Have any of you experience with any movers, we are moving in June 2006 from Atlanta to Helsinki and I am looking for reputable companies that can deliver door to door.
Also if in of you have had a similar experience, what time frame did the move take and is there any special that we can learn from your own experience.
Many Thanks
Soon to be Finnish in Atlanta
Can you recommend international movers from USA to Finland?
hello
i moved to finland from boston with my family (im finnish, we came back after 3 years in the states) almost 5 years ago. I cant reccomend anyone since i dont remember who did our move but i can tell you its no fun. It takes 6 weeks i think for the stuff to get overseas so we were without furniture and such for that time.. get rid of everything you can, its expensive to ship things and you might be better off buying some new stuff here. Welcome to Finland!
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Xochiquetzal
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First, do a search in this finland forum for movers. This topic comes up once a month and there are responses with detailed information.
Second, I moved an entire household and car from Los Angeles for under $2k in 2000. I did it by going through a car exporter who arranged for the car to be exported in a container large enough to also fit all our furniture (which was nailed behind plywood in the container). It went by 6 week boat from Los Angeles.
Third: my advice is to bring *everything* you can that is not electrical (different plugs/power supply/region encoding/standards). The selection of furniture here is poor and *extremely* expensive. I actually regret not bringing items like table lamps (and just fixing them with Finnish electrical), pots and pans, formal servingware, LOTS of linens/towels, end tables, etc. Keep in mind, though, that Finnish houses are smaller than their US counterparts so it would be best to sell the full living room suite in favor of a single couch and coffee table. Also, buy a new mattress set and bring it - you'll know what I mean if you try to buy a bed here. Don't bother bringing anything that isn't in good condition - you'll not have the room for clutter. But as long as you are bringing over a household, it won't make a difference whether or bring a little or a lot in the container.
Second, I moved an entire household and car from Los Angeles for under $2k in 2000. I did it by going through a car exporter who arranged for the car to be exported in a container large enough to also fit all our furniture (which was nailed behind plywood in the container). It went by 6 week boat from Los Angeles.
Third: my advice is to bring *everything* you can that is not electrical (different plugs/power supply/region encoding/standards). The selection of furniture here is poor and *extremely* expensive. I actually regret not bringing items like table lamps (and just fixing them with Finnish electrical), pots and pans, formal servingware, LOTS of linens/towels, end tables, etc. Keep in mind, though, that Finnish houses are smaller than their US counterparts so it would be best to sell the full living room suite in favor of a single couch and coffee table. Also, buy a new mattress set and bring it - you'll know what I mean if you try to buy a bed here. Don't bother bringing anything that isn't in good condition - you'll not have the room for clutter. But as long as you are bringing over a household, it won't make a difference whether or bring a little or a lot in the container.
thank you very much for taking the time to reply. I have been searching the forum and have picked up some good tips. I have also completed some online searches and I think I have a good idea of the costs, now just to find the right service company.
I am now shopping for linens, and probably a case of peanut butter, bisquick and cake mix. I look forward to an opportunity to meet some of you face to face in Helsinki.
I am now shopping for linens, and probably a case of peanut butter, bisquick and cake mix. I look forward to an opportunity to meet some of you face to face in Helsinki.
I got estimates from Mayflower, Allied and North American, and Mayflower was the least expensive and gave the most information and attention to my move (so far... talk to me next week when I get there). I would recommend them, but definitely get quotes from at least 3 companies... you would not believe the range in prices they'll quote you.
If you have a lot of books, ship them by M-bag through the US post office... it's *much* cheaper (but only available for books and magazines/journals). Each bag (a burlap sack) can hold up to around 60 pounds. Pack the books/printed matter in boxes, and make sure to write the address on each box. It will speed things up if you:
1. Go to the post office first and get M-bag tags and customs forms (and ask and make sure they have plenty available!)
2. Pack and weigh the boxes at home, and arrange them in piles so that each pile is not more than 60 pounds
3. Fill out the tags and customs forms for each bag (I gave each bag a number, and put that bag number on each box... makes things go quicker at the Post Office)
From Cincinnati to Finland, it came out to a little under $1 per pound of books.
If you have a lot of books, ship them by M-bag through the US post office... it's *much* cheaper (but only available for books and magazines/journals). Each bag (a burlap sack) can hold up to around 60 pounds. Pack the books/printed matter in boxes, and make sure to write the address on each box. It will speed things up if you:
1. Go to the post office first and get M-bag tags and customs forms (and ask and make sure they have plenty available!)
2. Pack and weigh the boxes at home, and arrange them in piles so that each pile is not more than 60 pounds
3. Fill out the tags and customs forms for each bag (I gave each bag a number, and put that bag number on each box... makes things go quicker at the Post Office)
From Cincinnati to Finland, it came out to a little under $1 per pound of books.