Please reach out to us at least three months ahead if you are moving during the peak season. For other times of the year, 6 to 8 weeks is generally sufficient time. The time of the year you are moving affects when you should approach a mover for a quotation. Our peak season for international moving is during the summer season when children are out of school.

Outside of the peak survey period (summer), a few days advance notice is generally sufficient to arrange for a survey. Our peak season for international moves is during the summer season. Surveys for moves taking place during the peak summer season usually begin in March and peak in late April to early May. You can prepare for the survey by deciding what you want to move; identifying things that you want special attention to; recalling the challenges you faced during your last move; anticipating packing dates for you to work out a realistic timeline with the move consultant.

This depends on the size and complexity of your move. Generally most surveys can be completed between 45-minutes to an hour. The purpose of the survey is to establish the size of the move, the operational requirements and thereby its cost. The other purpose is for our team to advise you and answer any questions you may have regarding your relocation/move. To make the onsite survey effective, it is good practice to have a list of questions to ask. Also having decided on the things you are taking / not taking with you to your new location by the time of the survey is another important factor contributing to an effective survey process.

As a guide, a three-bedroom residence will take 2-to-3 days to pack and move. Four bedrooms will take 3-to-5 days. It is prudent to avoid planning the last day of the move on the day before your departure. Many factors (e.g. inclement weather) could delay the progress of the work and ruin your plans. If you intend to move to an alternative accommodation during the few days when the packing is taking place, speak to your Asian Tigers Move Specialist to determine the best day to do so.

One to two months depending on the season. Availability depends on the availability of resources Asian Tigers can deploy to execute your job. Essentially these are the crew, the means of transporting the goods, the materials and the availability of storage facilities. Asian Tigers operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Be aware that we do have a peak season. Peak season falls in the summer months and most people book their pack dates a few months ahead if they are moving during the peak season.

The first-come, first-served rule applies here. Be sure to check with your Asian Tigers Move Specialist to see if there are any charges relating to a date change. Some countries require the owner of goods to be present at the destination when the shipment arrives. If you are changing your departure date, consult with your Asian Tigers Move Specialist if your destination country has this requirement.

Door-to-door timing is an estimated timeline between your personal items leaving your door and arriving at your new address. Transit time refers to the number of days a ship takes to sail from the port of origin to the port at the destination. Your Asian Tigers Move Specialist can request this time by contacting the shipping lines. However, door-to-door time includes all the additional processes needed to get your goods from your door to your destination door. This includes booking the container, collecting and transporting it to the port, clearing customs for its export, and waiting for the ship to sail. The same processes take place at the destination, and for this reason, door-to-door timing can only be estimated. A good analogy for this is air travel. Whereas the timing of a flight from origin to destination is openly published data, the door-to-door timing has to take into account the journey to and from the airport, activities at the airport, and customs and immigration checkpoints.

Yes. Your Asian Tigers Move Specialist can provide an estimated door-to-door timing for your shipment, but please note that this is only an estimate. The actual timing can be affected by various factors, including customs clearance times, port congestion, and weather conditions. Your Asian Tigers Move Specialist will keep you updated throughout the shipping process and provide you with a more accurate timing as the shipment progresses.

It depends on the country. The customs clearance time frame for personal effects shipments can vary depending on the destination country and nature of the items being shipped. Customs clearance can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Delays may occur due to customs inspections, documentation issues, backlogs at customs offices or ports, and unforeseen events. To minimize delays, it's important to ensure all required documentation is complete and accurate and to work with a reputable and experienced mover that can help navigate the customs clearance process.

Not really. What we can do is monitor your shipment as it moves and give you the latest available information. Unlike international couriers, international moving is usually done by surface shipment, which makes real-time tracking challenging. Movers do not own the extensive networks and infrastructure needed to make real-time tracking possible. Sea shipments also require more complex logistics with multiple parties involved in a single shipment, making it difficult to consolidate tracking data into a single, consistent view. However, your Asian Tigers Move Specialist can provide you with vessel and voyage details and keep you updated throughout the shipping process. In some cases, you can track the real-time position of the vessel online via various apps.

That’s a fair question that we are often asked. We offer excellent value for money. Before you compare offers, make sure you are comparing apples to apples.  Compare volumes, crating, things like stair carry or difficult access and the cost of insurance.  

The pricing of international moves incorporates many cost components. The item on the quotation that has the biggest impact on the overall cost is usually the volume or the weight of the shipment. To compare prices, start with this factor. Other add-ons that contribute to the overall cost include third-party charges, storage charges, provision of wooden crates, and cost of insurance. Since there is no single standard format for quoting international moves, comparing line items on quotations can be a challenge. Before making any comparison, do your homework and understand what is included and excluded from the quotation. Freight and port charges, as well as charges levied by the destination mover, are substantial cost components and are incorporated into the door-to-door pricing of the shipment. The reputation and quality of the shipping line and destination mover have a direct impact on the overall pricing of the shipment. Knowing who they are often explains the difference in pricing between different movers.

No. Since many parties are involved in a door-to-door move, the money collected goes to pay many parties along the supply chain, and leeway for price negotiation is very limited.

We aim to offer the best value for your money the first time, every time.

There can be, but household goods and personal effects usually enter tax and duty free.  Most personal effects shipments enter the destination country free of duty and tax. The main requirements of the majority of customs for such relief are:

1. The goods must be used.
2. They are for your own use at the destination.
3. You have the required residential status to import the goods.
4. The goods are imported within a reasonable time of your own relocation. 

*Please note that some countries' customs requirements differ from this, so it's important to check with your mover.

Asian Tigers make a point of not applying hidden charges. However, there are occasionally charges that occur after the quotation and so do not appear as part of the quotation. It's not possible to include all potential charges in a door-to-door quotation due to their inconsistency in arising, and if arose, the factors contributing to these costs. Potential charges usually result from the following categories:

1. Time Related: This could be the need for storage as a result of a mismatch between housing availability and shipment arrival or port storage and demurrage due to hold up at the port by customs or some uncontrollable factors.
   
2. Customs Related: A customs inspection could give rise to a situation described in the above category. It could also give rise to duty and tax, customs inspection fees, and the cost of labor to repack, etc.
   
3. Access Related: Asian Tigers quotations assume normal access. Stair carry, long push, shuttling by small vehicle, use of outside elevators, and all access-related complications attract an additional fee.
4. Third Party Related: This could take the form of a tradesman for installing fixtures or assembling complicated furniture. Note that most knock-down furniture reassembly is not included in the standard delivery and falls under this category.

Most moving quotations are based on estimated volumes, and a margin of error within a 10% range is generally accepted. If the variance in volume is within this range and does not affect any part of the move other than the volume to pack and deliver, Asian Tigers will not adjust the shipment cost. For greater volume variations, the shipment cost will be adjusted.

Planning ahead is the best way to save costs. Moving during the off-peak season when prices are lower, reducing the volume of the shipment, and considering a shared container if you have a small shipment are savvy ways to save money. Good preparation and an experienced move consultant will guide you through the process before the move commences.

Storage charges are usually based on the volume of goods to be stored and the duration of the storage. If the storage service is a standalone service, there will also be charges relating to packing, collecting, warehouse handling, storing, and redelivering. Storage service offered by Asian Tigers is generally charged based on the volume of goods to be stored.

As a repeat customer, you can benefit from consistent service and cost savings. We value customer loyalty and offer competitive and fair pricing. Since the value of our service is constantly measured by the market by means of service comparisons between vendors, we always strive to stay competitive.

We do not apply hidden charges, but there are occasionally charges that occur after the quotation and these do not appear as part of the quotation. Potential charges are usually a result of time-related, customs-related, access-related, or third-party-related factors. It is not possible and practical to include all such potential charges in a door-to-door quotation due to how inconsistently they arise.

We offer a range of packing materials and carton boxes for different items, including flat or hanging wardrobe boxes for clothes. Hanging boxes are recommended for longer clothes to minimize the risk of creases or folds, while flat wardrobe boxes take up less volume / space and can be packed with hangers. If you're moving from a hot and humid climate, ensure your clothes are clean and dry before packing. Consult with your Asian Tigers Move Specialist for the best method of packing for your personal effects.

Custom-built wooden crates are recommended for delicate and high-value items such as artwork or antique furniture. These crates not only provide additional protection during transport but also help to create more usable space inside a container. We recommend highlighting such special pieces during the survey and packing process to ensure they're properly taken care of.

Yes, you may pack things yourself, and some movers may even provide boxes and packing materials in advance for you to do the packing. However, packing things yourself isn't encouraged for two main reasons. First, movers are required to mark on the manifest any items packed by the owner with the letters PBO (Packed By Owner) which can increase the likelihood of customs inspections. Second, insurance policies may not cover items that aren't professionally packed by the movers.

Yes. It is the responsibility of the owner to identify all items to be packed and shipped. Encountering a “questionable” item during packing that requires the owner to make a decision on the spot is common. Having the owner onsite is also key to signing off on paperwork and performing the final check after completion of packing to facilitate a timely and efficient start to the shipping process. If the owner cannot be present for the packing, they must appoint a representative to act on their behalf.

Yes. You may sleep in your apartment or house during the few days of packing. Moving can be both physically and mentally exhausting. Planning ahead and keeping your move organized every step of the way will help to reduce the stress of moving. Keeping to your routine bedtime schedule will also help you to relax.

Yes. Standard delivery service includes unpacking of furniture and placement. We recommend deciding on the layout of each room beforehand and having a plan drawn up if possible. Most movers will only remove the used packing materials on the day of delivery, and if you don't want all items unpacked, you may have to arrange disposal of the packing materials yourself. Some movers may offer placement of items back onto shelves and into cabinets as an add-on service in the form of valet or maid service.

The number of crew members that will come to pack your belongings depends on the volume and complexity of the move. Typically, Asian Tigers locations have crews of 3-to-5 members, while deliveries in the West are usually done with smaller crews. If you have any concerns about the crew size, feel free to discuss them with your Asian Tigers Move Specialist.

Tipping is not mandatory, but it is appreciated for good service. If you decide to tip, remember to include crew members that you may not see, such as drivers or lift operators.

We use our own Asian Tigers Group employees for most of our work. However, for certain tasks such as piano moving, hoisting, etc. we use specialists that we have carefully vetted.

International movers cover the globe with the help of a network of movers located around the world. Professional mover associations, such as FIDI, OMNI, IAM, and PAIMA, set standards for members to follow to ensure consistency in service delivery. While having an office at the destination is an assurance of consistency, working with members of professional associations in locations where a mover does not have an office also upholds service standards.

Yes, in general, all of our Asian Tiger Group locations offer storage services. However, for security reasons, we do not offer direct access to storage facilities. To access your goods, you should inform your Asian Tigers Move Specialist of your intention and the package number you want to access. You Asian Tigers Move Specialist will arrange for the goods to be extracted and delivered to you for a fee. It's important to choose storage only if you need assistance with packing and moving your goods and do not need free access to the goods while in storage. If you need free access, self-storage is a better option.

All Asian Tigers facilities offer temperature-controlled storage should you require it. These facilities are particularly useful for storing valuable, fragile, or sensitive items that require extra protection from extreme temperatures, humidity, and other environmental factors that can cause damage or deterioration over time.

If you pay the storage charges in a timely manner, technically you can store your goods indefinitely. However, it is not advisable to store goods for an extended period of time. Here are some factors to consider when putting goods into long-term storage:

1. Cost: Storage fees can add up over time, and indefinitely storing personal effects in a storage facility can become quite expensive.
   
2. Necessity: If the personal effects are not essential or regularly used, it may be more practical to consider disposing of them or finding other alternatives for storage.
   
3. Natural Deterioration: Some goods deteriorate over time without the presence of any apparent factors. Not all goods are made to stay in perfect condition when left untouched for a long time even when stored in an ideal environment.
4. Emotional Attachment: It is also worth considering the emotional attachment when storing goods for a long time. If the items hold significant sentimental value, it may be worthwhile to keep them. Otherwise, it may be better to let them go.

Yes, we can invoice your company directly for your move. To make this possible, your company will need to enter into a contract with us. Since an international move often involves many optional add-ons such as storage at the destination, insurance, etc., we recommend that your company is aware of these additional services so they can properly budget.

No, we do not accept credit cards at this time. Most international moving companies do not accept credit cards.

We collect payment upfront for personal effects shipments. This is because we need to pay for transportation, handling, customs clearance, and many other fees associated with the shipment before delivery. Collecting payment upfront ensures that we have the funds to cover these costs. Allowing payment after delivery can also be risky for us as there is always a chance that the customer may default on the payment after receiving the shipment. Additionally, we may not have the infrastructure in place to collect and process payments after delivery in a foreign country, which can cause administrative and processing issues. We recommend that you check and clarify the payment terms to avoid any misunderstanding.

We don't generally recommend including food items in your shipment, as they may be subject to restrictions and regulations, such as import / export permits, quarantine requirements, and health and safety concerns. Shipping food or spices depends on the destination country. These factors could cause delays in customs clearance and additional costs.

Like food, medicines and supplements are subject to restrictions and regulations for each country. Most countries have strict import regulations for medicines, often requiring permits. Some medicines may be considered controlled substances. Including medicines in your shipment could cause customs clearance delays and extra costs, we therefore recommend packing these important items as part of your essentials list on the flight.

Yes, toiletries are generally allowed in household goods shipment. However some air carriers may impose restrictions on shipping toiletries by air. Check with the carrier or your mover for their policy. Package your toiletries properly to prevent leaks and spills.

Shipping wine or alcoholic beverages requires considering several factors:

1. Legal Restrictions: Different countries have varying regulations on alcohol importation. Some shipping companies may classify high-alcohol beverages (e.g., liquor) as dangerous goods and prohibit their inclusion in personal effects shipments.
   
2. Taxes and Duties: Most countries impose taxes and duties on wine shipments, with fees varying by destination. Some countries may also require import permits.
   
3. Packaging: Proper packaging is crucial to prevent breakage or spills during transit. Movers can provide specially designed wine shipping boxes at an additional cost.
   
4. Temperature: Wine is sensitive to temperature fluctuations, and heat exposure can damage its flavor and quality. Note that movers generally don't have access to temperature-controlled containers and vehicles.
   
5. Declaration: Declare your wine shipment on the customs declaration form to avoid legal issues or penalties. Provide accurate information on the type, value, and quantity of wine being shipped.
   

We can ship cars as part of an international household goods shipment, but you need to ensure your car meets regulatory requirements. Prepare your car for transport by cleaning it, removing personal items, disabling the alarm, and leaving minimal fuel. Note that electric cars may require separate shipping due to hazardous material regulations.

Most household goods movers can transport items, like pianos, that don't require specialized handling or packaging. Pianos are typically shipped in standard seagoing containers, but they often require wooden crates for safe transportation.

Please note that standard delivery service usually doesn't include piano tuning or addressing access-related issues like stairs or long carries, which may incur additional fees. Including a piano in your shipment may also result in extra charges due to crate provision, uncrating, and heavy lifting.

Items typically not accepted by common carriers cannot be shipped in an international household goods shipment. These include hazardous and toxic materials, weapons, illegal drugs, perishable items, plants, seeds, animal products, currency, and precious metals. Some common household items may also be restricted, such as food, alcoholic beverages, medicines, cleaning products, and items containing lithium batteries. Always check with your mover and the destination country's customs regulations to ensure compliance.

Preventing mold can be a challenge, but you can follow these steps to minimize the risk:

1. Pack clean and dry items using proper packaging materials and desiccant packs.
   
2. Control temperature and humidity with dehumidifiers or air conditioners before packing.
   
3. Inspect your shipment upon arrival for any signs of mold or moisture damage and take immediate action if needed.

We understand that damages can be stressful. If your items are damaged, we will investigate the cause and guide you through your insurer’s claim process. Please report any damages during delivery or as soon as possible afterward.

Asian Tigers offers insurance coverage as an optional add-on to our shipment services, but do not include it in our initial quotation. There are two main reasons for this:

Customization: The insurance coverage that you need for your personal effects shipment may vary depending on the nature of your goods, the distance of the shipment, and other factors. Asian Tigers may offer different insurance options with varying levels of coverage to suit your specific needs.

Liability Limits: Movers have liability limits for lost, stolen, or damaged items. Some of these limits are dictated by law and may not cover the full value of your shipment. You may need to purchase additional insurance coverage to fully protect your goods.

No, insurance is not mandatory, but it is advisable to have coverage for your shipment. Insurance provides financial protection in case your belongings are lost, stolen, or damaged during transit, like if a cargo boat sinks at sea. Additionally, maritime law may require you to share the loss in certain incidents, and insurance can cover you in such cases.

It is common for people to purchase insurance for their household goods shipment, as it provides adequate coverage and a hassle-free claim process in case of any loss or damage during the move.

Asian Tigers will always exercise care when moving your goods. However, accidents do happen and if you have any items missing during the move, the first thing to do is to review the inventory to confirm that the missing items were included in the shipment. After that make sure all the boxes and packages were fully unpacked. If the items are still missing after ensuring they were on the inventory and inside unpacked boxes, take the following steps to file an insurance claim:

1. Review the Insurance Policy: First, review the insurance policy on lost or damaged items. Some insurers have strict timelines for filing claims, so be sure to carefully review this information right away.
   
2. Take Inventory: Create a detailed inventory of all the items, especially items of value,  that were supposed to be moved, and indicate which items are missing. It's also a good idea to take photos of high value items to be kept on file in case of a claim.
   
3. Contact the Insurer: Contact the insurer directly or via Asian Tigers if the shipment is insured by an insurance company through Asian Tigers as soon as possible to report the missing items. Be sure to provide the inventory and photos as evidence.
   
4. File a Claim: File a claim with the insurer. This typically involves completing a claim form and submitting evidence like an inventory and photos.
5. Follow Up: Follow up with the insurer regularly to check that your claim is being processed.

There are several reasons why it is advisable to list all items for insurance purposes in a household goods shipment:

1. Accurate Valuations: When you list all your items it helps to provide an accurate valuation of your shipment, which is necessary for determining the insurance coverage required for your goods.
2. Claims Settlement: If any of your items are lost or damaged during the move, the insurance company will use the list to verify the items that were being shipped, and to calculate the amount of compensation you will receive for the loss.
3. Contractual Obligations: Most insurers assume a standard risk profile for an average household goods shipment. Since partial listing submissions usually contain only goods with higher risk of damage or loss, the insurer may refuse to undertake the insurance or to demand payment for a higher premium to offset the increased risk.

The cost of insuring household goods shipment is typically calculated based on the value of the items being shipped. The insurance premium is usually a percentage of the declared value of the goods, with rates varying depending on the level of coverage and the insurer's specific terms and conditions. Unless otherwise specified, most household goods shipments are valued on the replacement value of the goods.

Some insurance policies may have deductibles or exclusions for certain types of items, such as jewelry or stamp collections. Always review the terms and conditions of your insurance policy to ensure that you understand the coverage provided and any deductibles or exclusions.

Yes, Asian Tigers can arrange disposal of unwanted furniture items for a fee. However, consider disposing of items yourself or donating them to charity organizations before the moving crew arrives. It is also good practice to dispose of all small loose items that you do not intend to ship before the arrival of the moving crew to avoid confusion at the time of packing.

Asian Tigers provide local door-to-door moving services, including packing, delivery, and unpacking, as well as accessorial services like handyman or piano moving. Local moves are just as labor intensive as international moves just without the shipping and customs clearance so please allow ample lead time when booking a local move, and be aware that costs may be higher during the peak season.

Asian Tigers can accommodate split pickup or delivery within the same city or town. Always identify and segregate these items before the arrival of the Asian Tigers Moving Crew. This will avoid additional costs associated with sorting. Consult with you Asian Tigers Move Specialist on any special requests up front so we can help you better plan the logistics of your move.

We typically do not handle complex furniture or AV equipment that requires specialized knowledge, tools, expertise, or is time-consuming to disassemble and reassemble. This includes “knock down” or “ready-to-assemble” furniture like from IKEA, furniture that has electrical components, has delicate or fragile parts, is custom-made or is antique or of very high value. Equipment or furniture that is permanently attached to a real property are known as “fixtures” and will generally require a tradesperson to dismantle or reinstall involving drilling holes or wiring.

It's always advisable to be present when your shipment arrives, especially if you're taking delivery immediately after customs clearance. Technically your presence in the destination country depends on the specific customs regulations of that country. You'll generally need valid resident status and all necessary paperwork for importing household goods. However, consult your move consultant for specific customs clearance requirements and whether you need to be present.

Documentation requirements vary by country, but most will require proof of residential status (e.g., work visa, resident visa, proof of permanent residency), passport details, shipping manifest, and other shipping documents. Your Asian Tigers Move Specialist can advise you on any additional country-specific requirements during the move.

Changing the destination city may have significant implications on shipment logistics and should be communicated well in advance to avoid penalties. However, it's not uncommon to start an international move without a final delivery address. At the initial stage, your mover only needs to know the destination city for planning and quotation purposes. If you don't have a delivery address at the time of packing, it won't be a problem as long as the destination city remains unchanged. If you still don't have a delivery address when your shipment arrives, you can opt for temporary storage until you find one.

Some appliances may not work in certain countries due to differences in voltage and electrical cycles. Check the voltage (e.g., 110V/230V) and cycle (e.g., 50hz/60hz) on your appliance and compare it with the destination country's electrical supply before including it in your shipment.

The cost of moving furniture depends on factors like volume, destination, access, and general shipping. We offer different quoting options and can provide optional items for you to decide whether to ship.

It's challenging for your Asian Tigers Move Specialist to price individual items due to difficulties in determining weight and dimensions, as well as various indivisible fees and charges. We typically provide a total shipping cost for the entire shipment based on overall weight, volume, and destination to give a more accurate and consistent estimate.

Yes, our minimum charge for a sea shipment is based on a minimum volume of 150 cubic feet or 4.3 cbm, which equals around 20-25 standard boxes.

For shipments with just a few boxes, we recommend checking with your local postal service or a courier service like FedEx, DHL, or a similar company in your local market. Full-service moving companies like ours aren't geared to handle such small shipments.

No moving company can completely eliminate the risk of damages but the Asian Tigers Group draws on decades of experience and expertise to minimize and mitigate this risk. Insurance provides an extra layer of protection, as moves can involve different parties across continents.

We treat our team like family and we extend that same treatment to our customers. In each geography that you find the Asian Tigers Group it is owner-operated by some of the most experienced people in the international moving industry that take great pride in what they do. We’ve seen it all - and we put this experience to work for you to mitigate any challenges to a smooth international move. We hold ourselves to the highest standards, whether that be customer service, professional certifications, continuous training, or environmental sustainability and good governance.