When it comes to moving your furniture and belongings to the EU, Trek Removals have a lot of experience. What can be very simple for us though can often bring up some questions for the person moving, so we thought it would be helpful to write a blog about our main destinations. These include; France, Germany, Belgium and Holland, but also places like Switzerland.
So what is it that you need to know when it comes to moving abroad and getting your personal belongings removed / moved?
First of all we usually get your call or email and we’ll usually either send you a costing for your removal immediately based on the information you provide, or we can send one of highly experienced removal estimators who will do a site survey. They usually look at what removal needs you have and then send a written quote in a day or two at most.
With our International removals to the countries we’ve mentioned it’s fairly straight forward but if you are moving to somewhere like Switzerland, you should see our previous blog HERE.
So assuming on this occasion you’re moving to Germany we offer two types of services to clients.
The first option is what we call a part-load. This requires flexibility from you as the client in terms of collection and delivery times as you’re opting here for a groupage delivery. This can often work out to be the cheapest of our services, but it can take approximately two to eight weeks to have a lorry ready to deliver your personal belongings or shipment.
While you wait for the load however, your possessions are kept in storage (we offer one month free of charge) and they are held in a highly secure container in our 24 hour CCTV covered storage area.
As soon as we have put together a delivery then your possessions are put on the lorry and delivered to you.
The other option we offer is a dedicated load. This is a more flexible service when it comes to removals as it means you can request a date for both collection and delivery to Germany, but bear in mind that depending on the distance, you may have to consider the travelling and driving time. Thus, if you want something collected on a Wednesday, we obviously can’t get it there for Thursday!
A Few Other Removal Tips
One important element to any removal or delivery service is of course access to both the point of collection and the delivery addresses. Good parking that is within 20 metres from the entrance to the property is always going to make things smoother. Equally if your property is on a high floor, an external lift may be required. We can arrange for this ourselves if this is you, but it’s always best to contact us to see if it will be needed.
European Removals that are to Germany do not require any particular paperwork in terms of customs and excise, but in all cases, we would want a full inventory compiled, which you can find on our Switzerland blog.
If you require any removal advice or information on European Removals then CONTACT US and we will be delighted to assist you.
In our last blog, we looked at the essentials you’ll need if you’re moving from the UK to Switzerland, along with the legally required information you cannot be without.
In this blog, we’re going to look at the essential requirements for those moving from Switzerland to the UK offering some advice on what you will need to make your removal of personal possessions a complete success.
So, if you’re exporting your personal possessions from Switzerland to the UK, what do you need?
First off you will need to know the approximate weight of your shipment. Now this can be difficult to work out, so sometimes it’s worth getting a specialist removal company to help you out. We for instance have everything from furniture through to vehicles. Having done this many, many times, we can usually help you with working out what your shipment might weigh. If you don’t want to do this, then you can look for any official documentation on the products you’re moving from Switzerland in to the UK, as the weight and size specifications may be available, which will of course make a difference.
We can also provide you with some advice on ascertaining the weight of your shipment, so do CONTACT US if you need some guidance.
Next you will need to provide your full name and of course your address in Switzerland so we can arrange collection.
Next, you’ll need an inventory of the goods you are having moved for the driver and if you have any alcohol in the shipment, you will need to ensure you have a full itemisation of the bottles or boxes! This is actually very important so do not forget it!
Next you will need to fill in form C3 (click here to download it) and sign it.
You will see when you look at the form that it is the official document required to bring your personal belongings to the United Kingdom – so do not forget it!
You will also need to make sure you have arranged a UK Customs Clearing Agent as they will be able ensure there are no issues in the UK when your shipment arrives and they have the expertise to resolve all sorts of things should there be an issues.
Finally, if you have new goods or items, you will need to make sure you have your original sales invoice, made out to the address in Switzerland which MUST be provided, along with a EUR1 certificate if requested by us or your removal firm.
If you are moving to Switzerland and want to know all the essentials, then contact us or give us a call for some solid advice and help with finding the correct forms you need.
Don’t get caught out because you didn’t know! While Switzerland is not that far from places like Germany and France who are in the EU, there are very different rules for people importing or exporting their personal possessions from or to Switzerland, so it’s always worth checking the essentials!
Here at Trek Removals, we are experienced at removals in our catchment area of London, but we also cover International moves and have assisted people who are relocating or returning to their country after living in London.
So, we thought it would be a good idea to offer some guidance on removals that include some of our main services to and from Europe.
Today we’ll look at Switzerland, which over the years we have undertaken a lot of removals to and from and in particular Import in to Switzerland. We will be following this up with our Export from Switzerland to the UK in one of our next blogs, so be sure to look back for the updates.
Usually when someone is looking at an International move to somewhere like Switzerland, there is actually a lot to cover – that doesn’t just involve packing your belongings up.
Usually once a client has accepted our services and booked their removal we request an original duly completed 18.44 Swiss Customs Form. This is very important for removals to Switzerland, where the paperwork is very specific.
A customs form needs to be signed by the person who is relocating to Switzerland.
The next step is just as crucial and where in the UK, a removal may include relatively well labelled boxes for example, with a few ‘little extras you might have forgotten about’, with Switzerland it needs to be 100% accurate.
You can pack your own possessions if you are moving to Switzerland, but you will need to complete a full and comprehensive Inventory List. This will list all the items you are packing for customs purposes. Also, if you are taking alcohol back with you, then you do need to have itemised the list for those bottles and boxes when it is going in or out of the country.
You may prefer to look at having us pack for you if this seems rather daunting though, as we have undertaken a number of relocations for people to Switzerland and therefore know how it needs to be laid out.
You need a copy of your Swiss ID Card. If this is not available then you will need a copy of your Swiss Passport or if you are another nationality, your Passport and copy of your permit or visa, to show you are legally allowed to be in Switzerland.
If you are purchasing or renting your property in Switzerland then you will need a copy of the agreement for the property in Switzerland. You will also not be able to import your possessions or goods BEFORE you take possession of the property itself.
You will then need to provide a copy of your proof of employment, which can be an official contract for example.
Also a copy of ‘ATTESTATION’ at Town Hall, which is a certificate / document for registering your residence in the Canton.
Finally, if you have new goods or items, you will need to make sure you have your original sales invoice, made out to the address in Switzerland which MUST be provided, along with a EUR1 certificate if requested by us or your removal firm.
If you are moving to Switzerland and want to know all the essentials, then contact us or give us a call for some solid advice and help with finding the correct forms you need.
In a previous blog we took you through our European Removals process for homes. This blog will go into more detail about the international shipping and storage side of the UK removal process, whether you are moving home or moving business and how we transport your goods to their new destination overseas.
In this scenario Trek Removals becomes Trek International shipping and storage services. The service is tailored to meet your requirements. We work to your moving schedule and around your destination specifics. Domestic or commercial moves, it doesn’t matter. We understand that no two moves are ever the same.
So how does the international moving process work?
We’ll assign a shipping container and crew dedicated to your removals and shipping requirements overseas with an exact collection and delivery date and time, to lessen any stress. If necessary we can store your goods for you until you are ready for them to be shipped by our removals overseas team.
Just as with full European removals, where group-age is required we will give you an exact collection date and time, and can provide an estimated delivery date and time. This does however make it very cost effective for you as we are able utilize our container space more effectively.
What are the specifics of the service?
We offer full or part load international Shipping that can transport a majority of your items and goods and deliver them to anywhere around the world. All your goods will be transported and shipped in secure, strong storage units designed for travel purpose. There is no need to worry about insurance. All of your belongings are fully insured whilst in transit from UK to its new location. On top of this we offer an unpacking service at certain destinations.
Trek storage and removal service offers a totally flexible service to fit in with you, give us a call or send us an email to discuss your options, be that, storage relocation, removals services, storage or removals quotes.
Many people these days have had enough of the rat race and while some give up their jobs, assign a removal company to move their belongings from London to somewhere in the countryside and look forward to a new life, there are others who literally pack everything up, store it somewhere and go on an adventure!
If you’ve considered doing this yourself, you’ll know that your belongings are often a big problem. After all, while you can always replace that bookshelf, or sofa, there are some things that you know you don’t want to lose under any circumstances. Things like family photos, furniture and personal mementos.
Just because you want the freedom doesn’t mean you have to risk losing the special things that you own and there are a number of storage options that will allow you to keep your belongings safe, while enjoying your time without worry.
So what are your options?
You can get your very own, highly secure storage space that will allow you to keep all your possessions in one place, dry and totally secure.
Your possessions will be protected by 24 hour CCTV security, fully insured and most importantly unique coding so that your possessions are fully sealed.
You could theoretically have every room of your house stored in separate containers and then once you’ve returned from your travels or work relocation contract, have those containers delivered back to you, fully assembled.
Why is self-storage so attractive?
Many people say that when they’ve decided to move or change their life drastically, the one thing that self-storage has offered, aside from security, is a freedom quite unlike anything else.
We have all dreamed of a life of freedom but actually getting it can be a truly uplifting experience that even after forty years of collecting mementos and personal belongings can still be ‘put on hold’ while we move around the world with no ‘anchor’ to keep us down.
Self-storage is also good value and if you for instance are letting your house out while you’re away, it saves the worry of any potential breakages of furniture while you’re away.
If you’d like information on self-storage and how we can help you relocate, store your effects on-going or indeed keep them for a year or beyond, simply CONTACT US for information.
You’ll find we’re very reasonable in price and have the most state of the art storage facilities for clients who are based in London or surrounding areas.
Since this Trek Removals blog series on moving horror stories began, we have discovered some truly nightmare removal scenarios and stories that have been endured by many different hopeful home movers. The blogs have covered areas such as cowboy removal firms, the perils of operating a moving van yourself and what happens when household items/goods are not secured properly.
As a specialst London Removals Service, we pride ourselves in knowing how to treat clients and how to offer removals services that provide the very best service and costs for homeowners who want a specialist firm.
These blogs are a guide to moving home and moving house acting as cautionary tales of potential problems to avoid encountering and situations that may require circumventing. In today’s blog Trek Removals London, takes you to a block of flats for this London removal horror story where a single lady planned to move floors from her ground floor flat to the 21st floor.
She said that it was due to the 21st floor flat being far more spacious and secure than her ground floor one that prompted her to move up in the world. Now for what should have been a simple floor to floor move, considering there was no requirement for moving vans, removal men, transportation or going outside at all, it all went wrong very quickly.
You see, to begin with, the lifts could only take so much weight inside which meant that the sofas and bed were out for the count. The Lady was forced to rope in some neighbours to help her carry up the two large sofas and double bed up the twenty-one flights of stairs. This was the first problem.
The next problem was that the sofas had scratched along many of the stairwell walls, which had just been decorated a month before. The Lady was asked to reimburse the cost of this damage by the building’s Head of Tenant’s Association. The overall cost of the damage to walls was relatively high for scratches and scrapes but she paid it.
After all the big items had been moved upstairs, the Lady thought she could finally relax by taking up the smaller items by lift. Everything was packed in boxes so she began filling the lift up with as many of them as possible. This was the third problem.
On her way up to the 21st floor she realised that she had overloaded the lift because it clanked to a stop. She pressed the emergency bell and waited for almost one hour for help to arrive. Thankfully, she was not claustrophobic.
By the time the lift was restored to working order the Lady decided to jump straight into her bed in the new flat on the 21st floor, leaving the rest of the boxes in her old ground floor flat to move the next day. We couldn’t blame her.
London has a number of high rise apartments and properties and moving in to one can require a lot of thought and attention (as well as strength) for anyone who needs a removals service, so this is probably one of the best reasons to consider using a removals company in London rather than try and do it all yourself.
Even a home move that is as seemingly simple as an inter-building removal can cause its own series of escalating dilemmas and crisis’. Trek Removals offers a fully comprehensive removal service to help you pack, move, transport and deliver your home furniture and household goods to where they need to be. It can be a home move from one side of the world to another, or just down the hall and up the stairs. Either way, we believe that these kinds of horror stories of home removals gone very awry can be avoided with the help of a professional moving company. Contact us for further information and advice or even for a free moving quote.
