Removals

So to help you weave your way through the maze of problems associated with international removals, we’ve produced this guide to moving and removals services in collaboration with John Mason Ltd and Clark and Rose, professional and highly acclaimed international removal companies. If we’ve missed anything out or you have tips and advice to give that aren’t included in this guide, please do let us know, either through the comments box or by contacting us directly.

Where to begin? 

Ok, so let’s start at the beginning. You’ve just landed that ideal job/transfer in Australia and you seemingly have months ahead of you in which to plan your move. So why bother just yet? Well the sooner the better if you want to avoid last minute panics. We recommend that you make initial enquiries with overseas removal companies at least 3 months before your planned move date. Many companies produce an information pack about the services they provide and it would be worth requesting one of these even before you book those one-way tickets. 

What should I take? 

Well just take a look around you. Every room in your house from the attic to the garden shed, garage and cellars, everything will need to be cleared. Try to have a clear picture in your mind which of the many things you possess, you’ll want to take with you. It’s a good idea to start sorting out the essential items well in advance. A good tip is to work out what you use every day and make a list. Those items that do not appear on your list are not essential items and you may even want to consider selling them at a garage sale or car boot. There are also plenty of charity shops that now deal with large furniture items and will often collect them from your home free of charge.

One you’ve cleared your home of those non-essential items you can ask for a home survey. The larger international removals companies will provide this free of charge and at the same time, they’ll be able to explain the logistics of the move in more detail, answering any queries and concerns you may have.

Can I store my stuff? 

Yes. You can choose to store your things either in the UK or in Australia. However storage in Australia is probably your best bet as storage charges are cheaper than those in the UK and you have the benefit of knowing that your goods are already in the country waiting for delivery! 

Are my goods insured at all times? 

If you wish to cover your effects in transit for loss or damage you will have to pay to do so, policies are generally based on a percentage of the value of the effects you wish to cover and will be in place from the day your items leave your property to the day they are unpacked into your new home. Most companies will have a very basic cover in place under their terms and conditions that won’t cost any extra but will be very limited and shouldn’t be relied on as a definitive cover of your effects. Double check with the company you choose and be sure to read the fine print.

Right, so which removals company should I go for? 

The British Association of Removers (BAR) has an ‘Overseas Group’ and you would be wise ensuring that your chosen moving company is a member of this group. It operates the Advance Payment Guarantee Scheme which protects your payment if a member company ceases trading. This extra peace of mind comes at no cost whatsoever to you.

It’s also worth making sure that the company is a member of FIDI (Federation Internationale des Demanageurs Internationaux) as every member has its finances and operational expertise vetted by independent auditors before it is given its FIDI/FAIM kite-mark.

If I choose a home removals company in the UK, will they still be responsible for my goods in Australia? 

Yes, most removal companies will use an Australian company to handle things over in Australia, but these will also be FIDI registered and your removals company will give you their full details. Your contract is still with the UK company and it is their responsibility to ensure that the move goes smoothly from door to door.

What is included in the quote and are there any hidden extras? 

When you receive a quote, which will usually follow a home survey, these are the things that should be included in the quote:

• Total move cost depending on services selected by the customer.
• All packing including boxes and packaging needed.
• Information regarding Insurance/Standard Liability.
• Information on Australian Customs and Quarantine.
• Transit times for the consignment.
• Storage costs in both the UK and in Australia, if required.
• Additional services that the removal company may offer.

To give you a general idea of what’s involved, if you were to take the majority of your items from a typical 3 bedroomed house the cost would be around £3,500 to £4,000.

What if the quote changes?

The quote should only change if the volume changes, so for instance if you suddenly decide that you simply cannot bear to part with that antique chest that great Aunt Mabel passed down to you. Or if you decide that Australia’s not for you and you’d rather live in Canada instead. Unlikely, but you never know! 

 How many ways of international shipping are there and which is the best for me?

Generally there are four main methods of getting your items from the UK to Australia.

• There is the Full Container Load (FCL). This is usually recommended for a full house removal, an example of which is a three bedroomed house. The general time of shipment from door to door is around 8-10 weeks.
• Groupage Service. Ideal for smaller households. Basically you are sharing container space with another load. This means that you only pay for the space used inside the container. The shipment here usually reaches you in around 10-12 weeks as the removals company have to ensure that they have all the correct items with the matching documents.
• Excess Baggage Service. This is a self pack service which is ideal for a backpacker or a student who only has a few cartons to send. The customer is given cartons to self pack and they are grouped together with other shipments so that you are sharing container space. However very few companies will offer this service due to the time and effort involved. You may have to pay higher insurance for this too so watch out for that. Service time here from door to door is 10-12 weeks.
• Air Freight Service. This is one of the most expensive ways of removals. However if you have many essentials that you simply cannot live without, they will be at your door within 10-14 working days. 

For a full container load you should expect the transit time on the water to take around 5-6 weeks. Then you need to allow a further two weeks for the load to clear through Customs and Quarantine. So it generally takes 6 to 8 weeks maximum for a full container. Remember that Australia is the other side of the world!

Is there anything I can do to keep costs down?

There are optional extras such as the Insurance/Standard Liability but it would not be wise to reduce the true value of your items.

Also many people believe that by doing the packing themselves they can keep the costs down, but many companies include the cost of packing in their quote and to be honest, the removals people can pack your whole house in two days – could you do that?

What about quarantine and custom charges?

Well every consignment is subject to a quarantine inspection and the charges will reflect the size of the consignment and what’s included. Some high risk items are obvious such as animal skins and food items, but not so apparent high risk items are garden/outdoor equipment, bikes, trophies and so on.

Alcohol and tobacco products will obviously attract a duty and tax charges, as can new items. So it’s worth avoiding these and buying new once you arrive there, not before. It’s also worth noting that these are government charges and they do not come from the removal company.

Also, make sure that your documentation is accurate as loads can be detained until Customs and Quarantine are satisfied that there is no risk to the border. Your removals company should be responsible for providing all the necessary paperwork and some, will even provide a checklist for you. But ultimately it’s up to you to ensure that you have such essentials as your passports, medical certificates, inventory etc.

The following websites are worth studying for more information on this, www.customs.gov.au and www.daff.gov.au.

Look for specialist international removals companies with experitise on your local destination. The danger of using someone local is that they might have to contract out the shipping to a third party. Ask your visa agent or those who have moved previously for their recommendations.

Some of the biggest international removal companies are:

• Clark and Rose
• John Mason
• Pickfords
• Anglo Pacific
• PSS Removals

Most of all, enjoy living in Australia! If you have pets you need to move to Australia then take a look at our pet relocation to Australia guide.