Making sure your stuff has a safe trip.
Somewhere between Bonn and Moscow there is an oil painting of my grandmother, Hertha, either hanging on someone’s wall or perhaps rotting on a garbage heap. It was shipped along with all my sister’s possessions when she moved to Russia on a diplomatic posting. Everything else arrived intact, but the picture disappeared en route. As the value of the painting was chiefly sentimental, the reimbursement (Rückerstattung), which my sister received from the moving company (Umzugsunternehmen or Spediteur), was no more than a token payment. Although this all happened several years ago, I still feel a twinge when I think of Hertha, lost out there looking sadly out of her gold frame, a young woman in a blue velvet dress. If you are planning a move (Umzug ) in the near future and want to avoid PMT (post move trauma), read on.Be aware of two things: first, you probably have more things to move than you think, so be prepared for a shock when the removal company gives you an estimate (Kostenvoranschlag ) and, second, if you are not shocked and think the price reasonable, then be suspicious. Given that freight prices across the Atlantic, for example, are standardized and cannot be negotiated by the removal company, a bargain move means that some kind of illicit savings are being made and these may affect the safe transport of your possessions. It is best to get at least two quotes, for which the relocation companies will need to send someone to your home to take measurements. The price of the move is always decided by the number of cubic meters you want shipped. Don’t worry if you are in a hurry. Most companies are prepared to work at quite short notice—about two weeks and in some cases even less. Once you have decided on a forwarder, you will be sent all the official documentation, such as customs forms (Zollpapiere ), which you will have to fill out.
The packing is always done by the removal men because of insurance reasons (Versicherungsgründe ), so if, for some reason, you wish to pack certain items yourself, you should limit this to unbreakable things, such as books, otherwise you may have problems reclaiming damaged objects. And please don’t start opening already packed boxes as the moving company may well refuse to accept responsibility for packing that has been tampered with.
How your household is packed for the move will depend on how much and what sort of things you wish to send. Small amounts are often packed in heavy-duty cardboard boxes (Pappkarton ), larger pieces may be put into wooden crates (Holzkisten ) and for a major relocation most companies will supply big steel containers (Stahlcontainer ). Should you decide to move with only the barest essentials, such as a few clothes, some books and your CD collection, you might want to contact UPS, or ask an airline for the price of unaccompanied baggage, which is often cheaper than going to movers. Don’t be tempted to send your things along with a friend or colleague’s furniture. Customs doesn’t allow it and insurers hate it and can make life very difficult regarding insurance claims (Versicherungsansprüche).
Most moves go via land and sea. In some rare cases, however, you may wish to consider sending all your belongings by plane (Luftfracht). This is very expensive and is generally resorted to only when the destination is a dangerous or politically unstable country, or overland access is difficult. If you are moving to the States or Australia, please note that land and sea relocation takes four to six weeks to get stateside and eight to ten weeks for Down Under, so don’t send things you might need in the interim.
