IAM is the leading quality standard for international removals based in the USA and membership ensures your move will be undertaken by a reliable and trustworthy company.
If you are moving to a foreign country, then it can give you significant peace of mind to entrust your belongings to a certified removal company, whether it to countries like the United States and Australia, or road freight to Europe. Moving abroad is much more complex and requires specialist packing and customs services. With that, how do you know if a removal company can be trusted for your overseas move, especially if you have never used them before? This is where IAM comes in.What is IAM (International Association of Movers)?
As the name implies, IAM (the International Association of Movers) is an international moving association. In particular, it’s a non-profit organization made up of different international removal companies. Members of IAM provide services related to shipping and moving, be it for commercial or personal purposes. To be an IAM member, removal companies need to abide by strict rules. These rules help the companies provide services of the highest quality. When you trust your belongings to an IAM member, you are guaranteed a standard that is unmatched in the international removal industry.
PSS International Removals are a long term IAM member based in the UK. You can get a moving estimate using our free online cost calculator
About The International Movers Association
The International Movers Association was founded in 1962 in the United States. Upon its founding, it was called the Household Goods Forwarders Association of America, but its name was later changed in 2008. The aim was to better reflect the work they were doing internationally.
IAM currently partners with 2,000 companies in more than 170 countries. The association provides these companies with networking opportunities and the tools they need to achieve the best practices for their trade. Through IAM, removal companies like PSS International Removals can advocate for trade laws that benefit the company, the environment, and most important of all, the customers. The association itself supports every member by offering to resolve financial disputes, providing monetary assistance, and giving them resources that increase productivity and efficiency. IAM does this through multiple means, such as:
- Scholarship programs
- Certification programs
- Annual conferences, meetings, and conventions
- Council representatives
Why Are Moving Associations Like IAM Needed?
Moving associations like IAM are necessary because moving overseas is a risky venture. If you do not choose the right removal company, you risk losing your personal belongings or suffering expensive delays. There's a great deal that can go wrong in overseas transit. The removal company you use can go bankrupt, your belongings and your property could be damaged, and your shipment could get mixed up with others.
Organizations like IAM were created to improve the quality of service provided by their members to avoid such problems. They reduce the risks associated with international shipping and provide customers with a plethora of trustworthy removal companies to choose from. Thanks to associations like IAM, the risks associated with international shipping are significantly lessened. Both parties ultimately benefit, removal companies receive guidance, and customers receive the quality service they need.
International Movers Association Membership Criteria
Removal companies that want to be members of the International Movers Association must abide by the strict membership criteria, as set by the organization. This ensures that every member represented by IAM can conduct their business to the highest calibre in the trade. Here are the criteria for membership:- Sponsorship letters from two current IAM members (membership is exclusive and based on recommendation only).
- A minimum of one-year experience trading
- Current country/state/province business license or registration, and tax ID number
- Payment of initiation fee and dues
The Code of Ethics of The International Movers Association
Having so many members working together means that conflicts of interest may arise. For an international association like IAM, providing its members with a code of ethics they must adhere to prevents disputes and provides a significant advantage: all members are on the same page about how to carry out their business practice in a way that accurately reflects IAM policies. According to the IAM Code of Ethics:- Members shall acknowledge and respect the cultural similarities and differences among all members.
- Members shall conduct business in a responsible and professional manner.
- Members shall deal fairly with all customers, association members, and other business entities.
- Members shall adhere to a policy of honesty and integrity in accordance with generally accepted principles of professional conduct.
- Members shall be forthright and truthful in their professional communications.
- Members shall abide by all lawful agreements to which they are a party, including agreements with customers, the association, and association members.
- Members shall pay their just obligations. Members shall strive to comply with all applicable laws and governmental regulations.
- A Member shall not compete unfairly with other members. Members shall refrain from engaging in any activity which discredits the association or any of its members.
Benefits of Using IAM Members for Your Move
Being a member of IAM provides removal companies like PSS International Removals with many benefits. These benefits not only help us keep the quality of our service consistent, but they also help us elevate the way we conduct our business. As such, we stay ahead of the curve in the industry.
Some of the many benefits include:Inclusion
Members of IAM can take advantage of the IAM Mobility Exchange (IAMX), a platform used by industry professionals to network and do business.
Members can also attend the IAM Annual meeting and expo to connect with other professionals. IAM encourages its members to form long-lasting business relationships and open many doors for each other. With so many business partners watching out for each other, IAM members are some of the most connected, knowledgeable professionals in the removal industry. Thanks to the network, IAM members are first in line to receive and act on industry news, allowing them to prepare accordingly.
Protection
IAM protects its members from transactional mistakes and disputes through the Receivable Protection Program (RPP). Big financial disputes on the business side of the international removal industry can affect the logistics side. IAM prevents this by having a program meant to settle any issues that could affect the members and their customers. The program also enforces the IAM Code of Ethics.Representation
As an international association based in the United States, IAM represents its members’ interests in front of the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and the Department of Defence. The association makes sure that international shipping from other countries to the United States is a seamless affair that benefits all. Members of IAM are the leading representatives when it comes to trade policies that affect the removal industry and anyone looking to move to the United States.Improvement
IAM supplies its members with a learning program for professionals. This program helps removal companies train their employees by providing some of the most informative learning resources in the industry.
From webinars to knowledge labs, IAM wants to ensure that all of its members can educate their employees in the most efficient way possible. Removal companies that train their employees with IAM’s learning program can guarantee the kind of consistency and professionalism that define global leaders like IAM.
Choosing PSS International Removals
PSS International Removals are a certified member of the International Association of Movers. By choosing us to safely transport your belongings to another country from the UK, you are choosing to trust a member of one of the most qualified international trade associations in the world. PSS International Removals has been in the removals and shipping industry for years. We pride ourselves on providing a friendly, professional service. Our passion for our trade shines through with every removal, and you can be certain we will treat you and your belongings with the respect they deserve. Besides being IAM partners, PSS are also accredited with various other national and international associations, programs, and partnerships, including:- The British Association of Removers
- FIDI Global Alliance
- FAIM Quality Certification
- European Movers Partnership (Euromovers)
No comments:
Post a Comment