|
Q. What is the first thing I should do to plan for my move?
|
|
A. The first thing you should do before embarking on organizing your move
is to select an experienced and reputable mover to move your personal effects and
household goods to your desired destination. GAC will arrange for an appointment
for our move consultant to visit your residence at your most convenient time and
date. He or she will be able to provide you with all the information pertaining
to your move
|
|
Q. When should I call the international moving company?
|
|
A. At least 6-8 weeks before you move.
|
|
Q. How long do they need for the survey?
|
|
A. Usually not more than an hour.
|
|
Q. What will the removals estimator tell me when he visits my home?
|
A. Our move consultant can advise on all aspects of your move such as route
and transport options, costs, packing requirements, crating, transit times, shipment
protection, unpacking, customs requirements and storage at origin or destination.
Note: All customs advice given at client’s risk - rules and regulations do change
on a frequent basis and unfortunately they are not always communicated to us by
Customs.
Our move consultant will discuss in detail the different shipping/Air Freight options
available to your overseas destination, and s/he will make an estimate of the volume
and if possible the weight of your consignment. They will also discuss the various
paperwork and custom's documentation required. They will give you information regarding
our office or agent who will deliver your possessions from the port of arrival to
your new residence overseas, together with general advice on your move.
|
|
Q. Is there a charge for this service?
|
|
A. No, GAC provide free estimates for your move. These quotations are also
obligation free.
|
|
Q. What are my responsibilities?
|
A. In brief:
- Ensure you show your moving consultant all the goods you intend taking with you.
- Be present during the packing of your belongings.
- Take personal responsibility for jewellery and other high value items.
- Check and sign the inventory of your belongings paying special attention to the
condition report of your goods.
- Ensure that no prohibited items are packed.
|
|
Q. So what can or can’t I take with me?
|
|
A. Take the time to discuss this with your moving consultant, who will have
Customs regulations for your destination country. Generally speaking, dispose of
all flammable items, liquids, foods and other items that should not be shipped.
Anything that can deteriorate should not be shipped. Think carefully about electrical
goods, including refrigerators, cookers and the like. They may not work at destination
or worse, still, may attract heavy duty.
|
|
Q. But what about my car?
|
|
A. In some countries, the import duty on cars is so crippling you may not
want to even think about importing one. Others will have special regulations regarding
emission controls or even have rigorous steam cleaning requirements. Also it can
be difficult enough learning to drive on the different side of the road without
having to cope with a vehicle which is not designed for your destination country
rules.
|
|
Q. What is a LCL shipment?
|
|
A. LCL shipment means Less than a container shipment. When your volume does
not warrant a full container, your shipment can be shipped by LCL method. Your loose
packages will be crated into made to measure wooden liftvans before being shipped.
|
|
Q. What is a FCL shipment?
|
|
A. FCL shipment means Full container, where you have the exclusivity of a
sole container. Your packages will be directly loaded into a container at your residential
premises before being shipped.
|
|
Q. What is a Groupage shipment?
|
|
A. Groupage shipments are based on consolidating multiple shippers’ household
effects in a single container. This is the most economical method but is subjected
to load availability. This service is available only for selected destinations
|
|
Q. And my dog?
|
|
A. GAC can refer you to our air export department to handle the pet relocation,
as air travel is often distressing for pets. However, thousands of animals travel
happily all over the world and often, it is quarantine regulations that cause the
real problem. Every country has its own regulations regarding the importation of
pets (and this is especially true of birds such as parrots) so discuss arrangements
well in advance.
|
|
Q. Anything that is definitely a no-go area?
|
A. Well, mainly those things you might expect - drugs, alcohol (sometimes
even valuable wine collections are banned), weapons, ammunition and pornography.
And when we say pornography, in some countries, typical news stand ‘girlie’ magazines
are illegal. Video, VCD’s and DVD’s also come into special scrutiny from customs
departments. You should NOT include the following:
- Hazardous materials such as paint, matches, aerosol cans, gas canisters or other
flammable materials such as wood, bricks, cement, rocks and soil of any type.
- Firearms and ammunition.
- Plants of any kind.
- Corrosives and explosives.
- Pornography of any description.
Also, and in addition, we cannot accept the following goods for shipment by air:
aerosols, batteries, explosives, fireworks, corrosives, perfume, pressurized or
unpressurised cylinders/canisters and/or similar type containers, firearms and ammunition,
radioactive material, paint, fuel and/or fuel tanks or other flammable items, etc.
|
|
Q. Suppose I pack myself?
|
|
A. If you wish to pack yourself we will provide you with all the materials
you need. We do however strongly recommend that you take advantage of our professional
packing service. We employ highly qualified staff. For instance, insurance companies
will not pay out on goods packed by their owner, except in the case of Total Loss
Insurance. Also, Customs officials will almost certainly target goods that you have
packed. If you really must pack some of your goods, leave the carton unsealed so
that the packing crew can inspect the contents and annotate the inventory accordingly.
|
|
Q. All right, I use the professionals - but how long will it take?
|
|
A. Every home is different but for an average four-bedroom home of household
effects between three to four days are needed for packing, transportation & delivery.
This is based on a crew of three or four persons. If timing is important, discuss
a program with our consultant.
|
|
Q. I don’t really need to insure, do I?
|
|
A. GAC use packing materials of international standard and experienced crews
pack your goods keeping in mind the handling at various points. Again this journey
may be covering thousands of miles, experiencing different weather conditions, wide
variations of temperature, and several forms of handling. The forces of nature and
physics that a shipment has to undergo are unimaginable unless you’ve seen a freight
ship go through an Atlantic swell with 60-ft waves washing over its cargo of shipping
containers. Insurance seems the bargain of a lifetime in retrospect as you survey
the remains of a much loved dinner service.
|
|
Q. All right, you’ve convinced me. What kind of insurance?
|
A. Discuss it in detail with our moving consultant. GAC & AXA insurance can
offer you a comprehensive policy cover the replacement value of your goods*. Make
sure you get a comprehensive cover based on your inventory.
*Please ensure you read the policy carefully as conditions apply.
|
|
Q. Does the insurance provide coverage for my jewelry, watches or stamp collection?
|
|
A. Insurance companies generally do not provide coverage for these items
and you are advised to personally carry them with your self to minimize any loss.
,
|
|
Q. Will the insurance provide coverage for internal mechanical & electrical
derangements of my electrical goods?
|
|
A. Yes, you can exercise an option to take up additional coverage for any
internal mechanical or electrical derangement at an additional premium for your
electrical goods. This coverage provides compensation to repair or replace your
electrical goods in the event of malfunctions. ,
|
|
Q. How do I make an insurance claim in the event of damage or loss of my
goods?
|
|
A. In the event of a claim, you are simply required to submit a written claim
to the insurers within 3 days from the day of delivery. GAC will assist in expediting
your claims
|
|
Q. How long is this journey going to take?
|
|
A. If you use air freight, allow up to 7 days door-to-door. If you are talking
about remote areas, it will take longer. By sea, it depends where you are going
but a reasonable estimate is Muscat/USA - 6/8 weeks, Muscat/Asia - 4 weeks and Muscat/Australia
– 4/5 weeks – Muscat/Canada 7/8 weeks.
|
|
Q. And when it arrives, what then?
|
|
A. Our partners at the destination will contact you as soon as your shipment
arrives. The company will clear it through Customs, sort out the paperwork and arrange
delivery to your new home. In some countries, you may be expected to be present
if your shipment is inspected by Customs. Make sure the destination office has all
of your contact numbers. The one thing you can’t do is go off on holiday and leave
your shipment on the quayside. The cost of demurrage will remove your holiday tan
in a split second!
|
|
Q. Who will provide delivery services at destination?
|
A. All our agents are members of FIDI, BAR Overseas, and/or IAM. GAC have
sought to develop a comprehensive network of overseas agents based on their quality
of service and experience.
Our overseas offices and agents provide services and expertise in the following
areas:
- Notification of arrival
- Customs clearance procedures at the port/airport of arrival
- Transport from the destination port/airport of arrival
- Temporary or long term storage if required
- Delivery to residence
- Full unpacking services
- Removal of all related packing debris
|
|
Q. Are all charges included in the price?
|
A. If you book your shipment as a door-to-door move, then all charges including
customs clearance charges, and local delivery to your residence, (with normal access,
not above first floor level) will be included in the estimate that's given to you.
However, you will still be responsible for any duty or tax that is raised on your
shipment by Customs. There may also be further exclusions which will be set out
in our estimate.
If your shipment is booked door-to-port only, then all destination charges are payable
locally on arrival, including customs clearance, port service, unloading and local
delivery charges. The various names applied to these charges may vary from country
to country and service to service, but basically, they cover unloading from the
ship/aircraft that your goods are carried on, unloading from the steamship line
or airline cargo container, handling in and out of destination warehouse (as a continuous
movement following on from the shipments arrival), and local delivery to your residence,
with normal access, not above first floor level. Any exceptions to these basic standards
may cause the price to increase. As above, you will be responsible for any duty
or tax that is raised on your shipment by Customs.
|
|
Q. What are the different cost/service options available to me?
|
A. When moving overseas you have a number of service options available to
you. You may select a 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 discuss fully with our International Removals Sales Department
Contact to determine the best service 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.
|
|
Q. . What does the Removal Quotation include ?
|
A.
- On site export packing by our skilled professionals
- Removal to port or airport of departure
- Export customs formalities
- UK and destination port charges
- Shipment to arrival destination port or airport
- Destination customs and quarantine clearance
- Delivery to residence of normal access up to 1st floor level
- Full unpacking of furniture and removal of unwanted packing materials
Needless to say, no two moves are alike and our quotation will be tailored to your
specific requirements. We will include in our quotation pack your personalized 'Move-Plan',
formulated from the information gathered during your home survey.
The quotation excludes storage at origin or destination, import duties, taxes or
any other sums due to government departments. For example, Goods and Services Tax
where applicable, quarantine examination or steam cleaning fees, if ordered in Australia
and New Zealand and Customs Dues in South Africa, which are assessed on the declared
value of your shipment. For information on destination customs formalities please
click on Customs Guides. Alternatively contact your embassy or consular office.
|
|
Q. . Who do I contact on arrival overseas to find out about the status of
my shipment?
|
|
A. When you move with us, we'll provide you with full information and details
of how to contact our office or agent in the destination city that you're moving
to. However, normally, you won't need to do anything, we will have pre-alerted our
agent, and they'll contact you when you arrive.
|
|
Q. How much notice must I give to book a date for packing?
|
|
A. We recommend that you give a minimum of two weeks notice, although if
this is not possible we will endeavor to meet your requirements. Ideally, as soon
as you know when you want to move you should confirm dates with us.
|
|
Q. How do I confirm my acceptance?
|
|
A. To confirm your acceptance, you should fill up the last page of the quotation
form and fax it to GAC at your earliest convenience. Upon receiving your quote acceptance,
GAC will confirm and acknowledge your acceptance in writing.
|
|
Q. When do I pay?
|
|
A. We request that all moves are paid on receipt of your invoice – which
is normally sent out prior to the commencement of packing. Please note that cheques
require clearance before goods can be shipped.
|
|
Q. Do I have to be at the uplift and delivery?
|
|
A. An authorized representative needs to be at both the uplift and delivery
of your belongings. At delivery it is especially important that this person can
advise the GAC team on the placement of furniture and cartons in the new home.
|
|
Q. Will GAC disassemble and reassemble during my relocation?
|
|
A. GAC crew will disassemble and reassemble beds for your relocation. However,
the disassembly and reassembly of swing sets, trampolines and the like, are outside
of our scope of service.
|
|
Q. Can I move my car / boat / trailer / caravan / motor bike?
|
|
A. Yes, GAC can arrange the transportation of your vehicles to your new destination.
For further information, please check with us on the services rendered.
|
|
Q. How long is my quotation valid for?
|
A. Quotations are valid for 30 days from the date of issue and the work is
to commence within 60 days from the date of acceptance.
You should ensure above all else that your chosen mover is a member of FIDI, fidi.com
(The International Federation of International Furniture Removers), the only International
Group that provides full bonding and ensures that all its members are properly accredited
through an inspection and reference system. Other domestic bonding arrangements
include BAR Overseas (British Association of Removers Overseas Group); and AFDI
(the French Overseas Removers Association).
|
|
Q. Is it cheaper to ship certain items rather than sell them and replace
them at my destination?
|
|
A. There are several factors which help to determine which is the best option;
such as the value of the items in question at destination compared with the saleable
value at the point of origin, their size, and the overall volume of your shipment.
Our representatives will be pleased to offer guidance.
|
|
Q. Do you provide storage?
|
|
A. Yes! Both at the point of origin and at the destination. If you require
storage we offer discounted rates for consignments we are shipping overseas. We
are able to offer highly competitive rates to suit individual requirements.
|