{"id":5978,"date":"2024-06-06T20:13:05","date_gmt":"2024-06-07T00:13:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fmc.gov\/?page_id=5978"},"modified":"2024-06-25T10:32:30","modified_gmt":"2024-06-25T14:32:30","slug":"moving-dos-and-donts","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.fmc.gov\/about\/bureaus-offices\/consumer-affairs-dispute-resolution-services\/moving-dos-and-donts\/","title":{"rendered":"Moving Dos and Don’ts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"dos\">Dos<\/h2>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"do-ensure-that-all-potential-movers-are-fmclicensed-and-bonded\"><strong>Do ensure that all potential movers are FMC-licensed and bonded.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n<p>International moving companies that offer to ship your household goods or automobiles to or from the U.S. via ocean vessel must be licensed or registered with the FMC. As a starting point, the FMC maintains a list of licensed or registered, and bonded companies on its website <a href=\"https:\/\/www2.fmc.gov\/oti\/\">https:\/\/www2.fmc.gov\/oti\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"do-obtain-several-written-estimates-based-on-an-actual-inspection-of-your-goods\"><strong>Do obtain several written estimates based on an actual inspection of your goods.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n<p>International moving companies usually base their cost upon the volume or the weight of the goods that are shipped. Some moving companies may offer online volume calculators or telephonic estimates based upon the number of rooms moved or a listing of items moved. However, such estimates are often inaccurate. To avoid problems involving online or telephonic estimates, ask potential movers to provide you with a quote based on the mover\u2019s onsite inspection of your goods. A good general rule of thumb is to obtain written estimates for service from several different international moving companies prior to selecting your mover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"do-read-the-fine-print\"><strong>Do read the fine print.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n<p>Read your estimate and contract for service. Make sure that you understand and agree with all terms and conditions. Note the services and charges that are included and whether any services or charges are excluded. For example, port terminal handling charges are often excluded from international moving estimates, and result in additional costs later. Also, note whether there are any guarantees or disclaimers with regard to the date of delivery. Despite promises made by sales people, promises may not be enforced unless they appear in the terms and conditions of the international moving contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"do-review-insurance-coverage-terms-and-conditions\"><strong>Do review insurance coverage terms and conditions.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n<p>Generally, international moving companies limit their responsibility for loss of or damage to your household goods. As such, many companies offer insurance coverage policies at an additional cost. Make sure that you request a copy of the insurance terms and conditions from your mover prior to obtaining insurance. Read all terms and conditions of any insurance coverage offered by your moving company to determine whether such coverage is desirable.  Make sure that you receive a signed insurance document. Note that many moving companies will not provide insurance coverage for your goods unless they are packed by the moving company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"do-determine-whether-your-mover-will-be-responsible-for-customs-clearance-of-your-goods\"><strong>Do determine whether your mover will be responsible for customs clearance of your goods.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n<p>Some international moving companies offer customs clearance services as part of their international moving services package and will assist consumers with completing paperwork. Other companies require consumers to handle their own customs clearance.  It is important to determine early on the level of customs clearance services to be provided for your move and to obtain additional customs clearance services as necessary.  Also, generally, duties levied on a shipment are the responsibility of the consumer so it is important to budget for potential customs duties in the destination country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"do-review-the-moving-companys-payment-policy\"><strong>Do review the moving company\u2019s payment policy.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n<p>It is important to review the company\u2019s policies regarding down payments and method of payment. Some companies require a large down payment and refuse to accept payment by a major credit card.  In the event of a dispute, recovering your down payment when you have paid by check or money wire can be difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"do-review-the-movers-cancellation-policy\"><strong>Do review the mover\u2019s cancellation policy.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n<p>It is always important to review your mover\u2019s cancellation policy prior to signing any service agreements. Some moving companies require half or more of the quotation price in the event that services are canceled regardless of the reason for cancellation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:14px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"donts\">Dont’s<\/h2>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"dont-wait-until-the-last-minute-to-make-arrangements-for-your-international-move\"><strong>Don\u2019t wait until the last minute to make arrangements for your international move.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n<p>Often individuals are so busy with job, school, or family commitments that they wait until the last minute to hire a mover. This risky practice prevents consumers from taking measures to protect themselves from the allure of internet-based rogue movers who advertise quick, cheap, and a seemingly large array of services to entice the uninformed consumer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"dont-hire-a-company-that-has-a-history-of-unresolved-consumer-complaints\"><strong>Don\u2019t hire a company that has a history of unresolved consumer complaints.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n<p>Ruling out companies that have histories of unresolved consumer complaints is an easy and effective way to protect your move. In addition to contacting the Better Business Bureau and local Consumer agencies, you should contact CADRS staff who can provide general information regarding the complaint history of prospective moving companies at the FMC. In addition, performing a simple internet search on a company\u2019s name and address will often yield information on whether a company has a history of unresolved complaints with other consumer protection agencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"dont-automatically-select-the-cheapest-quote-for-service\"><strong>Don\u2019t automatically select the cheapest quote for service.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n<p>While it is tempting to select the least expensive quote for services, unscrupulous moving companies often use low estimates or quotes as a tool to lure consumers. As with other business proposals, if the proposal or quote appears too good to be true, it usually is.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dos Do ensure that all potential movers are FMC-licensed and bonded. International moving companies that offer to ship your household goods or automobiles to or from the U.S. via ocean vessel must be licensed or registered with the FMC. As a starting point, the FMC maintains a list of licensed or registered, and bonded companies [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"parent":370,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5978","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Moving Dos and Don'ts - Federal Maritime Commission<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fmc.gov\/about\/bureaus-offices\/consumer-affairs-dispute-resolution-services\/moving-dos-and-donts\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Moving Dos and Don'ts - Federal Maritime Commission\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Dos Do ensure that all potential movers are FMC-licensed and bonded. 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