[zatexmom]

Hi all...

I'm originally from South Africa, moved to the States in 1998, and now after 8 years, and 2 kids, our immigration stuff to the States fell through, and so we're on our way to NZ in the next few months. We heard the dreadful news on January 12th, submitted our EOI's on January 31st (TX time) and got selected on Feb 14th. We got our ITA's in the mail beginning of April, and will be submitting all our paperwork this Friday (just have to get some photocopies certified). Thanks to another site that specializes in helping South AFricans in particular to get to NZ, I was able to get all my paperwork ready in a short period of time...

But that site caters specifically to South AFricans IN SA. And I'm stuck here in the States, and needing some info that is relevant to me. So I found this site, and hopefully I can get some answers here.

What are the best moving companies to use (America is so huge and there's such a wide choice, I'm overwhelmed!).
Also, is it ok to start packing stuff into boxes oneself, in order to get things out the way (we're planning on putting the house in hte market next week), or will that jeopardise our insurance on the contents of the container? I'm just really concerned they may not be as careful with my glass-ware as I'd like?

[jess]

Welcome to the forum!!:D

We packed everything ourselves (to save $) and were still able to insure our container both for total loss and also additional insurance for specific items. You just have to pack like things together and number your boxes. Keep an inventory of what's inside, like "glassware" "linens" "photographs and books" etc... Try to be as specific as possible.

Here are two threads with info on US to NZ shipping:
Shipping question for Americans (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=5187)
US NZ Container prices (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=9613)

It would be worth while if you are worried about inflated MAF fees and delivery charges (problems some people have had on this end of their container delivery) to negotiate into your contract that you will pay MAF directly and to clarify how many kilometers from the port you will still receive free delivery to your new home.

[Keith C.]

If you haven't already, use this forum's search facility. I've seen several threads on containers, companies, etc. Unfortunately, I haven't seen anything originating from Texas. I haven't looked too hard yet, because I won't be moving for a while.

I'm interested in hearing what you find out. Good luck!

[jen]

Hi & welcome to the forum! We used Crown to ship from California - I think my story's on one of the links Jess gave you above.

One more thing about insurance; check what the exclusions are; for example do they cover your electronics or do you pay more for that coverage, etc. We're one of the few people who decided not to take insurance at all on our container as the cost was so high that by the time we'd have paid the deductibles and not gotten reimbursed for computers/electronics it wouldn't have been worth it. Most people do though so maybe we were an odd situation.

Good luck with your house sale & moving plans!

Jen

[kanatakiwi]

Hi all...

Also, is it ok to start packing stuff into boxes oneself, in order to get things out the way (we're planning on putting the house in hte market next week), or will that jeopardise our insurance on the contents of the container? I'm just really concerned they may not be as careful with my glass-ware as I'd like?

We packed ourselves, and our shipping agent was very helpful, gave us the tips that their packers use ---use masking tape and make an X from corner to corner on any pictures or mirrors etc. (that way if the glass breaks, the photos or prints will still be intact and you can get new glass put in NZ) , wrap the corners with soft tissue if its wood, (as it soaks up any moisture from humidity and saves the wood from swelling, etc) .
We preferred to do it ourselves, it saved us quite a bit of money and we were able to pack the less used things first and leave the last boxes open for essentials. We also used heaps of bubblewrap for our treasures.
They still insured us.

[zatexmom]

Wow! Thanks so much for your valuable replies! This helps a lot to know I can pack myself and still be insured! AND save in the process!

Jess, thanks so much for your links, I will look into them.

Keith, I'll let you know what we find out, and quotes, etc... will try to search again (had done a search but obviously used wrong keywords, because most of the threads seem to be from UK, I think?

Jen, thanks for that info on electronics. We do want to take our pc's along. One company that I looked at online stated emphatically that they would not ship (let along insure), any valuable collections (like stamps, etc) or any valuable jewelry or heirlooms! Can you believe that?! So it's obvious I wont be using THEM!

Kanatakiwi, thanks too for you advice on wrapping the pictures - I'd never thought of that... just want to make sure I understand correctly - the masking tape goes crosswise on the glass itself? And the corners tip is very good, as I do have one leather etchwork framed in wood that I'd want to preserve...

I've used www.movers.com which was advertized on this site, to get some basic quotes for 20' foot containers. Out of those that responded, I have chosen 3 that I am thinking of getting assessors out for. And then I also saw on another site, an ad for NZ Van Lines, and emailed them to ask them which USA companies they've partnered with, and they gave me 3 cpy's to try, one of them being Stevens, which sounds so far like a good bet. So that makes 4 already... Jen, I'll look into Crown too... what did it cost you and for what size container?

[kanatakiwi]

" Kanatakiwi, thanks too for you advice on wrapping the pictures - I'd never thought of that... just want to make sure I understand correctly - the masking tape goes crosswise on the glass itself? And the corners tip is very good, as I do have one leather etchwork framed in wood that I'd want to preserve"


yep a big cross on the glass part from corner to corner. we also kept a very detailed list for ourselves of EVERY thing in each box, but for the moving company and customs we had a more general list: Box 1 -Kitchen: pots and pans, roasting pan, that sort of detail. We tried to put everything we thought Customs or MAF would want to look at in just a few boxes, so they wouldnt have to tear through all of them. We put our mattress pad, and flannel sheets around our antique dining table with extra padding for the corners, before we covered in cardboard. Just common sense really, we only had one broken glass candle holder out of our whole shipment.

[zatexmom]

Thnx!

When we moved here to the States, I bubble wrapped my crystalware, (like vases) and other breakables, and then packed them in my Tupperware "Modular MAtes". Then I packed the Tupperware in the trunks. (we only brought over 3 metal trunks and airfreighted them). When we got this end, one of the trunks had a hole near the bottom, where hte forklift had missed.... it was the trunk with the breakables in... we held our breath, but when we unpacked, NOTHING was broken! what a relief!!! :clap

[wanderingoregonian]

One thing that I am really glad I did was take digital photos of key things as I loaded a box.. To make it easy, I took a photo of the box, then the stuff as it went in, and then a photos of the next box etc.

I loaded these on my computer. All the photos were already organized by box (since the photos of the boxes separated groups). I eventually actually printed screenshots of the files in thumbnail view and taped those onto the boxes. We had a couple interim moves before our final rental here in wellington, and it was so helpful to know which boxes had what.. and I had no worries with MAF. I also had the peace of mind knowing that I had an electronic record in case I needed to make an insurance claim.

It sounds more complicated then I described it... hence the photo

PS for those who don't know, you can hit the control key + the prtsc (print screen) and you will have essentially copied the entire computer screen, then paste (contrl + V keys) into word or any photo editing program to see/print it.

[Trigirl]

not even the tiniest chance of me ever being that organised.....

[Sam B]

I don't believe that Trigirl - I always imagine you to be very organised!

[Sam B]

Mind you, that is impressive organisation skills.