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How Do I Know Who to Trust?
You are planning to move overseas, but you’re unsure of which international relocation company to use. Have no fear! NY International Shipping will walk you through the process of how to accurately compare overseas moving companies so that you can find the most reliable one to trust with your international relocation! With so many choices, we want you to make an educated decision that will leave you feeling at ease with the international relocation company you choose.
Credential Are Important!
It is very important that the international relocation company you choose possesses certain licensures. It is important that they are licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) as a Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC)—which means this international relocation company is a licensed international relocation practice, capable of booking directly with steam ship lines and agents worldwide as well as nationally. The FMC, Federal Maritime Commission, is an independent agency[i] that regulates U.S. transportation by sea. They have administered the following statutes: The Shipping Act of 1984, Section 19 of the Merchant Marine Act, The Foreign Shipping Practices Act of 1988 and Pub Law 98-777.
It is very important that the international relocation company you choose is licensed by the FMC, as you will deal directly with the FMC if a problem occurs. In order to acquire a license through the FMC, the Federal Maritime Commission investigates each company that applies and requires each to set a large bond—licenses are not easily or quickly given out. International relocation companies licensed through the FMC are government regulated, however, this does not mean you can immediately assume they are candid. Call the FMC to find out their perspective on the companies you are considering—the staff of the FMC are very courteous and most importantly, objective. Check also to see if the international relocation companies you are considering have licensed and bonded warehouses and are additionally licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which regulates the workers involved in transportation via large trucks or buses to reduce accidents and property loss.
Specialized NOT Special Lies
Look into each international relocation company you are considering, making sure that they specialize in international relocation and are licensed and bonded as such. Many companies claim to specialize in international relocation, but in reality are local or long-distance movers. Many companies are categorized as local movers, but offer an international relocation department. Only trust a company whose primary purpose is to perform international relocations. For the last few decades, NY International Shipping has only performed and specialized in international relocations, making everyone in our staff—from the logistics coordinators to our professional movers—extremely knowledgeable, international relocation professionals. Watch out for companies that will promise you anything to get your business.
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In order to better evaluate whether or not the international relocation companies you are considering are specialized, professional and have your best interests in mind, you should investigate the company from several different avenues.
- Next, review each company’s web site. Make a mental note to no longer consider a company if you notice that the majority of its site offers other services, dedicating only a few pages to international relocation. A company that specializes in moving overseas will dedicate their entire site to related subjects.
- Ask for referrals from the company from previous families they have assisted as well as U.N. Organizations and fortune 500 companies.
- If possible, visit each international relocation company’s main office for a meeting with a relocation coordinator so that you can evaluate first-hand whether or not the international relocation company you are considering offers the service and level of courtesy and professionalism your family deserves.
- Ask if you can visit their facility. The international relocation company may have a wonderful web site, but not actually exist or may operate as a one-man operation broker.
The Price You Pay for Bargain Hunting
One of the things that may weigh heavily in your mind is the cost of using the international relocation companies you are considering. Budgeting is certainly an important aspect of an international relocation; however, it is better to transport less with a reputable, licensed company than to ship everything with a company that will not see your goods through to your new residence safely—risking a partial or total loss.
NY International Shipping suggests you choose 3 of the top companies you have researched thus far and compare them service for service. You can do so by comparing the cost for the exact same service for shipping the exact same volume. This will give you an accurate comparison of costs. Make sure that packing is included in the rates provided by each company and not billed additionally. Also, be sure that each company’s rates are calculated by the cubic foot if shipped by ocean and by the Kilogram if shipped by air.
You Are the Company You Keep
Finally, you may want to look into what other companies and organizations the international relocation companies you are considering are affiliated with and what associations they currently belong to. You certainly want a company that is recognizable and well-connected. The companies, organizations and associations with which they have a relationship or membership with are a reflection of the international relocation company’s character and level of professionalism.
Several examples of such affiliations may be:
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Employee Relocation Council/Worldwide ERC®
- Foreign Commerce Club of New York
- IAM (International Association of Movers)
- NY/NJ Foreign Freight Forwarders & Brokers Association Inc.
- YP 25 (Young International Movers)
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