After a cold start of 25 degrees I ventured out into the UPakWeShip warehouse in a sort of warm 50 degrees late morning to see what we had in the Walterboro warehouse today.

We have already loaded two 40 foot shipping containers heading across to Rotterdam today full with U Crates and pallets. We also as you can see have a UK load in our staging area ready for loading tomorrow and then we have another 40ft loading for Rotterdam on Thursdays.

Having three 40 foot consolidation containers in one week heading for our UPakWeShip office in Europe in January plus a separate 40ft to UPakWeShip UK is not too shabby for January!

The first picture shows a couple of U Crate 100’s that have just arrived from UPakWeShip Europe and in our Walterboro warehouse before heading off to Florida later this week where I hope it will be a little warmer! The second picture show a great looking customer pack and loaded pallet ready for shipping to Australia later this month. The third picture shows some nice heavy duty plastic crates on a pallet about to leave for Italy, (Asta La Pasta Baby) and the fourth picture shows our staging area where we prep and check the load before loading in this case a 40 foot container to Southampton England.

If you need a quote for shipping across the Atlantic, either way,  have a chat with UPakWeShip with their own offices, operations and know how in the UK, Europe and America.

The post A walk through the UPakWeShip warehouse Jan 22nd appeared first on UPakWeShip.

As an expat living in Portugal, Bruce is full of information about the  trials and tribulations of moving to and living in Portugal and is willing to share some valuable information with those thinking about doing the same.

Lets start off by asking where are you from Bruce and how long have  you lived in Portugal?

I’m North American, from the USA. This is my fourth year living in Portugal.

Why Portugal?

We’ve had a vacation bolt for 15 years in Spain — still do — but we prefer Portugal for our permanent residence. Why? It’s got charm, soul, spirit, great people, a favorable cost of living, peace, and lots of lovely little villages.

What does Portugal have that say Spain or France doesn’t have?
Saudade … that sense of longing and yearning. While Spain and France may be more spirited, Portugal’s got more soul (I believe).

What are your top 3 things you love about Portugal?
The people. The places. The peacefulness.

Is there anything you do not love about Portugal?
The bureaucracy. And that it’s so difficult for the Portuguese to earn a decent living here that they tend to leave their homes in favor of the big cities–here and abroad.What are your top 3 things you miss about the USA ?
Family. Friends. Foods.

The Yes or No part

What all Americans need to know….
Amazon available? Yes.
Netflix? Yes.
Electrical Appliances work? Yes.
Apple TV? No.
Voltage? Had to up our potencia in each of our homes here.
Vinmo? Vinmo? If you’re talking about vinho, absolutely! Tinto, por favor. I like this guy, I’m trying to talk about a money transfer service and he changes it to wine lol
Good WI-Fi & Internet? Sim.
Most popular cell phone service? None of them are considered “popular,” but we’ve gone with MEO.
Most Popular Bank? Montepio. For 2€ per month, we get lower bank costs and medical/health insurance superior to what we’re paying for privately.
Most popular Grocery Store? Continente.
Most popular Beer? LOL! There are only two: Sagres and Super Bok.
Starbucks? Dominos? McDonalds? Subway? Não, não, não!!!

What do you know now that you didn’t know before you arrived in Portugal?
Portuguese. The language is quite challenging–maybe even more so for me because I’m fluent in Spanish. Quite the stumbling block!

How did you select your international moving / shipping company?
Internet search, then, process of elimination.

Why did you select them?

I didn’t know about the options available on this side of the pond … so, the company we went with was the most honorable among thieves. Obviously he didn’t find all the recommendations from facebook groups suggesting he goes to UPakWeShip or find the all-inclusive lump sum prices online here.

Any personal advice having now completed the international move?
Be prepared–the Boy Scout motto. And be patient, very patient.

What are the definite things to pack and ship to Portugal in your opinion?
Little things: aspirin, over-the-counter eye drops, red pepper flakes, real vanilla extract, hot and spicy sauce–anything but Piri Piri!

I think many expats might worry about health care abroad, how are you getting on with this?
I was on Medicare back in the USA, so I didn’t have any real problems.
My partner, however, had to rely on the Affordable Care Act Marketplace.
Imagine paying US $1,250 per month for the mediocre “bronze” coverage, when we pay €2,000 per year for comprehensive health care coverage in the private sector that covers us both! Plus, of course, as residents we are part of Portugal’s National Health Care Service (which costs us nothing).

How is your Portuguese, obviously we know everyone must try and make an effort with some basic words but do you fine most people understand English?
At this point, I can carry on conversations, ask and answer questions, deal with doctors and tradespeople, and complain in Portuguese. But, as mentioned above, Spanish will always be a stumbling block for me; I may know the language and understand its grammar, but my pronunciation always gives me away. Portuguese people initially think I’m Spanish … then English (i.e., from the UK). So many people here speak English better than I do Portuguese — English is part of their core curriculum in school, not considered a “foreign” language — and they’re eager to be “helpful” by speaking English with us. But it’s difficult to learn Portuguese without the practice, which I explain to them.

Top Tips for moving to Portugal?
Don’t regret making the move … and don’t look back. While some people believe that everything that doesn’t fit into a suitcase (or two) should be left behind, we don’t agree. Over the course of our 30-year history together, we collected a lot of “stuff” that means a lot to us. Sentimental value, I guess. But I would never want to regret leaving behind those ingredients which made our life together so home-y and comfortable. I totally agree with this Steve, having your personal history with you helps you settle in and makes your home personal

Just for fun….

Do you get home very often? And when you do, what is the first food you want that you can’t get in Portugal?
No. That’s actually a major issue for us. We have no desire whatsoever to return to the USA unless and until the political warfare, the divisions, the massacres, and the hate turn around for the better. This is one of the most difficult aspects of living abroad for me: I have yet to hold my 18-month-old granddaughter. We videochat (my son,
daughter(in-law) and granddaughter every Sunday. Yet, for the reasons I’ve mentioned — and Covid restrictions — we’ve not been together in “real” time (or place). I’ve offered to pay their expenses to come and visit us in Portugal for however long they can manage, but it’s difficult and complicated for them, too, at this point in their
(professional) lives.

As difficult as it is to answer this first part of your question, Mark, the second part is far easier: The first food I’d eat, which we can’t get here in Portugal, is a hot pastrami sandwich with a pickle and coleslaw in New York City!

Pickles…… really? Being English the only pickles I like come in a jar with Branston written on it lol

I hope you enjoyed this, cheers
MARK NASH

The International Moving Doctor

The post An interview with an expat in Portugal appeared first on UPakWeShip.

But does it financially make sense?

You may feel your furniture is invaluable, but it’s still worth exploring how to get it from A-B in the most cost-effective way possible.

Well, your options will vary depending on what furniture you’ll be bringing with you. If you’re shipping 95% boxes, but want to ship a sofa or a bed, it can hugely increase the price of your quote, and it’s usually cheaper to buy that item brand new when you land.

Consider the layout of your future house. Will your furniture physically fit into your new rooms? Will the aesthetic be the same as the house you’ve just moved from?

If the answer is yes, you have three main options for shipping large items…

A U-Crate 200, is specific to UPakWeShip – the largest self-packed crate we offer. Other companies may have similar sizes, and these crates are shipped alongside other movers’ belongings in a shared shipping container. The benefit of the U-Crate 200, is that whilst it is enormous, it is still a pallet-based-crate, which means the cost is lower and there is a flat rate… if it fits, it ships!

The U-Crate 200 is large enough to fit a couple of your most prized furniture items, alongside boxes. Prices will vary depending on where you’re shipping from and to, but you can find out precisely how much it will be via our immediate online rates!

Always bear in mind, not all companies offer up-front costs with customs and taxes included. Our self-packing service is notably lower due to not using a packing service. If you find quotes much lower, ensure they’re inclusive!

However…

…A shipping container may be exactly what you’re after! In which case, you can opt for either a 20-ft container, which is roughly the size of a one-car garage, or a 40-ft container, which is the size of a two-car garage!

A container will be perfect for those looking to ship a reasonable amount of furniture, plus boxes and any other belongings you’ve decided to take with you. Shipping containers are also the best option if you’re looking to send a vehicle abroad too.

Quotes for shipping containers vary, but the sheer size of them means they are the most expensive option for movers. However, if you’re going to ship a large number of items, you might as well utilize the space! No matter how much space is used in your container, the price will be the same, so if you’re between a U-Crate 200 and a 20ft container, it’s worth bearing in mind!

The short answer of whether shipping furniture is worth it is simply, it’s up to you.

Many international moving companies will encourage their customers to ship more, as it raises the prices. But as mentioned, shipping furniture is usually more expensive than buying it brand new in your destination.

If you do choose to move furniture, ensure you’re working with a reliable mover with up-front costs and no-hidden-fees, so you don’t receive a nasty surprise at the end! With offices in the EU, Canada and UK, you can be confident your prized possessions will get from A-B safely and securely!

The post How Expensive is it to Move Furniture Abroad? appeared first on UPakWeShip.

The ToR, or Transfer of Residence form, was introduced to the UK to allow you to ship your items into the country duty-free and tax-free. It should be one of the number one things on your to-do list, as we need your ToR number in order to ship your belongings.

However, to obtain duty and tax-free entry of your used household items there is a criteria:

• You must be shipping your own belongings within 12 months of your personal arrival to the UK.
• You must have lived outside of the UK for the past 12 months.
• You must declare all of your items that you are going to ship have been used for more than 6 months and that you are not going to sell them within the next 12 months.

You can find the full terms and conditions of the ToR on the UK Government’s website, however, before you start the process it’s important to have prepared:

• Your packing list
• A photocopy of your passport page
• Proof of your UK address
• Proof of your current address
• Details of any vehicle you’re bringing with you (yes, we ship vehicles too!)

We know it sounds daunting, and nobody likes paperwork, but don’t worry, when you ship with us, your shipping coordinator will know all of the ins and outs and will talk you through the process…

…Which has just become significantly shorter, thanks to the UK finally getting with the times!

From the 1st of January, the once email-in ToR system has become digitised – you simply submit your ToR via this online application, smoothing about the whole process tenfold!

If you know you’re ineligible for the ToR tax and duty-free relief, for example, all your items are less than 6 months old or you’re sending items to somebody else, then you will need to provide a packing list with used values and a letter explaining the circumstances why you are shipping these items as well as completing the ToR form. UK Customs may then charge duties and taxes if you do not qualify for duty-free entry.

Are you looking at moving to the UK? UPakWeShip has instant, all-inclusive prices for your move available on our website.

The post Do you need a ToR? The new UK online system appeared first on UPakWeShip.

If you own a business, you’ll know that one bad review is enough to put some people off. This can be hugely detrimental to a company, as people are far more likely to write and review a negative experience than a positive one. However, even if you are doing everything you can to meet the needs of your customers, the chances are, you’re going to have somebody writing a negative comment. The reality is, things can go wrong, exceptional circumstances happen and, occasionally, the customer has caused delays which has then impacted their experience.

Unfortunately, due to the growth of technology in the last decade, it’s not uncommon to see fake reviews and comments from ‘bots’. If a service looks too good to be true, it probably is.



So what should you be looking for when looking for moving company reviews?

Obviously, you still want to find a company that has a majority of positive, four, or five-star reviews. Read through them, make sure they sound like real customers who have had real experiences. Do these people genuinely sound as if they’re customers? Are they generic, one or two-word reviews?

 If you can find reviews with names of particular employees or references to places and warehouses, you’re on the right track.

For instance, we met Phillip in our South Carolina terminal ahead of his move to Germany – he wrote on our reviews page how happy he was with our service. Similarly, Erik had nothing but great things to say about his experience with our FCL Manager, Natalie, who was on hand throughout his move.

Genuine reviews are a fantastic reflection on any company, as they demonstrate that the service is so good, it needs to be congratulated.

At UPakWeShip, we’re hugely proud of our transparent approach. Our customers come to us with honest feedback and have gone out of their way to write reviews, something we hugely value as we know how important they are.

Have you moved with UPakWeShip and want to write a review for us? Head to our Review page where you can submit your own comments. Our favorite reviews are often put into graphics for our social media!




The post How to use reviews to find the best international moving company for you appeared first on UPakWeShip.

If you own a business, you’ll know that one bad review is enough to put some people off. This can be hugely detrimental to a company, as people are far more likely to write and review a negative experience than a positive one. However, even if you are doing everything you can to meet the needs of your customers, the chances are, you’re going to have somebody writing a negative comment. The reality is, things can go wrong, exceptional circumstances happen and, occasionally, the customer has caused delays which has then impacted their experience.

Unfortunately, due to the growth of technology in the last decade, it’s not uncommon to see fake reviews and comments from ‘bots’. If a service looks too good to be true, it probably is.



So what should you be looking for when looking for moving company reviews?

Obviously, you still want to find a company that has a majority of positive, four, or five-star reviews. Read through them, make sure they sound like real customers who have had real experiences. Do these people genuinely sound as if they’re customers? Are they generic, one or two-word reviews?

 If you can find reviews with names of particular employees or references to places and warehouses, you’re on the right track.

For instance, we met Phillip in our South Carolina terminal ahead of his move to Germany – he wrote on our reviews page how happy he was with our service. Similarly, Erik had nothing but great things to say about his experience with our FCL Manager, Natalie, who was on hand throughout his move.

Genuine reviews are a fantastic reflection on any company, as they demonstrate that the service is so good, it needs to be congratulated.

At UPakWeShip, we’re hugely proud of our transparent approach. Our customers come to us with honest feedback and have gone out of their way to write reviews, something we hugely value as we know how important they are.

Have you moved with UPakWeShip and want to write a review for us? Head to our Review page where you can submit your own comments. Our favorite reviews are often put into graphics for our social media!




The post How to use reviews to find the best international moving company for you appeared first on UPakWeShip.

But how did UPakWeShip come to be the multi-million dollar business that it is today? And why does he think customers keep coming back to use this family-owned, self-packing mover? Our Q&A with Mark discusses the UPakWeShip process, what makes it different, and why it’s so successful.

1. How has UPakWeShip changed since its initial conception?

“The idea simply started as a way to offer the public a cheaper way to move overseas if they wanted to pack themselves – a little like a budget airline but for people moving. Sort of a ‘Freddy Laker’ of the moving business if anyone else can remember that far back! The concept seemed to work, and customers loved it, so we started to develop the business further, and came up with our U Crates, which offer door to door moving.

“So much has changed since the initial startup. The obvious is that we’ve grown into a multimillion business with overseas offices, but I think the biggest change over the last 15 years is the technology.

“We started with a phone, a fax, a PC, and cardboard files. Now, we are paperless and cloud-based and have an amazing custom-built database that connects with our customers to make the whole process easier! If only it could make the tea! 

“We also now have our automatic online pricing system, which is a real game-changer as it allows everyone to see all the different moving options and the prices 24/7. It allows us to keep our overheads down as there’s no longer the need to have staff emailing out direct quotes. Instead, our staff can concentrate more on the moving experience for customers, answering questions, and guiding them through the process.”

2. What’s been the biggest lesson learned as UPakWeShip has evolved?

“Wow, so many lessons! To name a few: Nothing ever goes exactly to plan, nobody will do as good a job as you and your team, never burn bridges, learn to delegate, don’t ever presume, and as a Brit, it’s always worth thinking things out over a cuppa! 

“I’ve also learned that if at first, you don’t succeed, it’s important to look at your business from the outside in, looking at things from a perspective customers’ point of view will always help with problem solving.”

3. Why is UPakWeShip different from other moving companies?

“The main one is that we allow you to pack your own things. Obviously, this saves you the money on using movers, but it also means nobody needs to come into your residence and touch all of your belongings – pretty invaluable at the moment!

“We also charge lump sum all-inclusive prices – our prices are online for everyone to see, and we have the most brilliant, knowledgeable, personable, team you could ever have to hold your hand through the process! We also have our own offices and personnel in the USA, Europe, and the UK so you get the great UPakWeShip customer service door to door.”

UPakWeShip is very popular right now during  Covid-19 because we do not need to send anyone into your house to collect your things. We can maintain social distancing with our driveway or curbside collection and delivery services.

4. What motivates you on a day-to-day basis?

“Coffee, and my wife! Not in that order though, of course! I also have a lot of employees and family that rely on me for a paycheck. In all honesty, I just enjoy this business… I’m always thinking about how we can do things better for our customers, how to make the international move a little less stressful, more affordable, and just plain easier!”

5. UPakWeShip is a very family-oriented business, do you think that benefits how it operates?

“There are two sides to this. It’s great to be able to provide for family members and help them progress and do well. I obviously trust them a great deal and rely on them to get on with things without being micro-managed. The relationship also means they’ll tell me things straight as they are and not beat around the bush. My only negative is that it’s sometimes hard being the boss during, for example, a personnel issue, or when I have to leave work behind and be a Dad/husband/uncle/ brother at the end of the day.”

6. You’ve moved about a lot yourself, what tips do you have for somebody, or a family, relocating overseas?

“Go on a vacation and have a look at the area before you settle down long-term. I’d also advise you to rent and not buy, and make sure you join Facebook groups and research the area properly.

“We have a lot of advice and guidance on our blog about the moving process, everything we write on there, from the guides to tips and tricks about the moving process, come from our first-hand experience so I’d definitely recommend checking it out for more advice.”

Have a good clear out and don’t ship things you don’t need!

7. Of the places you’ve lived, which has been your favorite and why?

“I loved Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. There was sun, sea, sand and pina coladas…! Just kidding, but I did have a great experience there. I learned a lot and met some great friends.

“To be honest, any destination is only as good as what you make of it. Make sure you become a part of the community, join local expat groups, and make friends! It’s also important to visit local bars and restaurants and try the local food and drink, just make sure you discover all of the different places on offer! When we lived in The Netherlands, we made the most of its location by spending long-weekends in neighboring countries – that was great! I’d also recommend learning a little of the language, although we failed big time with Dutch, I must confess!”

8. What is your favorite US city?

“I have to say, Charleston SC where I currently live is the best city in the USA. It has so much charm, the people are friendly, we have great beaches -and dolphins! – and the weather is wonderful if you can get over the hurricanes! I also think we have amazing independently owned restaurants serving great food.

“Having said all that, I also love San Diego for the weather, Seattle for the views and the market, New Orleans for music and food, Nashville for my name and the music and Washington DC for the museums, so I promise I’m not too biased!”

9. UPakWeShip has hugely expanded, with offices in the US, Canada, Mainland Europe and the UK… do you have any plans to expand further afield?

“Always! We are planning our next venture right now, which might well put us on the move again to start up a new office, but that’s still in the hush-hush stage right now!

“We are also looking into the possibility of an Australian/New Zealand liaison office sometime in the future. We use a great agent there at the moment but strongly believe having our own people at the destination, liaising with our customers and making sure everything goes well with customs clearance, and delivery enables us to maintain our high customer service standards and keeps us getting personal recommendations and customers coming back again for their next move.”

10. Finally, what’s your favorite part of your job?

“I love reading the personal reviews from people, saying what a great job the team did. That just makes it all worthwhile.

“The other aspect is the personal stories behind some of the moves, for example, a few years back we moved a lady in her 80’s from Virginia to England. She told us she was moving there to be with her fiancée and was planning to get married for the first time!

You just never know what the next phone call or email will bring. Rod Stewart might have said every picture tells a story but every move has one as well.”

The post Meet the Man Behind UPakWeShip: A Q&A with The Moving Doctor Himself, Mark Nash appeared first on UPakWeShip.

With offices both sides of the Atlantic, Tina received an email from our European team confirming the date her U-Crate would be delivered to the Rotterdam port and how we’d need to contact her for its safe arrival to her front door.

One of the many benefits of having UPak on either side of the shipment is knowing exactly who you’re in contact with from start to finish. Our internal communication spans across all of our offices, and we love receiving photos from happy customers at the end of the journey!

Tina’s shipment took place throughout the international lockdown – that’s right! Our services are still up and running! Hygiene is a priority for all companies and organizations right now, yet UPak’s service was made for social distancing! Not only does nobody enter your home and touch all of your belongings as they pack them, but our U-Crate 50 and 100 simply require one person to be waiting at the curbside, ready for the collection and to sign the relevant paperwork. The U-Crate is picked up by one person on our end, and away it goes!

It really is that easy!

We know the financial future is uncertain for many people, which is why our instant quote calculator is perfect for those looking to meet their budget. The quote you book with is the quote you pay and is all-inclusive of the fees many moving companies add to your bill at the end!

Book with UPakWeShip for a reliable moving company that sees your belongings through from door to door.

The post USA to Sweden: Another happy customer appeared first on UPakWeShip.

As an international moving company, we are doing everything we can for our customers under the restrictions. And with one of the UPak team catching an emergency flight back to the UK after just moving to New Zealand – we know firsthand the impact of this uncertainty.

However, if you have found you have more time than previously planned for your move, we want to put some positivity into how you can use this time to make your move more affordable.

Depending on your reasons for moving abroad, you may have a relocation allowance provided by your job. At the very least, you should have a rough budget on how much you’re willing to spend on the process.

So, how can you use these extra months to your advantage in the meantime?

1. Book Cheaper Flights
If your flights were booked for lockdown, most airlines are offering refunds or new flights in the knowledge you can’t fly currently. With this in mind and no date for resuming normality, it could be worth accepting the refund rather than the new flight date.

Flight prices are expected to drop dramatically, with airlines desperate for their grounded planes to be full of passengers. The chances are, if you get a refund and then rebook your flights when the time suits you, you’ll save much more money than on the ticket you initially bought.

2. Research potential movers for the best deal
Having time on your side means you don’t have to rush into finding a mover for your needs and wants. The safety of your belongings shouldn’t be compromised, which is why shopping around is incredibly important when deciding to move anywhere.

On top of this, you’ll often find some movers are less transparent than others. Make sure the mover you go with has no-hidden-fees, and the price you are quoted is the price you pay when your shipment is delivered.


3. Save money on movers by packing yourself
Packing yourself is one of the easiest ways to save money on your move – and right now, you have the time to do just that. UPakWeShip is currently able to deliver pallets and U-Crates straight to your front door.

By having the service there with you, you can practice packing, have a better idea of the most efficient way to fit, and save yourself money by not paying for movers. Not only will it save you money, but having your service ready for collection when business resumes to normality puts you right at the front of the line!

UPakWeShip is continuing to offer services with certain limitations. Keep up-to-date via our Facebook page or email move@upakweship.com.

The post How to use this time to budget for your move abroad appeared first on UPakWeShip.

The second picture is the same container about 5 weeks later being delivered in Zurich Switzerland.

A self load 20 foot container is a very safe and economical way of shipping a house load of stuff from the USA to Europe and Europe to the USA. For more details on our container shipping services click here.

For our latest international shipping rates and shipping options to ship your furniture and personal items overseas, click here. 

The post Nashville USA to Zurich Switzerland with UPakWeShip appeared first on UPakWeShip.