Often consumers receive estimates from shippers on there international move, do they know the estimate they have? Do they know what the type of estimate is? And what are they paying for?

Here in My Moving Guide We will provide the breakdown of services and estimates with a better explanation of the following services. There are 3 types of estimates that are common in the shipping industry

- Binding
- Rate based on volume (cubic feet)
- Containerized Estimates

A Binding estimates if I were to give it a name I would call it a "Fixed Price" agreement. This means that you agree to pay the fixed amount of the binding written estimate. The actual weight is irrelevant. This is the most "fair" type of estimate If everyone is honest. The Fixed Price is based on the estimate the customer has received by the moving company he higherd for the job. if the estimate is based on 500 c/f the company and the customer both agree to the price agreed for the 500 c/f – Fixed Price. The risk to the consumer is that the estimator could highball the estimate to get extra money for pounds that don't exist.  The risk to the moving company is that the consumer could sneak in lots of extra items that were not included on the original estimate. The risk to the mover is much less than the risk to the consumer, because the truck driver has the right to "challenge" the binding estimate on loading day, before actually loading, if he thinks that the estimate is too low.

A Rate based on volume estimate you basically agree to pay for the actual volume, based on a set price per c/f. The final bill could be higher or lower than the original written estimate, depending on the actual c/f. If the bill is higher than the estimate, the mover can collect up to 10% – 15% extra on top of the amount specified in the estimate prior the date of shipping. This can be if the company provided an onsite survey which the customer has provided the company with the exact information he wishes to take. If the customer added another room of goods which was out of the estimate the customer will be charged for the additional volume added.

Containerized estimates. The international community providing services overseas onto steel containers which are sized for 20’ and 40’ or 40’ High Cube, these containers carry your household goods & vehicles. The containers can be loaded and off-loaded at any part of the service based on the customer’s request. The types of services are Door to Door, Door to Port, Port to Door, and Port to Port. The price will be given based on the volume the customer will have. A rate for the following service will be provided to the customer based on his volume estimated.

Often consumers looking for a moving company don't realize that there are other types of estimates than what they are receiving from companies. There are actually three types of estimates that are common in the moving industry that every consumer looking for a moving company should be aware of.

Surveys and Estimates:

Rates to overseas destinations is based on weight and (cubic) measurement of the household goods when packed for shipment. Overseas services apply in different ways and service types include air or ocean transportation charges and packing and unpacking services of the carrier's origin and destination agents. Most shipments will be shipped in 20' or 40' containers. It does NOT include charges for storage, servicing of appliances, custom duty, liability coverage or extra pick up or deliver.

International rates are not regulated and can be very competitive. International movers are not like domestic movers and the terminologies of services are much different then moving services. The international community is organized with international shipping associations.