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 210 cubic feet. Other sizes can be 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, allow for 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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Ways of Transport
After your goods have been packed (whether you pack or we handle the packing) and loaded into the appropriate container, UniGroup Worldwide UTS 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

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Pre-Move Planning

• Contact us to arrange a free in-home survey of your personal household effects for a more precise 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 Certified Move Manager 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 which havelong-term relationships with UniGroup Worldwide UTS and therefore have a vested interested in the success of every move

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Move Management

Your Certified 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.  With an average of 20 years experience in the international relocation industry, our management ensures our Move Managers know the "ins and outs" to coordinate your international relocation successfully.  While your personal household effects are in transit, your Certified Move Manager will:

Origin

• Contact you within 24 hours of new move notification to exchange origin and destination contact information
• Offer a country information packet to help acquaint you with your destination country
• Review customs regulations and documents required for customs clearance
• Explain insurance policy 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, delivery)
• Monitor the transport of your personal household effects from origin to destination with UniGroup Worldwide UTS's international trafficking system. Our system is an automated date tracking workflow that prompts the Certified Move Manager to confirm services with each underlying carrier at appropriate times to ensure your shipment is transported without delay. This system feeds the internet tracking system so you can monitor the progress of your shipment 24 hours a day on our web site www.unigroupworldwide.com

Post-Move

• Contact you at destination to schedule delivery date
• Encourages you to complete our online customer satisfaction survey so we can ensure continuous quality improvement and you will receive a free international calling card
• Provide assistance with claims processing if necessary

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