Our overseas removals services and excess baggage shipping services will continue throughout the UK during the current lockdown with the important changes we have already implemented to protect the health of customers and staff
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on 5th January 2021 for a tier 5 lockdown for England and the First Minister's announcement for a stay at home order for Scotland, we’d like to reassure customers that under the current government guidelines our international removals and baggage shipping services will continue operating throughout all counties in the UK. The new procedures we implemented, as outlined below, will continue as before in order to protect the health of both customers and staff and minimise the risk of spreading Covid-19. The New Year is traditionally a very busy period for us with our services being in high demand and we therefore recommend that you allow sufficient time for planning your removal so that we can ensure it runs smoothly. Our telephone lines are open as usual between 9am and 5pm, Monday – Friday with staff available to answer your questions. You can call us on freephone 0800 988 3711 or 020 8686 7733.Getting a quote or home / video surveys
In the first instance you are able to get a quote for both removals and box / excess baggage shipping on our website using the online cost calculators. During the lockdown period, we will be offering video surveys for international removals and shipping of large items such as furniture. Our experienced International Removal Surveyors are able to provide estimates and advice remotely using our home video survey app.[su_button url="https://www.pssremovals.com/international-removals-quote" style="flat" background="#F19D00" size="4" icon="icon: chevron-circle-right"]Get an International Removal Quote[/su_button] [su_button url="https://www.pssremovals.com/shipping_boxes.php" style="flat" background="#F19D00" size="4" icon="icon: chevron-circle-right"]Get a Quote For Shipping Boxes / Baggage[/su_button]
[su_button url="https://www.pssremovals.com/free-home-or-video-survey.php" style="flat" background="#005EB5" size="4" icon="icon: chevron-circle-right"]Book a Home Survey[/su_button]
Estimated shipping times
Whilst we endeavour to maintain our usual high standards of service during this time, we do ask customers to be more understanding and flexible. Situations can change rapidly between countries. Your Move Manager or Account Manager will be able to advise you on the current situation with the country you are shipping to. The shipping times we give are estimates and we cannot guarantee that your shipment won’t be subject to delays en route or in customs at your destination country. We also ask customers to ensure that you have the right visa to be allowed entry into your destination country. You should check carefully as many countries have restricted entry at this time, especially for non-citizens.New procedures for international removals during the Covid-19 pandemic
At PSS, our aim is to ensure that we keep all of our staff and clients safe during the current pandemic. Following guidance from both the Government and the British Association of Removers, we have therefore put a number of new procedures in place. NB: Please be aware that these procedures are subject to change as guidance from the Government and British Association of Removers changes.What we are doing to protect both you and our staff:
- Our crews are kept up to date with the best advice from Public Health England and The Health & Safety Executive.
- In addition, based on this advice, our crews have a set procedure they must follow at the start of their working day, right through to the start of the move and the end of their working day. This procedure includes important measures such as social distancing and the use of Personal Protective Equipment when required, and the use of hand santisers to be used during the removal;
- The crews are working in restricted teams, so that there are fewer team changes over this period, helping to limit the number of contacts each crew member has;
- Crew members will advise us immediately if they develop symptoms of Covid-19, or if they have been in contact with anyone who has developed symptoms, and they will then isolate for the recommended period;
- We will not provide any paperwork at the end of the removal; however, your Move Manager will email these to you as soon as possible following completion of the collection
What we ask of you:
- Let us know if, in the two weeks prior to your move, you develop any of the symptoms of Covid-19, or if you are in contact with anyone who has developed such symptoms, or if you have been active in the community;
- There should be only one customer present at the property at the time of the removal.;
- We need you to clean all surfaces, door handles, stair rails/bannisters before our crew arrive;
- Please leave all internal doors open for the delivery to reduce the need for contact;
- Please allow our crew access to a bathroom to allow them to wash their hands regularly throughout the delivery;
- If possible it would be best if the removal can be done from an empty property, in which case we will need one person to be present at the start of the removal to let the crew in, and at the end of the removal to check the property and to lock up;
- If someone does remain at the property during the removal, they must not be in the same room as, nor be within 2 metres of, any export packer at any time;
- During loading of the container or removal vehicle, no-one apart from the crew should be near the house or vehicle at any time
More Government Information about moving home during the Coronavirus pandemic
For more information about what you can and can not do during the current restirctions please visit the government coronavirus website. The following are links to latest government advice on moving home: England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland[su_button url="https://www.pssremovals.com/international-removals-quote" style="flat" background="#F19D00" size="4" icon="icon: chevron-circle-right"]Get a International Removal Quote[/su_button] [su_button url="https://www.pssremovals.com/shipping_boxes.php" style="flat" background="#F19D00" size="4" icon="icon: chevron-circle-right"]Get a Quote For Shipping Boxes / Baggage[/su_button]
[su_button url="https://www.pssremovals.com/free-home-or-video-survey.php" style="flat" background="#005EB5" size="4" icon="icon: chevron-circle-right"]Book a Home Survey[/su_button]
The post International removals and box / baggage shipping services during the current lockdown appeared first on PSS Removals.
Ok, we might be biased, but there is a good reason why PSS are regarded as first choice for moving overseas by many in the migration and international relocation industry. The big container shipping companies ship hundreds of thousands of shipping containers around the world everyday. In fact, there are an estimated to be over 15 million shipping containers in circulation worldwide. Whilst technically you could approach them directly to help with your move, you are unlikely to get the best price or service and they they only talk to you you if you are regularly shipping large volumes. A better option therefore is to use a Personal Shipping Company like PSS who specialise in shipping personal goods for people 
Part of the A.P. Moller Group, Maersk are the world’s largest shipping company based in Denmark and operates on an international basis, with the majority of its trades taking place between Asia and Europe, South America and Europe, and UK and North America. With an extensive network of 600 vessels travelling between 370 ports located in 110 countries, a large amount of trades occur on a daily basis both business and personal. Headquartered in Copenhagen and operating for over a century, Maersk has one of the most integrated shipping networks, including warehouse storage solutions in over 50 countries. In 2015, Maersk was reported to have held 15% of the world’s existing container capacity. 
MSC are headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and trades on average 20 million TEU in capacity annually. Founded 50 years ago, their expertise are focused on delivering a variety of goods in a range of different sectors, some of which include : chemicals, food and beverage, agriculture and many more. They also offer bespoke container types to suit different cargo loads, from dry cargo, reefer cargo, special cargo to dangerous goods. However, they also provide a quality service for shipping personal goods for people moving overseas. 
ONE was established as a joint venture between Japanese shipping companies: “K” Line, MOL and NYK in 2017. Headquartered in Singapore, ONE is the sixth largest shipping company in the world and also a member of The Alliance alongside allie members : Hapag Lloyd and Yang Ming. They’re recognised for their strong branding and bright pink shipping containers, reminiscent of cherry blossoms in Japan (the origin of their parent companies). With their message to unify the world as “one” through collaborating internationally and providing global services, they collectively own 250 vessels and transport 1.4 million TEU in capacity annually, with services being offered in over 100 countries. PSS regularly partner with 
Hapag Lloyd (also a member of the The Alliance alongside ONE and Yang Ming) offer logistic and shipping services in just under 400 locations, trading between Latin America, Asia, Europe, Middle East and North America, with frequent trading to countries like Cyprus, Australia, New Zeland, US and UAE. As one of the largest liner shipping companies in the world, Hapag Lloyd offer a wide range of container types to support different cargo requirements i.e. breakbulk, open top, hardtop, flatrack and platform. As well as being headquartered in Germany, they also have regional offices located in Hamburg, Genova, Dubai, Singapore, New Jersey and Valparaiso – with regional cargo contacts available readily for shipment enquiries. Annually, Hapag Lloyd are known to transport 12 million TEU in capacity via 230 vessels, with the majority of their cargo including foodstuffs and beverages, materials and chemicals. 
Sealand is in fact now a Maersk company, focusing on intra-regional shipping within continents: the Americas, Europe, Mediterrenean and Asia. Sealand’s network covers 300 ports in 90 countries, supporting the shipment of dry, reefer, special and dangerous goods cargo. Alongside container shipping, Sealand also provide intermodal transport via sea, rail, truck and barge, with value protect to keep your goods covered at all times. Like the majority of modern international shipping companies, Sealand’s website and mobile applications allow live tracking of existing shipment orders to keep you informed of potential delays and estimated delivery times. At PSS we mostly partner with 
OOCL, a shipping company headquartered in 
DAL are a privately owned German shipping company, run by the Essberger/Von Rantzau family and headquartered in Hamburg, Germany. DAL provides both container and general freight services, with its shipping network covering Africa, Europe, Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean (though its main focus is that of East and South Africa). DAL owns 4 vessels, totalling just over 21,000 TEU in capacity, and is one of the first shipping companies in history to trade to and from Africa. 
Tropical shipping is a transport and logistics company based in West Palm Beach, Florida, providing door-to-door shipping and intermodal services for container shipments as well as less than container loads (LCL). They have 50 years of experience shipping internationally across 30 locations for both personal and business use, using integrated real-time shipment tracking services and marine insurance covered by Sea Seas for added piece of mind. At PSS we use 
CMA-CGM are a large French shipping company headquartered in Marseille, trading between 160 countries worldwide, owning the second largest reefer carrier in the world. They have an extensive network of 420 ports globally, running 500 vessels that travel via 200 routes, holding 21.6 million TEU annually in capacity. 
Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation are a Taiwanese shipping company founded in 1972, transporting load both domestically and overseas and cover Asia, Australia, Europe and America. They own over 100 vessels, transporting 640,000 TEU in capacity annually. 
The above are some of what we consider the best shipping companies operating out of the UK. But fortunately you don’t have to go to the trouble of choosing which is best for your circumstances as your experienced Move Manager will take care of that for you. To get a quote for moving or shipping overseas you can use our 
Lying on Cape Palliser road's coastal side, this is the perfect freedom camping spot in the south. This picturesque and unique fishing village allows you to stay for 21 nights. While here, go birdwatching, journey to the lighthouse nearby, and watch the seal colony and seabirds make their homes in the region. This secluded and quiet location will also present you with lovely coastal sunsets and sunrises, hiking and swimming, rock-pooling with your kids, and walks in the town settlement.
If you love to campervan to a remote location where you can engage in rugged nature activities like fishing, hunting, hiking, and mountain biking, then this is the location for you. Orangihikoia is a hidden gem that is perfectly located a small distance away from Lake Waikaremoana and north of Te Taita O Makora. Be warned, however, that to access the campsite, you have to pass through a narrow, long, and winding road that might be difficult for first-time campervan drivers.
Do you love to sleep to the sound of the ocean? Then take a drive to Kaiaua Beach, located six kilometers off the state highway. There, you will enjoy long and winding views of sparkling water for three nights. The Beach is part of the Hawkes Bay area, and it offers plenty of swimming, fishing, and beach walking opportunities. This is one campsite you will have to book in advance, however.
If you love stunning, unique locations, then this is where you should start your campervanning journey in New Zealand. Located in Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve, this freedom camping site is filled with ancient vegetation trees that make up its fertile lowland forest area. This early Maori settlement is difficult to trek around the sloping forest hills. Nevertheless, it houses the popular Maungatapu Track ride that lets you travel between Nelson and Pelorus valley. Prepare to hike, fish, swim, and kayak. Another beautiful thing about this campsite is that it is divided into two: the powered and the non-powered sites. But, no fires are allowed on the campsite.
Divided into the South of Mavora Lake and North Mavora Lake sites, your campervanning trip here will involve swimming, tramping, hiking, mountain biking, walking, and fishing. You will get fire spots, BBQs, picnic tables, and stunning views here, in addition to boat rides on the North Mavora Lake site.
This is the perfect spot for campers who want to explore the Paparoa National Park while setting up a base camp. The campsite is also located close to the beach allowing you to sleep to soothing ocean sounds. You will also wake up to an amazing sunrise landscape with direct access to the trails across the beach. Scale the sheer limestone gorges, tramp, swim, bushwalk, and fish here if you want.
Don't let this small freedom campsite fool you; it has a lot to offer. Think birdwatching, hiking trails, shaded resting areas, fire pits, and plenty of campervan space. The Tararua Forest Park is also available for nature lovers looking for a camping experience in the wild. Get to experience all the native birds in New Zealand here, and don't hesitate to take a swim in the forest water body. The only shortcoming of this site is that it does not allow pets.
If you have a self-contained campervan, you can visit Reid's Farm for three nights and four days. This is another location perfect for nature lovers that prefer to sleep near water bodies. The campsite allows users to park their vehicles along the edge of the river, where they can experience the sound of birds and water creatures drifting into the sunset. Find this farm on Waikato River banks and Huka Falls Road and enjoy swimming, walking, fishing, and hiking activities.
Looking to freedom camp flexibly in Queenstown, then travel to Twenty Five Mile Stream. This is the perfect place to rest for four nights in your campervan when on your holiday travels. Kayak, swim, and fish on your rest days. From here, you can then access Queenstown directly or venture into Arrowtown.
Our final freedom camping site is the breathtaking stormy and moody Milford Sound Lodge. You will get your ultimate campervan camping experience here from the forest and powered sites that manage to afford you a staying experience in the wild. Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy the numerous activities this site has to offer as well – they include kayaking, track and bushwalking, sound boat cruises, trout fishing, hiking, and sound diving.
Campervanning in New Zealand is a fun experience. But before you get your holiday started, remember to take your time to get used to the new time zone and learn the New Zealand freedom camping rules. Then take time to explore the stunning nation; you don't want to miss anything incredible on your journey. Don't forget to give us a call when you are ready for your 
The Gold Coast is Australia's 6th largest city and with so much to offer it's no surprise it's one of the fastest growing. As a result there are plenty of employment and business opportunities even in these difficult times. If there is anywhere that's going to bounce back quickly then it's the Gold Coast! There is no better place to advantage of the rise of the work at home culture than the Gold Coast. The local government already has plans well underway to make the Gold Coast Australia's leading digital city and the coronavirus pandemic is only accerating this. If you’re considering moving from the UK to the Gold Coast, then now might be the time to put those feelers out for employment.
This is for many the most important of considerations when choosing a place in which to begin a new life. What you see on a daily basis, the beauty or lack of it, can seriously affect your mental health. Waking up to blue skies will always make your day start off on the right note and the Gold Coast is certainly not short of those! The scenery on the Gold Coast rivals some of the most famously stunning spots in the world and the beaches are only the beginning!
Most people think of Surfer’s Paradise when they think of the Gold Coast and it can’t be denied that this glitzy seaside resort is an attraction for people of all ages and from all walks of life for good reason. But for those not interested in shopping, dining, surfing and nightclubs there’s an array of quietly idyllic beaches to choose from in less developed areas, such as Snapper Rocks which plays host to the annual Quicksilver Pro Surfing Completion and the nearby Froggys Beach, a popular wedding destination. Then there are also some lively and cosmopolitan beaches such as the award-winning Burleigh Heads from which you can see the skyline of the Gold Coast, looming dramatically over the bright blue waters. When you choose to live in the Gold Coast you'll have access to 57km of stunning coastline where you can really live the Australia dream!
If you’re looking at moving to the Gold Coast to take advantage of a more outdoorsy lifestyle, then you will definitely be interested in the epic rainforests which the area boasts. Not too far from the metropolitan area is Tamborine National Park which offers eco adventures, rainforest canopy discovery walks and many educational opportunities which help to conserve the area’s outstanding natural beauty and wealth of wildlife. In fact, the Gold Coast has over 21,000 hectares of exotic rainforest to explore.
This is a serious plus for anyone considering moving to Queensland. The Gold Coast is…well… it’s cosy all year round! Warm, wet winters and hot humid summers make for a very special environment in which beautiful plants and trees thrive in the lush landscape and aching bones cease to ache. It’s a popular destination with those over 60 due to the weather and especially good for anyone who isn’t fond of the drier conditions found in the southern part of Australia. When you live in the Gold Coast you're guaranteed sunshine all year round!
What good is all that stunning weather without a good selection of theme parks in which to enjoy it! When you’re tired of the beach (if that’s something you think might actually happen!) then you can head to any one of these amazing theme parks.
Gold Coast shopping is above and beyond many other Australian cities because it has always had to cater to its large tourist influx. This is after all the favoured place for Aussies to holiday and a large portion of European and American visitors head here. The city houses some of Australia’s largest duty-free outlets and shopping centres as well as a growing independent sector.
Like any large metropolitan area, the housing on the Gold Coast varies in terms of price but there’s one thing for sure and that’s the fact that you get a lot for your money, especially when compared to other Australian cities. Compared to British housing, Australian houses are generously sized and tend to have a laundry room in addition to a separate kitchen or kitchen diner. On the Gold Coast, most houses are built with the weather in mind and will include a great outdoor area for eating or relaxing day and night. Covered verandas are popular for obvious reasons and with gardens being on average larger than those in the UK you’ll still have tons of space for the kids to play outside because they don’t take up half the garden!
As if there weren’t enough curious creatures in Australia to begin with, it seems most of them live on the Gold Coast and surrounding areas. There are over 1,300 animal species here and 1,700 plant species. Good news for gardeners! You’ll see amazing birds of all colours, dramatic amphibians and insects galore on the Gold Coast as even a simple walk turns into a nature trail very quickly as you begin to notice the vast array of animals, birds and insects around.
Officially! Sharing the title with Brisbane, the Gold Coast is listed as one of the most desirable places in the world in which to live. Considerations which were taken when compiling this list included political, social, economic and environmental factors in addition to personal safety and health.