FAQs

Below are answers to some of the common questions you may have about international removals and shipping. You will also find FAQ Guides on each of the country pages.

How much will my international removal or shipping cost?

Removal clients get a free no obligation home survey. Prices can vary depending on your destination and your shipment size i.e. For a part household we offer a shared container service where you only pay for the space you utilise or for full households we offer a sole use containerised service.

How long will it take for my shipment to arrive?

The time between removal at your UK residence and arrival at your destination is dependent on the country you are shipping to and the size of your shipment. Transit times range from 1 to 12 weeks.

You will also need to allow extra time for customs clearance which can vary considerably depending on various factors such as the country, how busy the port is and the contents of the container.

What if I Don't know my removal date yet?

It is understandable that you may not have a set removal date yet. We recommend 4 weeks’ notice prior to removal, however we appreciate that there are a number of contributing factors that may mean you are unable to give this much notice. For this reason, we offer a provisional booking process where we will allocate a crew for your removal on the provisional moving date you advise.

Can I change the items on my removal list?

Items can be added/removed from your removals list prior to your removal day. Discuss any changes with your Account Manager.

What if I don't have a delivery address?

This is not a problem as all we will require is a contact address and contact details. The delivery address can be advised at a later date or once you arrive.

How do I find out the cost of Marine Insurance and Shipment Protection cover?

Our policy is quick and easy to set up, simply complete our Shipment Protection valuation form with the items you would like to cover and their values.

Removal (we pack) consignments cover for Australia, New Zealand and Europe by air and road costs 3% of the total insurable value you declare.
Removal (we pack) consignments cover for Rest of the World and Europe by sea plus imports into the UK costs 3.5% of the total insurable value you declare.
Vehicle shipments cover costs 2% of the vehicle’s declared value
Self-Pack (you pack) consignments cover costs 5% of the total insurable value you declare
Baggage/Airfreight consignments, which are owner packed, will cost 5% of the total insurable value you declare

What will happen on my removal day?

On the day of your removal, one of our experienced export packing teams will arrive at your residence to start professionally packing the contents of your home. PSS only handle and specialise in international removals and shipping.

It is essential that any international removal is professionally export packed using the correct packing materials. All items will be packed into export approved cartons and all furniture will be wrapped and protected using 6 ply export approved blankets.

Our export packing teams will always bring extra cartons and packing materials on your removal day, so if you are undecided over a particular item, please don’t worry.

Once packing is complete, our crew will create an inventory listing all the items you are sending to your next destination. 90% of full containers are loaded at your home. This is, however, dependent on access to your residence and the type of load.

If you are planning on shipping a part load shipment your goods will be removed from your residence using a PSS vehicle and loaded into a part load container back at one of our depots ready for shipment to your destination.

What happens at my destination?

When your goods arrive at the destination we will handle all the customs formalities, clearance procedures and/or inspections. Some destinations require the shipper (yourself) to attend a meeting at your local customs office as part of the clearance process. Should this apply to you we will notify you well in advance. We offer a door-to-door service, so once your goods have passed through customs they will be delivered directly to your residence. Your belongings will arrive at your residence inside the sea freight container or in a removal vehicle. This will all depend on the country you are moving to and the size of your shipment. Rest assured that we will keep you informed every step of the way.

Are there additional charges?

All of our estimates are quoted as a door-to-door service. This service includes the custom clearance as well as other related charges (and other destination applicable charges).

All related charges information will be clearly listed in your removals quote and explained to you by your Account Manager. There is a possibility of additional charges if you ship items that are prohibited or restricted entry into the country you are moving to.

Some countries have an agricultural concern, meaning a physical inspection of garden equipment and similar items may be performed upon arrival and in some cases treated. In this eventuality, an additional fee would apply, however, your Account Manager would be pleased to explain this in greater detail.

When is payment due and will I have to pay a deposit?

Our payment terms are 7 days before removal day and we require a £350 deposit when booking your removal.