Print

Preparing for the Move to Budapest

It is important to think about all the things you will need when moving to Hungary. Are you packing all of the appropriate clothing for all four seasons? Do you have the right moving company to ship you car? Do you want to transport things you already have, or sell what you can and buy new things in Hungary?

This is a great opportunity to go through your possessions and sort out what you really need and want to bring with you to Hungary.

Note that the final price is almost always more expensive than even the best estimates. Be knowledgeable about basic costs and budget more than the cost of the estimate.

Evaluating Shipping Options

Some basic factors in determining the best shipping method are:

• Volume - This is important for road and sea shipments
• Weight and Volume - Evaluate the weight of items for air shipments.
• Final Destination - If you are moving across the globe, you might want to ship the majority of your personal belongings by sea container and a small portion of things you will need upon your arrival by air.
• Moving Schedule - How soon do you need to receive your personal belongings at your destination? Do you already have accommodation (temporary or permanent)? Will you need to store some items until you find permanent accommodation?
• Budget - Who is paying for your move? Your company or yourself? What is your allowance for the move?

Shipping Options: Ground, Sea or Air

The three basic options are to go by ground, sea or by air, or a combination of the three. Most companies offer all options, so inquire about the price difference and decide which method is best for you.

Ground

Moving with only ground travel is uncommon unless moving a short distance. This is much slower than flying, but much less expensive. This method is often done in conjunction with sea or air shipping.

Sea

To move by sea takes about 6-8 weeks, but costs less than traveling by air. If moving by sea, your household goods will be packed into containers that are usually loaded at or near your residence. Once your home is packed into the containers, they are then shipped by rail or transport to the port where they are then loaded on to a steamship container. The container is then loaded on the boat as cargo.

Once your goods have arrived in the new country, the container is unloaded and must pass through customs. International movers will be able to help you with the custom forms and are responsible for clearing your goods.

Air

Moving household items by air is becoming increasingly popular, despite a much higher price tag. Heavy cardboard boxes are normally used to pack your goods, although some air freight companies will use containers. You may find that shipping items by air is less expensive than renting a furnished place or living in a hotel.

Airfreight is calculated on either the actual gross weight of the consignment or the volume weight, whichever is the greater. Weight is expressed in kilograms. To calculate the volume weight of a given item we multiply the length, breadth and height in centimeters and divide by 6000 to obtain the volume weight in kilos. For household goods the volume weight generally exceeds the gross weight.

Groupage

To save money, you can ship your items with other people's belongings. Known as "groupage", your personal belongings will be shipped with the personal belongings of one or more customers.

While this offers considerable financial savings, it can take much. Usually, the shipment is sent a central location warehouse with later shipments being made to a country specific destination.

International Moving Recourses

• U.S. Department of Transportation "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move"
• MovingScam.com - Informs consumers of popular scams and provides info on how to protect yourself during a move
• Better Business Bureau - Resource for reputable businesses in the United States & Canada
• Trading Standards - Provides complaints lodged against businesses in the UK
• SaferSys.org - A Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) web site to search for motor carrier license information

Use the Recommended Service Partner tool below to compare prices and receive free quotes.