Shipping Furniture with

PSS International Removals

How to make your move to Australia go smoothly
 

When to start the process
The correct time to start organising quotations and compiling information about your International Removal to Australia is between 3 and 6 months before your intended departure or earlier. Don’t leave it until the last minute or you may end up being limited by which International Removal Companies can arrange it in time, this can easily cause you unnecessary stress, especially during a time when you are also organising flights & house sales etc

How do you decide which Companies to select?
Unlike most household services the locality of the International Removal Company to your address is not a major issue. If you were moving within the UK, for economic reasons you would normally go for a domestic removal company located near where you live, however in most cases the quality and cost of an International removal is not affected by the locality of the remover to your address, it is more a question of the number of International removals the company handles to Australia that will reflect the quality and cost of your International removal. It is also very important for you to feel comfortable with the removal company you are selecting, after all this is YOUR MOVE & you need to feel assured that the company fulfils your requirement. Of course there are risks involved in any removal especially when being transported by Sea. It's important that the crews which export pack, wrap and load your goods into the shipping containers are highly experienced. PSS crews do nothing else, so we like to think they are the most experienced in the market

Why is it so important to get a Removal Company who specialise in International Removals?
There are a large number of differences between an ordinary UK removal where your possessions are loaded on to a van, driven to another house and unloaded. An international removal should consist of every item being export packed using extra strength packing materials and then stacked and shipped inside a Shipping Container. The main differences being the export packing and the knowledge and experience involved in Shipping, Customs clearance etc.

What’s important to look for when selecting International Removal Companies?
Firstly look for Companies who are members of FIDI plus attained FAIM accreditation and are also members of BAR but make sure they are members of the BAR Overseas Group as only members of this group are covered by the IMMI pre payment guarantee scheme. The following 3 points are a good basic starting point:

1. QUALITY ASSURANCE
The ultimate independent Quality Assurance standard for the International Moving Industry is FAIM ACCREDITATION. Controlled by FIDI the most prestigious International removals association, FAIM Quality assurance is recognized throughout the world.

2. FINANCIAL PROTECTION
BAR Overseas is the specialist branch of the British Association of Removers for International Removals and members are covered by the Advance payment Guarantee Scheme (I.M.M.I.).

3. INTERNATIONAL REMOVAL COMPANY
A specialist international moving company with all staff and packers fully trained in handling International Removals.

Once you have selected the International Removal Companies you wish to quote on your move, its then time to arrange for a FREE NO OBLIGATION estimate. Be prepared to wait a few weeks for an appointment because the more popular and experienced International removers are always busy and estimators appointments are normally booked up at least 2 weeks in advance and in some cases more than this. It’s like going out for dinner at a popular restaurant, you would need to book well in advance as they tend to get booked up fast.

What do I tell, the estimator and what do they need to see?
The estimator should complete a full packing inventory of everything you wish to take including a generous allowance for cartons for all the small items.
(It’s important that the estimator sees all the small items and not just the furniture, to make their assessment of the volume as accurate as possible)

Advise the estimator of any items that you are unsure whether or not to take, because the estimator can offer you a separate estimate for adding those items to your move. In some cases customers have found it cost effective to add their sofa or bed to their consignment.

The estimator will of course be pleased to give you information or advice regarding the packing or customs requirements for any items you are considering to take; but their main task is to assess your packing requirements, volume and complete a full list. Many questions may arise later and this is why it is important for you to have a real professional team of expert Move Coordinators to answer them. The estimator will also provide you with either written or verbal information about there company (normally contained in a brochure) and advice concerning any special packing they recommend for particular items.
PSS International Removals have a brochure and we would be pleased to provide you with one by

emailing sales@p-s-s.co.uk or by calling 0800 988 3711.

Written Estimate
Once the estimator has completed their survey detailing the goods you are planning to take with you, you should receive a written estimate within a few days, always wait until you have received the written estimate and have checked it thoroughly before you book your International Removal.
Sometimes as a result of the quotations you receive, you may decide to add or subtract items from your removal and you need time to discuss this with the Companies who have estimated. You will also need time to decide which International Removal Company you are going to use. These days it is rare for someone to decide on which Company to use just by looking at the price, invariably people will want to telephone or email the Company and ask more questions or seek clarification on certain points. When you finally make your decision you will probably find that the popular and most professional International Movers require around one months notice to book the actual packing and removal date.
Use the following check list to ensure that you have written confirmation of the most important points.

1. There should be a list of items which you must check to ensure that the estimate covers everything you are taking.
2. There should also be a cubic volume. This is important as many of the services included are based on volume and this is very useful when comparing quotations.
N.B. In many instances the price quoted will change if the list of items or the cubic volume changes.
3. Any special packing requirements for a particular item are included.
4. All Door to Door costs have been included e.g.: Australian terminal charges, unloading, and presentation to Customs etc. Most important ensure that delivery to your residence and unpacking is included, if your residence is beyond the standard quotation radius of 30 miles from the port check that the extra delivery charge has been included either by stating an increased mileage radius or by naming the town where you are going to live.

Managing your International Removal
Most International Removal Companies have specialised departments and allocated staff to deal with any questions or queries. If you do have any questions or queries our Removal Coordinators would be glad to assist you. We normally find that customers build up a rapport with our Move Managers & Coordinators and liaise with them regarding any matters that may arise. This can include:

• Arranging and issuing new or amended quotations to account for any changes you may decide to make

• Advice on which items need cleaning for quarantine, or items which will be subject to quarantine inspection.

• Why certain packing materials must not be used on removals to Australia, in particular wooden packing cases must be made from treated timber and display a forestry stamp, the use of polythene and plastic wrapping materials should be avoided on items which could be damaged by excessive heat and condensation.

• Information regarding Storage and any ancillary services that may be required

• What you need to do before the packers arrive e.g. clearing the loft, sorting cupboards and drawers etc.

Shipping and transportation
There are basically two means of shipping your household goods to Australia:-
Smaller removals will be consolidated with other customers removals destined for the same Australian Port and shipped in Shared Container loads. It is important that the International Remover you select regularly handles a large number of these otherwise your goods can be waiting in the UK for some time before there is sufficient volume to fill the container. The transit time of a shared container removal will normally be between 8 and 12 weeks.

Larger removals will be shipped as Full (Sole use) Container Loads. The major advantage with these is that the actual shipping container is transported to your UK residence, loaded with your packed items and sent immediately on the first vessel sailing to Australia. There are four different types and sizes of container available for shipment to Australia, they are 20ft NOR (Non Operational Reefer) 20ft GP (General Purpose) 40ft GP (General Purpose) 40ft HC (High Cube). Your International Mover will advise you of relevant options and costs. The transit time for Sole use containers is normally between 5 and 7 weeks

The Export Packing is a very important aspect of the whole operation, export packing materials are considerably stronger than the materials used in domestic removals, also export packing and loading Household goods into Shipping Containers is a highly specialised skill which is only acquired by training and experience.

What happens when my goods arrive in Australia?
When you sign up for a door to door removal the UK Company you contract is totally responsible for all aspects of the removal process right up until your goods have been installed in your new home in Australia. It makes no difference to the contract or to the service you receive whether this partner Company in Australia has the same trading name as the UK Company or not. Most experienced International Removers move families around the world and have experienced professional partners in many Countries who will handle the importation, delivery and unpacking. Whilst it does not make any difference to your removal what name they trade under it is worth knowing whether the destination partner also has FAIM accreditation as this is an internationally recognised quality standard.

Quarantine inspection charges
All shipments entering Australia are subject to a government quarantine inspection which is carried out by AQIS; Quarantine inspection charges can in certain circumstances also include location or presentation handling costs. These charges cannot be included in the removal quotation because they are largely based on the amount of time taken by the inspectors or any treatment required. Any charges will always have to be paid after arrival in Australia. The decision as to whether your consignment is examined is solely that of the Quarantine Officer. Quarantine officers have the right to order fumigation, steam cleaning or any other treatment they deem necessary to any items, in such circumstances the charges for this treatment will also be charged to you.
Exact Quarantine fees applicable for your shipment can only be known once your consignment arrives as the examination is assessed locally. However PSS will be pleased to offer you a guideline of the costs involved with a Quarantine examination. Please note that they are only guidelines, based on the size of your shipment or types of items shipped. Any guideline Quarantine fees can change depending on the extent of examination and if any fumigation or treatment is required. If you are planning on sending any items that have been in contact with the soil or grass, please ensure these items are thoroughly clean and in some cases disinfected before shipment. This can help to speed up your clearance and possibly reduce your Quarantine charges. There are also certain wooden items which are subject to inspection such as Bamboo, cane, wicker furniture/baskets, a full list of items are listed in one of our brochures.

If you have any questions regarding which types of Visa’s qualify for free entry of Duty & GST, please contact Australia customs or alternatively one of our Move managers or Move Coordinators will be glad to assist you.