Packing lists
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 36
Packing lists
We're starting to pack our things in the hope of moving in the next couple of months or so, and writing an inventory as we go along, both for Customs and so we know what's missing if anything gets lost. How detailed does the list need to be in order to satisfy both Customs and the insurance of a typical shipping company? For example, while packing books we've noted the titles of all the books in each box, but not the costs or anything. If we had to do that, we'd be here forever. What about things like framed photos? Can I just put "10 framed photos", for example?
#2
Re: Packing lists
We're starting to pack our things in the hope of moving in the next couple of months or so, and writing an inventory as we go along, both for Customs and so we know what's missing if anything gets lost. How detailed does the list need to be in order to satisfy both Customs and the insurance of a typical shipping company? For example, while packing books we've noted the titles of all the books in each box, but not the costs or anything. If we had to do that, we'd be here forever. What about things like framed photos? Can I just put "10 framed photos", for example?
From memory (we moved 4 years ago) we simply noted that "Box 47 contains books, photographs, magazines" etc. Certainly didn't go to the lengths you've described.
Did dispose of the worst of my porn collection beforehand though...
#3
Re: Packing lists
I don't know what the official answer is, and I'm sure others will weigh in in due course.
From memory (we moved 4 years ago) we simply noted that "Box 47 contains books, photographs, magazines" etc. Certainly didn't go to the lengths you've described.
Did dispose of the worst of my porn collection beforehand though...
From memory (we moved 4 years ago) we simply noted that "Box 47 contains books, photographs, magazines" etc. Certainly didn't go to the lengths you've described.
Did dispose of the worst of my porn collection beforehand though...
#5
Re: Packing lists
We're starting to pack our things in the hope of moving in the next couple of months or so, and writing an inventory as we go along, both for Customs and so we know what's missing if anything gets lost. How detailed does the list need to be in order to satisfy both Customs and the insurance of a typical shipping company? For example, while packing books we've noted the titles of all the books in each box, but not the costs or anything. If we had to do that, we'd be here forever. What about things like framed photos? Can I just put "10 framed photos", for example?
#6
Re: Packing lists
They were really good and it was very straightforward.
The lists were fairly detailed but not to the point of book titles.
They also helped me work out values for insurance. We don't really have any valuable stuff so perhaps that made it easier.
#7
Re: Packing lists
We used a shipping company and they wrote the lists as they packed.
They were really good and it was very straightforward.
The lists were fairly detailed but not to the point of book titles.
They also helped me work out values for insurance. We don't really have any valuable stuff so perhaps that made it easier.
They were really good and it was very straightforward.
The lists were fairly detailed but not to the point of book titles.
They also helped me work out values for insurance. We don't really have any valuable stuff so perhaps that made it easier.
#8
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,605
Re: Packing lists
We used a shipping company and they wrote the lists as they packed.
They were really good and it was very straightforward.
The lists were fairly detailed but not to the point of book titles.
They also helped me work out values for insurance. We don't really have any valuable stuff so perhaps that made it easier.
They were really good and it was very straightforward.
The lists were fairly detailed but not to the point of book titles.
They also helped me work out values for insurance. We don't really have any valuable stuff so perhaps that made it easier.
On marine insurance - we took the lump sum valuation option. It's a little under £40 a cubic foot, so our 500 cu ft was valued at roughly £20K. We paid 2.5% (£500) for loss or damage cover and an additional 1% (£200) for mold/damp/mildew/electrical cover.
As mentioned on other threads - the key thing was, we didn't "pack" anything ourselves (the quotes are because we did put stuff in boxes, but left them open for the packers to inspect and seal). This is because customs apparently don't like to see PBO (Packed By Owner) on a manifest.
#9
Re: Packing lists
I packed my own stuff, but had very little anyway - only six tea chest boxes. I simply wrote stuff like '10 books' or '30 CDs' and that was that. That seemed to be fine with everyone involved...
#10
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 36
Re: Packing lists
Yeah, my reason for noting the book titles was more to do with knowing what to replace if any box went missing than to satisfy other people's requirements.
Thanks to chartreuse for the tip about not sealing boxes.
I'll ask Pickfords for more advice when I go in to buy more boxes.
Thanks to chartreuse for the tip about not sealing boxes.
I'll ask Pickfords for more advice when I go in to buy more boxes.
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Iowa
Posts: 215
Re: Packing lists
However, each box had a number, and a list of contents attached to the box. The lists were very specific for boxes containing books, CD's and computer equipment and other more costly items. The lists were more general for items such as blankets, clothes and toys. One thing I did do, was take pictures of the contents of each box; probably over kill, but if I needed to prove what I had packed, I had some evidence.
#12
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Joined: Oct 2002
Location: Atlanta via Dubai, Belgium, Greece, Saudi Arabia
Posts: 953
Re: Packing lists
Unless you are doing the packing there is no way you can have detailed contents of every box.
Having moved more than enough times, I can tell you when there are 4 guys in different rooms packing boxes, there is no way you can keep up with them the speed at which they pack boxes.
As Carrot Cruncher says PBO (packed by owner) tends to raise red flags to customs and also to the movers as we tend to ‘over pack’ heavy boxes with insufficient stuffing.
I would suggest that you take inventory of your books, CD’s or DVD’s etc. before they are packed up so you have a list to compare with if you think you have lost a box or 2 at the other end.
Having moved more than enough times, I can tell you when there are 4 guys in different rooms packing boxes, there is no way you can keep up with them the speed at which they pack boxes.
As Carrot Cruncher says PBO (packed by owner) tends to raise red flags to customs and also to the movers as we tend to ‘over pack’ heavy boxes with insufficient stuffing.
I would suggest that you take inventory of your books, CD’s or DVD’s etc. before they are packed up so you have a list to compare with if you think you have lost a box or 2 at the other end.
#13
Re: Packing lists
Related question as we are also in the pre-shipping phase...
When we got the quote, the shipping company told us we would need to clean the climbing frame as the US are very cautious about any foreign soil coming in. Does anyone know how meticulous this needs to be? eg. Do we have to have spotless bicycle tyres. Will they check our walking boots etc. etc?
Cheers,
Doug.
When we got the quote, the shipping company told us we would need to clean the climbing frame as the US are very cautious about any foreign soil coming in. Does anyone know how meticulous this needs to be? eg. Do we have to have spotless bicycle tyres. Will they check our walking boots etc. etc?
Cheers,
Doug.
#14
Re: Packing lists
If you go to http://help.cbp.gov and click the link for
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We have over 600 answers to your most frequently asked questions, as well as a few that aren’t so common. Please use this page to research the information you need. If you do not find it, or have additional questions, you will then be given an opportunity to send us a question. (But you have to do your homework first).
you might find the info you need.
#15
Just Joined
Joined: May 2009
Location: Hampshire/Surrey Border,uk
Posts: 22
Re: Packing lists
We're starting to pack our things in the hope of moving in the next couple of months or so, and writing an inventory as we go along, both for Customs and so we know what's missing if anything gets lost. How detailed does the list need to be in order to satisfy both Customs and the insurance of a typical shipping company? For example, while packing books we've noted the titles of all the books in each box, but not the costs or anything. If we had to do that, we'd be here forever. What about things like framed photos? Can I just put "10 framed photos", for example?