Duncs

My wife (USC) and i (UKC) have been living in our owned property in the UK. We plan to move to Boston and we are applying for a green card for me through the US Embassy in London. (INS approved petition today so its moving on)

WE are trying to plan ahead and we are wondering about the physical problem of moving our house contents from our 3 bed house in UK to Boston, including three cats!

Has anyone any good advice on good and well priced moving agencies(this is private funded so cost is an issue).
What are the customs requirements for the US and how do we get the details of them?

Thanks for your help,

Duncan and Lacey

S B

17782023 wrote:
    >
    > My wife (USC) and i (UKC) have been living in our owned property in the
    > UK. We plan to move to Boston and we are applying for a green card for
    > me through the US Embassy in London. (INS approved petition today so its
    > moving on)
    >
    > WE are trying to plan ahead and we are wondering about the physical
    > problem of moving our house contents from our 3 bed house in UK to
    > Boston, including three cats!
    >
    > Has anyone any good advice on good and well priced moving agencies(this
    > is private funded so cost is an issue).
    > What are the customs requirements for the US and how do we get the
    > details of them?
    >
    > Thanks for your help,
    >
    > Duncan and Lacey

If you're willing to pack and load a shipping container yourself, it can
be a lot cheaper. Contact some of the container lines.

McB

A question you have to ask yourself is "How deeply are you attached to your
UK furniture?" In general, your UK electrical goods won't work in the US,
and they are cheaper to buy anyway. Also it is surprising how even small
differences in furniture standards (e.g. beds and bedding) make life
irritating when making changes later. Much easier to sell/dispose of UK
"stuff" and start afresh. You will save loads of money by not sending goods
from the UK and goods are indeed cheaper in the US. I would even go further
and leave most of your clothes behind, taking just the minimum until you
arrive.
Most large removal companies will organise removals for you, at a price, but
containers takes time to deliver (several weeks - can you accept that?) and
you do have to get customs clearance. If you do your own packing then you
have to itemise goods carried (and customs inspection) in these times might
add to the overall timescales. Often removers will only send a full
container load and you cannot easily take advantage of doubling up with
other customers. If you do use a remover get three quotes minimum (we got
four and it was an eye opener). They will organise customs forms etc.
Transporting cats is no problem for the cats - they find it no real bother.
Are they OK for car travel after collection at the airport? You have to
ensure that your three cat carriers are big enough for each cat to be able
to stand up in them, don't "drug" them for the journey - no food beforehand,
just water in dishes hooked onto the side of the carrier, get vet
certificates within a week of travel, you may need to get a vet check done
earlier to get opinions on the ability of each cat to travel, and to get a
rabies certificate if needed. Probably need to take to the airport earlier
so that staff can place them in the hold - cats really do not mind the air
travel part, frankly they will travel more serenely than you! Probably need
to book hold space in advance as this is limited. Cost per cat of
everything is of the order of travel £100, (possibly) new carrier £50 - you
will need one anyway for US vet visits, minimal vet fees.
MCB


"S B" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > 17782023 wrote:
    > >
    > > My wife (USC) and i (UKC) have been living in our owned property in the
    > > UK. We plan to move to Boston and we are applying for a green card for
    > > me through the US Embassy in London. (INS approved petition today so its
    > > moving on)
    > >
    > > WE are trying to plan ahead and we are wondering about the physical
    > > problem of moving our house contents from our 3 bed house in UK to
    > > Boston, including three cats!
    > >
    > > Has anyone any good advice on good and well priced moving agencies(this
    > > is private funded so cost is an issue).
    > > What are the customs requirements for the US and how do we get the
    > > details of them?
    > >
    > > Thanks for your help,
    > >
    > > Duncan and Lacey
    > If you're willing to pack and load a shipping container yourself, it can
    > be a lot cheaper. Contact some of the container lines.

abba48uk

I used Allied Pickfords, and only wanted to bring personal items (no furniture etc). They were collected by Pickfords on 19 December. It took nearly four months to make up a container (mine was a part load only) and to clear customs. The customs dept decided to randomly select that container for full examination, hence part of the delay. I have been informed that I will have to pay $120+ for the privilege of that inspection!

The really good news is that the local shipping company, Allied Inernational, have now told me (but only when I telephoned to enquire!) that they have *misrouted" my effects. In other words they have manged to lose them somewhere in the USA. I am keeping my fingers crossed, but without a great deal of optimism.

S B

abba48uk wrote:
    >
    > I used Allied Pickfords, and only wanted to bring personal items (no
    > furniture etc). They were collected by Pickfords on 19 December. It
    > took nearly four months to make up a container (mine was a part load
    > only) and to clear customs. The customs dept decided to randomly
    > select that container for full examination, hence part of the delay. I
    > have been informed that I will have to pay $120+ for the privilege of
    > that inspection!
    >
    > The really good news is that the local shipping company, Allied
    > Inernational, have now told me (but only when I telephoned to enquire!)
    > that they have *misrouted" my effects. In other words they have manged
    > to lose them somewhere in the USA. I am keeping my fingers crossed,
    > but without a great deal of optimism.

Sadly, these are not an uncommon problem with containerization with
"part containers". Usually what invites customs inspection is
insufficient documentation on the part of one of the loads on your
container. But you all then get inspected. The other problem with
shared containers is misrouting of contents. Unless I was desparate, I
would never go with a shared container - the inconvenience of the delays
in containerizing and the potential for loss of stuff is just too high.

Stuart

S B

mcb wrote:
    >
    > A question you have to ask yourself is "How deeply are you attached to your
    > UK furniture?" In general, your UK electrical goods won't work in the US,
    > and they are cheaper to buy anyway. Also it is surprising how even small
    > differences in furniture standards (e.g. beds and bedding) make life
    > irritating when making changes later. Much easier to sell/dispose of UK
    > "stuff" and start afresh. You will save loads of money by not sending goods
    > from the UK and goods are indeed cheaper in the US. I would even go further
    > and leave most of your clothes behind, taking just the minimum until you
    > arrive.
    > Most large removal companies will organise removals for you, at a price, but
    > containers takes time to deliver (several weeks - can you accept that?) and
    > you do have to get customs clearance. If you do your own packing then you
    > have to itemise goods carried (and customs inspection) in these times might
    > add to the overall timescales. Often removers will only send a full
    > container load and you cannot easily take advantage of doubling up with
    > other customers. If you do use a remover get three quotes minimum (we got
    > four and it was an eye opener). They will organise customs forms etc.

First, the stuff you own is always cheaper than the stuff you don't.
You get nothing for the stuff you leave and the stuff you have to buy
still costs more than what you got for what you left. Then you have the
comfort of the stuff you know in a strange place.

With Electrical stuff ... Appliances (both large like washers, and small
like toasters and irons) and TVs can't be brought. Power tools unless
battery also can't be brought because of the different electrical
standards. Electronics may, if labelled for operation at 110V or
switched.
Computers are usually dual voltage, but those that can't can often have
their power supply changed for around $50 or less.

Bed sizes just have different names from the UK, although different from
Scandinavia. Single = Twin, Double = Full, Queen = Queen, King is
somebody's imagination - there really seem to be no standards. BUT
beware that there are often sold "Long twin, full and queen" which are
often for waterbeds - it's not aways clear.

We got a complete container to move to Canada provided by a container
shipping company. The only hitch was we had about 3 hours to load it
before it started costing extra. It was far and away the cheapest
option - at least 6 times cheaper than a mover. The mover would take
your stuff to a warehouse, and then load into a container there, even if
you could get them to agree to a single container. That means they
handle your stuff 3 times ... once on the truck, once off, once into the
container. That's 3 chances to lose / break / have stuff stolen. With
a single load yourself container ... you load, you seal the container
(the shipping company takes responsibility if your seal is broken by
other than customs). Nobody else touches your stuff.

The container usually leaves the UK within a few days and the crossing
to the east coast is usually 7-10 days with delivery to you within a
week. With unloading, there is not the same rush normally ... they will
spot the container outside the house and collect it a couple days
later. There is not normally the same demand for containers in the US.

Norman Forde

Duncan and Lacey,

I read the horror story replies....I did this six years ago and it was fine.
Life is what you make it!! Sure your electrical things will not work but
some of that furniture probably has sentimental value. The quality if bought
in the UK will be much better than its US equivalent - no matter where you
are on the globe - you get what you pay for! I used a company called
Robinson's to move me and they handled all the paperwork and they were
excellent. It is a little more expensive to have your own container but
worth it. Is there an employer that can share some of the cost? Or you wife
as a US citizen might be able to claim some of the cost on her taxes next
year - worth exploring.

http://www.robinsons-intl.com/index.htm

I hope this link works. This is going to be fun so take things in your
stride and enjoy it. Couple of pieces of advice - bring a credit report with
you if you can from the UK - I think there are a couple of credit reporting
companies that can give you one if you plan ahead. Also if you can get your
hands on an International Driving license that would be good for you too
Duncan. The AA used to issue them but I understand their shops are now
closed. Any other questions please feel free to email me. No question is a
silly question. Hope you and your wife have a blast and ignore the nay
sayers!!

Norman

"17782023" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > My wife (USC) and i (UKC) have been living in our owned property in the
    > UK. We plan to move to Boston and we are applying for a green card for
    > me through the US Embassy in London. (INS approved petition today so its
    > moving on)
    > WE are trying to plan ahead and we are wondering about the physical
    > problem of moving our house contents from our 3 bed house in UK to
    > Boston, including three cats!
    > Has anyone any good advice on good and well priced moving agencies(this
    > is private funded so cost is an issue).
    > What are the customs requirements for the US and how do we get the
    > details of them?
    > Thanks for your help,
    > Duncan and Lacey
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Taffyles

I used ABELS International and had no problems whatsoever- they handled everything, from documentation ( I simply had to fill out a customs form) to local delivery here in the States. I only brought stuff that I couldn't possibly live without, ornaments and books etc- and let the kids bring anything they wanted (that's important). it cost me 2,000 pounds, 11 years ago, but well worth it IMO. I wish I had shipped more over - I didn't bring any furniture and wished I had. Yes you can get furniture cheaper here (well depending where you shop) but it is not the same quality at all- the same goes for clothes.

Taffyles

P.S.

I've heard many horror stories about Pickfords- don't go near them. I had a problem with them once when we moved in UK- they nearly wrecked our stuff, stole jewelry and were generally a waste of space. We ended up calling the police as we got no joy from the company about complaints- and they told us after their enquiries that most of the men working for Pickfords on the trucks were known to the Police- figures!

S B

Taffyles wrote:
    >
    > P.S.
    >
    > I've heard many horror stories about Pickfords- don't go near them. I
    > had a problem with them once when we moved in UK- they nearly wrecked
    > our stuff, stole jewelry and were generally a waste of space. We ended
    > up calling the police as we got no joy from the company about
    > complaints- and they told us after their enquiries that most of the men
    > working for Pickfords on the trucks were known to the Police- figures!

I've heard that for 30 years! My in-laws moved to a new home on the
south coast. Several of the men were caught carrying stuff in one door
and out another to their own truck. They lost a lot of stuff.

Traveller

"Taffyles" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > P.S.
    > I've heard many horror stories about Pickfords- don't go near them. I
    > had a problem with them once when we moved in UK- they nearly wrecked
    > our stuff, stole jewelry and were generally a waste of space. We ended
    > up calling the police as we got no joy from the company about
    > complaints- and they told us after their enquiries that most of the men
    > working for Pickfords on the trucks were known to the Police- figures!

To balance this, I've moved with Allied (of which Pickfords are part) three
times, from Belgium to Spain, Spain to UK, and UK to Switzerland, and had a
very good experience each time. The UK-Switzerland move was a full house
contents and they excelled themselves from start to finish, with nothing
broken, let alone missing...

Alun Palmer

    > First, the stuff you own is always cheaper than the stuff you don't.
    > You get nothing for the stuff you leave and the stuff you have to buy
    > still costs more than what you got for what you left. Then you have
    > the comfort of the stuff you know in a strange place.

I agree, mostly. If you have any cheap stuff that isn't sturdy I wouldn't
take it though, just take the decent furniture. Really cheap self-assembly
stuff may self-destruct en route and wouldn't cost too much to replace.
Anything well made will be a big loss if you sell it, on the other hand.
We own, and owned back then, stuff at both ends of the price spectrum. If
and when we eventually make the return trip there are some things I would
simply take to the dump, but all the good stuff we will keep. There are
certainly some items that we should have dumped when we came over, but
someone else was paying!!

    >
    > With Electrical stuff ... Appliances (both large like washers, and
    > small like toasters and irons) and TVs can't be brought. Power tools
    > unless battery also can't be brought because of the different
    > electrical standards. Electronics may, if labelled for operation at
    > 110V or switched.
    > Computers are usually dual voltage, but those that can't can often have
    > their power supply changed for around $50 or less.

Actually, you can get transformers to run all your UK electrical stuff in
the US. Samson's in London used to sell transformers up to 2.5 kW. That's
almost as much power as an entire ring main. Not only that, but all (?)
houses in the US are wired with two-phase circuits that have a voltage of
240 volts as well as the normal single-phase 120 volts (BTW, it hasn't
been 110 volts in the US for donkey's years, although many people still
call it that).

'2-phase' is normally used for ovens, air conditioners and anything that
takes a lot of current. The only difficulty is finding anyone who
understands how to wire a UK appliance to a 2-phase circuit. I'm an
electrical engineer myself, so it's not a problem for me personally.

I have certain places in my house where I have UK sockets wired to the 2-
phase supply, and I can just plug UK appliances in with UK plugs and no
transformer. After 13 years I am still using a UK freezer. The only
diffferences are that you end up with the neutral electrically floating,
and the supply frequency is 60 Hz instead of 50, but you won't find that
these differences matter. Getting a US electrician to understand may be a
challenge, though.

As to the legality of having 240v coming out of your sockets, it's OK
provided you don't have it coming out of 120v sockets. Obviously that
would be a really bad idea, being highly dangerous as well as illegal. The
US NEC (National Electrical Code) only says that you must not use a
**standard** socket for voltages over 150.

Americans use different sockets for different currents at 240v, and
identify them as being for different types of appliances. I would suggest
that you wire up UK sockets to the 2-phase, or make up a UK power board
with a US 240v plug corresponding to the specific type of outlet (I did
this for a disused window air-conditioner socket). BTW, they call sockets
'receptacles'. Don't approach this if you don't know what you're doing! I
don't want to be responsible for you electrocuting yourself!

One other thing, before I finish talking about electrical stuff. Although
you can bring almost everything else if you really want to, your TV will
not work here. The standards for TV signals differ in at least four
separate ways, so there is just no way TV sets can be converted. The same
goes for VCRs. Of course, if you want to watch any of your UK tapes you
will have to bring both your TV and VCR, and use a transformer or '2-
phase' to run them. With DVD players it is a bit more complicated, but
basically they are only OK with US discs if they are 'multi-region', and
then of course you still have to take care of the voltage.

    >
    > Bed sizes just have different names from the UK, although different
    > from Scandinavia. Single = Twin, Double = Full, Queen = Queen, King is
    > somebody's imagination - there really seem to be no standards. BUT
    > beware that there are often sold "Long twin, full and queen" which are
    > often for waterbeds - it's not aways clear.
    >

Actually, American mattresses are thicker. We initially had UK bedding and
a UK bed. When we had to replace the bed, it was hard to stretch UK fitted
bottom sheets over the US mattress, and the sheets tended to get torn. If
you don't have fitted bottom sheets you won't notice any problem, though.

Duncs

Thanks for your advice. Thats interesting about the electrical items. I had looked around and discovered that convertor units were available so i was considering taking some of the smaller electrical items. Our TV is NTSC and PAL compatible as i have a multi region DVD and lots of US DVD's brought on previous occasions would it still work in the USA or is more needed than simply NTSC compatablity?

Is it better to get sockets wired for 240 then rather than simply get a transformer unit? What about if you are renting rather than buying an apartment?

S B

Alun Palmer wrote:

    > > With Electrical stuff ... Appliances (both large like washers, and
    > > small like toasters and irons) and TVs can't be brought. Power tools
    > > unless battery also can't be brought because of the different
    > > electrical standards. Electronics may, if labelled for operation at
    > > 110V or switched.
    > > Computers are usually dual voltage, but those that can't can often have
    > > their power supply changed for around $50 or less.
    >
    > Actually, you can get transformers to run all your UK electrical stuff in
    > the US. Samson's in London used to sell transformers up to 2.5 kW. That's
    > almost as much power as an entire ring main. Not only that, but all (?)
    > houses in the US are wired with two-phase circuits that have a voltage of
    > 240 volts as well as the normal single-phase 120 volts (BTW, it hasn't
    > been 110 volts in the US for donkey's years, although many people still
    > call it that).

Technically, yes, you can get transformers, but the last 500W
autotransformer I bought 20 years ago was $50 and that was without a
case or fittings to make it "safe".

The North American supply system is actually even more complicated than
that ... it's actually known as 3 phase - split phase system. Each home
is fed off a single phase, but that phase is split into a 2 where you
have 3 wires going 120-0-120 (117 is the nominal voltage most supplies
attempt to provide) with 240 being the voltage between the phases.

    > '2-phase' is normally used for ovens, air conditioners and anything that
    > takes a lot of current. The only difficulty is finding anyone who
    > understands how to wire a UK appliance to a 2-phase circuit. I'm an
    > electrical engineer myself, so it's not a problem for me personally.
    >
    > I have certain places in my house where I have UK sockets wired to the 2-
    > phase supply, and I can just plug UK appliances in with UK plugs and no
    > transformer. After 13 years I am still using a UK freezer. The only
    > diffferences are that you end up with the neutral electrically floating,
    > and the supply frequency is 60 Hz instead of 50, but you won't find that
    > these differences matter. Getting a US electrician to understand may be a
    > challenge, though.

Finding a N. American electrician capable of doing the rewiring needed
safely is nearly impossible. There are safety and therefore insurance
issues with such rewired appliances. Should they fail cause a fire or
electrocution, you may find that your insurance is voided because they
don't meet safety standards.

As engineers you and I both know what we are doing and therefore
satisfied, but I wouldn't recommend bringing appliances to the US. Not
to mention, you can't get them repaired here.


    > > Bed sizes just have different names from the UK, although different
    > > from Scandinavia. Single = Twin, Double = Full, Queen = Queen, King is
    > > somebody's imagination - there really seem to be no standards. BUT
    > > beware that there are often sold "Long twin, full and queen" which are
    > > often for waterbeds - it's not aways clear.
    > >
    >
    > Actually, American mattresses are thicker. We initially had UK bedding and
    > a UK bed. When we had to replace the bed, it was hard to stretch UK fitted
    > bottom sheets over the US mattress, and the sheets tended to get torn. If
    > you don't have fitted bottom sheets you won't notice any problem, though.

The *standard* US mattress is about the same 4" or so that a UK mattress
is, but the manufacturers have been on this "thicker is better" kick,
adding pillow tops and stuff (making matts more and more uncomfortable
for me!) I've had a terrible job even finding N. Am. made sheets to fit
N. Am. mattresses, especially because of the increasing thickness!!

Stuart

Alun Palmer

S B wrote in
news:[email protected]:

    > Alun Palmer wrote:
    >
    >> > With Electrical stuff ... Appliances (both large like washers, and
    >> > small like toasters and irons) and TVs can't be brought. Power
    >> > tools unless battery also can't be brought because of the different
    >> > electrical standards. Electronics may, if labelled for operation at
    >> > 110V or switched.
    >> > Computers are usually dual voltage, but those that can't can often
    >> > have their power supply changed for around $50 or less.
    >>
    >> Actually, you can get transformers to run all your UK electrical stuff
    >> in the US. Samson's in London used to sell transformers up to 2.5 kW.
    >> That's almost as much power as an entire ring main. Not only that, but
    >> all (?) houses in the US are wired with two-phase circuits that have a
    >> voltage of 240 volts as well as the normal single-phase 120 volts
    >> (BTW, it hasn't been 110 volts in the US for donkey's years, although
    >> many people still call it that).
    >
    > Technically, yes, you can get transformers, but the last 500W
    > autotransformer I bought 20 years ago was $50 and that was without a
    > case or fittings to make it "safe".
    >

Cost is an issue, yes, but people like Samson's sell cased transformers
specifically for power conversion. You have to weigh up the cost versus
the cost of replacing everything. Most people will be surprised just how
much a cased transformer in a high enough rating will cost them, but if
you own enough gadgets it's worthwhile.

There again, a 120v kettle cost us $70, because they don't drink tea over
here. We actually didn't bring a kettle because they are so cheap (in the
UK, definitely not here!) and because it would use a large part of the
capacity of the big transformer by itself. That was a mistake.

    > The North American supply system is actually even more complicated than
    > that ... it's actually known as 3 phase - split phase system. Each
    > home is fed off a single phase, but that phase is split into a 2 where
    > you have 3 wires going 120-0-120 (117 is the nominal voltage most
    > supplies attempt to provide) with 240 being the voltage between the
    > phases.
    >

Yes, I know, but I didn't want to go into that much detail, as most people
wouldn't understand it anyway.

    >> '2-phase' is normally used for ovens, air conditioners and anything
    >> that takes a lot of current. The only difficulty is finding anyone who
    >> understands how to wire a UK appliance to a 2-phase circuit. I'm an
    >> electrical engineer myself, so it's not a problem for me personally.
    >>
    >> I have certain places in my house where I have UK sockets wired to the
    >> 2- phase supply, and I can just plug UK appliances in with UK plugs
    >> and no transformer. After 13 years I am still using a UK freezer. The
    >> only diffferences are that you end up with the neutral electrically
    >> floating, and the supply frequency is 60 Hz instead of 50, but you
    >> won't find that these differences matter. Getting a US electrician to
    >> understand may be a challenge, though.
    >
    > Finding a N. American electrician capable of doing the rewiring needed
    > safely is nearly impossible.

Agreed.

    > There are safety and therefore insurance
    > issues with such rewired appliances.

The appliances themselves aren't rewired. I have a couple of pairs of UK
sockets on US 2-phase, and a UK power board plugged into an air
conditioner outlet, plus two transformers with UK sockets (one 2.5 kW, and
one 200W). The appliances are untouched.

    > Should they fail cause a fire or
    > electrocution, you may find that your insurance is voided because they
    > don't meet safety standards.

If, on the other hand, you are referring to the fact that UK appliances
are not UL listed, or some such, that's another matter. I suppose,
hypothetically, if a UK appliance caused a fire the insurance company
could turn nasty. Now, you and I know there's no reason that the fire risk
would be any greater, but... In fact, of course, going to 240 reduces the
fire risk vis-a-vis 120, as it reduces the current and hence the heating
effect.

As for electrocution, UK appliances are constructed differently because of
the risk of electrocution at the higher votage. For example, anything 2-
pin must be double insulated or reinforced insulated, which is certainly
not the case with 120v stuff. I suppose if a guest were to pour a drink
over our 240v hi-fi and electrocute themselves we would probably be in big
trouble.

    >
    > As engineers you and I both know what we are doing and therefore
    > satisfied, but I wouldn't recommend bringing appliances to the US. Not
    > to mention, you can't get them repaired here.

I have simply replaced 240v things with 120v by natural wastage, rather
than repair anything.

It depends on what stuff you have. My wife had a zillion 240v kitchen
gadgets, and that justified paying 80 pounds for the big transformer (yes,
she really had that many!). Now (13 years later) she has as many 120v and
doesn't use any of the old ones (some of which no longer work). Our 240v
freezer, plugged into a UK 240v socket wired to the 2-phase, is still
going strong, as is my Black and Decker drill. It's a pain having to run
miles of extension cord to drill a hole, but at least nobody asks to
borrow it! Our hi-fi is still running off the small transformer.

    >
    >> > Bed sizes just have different names from the UK, although different
    >> > from Scandinavia. Single = Twin, Double = Full, Queen = Queen, King
    >> > is somebody's imagination - there really seem to be no standards.
    >> > BUT beware that there are often sold "Long twin, full and queen"
    >> > which are often for waterbeds - it's not aways clear.
    >> >
    >>
    >> Actually, American mattresses are thicker. We initially had UK bedding
    >> and a UK bed. When we had to replace the bed, it was hard to stretch
    >> UK fitted bottom sheets over the US mattress, and the sheets tended to
    >> get torn. If you don't have fitted bottom sheets you won't notice any
    >> problem, though.
    >
    > The *standard* US mattress is about the same 4" or so that a UK
    > mattress is, but the manufacturers have been on this "thicker is
    > better" kick, adding pillow tops and stuff (making matts more and more
    > uncomfortable for me!) I've had a terrible job even finding N. Am.
    > made sheets to fit N. Am. mattresses, especially because of the
    > increasing thickness!!
    >
    > Stuart
    >