Loading ...Moving your household goods to another country is a major expense and requires thoughtful planning and lots of professional international moving company help.
How do you go about finding the best moving company for your needs? Your first stop should be the online site of the FIDI Global Alliance. It is the largest alliance of independent international moving companies in the world and highly regarded. Established in 1950 and headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, FIDI lists over 500 member companies that are accredited under its FAIM program.
You should also check expat chat groups and forums in your destination country. There is no better source for a reference than someone who has moved recently. You also can use online Find-a-Mover sites, but check to see if the companies represented are FIDI accredited.
When evaluating international moving companies look for those who have been in business for at least ten years. If they have a U.S. operation, check their Better Business Bureau rating. The company also should be ISO 9002 certified, which is an international quality standard granted by the International Organization for Standardization. Meeting and maintaining international quality standards shows the company is serious about providing quality service.
Also consider those companies that have a global footprint – owned operations and experience in many different countries – or a regional specialist that has owned operations and is an expert in a specific region of the world. Most importantly, make sure they have expertise in moving goods to your country of choice.
Once you have narrowed your list of likely suspects, choose three and then contact them directly. You should ask them to provide references. When you are satisfied that the three companies you have chosen meet your criteria, arrange for their representatives to do a visual inspection of your home and then prepare a bid for you to review.
The most important part of the initial meeting with the company representatives is the contract review. Norah Franchetti, group vice president of marketing, learning and development for the Crown Worldwide Group, told us that understanding the contract “is a huge grey area for people moving because there are so many terms and conditions and inclusive and exclusive items.” She said you should look for a contract that includes door-to-door service, including full packing. Most companies will not allow self-packing for security reasons. The contract also should include all the export documentation, the shipment charges (air, sea or truck), custom clearance documentation, delivery and unpacking, including taking away debris.
“Lots of times we hear people say I received a proposal that is lots cheaper than yours and then find out there are no delivery services included,” Ms. Franchetti said. “Understanding what is included is very key.” Items often excluded in the contract for bidding purposes are things like customs inspections, special handling requirements, special crating or packing at origin, difficult removal of large objects, special delivery requirements such as homes that are difficult to get to and of course, a big item, insurance.
Once you have reviewed and signed your international moving company contract, there are tasks you need to complete to ensure that your move will be successful.
Determining in advance what is to be shipped and what is to be sold, donated or given away should be your first order of business. Be sure to review the items that cannot be shipped to your new country with your mover because they vary by country. Ms. Franchetti said very little is required of consumers if the mover is doing its job properly. “The consumer’s big job is to make sure everything is organized,” she said.