Moving homes or offices is generally exhausting and demanding. An international move, on the other hand, is way more demanding and it can be a harrowing experience but it doesn’t have to be. Working with the right international moving company goes a long way in helping make your international move flawless and easy. With so many long-distance moving companies in the market, how would you tell which is best for your needs?
When vetting the various companies, there are several things you ought to consider. In a simplistic way, the broad aspects that guide your decision when looking for a long distance moving company include:
- Destination. You need to know if the international moving company can move you to the specific region. Just because a moving company is international doesn’t mean that they can move you to any part of the world. Some have restrictions.
- Items to move. Moving companies have different rules and regulations when it comes to moving different items from shipping cars, household items, electronics, furniture etc.
- Budget. This is very important because how much you have will determine the moving company you will choose and the items you will decide to move with.
- Quality of service. Even if on a low budget we all expect to get our money’s worth. You want to hire a moving company that is reputable with good references and reviews. So vetting the international moving companies in detail is important.
Now let’s take an in-depth look at some of the key considerations you should make before deciding on an international moving company.
1. Shipping Costs
Even if you are on a tight budget, it is important to note that just because a moving company is offering the lowest shipping rates doesn’t mean that they are the best option. Look at the fine print on such offers because charging lower might imply that the quality of service offered is substandard, or it could indicate that the company takes little or no responsibility should something go wrong during the move.
Sometimes moving companies will give you low quotations and fail to include all charges only for you to find yourself with thousands of additional fees once your goods reach the destination.
Find out if the cost given includes port/terminal charges, which are also known as Destination Terminal Handling Charges. Also, find out if the packing and unpacking charges are included in the quotation. It is also important to give your shipping company details of where you are moving to and find out if the quotation includes cost relating to floors/stairs at your destination.
It is important to know if the international mover has worker’s compensation insurance because, without it, you might be charged for any injuries that could take place as the movers handle your luggage.
When you consider all these, you would rather spend a little more but have all your bases covered.
2. Warehouse Facility
You may find yourself in a situation where your items arrive at the destination before you do and so cannot be immediately moved to your new location. That is why it is important to know if your moving company has warehouse facilities or temporary storage in the location. You should find out if the moving company owns the storage facility or if it’s owned by a third party and what the implication of this will be. Are the storage facilities bonded and insured? These are some of the key questions you should ask your potential moving company.
3. Licensed and Insured
You should know with certainty if the moving company is licensed and insured. You can get this information by going through their website and checking for membership and licensing information. Look out for the following licenses which are a requirement for all international movers:
- AMSA- American Moving and Storage Association
- FMC- Federal Maritime Commission
- IAM- International Association of Movers
- FIDI- This is possibly the most impressive accreditation an international moving company can possess.
- OTI- Ocean Transport Intermediary
- DOT- Department of Transportation
- NVOCC- Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier
4. Quotation
Most international moving companies send a quote that is deemed valid for a period of 30 days. Your move date might be after the 30 day period so that could affect your actual cost. The company might also not be in a position to give you an exact rate until the move is complete.
Make sure to find out if there is any wiggle room on the quotation given so that you don’t end up getting surprised.
Some of the things that could affect the quote amount include an actual volume of items as opposed to surveyed volume, the cost of fuel can change, and changes in the pickup/delivery addresses.
5. Hidden Charges
Some international moving companies give quotations with hidden charges. That is why it’s important to read the fine print and get clarification on as much as possible. For instance, there might be additional packing fees that will most likely not be included in the main quotation.
6. Form of Payment
If you are working with individuals overseas, it is imperative to find out beforehand what form of payment is acceptable. Get details of the currency to use during payment and if there are credit card or bank charges linked to the payment.
7. Shipping Items
Depending on your destination country, there are items that you might not be allowed to move into those countries. Talk to your movers’ company and find out if there are any restrictions on the items you plan to ship to your new location.
8. Freight Handling
It is important to know who will be handling your freight. Find out if your moving company will be in charge of your freight from pick up to drop off or if they work with other companies who handle some of the processes for them. Most moving companies today provide a tracking number that allows you to track the movement of your cargo online, from the time it leaves to when it reaches the destination.
9. Shipping Duration
Sometimes a moving company might not be able to give you the exact time when your items will reach the destination, but they usually have a good idea of the estimated time it would take to ship the goods. How long the journey takes depends on several things such as origin port, the frequency of shipments to the particular destination, and the destination country.
10. Insurance Info
Even if your moving company is insured, it is important to know how the insurance work. Will you be required to buy additional insurance to protect yourself from any loss or damage that could occur or your moving company’s insurance has that covered? If there are any valuables in your cargo, make sure all the items are listed down on an insurance policy alone.
How To Book A Long-Distance Move
Now that you know what to look out for in an international moving company, the next step will be learning how to book a long-distance move. Booking an international move is not difficult if you are working with a trained, professional team such as Alpha Moving & Storage. Their move coordinators and moving estimators will assist with your booking and answer any questions you might have.
Alpha Moving & Storage has the expertise to relocate you anywhere within the United States and abroad. Their delivery time is impeccable and they provide secure and safe long distance moving and storage facilities. They help you put in place a comprehensive plan for your move and are involved from pick up to drop off. With Alpha Moving & Storage you get personalized service tailor-made to suit your unique needs. Their charges are friendly yet their quality of service is uncompromised.
Alpha Moving & Storage
234 16th Street 2nd floor, Jersey City
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Alpha Moving helped us move from an apartment with many stairs in Hoboken to a suburban home in NJ. There team was very responsive, professional, punctual, … More and communicative. I was very happy with their service, and they helped make the experience less stressful. The Alpha team was great at communicating ahead of and during our move and they set our expectations on pricing. We were very happy with our decision to hire Alpha. -
My experience using Alpha Moving and Storage was excellent. The crew was courteous and professional. They took their time to ensure that everything was … More covered and packaged before the move so there was no damage. They made sure everything was positioned correctly in our house, and even helped to move a few pieces of furniture that were not part of the original move. I would highly recommend
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I recently hired Alpha Moving to help a family member move from a 3rd-floor walk-up in Brooklyn to New Jersey, and I couldn't be more impressed with … More their service. The team was punctual, professional, and showed exceptional care for both the Brooklyn apartment and the New Jersey home. They took extra precautions to protect the walls and floors, which we really appreciated. Communication was excellent before, during, and after the move, making the entire process much less stressful. I highly recommend Alpha Moving to both family and clients—they’re reliable, professional, and offer very reasonable pricing..
