The Biggest Questions to ask International Moving Companies

The Biggest Questions to ask International Moving Companies

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Moving abroad is a big step. It’s the dream of many South Africans (and indeed people in countries all over the world) to move to exciting internationalcities like New York, Berlin, or Sydney. But the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, so there are also many people who wish to move to South Africa (not least of which homesick South Africans who want to move back).

If you’re wondering which questions to ask international moving companies before you relocate to a different country, then you’ve come to the right place. This article addresses some common questions you might think to ask international moving companies.

A List of Questions to Ask International Moving Companies

As the saying goes, “forewarned is forearmed”. Before any undertaking, you need to know what you are getting yourself into. It’s one thing to get a visa or passport to the country where your next home is located, but it’s another thing entirely to actually get all your belongings there. Ask international moving companies the questionsbelow to ensure you have every fact at your disposal.

Can you move my stuff from South Africa to Australia?

  • Swap “South Africa” and “Australia” with many other countries in the world and you have yourself one of the first and most important questions to ask international moving companies. Elliott is a company that does facilitate moves from South Africa to Australia (and vice versa).

Are there any countries you do not deliver to?

  • Some countries are either too unstable or do not possess the infrastructure to facilitate the safe moving of your possessions. Elliott will help you move to nearly any country in the world, but there are a select few places where our removal network does not reach.

How long does it take for my stuff to arrive?

  • Depending on the mode of transport (land, sea, or air), it can take anywhere from a few days (if you’re lucky) to a couple of weeks, to a few months (a rare occurrence). Elliott will give you an approximate estimate of how long you can expect to wait for your belongings, and we will keep you updated if anything changes.

Do I need to declare all my belongings before I pack them?

  • Absolutely. This is to protect both yourself and the company you used to transport your belongings. There is a high probability of your belongings being inspected at customs and any undeclared or illegal items may cause significant delays. If you need to transport illegal goods like drugs, you can contact your nearest SAPS office for FREE removal and an all-expenses-paid trip to one of South Africa’s top correctional facilities.

Will I need to pay import/export tax?

  • This differs from country to country. Some countries will askan initial fee to process your belongings at customs but may allow you to later claim it back as a tax exemption.

Can I choose which transport method the company uses?

  • In short – no. Most companies, including Elliott, will choose the transportation method that best matches the customer’s needs and offers the most value.

Do you use environmentally friendly boxes and packaging?

  • More and more international moving companies are becoming environmentally conscious. A big part of Elliott’s service offering is our use of Envirowise boxes and packaging, which are completely reusable and recyclable.

Can I temporarily store my belongings somewhere before moving them to my home or office?

  • This is not a service offered by all removal companies, especially ones that move your belongings over borders. Elliott is one of those companies that have secure 24-hour storage facilities available (in South Africa).

Can you help me with my visa/immigration documents/import license?

  • No. This is your own personal responsibility. You can contact your nearest immigration office or embassy for help with this.

Do you facilitate local moves as well?

  • This is one of the odder questions to ask international moving companies, but it’s a valid request nonetheless. Elliott does both local and internationalremovals.

The Final Question: Is Elliott Right for Me?

You are probably very excited to undertake this next chapter in your life. Elliott is excited to help you open or close this chapter and we will do what we can to make the transition as painless as possible. One of the many things you would want to know about Elliott is that we care about you and your belongings.

Contact us if you have more or different questions than the ones posed above.

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NOTICE

Thank you for your interest in our removal services. Unfortunately, we no longer offer local/middle-distance removal services in Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu Natal. With recent changes to our business, our focus is now solely on long-distance and international removals, and as a result, we cannot provide you with a quote for your move. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. Please let us know if you have any further questions or require assistance.