One of the most stressful aspects of moving is the process of actually moving all your stuff. When to move? What to move and how to move? Who do I liaise with?
What are the entitlements?
Usually in a relocation move, you will be entitled to either air or sea shipment for your household items. For us, we are entitled to 2 'D' Container (air) and 40 Ft Container (sea). We realised that we can use both of it.
Check with your HR what are your exact entitlements.
When do we start packing or moving?
This is how we do it. Example if you want the items to arrive say 15th of September. Check with your movers when do they come and pack the items. You work backwards so that it is easier to plan this way. Plan for the items to reach your host country 1-2 days earlier so that you will not wait so long for your stuff to arrive.
The packing date also depends how important this items are needed. For example, you are shipping a bed over. If you are arriving on 15 September, and you want the bed to arrive at the same time, you will need to ship the bed 2 weeks (4 weeks by sea) before your departure. This means you have will no bed at your home country for this 2 weeks.
We chose to have it as close to our arrival date as possible as sometimes, certain items are difficult to get in foreign countries. You never know.
So, AIR or SEA?
It much depends on your entitlement, if you are entitled both, you can utilized both. But if you are entitled to only 1 option, this will need much more planning. As Air Shipment has limited space and SEA shipment takes time. In the event you have bulky furniture to ship, SEA is your only choice.
Air Freight
2 'D' Container
1.75 Cubic Meters / Container
- Takes 2-3 Weeks
- Restricted items to bring along due size contraints
Sea Shipment
40 Ft Container
- Takes at least 4 Weeks
- Basically, everything in your house
What do I pack in AIR or SEA Shipment?
It much depends on your entitlement, if you are entitled both, you can utilized both. But if you are entitled to only 1 option, this will need much more planning. As Air Shipment has limited space and SEA shipment takes time. In the event you have bulky furniture to ship, SEA is your only choice.
Air Freight
- Items you need in short notice
- Kitchenware
- Cooking Utensils
- Clothings, etc
Sea Shipment
- Bulk Items like:
- Sofa, Beds
- Basically, everything in your house which you want to bring but restricted by Air
We brought along, a Queen Size Mattress, a 55" LED TV, Kitchenware, etc etc. They just happen to fit into the 2 'D' Containers we are entitled.
Who is involved in the international move?
You will be surprised how many parties you are liaising with, with this assignment. Not 1 or 2. But at least 4 of them. Along the way, the Home Country Agent will seek advice from the HOST country agent on when to pack the items, when will it arrive. You will see at least 4 of the individuals in the email. Don't be confused.
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HOME COUNTRY
They will be in charge and making the coordination and arrangement for your move.
- Home Country Relocation Agent - They will be your overall person to liaise with in your home country. They will assist to arrange for the surveyor, the movers to your house, settle most of the administrative portion. It will be good to provide them photos of your host location so that the Host Country movers can prepared equipments for transporting.
- Surveyor - He basically will arrange with you a date to drop by your house to assess the items that you will be bringing over, and quoting a price to your company for approval. Once approved, the Home Country Agent will arrange a date for the movers to pack your items. Takes probably less than 20mins.
- Mover - They will come by your house with all the carton boxes and cardboards to pack the items. They will weigh, label them and move them to the forwarder. Takes at least an hour.
HOST COUNTRY
While your items are on the way, the Home Country Agent would have settle most of the administrative portion. Like your Host Address, your flight details, when are you arriving.
- Host Country Agent - They will be the incharge of coordinating the move and providing advice to your Home Country agent. They will also liaise with the host country custom for updates.
- Movers - The movers will just transports your items via land to your host address. They will bring it to your door.
Our items arriving 1 day later than scheduled. And the TV has been repacked better when the mover first packed.
Plan Early!
Remember, always plan early before your packers drop by. Set aside these items in the living room for them to pack. It will facilitate their pace. Voila!
Pack as many stuffs as you can that you do not need for this 1-2 weeks. and also leave behind some items that you need for this 1-2 weeks, eg: Toiletries, some clothings and jackets.
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