A
move from Canada to the U.S. is considered a cross border move.
Because your shipment will be crossing the border there are U.S.
Customs requirements that must be met in order to ensure a successful
move.
US DOT # 125563
Your Mayflower Moving Consultant will provide you with the proper forms
for U.S. Customs that must be filled out and given to your Driver prior
to the loading of your shipment. Work Visa's and passports must be in
order and you will need to give a copy to your Mayflower Driver.
While it is not necessary for the owner of the goods to be present at
the border when the Driver crosses over to the U.S., it is very
important that all documentation is filled out properly in order to
avoid your shipment being held by U.S. Customs. You must enter the U.S.
and declare your residency before your shipment can cross the border.
Prohibited items include protected wildlife, goods made from endangered
species, explosives, ammunition and fireworks.
Charges on a cross border move are based on the weight of your shipment
and the distance your shipment will be traveling. Your Mayflower Member
can arrange for additional services such as packing, crating, appliance
servicing, vehicle transportation and storage.
If you would like to request a quote on your cross border move please click
here.
.
Household Goods
Customs Regulations: Items
purchased outside the U.S. and brought into the country are subject to
internal revenue tax and duty; however, many household goods purchased
abroad and used for more than one year may be imported duty-free. A
U.S. resident ordinarily is permitted an exemption on $400 worth of
items purchased abroad, provided the items accompany the person into
the country and are for use either as personal goods or gifts. U.S.
residents returning from American Samoa, Guam or the U.S. Virgin
Islands have an exemption of $1,200. A $600 exemption is allowed for
U.S. residents returning from one of the 24 "beneficiary" countries,
which generally are in the Caribbean and Central and South America.
Check with U.S. Customs to find out if your country is on that list.
Non-residents
entering the U.S. are permitted to bring in the following items free of
duty:
- Bona-fide
gifts of up to a combined value of $100.
- Personal
items, such as clothing, jewelry, cosmetics, items for personal
hygiene, and hunting, fishing and photographic equipment.
- Vehicles
for personal use, provided they are imported in conjunction with the
non-resident's arrival.
Documents
Required: U.S. Customs Form 3299
and order for service.
you've selected a mover,
you'll be
asked to conplete an Order for Service, at which point your moving
consultant will officially register your move .
If
any questions arise as you make the final descision or preparations for
your move, don't hesitate to contact your moving consultant
or your moving coordinator for the answers.
HOW
YOUR CONSULTANT DETERMINES COST
Determining
the cost of an inter-provincial move was much simpler a decade ago.
Back then, all moving companies charged the same rate based on the
total weight of the shipment and the distance of the move. These rates
- or tariffs - were set by the federal government. Shipment tonnage was
determined by weighing the truck before and after the goods were
loaded. This amount was multiplied by a predetermined rate. Upon
delivery, the driver was paid by cash or certified cheque. No matter
who moved you, your cost was the same. Van lines competed on service
quality alone.
Today,
however, the industry has some flexibility in determining charges,
depending on the specific needs of the customer. While tariffs still
are determined by van lines in conjunction with the customer, moving
companies can relate their charges more closely to their actual costs
and prevailing market conditions. Prices, determined locally, can vary
between different movers. Price, however, is only one factor to be
considered by a prudent consumer.
As
mentioned earlier, to determine a price that is fair, your Kenwood
moving consultant must take a full and complete inventory of your
possessions that you want moved. He or she will inspect your attic,
basement, and garage, as well as anything you have in storage.
On
a local move, your cost will most likely be based on an hourly rate and
the amount of time it actually takes the movers to handle your
shipment. On an inter-provincial shipment however, the cost still will
be largely dependent on the weight of your shipment and the distance
between origin and destination.
In
either case, you should determine which items have outlived their
usefulness, so that you don't pay for moving something that you don't
really need. (There's no better time to clean out closets, drawers,
attics, crawlspaces, etc., and get rid of those things that you no
longer use.) Also make sure that your moving consultant is fully aware
of what's not being moved. The savvy consumer will make these
considerations carefully. (Pay careful attention to "Garage Sale
Guidelines - One Way to Save Money on Your Move")
After
taking into account everything that needs to be moved, as well as any
special services that you may need (packing, for instance), your
Kenwood moving consultant will prepare your estimate. Your final cost
will be based on the actual weight of your shipment (plus the charges
for any extra services).
Binding
Estimate!
On
a long distance shipment, you also might be offered a binding estimate
or firm price. This price is guaranteed - regardless of the actual
weight of the items estimated. If, after receiving a binding estimate,
you have any changes regarding special services needed or additional
items to be moved, be sure to advise your Kenwood moving
consultant
of those changes prior to your moving day. Such changes are likely to
affect the final cost of your move, and kenwoods has the right to void
the binding estimate.
Again,
in addition to shipping costs, you'll be charged for additional
services such as packing, unpacking, appliance servicing (detachment
and hook-up), etc. Also, if the van operator and his/her crew have to
contend with an especially long distance or several flights of stairs
when carrying your goods from your origin residence to the van or from
the van into your new home at destination, there will be an additional
labour fee for the extra effort required.
One
final note regarding the price of your professional move: Remember
that, as is the case with any product or service that you buy, you
usually get what you pay for - and the lowest price doesn't always mean
the best value. In selecting a professional mover, also consider such
factors as reputation, reliability, performance record, claims
settlement process and overall commitment to customer satisfaction.
Be
warey of the small independent mover; while they may be cheaper, they
do not necessarily have the proper licenses or equipment to perform the
service. By the way, some moving expenses are tax-deductible, so save
receipts and check with your tax advisor for details.
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