How is my shipment packed and how does it get there?

Your personal effects are carefully wrapped and packed into specially designed cartons. Each piece of furniture is wrapped in protective materials as though it were a large Christmas present. Then, depending on the overall size of your shipment, it is loaded into large wooden crates or steel sea containers. The sea containers are loaded onto a container ship and sent to your destination port, where it is off-loaded and cleared through customs. We then deliver your shipment to your new residence, unwrap and set up the furniture, unpack your cartons and remove the debris.

The Price is based mainly on the volume and weight of your shipment. Our invoice will be based on actual costs of packing, loading, shipping, clearing and delivering your shipment. There are ways to determine an estimated cost in advance. On small shipments we can determine estimated cost by analyzing your list of items to be packed and shipped. The more details you can supply, the more precise we can be with our estimate. On larger shipments we will perform a free pre-move survey of your shipment to determine your shipping requirements and the size of your shipment. We also provide flexible pricing and shipping options based your budget and timing requirements.

There are as many answers as there are destinations, but generally surface shipments from one end of the globe to the other can arrive in 4-6 weeks. Air shipments can be cleared and delivered to your door in ten days or less. There are various levels of service, allowing for faster or slower transit times. Even though "Mother Nature" often has a dramatic affect on schedules, we are flexible and work very closely with our customers to provide the schedules that fit their requirements.

Due to innovations and advancements in the transportation industry, shipping internationally is nearly as safe as shipping domestic. There are some additional hazards to which an international shipment can be exposed, starting with the ocean. Some countries are known for heat and humidity and some have security concerns. Our 10 years of experience has taught us practical lessons on how to deal with each of these, thus reducing them to procedures as common as shipping locally.

Customs officials exist to protect the laws and rules of their country and to collect duties and taxes in connection with their laws. Anyone planning a visit to a foreign country is personally responsible to honor the laws of the country to which he/she is a guest. Official information can be obtained by contacting the Consulate or Embassy of the destination country. We will give you thorough guidance based on our practical experience gained from our daily involvement.

Many countries allow used household goods and personal effects to enter without duties or taxes. Others are less lenient. Our operations Department will provide general guidelines regarding duties and taxes. Official information can be obtained by contacting the embassy or consulate of the destination country.

Replacement value, all risk insurance is available with various deductibles. It is wise to insure a shipment for the cost to replace it in the country of destination. Additionally, it is possible to insure for the cost of re-shipping a lost or damaged item. A Customer Service representative at Universal Relocations will assist you with more details of insuring your shipment.

All international shipments of household goods/personal effects must be prepaid (prior to shipping) by cash, check, money order or by credit card. Cost estimates can be made prior to shipping and the flexibility applies for corporate who issue purchase orders, but the actual cost can not be determined until the weights and dimensions are confirmed. Upon confirmation of the weights and dimensions, you will be notified of the final price and asked to submit your payment before the shipment is released for shipping overseas or delivery.

Automobiles can be shipped to any country that allows importation. Many of the developed countries make importation easy and inexpensive. Some countries discourage importation by assigning high taxes and duties. You will need to provide your original title, as well as the year, make, model, color and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the vehicle. Contact Customer Service for details of cost and requirements.

Yes, but it is discouraged because it is complicated and expensive. It is also a lonely and traumatic experience for your pet. However, it is a service we provide with pride. Contact us for more details.

Anyone planning a visit to a foreign country is personally responsible to honor the laws of the country to which he/she is a guest. It is advisable to contact the Consulate or Embassy of your destination country for official information. Secondly, Customer Service can provide general guidelines regarding entry requirements.