Global Moves

Door-to-door removals between the UK and Europe

Global Moves is a family-run removals company with more than seven years of experience moving homes and businesses between the UK and various European destinations, as well as within Europe. Its approach is based on fixed written quotes and door-to-door transport, with the option of shared loads or a dedicated vehicle depending on the needs and budget of each move.

The company states that it handles an average of 97 moves per month, has a fleet of 10 vehicles and operates routes covering 12 countries. Its services are aimed at both individuals and businesses, and include packing, storage and guidance on customs procedures.

Services for individuals and businesses

The service catalogue covers several types of move:

• Home and flat moves, from everyday household belongings to carefully packed personal items.
• Business and office relocations, with attention to deadlines, coordination and careful handling of goods.
• Transport of furniture and valuable items, including large, heavy, fragile or high-value items that require specific planning.
• European and domestic removals, with routes between the UK and destinations such as France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg and Monaco, as well as the reverse journeys.
• Residential and commercial packing services, short- and long-term storage and support with customs formalities.

Fixed quotes and booking process

The company works with fixed written quotes. The process begins with entering the starting address, the destination and the preferred moving date; a series of questions is then answered to determine the volume, timing and service needs; after that, the available quote options are reviewed and the most suitable one is chosen. The company also offers the possibility of a video survey to assess the move.

Timing, customs and service conditions

According to the information published, the aim is to deliver within up to five days, which may be extended to between ten and fourteen days in peak season depending on the size of the load. The company operates daily or weekly departures to European destinations, which in some cases allows delivery to be brought forward.

On customs matters, Global Moves collects the documentation needed to handle formalities at origin and destination, although it specifies that it does not act as a customs agent or broker. To request local tax and duty relief, documents such as passport copies, rental agreements or house purchase contracts are usually required. If they are not provided on time, the move can still go ahead, but the taxes and duties must be paid at customs and, in most cases, can be reclaimed afterwards with proof of residence, such as registration at the local town hall, a rental agreement or an employment contract.

Moving alcohol and tobacco involves paying taxes and duties at destination, estimated at around 40% of the declared value of the goods, and requires a separate customs clearance declaration with an additional charge of £300. Transporting motorcycles can also be arranged and requires documentation proving ownership of the vehicle, with the same additional charge of £300 for export and import declarations.

Liability and cover

The company's liability for loss of or damage to goods does not exceed £40 per item, as set out in clause 9.2 of its terms and conditions. This limit can be extended if the customer declares the value of their goods and pays a fee of 3% of that value plus VAT before the start of transport or storage. Cover cannot exceed £50,000 without prior authorisation from the underwriter, which may involve an additional cost.

Assembly, storage and handling of belongings

The company dismantles and reassembles furniture. If the service is not included in the package booked, it can be carried out for a fee from £50 per item depending on the difficulty and the time available. Assembling new flat-pack furniture, such as IKEA items, is excluded from the packages and is quoted separately.

Storage can be booked from one week. The published rates are £5 per week per cubic metre, with a weekly minimum of £25 for volumes of 5 m³ or less, plus a one-off handling fee of £15 per cubic metre covering the safe unloading and reloading of goods. For volumes under 5 m³, a one-off minimum handling fee of £75 applies. The warehouse does not have permanent staff, so visits to collect items must be booked at least 48 hours in advance; the company charges four hours of a two-person team to help locate items, in addition to handling charges per crate.

If the customer has more items on the day of collection, the company can collect them provided there is space and weight allowance in the vehicle, with the additional charges indicated in the booking consolidation form agreed with the sales agent.

Location and contact

71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9JQ