Terms and conditions

1. Scope

These terms govern household and commercial removals, packing, storage and international movements carried out by Removals International from the United Kingdom. They become part of our agreement once a written quotation is accepted.

2. What we are, and what we are not

We are a removals company. We prepare the customs documentation derived from the inventory, working with our appointed agent.

We are not a customs broker acting independently, a permit or licensing agency, a freight forwarder acting alone, or a legal adviser. We hold no permits under any international convention and issue none. Guidance on this website about permissions, licences and conventions is general information and is not legal advice; where it differs from the position taken by a competent authority, the authority governs.

3. Permissions are yours to obtain

Where an item requires a licence from a national authority, or a permit under an international convention, the application is yours to make. We will identify at survey what we consider likely to require one and name the kind of authority concerned.

We give no assurance that any permission will be granted, that an item qualifies for an exemption, or as to how long an application will take. We will not ship an item we believe requires a permission that has not been obtained.

4. Categories we decline

We do not carry live animals, live plants, seeds or soil; vehicles, boats or powered machinery; or hazardous goods of any description.

Where an enquiry includes any of those, we will say so and describe the kind of specialist to approach. We receive no referral fee and maintain no preferred list, and we will not accept a booking we are not equipped or entitled to complete.

5. Accuracy of the inventory

The inventory is prepared by us from what is presented at the survey and at packing. You are responsible for telling us about items that may be restricted, licensed or made of regulated material, including where such material forms part of an otherwise ordinary object.

Where an item is found in a consignment that was not disclosed and that is restricted or prohibited at the destination, any resulting delay, charge, seizure or penalty is your responsibility.

6. Shared and sole-use containers

Where a shared or groupage container is quoted, your goods are consolidated with other consignments and handled at a depot at one or both ends, and departure is governed by the container being loaded for the route rather than by a date you select.

Where a sole-use container is quoted, it is loaded at your property and sealed. Both options are quoted on every international enquiry.

7. Access and the information you give us

Describing access at both ends is your responsibility: floors, lifts and lift door openings, staircases and their turns, doorway widths, parking restrictions and approach roads. Where access differs materially from what was described and additional work is required, that work is chargeable.

8. Booking and payment

A booking becomes firm once the written quotation is accepted and any deposit stated on it is paid. A deposit is returned in full on cancellation more than seven days ahead of the booked date; inside that window some or all may be retained against costs already committed.

The balance falls due as the written quotation states, and in any event within fourteen days of the invoice date unless agreed otherwise in writing.

9. Packing

Where we pack, materials and labour are as stated on the quotation. Cartons packed by you are covered for loss or damage arising from our handling but not for damage attributable to the packing itself. On international consignments we may decline to carry customer-packed cartons where we judge them unfit for the journey.

10. Cover

Goods in transit and in store are covered to the level your written quotation and storage agreement state, subject to the exclusions written there. The quotation states the point at which goods-in-transit cover ends and marine or transit cover applies. Items of unusual value must be declared before the move.

No cover responds to the seizure, detention or forfeiture of goods by a competent authority, however arising.

11. Storage

Goods placed into storage are governed by a separate storage agreement with its own cover, charging periods and notice provisions. Where storage charges go unpaid and written notice allowing not less than thirty days has been given, we may exercise a lien over the goods and ultimately sell them to recover the debt, accounting for any surplus.

12. Matters outside our control

Planning gives us no authority over customs processing, inspection regimes, permit decisions, sailing schedules, port congestion, weather or road closures. Where any of that bears on your job we tell you at once and agree the best remaining option with you.

13. Duties, taxes and destination charges

Duties, taxes and charges imposed at the destination are payable by you unless the written quotation states otherwise, and the quotation states explicitly whether destination charges are included.

Where a shipment cannot clear because a document or permission attached to you personally is not in place, storage and demurrage at the receiving end are payable by you.

14. Claims

Tell us as soon as you notice loss or damage, and in writing within seven days of delivery or of goods leaving store. Keep the item and its packaging so both can be examined. A late report may limit what the cover will meet.

15. Cancellation by us

Work that would be unsafe, unlawful or impossible for reasons beyond our control may be cancelled or postponed, with sums paid for work not carried out refunded.

16. Law

The law of England and Wales governs these terms, and its courts have jurisdiction over any dispute arising under them.

Anything unclear?

Ask before you book, on the contact page.