Moving internationally or domestically? Not sure where to start, especially when it comes to an international move? Should you go with air freight or ocean freight? A full or partial container? Is a 20-foot container enough or do you need a 40-foot container? How do you know what your best options are?
With our Frequently Asked Moving Questions, you’ll find details regarding everything you need to know to plan your move. From deadlines and packing tips to navigating a post-pandemic world and documentation advice, answers from our move experts have got you covered. Make sure to give this a thorough read to prevent delays, additional costs, damages, or anything that could go wrong along the way.
Getting Started FAQs
Go to our homepage and fill out a quick form with your information.
Quotes are usually sent within 48-72 hours from the day you register on our website.
All our Proposals are door-to-door inclusive, unless stated otherwise.
Our Physical and Virtual Surveys are free of charge.
Our consultants will coordinate directly with you to choose the best possible time. They are available for surveys from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday.
While Crown's professional crews will always securely pack your belongings, it is important to remember that your goods will be traveling by ship, plane, truck or other mode of transport—each of which carries inherent risks.
For your peace of mind, we offer CrownCare, transit insurance that provides full replacement cost coverage on a door-to-door, all-risks basis.
As well as offering lump sum or full detailed inventory options, additional protection is available to cover pairs and sets, electrical and mechanical derangement and damage through mold and mildew.
General Relocation FAQs
We ask our customers, whether moving domestically or internationally to start the moving process about 2 to 4 months prior to their likely service date.
Domestically, yes, but please do some research on proper packing techniques to ensure safe travel.
For international moves we are in a world of heightened security. Customs officials are far more likely to do an extensive inspection on an owner packed shipment. The cost of this inspection is often far greater than the cost of packing services.
During your consultation, your Crown consultant will discuss with you, crating requirements. Items typically require crating are as follows: large fragile or delicate items, mirrors, glass or marble table tops, large paintings or pictures and/or high value items.
If you are considering a move to a city with a higher cost of living than where you currently live, you want to make sure that your new salary will make up the difference. A great way to compare cities is by using a cost of living comparison tool.
There are several available online, including this one from Payscale:
It’s important to confirm your booking as early as possible, as we foresee a rather busy move season in 2021. Some flexibility may be needed on short notice moves
HR may not be aware of the affects of the pandemic, let us know and we will be happy to speak to your HR and advise them of the issues and encourage them to initiate the process earlier than they may have done in the past.
Any corporate initiation really should come through your HR company so to ensure service level agreements are met and proper invoicing parties are confirmed.
Your possessions can be stored either at origin or destination, as necessary. Crown has state-of-the-art storage facilities in over 180 locations across the globe, so your personal belongings can be specially packed and moved to a Crown storage facility for as long as you wish.
Moving During a Pandemic FAQs
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It depends on multiple factors such as the shipping line, route, time of the year, container shortages and port delays. Speak with a Move Manager who will be able to give you the most up to date information.
Most shipments require more than 7 days to deliver, so at present there is no requirement for disinfection.
See CDC guidelines and FAQ’s
Our packing and moving crews are taking the coronavirus pandemic very seriously. To that end, we have put into place protocols designed to protect our employees and our customers. These include:
- Following federal and local guidelines around social distancing and sanitization
- Conducting virtual surveys instead of in-home surveys to provide estimates
- Frequently sanitizing trucks and equipment
- Practicing social distancing with customers and, as much as possible, among moving teams
- Wearing masks and gloves
- Keeping trucks stocked with hand sanitizer
All of these practices help ensure that moving services can remain available in a safe way. A virtual move estimate for example provides you with the same quote you’d expect any time you hire movers without the need to have someone enter your home.
Plan early, book early and be prepared for possible extra charges related to storage requirement, freight increases, a lengthened transit time.
People who book well in advance have a better likelihood of securing a container for your move date.
All of our quotes include normal customs clearance and all known charges. But customs may require a more extensive inspection that isn't covered. This procedure has stayed the same as before the pandemic.