Moving Abroad - The FAQs
Below you will find a list of the most frequently asked questions about the services of Seven Seas Worldwide together with some general information about the challenges faced when moving abroad.
Our Service
Q) Do you charge for empty cartons?
A) No we do not. And because of this, we advise you to order more than you need! It's difficult to know exactly how many cartons will be required when moving, so it is better to overestimate than underestimate. Just return the cartons you don't use.
Q) Can I use my own cartons?
A) Yes but please make sure that any cartons or boxes you use are strong and reliable. We don't want the bottoms falling out as they're being loaded onto the van! The cartons provided by Seven Seas Worldwide are chemically-hardened to withstand long journeys so our advice would be to get your FREE cartons from us. If you do wish to use your own cartons and boxes, make sure you inform us of their dimensions as accurately as possible for an exact quote.
Q) Will you except my suitcase?
A) Yes. And we'll take plenty more besides including backpacks and holdalls. Just pack your suitcase as normal and we'll store it in one of our cartons for transportation. Contact us today about the items you intend to send and we'll provide you with an accurate quote.
Q) Do you provide free packing materials?
A) Yes we do. We provide FREE packing materials at the same time as the empty cartons to help you pack your belongings safely and securely. These consist of bubble wrap, parcel tape and even a big marker pen for marking those cartons clearly!
Q) How long can I keep the cartons for?
A) You can keep the cartons for as long as you like. We recommend that you order your cartons the moment you decide to move! Start packing now and you'll erase any last minute nightmares. A good starting point would be to pack seasonal items, so if you're moving during the summer why not pack all your warm winter clothes?
Delivery and Collection
Q) Can the day and time for collection, delivery and redelivery be specified?
A) Yes. You will receive an SMS message on the evening before the day of your collection, delivery or redelivery, providing that your address is in a city served by our drivers. The message will inform you of the time slot that our driver will be knocking on your door. (Please take into account those moments of traffic disruption that are beyond our control!)
If due to a technical problem you do not receive your SMS message, just open the email we sent you at the time of your order and click on the link to access your personal order details. Within these details will be the time slot that has been allocated for you. Alternatively, you can always speak to us over the phone before 6.00pm.
Q) When can my empty cartons be delivered if I decide to order them today?
A) Depending on the region, we can deliver your empty cartons the next day as long as you order them before 2.00pm (unless it's a Sunday).
Q) What will happen if my cartons exceed the maximum weight?
A) If the driver arrives and finds that you have overloaded the cartons, then it is at their discretion whether or not they decide to load your cartons. If they cannot carry the cartons, they will refuse to do so and leave. However, if they do take your cartons away and they are found to be over the maximum limit, then a charge will be made based on the assumption that you would have packed an extra carton or cartons.
There are many ways of ensuring that your cartons do not exceed the maximum weight of 30kg / 40 kg. Remember to distribute all the heavy items in your possession evenly. If you overload your cartons with too many heavy items, you will find it impossible to move it; it may even cause serious injury.
Another option may be to consider storing or selling some items that are weighing your consignment down. Maybe in this digital age of downloading and file sharing, you might want to reconsider transporting your enormous CD and DVD collections? It will reduce the cost too! Avoid any unnecessary charges by weighing your cartons beforehand - bathroom scales will do the job!
Transport Insurance Options
Q) Should I insure my shipment and if so, what type of insurance do you offer?
A) If your items are important enough to be shipped overseas, presumably they're important enough to be insured! For peace of mind, take a quick look at our insurance options.
Total Loss Insurance - We provide a Total Loss Insurance cover of £100.00 (or equivalent currency depending on the country of origin) for each carton. It is the company policy of Seven Seas Worldwide to recommend this minimal insurance cover but if you wish to opt out, you are free to do so.
All Risk Insurance - The insurance cover is calculated as 5% of the 'replacement value' of the items of your inventory. The cover includes theft of items from the shipment, water damage and total loss of the entire shipment. The 'replacement value' is the equivalent to the cost of repurchasing the lost items. It is important to remember that as with all insurance claims, there is an 'insurance excess liability' amount whereby the customer is liable for an initial proportionate amount of the claim being recorded.
At this current time, the 'excess liability' for insurance placed with Aviva is based upon a UK Sterling amount of £50.00 (fifty pounds) or the equivalent local currency. All claims are subject to the standard 'Insurance Terms and Conditions'. An excess payment exists on any single claim.
Moving Abroad - General FAQs
Q) When should I contact the removal service?
A) It is never too early to contact us for advice on packing, timescale, etc. With Seven Seas Worldwide, you can order your cartons as soon and for as long as you want. After you've packed them ready for shipping overseas, just give us a call and we'll come and collect them. We would advise getting your personal belongings in order as soon as you have made the decision to move.
Q) What should I do if the cost of shipping abroad is too expensive?
A) If you find yourself stressing about the sheer amount of stuff you have to take, then it is time to be ruthless! If you wish to ship belongings that could be replaced abroad, leave them here! Car boot sales, charity shops, online auctions and storage solutions can all reduce the number of your cartons being shipped overseas.
Don't forget that you could have a lot of fun seeking out the bargains in the department stores of your host country! The price of a new wardrobe or bed will be a fraction of the cost of packing and shipping your old ones across the globe. We understand the need to take keepsakes and items of sentimental value but when it comes to a non-descript piece of furniture, we suggest selling it, storing it or donating it.
You may be the owner of expensive items of furniture such as a leather lounge suite and feel inclined to take it with you but if your host country has a warmer climate, leather will be the last material you'll want to sit on! Always consider how your furniture will react to changing temperatures.
Another aspect to consider before you start moving is the age of a piece of furniture. You maybe attached to your bed but did you know that after ten years it is advisable to buy a new bed anyway?
Q) When is the best time to move?
A) If you can choose a time, we recommend avoiding the summer holidays, the end of the month adn the Christmas and New Year period. Our service tends to get booked up during those times of the year when people are returning home for the holidays.
Q) Can my belongings be stored temporarily?
A) If you need your items to be stored in between destinations, you can take advantage of our reliable storage service. Plus if you're shipping internationally, you can claim one month's FREE storage! Speak to us today for more information.
Q) Will you take my sports equipment?
A) We can take sports equipment, musical instruments and any other unusual object that you simply can't live without! At Seven Seas Worldwide we have a range of specially-designed cartons to accommodate the slightly more unusual belongings in your possession! We'll also take care of your fragile items including glassware and china. Call us now about packing solutions.
Q) How would you advise the best way to pack a PC?
A) As with other electrical items such as TVs, we strongly advise you place your PC back inside its original packaging. If it cannot be located (and we don't blame you!) then find a similar and suitable carton that can take the dimensions and weight of your PC. Then insert the carton safely inside one of our chemically-hardened cartons. Remember to back up all software and data before packing. And if you're taking a printer, remove the ink cartridge!
Q) Will my electrical items work abroad?
Find out the voltage of the country you're moving to and see if your devices can support that level. Most electrical items will have voltage information printed somewhere on them but for further information, we recommend consulting the World Electric Guide.