Moving company UK to USA`
May 5th 2023, 3:09 pm
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 267
Moving company UK to USA`
Which moving company did you go with?
What do you wish you knew that you didn't know when it came to the big move?
Did you incur any UNEXPECTED fees other than what was quoted or estimated for the move?
I am looking for a company for my parents big move next year. Mostly clothes, picture frames, pots and pans, 2 single beds and 1 king size bed including mattresses. 1 dining table with 4 chairs - as far as furniture goes.
Looking for STRESS FREE service.
What do you wish you knew that you didn't know when it came to the big move?
Did you incur any UNEXPECTED fees other than what was quoted or estimated for the move?
I am looking for a company for my parents big move next year. Mostly clothes, picture frames, pots and pans, 2 single beds and 1 king size bed including mattresses. 1 dining table with 4 chairs - as far as furniture goes.
Looking for STRESS FREE service.
May 5th 2023, 4:26 pm
#2
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 51,722
Re: Moving company UK to USA`
It's always a different company doing the delivery and unpack from the one that packed and collected, so you're always rolling the dice a bit.
The nature of international shipping is that there is always the possibility of "unexpected" inspection and handling charges if, on arrival, customs decide to open and inspect your shipment. The reality is that a customs inspection causes additional labour and handling, and it always falls on the owner of the goods to meet those costs, that's how international shipping works, and has done ever since international shipping started around 500 years ago - the ship owner recovers additional expenses from the owners of the cargo. I guess the advice is to "always expect them", even though typically most people don't get their shipment inspected, and therefore don't get charge.
The company we used is no longer in business, but I'd just look for quotes from local companys that offer international shipping. It wouldn't hurt to ask who would handle your shipment once it arrives in <US city, US state>, but the likelihood is that it will go to whichever local moving company has the capacity to receive, deliver, and unload the things when the time comes for delivery i.e. they won't give you a guarantee up front of who will be used for delivery, or at least not one worth the paper its printed on.
The nature of international shipping is that there is always the possibility of "unexpected" inspection and handling charges if, on arrival, customs decide to open and inspect your shipment. The reality is that a customs inspection causes additional labour and handling, and it always falls on the owner of the goods to meet those costs, that's how international shipping works, and has done ever since international shipping started around 500 years ago - the ship owner recovers additional expenses from the owners of the cargo. I guess the advice is to "always expect them", even though typically most people don't get their shipment inspected, and therefore don't get charge.
The company we used is no longer in business, but I'd just look for quotes from local companys that offer international shipping. It wouldn't hurt to ask who would handle your shipment once it arrives in <US city, US state>, but the likelihood is that it will go to whichever local moving company has the capacity to receive, deliver, and unload the things when the time comes for delivery i.e. they won't give you a guarantee up front of who will be used for delivery, or at least not one worth the paper its printed on.
Last edited by Pulaski; May 5th 2023 at 4:28 pm.
May 6th 2023, 12:09 am
#3
MODERATOR
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 29,079
Re: Moving company UK to USA`
Originally Posted by whatadiva
Which moving company did you go with?
What do you wish you knew that you didn't know when it came to the big move?
Did you incur any UNEXPECTED fees other than what was quoted or estimated for the move?
I am looking for a company for my parents big move next year. Mostly clothes, picture frames, pots and pans, 2 single beds and 1 king size bed including mattresses. 1 dining table with 4 chairs - as far as furniture goes.
Looking for STRESS FREE service.
What do you wish you knew that you didn't know when it came to the big move?
Did you incur any UNEXPECTED fees other than what was quoted or estimated for the move?
I am looking for a company for my parents big move next year. Mostly clothes, picture frames, pots and pans, 2 single beds and 1 king size bed including mattresses. 1 dining table with 4 chairs - as far as furniture goes.
Looking for STRESS FREE service.
If you do not want their response, and are after general recommendations, maybe ask in the country section you are leaving / moving to.
May 7th 2023, 9:13 am
#4
Removals Specialist
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Sussex, England
Posts: 711
Re: Moving company UK to USA`
Originally Posted by whatadiva
What do you wish you knew that you didn't know when it came to the big move?
Did you incur any UNEXPECTED fees other than what was quoted or estimated for the move?.
We have a couple of guides that might help you with this early stage research:
International Removals Guide
A guide to international removals costs
(Including unexpected costs to be aware of)
These should give you some tips in relation to your questions alongside some of the personal experiences the lovely BE members can share.
hope that helps?
Kirsty
