How soon should I contact a removal company?

It's never too early to start looking at which company you will use to move your belongings as there can be a lot to think about.

It is never too early to contact us for information and advice, we would recommend contacting us approximately 2-3 months before your move date to arrange a pre move survey and free quotation.

How much will it cost to move abroad?

The cost is based on a number of factors including the overall volume of your shipment, usually in cubic feet, the access at both properties, your destination and the service elements you select.

Our Move Consultants are expertly trained in accurately assessing the volume of your goods at the pre move survey so you can be confident that your quotation will reflect this.

What about packing and unpacking my belongings?

We offer a full service including packing and unpacking of all your items. For some destinations you may be able to choose to do part or all of your packing yourselves should you wish to do so, however due to strict customs regulations in many countries we would always advise that you let us take care of this for you to ensure the smooth running of your move.

Can I pack my own boxes?

For international moving it is not recommended that you pack yourselves. This is due to some countries having customs restrictions on owner packed goods and also the specialised export packing that goods moving internationally require in order to remain secure and safe.

Our crews are expertly trained specifically in export packing to ensure your goods are fully protected for transportation worldwide.

Your Move Manager will be able to advise you if there are restrictions on owner packed goods for your destination.

What happens at destination? Who will deliver my belongings?

As shareholder members of the worlds largest moving network - UniGroup Worldwide UTS - we have partners at over 1,500 service centres worldwide.

These partners must meet strict quality standards to become members of the group so you can rest assured that you will receive the same high standard of service at destination that you do at origin.

We will always tell you in your quotation which partner we plan to use at destination to ensure you are happy with this.

How long does will it take for my shipment to arrive?

Shipments by sea vary in length depending on your destination and your method of shipment. As a guide:

Please be aware however these times can fluctuate due to external factors such as customs clearance and may be out of our control. We will of course keep you fully informed of the estimated date of arrival.

What is the best method of shipping my household goods?

Your Move Manager will be able to advise you of this as it will vary depending on your requirements. As a guideline:

Exclusive Use Container - this is a sole use 20 or 40ft container and will be the fastest method of sea shipment.

Less than Container Load - although slower than an exclusive use container this is the fastest way of moving smaller loads that do not warrant a sole use container. Items are secured and overcased in wood then consolidated with consignments for the same destination.

Groupage - This is the cheapest way of moving your goods as you only pay for the space required. It can however be slower than exclusive use or LCL shipments as goods are consolidated with those of other consignments from our customers heading for the same destination.

Do I have to be at destination for goods to clear customs?

It is usual that you will need to be present at destination when your goods arrive to present your passport to the customs office.

Although we will obtain all necessary paperwork prior to your departure some countries may request to see the originals or ask for additional customs paperwork to be completed.

Your Move Manager will be able to provide customs information for your specific country when arranging your move.

What items can I and can't I send?

We will provide you with a customs guide for your destination to let you know exactly what you can and can't take with you - but please just ask if there is anything particular you have concerns about.

Can I ship my car abroad?

Yes! However some countries have certain restrictions on types of car you may import and for most destinations you will require import permits and customs paperwork to be completed. But don't worry, you're move manager will provide you with all the necessary information to allow you to make an informed decision.

How do I arrange a pre move survey?

Just give us a call on 0845 070 2007 and we will arrange this for you alternatively you can book a survey online for a mutually convenient date and time.

Do I need a pre move survey?

It is normal practice for a Move Consultant to visit your home to accurately assess the volume of goods to be moved and discuss your specific move requirements. This visit also gives you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have and find out a little bit more about what your move involves.

If however you only have a small quantity of goods to be moved or do not have the time for a survey we are able to send you a self survey form for you to complete and email back to us. We can then calculate your quotation and move plan based on the information you supply.

What happens after the survey?

The Move Consultant will send the information immediately to your Move Manager who will create your individual move plan and produce your quotation. They will then send this to you for your perusal. Please do not hesitate to contact your move manager to discuss any aspect of your quote, they will be happy to go over this with you.

If you are happy with the quote just sign and return the acceptance form. If you know your move date already just give us a call and we will book the date for you, if you don't know yet don't worry, just let us know when you do.

What about moving my pets?

We have excellent links with some of the best pet shipping companies, meaning that if you want to take your pet with you we can arrange this on your behalf. We will provide all the information you require on the process involved to give you the peace of mind that your pet will arrive safely and comfortably.

Some pets cannot be moved and some countries have restrictions on which animals they will allow to be imported.

Can you take items from the loft?

Yes but for health and safety reasons we can only do so providing the loft is properly boarded and there is a suitable loft ladder and lighting fitted.

How much notice do I need to give to book my move?

Try to give us as much notice as possible, so let us know when you know! But don't worry, we understand the complications with putting a date to moving house and our extensive resources allow us to be flexible to your needs - just give us a call and keep us up to date and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

When do you require payment?

We will require payment in clear funds a minimum of 7 days before your move date unless specifically agreed otherwise in advance.

Do you have specially trained export packers?

Yes, all our crews undergo specialist export packing training modules taught by our own BAR trained instructor and are kept up to date on the latest packing materials and techniques.

All our staff are full time employees of Bournes and we do not use temporary packing staff.

What happens if something happens to the company while my goods are being shipped?

We are members of the British Association of Removers Overseas Moving Group and therefore provide an Advanced Payment Guarantee.

What this means is that in the event of something happening to our company whilst your goods are in transit it is guaranteed that your goods will still be delivered safely to your door by a BAR member at no additional cost.