If you are only moving to Malaysia for a short time, it may be worth considering furniture storage while renting fully furnished accommodation in Malaysia. If you are staying for a longer period, you can buy your furniture in Malaysia itself. The prices of locally made furniture are often much cheaper than in Western countries and you can even shop online.
On the other hand, keep in mind that household appliances, such as refrigerators, washing machines, vacuum cleaners and microwave ovens, can be quite expensive in Malaysia.
If you want to move your belongings with you, which is especially worthwhile if your employment contract includes installation costs, then it is important to carefully select the moving company to which you will entrust all your equipment. It is also advisable to contact the nearest Malaysian embassy or consulate for more information on relocating to Malaysia, customs regulations, and prohibited items.
Read up on the internet, join an expat community forum in Malaysia, or ask your future employer for advice on companies that other expats have used. You will then ask for quotes from a few moving companies and sign with the one that meets your needs and inspires you with the most confidence.
Costs and duration
There are many moving companies in the world that offer good services at competitive rates. Allied Pickfords Movers, Santa Fe Relocation (the Kuala Lumpur office has temporarily closed), Royal Relocations and BW Worldwide Movers all have a good reputation in Malaysia. For peace of mind, it is advisable to choose a carrier affiliated with the FIDI Global Alliance, as it is a network specializing in international mobility with practices that meet the highest standards around the world.
Moving costs vary depending on the carrier and the departure destination. To get a good estimate from a moving company, you will need to provide detailed information on the departure address, the destination address, the volume or weight of your cargo, the number of pieces of furniture to be transported, and whether they will need to be disassembled and reassembled, etc. You should also make a list of any items that are fragile or need special attention, and clearly describe what you will do yourself and what you want the company to do. Different conditions may alter the total cost.
Carriers usually take care of the customs administration for you, and some moving companies, such as Entourage Movers & Relocation Services, can even advise you on administrative procedures to help you settle in Malaysia.
From Europe, it can take three weeks for your cargo to arrive in Port Klang. Some moving companies provide an online overseas move tracking system, so you can check the status of your cargo anytime on the route. Remember that freight costs have been on an upward trend since the Covid-19 epidemic, and it could be extremely expensive for you to send all your furniture halfway around the world.
If you still want to bring your belongings, it may be worth asking the removal company if they have storage facilities in Malaysia in case you cannot find accommodation as quickly as you would like. Temporary, climate-controlled storage for two months costs around RM1,500 and can be a good option to give you some extra time to find accommodation.
International moving insurance
The risks for international shipments can never be completely eliminated, regardless of the care taken with the items being transported. It is therefore important that your goods are fully covered against all risks before being sent overseas. International moving insurance should be offered by the moving company. This will cover unforeseeable damage related to the transport of your goods, but only up to the value that you will have declared per item on the international transport insurance form.
An accurate and detailed inventory is very important because only the items you declare and specify the value will be insured.
Read the terms and conditions of your contract carefully to make sure you understand how precious items will be treated and be sure to find out what your rights are if the service does not meet your expectations.
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