What Should Be Included In An Overseas Move

• A descriptive inventory listing each item to be moved and each item's condition at the time that origin agent takes possession of your goods.
• Having the mover pack cartons is optional. Although it adds to the cost of the move, it will minimize packing damage and assures that if any damage occurs it will be fully covered by the insurance you purchase (most insurance companies will not cover damage to the contents of cartons which were packed by the owner).
• Preparing the ocean or air freight containers to assure that they are watertight and secure.
• Loading your belongings into the ocean or air freight containers at your origin residence.
• Moving the ocean or air freight containers from your residence to the exit port in the United States.
• Ocean or air freight from the exit port to the entrance port in the country to which you are moving.
• Basic automatic liability for loss or damage to your goods is included, however it is very limited (generally between 10¢ - 60¢ per pound, per article). Your mover can provide you with extra insurance (at a cost).
• Normal customs clearance fees (excluding any duties or taxes which may be assessed by customs).
• Port fees at the destination entrance port may or may not be included - check with your booking agent to find out.
• Moving the freight containers from the entrance port in the country to which you move to your new residence.
• Unloading the freight containers at your residence and placement of all items within your new home.
• Unpacking cartons which the mover packed at origin.
• Removal of all waste material and removal of the empty containers from your new overseas residence.

About International Insurance Coverage

Generally, all movers will (in their basic price) include a certain amount of automatic liability for loss or damage to your goods. This amount can be as low as $0.10 per pound, per article and generally is no higher than $0.60 per pound, per article. Example; a 100 pound chest of drawers at $0.30 per pond is automatically valued at $30.00, even though it's true value may be $300.00. Clearly this is unacceptable coverage.

If you wish to obtain insurance beyond that which is automatically included (and we make the strongest recommendation that you do so) advise your mover. Avatar recommends that you purchase Full Replacement Value coverage, the cost of which is generally $25.00 for each $1,000.00 of coverage ordered. Generally, there is a minimum amount of insurance that can be purchased (check with your booking agent for what this minimum is).

Facts & Tips Regarding International Insurance Coverage

• Upon loading at origin, the mover will list each item to be shipped on a "household goods descriptive inventory".
  The inventory describes each item's condition at the time the mover took possession of your shipment. You are entitled to a copy of the completed inventory. Make sure the household goos descriptive inventory is complete and accurate.
• Upon delivery the mover will ask you to sign the inventory again. At this time you must annotate, on the inventory, any damage which occurred while the shipment was in the mover's care. Failure to do so will result in the denial of your damage claim!
• Never over insure. The amount you receive from the insurance company for a damaged or lost item will never be greater then the item's true value.
• Never under insure as the insurance company will consider you a "co-insurer" and will pay you only a fraction of your claim. Example: if you under insure the value of your shipment by 50% the insurance company is obligated to pay you only 50% of the amount of your claim.