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There are many factors to consider in scheduling a move. Keep in mind that the home overseas might be considerably smaller than your current one. Therefore, when moving to South Africa, it may not be suitable to take all of your furniture and large appliances. Take only what will fit inside your new home. The first or last few days of the month tend to be the busiest times for moving to new locations - avoid them. Also, check the calendar before setting a moving date, in order to avoid holidays which might result in unnecessary delays. Answers to questions about customs on unique or unusual items you want to take along can be obtained from the consulate, embassy or customs office for South Africa. Be sure to receive a written declaration from the consulate/embassy stating the item can be allowed to enter as part of your shipment if it is at all disputed.

The representative of the moving company must see everything to be moved, including any items in the garage, basement or attic. The representative will then issue a quote for the charges of packing and moving. However, extra pickups or deliveries, servicing of electrical appliances or additional insurance in case any item is lost or damaged in transit will usually not be considered in the estimate. Ask if there are any additional charges on your shipment, such as extra handling for storage. Be prepared to pay this when your household goods are delivered. Only one invoice will be received regardless of how your shipment is transported. You (or your employer, if you are being transferred) will be given the invoice.

Most professional moving companies have trained packers to wrap and pack your personal possessions in cartons and shipping crates to protect them from damage. Whether your household or office is shipped in a lift-van, a steamship container or an air container will be determined by the size of the shipment and its destination. Depending on where you are moving from, your household goods may be transported by motor freight carrier, railroad, steamship line, or airline will be used to ship your household goods. Your packed and loaded shipment will be transported to the port of exit by truck or rail. There the container(s) will be loaded into a vessel or into an aircraft. A lift-van ranges in size from 185 to 210 cubic feet. This wooden or plywood container with skids is normally loaded using a forklift. A lift-van is lined with water-resistant paper and caulked to prevent leakage. Steamship companies supply containers. Air containers range in size from five- to 100-cubic feet. Small shipments are packed in containers of triple-layer corrugated cardboard; larger shipments by air are normally crated instead of boxed. Take pictures of your furniture and valuables as proof of ownership in the event of loss or damage. Plus, a photograph of each item that might need to be disassembled for transit lets the destination crew know just how to reassemble it. If your shipment is moving by sea, you might want to send the items you will need at once by air.

There are also a number of important items which should not be shipped, but rather carried along with you:

• Children's school transcripts, along with a curriculum guide or course description of classes your children are taking
• Children's health and immunization records, including results of a physical examination taken within the last 12 months
• Medical records, prescriptions (including eyewear) and dental records for each member of the family
• Birth and marriage certificates, divorce decrees, bank drafts, letters of credit, tax documents and Social Security records

Payments to the destination agent and customs officials are often required to be in Rand, so be sure to have at least a small amount of currency available.  Any additional charges not included in your transportation cost, such as those for extra pickups or deliveries or storage must be paid to the destination agent prior delivery. Be on hand to answer questions, to provide additional documentation if necessary and to pay any duties that are levied against your goods when your shipment goes through customs. Keep the official receipts. When you leave the country, some of these duties may be refundable.

It is easy to conduct a search online for international moving companies which operate between your country of origin and South Africa. In many instances, you can complete an online quotation request which will be submitted to the companies you choose from the resulting list. You might also check with the Professional Movers Association of South Africa (PMA) for extra assurance that your removal company is reputable. The PMA recently introduced the Accredited Movers of South Africa (AMOSA) as a further accreditation of moving companies.

Professional Movers Association of South Africa :
http://pmamovers.co.za/amosa-standard.html