FAQs

The busiest times for Allied International is during the summer months, May 15 – September 15. At the end of these months, the volume of shipments is extremely heavy. This is the case for all professional moving companies.

Take all the factors into consideration when deciding on the best time for you to move. If you have some flexibility in your schedule, provide Allied International with a five day window for loading your shipment. This will allow our team who schedule the drivers and crew members greater flexibility when scheduling your move. If possible, be flexible with your destination timeframe as well. Keep in mind that you most likely are not the only shipment on the truck. If you stay flexible, it should make a difference.

Allied International is pleased to offer all our customers a FREE in home estimate. We will come to your home and do a complete survey of the items you will be relocating to come up with an estimated moving cost. To schedule an estimate click here.

Please try to provide Allied International with as much notice as possible, especially if you are moving during the busy season as noted above. Six weeks from the actual move date is not too early for estimators to come into your home to complete what they refer to as a “visual survey of your household goods shipment.” Add even more time to make a decision if you are obligated by your employer to submit estimates for approval. Then call the us to confirm your booking and schedule your packing, loading and delivery dates. This timeframe can be shortened in the off peak season which is September 15 through May 15.

A consultant from Allied International will arrive at your home to complete a visual survey of your items. Once this is completed, the consultant will calculate the weight, packing cost and any other charges related to your move. Remember that the relocation consultant must clearly see what you are moving in order to provide you with an accurate estimate. Crawl spaces, attics and cluttered closets can be deceiving, so organize your house before the relocation consultant arrives.

The consultant will most likely go through all your cabinets and closets or looks under beds and on top of cabinets. He or she must be able to see what is moving and possibly needs packing. If you know of items that are out of view, be certain to point them out to the relocation consultant. If there are items you will be eliminating, be sure to point them out.

One word of caution that can save you a great deal of trouble on loading day. Get rid of all items you do not plan to move. Otherwise, there may not be enough space for your shipment. This will not occur on one or two small items, but if you anticipated eliminating an entire bedroom suite and do not do so, it is quite possible that this could violate the integrity of your binding estimate and/or cause the driver to run out of space.

Before embarking on your international move, ensure you have the following documents:

• Passport and visa for yourself and family.
• Work or residence permits.
• Comprehensive inventory list of all items being moved.
• Completed customs declaration forms.
• Proof of vaccinations for pets.

Obtaining these documents in a timely manner is one of the biggest keys to success ahead of any overseas move, as these are absolute necessities. Without them, you may experience issues down the line. Make sure to thoroughly check the exact documents you need for your specific destination country, as the specifics can vary from place to place.

Allied International recommends that all of your loose items be packed in boxes to prevent loss or damage. All drawers should remain empty.

Items of extraordinary value such as jewelry, money, antiques and stamp collections can be included in your shipment, provided that you notify your local moving representative of these items before packing and moving day. Allied International strongly recommends that you carry irreplaceable and expensive articles with you or make other arrangements for their transport.

In the moving industry, items worth more than $100 per pound are considered to be articles of “extraordinary” value. To be assured that a claim involving these articles is not limited to minimal liability, complete and sign the high value inventory form. Also be sure to sign the “Extraordinary (Unusual) Value Article Declaration” box on the Bill of Lading.

Ask your Allied International consultant to provide you with an explanation of the process. This is a confusing but important task, so make sure that you clearly understand the rules prior to load day.

If you will be moving appliances such as washers, dryers and refrigerators, they must be disconnected, and the washer must have a stabilizer installed. The member of Allied International who will perform your estimate can help you understand how these items are serviced. We may be able to provide you with local service providers that can handle this type of service.

If you have plants, be sure to discuss that with your estimator. There are many regulations regarding moving plants to other countries so you will need to research the rules. It is not recommended to move plants as they may not be able to handle the heat and the stress of a move and will die.

Yes, as long as the team of drivers from Allied International considers them safe for relocation. Be sure that all boxes are taped on the top and the bottom securely.

The moving team of Allied International will use stretch-wrap to cover your furniture. This stretch-wrap is a heavy, clear plastic wrap that protects your furniture from being soiled.

To safeguard your possessions, there are a few effective ways to decrease the risk of damage in transit. First, hiring a reputable international moving company will allow you to access expert packing solutions and a team of professionals who can safely transport your items. Additionally, make sure to choose appropriate insurance coverage, whether with your moving company or through a third-party provider. Perhaps most importantly, ensure your belongings are safely packed using suitable materials. You should use an ample amount of padding to limit the movement in each box.

To ensure the safety of your fragile items during transport, it’s important to consider a few key steps. Make sure to inform your moving company about these items, as the boxes containing these belongings should be clearly marked and handled accordingly. Additionally, request specialized packing materials if you’re utilizing packing services, as these can make a huge difference in the overall safety of your belongings. If you’re still concerned, however, consider carrying extremely valuable items with you if possible.

If your belongings arrive before you, the professionals at Allied International can conveniently arrange storage or hold your shipment until your arrival. Make sure to thoroughly communicate your travel plans to the company in advance to coordinate these logistics effectively. Our team prioritizes open communication in order to more effectively meet your moving needs.

Deciding whether to ship furniture or buy new locally depends on factors like cost of shipping value (both monetary and sentimental), and the feasibility of transporting items. Evaluate the expenses and consider the practicality of each option. For your larger items in particular, you may find it more cost-effective to sell the items before relocating and purchase new furniture at your destination.

Allied International may ask you to choose a 5 day window from which your goods will be loaded. The amount of days in what is referred to as a load spread depends upon the size of your shipment and the time of the year when your shipment is loaded. Try to remain flexible during the busy season by allowing for extra days on your load spread to have a better chance of securing a truck and driver to load your shipment.

Your personal customer service representative and/or driver will contact you at least 24 hours prior to load day to let you know time of arrival. If any changes have occurred, you should discuss that then. Some examples of changes that may take place is that the street in front of your home is now under construction, preventing the large over-the-road truck to get near your home or you may have not completed the packing as something unanticipated took you away from packing. If this should happen, contact your Allied International as soon as possible so that they can send out professional packers to complete the job for you.

Make sure your home is ready for the team of movers. Helpful ideas are moving anything off the porch and walkways that may obstruct movement of your goods out of the home. Taking doors of the hinges ahead of time if certain items will not fit through. Removing all small throw rugs from traffic areas that could cause the driver or crew to trip or slip.

Our team of movers will come prepared but it is always thoughtful to offer water or Gatorade, especially on hot summer days.

Yes.
Allied international provides online shipment tracking so you can check on the status of your shipment throughout its transport.

You will be able to track your shipment throughout the whole relocation process. We will also keep track of it and if there are any issues we will update you immediately. Once your belongings have reached your final destination, your personal international moving specialist will contact you. Once we have arrived to your new home, our team will unload your items into the designated rooms and proceed to unpack your goods carefully. We will also remove any packing materials and debris.

The shipping time to your destination varies based on factors like distance, mode of transportation, and customs processing. International moves can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months, so plan accordingly. Talking in depth with the professionals at Allied International will allow you to receive an estimated timeframe to work with as you plan for your relocation.

Research the customs regulations of your destination country. Additionally, as you work with the professionals at Allied International, our experience will allow us to provide you with a closer look at the ins and outs of customs duties and taxes. We will work to ensure accurate documentation and explore any available exemptions or reductions to minimize customs duties and taxes when possible.

Door-to-door shipping involves the moving company handling the entire process, from packing at your current residence to delivery at your new home. Door-to-port means the company delivers your items to a port in the destination country, and you handle transportation to your new residence from there. Make sure you understand which option you’re choosing and the exact details of this plan before booking your moving services.