MEBS GLOBAL REACH—1

Ebook:

Tips for Moving Abroad:

Relocation Guide

T r u s t e d S o l u t i o n s i n C h a l l e n g i n g E n v i r o n m e n t s

MEBS GLOBAL REACH—2

MEBS DISCLAIMER

The information contained in these documents is privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may not

be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of MEBS Global Reach Ltd.

The information, tips and advices expressed are in good faith and while every care has been taken in preparing these documents,

MEBS Global Reach makes no representations and gives no warranties of whatever nature in respect of these documents, inclu-

ding but not limited to the accuracy or completeness of any information, facts and/or opinions contained therein.

MEBS Global Reach Ltd, its subsidiaries, the directors, employees and agents cannot be held liable for the use of and reliance of

the information, tips and advices in these documents.

MEBS Global Reach LTD

East Africa regional office

MMID Building, Unit 3B

Westlands Road, Westlands

PO BOX 13768 - 00800

Nairobi, Kenya

Phone: +254 203 748 847

Email: kenya@mebs-global.com

www.mebs-global.com

MEBS GLOBAL REACH—3

PRE-MOVE SURVEY Your MEBS Global Relocations coordinator will schedule and confirm the survey date based on your expected pack-out date and travel. Contact from MEBS will then be initiated by Moving Crew Operations assigned to your Relocation and a Survey appointment will be scheduled by a representative of MEBS.

A Pre-move Survey will be done on the agreed date and the surveyor will come to your home to see your Household Goods, Personal Effects, POV and / or consumables as well as any additional items to be shipped or stored. An effective pre-move survey is a vital part of the relocation process.

The trained MEBS surveyor will establish an estimated weight and volume of goods to be transported. The survey report will be used to determine best and most economical mode of transport as well as providing indications for the ultimate and final quote including volume, weight, crating needs, amount of packing supplies required and establish best pack-out date.

This initial visit will allow MEBS staff to understand the technical details of the relocation necessary for a hassle-free move, and allow the customer an opportunity to explain their individual needs and any special handling instructions.

During the Pre-move survey, please do not hesitate to inform the surveyor of any special handling requirements for your upcoming shipment. For example, the following topics could be discussed;

Multiple locations or destinations involved in your relocation.

Identification of goods for air, sea, and storage.

Security and access at your residence.

Antiques, high value goods, rugs requiring special packing.

Items you wish to leave behind for donation or included as debris removal.

New items should be identified prior to shipment to avoid duties / taxes at destination.

Also, take that time to ask the surveyor any questions/concerns you may have. If he can, he will answer your queries, otherwise he will refer them to the office.

Give him your intended pack date.

After the survey is complete, you will receive the Pre-move survey report in approximately 24 hours with an estimated 1-2 days for the door-to-door quote. For remote destination locations, an additional day or two may be required in order to obtain the lowest, most cost effective rates.

MEBS GLOBAL REACH—4

VOLUME LIMITS—ALLOWANCE

IMPORTANT QUOTING NOTES

Please include and provide MEBS with your total value of the shipment in order to calculate the insurance premium which will be listed in your quote. (More information on the insurance below).

Kindly alert MEBS if any new items are in your shipment. New items are not tax exempt in Kenya and many other countries. And, we need to bring that up to the destination country agent. These charges will be detailed on our quote if we are aware of them, and we will help you determine the value of the duties (if any) for your new items.

Please note, for personal items which will be packed by you or your family members, boxes will be denoted in the packing list as Packed by Owner – PBO. MEBS Packing Crew will prepare reinforcement of packing for safe and secure transport.

Please note that your company may advise the price or weight allowance for each shipper. If not done yet, your Relocations Coordinator at MEBS Global will share the same with you in order to compare the quote based on the survey report.

In case the shipper decides to have additional items packed which were not part of the survey or exceeds authorized allowance, the additional volume cost per kilo is passed on to you as the shipper.

Kindly note that the insurance premium does not cover non-professional packed items. There-fore, these boxes should be kept to a minimum and avoided if possible.

Any additional items (meaning weight and volume) not included in the shipment at the time of the survey and quoting will have to be added at the time of packing, and that may increase the cost of your shipment.

MEBS GLOBAL REACH—5

UNFORSEEABLE CHARGES MEBS quotes contain the cost of shipping from door to door including insurance whenever requested. The MEBS service also includes guidance for all paperwork you need to proceed with the export and import clearance so you can enjoy duty free clearance of your goods arriving in the new country, whether Kenya or otherwise.

However, some unforeseen costs can arise which are not part of the original MEBS quote. Those costs can be government customs inspections for shipments randomly selected by customs officials. Other charges related to customs delays which can result in storage charges can occur although this is not common. Your MEBS Relocations Specialist will do everything in our power to avoid unexpected costs and prevent you from paying additional costs. While these charges are minimal and rare, it is important that all personnel moving internationally are aware that customs actions can possibly result in a charge which is outside the scope of the quote.

Also, please note, MEBS Global is not liable for storage or penalties charged if all the required documents are not presented in good time. Please keep in mind as you move door-to-door that timely presentation of export and import

documents, as guided by your MEBS Relocations Specialist, is extremely important.

Also, depending on the conditions at the destination residence, a pre- delivery survey may be suggested and conducted in order to include all possible costs in the original quote. Unexpected cost for such activities as “long carry” or unpacking above second floor with no elevator are examples of additional costs occurring if destination conditions are unknown at the time of booking. Similarly, if delivery is expected during the weekend or holiday, additional charges will most likely apply.

Your Relocations Specialist will accompany you through the quoting process but your assistance in planning the delivery is essential for best possible, all inclusive quoting and service preparation.

Estimated Transit Times are estimates provided to you by MEBS Global in order to plan. However, those estimates are not guaranteed and cannot be taken as contractual. They will vary based on many factors all along the lifespan of the shipment and depend on actions outside of MEBS control. Transit times can be delayed due to shipping line vessel problems, congestion at the port, strikes by customs authority/port authority or dock workers, delays in customs paperwork processing, or requests from customs for additional information in order to clear the shipment.

Your MEBS Relocations Specialists and Representatives both at origin and at destination will maintain constant and regular contact with you so that transit times and transit information can be routinely provided to you.

MEBS GLOBAL REACH—6

DOCUMENTATION NEEDED FOR YOUR MOVE

Import Documentation Needed (To Kenya)

Export Documentation Needed

A list of requirements for importing into Kenya will be shared with you by your MEBS Global Relocations Coordinator. This list will be updated throughout the move as documents and updates are received from customs with indications noted for each of the documents which have been received or are still needed. In order to keep you advised of the status of all documentation, you will receive this list several times during the move as required.

MEBS specializes in worldwide moves and will provide guidance for every destination country.

Valued Inventory – Due after survey

completion.

Passport Photo Page – Due prior to

survey completion.

PIN: Due before survey commencement.

Visa/Work Permit – MEBS will hold goods until obtained documents at destination country are issue. Shipment arrival date synchronizes with the date of issue. The green light to ship will be advised by your MEBS Global Relocations Coordinator. This applies for non-returning residents. Having the proper documents in place avoids shipment detention, storage, and demurrage.

The list of documents and requirements per country for imports will be provided to you by your Relocations Specialist. But for more information, please follow the below link:

http://www.iamovers.org/ResourcesPublications/ShipperGuides

Original Passport (Passport can be certified at a cost, in case the consignee needs to travel)

Visa / Work Permit – Due prior to arrival

Letter of Employment – except for returning citizens.

Residence Permit – Required upon arrival into Kenya.

Please note that there is a 90 day grace period for tax exemption from the arrival date into the country (in some cases form the work permit issuance date). In some excepted cases, customs may consider an extension of this period based on valid reasons. MEBS will assist you with the application process.

Import Documentation Needed (To the US) US Customs Form 3299 and supplement

POA (Power of Attorney)

Color copy of passport photo page

Copy of stamped Visa in passport for non- citizens

Prohibited items declaration form

The shippers should be in the US prior to the arrival of the shipment.

MEBS GLOBAL REACH—7

PACKING DAY INFORMATION AND SUGGESTIONS People often worry about packing their Household Goods and Personal Effects for export. But MEBS Global’s Packing Crew will do most of the work for you as well as providing on-going advice and consultation.

Here are some tips and recommendations to help you make a smooth move.

Do not pack anything yourself………

(Except for perhaps a few personal items - PBO)

Leave it to the professionals. You may choose to pack less valuable or less fragile items yourself but MEBS Global cannot accept liability for damage to items in boxes that have been packed by the owner - PBO. The insurance coverage provided does not cover such items.

Decide in advance exactly what you want to take……….

And, decide what you will leave behind……

This will ease the packing process on moving day. Any added items during the pack out day will have to be charged.

With the assistance of the MEBS Packing Crew, all furniture and each item, cabinet, closet, artwork, wall hangings, rugs & carpets will be tagged as air, sea, or storage. These tags are color coded in order to assure that

all of your Household Goods and Personal Effects are delivered to the exact, pre-determined final destination by the exact, pre-determined mode of transport.

Also, you should make sure to take all valuables, fragile items and small electronics as carry-on, as much as you can, as handling on both ends are unavoidable.

Customs restrictions

Different countries have different regulations, it is important to be aware of items you can or cannot ship to your new country.

In general, we do not recommend moving items such as hazardous materials (paint, articles of explosive nature, aerosol containers, corrosives, liquids, batteries, perishables, flammables), weapons, alcohol and food products. In fact, many of these items are forbidden by air and ocean carriers and can be denied entry into the destination country. Your MEBS Relocations Specialist will provide further detailed guidance.

Depending on voltage, your electrical appliances may not work in the destination country. MEBS will provide further detailed guidance.

Also, in many countries, new items are dutiable. Therefore, do not purchase new items before leaving your country, as you may end up being taxed. Goods should not be packed into their orginal boxes to avoid misleading the customs officers.

Be present when your goods are being packed….

MEBS designated Pack Crews will arrive on the date and at the time agreed with you. And, upon arrival, we will go through your home with you so that you can indicate exact items to be packed and point out anything particularly fragile. The crew will be working between 8 AM and 6 PM. If you decide to shorten that time and the crew cannot complete the job, additional costs may apply to cover additional pack days. The dates and times will all be discussed well in advance so that days and times are set before the Pack Crew arrives.

Pack dates and times will be coordinated by your MEBS Global Relocations Coordinator.

MEBS GLOBAL REACH—8

PACKING DAY INFORMATION AND SUGGESTIONS

Do not move goods into one area…….

Leave everything in place in your home (such as pictures on walls and glasses in cupboards) as this will make it possible for the MEBS packers to follow survey instructions.

Keep your personal items that you need for your journey……

Keep your passports, tickets, flight bags (children and pets) separate from the goods that are being packed for shipment.

You don't want your personal items to be packed by accident!

Check every cupboard before the packers leave……(we will, too)

….and make sure nothing is left behind.

If you still wish to pack some personal items yourself, here are additional tips and further information:

Owner-packed goods cannot be insured for damage. Check with your MEBS Relocations Specialist to establish the terms of the insurance coverage.

Make a list of everything you pack into every carton.

Do not pack goods that are prohibited or restricted in your destination country. If in doubt, check with your MEBS Relocations Specialist.

Do not pack anything that is flammable, corrosives, Pressure containers such as but not limited to spray cans, aerosols (hair spray, deodorant, shaving cream, or repellents) butane fuel, scuba tanks—Weapons such as, but not limited to, firearms, ammunition, gunpowder… - Fireworks—gasoline-powered tools, wet-cell batteries, camping equipment with fuel, radioactive materials, poisons, infectious substances—Household cleaning items...

Do not pack heavy boxes: they are difficult to handle and can be damaged more easily than lighter packages.

Never use cartons that have previously carried foodstuffs.

In case you have any of the above you want to have shipped, please link with your Relocations specialist at MEBS for further information.

Keep keys for trunks and suitcases with you and have them available at destination for customs officials in case they need to inspect them.

If you include any additional items after the survey, be aware that volume and weight of the

shipment will be increased and therefore the cost of the freight will increase.

If you do so, be sure to inform the Pack Crew lead as well as your Relocations specialist to

recalculate the rate and avoid any surprises when receiving the invoice.

MEBS GLOBAL REACH—9

Provision of Inventory list

At the time of packing, the Pack Crew lead will create an inventory list noting all items to be packed and the related boxes. That inventory list has various purposes:

- Review the goods and compare with the survey done previously to make sure the goods are the same and the volume/weight allocated has not changed. In case of change, the price of the shipment may be revised accordingly.

- List and number all items and make sure all items are found at destination

- Describe the state of the goods at the time of packing, and be a guide to the destination agent to compare what has arrived.

Storage

MEBS offers free storage for the first month (30 days) of storage if you book with us. After 30 days, MEBS storage charges will apply. If you are interested in MEBS safe and secure local storage charges, please ask your MEBS Relocations Coordinator for special pricing and storage information.

MEBS possesses a secure warehouse at Embakasi close to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Our warehouse accommodates Household Goods for permanent storage and in-transit storage.

Loading or transport to the warehouse

If the transport is by sea and depending on your residence location and accessibility, the container will be loaded directly at your residence. However, sometimes, for practical reasons such as lack of accessibility to your street and residence by the larger trucks, or special handling crates which need to be finalized at loading, goods may be loaded into a truck to be taken to the MEBS warehouse for safe, secure loading, blocking and bracing.

If the shipment is airfreight, it will be taken to our warehouse if the shipment needs to be crated. Or, often shipments are held at the MEBS warehouse as we wait for the airline bookings and scheduled flights.

There are no additional costs applied for MEBS warehouse transfers.

MEBS GLOBAL REACH—10

SHIPMENT COORDINATION AND UPDATES

Shipping by Sea

Shipping by sea is typically the most cost effective way to move your household effects. It is also the most popular method. There are three main ways to ship your belongings by ocean. The one that is right for you will depend on your budget and the volume of goods.

Full Container Load (FCL) – this involves access and use of your own, exclusive container. The contents of a three bedroom house can usually fit into a 20ft container.

Shared / Groupage / Consolidated Container– this is useful if you are sending a select number of items or if your shipment doesn’t adequately utilize a full container. It is called LCL (Less-than-Container-Load) and for the security of your items, the goods will be crated into an industry standard, waterproof lift van. This avoids manual handling of your Personal Effects by dock workers and, therefore, alleviates damage to your goods.

LCL may not be available to all destinations.

International Removals by Air (Air Freight)

Sending your household goods by air is a useful option if you prefer a shorter transit time. As it is a faster service than shipping by sea, it is a good option for smaller shipments or essential items which are needed immediately when arriving at the destination.

Air Service can sometimes be cost effective for larger shipments if the destination is inland or far away from a sea port. But, in general it is more expensive than sending your goods by sea. This is due to airline fuel costs as well as the labour involved in preparing the consignment for shipment by air (due to high security regulations). However, the shorter transit times are a key benefit for many people.

In addition to customs clearance, the shipment of household effects on a door to door basis also includes the delivery of your belongings to your new home. An experienced team will unload, unpack and remove the packing debris, allowing you to quickly resume your family and professional life.

Your Travel Plans

Please advise your MEBS Global Relocations Coordinator and let him / her know your travel and arrival plans as you anticipate reaching your new home country. Indeed, depending on the country of destination, your original passport or your presence could be required for actual clearance and verification of your Relocations shipment.

Customs Inspections

Be aware that customs in each country regularly perform physical inspections on Household Goods shipments.

This may or may not bring an additional cost to your shipment, and this is out of MEBS hands.

However, there could be handling and possible damage during that operation. MEBS representative will be there to mitigate customs poor handling and make sure all goods are repacked properly.

MEBS GLOBAL REACH—11

DELIVERY DAY INFORMATION AND SUGGESTIONS

Availability….. We suggest that you are present during the entire delivery, unloading and inventory process as your Household Goods and Personal Effects reach your new residence. If you cannot be present, you are required to assign a designated substitute. We’ll need the contact information for your designated representative prior to the delivery of the shipment(s).

Walk Through….. When the crew arrives at your home, be sure to ‘walk through’ your home with the crew supervisor pointing out important, special and fragile pieces. The crew supervisor will point out residence concerns as you perform the primary walk through.

Unpacking….. At the time of delivery, it may be mandatory to have specific cartons unpacked in your presence for insurance purposes. You are encouraged

to allow the delivery agent to unpack as many cartons as possible. You can choose to unpack some cartons on your own. Please clearly discuss this with the crew supervisor.

The service of the delivery crew includes placing furniture into the rooms and location of your choice. You are encouraged to give the placement of furniture consideration before settling-in the remainder of the items. We are pleased to assist and now is the perfect time to place your furniture in the ideal locations.

Debris removal on the day of delivery will be performed. For boxes and/or items left unpacked at your request, debris removal may be an additional cost and scheduled at a later date. Please check with your MEBS Relocations Coordinator to confirm.

Clothing may be wrinkled at the time of delivery. Just as clothing will wrinkle when packed in a suitcase for a short trip, it will wrinkle after being packed for an extended period of time. This will occur regardless of the type of packing carton used. MEBS Packing Crews are trained to fold and crease to minimize wrinkling…. But some can be expected.

Some items may require a specialist for reassembly and will be scheduled after delivery is completed. This should be advised at the point of survey or packing, otherwise incurring additional charges. Please coordinate this with your MEBS Relocations Specialist. Items such as pool tables, hot tubs, and grandfather clocks often require specialized assembly in your new home.

Final Check

Following delivery, you will be asked to sign the packing inventory as well as the POD (proof of delivery) indicating the condition of your goods and noting if anything is damaged or missing.

Your acknowledgement of the condition of your goods may have an im-pact on any insurance claim you may file. Should unexpected damage occur during delivery, it is important to note so that your MEBS Relocations Specialist can duly document your Relocations Shipment file.

Please point this out to the crew supervisor and advise your MEBS Global point of contact. Please be sure to confirm this in writing when signing the delivery documents.

Items that at first glance appear to be missing may in fact be in an unpacked carton, in a drawer, or in another location where you least expect to find it. Please unpack ALL cartons and do a thorough inventory of your home before claiming an item as missing.

MEBS GLOBAL REACH—12

INSURANCE BOOKING AND CLAIMS

CUSTOMER SERVICE AT MEBS

PACKING SUPPLIES

MEBS Global will present you with the proposed insurance for Goods in Transit. This insurance is recommended while not mandatory. However, in case of any damages to your shipment, MEBS Global will be liable up to the industry established limits (check our Terms and Conditions for further details).

In case you intend to ship any damaged/broken item, they will be noted as damaged on the packing list and will not be insured under the premium.

The insurance premium will be charged at 3% of the value of the goods, considering the goods are professionally packed. In case of claim, the excess will be at 5% of the claim value, with a minimum of $350.00 per claim.

To be valid, the claim should be done within 30 Days of receiving your shipment, on a letter or claim notice, dated and signed. It should be accompanied by a list of the damaged goods as well as photos of those.

In case of damages, and if the good can be fixed, repair quotations will be asked to accompany the claim.

Make sure to keep all damaged items in case the insurance company decides to send a surveyor to view the items.

In any case, we will follow up with you to settle the claim as fast as possible, so do not hesitate to get back to us with any questions.

MEBS Global offers to its customer the highest standards of customer service and accompaniment for their relocation. We remain available at all times to help you go through the process as smoothly as possible.

In case of queries or concerns, please do write to our customer service address

customer-care@mebs-global.com. We guarantee a response in less than 24 hours and action to be taken as soon as possible.

You have the possibility to complete our online survey. Do not hesitate to write to us on the following address customer-care@mebs-global.com for the link to be sent to you in case it has not been sent at the end of your relocation process.

Our packing supplies are chosen for their high standard of quality and strength, to resist to carrier mishandling throughout the transport of the shipment. When high quality is found locally, procurement of the boxes is done locally. If the international quality standards are not met on the local market, packing supplies are then imported from the US by MEBS.

MEBS assures the highest quality packing supplies and customer service as you relocate to your new home abroad.

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For more information, visit our website www.mebs-global.com

MEBS Global Reach Kenya—Regional Headquarters

MMID Building, Unit 3B

Westlands Road

PO Box 13768-00800

Nairobi, Kenya

Or contact us at the following address:

Kenya@mebs-global.com

Tel: +254 20 3748847

+254 702 068936

Or any of our office worldwide

USA: washington@mebs-global.com

UAE: uae@mebs-global.com

Nigeria: nigeria@mebs-global.com

Mali: mali@mebs-global.com

Djibouti: djibouti@mebs-global.com

South Sudan: southsudan@mebs-global.com

Uganda: uganda@mebs-global.com

Myanmar: myanmar@mebs-global.com

Thailand: thailand@mebs-global.com

Afghanistan: afghanistan@mebs-global.com

India: india@mebs-global.com