The things people ask before they book
Moving abroad throws up a lot of questions — and rightly so. Here’s the honest version, grouped by the part of the move it touches. If yours isn’t here, just ask.
About us and getting started
What kind of removals company are you?
A West-London-based international and worldwide mover with secure storage. We pack households and offices in Acton, Chiswick, Ealing and the wider west London area and move them across Europe and around the world — plus local west London moves and storage in between.
Do you move locally as well as internationally?
Yes. International and worldwide moves are the core of what we do, but we also handle west London home and office moves, and a local collection is how most of our overseas jobs begin.
Where are you based?
Acton, W3, in west London. It’s our collection and consolidation point, and it’s where our secure storage sits.
How do I get a quote, and does it cost anything?
Use the quote form with your pickup and destination addresses and what you’re moving. It’s free and there’s no obligation. For larger moves we may arrange a video or in-person survey so the written quote is accurate.
Will you give me a price over the phone straight away?
We won’t throw out a figure before we understand the job — international moves have too many variables for that to be honest. We’ll ask the right questions and put a proper quote in writing.
Overseas moves, freight and customs
Which countries do you move to?
In Europe: Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Cyprus and Malta. Worldwide: Dubai and the UAE, Australia, the USA, Canada, New Zealand, India and Hong Kong. If your destination isn’t listed, ask — we run more routes than we can fit on the site.
How do goods travel to Europe?
By road for the mainland — a lorry from Acton to the Channel via Eurotunnel or a ferry, then across the near Continent. Mediterranean islands like Cyprus and Malta add a sea leg. A full house can justify a dedicated vehicle; a flat shares a lorry as a part-load.
How do goods travel worldwide?
By deep-sea container — a sole-use container for a house, or shared groupage for a flat or partial move. Where you need essentials sooner, a small air-freight allowance can go ahead of the container. The method depends on the destination and your volume.
What about customs after Brexit?
For EU destinations, a genuine relocation of used household goods usually runs on transfer-of-residence relief — no import duty or VAT, against a proper inventory and declaration, which we prepare. For non-EU destinations each country differs, and we handle the export documents and work with a clearing agent at the far end.
Do you handle the paperwork or do I?
We prepare the detailed inventory and export documents for every international move. We’re movers rather than customs brokers, so port formalities at the destination go through an established local agent — but we make sure everything is declared correctly so your shipment isn’t held.
Can I ship a car or a motorbike?
Sometimes, but it’s destination-dependent and often not worth it — some countries make vehicle import expensive or heavily regulated. We’ll give you an honest steer for your route rather than a blanket yes.
What can’t I ship?
It varies by country — alcohol and weapon-like items to the UAE, uncleaned outdoor gear and certain foods to Australia and New Zealand, and various restricted items elsewhere. We check your inventory against the destination’s rules before anything is loaded and tell you what to leave behind.
How long will my international move take?
It depends on the route, the freight method, the sailing schedule and customs — which is why we won’t promise a day count. Your written quote explains the process and what affects the timing, and we keep you updated as it moves.
Storage and local coverage
Do you offer storage?
Yes — managed, container-based secure storage at our Acton base. Short-term while a completion slips, long-term while you’re abroad, or a staging point when a move ships in stages.
Is your storage the same as self storage in Acton?
Not quite. Ours is managed storage where your belongings are inventoried, wrapped and stored in dedicated containers, and we retrieve them for you — rather than a drive-up unit you access yourself. For most people mid-move that’s easier, but if you want self-access we’ll point you somewhere sensible.
Can you store some belongings and ship the rest?
Yes, and it’s common — especially for moves to smaller homes abroad. We store what you’re keeping and ship it on later when you’re ready.
Which parts of west London do you cover?
Chiswick (W4), Ealing (W5), Hammersmith (W6), Shepherd’s Bush (W12) and out towards Brentford, plus the wider south-west and north-west London reach from our Acton base.
Do you do office moves?
Yes — commercial relocations across west London and abroad, planned around your working hours to keep downtime short. Studios, offices and light-industrial units around Chiswick, Hammersmith and Park Royal are our regular patch.
How do you deal with tricky parking and access?
For narrow, permit-controlled streets — much of Chiswick and inner west London — we arrange a parking suspension or bay booking with the council in advance, and plan the carry for tight staircases and lifts rather than being caught out on the day.
Still have a question?
Ask us directly, or send your move details and we’ll answer in the quote.