This post is for those collecting information and opinions on the packing & shipping process, as well as those just interested in how John and I are staying married through all of this. I could say I was just joking, but I’ve always heard that there is truth in jest. Believe me when I say that this whole moving overseas process is not particularly easy on couples. Well, moving in general isn’t, but it gets a bit more complex when you throw in shipping overseas, customs, delivery in a foreign location.  Lots of stress with many details not to be overlooked. We’re both in our mid 60’s and by the end of each day we’re just plain tired. But we try to laugh through it all and remember to give thanks and kiss each other before our heads hit the pillows at night. And hopefully we’ve contracted with the right mover to smooth out the waves a bit.

Everyone will have different shipping needs, determined by what you absolutely need or want to ship to your new home, what you can realistically get through customs and what you can or cannot buy in your new homeland. Do you want to pack it up yourselves or hire someone do that part? We looked at some different options, and determined we’d do our own packing. We could have stripped this further down than what we boxed up, but it’s all about choices as these boxes just contain things. Yes, a lot of memories and cherished belongings, such as my old family pictures, art books from my dad, John’s beloved guitars… you can see where this is going. We took note of what we wanted and looked around the internet a bit. Checked out what those companies offered and the reviews not on their sites. This is the company we chose, upakweship.com. They had some mixed reviews. We checked with pods and shipmybox kind of sites, but in the end this company we chose had a lot of great options and affordable. Customer service to-date has rocked. They have kept their schedule as promised but the jury is still out until the shipment is delivered safely to our new home. Right now it is at sea. I’ll keep you updated on progress and final outcome.

From among the shipping options, we picked 2 of the U-CRATE 100. After you sign contract, give the company all pertinent data on your move and give a down payment, they ship you, when you’re ready, your pallets or any other container you have chosen. These are pallet kits that come with the side and tops, strapping, etc. John, being his meticulous self, calculated the size of boxes we needed to fit nice and snug within the kits.

Any holes in the stack, as there were a few because of some odd shaped items, we just stuffed with blankets and pillows. It was just amazing that all the things we felt we couldn’t part with in our lives, actually fit in these two kits. John did a wonderful job getting them ready. We had the company send the truck back out to get them, and they headed to the port of Charleston, SC.

Once in Charleston, they awaited their shipping assignment. It takes about a week to 10 days for that assignment. We were just notified this past Friday that they sailed. It was 10 days on the nose. The company gave us the tracking info, so we

The Maine Trader – our ship

are watching live as our ship sails for the UK and then on to the port of Rotterdam. There are a couple of sites you can use to track. I’ve been checking Marine Traffic and Vessel Finder. (I’m sure checking one would be just fine, but it’s my OCD manifesting itself.)  Upakweship assigned us a contact in Rotterdam, with whom we have started a conversation. The hand-off went to Global Moving and Shipping. They will keep us up to date on arrival of our shipment and its trucking to Italy & customs. They asked us to fill out a few more forms in regards to customs clearance and delivery. From reading the reviews, problems arose for others with customs and delivery to final destination. Per Global’s letter to me today:

Please be advised that additional charges will occur if we are dealing with the following situations :

• Delivery above the ground floor (curbside) or first floor (full service)
• Bad access where a truck cannot get anywhere close to your residence
• Arrangement of a parking permit or a no parking zone
• Items in your shipment that are less than 6 months old, wine, spirits and/or cigarettes (duties and taxes)
• Physical customs inspection or an x-ray of your shipment by customs either in the USA or in Rotterdam

In this case these charges will have to paid before the delivery of your shipment.

I think the key to doing your own packing should encompass at least these points:

• use heavy weight boxes with a lot of tape on all seams
• think ahead like John did and calculate contents – size of boxes and how they fit by drawing up a diagram
• make certain the kits are well wrapped and strapped correctly. – provided
• follow all instructions on labeling – template provided
• absolutely be diligent on your packing list as this will make or break you when it hits customs examination – online app provided
• be honest on any forms you fill out!
• buy insurance – it’s offered
• double-check any issues with delivery to your final destination and apprise the shipping company

With all this said, we have no idea what will transpire with our shipment once it gets to Europe. We’re hoping we covered all the bases, but will prepare for the unexpected. Again, it’s just things. Yes, things we treasure, but not necessary for survival. Case in point: we know of a  couple from our county here in Virginia that moved to Italy about 1-1/2 years ago. I do not have their shipping details, but know that they company they contracted shipped to an Italian port. Their entire shipment burned at the docks. Not a happy story, but they had insurance and when I spoke to the wife recently, she said moving was the best decision they ever made. No regrets.

Some notes about our delivery: Customer service on the US side thought our road looked suspicious for a truck delivery and we would need another delivery site. I’ve informed my contact at Global, so they are not blindsided and have Luigi’s (our property manager) contact info.  Luigi has graciously offered to meet the truck in an agreed location to transfer to a smaller truck to take to our house. But hopefully once Luigi and our EU contact talk, they may find out our road can take their initial truck. Keeping our fingers crossed on this one. All we can do is cover all the bases and hope for the best. I’m breathing in and out.

This is definitely a story to be continued…….