It can be plain sailing moving to the USA
If you’re thinking about moving to the USA, you’re probably getting a bit carried away with thoughts of your new life in a new, exciting country – and who could blame you? However, before you get there you need to spend time planning the move itself – and this is where Universal Removals International Removals service comes in handy.
There are plenty of potential hazards to moving to a new country and there are some specific things to consider when planning a move to the USA. Since 9/11 immigration and customs laws have been tightened and you need to be aware of any restrictions that might affect your move.
What can I take with me?
A good tip for anyone moving to the USA is to make sure you let your removals company handle all the packing. Though it may save you time to do some of the packing yourself, any items not listed on the remover’s inventory could arouse suspicion as customs officers will wonder why you decided to pack some items yourself. You could find yourself involved in a full customs investigation, which takes time and will delay your move, and any items not on the inventory could also incur a fee.
Much as it pains us, we’d also recommend that you leave behind any alcohol, including that prized malt whisky collection. Following the introduction of the Bio Terrorism Act of 2002 there are strict regulations on imports of foodstuffs and alcoholic beverages into the USA. If you are determined to take the contents of your wine cellar with you your shipment will require pre-clearance and you will need to submit a full, descriptive inventory listing the country of origin and alcoholic strength. You will also need to pay duty on any alcohol, and the rates vary. Even if you get your collection through customs some states of the USA are still “dry”, so depending on which state you are moving to, you may find that the state laws prohibit the entry of alcohol. Our advice would be to leave your alcohol behind and find a safe home for it, or put it into storage. We have excellent secure storage facilities should you need them!
You are not allowed to import plants into the USA and except for a few exceptions motor vehicles are also not permitted for import (as in most European countries). Crazy as it seems, even that emblem of America, the Harley Davidson motorbike, cannot be imported if it’s a European specification because it would fail emission tests!
America is huge and the length of transit can vary a lot. For example, Universal Removals quotes port-to-port transit times (not door-to-door, that takes a little longer) of between 7-12 days to New York, 14-15 days to Miami and 25-29 days for Los Angeles. As you can see, there is quite a difference in transit times across the country.
When you book your removal to the USA we will be able to advise you on methods of shipment. This can have a major bearing on the cost of your removal.
When you move to the USA you will also need to supply a daunting amount of documentation, including copies of your visa and passport, US Customs Importers Declaration and a Power of Attorney Form. We can also help you complete the important Inventory of Goods document.
Selecting a reputable, experienced international removals company such as Universal Removals means your move is much easier and less stressful.
What about insurance?
When you’re moving your furniture and personal effects from one side of the world to the other you need to be prepared for anything from minor breakages to the ship sinking! Insurance is vital, so make sure you have everything covered comprehensively. And bear in mind that if you need to replace goods the replacement value needs to cover the cost in the country you’re moving to, not the one you’re leaving.
The Universal Advantage
At Universal Removals we are highly experienced at managing removals to the USA. We have a dedicated team who can offer you advice, help you with your documentation and pack up your goods. You will be assigned a Move Manager who will look after your move from start to finish – they’ll be there for you from the day you book your move to the moment you open the door at your new home!
Before you book your move to USA, our advice would be that you get a few quotes and make notes about each company so you can easily compare services and prices later. Make sure you get quotes for the right volume of goods and shipping service too. Whatever the circumstances of your move, it’s likely that we’ve dealt with similar moves before, so do talk to us – we’ve probably been asked most questions over the years, though there’s always something new!