Movers adapt to ups and downs

By Simon Wellington

Moving across town can be enough to test the logistics prowess and sanity of anyone, but an international move opens up a whole new can of worms that affects every facet of an individual or family's life, particularly when it involves adapting to a vastly different culture.

JAKARTA (JP): For these reasons, moving companies based in Indonesia have had to develop quality services that cater to every requirement of customers making an international move, securing their clients' trust and confidence during periods which are often extremely unsettling.

Indonesia's sizable expatriate community has ensured a steady flow of international nomads in and out of the country for some decades now, with a notable increase in the 1980s when the economy started to boom.

As the boom years continued through the early 1990s, keeping customers satisfied remained essential.

And then the staggering chain of economic and political events that overwhelmed Indonesia in the late-1990s sent the country into shock, and approximately two thirds of the expatriate community running for home shores.

"There was a peak in 1998 for people going out of the country," recalls Syarifah Aidid, the marketing manager for international moving company Global Silverhawk.

"We worked seven days a week nonstop. But there was no balance of reentry. This market has still not recovered."

All industry representatives agreed, as would most people in other sectors, that political stability was the key factor influencing development.

"It used to be a good market, but now it seems to be smaller. The last three years especially," says Syarifah.

Crown Relocations senior technical advisor, Rick McCarthy, notes that prior to 1998, there were a lot of people working in industries, such as construction, that came to a halt with the onset of the economic crisis.

"This did reduce the market. However, despite the reduction, multinationals still maintain a presence and are committed to staying in the country," Rick explained.

"The market is stable now, but future development depends on the political situation."

Meanwhile, adapting to events of the past has also been critical.

Lidya Aritonang, movers manager at locally owned Ritra Movers, said that due to the effects of the economic crisis and lack of development within the commercial market, Ritra placed more emphasis on targeting diplomat community.

"We are very convinced that in the next two or three years the market will improve again, as long as the political situation is stable," Lidya said.

Over recent years, a large number of new companies entered the sector to take advantage of the dollar-based market.

These included a number of freight forwarding companies, with little experience in the international moving industry, and also lacked suitable infrastructure or established international networks.

Currently, there are four major international moving companies in Indonesia and around 30 local companies. Of this number, there are approximately 15 which are adequately equipped to support international moves.

Rick contends the changing nature of the business is that people want more than just a moving service. For the past several years, Crown has been leading the relocation revolution, providing comprehensive services to assist clients in their transition to a new country.

In addition to the move, Crown also arranges: home search, orientation tours, meetings with school registrars, meet and greet at the airport, and hotel accommodation if required.

These services aim to make people more comfortable with their transition to a new home, particularly considering the cultural and language differences that, for many people, can prove intimidating upon arrival in a new country.

"Service is not just about moving any more," says Rick, "Moving is only about boxes."

The hurdles facing people moving into a country include the mountains of official documentation that must be processed, as well as customs regulations.

Lidya would like to see more flexibility in this area. Before goods enter Indonesia, new arrivals must have a resident and work permit to ensure passage, while a minimum 12-month stay period is required to avoid duties imposed on the goods entering.

Problems arise, however, when someone entering the country is given a short contract and official permits are issued for less than twelve months.

On top of the costs and upheaval already associated with their move, people obviously don't want to fork out more money to ensure their household goods can enter the country.

"It is very important that there is more flexibility in this area, with increased cooperation between customs and the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration," Lidya said.

Security and reliability are also major concerns for customers.

After all, no one wants to travel halfway around the world, only to discover that the container transporting their goods was either broken into, or is sitting on a dock in Tanzania.

Global Silverhawk has a bonded facility in Jakarta, providing a secure location for all the services normally conducted at the port of entry.

Crown maintains an office at the port and uses a private contractor's yard for customs clearance and storage, with their own staff on hand to supervise the process.

Some companies also offer web tracking, allowing clients to verify the whereabouts and progress of their goods throughout the transportation process.

Crown has such a system, enabling customers to access their file and view freight details.

They can check access information regarding collection details, where their goods are currently going, the name of the vessel transporting them, and arrival details for the port of destination.

Planning

There are plenty of services available that can ensure the safe and efficient transport of goods, door-to-door, anywhere around the world.

Therefore, the first idea to vanquish from your mind is the self-deception that you should do as much of the organizing as possible.

So, how do you make the right choice when looking for a mover?

Although pulling names out of a hat could expedite the process, it doesn't necessarily guarantee quality service.

Shop around, find out who the major players are and investigate their services.

Compare their experience in the industry and check out their claims history.

Of course, calling in the advice of friends or colleagues also helps. Personal experience is valuable guidance.

You should also ensure that the company uses reputable international partners and is accredited with industry standards.

The major association standards for the moving industry include FAIM, FIDI, Industry ISO and OMNI affiliation.

Finally, shortlist the candidates and get quotes, remembering that sometimes cheaper isn't always better.

Once the selection process has been completed, seriously consider the items you need to take with you.

Could that lumpy couch be adopted out to a new home locally? Cull now, replace later.

Pets

Four-legged friends pose more perplexity in the moving conundrum. And in most instances, you won't want to cull Spike or Fluffy.

Despite lengthy, expensive quarantines and transportation costs, about 80 percent to 90 percent of pet owners take their animals with them on their international move.

Different countries have different requirements, however they all require that your pet has had its rabies vaccination more than one month and less than one year prior to the date of departure.

Make sure you investigate your destination country's regulations well in advance.

Short of attempting to smuggle your beloved beast out of the country in the kids' suitcase (never use your own), there are a number of procedures which must be followed here prior to departure.

This administrative ordeal involves the issuance of health certificates, an export license and quarantine permit.

Of course, they involve a multitude of ministries, departments, directorates and interdepartmental subdirectorates -- so, again, plan well in advance.

Sound difficult?

Well, fortunately, to meet the demands of moving pets past the obstacles of bureaucratic red tape and on to their destination safely, moving companies, as well as some local pet shops and veterinarians, are ready and willing to help pet owners.

They can assist in the preparation of all necessary documents and arrange travel plans to ensure your pet's time in transit is not an endless fur-raising nightmare, for them and you.