International Moving Services

Partner Van Lines offers a low-cost Over Sea Relocation

It's a big leap for a family to leave a comfortable neighbourhood and take up life in a new country. How does one initiate the process of moving personal household, find a place to live or find insurance for medical emergencies in a foreign environment? More importantly, how does one adjust to a new culture and make new friends? The challenges seem daunting. With Partner Van Lines, however, the issues are less formidable, thanks to careful attention to detail and a menu of services designed to help families successfully face every aspect of an international relocation.

Means of Transport from the Bay Area

Partner Van Lines will select the most effective container for your international  move based on your specific needs as well as the weight and volume of your personal belongings.

Lift-Vans

• Constructed of plywood with a 2-inch by 4-inch wooden frame, skids are attached to the bottom of the container so it can be handled by a forklift. Lift-vans are usually lined with water-resistant paper and may be caulked as necessary to keep your goods dry. After caulking, steel straps are placed around the outside to secure the lift-van.
• Standard sizes are 185 to 210cubic feet. Other sizes can be custom-built to hold bulky items.
• Generally used if total shipment weighs less than 4,000 pounds.
• Can be used for storage as well as transportation, which prevents additional handling
• Can easily be inspected for customs clearance.
• Preferred when the destination country lacks the capacity to handle steamship containers.

Steamship Containers

• Constructed of steel and resemble motor freight trailers
• Twenty-foot containers hold approximately 1,100 cubic feet while 40-foot units hold about 2,200 cubic feet
• Can hold more than a single lift-van and are used for large or bulky shipments. To effectively use a steamship container, a minimum of 700 cubic feet (approximately 4,000 pounds) is suggested
• May not be available for shipping to some foreign countries
• Provided by ocean carriers and may not be utilized for storage purposes
• Due to their construction, offers the best protection of a shipment compared to other containers
• Can result in lower transportation charges, if the minimum requirement for weight and volume are met.

Air Freight Containers

• Constructed of triple-layered corrugated cardboard, they range in size from 18 to 96 cubic feet. Larger containers are fitted with skids for ease in moving with a forklift
• Restricted to certain dimensional specifications in order to pass through aircraft cargo doors.

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International Ways of Transport

After your goods have been packed (whether you pack or we handle the packing) and loaded into the appropriate container, Partner Van Lines will arrange door-to-door transportation. Your shipment may be moved by rail or motor freight to the port of exit. Whether it is a seaport or an airport depends upon the mode of transportation selected. More than one mode of transportation will be required - either ocean or air for the longest part, plus truck or rail to and from entry and departure points.

Motor Carrier

• Provides unlimited access to most geographical areas through the United States
• More cost effective than air transportation to a port
• Used to transport steamship containers and lift-vans
• Provides expedited pickup when necessary.

Railroad

• Capable of transporting more goods in certain trade lanes by stacking steamship containers
• More cost effective than a motor freight carrier
• Frequently used to transport steamship containers to and from an ocean port.

Ocean

• More common way to transport shipments internationally
• Usually less expensive than air freight
• Normally comprises the longest leg of a move, in terms of distance and time spent in transit

Air Freight

• Reduces transit time; used to send time-sensitive items
• Recommended for certain countries, depending on the nature of the shipment and final destination
• Ideal for smaller shipments
• Allows you to quickly settle into a new environment.

Pre-Move Planning

• Contact us to arrange a free in-home survey of your personal household for a more precise moving estimate . Within 24 hours after the survey we will send survey results and a rate quotation in writing
• Once you register an international relocation, a professional relocation consultant will be assigned to coordinate every aspect of your relocation from origin to destination in coordination with our U.S. agents, overseas Partners and underlying carriers, all of who have long-term relationships with Partner Van Lines and therefore have a vested interested in the success of every move.

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International Move Management

Your Move Manager is trained in all aspects of international pricing, forwarding logistics, overseas transit protection policies, customer services, documentation requirements and distribution as well as accounting processes. Our Move Managers know the "ins and outs" to coordinate your international relocation successfully.  While your personal household is in transit, your Move Manager will:

Origin

• Contact you within 24 hours of new move notification to exchange origin and destination contact information
• Review customs regulations and documents required for customs clearance
• Explain insurance policies and related products( if applicable)
• Confirm details and pack/load dates with you and our agent in your local area
• Reconfirm scheduled pack/load date with you and our agent in your local area the day before services are to be performed
• Contact the employee on pack/load date to ensure everything is going well and answer any questions.

In-Transit

• Make all necessary arrangements with the underlying carriers( transport to port of exit, port of exit handling, international transportation, port of entry handling, customs clearance, transport to destination agent and delivery)
• Monitor the transportation of your personal household from origin to destination.

Post-Move

• Contact you at destination to schedule delivery date
• Provide assistance with claims processing if necessary

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