belongings.
Basically, there are two type of service available (a) door to port or airport at destination; whereby our costs will include as much of the origin service element as you require, all documentation and freight and charges upto the point of arrival at the destination port or airport. You will then have to arrange to clear your belongings through Customs and either collect from the terminal/port/warehouse or arrange to have the shipment delivered to your home. Our destination partner will gladly assist you if you chose this option. (b) door to door; we will include all costs as in a to port/airport option but additionally, we will perform as much of the destination service element as you require, ie: clear through Customs, pay port/terminal handling fees, arrange delivery to your home (or storage facility), provide a professional removal crew to unload and place within your property, unpack and dispose of debris on day of delivery.
You can add further variables to your quote such as arranging to pack yourself using your own materials or taking a supply of our materials, delivery of your belongings to our store for shipment, collection from our partners store at destination when cleared through Customs. Whatever ideas you may have, contact one of our consultants who will be able to discuss such options with you, pointing our any potential pitfalls or benefits so that you can make an informed decision. And, if you change your mind, no problem, we are adaptable and pride ourselves on meeting any challenges presented by our clients to help you achieve your goals.
Generally, our prices are all inclusive within the boundaries that you have set and based on the information you have supplied. However, all quotations will exclude import Customs duty or taxes or local Government levies (where and if applicable), rent or demurrage (if incurred beyond our control), storage (available if required both at origin and destination), Customs or local Authority inspection/examination fees (if required or undertaken), fumigation (if directed), tradesman services (ie: plumber or electrician, handyman etc available if required), maid services (we can arrange for maids as part of our crew both at origin and destination to clean your new home and your belongings as they are unpacked), marine/transit insurance (available and always offered as an optional extra).
In addition, unless you have indicated otherwise, our quotations are based on your new property having reasonable access for our removal vehicle to be placed outside without the need for an excessive long carry. Also, that you belongings will be placed within a property not above 1st floor level (ground floor for the United States of America which does include a 1st floor within a property). Whilst the same applies to your property at origin, either our surveyor will already have noted any relevant access difficulties or you will have indicated same within your on-line quotation request. Likewise, any special costs incurred for cranes, hoist and such like for heavy or special items such as safes or pianos, will only be included within our quotation if items are identified on your survey report.
If you are moving OUTSIDE of the European Union, your shipping and removal charge will be zero rated for V.A.T. However, ALL removals WITHIN the European Union will attract V.A.T. at standard rate. IF V.A.T. is applicable to your shipment, this will be clearly indicated on your quotation.
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Will you pack for me or can I pack myself?
As a professional Overseas Removal Company, we provide the option for you to have a full PROFESSIONAL export pack of all or part of your shipment as indicated by you. If you wish to pack yourself, you may do so and if required, we will supply you with all necessary packing materials including bubblewrap, void fill, packing tape, wrapping paper, export strength cartons of various sizes, purpose built cases for specific fragile items. However, we strongly recommend to all of our clients to carefully consider the option of a professional export pack as there are many benefits such as higher degree of insurance cover, increased level of protection for your valuable household and personal effects by allowing highly qualified staff with many years experience in handling and packing. The cost of a professional export pack is relatively small compared with benefits.
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What happens on arrival at destination of my belongings and who will provide delivery and clearance services?
We have appointed partners at every main port and airport worldwide. Our partners are carefully selected to ensure that you receive the very best attention and service. Whilst some of our larger competitors may boast that they have their own global offices, it is our opinion that this actually has an adverse effect on the level of service that you will receive at destination. Our independent partners have to supply the highest level of service at all times to all clients as we can choose any number of alternatives should we receive complaints from any of our customers. The larger global groups do not have possibility and as such, destination offices can even become complacent secure in the knowledge that they will never lose the business of their own overseas offices.
For seafreight shipment, where transit time permits, our nominated partner will mail to your overseas contact address, an arrival notification which will indicate an estimated arrival date, along with any special requests and forms which may be necessary to clear your shipment through Customs. If you have paid for a door to door service, they will clear your shipment through Customs and Quarantine (where necessary). When clearance is completed, they will contact you to discuss a suitable date and time for delivery. If you are not ready to accept delivery, you can then arrange for our partner to store for you, otherwise, they will deliver to a storage facility of your own choice. On delivery, our partner will supply a crew to unload and place all items into your property, unpack as much as you require and dispose of debris on day of delivery. If you have paid for a door to port/airport service, our partner will gladly arrange clearance and delivery for you if require at an additional fee.
For airfreight or European road shipments where transit time are considerable less, our partner will contact you by telephone, fax or email to advise you of arrival of your shipment. They will then perform services as with a seafreight consignment.
In addition, on despatch of your shipment, we will supply you with details of our partner plus vessel, trailer or flight details so that you may contact our partner at anytime to discuss arrival formalities and potential delivery options.
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What insurance cover does Simpsons Removals & Storage provide for international moves?
It goes without saying that all due care is taken to ensure the safe delivery of your personal effects irrespective of the size of your shipment. However, accidents happen, that is inevitable. Fortunately, this happens rarely but we always strongly recommend that you have adequate marine transit insurance cover and that your effects are covered to their full destination replacement value including shipping costs. Our own comprehensive policy is underwritten by Lloyds of London and insures your shipment against the risks of loss or damage in transit or whilst in storage. Insurance cover commences at packing and removal at origin and is valid through to delivery at destination. It will also cover you for upto 30 days in storage at origin or destination and can be extended for a further period if required at an additional premium. Our sales consultant will supply you with an insurance proposal form which will need to be completed to place cover, this document also includes full terms and conditions of cover.
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How do I determine the level of insurance that is required for my belongings?
You should consider how much it would cost to replace your household goods and personal effects in the country of destination. An excellent source of such information would be local press in that country which maybe a family member or friend living overseas could supply. This information is particularly good for high value items such as kitchen appliances, furniture, motor vehicles etc. You may also find that such information is available via your destination Country's Embassy here in the U.K., you should start with their immigration department. Finally, you should be able to obtain suitable details via the internet.
When completing your proposal form, please be as detailed as possible. Whilst many everyday household items can be collectively valued, it is essential that specific high value items that have a high replacement cost are indicated in as much detail as possible with an appropriate value. If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact your personal coordinator.
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What items are prohibited from either shipment or importation?
Certain items or products can not be accepted for transportation or are restricted under general conditions of carriage. There are also other items which are inadvisable to pack and ship and which may affect the terms of your insurance cover. For example; foodstuffs of any description or liquids which may leak in transit causing damage to other items, cash, bonds, jewellery, alcohol, fireworks or other explosives, flammable gases, liquids or solids, poisons, corrosives, ammunition or firearms, swords, sabres, daggers, spears and switch blades, scuba diving tanks, gas cylinders, aerosol cans, butane lighters and other pressurised articles. Additionally, you must not pack perfumes in an airfreight consignment and we recommend that you check ALL cosmetics as to their contents and potential hazardous nature before packing.
You should also not pack wood, bricks, cement, sand, rocks and soil of any type, plants of any kind including dried flowers, bulbs, seeds, pine cones and pot pourri, untreated animal pelts, furs and hunting trophies and pornography of any description including articles of simple nudity if you are relocating to a Muslim country. You should also take special care when packing household cleaning products or items from your garage or shed, check their contents, if they are flammable or hazardous in anyway, DO NOT PACK THEM. Speak with your local Council as to where and how you can dispose of them safely.
The above is not a complete listing by any means and each country will have its own regulations. Above all, common sense will dictate what you should or should not pack and if in doubt, please contact one of our consultants who will be able to offer you advise.
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How much notice must I give to book a date for packing and removal?
We appreciate that there are a number of factors which will determine when you will actually move such as completion of a house sale, validity of visas, commencement of a new job. However, it is important that you do not leave it too late to book your packing and removal especially during the height of the summer period when removal crews are heavily committed. We would recommend that you notify us as soon as you have a completion date and it is vital that this is confirmed within 2 weeks of your actual move. We will also try to accommodate you wherever possible so if in doubt, contact your personal co-coordinator and discuss any problems or difficulties that you may have.
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How do I find up-to-date information regarding Customs and local authority regulations and documentation ?
We will supply you with general information that this available along with your information pack and quotation. However, details and policies can and do change without prior warning on a regular basis. Most Customs departments around the World now have their own websites although often they are not updated as regularly as they should be. However, you can also contact the Customs department within the Embassy of your destination country who will be able to give you assistance. Alternatively, if you have specific queries, you may either contact us and we will take up the matter on your behalf, or you may speak with our local partner who will be happy to assist. Where possible and where available, we will supply you with Customs forms and documentation for your destination Country, this is not always possible in every case and where we do not hold stocks, our local Partner will supply you at destination with all relevant paperwork. Ultimately, it is the individuals responsibility to ensure that they do have the correct documentation and that they are aware of local regulations.
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Is it cheaper to ship certain items rather than sell and replace them at destination?
There is no set guidance to this question as each destination Country will vary as will the value of the items themselves. If you wish, we can supply quotations for specific items of furniture as optionally extras to your main shipment. Through investigation in local press, internet and friends and family currently living in your destination Country, you will be able to establish the actual replacement value of those same items. You will then be able to make the comparisons yourself and make a final decision. However, you should always consider that having ones own familiar furniture and personal effects with you will greatly assist the settling in process in your new country, you may also have some items which simply have sentimental value and this alone may make it well worth shipping rather than replacing.
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When and how do I pay?
We ask for a small deposit to be paid at the time of your booking, the amount varies depending on the size of your final shipment. The balance of your account is payable on completion of packing at origin at which time we will issue you with a final account. You may make payment by personal cheque, credit or debit card, direct transfer into our account or, by special arrangement, in cash. Cheques will require clearance prior to despatch of your shipment. We will make an administration fee for ALL credit and debit card transactions
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Do you provide storage?
We have purpose built containerised storage facilities offering both short and long term storage possibilities, for further details please view storage services section of our website. We offer discounted rates for shipping consignments and you can discuss your requirements with one of our sales consultants or your personal coordinator. We are also able to offer storage facilities at destination again on long and short term contracts.
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How long will it take to arrive at destination?
The overall transit time varies from Country to Country, mode of transport and destination Customs. If you are shipping by air, a good guide to most destinations would be between 5/7 days door to airport or 7/14 days door to door. European road shipments will vary on whether you have chosen a dedicated or premium service which on average will take between 24 and 72 hours for Western Europe or 7/14 days for Eastern Europe depending on final Customs clearance. If you have chosen our budget service, transit will be between 5/10 days for Western Europe or 14/21 days for Eastern Europe subject to space availability. Seafreight on a sole use container basis will take between 4/8 weeks dependant on final Customs clearance and of course your final destination. If you have a part/shared container, the average transit will be between 6/12 weeks subject to space availability.
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