Frequently Asked Questions
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We have provided below, answers to a list of questions and concerns most of our customers usually have, regarding their shipping needs and the transport of their vehicles, but probably not all. Our professional staff will answer any questions you may have in order to serve you better. We hope the answers below will be informative, and help make your experience with us a pleasant one. The Frequently asked questions are grouped in two sections:
Questions about International Shipping
Questions about Auto Transport
Answers
about International Shipping
Q
- How long in advance I need to plan for
International shipping?
A - The summer months are the peak of the moving
season. Please allow at least 4 weeks prior notice for all bookings,
if possible.
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Q
- How much does it cost to ship my household
goods?
A - Moving costs are based on total volume (measured in cubic
feet) or weight of your personal belongings. Although the exact
volume cannot be determined until final packing is completed,
our representative's training and work experience enable us
to provide an estimate that is as near as possible to the final
cost.
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Q
- How can I reduce the cost of shipping?
A - One of the best ways to save on moving is selective packing.
Will that king-sized bedroom set fit your new home abroad? Will
that appliance work on the electrical current in your new home?
Will you be able to get spare parts for it? These are questions
you should ask, and your Rinkens representative will help you
answer them. He knows which appliances will work and whether
they would be cheaper to replace here or overseas. He can even
arrange for the appliances you buy here to be delivered directly
to the Rinkens warehouse for shipping.
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Q
- What type of box should I use to pack
my household goods?
A - Use the right boxes. Although the boxes you obtain from
your neighborhood supermarket or liquor store may be free, they
are not nearly as strong or padded like new boxes. They are
more susceptible to causing damage to your valuables in transit.
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Q
- What are steps needed to protect fragile
items?
A - Be sure to point out to our packing crew the boxes in which
you've packed fragile items, especially if those items are valuable.
Rinkens team leader will advise you on whether those valuables
need to be repacked in sturdier, more appropriate boxes. The
heavier the item, the smaller the box it should occupy. A good
rule of thumb is if you cant lift the carton easily, its
too heavy. Label all boxes.
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Q
- What are the necessary steps I need to
load the container?
A - The boxes that you will need first should be loaded last.
This might include toys, cleaning supplies, light bulbs, blankets,
pillows, and sheets. Read the inventory form carefully, and
ask our team leader to explain anything you dont understand.
Make a note of your shipments registration number, and
keep your Bill of Lading handy. It is your responsibility to
see that all of your goods are loaded, so remain on the premises
until loading is completed. To insure that nothing gets left
behind always do a final inspection of the premises. Do not
sign any releases without completing this inspection.
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Q
- How is my vehicle loaded in the container?
A - We use unique reusable steel or wood racking systems, allowing
us to send up to six vehicles in 40 ft. high cube containers
and up to twelve vehicles in 40 ft. open top containers. Your
vehicle will be prepared and loaded in the container for shipping
with care and intelligence.
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Q
- What type of insurance coverage do I need?
A - Rinkens will take the best possible care of your belongings,
using sophisticated security measures at our warehouses. There
are, however, times when for reasons beyond our control (i.e.
acts of God, fire, etc.), your goods may be damaged or lost.
For this reason we suggest you insure your goods with an all-risk
door-to-door marine insurance immediately upon their arrival
to our warehouse (this includes war insurance). While the cost
of insurance is not covered by our estimate, your Rinkens representative
will be glad to guide you in the matter. Remember, always insure
your goods for the amount of money it would cost to replace
them in the country you are moving to. Costs overseas are often
much higher than in the United States. We offer a variety of
insurance packages to suit your needs:
Marine Insurance - This might be the most problematic
and misunderstood part of any moving contract. One of the more
frequently asked questions is, why do I need marine insurance?
There is no easy explanation to this other than, during local
transportation, ground or ocean, contents are out of direct
control on any freight forwarder. While contents are in Rinkens
warehouse or at one of our many international handling agents
warehouses, contents are insured by warehouse coverage for a
limited time.
Total Loss - Your household goods or your vehicle will
be covered in the vent of theft, fire, or accident on the boat
and during transit.
Full Coverage - You can purchase insurance coverage for
the full value of your belongings which includes protection
for any damage incurred during shipping, but to qualify for
the coverage, Rinkens must professionally pack and unpack the
goods at both points. Always
insure contents at their replacement value, in destination country.
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Q
- What happens when my container reaches
port of destination?
A - When the ship reaches its destination, the outer steel container
will be taken to a port-bonded warehouse and will be opened
while a Rinkens supervisor watches. However your individual
lift van will not be opened until you come to clear customs.
The Rinkens representative in your new country will send you
an arrival notice as soon as the steel container is unloaded.
Then our customs representative, will assist you in getting
your goods cleared. If you select door-to-door or port-to-door
service, you can make arrangements at that time for the delivery
of your goods to your new home.
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Q
- What is required to clear my container
at the destination port?
A - Depending upon the county you are moving to, you will need
some or all of the following documents in order to clear customs:
Passport, Immigrant Certificate, Detailed packing list with
value of contents, Receipts for appliances and new furniture,
Tenancy contract or title for new house, Proper proof of tax
exemptions, if entitled, Copy of agreement with Rinkens, Delivery
order notice.
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Q - Do I need to be present when my container
is delivered?
A - Be sure youre there when the delivery crew arrives.
Plan to stay around while they unload in case they have any
questions. If you cannot be there personally, be sure to authorize
an adult to be your representative to accept delivery. Inform
the destination agent of your chosen representatives name.
Your representative will be asked to not any change in the condition
of your goods noted on the inventory at time of loading.
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Answers
about Auto Transport
Q
- How long does it take to ship my vehicle?
A - Auto carriers pick up and deliver 8 to 10 vehicles at all
times for auto transport within the United Sates, and 20 to
30 days for overseas shipping. Due to weather & road conditions,
and other unforeseen factors make it impossible to guarantee
the delivery date. Allow 7 to 14 days for the carriers to complete
the trip on W-E runs, but can be quicker on other routes.
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Q
- How many days in advance I need to call?
A
- Plan enough time for us to pick up your vehicle. Two weeks
in advance is recommended. We will also deal with urgent situations
on an individual basis, and will be given priority status. Please
call us at: (888)886-6683 to discuss your needs.
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Q
- How long does it take to have my car picked
up?
A - We normally schedule shipping for your vehicle with a truck
within 2 to 3 days of the scheduled pick up date. Also, we can
always arrange to accommodate your schedule, but you may incur
additional costs.
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Q
- How far in advance reservations are accepted?
A - We do accept reservations up to two months in advance.
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Q
- How much does it cost to ship my car?
A - Prices are determined by mileage, vehicle size, and delivery
location within the United States, and by size and weight for
overseas shipping.
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Q
- Do I need to pay in advance to ship my
vehicle?
A - You may either prepay or pay in the country of destination
through one of our agents.
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Q
- What form of payment options do I have?
A - We accept Personal Checks, Cashier's Checks, Postal Money
Orders, and Major Credit Cards.
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Q
- Can I pack my belongings in my car?
A - As of 1998 the Department of Transportation ruled that you
may NOT load any items in a vehicle on auto carriers. All trucks
are subject occasionally to be inspected which includes unloading
the vehicles off the truck and items in the vehicle. This could
risk leaving the items behind. Auto carriers are NOT licensed
to carry household goods or personal items, and are not covered
by carrier's insurance. Any damage to your vehicle due to household
goods shifting or braking is also not covered. Personal belongings
left in the vehicle are shipped strictly at the owner's own
risk. Carriers will not inventory any belongings left in the
vehicle and will assume no responsibility. Also, items packed
in the vehicle add weight and may cause damage to the exhaust
system and or suspension of the vehicle.
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Q
- What if I am unavailable to Pick up the
car?
A
- Have an alternative party like a friend or relative to sign
on your behalf. If you are not available for the pick up of
your vehicle, it may have to go to a terminal for you to pick
up
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Q
- What if my location is inaccessible to
the truck?
A - Most trucks are 75 feet long and very wide which makes it
impossible to reach most residential areas due to narrow roads,
trees, power lines, city ordinances, and other road factors.
The driver will attempt to get as close as possible to the delivery
location, or we will arrange a convenient location like shopping
center or major street crossing to pick up or deliver your vehicle.
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Q
- How much gasoline do I leave in the tank?
A - Whatever is in the tank will be acceptable, except when
the vehicle is shipped overseas, it is recommended the tank
should be as low as possible.
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For
any other questions, please feel free to call us at: (888)886-6683,
and our Professional Staff will be glad to answer all your questions,
and assist you with your transport needs.
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