Moving overseas

Moving overseas is never a simple matter of getting a few people to pack and go. It's a daunting task involving planning and a great deal of co-ordination to avoid any disruption and unnecessary expenses. The physical move is one of the most important aspects of your impending relocation.

As a result, you need to choose your mover with care. Not many moving companies understand the emotional stress and the sentiments attached to your possessions. What you need is someone who understands your anxiety, takes control of every little detail and ensures you have a complete peace of mind. At Interport, we strive to make each move better than the last.

Here are a few tips:

* Try and get 2 or 3 quotations from respectable moving companies to compare the prices and services (not necessarily to obtain the lowest price).
* Always choose a specialist international moving company, not one who tries to do everything (i.e. local, commercial, freight, exhibition, etc.).
* Ask for letters of testimonial.
* Don't be tempted to opt for the lowest price mover. Like everything else, you get what you pay for. There are many different services available so there will be price variations.
* Check the quotations carefully.
i) Are they door-to-door (or just to the port of arrival)
ii) What is the transit time (this will vary on the service offered)
iii) Are there any special services offered (such as internal wooden crates for antiques or delicate items)?
iv) Most of all, compare "like" with "like". Because you showed three movers the same items does not mean they will all quote on the same volume or weight. In virtually all cases, a mover will charge on what they actually move, not on what they surveyed. So the mover with the highest weight/volume (and therefore cost) may not prove to be the most expensive!
* Do not be taken in by companies offering a so-called "global" service with owned facilities worldwide. It is extremely hard for a mover to offer the same quality of service in multiple locations. Generally an independent mover will be a better choice, as they will select a destination agent that best reflects their own quality.
* Try to avoid a last minute rush. Moving overseas is complex and will require time to prepare. Generally, a mover will need 4 weeks' notice and you will require a similar timeframe for planning paperwork etc.