Frequently Asked Questions

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Checklists

  • Relax and let your agent do the work.
  • Remain on hand in case the packers have questions.
  • Check all rooms, cupboards and walls to make sure nothing is left behind.
  • Arrange for mail to be forwarded.
  • Clean all shoes, bicycles, garden tools, vacuum cleaner bags, wooden ornaments/decorations, grooming brushes, clothing, etc. to remove animal hair, seeds, dust/dirt, insects and disease.
  • Arrange care for children on moving day.
  • Arrange for mains services to be disconnected.
  • Empty lockers at school and work.
  • Return or retrieve any items on loan.
  • Drain fuel from motor mowers, etc.
  • Dispose of plants and perishable foods.
  • Prepare a valuation for insurance and complete the insurance proposal form.
  • Dispose of items you dont want to ship.
  • Supply contact numbers and addresses.
  • Ask for final accounts for water, electricity, telephone, etc.
  • Complete all outstanding credit agreements.
  • Cancel all rental agreements.
  • Run down stock of food and drink.
  • Confirm your removal date with your agent.
  • Separate all personal items which are to travel with you, e.g. keys, documents, passports, tickets, certificates, currency, clothing, etc.
  • Disconnect clean and dry any electrical appliances that you wish to ship.
  • Disconnect lights for shipment and make wiring safe.
  • Dismantle furniture items.
  • Arrange with neighbours to leave sufficient parking space for the removal vehicle.
  • Check that your passports and visas are valid.
  • Check whether any permits are required, e.g. for residency, work, vehicles or firearms.
  • Check vaccination requirements.
  • Check your travel documents and tickets.
  • Collate all your personal documents.
  • Advise your solicitor, bank, doctor, insurance company, etc.
  • Cancel subscriptions.
  • Notify schools.
  • Obtain invoices for new purchases.
  • Clear out the loft, garage and shed.

Marine Insurance

Modern packing provides assurance, however, no move is without risk; accidents do sometimes happen. For this reason, it is vital that your shipment is adequately insured. If you require insurance against any loss or damage, it should be arranged prior to the removal taking place.
All Risk Insurance covers any accidental loss or damage during the removal. This cover only applies to household effects packed by Global Econo Movers. Owner packed items cannot be insured. The client must provide a valued itemized inventory in both ZAR and destination currency. The premium is 3.9%. Any claim will be subject to an excess of 1% of insured value with a minimum of R500.00.
Total Loss can be arranged which covers damage to your household effects due to container being dropped and written off or should goods never arrive at destination, including for owner packed goods. The premium for Total Loss cover is 1%. Any claim will be subject to an excess of 0.9%. Please note that the minimum value for Total Loss Insurance is R20 000.00, which is a premium of R200.00.
Should you decline the above options, your household effects will be transported at your own risk and subject to our Standard Conditions of Trading. Global Econo Movers will not be liable for any loss or damage to your household effects, howsoever it has been caused.
Always insure your goods for their full replacement cost at destination. Motor vehicles, boats, motorcycles should be valued at the sound market value at destination. Antiques and fine arts must be valued at the current market replacement cost at destination, taking into account costs of duties, shipping and carriage charges.
Coverage begins for the "All Risk" option from the time the personal and household effects are being packed by Global Econo Movers. The coverage for the "Total Loss" option begins when the container is packed. Effects placed in storage before shipment in our warehouse are covered for Fire and Water damage only.

Tips on Moving

Clear out unwanted goods – hold a garage sale. Clothes – now is your chance to clear out unwanted clothing. Books – sort through your books, some may be disposed of.
Get rid of flammables – paint, petrol, gas cylinders cannot accompany your effects. Empty fuel from lawnmowers, weedeaters, clippers and so on. Start running down fridge, freezer and pantry stocks as most countries will not accept food stuffs.
Check all electrical goods (TV, etc); will they work in the new country? Make up your Change of Address list. Arrange to have mail and correspondence forwarded. Arrange for termination of electricity, telephone, security alarm, accounts, etc. Collect together important documents i.e. marriage/birth certificates, drivers licences, passports, visas, etc.
Check to see if you still have original packaging for goods e.g. hi fi, etc. Retain any purchase slips/invoices for new items bought prior to leaving for Customs and insurance purposes.
Have rugs, upholstery, curtains, etc. steam cleaned. Fridge and freezer to be cleared, cleaned and dried a few days before packers arrive to avoid mildew. Remove pictures, mirrors and wall hangings from the walls for wrapping. Any furniture that can be dismantled, can be done so before the packers arrive. All electrical appliances must be disconnected prior to the packers arriving.
To make your lives a little less stressful on the other side, put items aside that can be packed into one box, which will be the first box offloaded on the other side, to assist you, i.e. coffee, sugar, powder milk, first aid kit, children's toys, kettle, hand tools, light bulbs, portable radio, etc.
The value you insure your effects for and the customs value you declare on the Bill of Entry on the other side are not the same figure. The value you declare for Customs must not be too high to avoid being charged duty on your used effects.