Boston International Shipping

Moving is always challenging, but international moves are especially so.  There are a number of logistical challenges to consider, particularly when you’re headed halfway around the globe.

One of these challenges is the amount of time it can take freight to travel overseas. It can take twelve days for a shipment to make it from Boston to London – and over a month to reach Australia! That’s assuming everything is packed and labeled correctly.  If there are any mistakes, the shipment can be held up, leaving you without your possessions for days or even weeks!  The best Boston shipping company uses their experience and expertise to get your cargo delivered as quickly as possible – no needless delays!

Another issue to consider when moving internationally is breakage.  Freight handling practices vary around the world. There are places where it is not uncommon for boxes to be dropped, walked on, kicked and otherwise knocked about.  If the items inside those boxes aren’t packed carefully, they can easily be broken.

Choose a Boston pack and ship company to pack your items for international shipping.  They use custom crating (specially designed and built super-strong cardboard boxes or wooden crates) and superior packing materials to provide maximum protection for your possessions. Foam in place technology is a special packing technology used for computers, electronics and high tech items.

Another consideration important if you’re moving internationally is insurance.  Talk to your Boston shipping company about what type of coverage is appropriate for your shipment!

Choose The Best!

You’ve spent a lifetime accumulating and acquiring your possessions. These things are meaningful to you. Protect your investment and your emotions by choosing professional movers who are really, really good. Poor quality movers can really be worse than having no movers at all.

Get Referrals From People Who Know Moving!

Real estate agents are a great source of insider information where moving companies are involved. Don’t be afraid to tap your family and friends for referrals too, especially if they’ve moved recently. Ask them what Massachusetts moving company they used.

Licensing

Moving is serious business! Only consider movers that are licensed, bonded and insured. Any moving company should be happy to share this information with you. If they’re not – red flag! Run away!

Do Due Diligence Research

Check out potential movers online, with the Better Business Bureau, and with the US DOT. You want to work with a Massachusetts packing and shipping company that has a sterling reputation.

Price Matters!

You’ll want to get an estimate from your potential moving company. If a price seems too low to be believed, be wary – this is often a red flag sign that there may be trouble down the road. A low price can rise dramatically with hidden fees and last minute charges – and all of your possessions are already on their truck! Choose a moving company that has no minimum load size requirement. That way you’re not paying for more moving truck space than you really need.

At this time, there is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding events on the ground in Japan. For that reason, many of the major carriers have temporarily suspended services in Eastern Japan. Shipments awaiting export have been similarly affected. Some carriers are still accepting shipments to be delivered into Eastern Japan once operations resume; check with your Boston packing and shipping company to see what options are available to you.

International Shipping Challenges

Obviously, no one can predict ahead of time events like earthquakes and tsunamis. Working with the best packaging and shipping company can help ensure that you have full insurance protection for your packages, as well as considerable tracking capabilities to keep track of your packages while en route. Bear in mind that even the best systems have limitations: your Boston pack and ship company is working closely with all carriers to find out the latest information as it becomes available.

In the aftermath of a disaster such as this, many customers will face challenges. Entire villages appear to have been lost; it is very probable that some shipments throughout the region may be gone as well. Insurance claims can be complex: working with a packaging and shipping company with documented expertise in properly preparing the documentation for international shipping is essential. If you have questions about what you need to do about a shipment that was lost in the Japanese earthquake, contact your shipping company. They can advise you about the next steps you need to take.

It may take many days, even weeks, for the full magnitude of the events in Japan to become clear. We will continue to keep you apprised of the situation as events develop further and more information becomes available.

The Suez Canal, located in Egypt, plays a critical role in the world’s shipping industry. More than 35,000 ships pass through the Suez; an estimated 10% of those are oil tankers. Freight going through the canal has thus far been unaffected. US officials, along with officials from every other potentially affected country, are watching developments closely.

Boston: International Shipping

If you have shipments in transit that you’re concerned may have been impacted by events in Egypt, contact your Boston packaging and shipping company.  They’ll have access to the latest information regarding your international shipment. Thus far, there have been no reports to cause concern. Egyptian troops have been protecting the canal throughout the upheaval.

Be that as it may, concern has been expressed that if the upheaval affects the operation of the Suez, oil prices could rise significantly. This has caused oil prices to jump dramatically; the impact on international shipping has yet to be determined.  The cost of fuel is a significant part of shipping costs, for organizations of all sizes.

Shipping internationally means knowing the best way to route cargo, what transport options are available, and navigating the sometimes turbulent circumstances of an ever changing geo-political environment.  That’s why it is essential to work with an experienced shipping company, well familiar with the nuances of international shipping.

The world hopes for peace in Egypt and no interruption to the operation of the Suez canal.  Talk with your Boston packaging and shipping company about the best way to send your next international shipment.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. Mark Twain’s views on life are shared by many, who embrace adventure in every aspect of their life. If this is you, you know one thing for sure: Whether you’re moving across the country to pursue new career opportunities or around the world to find yourself, you need to bring your stuff – and that can be a big hassle!

Understanding Small Load Moves

That presents a problem for Mona, as she contemplates moving from the home she shared with her husband, who passed away two years ago, to a smaller, more manageable apartment.

“Caleb and Alice, I’ve been able to spend time with.  We’ve been together.  But the other two – Joachim and Mark – I don’t know so well.  I want to send their mother some of our things so she can have them around.  Maybe they’ll get a sense of where they come from.”

Boston: How to Ship Furniture, Heirlooms & Art

“My husband spent a lifetime collecting paintings,” Mona explained.  “We’re not talking about Van Gogh or anything like that, but he had some nice things.  I’d like to be able to send his favorite one out there.  But I’m worried it won’t make it.”  Mona’ s more confident about the furniture she wants to ship to her daughter.  “This stuff is durable! It survived our kids, it’ll survive being shipped across the country.  But will it cost me a fortune?”

Mona’s solution was to select a company that specialized in long-distance, small load moves.  “It turned out to be more practical to send all of this stuff to her in one shipment, rather than trying to piecemeal it.  The paintings were packed in specially-built crates, and I’m thrilled to say they got there in pristine condition.”

“We have these things around us all our lives.  They become part of our history,” Mona said.  “And I think that’s important to pass that along to the next generation.”  She shook her head.  “More and more Baby Boomers are going to be in my situation: think creatively and explore all your options.  It’s our responsibility to make sure these ties stay strong!”

If the answer is “YES” you might be experiencing some strange physical symptoms: a sinking feeling in the stomach, perhaps, or some shaky nerves.  But you need fear no longer: international shipping in Boston is not as scary as you may think!

Here at Boston Pack and Ship, we can walk you through all of the options you have with international shipping.  We also work with people who are embarking on one of the adventures of a lifetime: moving to a foreign country.  Moving long distances is always difficult; when you factor in crossing international borders — not to mention the Atlantic or Pacific ocean! — it truly becomes a job where professional assistance is a requirement.

Saving Time, Saving Money, Doing the Job Right

Shipping can be done by ocean or by air.  Generally, the longer the passage, the lower the cost.  It’s important to take your deadlines into account: while it might be fine for your cousin in Belgium to wait three weeks to get Grandma’s antique clock, when you arrive at your new home in Paris, you want to make sure your clothing, furniture, and other possessions are there waiting for you!  We offer door to door delivery and door to port delivery: each option is right for a specific set of circumstances. We’ll help you figure out what’s right for you.

What matters most in International Shipping? Experience!

Don’t be fooled by cookie-cutter chains that claim they can ship anything anywhere. Small moves, long distance moves, and international shipping all require a specific set of skills and expertise.  You wouldn’t want to trust your household to someone who’s never dealt with a customs declaration before — or who doesn’t know, exactly, the best way to make sure your shipment arrives quickly, safely, and in good condition!

Is it time to leave the Bay State behind? Are you planning to move to another country? Congratulations! This is an exciting decision. Moving internationally offers many rewards. You’re about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime! However, this adventure also presents many challenges. The best way to handle moving from Massachusetts overseas is to secure the services of one of the international movers in Massachusetts.

The international shippers in Massachusetts are well-practiced at transporting households all around the globe. Whether you’re headed up North to Canada or traveling halfway around the globe to Hong Kong, the international movers in Massachusetts have the experience to help you.

Moving internationally is definitely not a do-it-yourself job. There are a number of logistical challenges to consider. What is the best way to pack your belongings to minimize breakage and yet save space? What is the most cost-effective way to transport your household? What will you do about your car? Are you allowed to bring your collection of exotic houseplants to another country? What about the guns you’ve inherited from your Grandfather or collected over the years? One of the international movers in Massachusetts will have the answers.

Hiring an international mover in Massachusetts will allow you to sidestep some of the more challenging aspects of relocation. It’s likely you’ll have your hands full: securing a residence overseas, adjusting to a new job and household routine, finding schooling for the children, helping everyone acclimate to the inevitable culture shock. Why not let the international moving company take care of the headaches for you?

From the initial packing process, to picking up and shipping your possessions from your home, through the transport process, and finally delivering and re-installing your household belongings in your new abode, the international movers in Massachusetts can handle the most cumbersome, difficult aspects of moving internationally.

Call 800-400-7204 or click here for a free quote.

“There are a number of moving scams out there, everything from an out-and-out theft of your belongings to holding your belongings hostage because you didn’t pay a made up fee or you had more pieces than your estimate,” says Joe Fell, co-owner of Boston Pack and Ship. “People are even more vulnerable to these scams in tough economic times because everybody’s trying to keep their costs down.”

So, what can you do to minimize the risk of falling for one of these scams? For starters:

• Beware of virtual movers – make sure the moving company has an actual physical address, preferably in your area or where you’re moving to and especially if you found the company on the Internet.
• Find out who’s actually doing the moving – beware of companies who broker the move to unknown third-party service providers. Ask more about the entire process; who is making the pickup, who is providing the long distance transport and the final delivery?
• Ask for references – better yet, ask friends you know who have moved lately to refer a mover.
• Check the mover’s Web site for professional accreditation – there are mover’s associations in every state. A mover affiliated with an accredited association does have more creditability than one that is not. Even better if the mover is a member of the Better Business Bureau. That allows you to not only check their credibility but the company’s history for handling complaints.
• Get a minimum of three quotes – scam victims are often victims of their own impatience and wanting to get their move underway and over with. Getting a minimum of three quotes may slow things down slightly, but it will make you look a little closer at the company you eventually hire.
• Fear the lowball quote – like the saying goes, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is. While no two moving companies are exactly the same, true professionals should not be more than a few hundred apart. If an estimate is more than $1,000 less than the others, that’s a red flag and you might want to scrutinize the estimate and company further.
• Stick to national carriers for cross-country and out-state moves – If your entire home is being moved, stick to a national carrier. That way, you will have an actual physical address for the mover on each end of the move, not to mention a corporate office who the agent has to answer to should anything go wrong.

“These suggestions should help you avoid most scams but if you’re still not sure, always opt for the mover who was referred to you by trusted family or friends,” says Fell.

Small furniture moving companies specialize in what is known in the trade as ‘small moves’. Small moves are actually what most of us think of when we relocate: transporting furniture, household items, and possessions packed in boxes.  Small furniture moving companies handle moving the couch, the dining room set, the china cupboard — all of the cumbersome items that break backs, fray nerves, and present real difficulties for the homeowner who tries to move on their own.

How does hiring small furniture moving companies save you money?

There are a number of ways that hiring small furniture moving companies can save you money.  Generally, small moves are priced according to the weight of the load being transported.  (Don’t worry if you don’t have a clue how much your household weighs: small furniture moving companies can help you with this part!)  Compare this with how general long distance moving companies charge: you pay for the use of the entire truck, whether or not you fill it up. Some small furniture moving companies also offer time-based pricing. 

With a small furniture moving company, you pay to move your things.  With a general moving company, you pay for the truck used to move your things.  There can be a huge difference: new or small families tend to not have as much stuff as larger or more established families.  It makes sense: fewer people, with less time, will accumulate fewer possessions. (Packrats aside, of course!) There’s a far smaller likelihood that you will fill — or would require — all of the room in a large moving truck. Why pay for it?

The services small furniture moving companies offer may be the perfect answer!

Call 800-400-7204 or click here for a free quote.