Relocating to China

Moving to a foreign country is both exciting and challenging. You will have a lot to learn and a lot to think about. Settling in a country like China especially requires proper planning. Hiring a professional international moving company will rid you of a lot of worries and give you the time and space to focus on other things related to your life in the new country.

If you decide to relocate to China, take enough time to choose your removal company. This is an important step not to be taken lightly. Set up an appointment with a relocation counsellor for an in-house estimate. Make a list of all the objects that require special care (glass objects, mirrors, pieces of art, special packaging etc.). Specify to the removal company what you will do yourself (dismantling furniture, packing dishes, etc.). To find a carrier or a removal company, use the Internet, consult the yellow pages or check out the links below.

Regarding the estimate, several key points are to be considered:

Origin address ‘ where removers will pack and load your belongings
Destination address in China ‘ where removers will unload your belongings
Volume or weight of your stuff
Types of transportation (by air, train, truck, ship)
Nature of the services ‘ terms and conditions ‘ insurance damage
Prices and payment plans

Proceedings

Usually, removal companies unload your belongings directly at the destination address. However, some removal companies unload your belongings in warehouses instead, and you have to pick them up yourself afterwards, implying additional costs. Check your moving contract carefully!

Make an exhaustive inventory of your belongings to establish a ‘declaration of value’. The declaration of value is an important document that sets the compensation amount you could receive in case of loss or damage of your belongings.

Complete the declaration of value yourself by stating the overall value of your property and the value of certain particular precious items. Read carefully the terms and conditions of your contract to find out more about transportation and handling of precious objects. This statement is particularly important because, without it, an estimate cannot be established, which will obviously affect your relocation and your organisation!

Accordingly, insurance against damage will be proposed by the removal company. This insurance automatically covers non-predictable damage associated with the transportation of your belongings up to the value indicated in the declaration of value. The cost of insurance depends on the overall value of your belongings. The removal company must issue a certificate of insurance in any case.