AGuideforInternationalShipping
PreparedBy
RainierOverseasMovers,Inc.
Contents
• RainierOverseasMovers’MissionStatement.................................................................................................................................................................1
• ChoosingaMovingCompany…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….1-2
• GettinganEstimate………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...............2-3
• LiftvansvsContainers.....................................................................................................................................................................................................3
• Liftvans.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................4-4
• Containers...................................................................................................................................................................................................................4-6
• ContainerSizes......................................................................................................................................................................................................5
• TypesofServices.........................................................................................................................................................................................................6-7
• BeforetheMove.............................................................................................................................................................................................................7
• Packing..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................8
• PackingMusts:...............................................................................................................................................................................................................8
• DoNotShip....................................................................................................................................................................................................................9
• PackingTips:..................................................................................................................................................................................................................9
• BoxSizesandUses:.......................................................................................................................................................................................................10
• NewPurchases.............................................................................................................................................................................................................11
• Insurance.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................12
• MoveDay................................................................................................................................................................................................................13-15
• ServicefromDoor....................................................................................................................................................................................................13-14
• ServicefromWarehouse...............................................................................................................................................................................................15
• AftertheMove........................................................................................................................................................................................................15-16
• ShipmentinTransit......................................................................................................................................................................................................16
• BeforeYourShipmentArrives.......................................................................................................................................................................................17
• ArrivalofYourShipment..............................................................................................................................................................................................17
• PossibleAdditionalCharges.....................................................................................................................................................................................17-18
• DeliveryDay............................................................................................................................................................................................................18-19
• AdditionalServices:......................................................................................................................................................................................................19
• AfterDelivery...............................................................................................................................................................................................................20
• Summary......................................................................................................................................................................................................................20
• Appendix(GlossaryofTerms)..................................................................................................................................................................................21-22
1
RainierOverseasMovers’MissionStatement
RainierOverseasMoverscontinuallystrivestoofferitsclientsacost-effectiveprofessionalmovingexperienceconsistentwithitsongoingcommitmenttoexcellence.Thiscommitmentbeginswithaclient’sfirstcontacttoourofficeandcontinuesthroughoutthecourseoftheirmove–ourprofessionalestimators,localdispatchers,movingcrews,movecoordinators,andcustomerservicerepresentativesworktirelesslytogethertoensureasmoothrelocationandprovideinvaluableclientsupportuntileverythinghasbeensafelydeliveredoverseas.
Allofouremployeesandsubcontractorsarehandpickedandprofessionallytrainedtoprovidethehighestqualityhouseholdgoodstransportationservicesintheindustry.Rainier’smanagementteamisimbuedwithastrongmoralandethicalbackgroundandinspiresRainieremployeestoconducttheirbusinessinamannerthatreflectsthesehighstandards.TheentireRainierstaffiscommittedtosatisfyingandexceedingourclients’expectations.WesincerelyhopeyouwillhavetheopportunitytoexperiencewhathasmadeRainieraleaderinourindustrysince1979.
ChoosingaMovingCompany
Whetheryouarerelocatingforwork,returninghome,orsimplymovingoverseasforapermanentorextended
stay,youknowthatmanyimportantdecisionsandpreparationsmustbemadebeforeyouleave.Certainly,
amongthemostimportantischoosingareliablecompanytomoveyourhouseholdgoods.Inconsidering
movingcompanies,aproperevaluationshouldincludethefollowingcriteria:
ü ReputationoftheCompanyü ExperiencewithInternationalMovingü Priceü QualityofServicesProvided
2
Since1979,RainierOverseashasmovedwellover100,000familiesworldwide.Ournationwidenetworkof
movers,servingvirtuallyeverymetropolitanareainthecountry,provideexpertpackingandcratingservices
withalonghistoryofsuccessfulshipmentsaroundtheglobe.ThescopeofourDoor-to-Doorservices
encompasseseverydetailofyourmove,includingpacking,pickupfromyourhomeintheUS,inlandand
overseastransportation,customsclearance,anddeliverytoyourhomeoverseas.Wearealsomarineinsurance
expertsofferingavarietyofpoliciestobestsuityourneeds.Rainier’sstaffandserviceprovidersare
continuouslyevaluatedtoensurethatyoureceivehonestandhelpfulinformationaswellasclosepersonal
contactthroughoutthecourseofyourmove.
Ultimately,ourgoalatRainierOverseasMoversistoalleviateasmuchaspossiblethestressandworries
inherentinthemovingprocess.Thisguidehasbeendesignedtoanswermanyfrequentlyaskedquestionsas
wellastoprovideageneraloverviewoftheentireshippingprocess.Wehopeyoufindthisinformation
enlighteninganduseful,andwelookforwardtohelpingtomakeyouroverseasrelocationsuccessfuland
trouble-free.
GettinganEstimate
Thefirststepinchoosingacompanytohandleyourinternationalmoveisobtaininganin-homeestimate.This
serviceisfreeofchargeandinvolvesaprofessionalestimatorcomingtoyourhometoseewhatyouintendto
moveandcalculatingtheapproximatevolumeofyourshipment.Becauseratesarelargelybasedona
shipment’ssize,anestimateallowsashippingcompanytogiveyoutheirbestpricingwhich,inturn,givesyouan
ideaofhowmuchmoneyyoucanexpecttospend.Furthermore,itletsthemovingcompanyknowhowtheycan
bestprepareforyourparticularmove,whichwillenablethemtohandlethefuturejobasefficientlyand
professionallyaspossible.
TosetupanestimatewithRainier,pleasecallourtollfreenumber–1-800-426-9928-andprovide
uswith:
v Yourfullnamev Yourhomeaddressoraddresswhereyourgoodsarestoredv Yourbestcontactphonenumbersande-mailaddressesv Yourpreferreddatesandtimestomeetwithoneofourestimators
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Onthedateset,ourestimatorwillcometoyourhometotakealookatyourgoodsandprepareareportusinga
standardizedtableofmeasurementswhichwillthenbesenttoRainier.Allgoodswhicharenotcurrentlyatyour
home,butwillbepurchasedoraddedlater,shouldbementionedsotheycanbeincludedinthisreport.
Oncethereportiscomplete,aRainierrepresentativewillcontactyoutoreviewtheresults,discussyouroptions
andcostsandansweranyquestionsyoumayhave.Afterwards,awrittenconfirmationwillbesenttoyou.
Remember:Thevisualsurveyandestimatearefreeandinvolvenoobligationonyourparttoutilize
ourservices.
LiftvansvsContainers
Therearetwowaystoshipyourgoodsoverseas:
• Liftvans–Betterforsmallershipments(generallyunder850cubicfeet)
• Containers–Betterforlargershipments
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Liftvans
Aliftvanisaplywoodcratebuiltspecificallyforinternationalshipments.Astandardliftvanisapproximately200
cubicfeet(87”highx87”xlongx48”wide),thoughliftvanscanbemadetofitanysizedshipment.
Ratesforliftvanshipmentsaregenerallybasedonthe
followingfactors:
• WhereyouliveintheU.S.
• Theweightandvolumeofyourshipment
• Whereyouliveoverseas
Note:Unlessotherwisenoted,ourminimumshipment
sizeis100cubicfeet.
Volumeofyourshipment,andthereforefinalcharges,
aredeterminedbasedontheoutsidemeasurementsof
theliftvans.
IfstorageisneededeitherhereintheUSoratyourfinaldestination,Rainiercanmakearrangementsforstorage
atveryreasonablerates.Goodswillremainintheliftvanswhileinstorageandwillnotrequireadditional
handling.
Containers
Ifyourshipmentislargeenough(generallysomewherebetween600-800
cubicfeetdependingonwhereyouaremoving),itmaybemorecost
effectivetoshipinacontainer.Containersarelargemetalboxesthatare
loadedontosteamshipsforinternationaltransit.Theycomeinthe
followingsizes:
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ContainerSizes
CONTAINERSIZE
20’DryStandard
40’DryStandard
40’Hi-Cube
INNER
DIMENSIONS
Length:5.97meters19'7"
Height:2.26meters7'5"
Width:2.34meters7'8”
Length:12.07meters39'7"
Height:2.39meters7'10"
Width:2.34meters7'8"
Length:12.07meters39’7”
Height:2.67meters8’10”
Width:2.34meters7’8”
CUBICCAPACITY
31.1cbm;1100cft
62.3cbm;2200cft 70.8cbm;2500cft
DOOROPENING
Height:2.159meters7'1"
Width:2.34meters7'8"
Height:2.29meters7'6"
Width:2.34meters7'8"
Height:2.59meters8’6”
Width:2.34meters7”8”
OUTERDIMENSIONS
Length:6.096meters20'0"
Height:2.438meters8'0"
Width:2.438meters8'0”
Length:12.19meters40'0"
Height:2.59meters8'6"
Width:2.438meters8'0"
Length:12.19meters40’0”
Height:2.896meters9’6”
Width:2.438meters8’0”
*cbm=cubicmeter;cft=cubicfeet
Ratesforcontainersareusuallyquotedinflatamountsbutmayalsovaryabitbasedontheactualweightand
volumeofyourshipment–Itisimportanttoclarifythiswhenyoureceiveyourquote.
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Advantagestochoosingcontainersvs.liftvansare:
ü Thepricepercubicfootwillbelessü Youwillhavemorecontroloverportsusedü Transittimewillbequicker
Note:Themaindisadvantageofcontainersisthatofstorage.Sincethesteamshiplinesownthe
containers,wecannotholdontothemformorethan3-7days(dependingonthesteamshipline)in
eithertheUSoroverseaswithoutincurringadditionalcharges.Ifyouareshippingafullcontainer,
youmustbeabletoshipandreceiveyourcontainerrightaway.Ifstorageisrequired,youwillneed
toletusknowinadvancesowecanevaluateyourbestoptions.
TypesofServices
TheratesyoureceivefromRainierwillbefortheservicesyourequest.
Door-to-Doorrateswillincludeallofthefollowing:
1. Pre-packingandwrappingfurnitureatyourhome2. Pickupfromyourhome3. Packingintoliftvans(forlessthancontainershipments)4. Consolidationpriortoshipping5. Loadinggoodsintoasteamshipcontainer6. Deliverytoport7. Paymentofalloceanfreightcharges8. Customsclearanceatdestination(excludingporttaxes&dutiesifapplicable)9. Deliverytoresidence(normalaccess)
Door-to-Portratesincludeitems1-7
Warehouse-to-Doorrates(householdgoodsarebroughttoouragent’swarehouse)includeitems3-9
Warehouse-to-Portratesincludeitems3-7.
Note:Whenobtainingratesfromafreightforwardingcompany,itisextremelyimportanttofindout
whattheratesdonotinclude,asyouwillsometimesbesurprisedbyhiddencosts.
AtRainier,ourratesarestraightforwardandincludeeverythingasalreadyoutlinedabove.Thereare,however,
somecostswhichtheserateswillnotinclude.Theyareasfollows:
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ü Insurance,whichisbilledseparatelybasedonapercentageofthevalueofyourshipmentasdeclaredbyyou.
ü Duties(ifapplicable)ü Extraservices–Staircarries,longcarries(morethan75feetfromtrucktoentrydoorof
residence),specialdocumentsifneeded,hoisting,outsideelevator,shuttles,parkingpermit,
pianohandling,furniturereassembly,carpenterservices,storageanddemurrage).
Generally,Rainierwilloutlinetheseadditionalcharges(iftheyapply)inyourquotesowillknowexactlywhatto
expectbeforeacceptingourservices.
BeforetheMove
Thefollowingisaguidelineofthingsthatshouldbedonebeforeyourmove:
ü Setyourpick-updatewithRainier–Generallyfigure1dayforliftvanshipments;1-2daysfor20ftContainers;2-3daysfor40ftcontainers.
Note:Werecommendsettingthisdateatleastthreetofourweeksbeforeyourmove–LONGEREVEN
INSUMMERMONTHSANDIFYOUINTENDTOMOVEATTHEENDOFTHEMONTH.
ü Getboxesfromourlocalagentifyouintendtopacknon-breakables.ü Makesureyouarefamiliarwithanyrestrictionsandallpaperworkyouwillneedtoprepare
forcustomsinthecountryyouaremovingto.
ü Makepurchasesandcoordinatedeliveryoftheseitemswithvendors,Rainierandourlocalagent.
ü Prepareyourvaluedinventoryinsurancelist.ü Organizeyourhomesoitwillbeeasytoexplaintothemoverswhattheyshouldbepacking
andtaking.
ü Makenoteofitemsyoudonotwantthepackerstopackandload.Youcanusestickers,stickynotesorsomethingsimilar.
8
Packing
GenerallyRainierwillprovideyouwithfullpackingservices,butinsomecases,youmightdecidetopackyour
ownnon-breakableitems.Theseitemswouldinclude:
ü Books/Files/Papersü CDs/Recordsü Clothingü Towels/Linensü Toys/Gamesü Pots/Pans/Plasticwareü Othernon-fragileitems
Cartonsforthispackingcanbepickedupfrom,ordeliveredby,ourlocalagents.
Note:Rainierwillalwayswrapfurnitureandpackallbreakableitems–Dishes,glassware,mirrors,
pictures,ceramics,electronicsandotherfragileitems.Thismustbedonetoensurethattheseitems
canbeinsuredforbreakage.
PackingMusts:
ü Identifycontentsofallcartonsonthecartonitself.ü Keepanongoinglistofcontentsofboxesyouhavepacked.ü Donotpackfragileorbreakableitems.ü Cushionthetopandbottomofeachcartonwithcrushedpaper,softitems,etc.ü Don’tmakecartonstooheavy–RuleofThumb:Ifyoucancarrytheboxfairlyeasily,itis
probablyOK.
ü Useampletapeinclosingboxes.ü Removefuelfrompowertools.ü Ifyouinsistonshippingliquids,doublewrapinplastic.
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DoNotShip
v LiquidBleachor
Ammonia
v Important
Papers/Documents
v LivePlants,SoilorSeeds
oranyotherorganicitem
v SlotMachines/Casino-
styleGames
v Jewelry
v OpenedBottles
v Cameras/video
cameras
v Taxidermy
(includinghorns)
v Anythingflammable
v AnythingCombustible
v AnythingExplosive
v Aerosols
v Firearmsorother
Weapons
Note:Ifyouareunsurewhetheritislegaland/orwisetoincludesomethinginyourshipment,pleasecontactyournearestembassyorconsulateforthecountryyouaremovingtoo.YourRainierRepresentativecanalsoputyouintouchwithouroverseasagentandtheyshouldbeabletoadvise
youappropriately.
PackingTips:
ü Largeframedartwork/printsandfurniturewillbewrappedbythemovers,butitmightbeagoodideatodisassemblecertainfurniturepiecesinordertosavespaceandreducethe
likelihoodofdamage.Whendisassembling,remembertoputnutsandbolts,screws,etc.ina
placewhereyoucaneasilyfindthemlater.Itisalsoagoodideatotakeapictureofthe
assembledpiecesoyouwillhaveareminderofhowitshouldlookwhenitisputbacktogether.
Framedartwork/printsshouldbetakenoffofthewallforthemovers.
ü Packsleepingbags,sheets,towels,pillows,etc.inplasticbags,sothesebundlescanbestuffedinemptyspacescreatedbyoddly-shapeditems.
ü Packalldresserdrawers,cabinets,etc.withlight,soft,bulkyitemssuchasstuffedanimals,towels,linens,bedding,clothing,etc.-donotcompromisetheconditionoffurniturepiecesor
itemsplacedinsidethemsimplytosavespace.
ü Packcartonstightlysoitemswillnotshiftduringtransit.
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BoxSizesandUses:
• Small: 1.5cft,12”x12”x17”high–Goodforpackingbooks,tools,CDs,DVDscanned
goods,andothersmall,heavyitems.
• Medium:3.1cft,18”x18”x18”high–Goodforpackingpots,pans,
mixingbowls,roasters,canisters,toasters,coffeemakers,kitchenutensils,
shoes,boots,purses,largephotoalbums,linens,andsmalllampshades.
• Large:4.5cft,18”x18”x24”high–Goodforpackingpillows,bedding,blankets,alltypesoffoldedandhangingclothes,pictures,odd-shapedtoys,largepots,and
othermiscellaneouslargebulkyitems.
• Wardrobe: 8cft20”x18”x48.8”high–Forhangingclothingonly.Notnormally
usedininternationalmoves.Sometimes,lay-downwardrobescanbesubstituted.
• Dishpack: 5.6cft,18”x18”x30”high–Usedforpackingchina,fragileglass,
lamps,dishes,stemware,pictures,artobjects,andotherbreakableitems.
Note:Breakableitemsfordishpackswillnormallybepackedonlybyourprofessionalmovers,except
incaseswhereshippersbringtheirhouseholdgoodsdirectlytoouragent’swarehouse.Ifyoudoend
uppackingyourownbreakables,werecommendyoudoublebox,wrap,orcushiontheseitemswith
paper,bubblewrap,clothes,towels,etc.Forinsurancepurposes,itisagoodideatoopentheseboxes
forouragent’sinspectionwhenyoubringthemtotheirwarehouse.Otherwise,theywillbe
inventoriedas“packedbyowner”cartonsandwillnotbeinsuredforbreakage.
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NewPurchases
Manyofourcustomerspurchasenewfurniture,electronicsandappliancestobeincludedintheiroverseas
shipment.Becausethesepurchasesarebeingmadeforoverseasuse,moststatesintheUSwillallowyouto
purchasetheseitemswithoutpayingstatesalestax.RainierOverseascanprovideataxexemptionletterwhich
manystoreswillaccept.
Ifyouarepurchasingappliancesorotherelectronics,keepinmindthatthecountryyouaremovingtomayhave
differentelectricalstandards(ie110vs.220volt).Beforemakinganypurchases,youwillwanttomakesurethe
itemsyoubuywillworkwhenpluggedinatyournewhome.RainierOverseasishappytoprovideyouwith
contactinformationforstoresthatspecializeinoverseascompliantelectronics.
Newpurchasesshouldbedelivereddirectlytoourlocalwarehouse.Ouragentswillreceive,inventory,andstore
thesepurchasesforuptoonemonthpriortoyourmoveatnoadditionalcost.Youmayalsocometothe
warehousetoseeyourpurchases.
Note:Openingboxesatthewarehouseisstronglydiscouragedandwilllikelyvoidyourinsurance
and/orwarrantyyoumayhavepurchasedfortheseitems.
Note:Wemustbenotifiedinadvanceofanynewpurchaseswhichwillbeshippedtoourwarehouse.
Alldeliveriesshouldbeclearlymarkedwithyourname.Itisyourresponsibilitytomakesureallnew
purchasesarereceivedbeforeyourshipmentleavesourwarehouse.
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Insurance
Toprotectyourselfagainstpotentiallossanddamagetoyourgoodswhiletheyareintransit,itishighly
recommendedthatyouarecoveredbysomeformofinsurance.RainierOverseascanprovideyouwithmarine
insurancecoveragethroughreputablecompaniesofferingpolicieswhichinsureshipmentsfromdoortodoor.
Aroundthetimeofpickup,youwillberesponsibleforfillingoutavaluedinventorylistforinsurancewhichwill
beprovidedbyRainier.Onthisform,youwillidentifytheitemsyouareshippingandassignappropriate
replacementvaluestotheseitems.
Note:ItisimportantthatyoumakeanefforttoinsureyourENTIREshipmentandthatinsuredvalues
accountforREPLACEMENTvaluesatdestinationoverseas.Undervaluingyourshipmentwillleadto
problemswithreimbursementsinclaimssituations.
Onceyouhavecalculatedthetotalvalueofyourshipment,multiplythisamountbytheinsurancerateyou
receivedfromRainierandthiswillgiveyouthefinalinsurancepremiumtobepaid.Whentheformiscomplete,
youwillsendittoRainierbyfaxore-mail,soyourinsurancepolicycanbeprocessed.Onceissued,thepolicywill
besenttoyoubye-mailalongwithallrelevanttermsandclaimsinformation.
AllpoliciesofferedbyRainierwillcoveryourshipmentforanylossand/ordamageincurredfromthetimeour
moverstakepossessionofyourgoodsuntileverythingisdeliveredtoyourhomeoverseas.Insurancecoverage
forthoseshippersreceivingport-onlyserviceterminateswhenthegoodsarepickedupfromourportfacilityat
destination.Inthisinstance,alldamageandlossmustberecordedpriortotakingtheshipmentfromtheport
facility.
Formoreinformationregardingthespecificsofinsurancecoverage,pleaseconsultwithaRainierrepresentative.
13
MoveDay
ServicefromDoor
Onthedayofyourmove,ourcrewwillarriveatyourresidencewithacontainerormovingtrailerandallpacking
materialsrequiredtocompleteyourjob.
Themoverswillwrapallfurnitureusinginternationalgradepadding.
Alldishware,china,stemware,ceramics,
porcelain,pictures,mirrorsetc.willbewrappedin
paperandpackedintospecialprotectivecartons.
14
Ouragentsuseskilledprofessionalpackerswhowilltakegreatcareindisassembling,packing,wrapping,and
loadingyourgoodstoprotectagainstthemanyrigorsofinternationaltransport.
Astheypack,themoverswillcreateaninventorylistofeveryitemthatistakenfromyourhome.Numbered
stickerswillbeattachedtoeachitemorcartonandallrespectivenumberswillberecordedonaninventory
sheet.Afterthemove,youwillbegivenacopyofthisinventorywhichyoucanuseatdestinationtocheckitems
offastheyaredeliveredtoensurethateverythingarrivesintacttoyournewhome.
Manyagentsbringtheactualliftvanstoyourresidenceandwillloadthemthere.Thisallowsyouagreat
opportunitytoseefirst-handthestrategicpackingrequiredtoloadaliftvanastightlyaspossible.Iftheyarenot
broughttoyourresidence,youarewelcometomakearrangementswiththecrewchieftobepresentatthe
warehousewhentheliftvansareloadedtherelater.
Unlessitisnotpossible,containerswillbeloadedatresidence.
Aftertheyarefullyloaded,yourliftvansorcontainerwillbeshutandsealed,andwillnotbeopenedagainuntil
theyreachyourresidenceinoverseas(unless,ofcourse,thereisaformalCustomsExam–moreonthatlater).
Aftercratingiscomplete,theliftvanswillbebanded,stenciledandthenweighedandmeasured.Multiplyingthe
outsidewidth,length,andheightoftheliftvanswillgiveusthefinalvolume.Assoonasthesedimensionsare
known,youwillbenotifiedofthetotalcubicfootageandfinalchargesforyourshipment.
15
ServicefromWarehouse
Protocolforwarehouse-onlyshipmentsisverysimilartothatofthedoortodoorshipmentsdiscussedabove.To
arrangeawarehousedrop-off,youwillneedtocontactourlocalagentinadvancetoarrangeadatetobring
yourgoodstotheirfacility.
Whenyouarrive,yourgoodswillbeunloadedfromyourvehicle.Ourmoverswillmakesureallgoodsare
packedandwrappedappropriatelyforinternationaltransport,andwillattachanumberedstickertoeachpiece.
Theshipmentwillthenbeinventoriedandyouwillreceiveacopyofthisinventorylistbeforeyouleave.
Ifyouwishtobepresentwhentheliftvansareloaded,youwillneedtomakethesearrangementsinadvance
withourlocalagent.
AftertheMove
Onceyourliftvanshavebeenmeasuredoryourfullcontainerhasbeensealedandweighed,andyourinsurance
formshavebeenreceived,Rainiercanthenprocessyourinvoice,whichwilldetailallchargesforyourshipment.
Yourinvoicewillbee-mailedtotheaddress(es)wearegiven.Invoicescanalsobefaxedand/ormailedupon
request.
Rainierrequestsapartialpaymentbeforedepartureofyourshipment–usuallyaround50%ofthetotalinvoice.
IfyouwillbedepartingfromtheUSbeforeyourshipmentisfullycrated,orbeforeyourinsuranceformsare
complete,aRainierrepresentativecanassistyouinestimatingyourfinalcharges.
16
PaymentmustbeinUSdollarsandcanbemadeby:
• Cashier’s/Certified/PersonalCheck
• MoneyOrder
• Bank/WireTransfer
• VisaorMasterCard(witha2.85%servicecharge)
Note:Allchargesmustbepaidinfullbeforedeliverycanbemadetoyournewhomeoverseas.
ShipmentinTransit
Forlessthancontainershipments,woodenliftvanswillbewaterproofed,stenciled,securedwithmetalbanding
andthentransportedtooneofourportconsolidationwarehouses.Youshipmentwillthenwaitatthisfacility
untilenoughfreighthasbeenaccumulatedtofillaconsolidatedcontainer.
Fullcontainershipmentsaresealedaftertheyareloadedandthentruckedand/orrailedimmediatelytotheir
finalportofdeparture.Uponarrivaltoport,yourcontainerwillbeloadedonthedeckofasteamshipvesseland
soonafter,willbeginitsjourneyonthesea.
Note:PleaseconsultwithyourRainierrepresentativetomeetyourschedulingneeds.Whilewe
cannotcontrolrailorvesselschedules,wewillattempttomaketheappropriatearrangementsto
meetyourrequests.
Rainierwillhandleallpaperwork,anddocumentationtoinsuresmoothhandlingofyourshipment,aswellas
trackitsprogresswhileintransit.Forstatusupdates,simplycallore-mailyourRainierrepresentative.
Rainierwillforwardallrequireddocumentsandinsurancepaperstoouroverseasagent,whowillbereadyto
handleallnecessaryproceduresforcustomsclearanceanddeliveryofyourshipmentonceithasarrivedatthe
portofdestination.
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BeforeYourShipmentArrives
Priortothearrivalofyourshipmentatdestinationport,youwillbecontactedbyourlocalagent,whowillkeep
youadvisedofarrivalandcustomsclearanceprogressandrequiredpaperwork.Theywillmakeeveryeffortto
ensureaquickandhassle-freeclearanceanddeliveryofyourshipment.
Note:Youdonotneedtowaitforourrepresentativetocontactyou.Youcanfeelfreetocallthem
uponyourarrivaltothecountryandreceivemoreimmediatestatusreports.Ifyouarenotalready
awareoftheappropriatecontactinformationforthelocalagent,yourRainierrepresentativecan
assistyouwiththisinformation.Ifouragentisnotawareofyourshipmentonfirstcontact,please
donotworry.Simplyleaveyournameandcontactdetailswiththemandtheywillgetbackintouch
withyouassoonasmoreinformationisknown.
Ifyoucontractedforport-onlyservice,youwillbenotifiedbytheoverseasagentofthesteamshiplineofyour
shipment’sarrivalwiththeexpectationthatyouwillarrangeforyourowncustomsclearanceanddelivery.
IfyouhavecontractedforDoor-to-Doorservice,ourlocalagentwillwalkyouthroughtheappropriateprocess
andpaperworkrequiredtoproperlyclearyourshipmentthroughthelocalCustomsAuthorities.
ArrivalofYourShipment
Whenyourshipmentarrivesoverseas,arepresentativeofourlocalagentswillbeonhandtooverseethe
offloadingofthecontainers,andtheunstuffingofyourcrates(forlessthancontainershipments).Ourlocal
overseasagentwillthenmakesurethatallrelevantportchargesandtaxesarepaidandthatyourshipmentis
securelymovedandstoredatacustomsbondedfacilityandthenclearedthroughcustomspromptly.
PossibleAdditionalChargesatPort:• Customsinspection:Customsinspectionsareconductedatrandomatallportsworldwide-
thoughnotallshipmentsareaffected,inspectionscananddooccurperiodically(evenoftenin
18
somecountries)andchargesfortheseinspectionsarepaidbyyou,theownerofthegoods.
Costsforinspectiondifferbycountryandbythelevelofinspectionperformed.
• Storageatport:Costforstorageatportwouldbedeterminedbyyouravailabilitytoclear
customspriortoallottedfreetimeexpiring.Thisamountoffree-timeandthecostperdayto
storevarywidelybycountry.
• Demurrage(rentpaidtosteamshiplineforholdingontocontainer):Demurragechargeswould
occurforthesamereasonsasstorage,butthesechargesarepaidtothesteamshipline,whereas
storagechargesarepaidtothelocalPortAuthority.Again,theamountoffree-timeandcostper
daytostorevarywidelybyportandbysteamshipline.
• Importduties:AsbilledbyCustomsAuthorities
Note:Ifyouarenotalreadyawareofanypotentialdutyliability,youshouldcheckwithyourlocal
Consulate,orEmbassyofthecountryyouaremovingtoinordertofindoutwhatitemsinyour
shipmentmaybesubjecttodutyandwhatthosedutiesmaybe.
Note:Forcustomerswhoareconsideringshippingamotorizedvehicle-Dutiesandtaxeson
motorizedvehiclescanbehighinmanycountriesandrestrictionsareoftenverystringent.Before
decidingtoshipacar,itisimportanttocheckwithyourlocalConsulateorEmbassyofthecountry
youaremovingto.
DeliveryDay
Onceyourshipmenthasbeenclearedthroughcustomsandeverythinghasbeenpaidinfull,ouroverseasagent
willarrangefordeliveryeverythingtoyournewhome.Onthedateyouarrangewithouragent,themoverswill
arriveatyourresidencepreparedtoprovidethefollowingservices:
• Unloadinggoodsfromcontainerorliftvans–insomeinstancesgoodsmaycomeloosein
movingvan
• Placingallitemsinappropriateroomsasrequested
• Unwrappingfurnitureandotherlargeitems
• Removaloffurnituredebris(wrappingpaper)
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Thefollowingservicesmayalsobeprovided,butyouwillwanttoconfirmwithyourRainierrepresentative:
• Unpackingcartons–contentstobeplacedonavailableflatsurface(ie.Floor,counter,table,
etc.)
• Assemblingfurniture(generallyonlyitemswhichweredisassembledbythemoversinUSand
notIKEA-stylepressboardfurniture)
Note:Whenmoversaredeliveringgoodsintoyourhome,pleasemakesureyouhaveacopyofyour
originalpackinglist.Youshouldassignafamilymemberorfriendtocheckitemsofftheinventory
listastheyarebeingdeliveredintoyourhometoensurethatyoureceiveyourentireshipment.Any
missingitemsmustbenotedontheinventorybeforemoversdepart.Failuretodosowillmakeit
verydifficulttofileaninsuranceclaimonanymissingitems.
AdditionalServices:
IfRainerisawareinadvanceofanyadditionalservicesyouwillrequireoverseas,wewilltrytoincludetheassociatedcosts
fortheseservicesinyourDoor-to-Doorrate.Ifnot,youwillberesponsibleforpayingthesechargesdirectlytoouroverseas
agentinlocalcurrencyfortheseservices.
• Deliveryabove2ndfloor(overoneflightofstairs)• Longcarryfromstreettoresidence(greaterthan20meters)• SpecialHandlingforextra-largeitems(e.g.,Hoistingwithcraneorpulleythroughwindows/balcony,
takingoffdoors,disassembling,re-assembling,etc.)• Unpacking/settingupappliances• PianohandlingorhandlinganyothersuchlargeheavyitemssuchassafesandSubzeroRefrigerators.• AdditionalDeliveries• CarpenterServiceforfurniturere-assembly• Assemblyofelectricalfixtures–lights,chandeliers,ceilingfans,etc.
• Shuttle(ifhomecannotbeaccessedbyastandardmovingvanorcontainer,andasmallertruckmustshuttlebackandforth)
• Additionaldebrisremoval• MaidService(placingunpackedgoodsinappropriateplaces)
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AfterDelivery
Afteryourgoodshavebeendelivered,youshouldbeginunpackingandinspectingyourgoodsrightaway.You
willhave30to45days(dependingonyourparticularpolicy)tofileaclaimagainstyourinsurancepolicyforany
discovereddamagedand/ormissingitems.
Tofileaclaim,youwillneedtofollowtheinstructionslistedonyourinsurancepolicyandclaimforms.Ifyou
shouldhaveanyproblemsorquestionsduringthisprocess,pleasecontactyourRainierrepresentative,andthey
willbemorethanhappytodowhatevertheycantomakethefilingofyourclaimassmoothaspossible.
Note:DonotdiscarddamageditemsuntilaftertheinsurancecompanyindicatesthatitisOKtodo
so.
Summary
RainierOverseasMoversiscommittedtoofferingitscustomerstheutmostinqualityandservicethroughout
eachstepoftheirmove.Weareultimatelyconcernedwithmaintainingourreputationasthepremier
internationalmoversofhouseholdgoodsinNorthAmerica.WewillalwaysstrivetoofferaVIPservicetoeachof
ourcustomersatacompetitiveprice.Ifyourplansinvolvemakingashipmentoverseas,pleasegiveRainiera
call.Wewillensureapleasantandhassle-freemovingexperienceforyouandyourfamily.
Forafreeestimateandconsultation,pleasegiveusacallat1-800-426-9928xt.243.Wewilllookforwardto
hearingfromyou.
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Appendix
GlossaryofTerms
All-RiskInsurance–InsurancePolicyforyourshipmentprovidingcoverageforvirtuallyallscenarioswhichcan
leadtolossand/ordamagetoyourhouseholdgoods.
BillofLading–Documentissuedbyatransportationproviderindicatingweights,volumes,shippingcosts,dates,
andoriginanddestinationcontactinformation.
CubicFoot–AMeasurementofvolume-12”Highx12”wide12”longcube.1cubicmeter=35.3145cubicfeet.
Consignee–Thepersonorpartyreceivingashipmentatanoverseasdestination(importer)
Customs–Agovernmentauthorityregulatingimports.
CustomsBroker–Anindividualorcompanyrepresentingimportersindealingswithcustomsauthorities.
Demurrage–Astoragechargeimposedbythesteamshiplinefordetentionontheirequipment.
FreightForwarder–Atravelagentorgeneralcontractorforcargotransport
FreightTariff–Afreightcarrier’spricelist
InsuranceCertificate–Adocumentindicatingthatinsurancecoveragewasplacedongoodsshipped.
Liftvan–Awoodenshippingcrateconstructedofplywoodwithaskiddedbaseforeasyhandling.Theyrangein
sizefrom10–250cubicfeetandcanbeconstructedtofitanysizeofgoodsshipped.
MarineCargoInsurance–Insuranceusedinforeigntradetocovergoodswhiletheyareintransitfromone
countrytoanother.
PhysicalInspection–Customsinspectionwhenauthoritiesopenanindividualshipmenttoconductathorough
examinationofgoodsbeingimported
PortofDisembarkation–Theportwhereshipmentarrivesoverseas
PortofEmbarkation–Originportfromwheretheshipmentdeparts
Shipper–Apersonorpartyshippingitemstoanoverseasdestination(exporter)
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SteamshipContainer–Alargemetalbox,either20or40feetlongandapprox.8feetwideandhighusedtoship
alltypesofcommoditiestointernationaldestinations.
Stevedore–Alsoknownasalongshoreman–anemployeeoftheport(usuallytheoneswhoputcontainerson
ortakethemoffsteamshipvessels)
Transshipment–Hubandspokemethodoftransportationwhereacontaineristakenoffoforiginalsteamship
vesselatanintermediaryportinordertoplaceitonanothervesselgoingfromthisporttoportoffinal
destination(usedonlywhendirectserviceisnotavailableorismuchmoreexpensive)
(Un)Stuffing/Stripping–Theserviceofeitherloadingorunloadingliftvansintooroutofsteamshipcontainersat
portfacilities.
Valuation–Adeclaredvalueofthegoodsbeingtransported.
ValueAddedTax(VAT)–Atax(likeasalestax)excisedinmanycountriesonservicesperformedoverseas
includingcustomsclearanceanddelivery