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International removal companies can assist you in facilitating the shipment and importation of your personal effects to Malta. Most international removal companies offer groupage services, and air or sea freight. Some companies can also pack your goods, and transport them directly into your home.

Local vehicle importation companies can also facilitate the importation or your vehicle, or a new or used vehicle, on your behalf, including completion of paperwork and payment of applicable fees.

Preparing for the Move

When preparing for you move and considering shipping your personal belongings, you should consider whether you are purchasing or renting property, and whether you plan to reside in Malta long or short term.

Understand Pricing

The price of moving depends on the how much is being moved, the value of the goods, and the distance to be moved. If possible, ship only the truly indispensable items and try to buy when you arrive to abate some of the cost.

Shipping Size

Basic shipping costs are calculated on the amount of volume (Cubic Feet) that your packed goods will take up in one of our shipping containers. Volume is calculated by multiplying the length x depth x height.

An example would be a full size refrigerator/freezer that is 3 feet (.91 meters) wide, 2 feet (.6 meters) deep, and 6 feet (1.8 meters) high would be 36 cubic feet (1.01940 m3).

• 20 foot (6 meters) container total cubic capacity = 1172 cubic feet (33.2 m3)
• 40 foot container (12 meters) container total cubic capacity = 2392 cubic feet (67.7 m3)
• A standard 2 to 3 bedroom house or condo should fit into one 20ft container.
• A larger 4 to 5 bedroom house would need one 40ft container.

One benefit of a larger shipment is that the greater the overall volume for shipment, the lower the rate per cubic foot, and vice versa.

Distance

Removal costs depend on the point of origin and final destination.

Certain regions are expensive despite a shorter distance. For instance, Europe tends to be relatively expensive to ship to. A full load from the UK to Spain can cost £5000. For comparison, a full load from the UK to Australia is £6700.

Common Additional Costs

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.

• Access at collection or delivery may be difficult so a smaller van has to be brought in or hired.
• Collection or delivery on higher floors, with or without a lift. This requires extra men and additional costs.
• Parking permits may be required at collection or delivery addresses (the customer usually has to arrange these – a local council will advise if they are necessary).
• The final destination might be several hundred miles from a port.

Shipping Options: Sea or Air

The two basic shipping options for Malta are to go by sea or air. Most companies offer both options (which may be combined with some form of ground shipping), so inquire about the price difference and decide which method is best for you.

Sea

To move by sea takes about 7-9 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 your residence. Once your home is packed into the containers, they are then shipped by rail or ground transport to the port where they are then loaded onto 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 airfreight companies will use containers. You may find that shipping items by air is less expensive than renting a furnished flat or house, or living in a hotel.

Airfreight is calculated on either the actual gross weight of the consignment or the volume weight, whichever is greater. Weight is normally expressed in kilograms. To calculate the volume weight of a given item, 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.

Alternately, sometimes it is cheaper to pay for excess baggage with commercial airlines, rather than pay to ship a small quantity of personal effect with an airfreight company.

Evaluating Shipping Options

Some basic factors in determining the best shipping method are:

• Volume - This is important for sea shipments.
• Weight and Volume  - This is important for air shipments.
• Final Destination - If you are moving across the globe (e.g. from the USA to Malta), 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? While storage costs in Malta are generally low, this is an extra step that many expats wish to avoid.
• Budget - Who is paying for your move? Your company or yourself? What is your allowance for the move? What fees are payable up front and on delivery?
• Renting or buying? – If you are renting property in Malta, most properties come fully furnished, with everything from linens to crockery, so you don't necessarily need to ship your personal belongings to Malta. However, if you are buying, properties for sale are often (but not always) unfurnished.

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 longer. Usually, the shipment is sent to a central location warehouse with later shipments being made to a country specific destination. Most shipping companies in Malta offer groupage options.

If your shipment is large, or cost is not an issue, direct shipping is a better option. The container will hold only your personal belongings and will go directly to its final destination without stopping at any other warehouse. Sole usage shipping typically takes 4-6 weeks.

You-pack / We-drive Service

Another option when moving your goods is to do the packing yourself. This can save you money, and ensure your items are given the care they deserve. When packing, be sure to keep an inventory of all goods.

The process is simple:

• Find a company
• A moving truck or storage container is delivered to your house for you to pack at your leisure
• Once packed, you arrange for the company to pick up the truck or container
• The company moves the truck or container to the new residence
• You unload the truck and move into your new home
• The company pick up the container or truck

Finding a Reputable Company

The best advice for finding a reputable international moving company is to try to find feedback from people who have used the company. While online reviews can easily be found by Googling a company, or through review sites like yelp, qype, & MoverReviews.com. You can also speak with people you know, as this can often yield the best results. Friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family can all be a valuable resource. Ask around to find out which companies have the reputation as the good, the bad, and the ugly. EasyExpat's Malta forums are a good place to start.

Basic Questions to ask:

• How long has your company been in business? While a new company isn't necessarily a bad choice, experience is valuable.
• What is your safety record?
• Can you put me in touch with former customers? Good companies should have no problem supplying references.
• What is the full company name, address, phone number, and website?
• What equipment do you provide? How many movers am I guaranteed?
• Can I see proof of your local/interstate/international moving license and insurance?
• What paperwork is necessary? Do they handle customs for all items?
• What shipping timelines do you offer?
• What are your groupage and sole shipment rates?
• What is your cancellation and refund policy?
• What am I responsible for once I arrive in Malta?

It is advisable to get at least three estimates in writing. A verbal agreement is not enforceable, so make sure to have the estimate and details written down. By comparing multiple estimates, you will find what an average price for your move will really be, and find a company that best matches your expectations. It will also inform you of the different offers and advantages different companies offer. This can provide you room to negotiate with the company of your choice.

Storage

Due to shipping timetables, sometimes it is necessary to store your personal belongings short or long term. Many international removal companies, as well as dedicated storage companies, in Malta can store your goods for you for an annual fee. Fees are normally paid monthly, and become cheaper the longer you store your goods.

It is important to make sure the storage facility is cool and dry, as heat and humidity may cause damage to your goods (e.g. mold). It is not uncommon to request to view storage facilities before committing to a storage contract.

While quite uncommon in Malta, it is wise to secure insurance against floods, water damage, fire, etc., when storing your goods.

Alternately, private individuals may let their garage or other storage facility to you directly. Such private arrangements can be arranged using local newspaper and online classifieds services.