Planning your move
When should I arrange a quotation?
It is important not to leave your search for a relocation company until the last minute. Give yourself plenty of time to arrange in-home consultations, appoint a relocation company and finalize all of your arrangements.
We recommend you make contact a minimum of twelve weeks prior to your planned moving date.
We recommend you make contact a minimum of twelve weeks prior to your planned moving date.
How is the cost calculated?
The cost of your relocation is based on the total weight and volume of your shipment and the travel distance between origination and destination.
Your Relocation Consultant will be able to accurately measure your goods at the time of the in-home consultation and provide a relocation quotation based on this measurement.
Your Relocation Consultant will be able to accurately measure your goods at the time of the in-home consultation and provide a relocation quotation based on this measurement.
What does the quote include?
No two relocations are the same, so Crown's quotation will be specifically tailored to your individual requirements.
Quotations for domestic moves may include:
- Transportation cost
- Fuel surcharge (based on current Department of Energy fuel cost)
- Origin Service Charge
- Destination Service Charge
- Packing/unpacking
- Packing materials
- Preparation of an itemized inventory
- Pick up and collect from your home
Quotations for international moves may include:
- Supply of all new packing materials
- Packing of your household goods and personal effects by trained, experienced packers
- Preparation of an itemized inventory
- Collection from your home
- Crating/containerization and delivery to the terminal
- Preparation of all export documentation and all import documentation for the completion of Customs and Agricultural Clearances
- Payment of terminal charges
- Delivery direct to store/residence within a 50km radius of the destination port
- Unpacking and clearance of all waste materials on day of delivery, as required.
The quotation will exclude any import duties or taxes due in various countries, quarantine examinations if ordered or storage if required.
Your Relocation Consultant will be happy to explain this to you during the in-home consultation.
Your Relocation Consultant will be happy to explain this to you during the in-home consultation.
How far ahead should I book?
Ideally, you should confirm dates as soon as possible, as dates are often booked well in advance.
Crown Relocations will always aim to match the dates you require. Some days (particularly Fridays) are busier than others, so it will help if you can be flexible.
Crown Relocations will always aim to match the dates you require. Some days (particularly Fridays) are busier than others, so it will help if you can be flexible.
Does Crown offer a worldwide relocation service?
Crown Relocations has over 180 offices in almost 60 countries, all of which are linked by a common operating system.
During a relocation, the Crown office at origin and the Crown office at your destination continuously share important information in order to ensure the relocation is a success.
All commitments made prior to departure will be carried out by dedicated Crown staff at the other end of the move.
During a relocation, the Crown office at origin and the Crown office at your destination continuously share important information in order to ensure the relocation is a success.
All commitments made prior to departure will be carried out by dedicated Crown staff at the other end of the move.
What are Crown's quality standards?
Crown has earned ISO certification in the majority of its worldwide locations.
External quality audits are carried out by ISO representatives on a regular basis, ensuring that standards are upheld and our customers always receive a high-quality service.
External quality audits are carried out by ISO representatives on a regular basis, ensuring that standards are upheld and our customers always receive a high-quality service.
Our pursuit of the highest possible quality service has led Crown to develop the QUEST Quality Management Program. With our history and knowledge of the relocation industry, Crown has been able to create a system that sets the standard for quality.
Does Crown offer Goods in Transit insurance?
For full-service relocation, Crown's professional crews will always securely pack your belongings. It is important to remember that your goods will be traveling by truck, plane, ship, 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.
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.
Moving day
Are any items prohibited from my shipment?
Certain household items are considered hazardous and may be illegal to ship. For your protection, omit the following items:
- Alcohol
- Firearms and ammunition
- Hazardous items, including aerosol cans, heating agents (such as Sterno), nail polish/remover, fire extinguisher, gas cylinders, paints, varnishes, solvents, thinners, oild, ammonia, bleach, household cleaners, chlorine granules or powder, muriatic (hydrochloric) acid, auto batteries, charcoal/lighter fluid, matches and lighters, combustible items
In addition to hazardous materials, we recommend that you personally transport perishable items and those of personal value. These may include:
- Live plants
- Prescription medicines
- Stocks, bonds, securities
- Collections (coins, stamps, etc.)
- Insurance policies
- Currency
- Jewelry, furs
- Other important documents
Please note that the above list is not exhaustive and Crown Relocations will be able to advise you of further prohibited items. If moving internationally, each country may have its own restrictions.
Do I need to do anything to prepare for the packing day?
Crown's expert team of packers will take care of everything on the day.
Prior to their arrival:
Prior to their arrival:
- Dispose of any items you do not wish to take with you.
- Clear out the garage, attic and basement.
- Disconnect and defrost refrigerators and freezers.
- Drain washing machine.
- Remove fixtures and fittings from walls.
- Thoroughly clean all outdoor equipment.
Remember to keep separate any items you will need to take with you when traveling, including identification or passports, money, travel documents, important paperwork, jewelry, valuables and suitcases.
Crown's Relocation Planner contains plenty of helpful hints to prepare for your relocation and will be left with you at the time of your in-home consultation.
Crown's Relocation Planner contains plenty of helpful hints to prepare for your relocation and will be left with you at the time of your in-home consultation.
Will Crown pack and unpack all of my possessions for me?
For full-service relocation, Crown's packing teams will expertly pack and wrap your goods ready for shipment.
All packers are fully trained and will make sure your possessions are well protected and perfectly safe throughout the entire process of your relocation.
At destination, we will unpack your goods and dispose of any debris on delivery day at your new residence.
All packers are fully trained and will make sure your possessions are well protected and perfectly safe throughout the entire process of your relocation.
At destination, we will unpack your goods and dispose of any debris on delivery day at your new residence.
Can I pack any of my possessions myself?
Damage incurred to items you pack yourself may not be covered by transit insurance.
We strongly advise that you let Crown pack all of your household items and personal effects. All Crown crews are professionally trained and have years of experience packing people's precious belongings.
We strongly advise that you let Crown pack all of your household items and personal effects. All Crown crews are professionally trained and have years of experience packing people's precious belongings.
Will the packing crew use the original materials for my appliances or large items?
If you are a full-service relocation customer and have any of the original cartons and packing materials for your appliances or other household items, make sure that you inform your Crew Supervisor. He or she will inspect the materials to determine whether your items will be safer using these or our own specialized materials.
Can my possessions be stored at one of Crown's warehouses?
Your possessions can be stored either at origin or destination, as necessary. Crown can arrange for your belongings to be securely stored anywhere across the country, or the world, for as long as you wish.
Can I track my shipment online?
All of Crown's worldwide facilities are linked by a common communication and operating network.
This technological investment means that before you arrive at your destination, the local Crown office will already have up-to-date information on your relocation.
This technological investment means that before you arrive at your destination, the local Crown office will already have up-to-date information on your relocation.
What happens when my possessions arrive at their destination?
Before you depart, your Move Manager will give you the details for your coordinator at the Crown office where you’re moving to, along with your shipment details and the estimated date of arrival.
If you’re moving internationally, when you arrive in your new city, you will be contacted by the local Crown office who will coordinate inbound clearance, confirm the status of the goods, organize a date for delivery and discuss any storage requirements. Many countries require you to be present in order for your goods to clear customs, but each country has different rules that apply. Your Relocation Consultant can confirm the regulations for your situation.
If you’re moving internationally, when you arrive in your new city, you will be contacted by the local Crown office who will coordinate inbound clearance, confirm the status of the goods, organize a date for delivery and discuss any storage requirements. Many countries require you to be present in order for your goods to clear customs, but each country has different rules that apply. Your Relocation Consultant can confirm the regulations for your situation.