Advance preparation is the most important factor in a successful international move. You should begin your search for a suitable moving company to carry out your move 6-8 weeks before your intending moving date. This will allow time to get competitive quotations, make all the arrangements, organise transport, etc.

Who will provide delivery services at destination?

All our agents are members of FIDI, BAR Overseas, and/or HHGFAA. RB Steel & Co have sought to develop a comprehensive network of overseas agents based on their quality of service and experience.

Our overseas offices and agents provide services and expertise in the following areas:

Local liaison with RB Steel & Co
Notification of arrival
Customs clearance procedures at the port/airport of arrival
Transport from the destination port/airport of arrival
Temporary or long term storage if required
Delivery to residence
Full unpacking services
Removal of all related packing debris

What system is there for quality rating of International Removal Companies?

It is important that you check out the background and credentials of the companies who quote on your international move. It is vital to ensure that your chosen removal company has relevant experience, and has appropriate links with foreign movers, as it is the foreign mover who will supply at least 40% of the service.

What shipment protection do RB Steel & Co provide for International moves?

We can provide comprehensive shipment protection for your household and personal effects during your international move.

Our Standard Liability backed by AXA Corporate Solutions Assurance, one of the largest suppliers of assurance solutions in the world provides a variety of different options, with competitive rates and an excellent world-wide office network, so that in the unlikely event of a claim, settlement can usually be dealt with locally.

How do I determine the level of protection that is required for my belongings in an international move?

In general, you should think about what it would cost to replace your household goods and personal effects in the country of destination. A good source of information will be the local press in that country especially with regard to high value items like motor vehicles etc. Cost of Living data may also be obtainable from that country's embassy.

When completing your proposal form please be as detailed as possible. Remember to include specific individual items that have a high replacement cost. It's best to give as much information as possible.

If you have any questions relating to the coverage on your international move, contact our Customer Service Department email:info@rbsteel.co.uk

Will RB Steel & Co arrange shipment protection with a reputable supplier on my behalf?

Yes, we can. Comprehensive cover can be arranged, via our specially negotiated cover backed by AXA Corporate Solutions Assurance, one of the largest suppliers of assurance solutions in the world. Please see the Shipment Protection section of our web site for further details.

What items should I not include in an international household goods shipment?

It is inadvisable to include perishable goods, foodstuffs of any description, or liquids (which may leak in transit causing damage to other items. Above all exercise common sense. Your shipment may be in transit for anything between three days and three months for long intercontinental transits like Europe-Australia. Don't overload items, or fill the car up to the roof with odds and ends. It won't do the suspension any favours!

You should NOT include the following:

Hazardous materials such as paint, matches, aerosol cans, gas canisters or other flammable materials such as wood, bricks, cement, rocks and soil of any type.
Firearms and ammunition.
Plants of any kind.
Corrosives and explosives.
Pornography of any description.

Also, and in addition, we cannot accept the following goods for shipment by air:

Aerosols, batteries, explosives, fireworks, corrosives, perfume, pressurised or unpressurised cylinders/canisters and/or similar type containers, firearms and ammunition, radioactive material, paint, fuel and/or fuel tanks or other flammable items, etc.

If you have any doubts as to what may or may not be included, please do check with our International Removals Sales Team Contact. They will be delighted to help and advise.

Are all charges included in the price?

If you book your shipment as a door-to-door move, then all charges including customs clearance charges, and local delivery to your residence, (with normal access, not above first floor level) will be included in the estimate that's given to you. However, you will still be responsible for any duty or tax that is raised on your shipment by Customs. In a very few countries, for example South Africa and Zimbabwe, port service charges are assessed on declared value. This charge is therefore not included in the door to door estimate that we give you, and it will need to be paid at destination direct to our overseas office or agent. Please advise us if there are special difficulties that may apply to your delivery, or if access is abnormal, or delivery is above the first floor.

If your shipment is booked door-to-port only, then all destination charges are payable locally on arrival, including customs clearance, port service, unloading and local delivery charges. The various names applied to these charges may vary from country to country and service to service, but basically, they cover unloading from the ship/aircraft that your goods are carried on, unloading from the steamship line or airline cargo container, handling in and out of destination warehouse (as a continuous movement following on from the shipments arrival), and local delivery to your residence, with normal access, not above first floor level. Any exceptions to these basic standards may cause the price to increase. As above, you will be responsible for any duty or tax that is raised on your shipment by Customs.

Please review your requirements, and discuss our estimate with our International Removals Sales team to make sure you understand the details, especially if you're comparing a number of moving companies offering a plethora of different options with regard to price and service.

What will the removals estimator tell me when he visits my home to assess the cost of my overseas move?

Our Sales & Service Representatives can advise on all aspects of your move. They are fully equipped with the latest removals estimating tools, including hand held computers, which make estimates more accurate and give you automatically a full printout of the inventory. This gives you the opportunity to hand pick the items that you must take and leave behind those that you don't really need. Our Sales & Service Representatives can further advise on the following options: route and transport options and costs, packing requirements, crating, transit times, shipment protection, unpacking, customs requirements and storage at origin or destination.

Note: All customs advice given at clients risk - rules and regulations do change on a frequent basis and unfortunately they are not always communicated to us by Customs.

Our representative will discuss in detail the different shipping/Air Freight options available to your overseas destination, and s/he will make an estimate of the volume and if possible the weight of your consignment. They will also discuss the various paperwork and custom's documentation required. They will give you information regarding our office or agent who will deliver your possessions from the port of arrival to your new residence overseas, together with general advice on your move.

No more than a couple of days after your representative's visit (in main markets), you will be in possession of a detailed estimate of the costs of your move, and the various shipping/Air Freight options that pertain to it.

Our Sales Department will be in touch shortly thereafter to answer any questions that you have and to discuss the options with you.

Who do I contact on arrival overseas to find out about the status of my shipment?

All details of your shipment will be available to you as soon as possible after packing. RB Steel & Co operate the latest computer systems giving up to the minute status reports and shipping documents at the touch of a button. We can advise you by phone, fax or email of these details.

When you move with us, we'll provide you with full information and details of how to contact our office or agent in the destination city that you're moving to. However, normally, you won't need to do anything, we will have pre-alerted our agent, and they'll contact you when you arrive.

How do I find up-to-date information regarding customs regulations and documentation?

Customs regulations are unfortunately subject to frequent change. Regrettably, such changes are not always publicised. We endeavour to provide the most up-to-date customs information available, from a wide variety of different sources, including Customs Services themselves, industry, trade association, the internet, and a wide variety of other sources. Nevertheless, it is impossible to guarantee the accuracy of the information provided, as customs rules and regulations, together with duty and tax rates, documentation and forms, can, and do, change overnight.

We endeavour to supply all the relevant forms required. Nevertheless, it is the individual's responsibility to ensure sure that they have the correct documentation for their personal situation.

How do I arrange for an estimate for my forthcoming international removal?

Please call our local RB Steel & Co number for moves originating in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Continental Europe, or Australia and New Zealand. For moves from the U.S. and Canada, please contact us on 0800 152 728 between 9am and 5pm EST. For moves from other countries please phone, fax or e-mail us, 0900-1700 GMT. (We operate 24 hours a day and you will receive a response outside these hours - though not from our International Removals team. Give your details to our Customer Service Agent, and we will get back to you just as soon as possible).

What are the different cost/service options available to me?

When moving overseas you have a number of service options available to you. You may select a service based on the price, transit time, method of containerisation, routing consolidation opportunities, sea or air freight, port of exit, etc. Each option's cost component determines the amount you'll pay.

In general terms, it is advisable to select the most direct route with a minimum amount of handling. However, every move and personal budget is different so it is important that you discuss fully with our International Removals Sales Department Contact to determine the best service to meet your personal needs.

Remember, when calculating the cost of your international move, you should be aware of the total cost including the amount of time you'll have to wait for the arrival of your goods at destination. If you're going to have to stay in a hotel or other temporary housing until your household shipment arrives, you'll need to consider these costs as well as the cost of the shipping charges. Many people have made the mistake of selecting the slowest transit time (cheapest price) and then had the expense of two to three weeks of hotel costs while they awaited the delivery of their shipment.

What advice can you give me on how to plan for my international move?

There is no substitute for planning and preparation. As soon as you know that you're going to be moving overseas, contact us.

In addition, begin to think about separating out all the items that you'll need to sell, store, dispose of, give away, and those you'll want to move by sea, have sent by air cargo or delivered to another family member before your departure. It's a very good idea to have researched these categories before our estimator visits you to survey your household effects.

As you approach Moving Day, think about which items you will need for your journey, specifically travel papers, immediate clothing, passports, medical documentation and records, family papers, valuables, jewellery, medicines, school reports, etc. RB Steel & Co can provide a variety of host country information including destination guides and country facts sheets, together with detailed Customs rules and regulations.

Is it cheaper to ship certain items rather than sell them and replace them at my destination?

There are several factors which help to determine which is the best option, such as the value of the items in question at destination compared with the saleable value at the point of origin, their size, and the overall volume of your shipment. Our representatives will be pleased to offer guidance.

How much notice must I give to book a date for packing?

We recommend that you give a minimum of 2 weeks notice, although if this is not possible we will endeavour to meet your requirements. Ideally, as soon as you know when you want to move you should confirm dates with us.

When do I pay?

We ask for a £50 deposit to be sent in with your booking confirmation. The balance is payable on receipt of invoice, after the packing has been completed. Please note that cheques require clearance before goods can be shipped.

Do you provide storage?

Yes! Both at the point of origin and at the destination. If you require storage we offer discounted rates for consignments we are shipping overseas. We are able to offer highly competitive rates to suit individual requirements.

Can I pack myself?

If you wish to pack yourself we will provide you with all the materials you need. We do however strongly recommend that you take advantage of our professional packing service. We employ highly qualified staff to perform this skilled task.

Our clients often wish to pack a few personal items themselves. Cartons and packing materials can be delivered to you in advance of the removal so that this can be done at your leisure.

For more information please do not hesitate to contact us