Pacificcrating

Busting six myths about local movers and international movers

Introduction

Is it time for you to relocate your space? Are you considering a local move from San Francisco to Los Angeles, San Francisco to California or are you looking for international moving companies? You probably did speak to people who have moved in the past and their experience with the movers. Some may have had horror stories to share while others may have their share of truths to share. Over time as such opinions move around, they crystalize as facts or myths become accepted truths. When you decide to move, it is important to remember that though there may be an element of truth to these stories, there is also a sense of exaggeration that you need to evaluate. So you need to really do a thorough research before making a decision. You will come to discover more truths and realize that some were never even discussed!

Busting the Myths

We all want to save a few bucks during a move. You may have possibly read or been told that it may be cheaper to opt for a rental truck than hire the services of a moving company. But have you considered that when it boils down to the pricing, there may not be so much of a difference?

One option includes all services bundled in while for the other, apart from paying for the truck rental, you will have to pay for insurance, fuel, tolls, permits and the list only keeps adding on.

With professional movers, they are also responsible for taking care of your belongings and are liable for any damage to your property during transit. This is not so in the case of renting a truck, where you are pretty much responsible for every aspect of your move and your property.

Some may convince you that you are better off packing and moving on your own than hiring professionals who may not deliver.

The professionals will also be far more acquainted in preparing for local moves or international moves that involve numerous documents. If you are on your own, consider the odds of missing a critical documentation? Your goods will be held up until the required paper work is cleared and this could be a long drawn process.

Do not be surprised to hear that all local or international movers are no different from each other or charge the same rates or similar rates across the board. Nothing can be more different from the truth.

Every movers and packers organisation offers a range of services and special features. Some may be new to the business while others may have enjoyed a long run with good customer reviews. The rates reflect these service offerings.

You can pick up any moving box from the local grocery store or the liquor store. After all, all boxes are one and the same! Wrong again. The box you choose should be suitable for the item you are packaging. Boxes should be durable to withstand the journey. Grocery bags can be flimsy and can wear down quickly, damaging your goods in the process.

Learn how to begin custom crating?

Introduction

Are you in the business of shipping? Does your business involve both local and overseas shipping services? You probably also use craters and freighters for the transportation of goods and services.  With a large, diverse clientele with a variety of packing and shipping needs, you may want to consider designing custom crates from recycled materials to not only ensure the items are secured and reach their intended destination without a scratch, but also save time and cost. You can also create reusable crates which can be used in trade shows and events.

Designing Custom Crates

Designing custom crates can be a lot of fun and learning. Each furniture or item that needs to be shipped may be of a different dimension. So if you are getting into the idea or business of custom crating service, remember there is no one size that fits all. Initially, the process may be time consuming. However, if you are organized and have a plan in place, then you should be able to build your custom crate in under five to ten minutes!

This also means that you will require highly skilled staff and resources that are trained to assess the packaging needs of any shipment and plan accordingly.

For example, depending on the nature of the shipment such as perishable or hazardous items, it may require foam lining, blocking and bracing, or a custom paint job.

Determining the right packaging solution ahead of custom crating is critical.

With the world moving towards a greener environment, the need to identify and use recyclable materials has become a necessity.

Implement strategies in your organisation that collect manufacturing scrap items such as hinges, plywood, nails, or melamine sheets for instance and utilize them in your shipping crates.

Let’s say that you have a shipment that has to travel a short distance in one small vehicle. In that case, you can use the recycled items to build a custom crate, mount the item, and then secure the crate with a wooden frame to protect it from damage. However, in the case of furniture that may be moved innumerable times between warehouses and trucks, it will require far more protection to prevent any damage to the item. In that case, your custom crate should be fully enclosed in a protective material such as oriental strand board sheathing or plywood.

Keep in mind that the items you use such as natural wood will also need to have the ISPM stamp also known as, International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures that ensure prevention of transmission of invasive species between countries. This means that the wood has been treated for pests. However processed wood products do not require this certification. Ensure you use heavy-duty screws to fasten your crate and secure it with a screw gun. Avoid being tempted to use temporary screws that will corrode quickly, lose their strength and compromise your business.

What are things that need to be done before movers arrive?

Introduction

Whether you are preparing yourself for a local move from San Francisco to California or if you are engaging International moving companies, the key word is to prepare for the move, so tomorrow you are not sorry.  A thorough preparation well-in-advance will ensure that you have not missed out any item in the checklist. Should you miss out even crucial item during ahead of your relocation, it could make all the difference between a successful move and a failed one. So if you are relocating to another country or planning to locally move to another place, start doing your homework right away. You will be all set before your international movers or local movers and packers arrive.

The Prep Work

First things, first! Pay close attention even to the smallest of details. Do not underestimate the impact of any item on your overall moving and relocation process.

Start scouting the area to identify a list of potential international moving companies or international movers if you are relocating to a new country. Even if it is a local move from San Francisco to California, the same rule applies.

Check with immediate family and friends who can give you their trustworthy referrals, based on their own packing and moving experience.

Look into the background of these international movers and local movers. This should include the number of years in the business, the services they offer, and customer reviews. This should give you considerable insight to help you shortlist the list of movers and packers you want to move further with.

In the next round of drill-down, speak to the shortlisted companies for free estimates based on your relocation needs. This should also help you compare it to your budget you would have allocated for your relocation needs.

Reputed and professional movers will also walk you through the entire relocation process including the documentation that is required for customs if applicable.

So now that you have zeroed in your international movers or local mover, is the job done? Not at all. You still have the huge job of segregating items that you no longer need, fragile items that have to be packed with the right material, and packing other regular items that need to be organized in boxes. You can choose to either give away items you no longer need or sell them and save a few bucks in the process.

There may be items that your movers and packers may not ship such as hazardous items, for example. Pack the items in the right carton or package. Why pay unnecessarily for extra weight?

Another best practice is to label the boxes and organize them according to your new space. So objects that need to be organized in the living room can be directly placed in its new space without any chaos or confusion.

Picture Your Local and Long Distance Movers on Top

Introduction

The prospect of moving your home or office to an entirely new location can be a daunting task. It can be exciting or stressful depending on how well you have prepared for the entire relocation. Irrespective of whether you choose overseas shipping services, crating services, craters or freighters, long distance moves can become time-consuming and frustrating.  To make the process easier, it is important to do your groundwork.

Planning for Local and Long Distance Moves

Plan Well in Advance

You must start your groundwork well-in-advance of your relocation date. Typically a two to three-month window will give you enough time to do your research about the local or long distance moving companies in the area. There are dime a dozen of such professional movers that are listed online as well as in books. Not everyone can meet your needs. There are a number of criteria to consider when evaluating movers and making the final decision.

First make a list of the potential movers you want to consider. This can also be based on recommendations from family and friends.

Next, you must engage with them regularly to understand the range of services they provide. For example, check if they provide crating services, professionals to pack your items, overseas shipping, including craters and freighters

Based on first impressions, you will be able to gauge their customer service standards. You will know if you will receive sufficient support if you have any issues.

Filter this list further to make a final selection.

Complete Sufficient Background Check

Second, once you have filtered this list, research their background to understand their experience in the field.

A well-established company also has a documented procedure is probably a better choice.

Probe and ask as many questions as possible.

Check for the choice of materials that will be in use for the kind of furniture you want to move. If you havmaterials materials e fragile items or items of high value, clearly bring this forward.

Further, with the world materials moving towards the use of environment friendly and reusable materials, ensure your movers do the same.

Another good option is to verify the reputation of your movers and packers with the Chamber of Commerce. Given their business needs, both organisations enjoy a mutual healthy business relationship.

Check for movable quotes

Check for quotes offered by your movable company. You have not yet made your decision at this time, but simply getting all the key evaluating criteria together. A thorough professional company will give a clear estimation for the type of service you choose. Freights and craters will have different quotes from overseas shipping and crating services. Based on further analysis and discussions, an established company will provide alternative options to help you make a choice.

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How to Make less on Shipping Costs with Perfect Packaging Procedures?

Introduction

Today’s market place is more competitive than ever. It is not just a monopoly of a handful of key players, but has become a level playing field for all businesses irrespective of their size. The access to resources, infrastructure, and the ability to absorb financial fluctuations are some of the differentiating factors among them. Cost invariably becomes a crucial tipping point during major decision making.

The e-commerce business for example involves a tremendous amount of packaging and shipping products to customers. It does not mean that costs are automatically high, but what it draws our attention to is that by revisiting the processes and through continuous improvement, it is possible to refine your costs and make your returns on investment, more attractive both for your business and your customers.

Managing shipping costs

Depending on the nature of the business, it can be labour intensive or can be automated. Today, with the dearth of skills and resources, the cost of labour has been sky rocketing. With changing times and advanced technology available at your doorstep, it is a time to re-evaluate which aspects of your processes can be automated to cut down on the cost. There are a number of on-site packaging solutions available that you can leverage to bring down your overall costs by packaging your products in your own facility rather than sourcing them outside. In such as a case, even the overall logistics control and transportation becomes much more easier to monitor and manage.

You also have a host of materials to choose from since we are moving towards a more environmentally conscious world where customers are sensitive to carbon footprints. Studies have showed that a large percentage of wastage was generated from containers and packaging materials. The nature of the business environment also considers the social aspects along with the economic aspects to deliver optimal solutions. There are envelopes made from a certain portion of recycled materials, which in turn can be completely recycled. So doing your research in the kind of materials and packaging solutions are available is essential. Further, it also saves time, consumes comparatively less space, and improves productivity when you are especially dealing with high volume orders in seasons and time is money.

8 Simple Tricks that will Pump Up your Shipping almost Instantly

Introduction

In a fast paced world that we live in today, the need for direct store visits are slowly waning. With a host of ecommerce portals offering a myriad of services, online shopping from any part of the region or country are quickly becoming the norm. Be it vegetables, electronics, furniture, or essentials, almost everything can be procured online. When an order is placed, it does not simply imply a delivery. Customers pay for the secure packaging using the right packaging materials, on-time delivery, and receiving a good that is intact without any damage. No customer is going to be happy if they are going to receive a late shipment.

In order to establish their brand‘s trust worthiness and reliability, shipment services also offer online tracking where the customer can track the movement of their goods from one point to another until it reaches its final destination. While the large corporations have quickly warmed up to these new developments, the smaller retailers that are yet to catch on may find these rules and regulations quite overwhelming to deal with initially.

Pump up your shipping

Irrespective of the size and volume of your shipment, be it large containers or just a few boxes, it is critical that you package the items exactly. Why would you want to pay unnecessarily for excess weight and space? Choose the right packaging for the goods depending on their size. Irrespective of how small the deviation is, you will have to pay for that excess simply because you overlooked these small details. Remember, in shipping, the cost you pay is for both the size of the goods and its corresponding weight. So keep yourself abreast of the market and play with a few different styles of shipping products and sizes to get an idea of what will work best for the kind of goods you have to ship.

There may be a type of shipment that you are probably shipping more frequently than the others, and sometimes you may get a variation. Having an understanding of the kinds of shipment sizes you have to work with frequently will also help determine the best packaging material and size that will ensure you do not have cough up more money unnecessarily. Another aspect to consider is the type of products that can be shipped at a feasible rate. Even if you have received a large order, imagine if the cost of shipping is ten times more than its retail price. International shipping is also a complex and daunting process since you need to be well aware of what’s allowed and what’s not allowed as part of the country’s export and import rules and regulations.

Trends & Technologies: What’s New in The Shipping Industry?

Introduction The shipping industry needs no introduction. It has been around for decades shaping the transportation and logistics market. It has been a major contributor to the expansion of business and trade across the globe and is considered an efficient and effective mode of transportation of goods and services. Over the years with the world moving towards a trend dictated by a fast-paced technological growth, the shipping methods have also been impacted positively in the way they do business.

There has been a shift from traditional methods of transportation to more advanced technological methods. As the world economy continues to evolve, it also determines import and export prices and the way business is conducted. Mergers and acquisitions have also become commonplace to ensure everyone gets a share of the pie.

Trends & Technologies

Traditionally, the shipping industry used cargo, ships, radio signals for its transportation and communication with the logistic providers. Today, sensor technology has replaced the manual method of checking equipment on-board. By mapping the entire machinery to sensors that uses wireless technology, it has now become for time and cost efficient for teams to monitor and track the working conditions of the machinery. Using sensors means that they need to calibrated for improved performance and maximising efficiency. By harnessing the capabilities of this technology and pairing it with artificial intelligence as well as machine learning, it is even possible to access remote locations, read data and provide an analysis within a faster time-period.

Large corporates such as Amazon and Google are employing deep learning to study the shipping industry and build advanced data centres that will provide them deeper insights into their customer’s consumption pattern. These intelligence technologies make it easier to navigate the waters even without human interaction! So there has been a huge shift from a labour-intensive strategy to an investment in leading technologies that can improve both the landscape of the business as well as the overall customer experience. The Internet of Things (IoT) has already taken the business world by storm. IoT refers to the network of devices connected seamlessly to each other to create an interdependent system using software, sensors, electronics and other technologies.

In the shipping industry, imagine hooking up all the devices to sensors for example. Monitoring and maintenance becomes easier since data is exchanged seamlessly and in real-time. The Maersk Group is a leader in this space. Technological development blurs boundaries, but it does throw curveballs. It does not mean that everything is going to happen within a blink of an eye. Remotely controlled shipping vessels are being built and will be tested. This means shipping vessels will navigate the waters unmanned. 

How to handle every shipping challenge with ease using these tips

Introduction

It may be easier to ship a product, but for the shipping company the responsibilities begin just there, and it is not easy! The process of shipping a customer’s product from its point of origin to its final destination is fraught with innumerable obstacles to deal with such a package that is damaged or lost during transit, any other hidden fees that you may not be aware of, and of course, the most difficult process of them all is wading through the huge pile of paperwork that is required for customs and ensuring your product is cleared for shipment, getting your taxes in order, and then understanding and figuring out the logistics.

Efficiency and discipline is paramount in this industry, but these are the very issues the industry is also battling amidst growing competition.  However, all these challenges can be handled effectively with better planning and employing a few tips to make it a hassle free experience.

Handling Shipping Challenges

Almost every business enjoys both a local demand as well as an international demand. It does not matter that your business may be targeted locally, but there may still be potential customers abroad who may need such products. This means that you need to be ready for international shipment, which requires a host of documentation for custom clearance, choosing the right carrier from among a dozen of them available in the market, and making sure the duties and taxes that have to paid or that has been paid is well accounted for. If you are unsure of how much your international shipment is going to cost you, then worry not because there are online calculators that larger courier companies offer customers to keep things transparent and help them plan better.

The factors that influence shipping costs include the weight of the package, dimensions, country of origin and the destination country along with the insurance for the product. With the burgeoning shipping industry, the need to stay on top of the competition also becomes a major focus of businesses. However, this leads to unsustainable practices, not because of oversized fleets that cut-down prices for the shipper, but largely because in the long run, it creates instability and affects carrier services.

The trade-off for lower shipment prices comes at a heavy impact on the overall supply-chain management. To combat this, a shipment company can adopt structured practices where the shipments are consolidated in smaller fleets. Consolidation brings positive benefits such as cost-cutting and enforces greater discipline in the way shipping companies organize their delivery. When there are an optimal number of people involved in the supply chain, it leads to effective decision making and coordination including identifying pain-points in the entire chain.

What does a freight forwarder do before starting the shipping process?

Introduction A freight forwarder is a logistics professional, who organizes space across various mediums to ensure that the goods reach their destination in the most efficient manner. In other words, this could be an agency or an individual, who is in the business of freight forwarding, basically, a third-party freight forwarder who is responsible for guaranteeing that the products from their customer is delivered to their final distribution market using the different modes of transport such as trucks, flights, ships, or trains that will ensure the goods reach on time without compromising cost or quality. 

You also have international freight forwarders who handle only international shipments across countries, which requires a thorough knowledge of the documentation required to ensure that the shipment is cleared by customs. It is evident that the whole process of transporting goods from its point of origin to its final destination point is far from simple and involves a number of steps, which requires careful planning to get through every milestone and deliver the final shipment.

Things to do before starting the shipping process A freight forwarder has a number of things to accomplish before the actual shipping process can commence. First and foremost, the shipper’s company must be registered in compliance with the law and also understand whether they are registered corporation, or a limited liability company and similar. Between the shipper and the manufacturer, it is critical to have a well-established, clearly detailed contract about the number of goods or consignment that has to be shipped. Remember that only the number of goods or cartons is checked as opposed to the quantity of the shipment. 

All consignments must have a clear label with all the important information neatly printed. This can include the basic information regarding the supplier and the consignee, such as first and last name, address, letter identification of the destination, along with the invoice for the goods for customs clearance. Any discrepancy in the information furnished can cost both parties dearly in terms of time and money. If there is a need for any information, the shipment can be held at customs until final clearance is received. Depending on the nature of business, some organisations have a tie-up with a third-party freight forwarding company to handle all their shipment. 

The advantage in handing over the responsibilities to a professional shipment agency is their knowledge of the required documentation as well as customs clearance requirements in every country that provides a smoother passage for on-time delivery of goods at their intended destination. Once you have the final details of your shipment such as origin, destination, size or dimensions, the next step is to collect quotes from different freight forwarders. 

Getting Adjusted After Moving to a New Country

Introduction

Moving to a new country is one that is filled with excitement and at the same time, means mentally preparing yourself to a new culture, new learnings, and a different lifestyle. You will most likely experience a culture shock initially, as you learn to settle in with your new customs and neighbors. If you are not prepared mentally and physically to getting used to a new country, then it can take a toll on you. You may tend to be more withdrawn than your normal self and can even experience depression as a result of the shock or disorientation in a foreign territory. However, you can certainly combat these naturally occurring issues by making small changes after you to move to a new country.

Getting Adjusted

Make sure you do your homework about your new homeland. There will be things to do on priority as soon as you reach your new location such as setting up bank accounts, picking up a local SIM card for communicating and getting around, and finding out the closest utility spaces such as laundry, grocery, and banks. As much as possible, settle in to your new environment quickly and try to recreate a home as similar as possible to your earlier living space. This will mean getting your favorite stuffed toy, or blanket that offers comfort and memories. Add a touch of green with indoor plants to give your apartment or home a rich color and uplifting your mood.

For most people, food is a huge change. So check what ingredients are available or if you can pack some ingredients for a month’s stock until you are well-entrenched with your new culture. Food is an emotional investment and in the absence of your loved ones, one may want to dig into their favorite snacks or better still go for a run and explore the neighborhood on foot. It is also absolutely essential to visit the Embassy of your country and register your passport details with them. It also offers a great chance to tie-up with expats from your country who will celebrate your country’s culture and national holidays.

Benefits of Moving Crates one should know before Relocating

Introduction

Once a decision to relocate has been made, whether it is overseas or within the country, you have to consider what to pack and how to pack your items. There are many packaging options available to get all your stuff together. There are standard industry observed practices when it comes to packaging and with the world moving towards sustainable living, there is also an added element of keeping every practice more eco-friendly and biodegradable. So how does it even have anything remotely connected to packaging? This is because of a host of packaging options that are available today from cardboards, moving crates, to plastics for moving and packing your belongings. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes to fit our needs. You will most definitely be asking your colleagues or family for options and best materials to use that are durable, cost effective, and endure a long haul if required. You can even order custom crates for your specific needs if required.

Benefits of Moving Crates

Cardboards are fairly staple material to use for moving because of their easy availability, economics of cost where you can practically pick them up for free in some stores, and decent durability levels. At the same time, not much thought is given to their disposal after they have served their purpose and this poses a huge problem for the environmentally cautious folks. Cardboards just go waste and are not environment friendly Further, cardboards have a threshold for bearing the weight of the packaged goods and tend to collapse over time. So there has been a move to also explore packaging materials that are more environment-friendly.

Office moving crates are considered one of the most easiest options to store and transport items from one location to another. In case you do not perceive a need to use these crates later, instead of buying them, you can actually rent these moving crates. What makes it less cumbersome to use is that these crates do away with the need for sealing or taping since these crates come as well-designed boxes with a sturdy base and lid. Since they come in the same or similar size, you can also stack them up and move a couple of the packed boxes at the same time. Unlike cardboard boxes that tend to collapse or tear and have no reusability, plastic crates are far more sturdier, make it easy to transport fragile items, and can be reused whenever required. From an investment stand point, plastic crates are certainly a smarter choice since they can either be rented or reused, thus eliminating the need for a frequent purchase of materials.

What to Look for in Moving Quotes?

Introduction

When it is time to move cities, the key factor that tops the list of things to do charts is the cost involved in organizing the entire relocation process. The pre-planning phase is extremely crucial to ensure you enjoy a good moving experience both financially, physically, and emotionally. There have been many instances where customers have been subjected to unpleasant memories of paying huge moving quotes to professional movers and packers simply because they did not take the time to probe into the terms, policies, and other aspects of the services.

What to Look for in Moving Quotes?

Once you are aware or have a made a decision to move within a specific time frame or month, start doing your research about the moving quotes from different movers and packers in your area. This is the largest time investment in the entire planning process. Identifying the right movers and packers who offer the services you are looking for at the right price and can guide you through rules and regulations that are applicable takes immense time. Hence kick-start the due diligence as early as possible in the planning process is important, so that you can save yourself from heartburns later.

The most obvious place to start to look for the most optimum moving quote is recommendations from your family and friends who have been through this process before. Personal referrals are a tad more comforting, though no guaranteed to help you identify the movers you want to utilize for your relocation. On your part, you can also look into the listed movers and packers in your area and if possible even walk-in to have a personal rapport and understand the nitty-gritties of what is involved during a move to another place. Such conversations will give you greater insight as time progresses to help you make a confident decision while questioning the moving quotes from these organizations.

It will be also help to look up professional bodies or unions of Movers association to verify the accredited movers and packers. Further it is also advantageous to enroll the services of umbrella organisations should there be any issues since such movers and packers are bound by the laws of these associations. This entire due-diligence phase will help you pick a few from the lot you consider pursuing further. During the narrowing down phase, look up customer reviews and ratings for their services online and offline to further trim the choices.

How Do Packaging Companies Determine The Cost of Your Move?

Introduction

There are times when you have to relocate your home or business for a variety of reasons. The most crucial question that comes up immediately is the expected cost of relocation services. This includes packaging things, ensuring items are not damaged during the move, cost of insuring goods, and also unpacking them at the final destination. So it can all be very stressful unless you take the time to think through and invest time to carry out a complete research to help you relocate smoothly.

Determining the Cost of Relocation

The cost of relocation also depends on the city where you live because there is a direct correlation between the cost of living and services offered. While you are trying to budget the expenses incurred towards relocation of your belongings, there may be a number of hidden costs that you may not be aware of and can take you up by surprise. One way to narrow down cost of estimates is to contact different movers and packers within your area or region and get a diverse range of prices so you can get an idea of what to expect from the lowest, mid-range, and highest prices. You can also look up estimates for each hour towards relocation. For example, you can check how many hours the average mover will require to pack and move a two-bed room apartment in your local area. You also have to include the cost of labour.

By projecting this rate, you can get a fair idea of how much you may possibly incur if you are relocating cross-country. You may also have to consider including tips over and above the relocation charges. Though this is not mandatory, it is nevertheless considered as a sense of appreciation provided you are satisfied with the services the team offered. Did you forget to add the cost of insuring your goods? This is non-negotiable and a recommended cost to consider to protect the cost of items, if they get damaged during transit. While deciding on the type of insurance to take, you must consider the value of the items against which you are insuring. Infact, you may want to consider additional insurance if required, if there is high value involved.

Follow these Tips for a Successful Long Distance Move

Introduction

Relocating to a new country or city is a major shake-up for anyone. The whole process is one of excitement and anxiety. A new place offers new opportunities and exploration while at the same time you will have to start giving the process of a long distance move a lot of thought. This will ensure that moving and packing is a smooth process or at least, it will be less stressful than if you were disorganized.

Tips for a Successful Long Distance Move

Once you know when you are likely to move to your new destination, it is time to put on your thinking hat. First off, look into the list of professional movers and packers in your area at least a couple of months earlier. You must do thorough research about their services such as long distance move, international shipping and similar activities which you may want to use. You may also come across other options such as rental trucks, storage containers, or self-service moving. Before you make a final decision, check customer reviews, license including inter-state license, pricing, and verified physical location in your destination for easier coordination.

Hiring a professional international mover is more sustainable not only in terms of cost and organization, but they can also provide more information on the kind of documentation and other legal requirements you may have to complete to get the shipment through customs and have a hassle free move. Moreover, locking in a movers and packers of your choice as early as possible will help you avoid the season rush. For example, in the summer, which is the peak season, it may be tough to find long distance movers at a cost with services you are looking for.

One of the important things you have to check for is whether the organization will provide you in-house estimates, where the company representative will survey the entire place and provide an estimate based on the items that have to be shipped. This is much more definitive and will help you budget the cost incurred rather than get a bill you have not been informed about earlier. So prior to signing the contract, have the terms and conditions including pricing, moving date, insurance coverage, and schedule of delivery clearly stated.

Avoid these Mistakes while Relocating Internationally

Introduction

Relocating to an entirely new country is as challenging as it is exciting. The prospect of learning from new culture, new friends, relationships, and adventure is itself very alluring. However, it requires thorough research and planning to ensure the process does not become a sour experience. Sometimes, one can mix a great vacation experience with relocation. It is certainly not about packing your bags for a few days. Uprooting your entire life and family and rebuilding it in a new country is not without its initial set of challenges until you get a hang of the country’s customs, culture, rules and regulations. While a vacation is taking a temporary break from routine, relocation refers to creating an entirely new set of routine that becomes part and parcel of your lifestyle.

Planning an International Relocation

It is imperative for you to understand the implications of relocation. Inspite of the best efforts, you must be willing to accept the fact that the process of relocation is a highly stressful and tiring affair. Further, you will also need to make a commitment to reset your current lifestyle goals and make new ones that befit your new country. Setting unrealistic expectations will only increase the anxiety level than helping you adjust to your new life.

So first off, invest considerable time in research and empowering yourself with as much information as possible about your new destination including any mandatory documentation that is required. This can be as basic as the kind of food stuff that is allowed into the destination. Some countries have very strict policies about the type of food items they will allow through immigration.

Plan well ahead for your flight tickets and accommodation to ensure you get a good deal. You will be working within constraints of time, cost, and resource availability. If you are a pet owner, there will other regulations and paperwork in your new country that you will have to comply with, that takes time. So trying to get it done on short notice may not be a good idea.

Next step, you will have to segregate your personal belongings. You may have to leave some behind, or give away to charity. Those that have to be packed and shipped will further have to be filtered. Some items may be fragile and will require special care. So bubble wrapping it and labelling it is essential to ensure the safety of your items. If you are hiring professional international movers and packers, then speak to them in detailed about your requirements and what services are included for the cost you have in mind. Given that there are a plethora of such organisations, ensure you complete a thorough research about such organisations including customer reviews. They may infact be able to advise you better on the regulations and requirements specified by your new country.

Problems Everyone has with Domestic Shipping: How to Solve them?

Every business has a responsibility that extends beyond just ensuring you are able to get the products and selling them. There is a greater onus on the business to ensure that the products purchased by the customer reach them safely, well-packaged, with zero damage and on time. Shipping the product means meandering through the various legal and procedural requirements including a maze of documentation, customs regulations, tax and logistics of ensuring the product goes through the right channels until it reaches its final destination, which is in the hands of the customer, who placed the order. Moreover, there will be hidden costs that you may incur or other costs that may crop up unanticipated.

Decoding the Challenges With Shipping Products

Awareness is key and therein is the solution for both customers and organizations alike while shipping products.

The global challenges in business necessitates transparency in not just monetary transactions, but even in tracking the customer orders right from the time the order is placed until it is delivered to its final destination while moving and packing their belongings. Customers today heavily rely on transparency of services to decide the credibility factor of their business partner or the organization with whom they have signed up for services. This is a crucial factor in earning referral customers. Hence today the logistics solution for customers has to be tailored depending on their requirements.

While the process of shipping, whether it is international or domestic may seem quite intimidating in the first instance, it is nevertheless quite easy to get around the hassles of shipping the product to its location, whether it is inbound or outbound. Shipping charges are dependent on a number of factors including the weight of the package, its size, the country of origin, insurance applicable for the category of product, and the applicable taxes and other rules and regulation that it might be subjected to in the country. You can use online calculators that will give you indicative prices or depending on the information, accurate estimates to help you organize your shipping.

Another nightmare for logistics organizations is the timelines for delivery is hugely dependent on their network of delivery teams. If there are unexpected strikes, or a sudden slowdown of work, for reasons beyond the company’s control, then it becomes a huge liability for both customer and companies alike. Hence time has to be clearly factored into the delivery schedule while taking into account any unforeseeable situations.

It will also benefit your organization if you take time to conduct periodic reviews to address pain points in the supply-chain network. By easing out the issues that impact your delivery such as implementing just-in-time (JIT) delivery, you can make considerable saving on time and cost.

Basic things you must know before Exporting

Introduction

Moving goods or exporting to a new country has great trade-offs. This  means the opportunity to foray into untapped markets, building brand new  customers in addition to the existing base with the possibility of diversification. However, it requires a lot of research and understanding about the shipping company  and the country to ensure any oversights that can prove extremely costly is avoided early on. This does not mean that everyone gets into the export space with prior knowledge and experience. It only implies that you need to give yourself enough time to understand their market, policies and trade conditions, economic conditions and assess the long term feasibility of carrying out your business. You also have to factor  in your competitors in the market and study the differentiators.

Things to Consider Before Exporting

Without doubt, exporting goods to different countries is an exciting opportunity. However, before you decide to plunge neck deep into the Exporting business, it may be more practical to first short-list the top three companies overseas that you would like to do business with. It requires a lot of finesse, great attention to detail, and good networking since logistics is involved. Starting small with even one country at a time to get a foothold of the export practices can also help if you have time and support to test waters on a small scale.

Invest time to plan the entire operation starting with the basics such as understanding the documentation requirements to the country where the shipment has to be sent. Remember, your shipment has to clear Customs at any country and without the right documentation, there are chances your shipment will be rejected or delayed. Next you have to consider human resources such as the need to hire a team or reuse the existing resources by upskilling them. Upskilling again depends on whether your organization has the capacity or capability to deliver within a specific timeframe. There is cost factors involved in each step which must be taken into account.

Your logistics team also has a lot riding on them since they are responsible for talking to freight forwarders and other international moving companies to get you the best possible price for the service offered including packaging and on-time delivery between locations within the accepted timeframe. Some countries have very strict regulations regarding how goods should be labelled and declared if there are hazardous cargos coming in from the point of origin.

Inspite of doing everything else right, there are certain conditions over which you have no control. This means you need to insure your goods. There could be damage to cargo due to weather conditions, improper handling during loading and off-loading and many other instances. Your job does not end here. You must stay in constant touch with your customers and work on their feedback to enhance your services and most importantly, keep the communication effective and efficient with timely updates about their shipment.