Shipping your belongings to the US
Once you've chosen a removal company, they will come to your home for an estimate or quote. To ensure an accurate estimate, it is important to go through your belongings and separate what you'll be bringing with you before they arrive. Make sure to point out items that may require special care. Specify what you will do yourself, such as dismantling furniture. Before removal, you will also need to provide a comprehensive list of items and their value. This is a requirement for insurance and customs forms. Be aware that you must also declare any battery-powered devices or lithium batteries, which are subject to strict international transport rules.
Regarding the estimate, there are several pieces of information to be considered:
- Origin address—where removers will pack and load your belongings.
- Destination address in the USA—where removers will unload your belongings.
- Volume or weight of your belongings.
- Type of transportation (by air, train, truck, or ship).
- Nature of the services, terms and conditions, and insurance policy in case of damage.
- Prices and payment plans.
Accordingly, an insurance policy will be recommended by the removal company. There are different levels of insurance, but comprehensive usually covers non-predictable loss or damage, damage or loss caused by shipping delays, container incidents, or extreme weather events. The cost of the policy depends on the overall value of your belongings, and a certificate will be issued upon agreement of the cost.
On the scheduled date, your things will be packaged and removed from your home. Before removal, you will sign an official shipping document with a comprehensive list of your goods called a waybill (signing can usually be done electronically). This document will specify all terms and conditions of the contract: the mode of transportation, the volume to be transported, as well as the name and address of both the customer and removal company. By signing the waybill, you are agreeing to these terms and conditions and giving permission to the removal company to proceed with your shipment. You will be asked to sign it again upon receipt of your goods at your destination address.
Usually, removal companies unload your belongings directly at the destination address. However, some removal companies unload your belongings to a warehouse, and you have to pick them up yourself afterwards, implying additional costs. Make sure to check your moving contract carefully and read the terms and conditions carefully. Many movers now provide shipment-tracking apps so you can follow your container's progress in real time.
