Frequently Asked Questions
Moving internationally is a significant life event. You'll have many questions about
the process of moving overseas, from what to take with you to how to clear customs
upon arrival. Here's where to find the answers to those questions.
Pre-Move Planning
Estimates and Pricing
Protecting Your Belongings
Upon Arrival
What advice can you give me on how to plan for moving overseas?
Preparation! Preparation! Preparation!
As soon as you know that you're going to be moving overseas, contact your international
moving company.
In addition, begin to think about separating items to be sold, stored, disposed
of, given away, moved by sea, moved by air or delivered to another family member
before your departure. You should have a clear idea about these categories before
completing the pre-move survey.
As you approach moving day, think about which items will accompany you when moving
overseas, specifically travel papers, immediate clothing, passports, medical documentation
and records, family papers, valuables, jewelry, medication, school records, etc.
North American International can provide a variety of host country information including
destination profiles and country fact sheets.
When should I contact an international moving company to organize
my pending international move?
Timely preparation is the key ingredient to a successful international move. You
should contact your international mover approximately seven to 10 weeks prior to
your intended date of departure. This will allow sufficient time to confirm documentation
requirements, pre-book international transportation services and pre-advise the
destination agent of the forthcoming international shipment.
How do I know that I'm dealing with a reputable international
moving company?
It's important that you verify the credentials of any moving company, but particularly
for an international move.
North American International manages international moves for major Fortune 500 companies
on a worldwide basis. Last year, the North American International network and its
sister companies handled over 120,000 international household moves.
What should the representative visiting my home be able to
tell me about my international move?
Your representative should be able to describe every aspect of your forthcoming
international move. This should include all services: packing, crating, transit
times, insurance, unpacking, storage and customer service capabilities.
The representative should be able to advise you of the different shipping options
available to your overseas destination, as well as making an accurate estimate of
the volume and weight of your shipment. In addition, you should be given an overview
of the paperwork that will be required, information on the company selected to deliver
your possessions in the destination country and advice on how to prepare for moving
overseas.
Within a day or two of completion of the pre-move survey, the international movers
should provide you with a written moving estimate that explains the level of moving
services to be provided and confirms the recommended shipping option.
What items should I NOT include in an international household goods
shipment?
Use common sense when thinking about what to include in your international shipment.
You should avoid perishable goods and anything that could leak during its journey,and
cause significant damage to the articles surrounding it.
You should NOT include the following:
- hazardous materials such as paint, matches, aerosol cans, gas canisters or other
flammables
- materials such as wood, bricks, cement, rocks and soil of any type
- firearms and ammunition
- plants of any kind
- corrosives and explosives
If you have any doubt as to what should and shouldn't be included in an international
shipment, consult your North American International representative as soon as possible.
I would like to arrange for someone to provide me with a
moving estimate for my international move. Whom should I contact?
For moves originating in the U.S. and Canada, please contact your local North American
International representative. Click here to find your local representative online.
For moves originating in countries other than the U.S. and Canada, please e-mail
us at request@naintl.com, call us at 1.800.944.8126 or fax us at
630.570.3541.
If you would like to request a free moving estimate online, please click here to
provide us with some basic information about your international move.
Are all charges included in the price?
This depends on the type of moving services that you've purchased. If you request
a door-to-door move, then all transportation charges should be included in the price
that's quoted to you.
However, even on a door-to-door international move, you'll be responsible for customs
clearance charges plus any applicable taxes or duties on your shipment.
Review your moving quote with your North American International representative to
make sure you understand the terms of your quotation, particularly when you're comparing
a number of different service/price options.
What are the different cost/service options available to
me?
When moving overseas you have a number of moving services available to you. You
may select a moving service based on the price, transit time, method of containerization,
routing consolidation opportunities, sea or air freight, port of exit, etc. Each
option's cost component determines the amount you'll pay.
In general terms, it is advisable to select the most direct route with a minimum
amount of handling. However, every move and personal budget is different so it is
important that you work with your North American International representative to
determine the best moving services to meet your personal needs.
Remember, when calculating the cost of your international move, you should be aware
of the total cost including the amount of time you'll have to wait for the arrival
of your goods at destination. If you're going to have to stay in a hotel or other
temporary housing until your household shipment arrives, you'll need to consider
these costs as well as the cost of the shipping charges. Many people have made the
mistake of selecting the slowest transit time (cheapest price) and then had the
expense of two to three weeks of hotel costs while they awaited the delivery of
their shipment.
Can international moving companies provide insurance for
my international move?
All reputable internationalvmovers will be able to provide you with coverage for
your household and personal effects during an international move.
There is no one standard international moving coverage available that all international
moving companies utilize. It is important, therefore, that you check any policy
to determine the extent of the coverage, the nature of any exclusions, the amount
of any deductible and the procedure in the event that you have to file a claim.
If you would like more information about North American International's insurance
program, please see the Insurance webpage, contact your local agent, call us at
1-800-944-8126 or e-mail us.
How do I determine the level of insurance coverage that is required
for my belongings in an international move?
In general, you should think about what it would cost to replace your household
goods and personal effects in the country of destination.
Some consulates and embassies will carry cost of living and price index data that
you can refer to as a guideline.
When completing your international valuation paperwork, please be as detailed as
possible. Remember to mark down individual items that have a high replacement cost.
It's better to have too much information than not enough in this instance.
If you have any questions relating to the coverage on your international move, contact
your North American International representative immediately.
Who will provide delivery services at destination?
North American International has developed a comprehensive network of corporate
overseas agents based on their quality of service and experience. We are proud that
we have over 380 international agents who represent North American International
around the world today.
Our overseas offices and agents provide moving services and expertise in the following
areas:
- port of arrival and customs clearance procedures
- transportation from the destination port of arrival
- temporary or long term moving storage if required
- delivery to residence
- full unpacking services
- removal of all related packing debris and moving supplies
When I arrive at my overseas destination, whom should I
contact to determine the status of my shipment?
Prior to your departure, your international moving company should provide you with
a destination contact sheet. This will contain information about who to contact
when you arrive at your final destination.
When you move with North American International, we'll provide you with the contact
names and details of either our office or agent in the destination city to which
you're moving. In most cases, we'll have already sent your information to your office/agent
and they'll contact you when you arrive. You may also use our online tracking tool
to keep updated on the status of your shipment.
For immediate status updates, contact your North American International Relocation
Counselor at 1-800-944-8126 or via e-mail.
Where should I go to find the most up-to-date information
regarding customs clearance documentation requirements?
Due to the frequency in which paperwork requirements change, it's important (and
ultimately your responsibility) to contact the local embassy or consulate to verify
the documentation that is needed to obtain duty-free entry of used household goods
and personal effects.
Although a reputable international moving company will have a list of the most recent
documentation requirements, it's still your responsibility to make sure that you
have the correct documentation for your personal situation.
