Packing and Unpacking Your Goods Overseas

Hello, how are you?

Well, it’s national holiday time in Cyprus for the next two weeks – and a good job too! We are experiencing the hottest summer since August 1956 with temperatures at 46.5 degrees and 97% humidity. Phew!

Let’s get back to shipping. This week I am covering packing and unpacking. It all sounds simple – just shove everything in boxes and away you go. But that’s not the way to do it when your goods are travelling overseas.

So how should things be packed? Carefully is the word I would want to hear! Joking aside, good removal companies do pack with the greatest of care, particularly when exporting.

Packing for exporting is completely different to packing for a UK move because of the shipping involved. It tends to take more time because the packers are more careful than usual, particularly with delicate items, such as china and glass.

It is very important that nothing moves in the container, so more wrapping than usual is used. Wooden crates are sometimes tailor made for special items that need more protection than usual.

I shipped over some very delicate porcelain roses, which I made in evening classes back in the UK. I never believed for one minute that they would arrive in one piece – but they did. The chap who packed them in the UK used a huge box, an enormous amount of tissue paper and assured me they would arrive safely. He was used to packing valuable antiques - so I guessed my roses would be safe in his hands and I was right.

Strong boxes are always used which are sealed with heavy-duty tape. Here is a helpful hint. Our move took place overseas in July, at the hottest period. When the container arrived, it was 60 degrees inside. Although all our boxes had been taped securely, when they were unloaded the glue on the tape had melted. As a result, very careful unloading had to take place. So make sure that your packers double tape every box, to avoid any accidents happening.

Our biggest fear was that our computer would be ruined because of the heat, but it was fine. It just goes to show how robust they are.

The removal company can also organise unpacking. We decided to unpack ourselves at our leisure. For us, this turned out to be the right thing to do.

How many staff will come to pack and load? Again, this depends on the amount of possessions you are taking; your removal company will advise you. It is always best to check that the removal company are sending their own employees, not sub-contractors. Permanent employees of the removal company tend to be more careful and reliable. Sub-contractors can often disappear overnight.

Oh, and remember, your removal company is also responsible for all the shipping paperwork in conjunction with their agent at your destination.

Next week I’m going to talk about two very important issues – security and marine insurance – so don’t miss it!

Well, that’s it for now; I’m off to cool down.

Keep smiling – it’s infectious!

Until next week

Jackie
http://www.cyprusbuyingguide.com/