PROFESSIONAL COOPERATION GUIDELINES
FOR INTERNATIONAL MOVERS (The PCGs)

PREFACE

1. FIDI asserts intellectual property rights and copyright of the PCGs,

including the 'PCG' and 'FIDI' trademarks (logos). Only firms and

moving industry trade bodies with the express written permission of

FIDI aisbl may use these PCGs.

2. The PCGs including the 'PCG' and 'FIDI' trademarks (logos) must not

be used, copied, distributed, adapted, or disseminated including via

the internet without the prior written permission of FIDI aisbl.

3. Only firms affiliated to FIDI may use the FIDI logo.

4. The PCGs are reviewed periodically by FIDI. They may only be

changed by FIDI.

5. FIDI affiliated firms: These Professional Cooperation Guidelines (the

PCGs) are always subordinate to the FIDI Statutes and requirements

of the FAIM Quality Standard.

VERSION 1.4 (Sept. 2020)

Approved by the FIDI Delegates on 20/10/2020

A. Table of Contents

PREFACE .................................................................................................................................................. 1

A. Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ 2

B. Scope and purpose .......................................................................................................................... 4

C. The Move Process .......................................................................................................................... 5

C.1. Origin service .................................................................................................................................. 5

C.1.1. Pre-move survey ..................................................................................................................... 5

C.1.1.1. Pre-move survey and response ........................................................................................... 5

C.1.1.2. Submitting the pre-move survey result and quotation ...................................................... 7

C.1.1.3. Acceptance of the pre-move survey result and quotation ................................................. 8

C.1.2. Standard elements .................................................................................................................. 9

C.1.3. Normal exclusions ................................................................................................................. 12

C.1.4. Allowances ............................................................................................................................ 13

C.1.5. In the event of a consignment overflow ............................................................................... 15

C.1.6. In the event of a container 'no show' or if the container is not fit for purpose ................... 17

C.2. Freight service ............................................................................................................................... 18

C.3. Destination service ........................................................................................................................ 20

C.3.1. Submitting the destination service rate or quotation .......................................................... 20

C.3.2. Acceptance of rate and booking ........................................................................................... 21

C.3.3. Standard services .................................................................................................................. 22

C.3.4. Exclusions and/or limitations ................................................................................................ 24

C.3.5. Additional responsibilities ..................................................................................................... 26

C.4. Storage .......................................................................................................................................... 28

D. Mould and/or Mildew / Contamination / Infestation .................................................................. 33

E. Accessorial services ....................................................................................................................... 34

F. Supply of removal staff (and equipment) as help for packing, loading and

unloading/unpacking ............................................................................................................................ 35

G. Invoicing, Payment Terms & Cancellation or Postponement Charges ......................................... 36

G.1. Invoicing ........................................................................................................................................ 36

G.2. Payment terms .............................................................................................................................. 37

G.3. Cancellation or postponement charges ........................................................................................ 38

H. Claims Handling and Settlement; Loss or Damage Prevention and Action .................................. 39

H.1. Insurance ....................................................................................................................................... 39

H.2. Claims Handling (cargo) and Settlement ...................................................................................... 40

H.3. Claims Handling (public and/or contractual liability, property damage) and Settlement ........... 42

H.4. Loss or Damage Prevention and Action (origin) ........................................................................... 43

H.5. Loss or Damage Prevention and Action (destination) .................................................................. 44

I. Resolution of disputes .................................................................................................................. 46

J. Responsiveness .......................................................................................................................... 47

B. Scope and purpose

1. The Professional Cooperation Guidelines (PCGs) herein shall apply to all international household moving

services arranged between any two contracting parties, namely any FIDI affiliated firms including their FIDI

and/or non-FIDI affiliated branches and subsidiaries; and/or any non FIDI-affiliated household goods

moving firms having full membership of and permission from their applicable household moving trade

body (association) where that association has adopted these PCGs under a licence granted to them by

FIDI.

2. FIDI affiliated firms: These Professional Cooperation Guidelines (the PCGs) are always subordinate to the

FIDI Statutes and requirements of the FAIM Quality Standard.

3. The PCGs are intended as a minimum Service Level between the contracting parties.

4. The PCGs do not restrict the parties from concluding a separate written service agreement or specification

with one another; however, where a separate agreement or specification does not exist or if it does not

adequately cover particular aspect(s) of service level set out herein, the PCGs shall prevail.

5. FIDI affiliated firms: These guidelines in conjunction with the FIDI Statutes and FAIM Quality Standard

form the basis for dispute resolution between Affiliates via the FIDI Dispute Resolution Scheme.

6. The PCGs are reviewed periodically by FIDI. The current version is available at https://fidinet.fidi.org/ or

on application from fidi@fidi.org. Non-FIDI Associations licensed to use the PCGs are responsible to keep

and must ensure their members use only the current version.

C. The Move Process

C.1. Origin service

C.1.1. Pre-move survey

C.1.1.1. Pre-move survey and response

1. The booker should contact the transferee to introduce themselves as the company organising the door-todoor

move describing any allowances or other relocation policy requirements that apply to the move (see

Allowance section). The booker should also give the transferee the details of the origin agent that will

perform the survey.

2. The booker is responsible to give clear instructions in writing to their nominated origin agent to arrange a

pre-move survey, including details of any allowances or other relocation policy requirements that apply to

the move (see Allowance section).

3. The origin agent must reply to the booker's pre-move survey request within one (1) working day 1

(confirming acceptance 2 or declining request). If a charge is to be made for the survey, the origin agent

must inform the booker of the amount prior to contacting the transferee. The origin agent is responsible

to contact the transferee within one (1) working day (or on date specified by the booker if applicable) to

arrange the survey appointment.

4. When a transferee cannot be contacted, the origin agent must inform the booker within one (1) working

day that they have been unable to arrange the survey, and keep booker informed of date and time of

subsequent attempts to contact the transferee.

5. The origin agent must confirm the survey date and time arranged to the booker within one (1) working

day (of confirming the appointment with the transferee).

6. The origin agent is responsible to provide a physical survey inspection at the transferee's residence by a

removals surveyor/estimator unless an alternative method to assess the transferee's move requirement

has been agreed in advance between the booker and the origin agent (for example a telephone

assessment, a digital/video survey, or based on a transferee-provided list of goods).

7. The origin agent's surveyor must have local and English language skills, be capable of providing an

accurate survey and be able to counsel the transferee on specific matters identified by the booker

including consignment allowances, restrictions and prohibited items which should not be included in an

international move.

1 'Working Days' refer to the normal working week in the applicable country in which the work was or is to be

carried out, and excludes weekends and public holidays.

2 FAIM Requirement.

8. The origin agent is responsible to prepare a survey report for the booker, which must address the

following elements:

1) Describe the type of residence (e.g., Detached / Semi -detached / Terrace / Town-house

(also called Brown Stone) / Flat or Apartment / High-rise or Tower-block Apartment ...).

2) Describe the suitability of vehicle approach and access (to the residence) and any

exceptional requirements to overcome restrictions, including availability of parking; parking

suspension requirement; need for a long (outside) carry and/or shuttle vehicle; need for an

external hoist (outside elevator) or the like; steps from street level to building entrance

above or below; applicable internal floor(s) above or below ground level; use of building's

internal elevator (lift); need for a long corridor (internal) carry.

3) Prepare a 'pre-move' inventory (survey list) of all items shown or described to the surveyor

intended for the move (sometimes called a 'Cube Sheet').

4) Note any exceptional or unusual goods including fragile, heavy and bulky items requiring

extra labour or specialist handling.

5) Note items which will require dismantling (and thus reassembly at delivery).

6) Note if extra goods not at origin location, or new purchased goods intended for inclusion.

7) Note if extra pick-up(s) from other location(s) is required.

8) Provide the surveyor's estimate of net volume and/or constructed net weight for each

separate move element.

9) Describe the method(s) of packing and stowage to be employed for the work, e.g., export

packing, woollen pad or blanket wrap, loose-load, lift-van pack. etc.

10) Note any exceptional packing materials required.

11) Note item(s) to be crated; provide item measurements (Length x Width x Height).

12) Note any items which are not to be included in the move (e.g., staying, or being disposed of,

sold ...). Recommend recording 'items not included' on the pre-move inventory under

separate heading.

13) Identify any restricted or hazardous items which may not be included in the move.

14) With transferee permission, recommend taking digital photos of :

a. Exceptional or unusual items requiring specialist handling, dismantling/reassembly,

and/or crating;

b. Restricted access and parking.

15) Describe any accessorial and/or third party specialist services required.

16) Identify and report transferee's move timing requirements where possible, including

preferred pack/load and delivery dates, and if storage required, whether preferred at origin

or destination and estimated duration.

17) Accuracy of the estimated volume and constructed 3 net weight is critical. The final net

packed volume and/or constructed net weight must not exceed a tolerance of 10% against

the estimate established by the surveyor during the pre-move survey, except when the

transferee has added extra goods.

C.1.1.2. Submitting the pre-move survey result and quotation

1. Quotation when a pre-move survey is requested 4: The origin agent will submit the pre-move survey

report and service quotation with terms for handling the move and timetable to the booker within three

(3) working days of the pre-move survey date, unless otherwise agreed and documented.

If any elements of the service and or freight quotation/quoted rates, including disbursements, are subject

to an additional official government sales tax or similar (such as VAT/GST), this must be clearly indicated

along with the applicable tax rate.

2. Quotation 5 in response to an agent rate request (e.g., based on consignment specification supplied by the

requesting agent): The origin agent will submit their rate offer within two (2) working days. Where

complexity or scale of the request would prevent origin agent's submission of the rate offer within the

two (2) day period, the origin agent must acknowledge the request within one (1) working day and

provide the requesting agent an alternative date by which the rate offer will be submitted.

If the origin agent should decline to submit a rate offer, he must notify the requesting agent within one (1)

working day.

3. Provision of service quotation or rate:

1) The origin agent must include all the necessary service elements required to execute the

appropriate packing, handling and removal of the consignment including documentation.

Where applicable, the origin agent must include or specify separately the origin inland

delivery element to the place/port/airport/terminal of departure.

4. Freight transport service quotation or rate:

1) When providing freight transport service, the origin agent must submit the applicable price

or rate, specifying the method and route of transport, the port/airport/terminal/place of

discharge, and the estimated transit time.

5. Identify origin port/airport/terminal handling charge(s) if applicable and state if included (or excluded)

from either origin or freight rate.

3 A constructed net weight is calculated by multiplying the estimated volume in cubic feet by a density factor

(for example 6.5 or 7 lbs per cu.ft.) to arrive at a net weight to be used in rate calculations.

4 FAIM Requirement.

5 FAIM Requirement.

6. Identify export customs clearance formalities, if applicable and state if included (or excluded) from either

origin or freight rate.

7. Identify separate handling fee charged by the origin agent, if applicable, for advancing payment of

additional expenses incurred for accessorial services and/or disbursements which are not otherwise

included in the standard service elements.

C.1.1.3. Acceptance 6 of the pre-move survey result and quotation

1. The booker is responsible to give a clear purchase order or similar written authority to their nominated

origin agent to proceed with the move. The booker must include consignment instructions and destination

customs regulations, together with any documents required; such instructions must be submitted

sufficiently in advance to allow the origin agent to carry out the work.

2. The origin agent is responsible to ensure that they have received adequate and timely written instructions

from the booker, which are consistent with the terms of their offer.

3. The origin agent must confirm that they accept the order for work and by doing so they commit to

perform that work as instructed.

6 FAIM Requirement.

C.1.2. Standard elements

1. The origin agent must provide all the standard service elements required to execute applicable packing,

handling and removal of the consignment, and communications, including:

1) Notifying the booker of all key progress dates as they are confirmed including but not

limited to pack and load date(s), receipt into warehouse date, estimated and actual

departure/shipped-on-board dates, estimated arrival date.

2) Contacting the transferee at least one (1) working day in advance to confirm the scheduled

commencement and timetable for the work.

3) Arranging the necessary vehicle parking authority/permit if applicable, but not including the

parking authority/permit expense outlay.

4) Providing experienced personnel resources (i.e., removal crew) for packing and handling of

the consignment sufficient for completion of work within the agreed timetable, and if

applicable, appropriate vehicle(s) for the conveyance of the consignment.

5) Ensuring that the packing crew is aware of prohibited items which must not in any

circumstances be included in the consignment, as advised by the booker (or destination

agent, if different), or in accordance with local origin export control regulations; and

6) Ensuring that the packing crew is aware of restricted items which must not be included in

the consignment without the prior approval of the booker (e.g. items not permitted by

relocation policy or restricted by customs regulation).

7) Supplying packing materials 7 and cartons, and if applicable, fit for purpose crates, lift-vans,

cases and air-freight cases.

8) Place in-residence floor, stair and other protection prior to commencement of packing and

handling of the consignment, to prevent accidental damage or soiling of carpet or other

floor coverings, and/or wooden floors and/or doorways, stairways, walls and other exposed

areas.

9) The dismantling of furniture as specified in their pre-move survey report and/or service

quotation.

10) Ensuring that all parts, fittings and keys (etc.) from a dismantled item must be packed,

marked, cross-referenced to the related item and described on the packing list (inventory).

11) Providing all necessary packing; the method of packing 8 shall be as described in the origin

agent's service quotation, or otherwise export packed, including marking or labelling the

7 FAIM Requirement.

8 Origin packing should not rely on the packing and stowing of goods within (i.e., inside) Cabinets, Dressers,

Drawers ..., unless otherwise agreed in advance between the booker and the origin and/or destination agent.

If a booker/origin agent intends to rely on the origin packing of goods within (i.e., inside) Cabinets, Dressers,

Drawers ..., he must state this to the booker/destination agent in advance.

outside of each package, piece, carton or other type of container with a clearly visible

sequential package number.

12) Preparing a descriptive packing list 9 (inventory) which corresponds to the number(s)

marked on the packages, which on completion of packing must be signed 10 and dated by

both origin agent's removal crew team leader and the transferee or his/her representative.

Separate packing lists must be prepared for each element of the move, e.g. surface, air,

storage, disposal etc.

13) Positioning and/or supplying appropriate container, vehicle, case, lift-van, or air-container at

intended place of container loading or case-packing.

14) Ensuring container, vehicle, case, lift-van or air-container is fit for purpose prior to loading

and/or stowing the consignment. Containers provided by the ocean-carrier/shipping

company or third party vehicle for conveyance of the consignment must be inspected and

certified by the origin agent as internally clean, dry, and wind/watertight - meaning free of

any contamination, wet damage or dampness, physical damage, rust deterioration, holes

and/or damaged or worn rubber door seals. Any container or vehicle which does not satisfy

these conditions must not be utilised by the origin agent.

15) Loading and stowing goods into suitable container, vehicle, case, lift-van, or air-container.

16) Installing a bulkhead in sea-container, if applicable.

17) Ensuring that where the use of timber is necessary or agreed, only treated and certified

timber/wood products are used (e.g. a visible ISPM 15 compliance stamp on the timber);

this applies for any application involving wood e.g., crates, cases, lift-vans, packaging,

including bulkheads and dunnage including wood used to load and secure cargo during

transportation.

18) Confirming final weight and volume to the booker:

a. Notifying final consignment weight and/or volume to the booker.

b. Providing individual gross and net weight(s) and external dimensions (of cases, liftvans

and/or air-containers) for case packed consignments.

c. The final net packed volume and constructed net weight must not exceed a

tolerance (greater or lesser) than 10% against the estimate established by the

surveyor during the pre-move survey.

d. Where the final net volume and constructed 11 net weight is likely to exceed or has

exceeded the original estimate, the origin agent's crew leader must :

9 FAIM Requirement.

10 FAIM Requirement.

11 A constructed net weight is calculated by multiplying the estimated volume in cubic feet by a density factor

(for example 6.5 or 7 lbs per cu.ft.) to arrive at a net weight to be used in rate calculations.

i. make the transferee aware, and

ii. notify their (origin agent) line manager

prior to completion of loading and sealing the container.

e. The origin agent must immediately communicate to the booker that the final net

volume and constructed net weight is likely to exceed, or has exceeded, the original

estimate. This is especially important if a consignment overflow is likely, or has

occurred (see 'In the event of a consignment overflow' section).

f. The booker must advise the origin agent whether to proceed with the shipment as

scheduled or to hold it pending further instructions.

g. When impossible to contact booker, the origin agent must perform services in the

best interests of the booker.

19) Preparing export cargo documentation and if applicable, export cargo customs formalities.

20) Delivering consignment to the place/port/airport/terminal of departure.

21) Providing or arranging to provide the Verified Gross Mass of a sea-container in compliance

with (worldwide) SOLAS regulations.

C.1.3. Normal exclusions

1. Origin service will not include the following elements unless previously specified and agreed between the

booker and the origin agent:

1) Provision of marine/transit insurance 12 cover or equivalent extended liability cover for the

consignment.

2) Payment of parking authority/permit expense where applicable.

3) Provision of individual crates or cases for special / additional packing protection.

4) Provision of van and additional staff for a shuttle service.

5) Provision of additional staff for a long carry over 20 metres (65 feet).

6) Additional stair carry above the first upper floor (ground floor +1).

7) Provision of special external hoisting equipment such as an outside elevator or ladder lift.

8) Additional staff for handling heavy items such as a piano or safe.

9) Provision of non-removal services by a third party contractor, such as but not limited to

handyman, electrical, plumbing, cleaning and specialist dismantling or reassembly services.

10) Packing and stowing of goods within (i.e., inside) furniture items 13 such as but not limited to

cabinets, dressers, drawers etc.

11) Costs resulting from a consignment examination ordered by the applicable Customs

authority or other official government body (except where such an examination is a routine

and known element of normal export formalities).

12) Customs Authority or other official government body levy on export consignments.

13) Warehouse handling into and out of the origin agent's warehouse (unless part of the normal

export process in the origin country).

14) Provision of storage service at the origin agent's warehouse.

15) Carrier's demurrage and/or container detention charges, and/or port/terminal and/or

airport rent (storage) dues.

12 FAIM Requirement.

13 Origin packing should not rely on the packing and stowing of goods within (i.e., inside) Cabinets, Dressers,

Drawers etc, unless otherwise agreed in advance between the booker and the origin and/or destination agent.

If a booker/origin agent intends to rely on the origin packing of goods within (i.e., inside) Cabinets, Dressers,

Drawers etc, he must state this to the destination agent in advance.

C.1.4. Allowances

1. Employees moving for corporations or government bodies are often subject to a strict relocation policy set

by their employer, with limits or restrictions on what and how much can be shipped. A relocation policy

may also impose other restrictions such as certain goods which may not be included, a cap on moving

costs, or a maximum insurance value. Some employers will not accept customs duties or taxes or may

even ban their employee from including items which would inevitably incur duty or tax, for example,

alcohol. Some value-add accessorial services offered by the mover such as special crating, storage,

additional pick-up or delivery and separate debris collection might be restricted or even excluded by the

employer's relocation policy.

2. Clear instructions

1) It is always the booker's responsibility to set out in their instructions to the origin and/or

destination agent, clearly and without ambiguity, in advance of the move, any allowance or

relocation policy restriction which will apply to the contract.

2) It is the origin and/or destination agent's responsibility to ensure that they understand the

allowance(s) and/or any restrictions set out by the booker, and always to seek clarification

in writing from the booker if the specified allowance or restriction is vague or ambiguous,

before committing to incur additional expense or provide additional service, or otherwise to

permit the transferee to conflict with the allowance or relocation policy restrictions

imposed.

3. Quoting

1) It is the booker's responsibility to set out applicable relocation policy restrictions with their

request for pricing (i.e., at the pre-booking stage) to the origin and/or destination agent, to

enable the origin and/or destination agent to incorporate appropriate resources and costs in

their pricing response. If the booker fails to do so and subsequently imposes policy

restrictions at the booking stage or later, which were not stated in the original pricing

request, the origin and/or destination agent may adjust their pricing accordingly at time of

the booking, or may decline to accept the order.

It is always the origin and / or destination agents' responsibility to define and quote to the

booker, any extra charge(s) for additional services requested by the booker or the transferee

which were not previously authorised or set out in the origin/destination agents first offer;

this includes for example, extra costs for excess volume or weight of goods over the

authorised consignment, or additional services including accessorial services not included in

the original agreement between the booker and the agent.

2) The origin and/or destination agent must always apply to the booker for approval of

additional charges for additional services and/or costs for an excess to the authorised

consignment; the agent must not discuss or quote terms or charges for additional services

or excess volume or weight with the transferee or any other party, unless the booker has

issued their authority in writing to do so, to the origin and/or destination agent.

4. Failure to adhere to allowance or relocation policy restrictions

1) Always subject to properly communicated, clear and unambiguous instructions from the

booker, it is the origin and/or destination agent's responsibility to adhere to the

consignment allowance or relocation policy restrictions. Failure by the origin and/or

destination agent to take reasonable steps to comply with the booker's instructions, may

result in the booker refusing to pay the origin and/or destination agents additional charges if

the booker is unable to secure retrospective authorisation for unauthorised deviation of

allowance or policy, from his client.

2) Furthermore, in respect of an outbound consignment undertaken by the origin agent, the

booker may incur extra costs such as but not limited to increased freight charges, handling,

storage, THC and destination agent delivery charges, for which he may reasonably expect

reimbursement of the applicable and properly receipted expenses.

C.1.5. In the event of a consignment overflow

1. An overflow is an unexpected additional quantity of transferee's goods which cannot be stowed into the

applicable shipping container(s) because the total consignment volume exceeds the capacity of the

shipping container, resulting in a surplus (overflow) of goods.

2. Whatever the reason for an overflow, it is important to act quickly and decisively dependent on the

circumstances.

3. Where the consignment is being directly loaded into the container at the transferee's residence, an

overflow situation typically arises towards the end of the loading process; it must be dealt with

immediately since the transferee's residence will usually need to be cleared on that same day

necessitating removal of the surplus goods, and the container, once loaded, will usually be sealed for

direct transfer to the port or terminal of departure.

This means it may not always be possible to report an overflow to the booker with sufficient time for the

booker to respond with instructions prior to the imminent completion of the work.

In this situation, the following procedure should be applied by the origin agent and their crew:

1) When surplus consignment (overflow) is apparent, the crew leader must (a) make the

transferee aware, and (b) notify their (origin agent) line manager prior to completion of

loading and sealing the container.

2) The origin agent's representative must immediately communicate to the transferee that a

surplus consignment will arrive separately from (and usually after) the main shipment and

invite the transferee to consider priority versus non-priority items, so that wherever

possible the non-priority items form the overflow.

3) The crew leader must check that the overflow does not contain any part(s) or fittings which

are separately packed but are otherwise a part of a priority item(s) in the main shipment.

4) The origin agent must report the overflow to the booker immediately, so that when

possible, the booker has an opportunity to contact the transferee to agree a plan of action,

before the crew leave the residence.

5) Where it is not possible for the booker to contact the transferee prior to completion and

departure by the crew, and if the residence must be cleared of all goods, then the origin

agent should transfer the surplus consignment items to their warehouse pending further

instructions from the booker.

6) It is the responsibility of the booker to determine who will pay for the overflow consignment

and to instruct the origin agent accordingly.

7) It is the origin agent's responsibility to compare the pre-move survey inventory and final

packing list to establish (if) items were included which were not identified and listed during

the pre-move survey, and report their findings to the booker (see Origin Services - Standard

Elements C.1.2).

8) The origin agent should not release the surplus (overflow) consignment for

dispatch/shipment until additional consignment /dispatch instructions have been issued by

the booker, and agreement on responsibility for extra costs (if any) has been established

between the origin agent and the booker.

C.1.6. In the event of a container 'no show' or if the

container is not fit for purpose

1. A 'no show' is an unexpected non-arrival of a container at the transferee's residence.

2. A container which is contaminated or damaged is not fit for purpose (see Origin Services - Standard

Elements C1.2.1-14)

3. Where the consignment is to be directly loaded into the container at the transferee's residence, then

whatever the reason for a 'no show' or not being fit for purpose, it is important to act quickly and

decisively depending on the circumstances (see Origin Services - Standard Elements C1.2/1-14).

4. When either situation becomes apparent, the crew leader must :

1) Make the transferee aware, and

2) Notify their (origin agent) line manager 14.

5. The origin agent must:

1) Establish status of the 'no show' container.

2) Establish availability for a replacement container.

6. In the event that a suitable container cannot be loaded on the scheduled day,

1) The origin agent must report to the booker immediately, so that when possible, the booker

has an opportunity to contact the transferee to agree a plan of action.

2) If the residence must be cleared of all goods on the scheduled loading day, and where it has

not been possible for the booker to make a decision, then the origin agent should transfer

the consignment to their warehouse pending further instructions from the booker.

3) The origin agent must issue a formal 'notice of intent to claim' to the carrier 15 for the

additional costs and inform the booker accordingly.

4) It is the responsibility of the booker to determine who will pay for any extra costs and to

instruct the origin agent accordingly.

14 The manager to whom the crew foreman would routinely report.

15 The carrier is the shipping line, airline, road and/or rail transport operator.

C.2. Freight service

1. Where the booker instructs the origin agent to arrange freight transport, it is the booker's responsibility to

specify the required mode of transport, the destination place of arrival e.g., port/airport/terminal, and any

other applicable requirements.

2. Where the origin agent agrees to arrange the freight transportation of the consignment on behalf of the

booker, they must do so in accordance with the booker's requirements.

3. Where the origin agent agrees to arrange the freight transportation of the consignment on behalf of the

booker, they do so subject to the standard terms and conditions of carriage imposed by the applicable

international carrier.

4. Unless otherwise instructed by the booker, the origin agent will book the consignment by the first

available means of agreed freight transport and routing.

5. Unless otherwise agreed between the origin agent and the booker, the origin agent shall have sole

discretion to choose the freight transport carrier.

6. It is the booker's responsibility to clearly specify to the origin agent in writing prior to commencing

packing if the consignment is to be withheld at origin, i.e., it must not be dispatched or 'shipped on board'

by the international carrier until separate written authorization is given by the booker; and

7. It is the origin agent's responsibility to notify the booker (if applicable) of any deadline (cut-off date) for

releasing a 'withheld' consignment for dispatch or 'shipped on board' for a pre-booked vessel or flight and

to inform the booker of additional / consequential costs (if any) that will be incurred due to the continuing

withholding of the consignment.

8. It is the booker's responsibility to provide authority to dispatch the consignment and clear consignment

documentation instructions to the origin agent including any necessary customs, security or other

exceptional documentation and protocol requirements prior to the closing date (or other deadline if

specified for dispatch of the consignment to enable the origin agent to obtain a compliant and accurate

carrier Bill of Lading, Air Waybill or similar carrier's freight transport receipt).

9. It is the origin agent's responsibility to arrange for the container to be weighed prior to being loaded onto

the vessel (in line with the SOLAS requirements).

10. It is the origin agent's responsibility to verify the carrier's departure date of the consignment and advise

the booker, including notification of any changes to the freight booking such as vessel name or flight

number, departure or estimated arrival dates, or routing.

11. Pre-advice and shipping documents:

1) It is the booker's responsibility to provide the origin agent with details of the nominated

destination agent as part of the consignment instruction.

2) It is the origin agent's responsibility to send a Pre-Advice of consignment to both the booker

and the nominated destination agent unless otherwise instructed by the booker.

3) It is the origin agent's responsibility to send original documentation 16 to the nominated

destination agent unless otherwise instructed by the booker, to include origin agents

Waybill or instruction cover letter, Carrier's Bill of Lading, Air-Waybill or similar carriers

freight transport receipt, Packing List(s) (with contractors and transferee's origin signatures)

and any other applicable documents requested by the booker.

16 FAIM Requirement.

C.3. Destination service

C.3.1. Submitting the destination service rate or

quotation

1. Quotation or rate offer in response to an agent rate request (e.g., based on consignment specification

supplied by requesting agent): The destination agent will submit an electronic response to any rate

enquiry from another agent within 2 working days 17, unless otherwise agreed and documented.

2. If any elements of the service quotation/quoted rates, including disbursements, are subject to an

additional official government sales tax or similar (such as VAT/GST), this must be clearly indicated along

with the applicable tax rate.

3. Provision of service quotation or rate - The destination agent must:

1) Include all the service elements required to execute the normal import documentation and

customs clearance (if applicable) and transfer of the consignment from

port/airport/terminal of arrival to the notified place of delivery, including unloading,

unpacking and setting-up in the transferee's residence unless otherwise specified and

agreed in advance between the booker and the destination agent.

2) Specify if destination port/airport /terminal handling or wharfage charge(s) including

normally incurred ocean/air Carrier or NVOCC handover fees will apply and whether they

are included or excluded from the rate offer.

3) Identify import customs clearance formalities, if applicable and state if included (or

excluded) from rate offer.

It is the destination agent's responsibility to inform the booker when submitting the

quotation if the consignment must not be dispatched until the destination agent has

confirmed that customs clearance can proceed (see also C.1.1.2 and C.1.1.3).

4) Identify separate handling fee charged by the destination agent, if applicable, for uncrating,

advancing payment of additional expenses incurred for accessorial services and/or

disbursements including customs charges, demurrage (...), which are not otherwise included

in the standard service elements.

5) Specify the basis on which their destination rate is offered (e.g. lump sum, rate per 100 lbs,

rate per cbm, rate per kg ACW ...).

17 FAIM Requirement.

C.3.2. Acceptance of rate and booking

1. The booker is responsible to give clear instructions to their nominated destination agent to carry out the

destination service.

2. The booker must provide a pre-advice of shipment to their destination agent together with any

documents required sufficiently in advance to allow the destination agent to carry out the work.

3. It is the booker's responsibility to advise the destination agent before the arrival of the consignment if

there is any reason why the shipment may not be delivered without the booker's further authorisation.

(see section 'Submitting the destination agent rate or quotation' C.3.1)

4. The destination agent is responsible to ensure that the booker's instruction is adequate and consistent

with the terms of their offer.

5. The destination agent must confirm that they accept the order for work and by doing so they commit to

perform the work as instructed (see section 'Additional Responsibilities' C.3.5).

C.3.3. Standard services

1. The destination agent must provide all the standard service elements necessary to facilitate the

consignment arrival formalities and onward transmission from place (port/airport/ terminal) of arrival to

the transferee's nominated delivery address, which should include the following services and

communications (unless otherwise agreed in advance):

1) Inform the booker if the consignment must not be dispatched until the destination agent

has confirmed that customs clearance can proceed.

2) Notify the booker of all key progress dates as they are confirmed including but not limited to

consignment arrival date, customs clearance date, receipt into warehouse date and delivery

to final residence date.

3) Notify the booker of any extraordinary events or unexpected delays, such as late vessel

arrival, customs inspections, strikes, etc.

4) Initial and ongoing contact with the transferee including confirmation (or re-confirmation)

of the delivery timetable at least one (1) working day prior to the scheduled delivery date.

5) Obtain carriers release, prepare necessary import documentation and (when applicable)

submit normal documentary or electronic customs declaration entry to obtain clearance and

release by Customs of the consignment.

6) Notify the booker immediately of potential and/or actual and/or ongoing port storage/rent

and demurrage liability and costs, and seek instructions regarding payment.

7) Pay (if required) destination port/airport/terminal Handling, service or wharfage charge(s)

including normally incurred ocean/air Carrier or NVOCC handover fees.

8) Arrange the necessary vehicle parking authority/permit if applicable, but not including the

parking authority/permit expense outlay.

9) Collect and transfer the container/consignment from port/airport/terminal of arrival to the

notified delivery address and/or warehouse, as applicable.

a. If the (sealed) container, vehicle, case or liftvan is not to be delivered intact (unopened)

to the residence, e.g. unloading container/case contents at warehouse, it is the

responsibility of the destination agent to explain in advance to the booker this necessity.

b. In this case, the warehouse agent must provide a suitable alternative 'Inventory Control'

document (sometimes called a 'warehouse checklist' or 'bingo sheet') which

corresponds to the descriptive inventory package/piece count, noting any exceptions or

discrepancies to the consignment identified at time of warehouse receipt. This must be

forwarded to the booker.

c. For a container, the destination agent must also check and record the container and seal

number and report any discrepancy to the booker.

10) Place adequate in-residence floor, stair and other appropriate protection prior to

commencement of inside delivery, to prevent accidental damage or soiling of carpet or

other floor coverings, and/or wooden floors and/or doorways, stairways, walls and other

exposed areas.

11) Provide sufficient number of professional experienced removal staff to unload the

consignment at residence from the container, vehicle, case or lift-van and carry the goods to

inside the residence not above the first upper floor (ground floor +1).

12) Provide unwrapping, unpacking and setting-up service of all the goods within appropriate or

requested rooms; carton contents should be unpacked unless otherwise requested and

placed on an appropriate work-top or flat surface area; furniture and large items should be

set down and positioned appropriately wherever possible as directed by the transferee

including the necessary re-assembly of standard beds and furniture items previously

dismantled by the origin agent; this work should be carried out by the removal staff at the

time of delivery as a continuous operation, unless otherwise agreed.

13) Checking-off packing list at the time of delivery, noting any damages/exceptions on delivery

paperwork, ensuring that the packing inventory is signed by the crew foreman and the

transferee.

14) Packing debris: Removal from residence and disposal (including associated costs for lawful

disposal and/or recycling) of all resulting packing debris and empty cartons, including empty

crates, cases and lift-vans upon completion of above work, at the time of delivery.

15) Empty crates, cases and lift-vans remain the property of the transferee after delivery; where

empty cases are not wanted by the transferee , the responsibility for removal from

residence (with packing debris) at time of delivery, and appropriate lawful disposal or

recycling remains with the destination agent.

16) Arrange return transfer of the carrier's empty container, if applicable, to the appropriate

container-yard or port.

17) The destination agent must send the signed delivery paperwork including the signed

inventory sheet, to the booker within 5 working days 18 of the delivery.

18 FAIM Requirement.

C.3.4. Exclusions and/or limitations

1. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, normal import terms either exclude or are limited as follows:

1) Port storage or rent, airport storage, container demurrage and/or container detention

charges, if incurred, are excluded.

2) Container deposit charge, if required by the shipping company or their destination port

agent, is excluded.

3) Customs duties, Excise duties or other official taxes levied by government agencies which

have a right to examine and tax a consignment (if incurred), including but not limited to

Customs, Revenue, Border Protection, Food, Agriculture and Health authorities are

excluded.

4) Customs or any other official government agency fees charged separately (from duty and

taxes) for inspection or consignment X-Ray process and the like, if incurred, are excluded.

5) Normal customs clearance is defined as the standard formalities applicable in the

destination country for clearing of USED household and personal effects (belongings), and

USED private automobiles, for account of a private person, based on a Transfer of Normal

Residence.

6) Customs clearance of goods for sale and/or restricted goods is excluded.

7) Warehouse Handling and Storage charges at the destination agent's warehouse, if not

requested as part of the contract, are excluded.

8) Parking authority/permit fee, where applicable, is excluded.

9) Delivery is limited to a normal radius of 50 kilometres (30 miles) calculated on the distance

between the consignment arrival port, terminal, airport or place and the transferee's

nominated delivery address.

10) Delivery of partial consignment to a second or additional delivery address is excluded.

11) Where the approach road or driveway is unsuitable for an articulated vehicle and/or Heavy

Goods Vehicle carrying a container to access and legally park within 20 metres (65 feet)

from the delivery residence doorway for unloading, necessitating additional labour for a

long-carry and/or a separate shuttle van service, such additional work is excluded.

12) Where the stairs, lifts or doorways are not adequate for free movement of the goods

without necessitating mechanical equipment or structural alteration such additional work is

excluded.

13) Handling of acoustic (traditional) upright and grand pianos, safes or similar heavy items is

excluded.

14) Re-assembly of Flat-Pack, Knock-Down, System or Kit furniture (i.e. types of furniture made

for transferee's own self -assembly) is excluded.

15) Handyman, picture hanging, electrical, mechanical or plumbing services is excluded.

16) Additional debris collection.

17) Other unspecified services generally provided by a third party, such as but not limited to reassembly

of Gymnasium or Garden Play-Centres and equipment, water-beds, snooker (pool)

tables, clocks ..., furniture restoration and repairs, maid service, cleaning services, e.g., for

carpets, curtains, upholstery and the like, taking down/putting-up curtains, blinds, takingup/

fitting of carpets, floor coverings and the like, are all excluded.

C.3.5. Additional responsibilities

1. Where the booker requires a financial charge or expense on the consignment to be collected from the

transferee 'before delivery' by the destination agent, it is the booker's responsibility to ensure THAT:

1) The destination agent has agreed in writing to collect the specified charge or expense.

2) The destination agent must specify if a separate fee for collecting or remitting a COD charge

is to be applied.

3) The destination agent is put in control of the goods on which the charge or expense is

levied.

4) The destination agent is in receipt of the booker clear written instructions to collect

payment of the charge or expense in good time.

5) The destination agent (if he so requests) is provided with a copy of the removal contract or

agreement signed 19 by the client or transferee (if different) specifying that payment of the

applicable charge or expense is to be made before delivery.

2. The expressions 'COD' and 'Deliver against payment' shall have the same meaning as 'Collect before

delivery'. In this connection, 'COD' does not have the same meaning as 'Cash on Delivery' or 'Private

Account Shipment'.

3. When the COD has been collected from the client or transferee by the destination agent on behalf of the

booker, the full amount of the charge in the currency in which it was charged, shall be remitted (paid) to

the booker.

4. Where the booker requires the destination agent to withhold delivery of the consignment (for example

whilst the booker collects their outstanding charge from the client and/or transferee), it is the booker's

responsibility to ensure that:

1) The destination agent is put in control of the goods.

2) The destination agent is in receipt of the booker clear written instructions to withhold the

goods in good time.

3) The destination agent has agreed in writing to withhold the goods.

5. It is the destination agent's responsibility to notify the booker (if applicable) of any deadline (cut-off date)

for releasing a 'withheld' consignment and to inform the booker of additional/consequential costs (if any)

that will be incurred due to the continuing withholding of the consignment.

6. If the client or transferee refuses to pay a COD charge and/or the law of the destination country prevents

the destination agent from exercising a lien on the consignment, the destination agent must immediately

19 FAIM Requirement.

inform the booker. The consignment remains the responsibility and at the risk of the booker; all particular

costs incurred in attempting to carry out the instructions of the booker are the booker's responsibility.

7. In respect of loss or damage reported when the consignment is delivered, the destination agent must

protect the interests of the transferee and the booker in accordance with the Loss or Damage Prevention

and Action (destination) section.

C.4. Storage

1. Where a booker contracts with a warehousing agent to store a transferee's consignment for the booker's

account they do so as the authorised agent of the legal owner of the goods (or the legal owner's

representative) and warrants that they have authority to sub-contract part or the whole of the storage of

goods.

2. In any arrangement with a warehousing agent, the booker shall require that the warehousing agent does

not further delegate their contractual responsibilities without the prior written authority of the booker.

3. The booker remains contractually responsible to the legal owner of the goods (or the legal owner's

representative) for the safekeeping of the consignment at all times and retains power of authority on

behalf of the transferee in respect of the consignment, to instruct the warehousing agent in all matters,

unless or until they otherwise informs the warehousing agent in writing.

4. The warehousing agent is at all times responsible for the secure warehousing of the consignment; they

may only accept instructions from the booker (for example in respect of related access, handling,

handover and/or onward transmission of the consignment during or upon termination of storage), unless

or until they are otherwise informed in writing by the booker.

5. Storage-in-Transit (SIT) is defined as being part of an international move and occurs either before or after

a shipment. It is usually for a short-term period, not exceeding ninety (90) days. It is a service which is

described and made part of the removal contract. The liability for care of the goods remains the booker's

responsibility as specified in the contract.

6. Permanent Storage (Perm) is defined as storage of goods for a longer or unspecified period of time. When

there is a perm storage requirement in an international move it is treated as a separate contract, with the

storage company having distinct liability for the extent and duration of the warehousing.

7. Where the booker requires the origin or destination agent to store a transferee's consignment at agent's

warehouse for booker's account, it is the booker's responsibility to:

1) Provide written instructions or approval to the warehousing agent, including transferee's

name (e.g., owner of the goods), and if applicable, their contact details.

2) Indicate the kind of storage required, e.g., SIT or Perm.

3) Confirm insurance coverage arrangement for the consignment whilst in store including

requirements, if any, for extension of pre-existing transit insurance cover whilst in storage;

or clearly specify if the consignment is not covered by the booker's or other third party

insurance.

4) If the consignment is not covered by either the booker's, the client's, or other third party

insurance, the booker is responsible to provide the warehousing agent with an insurance

valuation list or declaration of the goods and value, prepared by transferee/client.

5) Provide a descriptive packing list of the goods (if not prepared by the agent when providing

origin service).

6) Provide written instructions 20 or approval when applicable for the release for onward

transmission; and/or delivery; and/or handover of the consignment when storage is (to be)

terminated.

7) Where a storage consignment is to be released or transferred to order of a third party, the

booker must specify in writing (to the warehousing agent) the name of that party (person or

business entity) which is henceforth empowered to receive the consignment and/or to give

instructions in respect of the disposal of the goods, and who is responsible for subsequent

charges.

8) Before storage consignment is released from the warehouse or transferred to order of a

third party, the booker and the warehousing agent must reach an agreement in respect of

the charges due on the consignment.

8. Where the warehousing agent has agreed to store a transferee's consignment for account of the booking

agent, it is the warehousing agent's responsibility to:

1) Confirm their rate and terms for storage and if applicable, terms of insurance cover whilstin-

store with the booker in writing (in advance, or within ten (10) days of receipt of goods if

no prior notice of storage was received), and subsequently invoice and collect their charges

from the booker.

2) Keep the consignment safe in their professional mover's warehouse which must be dry,

secure and adequately equipped and managed.

3) Inform the booker of the consignment receipt date and warehouse address location.

4) Provide a receipted descriptive packing list (for loose-packed consignment), noting any

exceptions or discrepancies to the consignment identified at time of receipt; or

5) If receiving a ready packed (loose-packed) consignment (i.e., not packed by the warehousing

agent), e.g., for SIT, provide a suitable alternative 'Inventory Control' document (sometimes

called a warehouse checklist or 'bingo sheet') which corresponds to the descriptive

inventory package/piece count, noting any exceptions or discrepancies to the consignment

identified at time of warehouse receipt; or

6) If receiving a case or lift-van packed consignment (i.e., not packed by the warehousing

agent), provide a Warehouse Receipt for the number and type of cases/lift-vans, noting any

exceptions or discrepancies to the consignment identified at time of warehouse receipt.

7) Establish a written storage contract for perm (non-SIT) storage with the booking agent; or

8) If the storage consignment is both not for account of the booker and not insured by the

booker or other third party, establish a written storage contract with the legal owner of the

goods, or his representative, setting out the (warehousing agent) contract terms and

conditions, and if applicable, strongly advise the transferee/client (in writing) to take out

20 FAIM Requirement.

appropriate insurance cover whilst the consignment is in store and/or to note the

warehousing agents limits of liability.

9. Storage charges in arrears and lien 21:

1) The booker is at all times liable to the warehousing agent for payment of properly agreed

warehousing agent's storage charges including applicable related handling charges, fees and

other expenses in accordance with warehousing agents quotation and payment terms.

Failing properly agreed warehousing charges, the warehousing agents published tariff

charges will apply at the time when the goods were received for storage.

2) The warehousing agent is at all times responsible to protect the booker's lien on the goods,

which means he must not release the consignment to the transferee or any other party

without express written authority to do so, from the booker, except when an official order

has been issued by the Judge of a Court or applicable Body of Law in the jurisdiction in

which the consignment is held, naming and requiring the warehousing agent to release the

storage consignment to the owner of the goods or somebody else. In the event of such an

order, it is critical that the warehousing agent notifies the booker immediately upon

becoming aware of the official order.

3) Where an instruction or request for service or release of the storage consignment is given

directly to the warehousing agent by the transferee or any other party other than the

booker, thus having the effect of bypassing the booker, the warehousing agent must notify

the booker immediately. They must not proceed to act on the transferee's or other party's

instruction or request until written authority to do so has been given by the booker.

4) Where contractual responsibility for a storage consignment intended to remain in-situ is to

pass from the current booker to order of a new third party, the booker must give the

warehousing agent proper notice in writing, identifying the new party taking over

contractual responsibility, and must settle all charges due on the consignment up to date.

5) The booker remains liable for storage charges due on the consignment and ensuring

continuation of insurance cover in respect of the goods until the warehousing agent has

established a new contract with the third party taking over responsibility for the

consignment.

6) If it is not within the booker's control to ensure continuation of insurance cover after

termination of their contractual responsibility for the storage consignment, they must

inform the warehousing agent straight away, in writing.

7) If the warehousing agent is unable to establish a new contract with the new third party

which is acceptable to them, they must give notice in writing to the original booker,

instructing them to remove the consignment from their warehouse, and to pay all charges

due up to the date of removal.

21 A lien is a right to keep possession of property belonging to another person until a debt owed by that person

is discharged.

8) If the notice of transfer of contractual responsibility to a third party by the booker is late,

the booker continues to be liable for the contract with the warehousing agent from the

effective date of the transfer until a new contract is established by the warehousing agent,

or until the goods have been removed from the warehouse.

9) The warehousing agent may not unreasonably delay the establishment of a new contract

with the third party or otherwise unreasonably delay giving notice of termination of storage

to the booker which would have the effect of unnecessarily increasing the booker's liability

for additional storage charges.

10) If the booker has arrears owed to them by his client accumulating as a result of the debtor

client's failure to make regular payments for applicable storage and related charges (having

exhausted all reasonable attempts to properly trace the client if he has not responded to

written communications to collect his arrears) and intends to exercise their right of lien on

the consignment held by the (warehousing) agent to whom they has sub-contracted the

storage, they must:

a. Provide written authorisation or certifying document to the warehousing agent

warranting booker's authority to exercise lien and to sell or dispose of the goods (or part

of the goods) to offset the client's unpaid debt due to the booker; and

b. Indemnify the warehousing agent in writing against all liabilities or actions if any brought

against the warehousing company by the owner of the goods or his agent for

compensation or and/or damages arising from the sale or disposal of the goods or part

of the good.

11) If the agent holding the storage has monies owed to him by the booker accumulating as a

result of the booker's failure to make regular payments for the subject storage consignment

including related charges, and he intends to exercise their right of lien on the consignment,

the agent may take the following alternative steps:

a. The agent holding the storage should exhaust all reasonable attempts to collect their

monies from the booker including but not limited to referral to FIDI's or other relevant

Payment Protection Plan and/or Dispute Resolution service.

b. Withhold release or handover of the consignment to the transferee or his agent until

either the booker or the transferee (or his agent) discharges the warehouse agents

arrears against the consignment; or

c. If storage is to continue in-situ 22, notify the booker in writing of (warehousing agents)

intention to apply to the booker's client and/or the transferee to endeavour to secure

payment of the due debt against the consignment, directly from that party 23; and

22 In-situ means 'in the same place'.

23 If the warehousing agent is forced to apply to the booker's client or transferee to secure payment of

overdue charges on the consignment, they should also inform the booker that he remains liable in full for the

debt until and if the debt is paid in full by the client or transferee. If the debt is not recovered through this

d. If the booker's client and/or the transferee is agreeable, offer a new contract of storage

(and direct billing / payment arrangements on future storage service) to that party (in

this case, the warehousing agent must terminate the original storage contract in force

with the booker, in writing).

12) It is important for all parties to understand that where a booker representing the owner of

the goods sub-contracts the storage consignment to the warehousing agent and fails to fulfil

their contractual responsibilities to the warehousing agent, that warehousing agent does

not have a clear legal right to sell or otherwise dispose of the storage goods to recover

unpaid storage and related charges. For this reason, if the warehousing agent is faced with

this course of action as a last resort, they are strongly advised to seek local professional legal

advice in the jurisdiction in which the consignment is held before proceeding.

action, the warehouse agent reserves the right to seek recovery from the booker by other legal channels such

as the Court or a Debt Collection agent.

D. Mould and/or Mildew / Contamination / Infestation

In the event of any form of contamination and/or infestation in a consignment:

1. If the consignment shows either visual presence of mould and/or mildew or associated wet damage,

damp or fungal odour suggesting mould or mildew contamination, or any other contamination or

infestation, it is important to act quickly and decisively. If discovered at time of handling the consignment,

the following steps must be followed by the applicable handling agent:

2. If mould and/or mildew contamination is present on the goods at origin place of collection, the origin

packing team must not proceed with packing or loading and/or removal of the affected goods from

residence until a further response/course of action has been agreed with the transferee and approved by

the booker.

3. If mould and/or mildew contamination is discovered or suspected to be substantially present on the goods

prior to delivery into the transferee's residence, (for example when opening and/or un-stowing goods

from the sea-container, liftvan or case, or when removing the packaging material or unpacking contents

from carton(s)), the applicable destination/delivery agent must immediately halt the delivery and

unpacking service until a further response/course of action has been agreed with the transferee and

approved by the booker.

4. The agent handling the consignment must inform the transferee of the presence of, or suspected

presence of mould or mildew contaminated goods and explain that they are required to isolate the

consignment pending further instructions (from the booker).

5. Contact the booker immediately (before proceeding any further), to agree upon an appropriate response;

or (see below).

6. If due to time zone / business hours difference, the booker is not immediately available to agree an

appropriate response, the agent handling the consignment should take the following immediate

precautionary steps in the interest of the transferee and the booker:

1) Do not continue to deliver into the transferee's residence any goods which are

contaminated by mould or mildew (or strongly suspected of contamination).

2) Do not leave any contaminated goods or packages in-situ at the transferee's residence;

immediately and carefully remove (to outside) any actual or suspected contaminated goods

(which may have) already been taken inside the residence.

3) Secure all contaminated goods, where possible by stowing back into the original container,

liftvan or case, ready for removal from site, or otherwise safely isolate the items away from

the transferee's residence, and return the contaminated consignment to the handling

agents warehouse, pending further instructions from the booker.

7. Follow the applicable Loss or Damage Prevention steps as outlined in section 'Claims Handling and

Settlement; Loss or Damage Prevention and Action'.

E. Accessorial services

1. Accessorial service is a supplemental or special service provided in addition to the standard contracted

service

2. Where accessorial service(s) is required or recommended at origin or destination for the safe and efficient

operation of the move, or by special request of the transferee, it is the origin/destination agent's

responsibility to submit an explanation of, quotation or rate, and request for authority to proceed, to the

booker prior to offering and/or confirming to the transferee and/or commencing and/or contracting with

a third party to carry out the proposed accessorial service(s).

F. Supply of removal staff (and equipment) as help for

packing, loading and unloading/unpacking

1. Supply of removal staff for labour assistance (by the supplying agent) to help a fellow removal company

(i.e., the requesting agent) is not a substitute for origin and/or destination service as defined in this

document. It is intended solely as a support service to enable the requesting agent to supplement their

own on-site personnel to fulfil their physical origin or destination service obligations.

2. Removal staff supplied as labour assistance will work under the direction and supervision of the

requesting agent (and requesting agent's on-site supervisor or contractor).

3. The requesting agent remains at all times accountable to the transferee/client and responsible for the

removal related work, accounting for the consignment (checking against inventory), including the

removal related actions, errors and omissions of the supplying agent's removal staff.

4. It is the requesting agent's responsibility to describe in their request to the supplying agent the scope and

duration of work and minimum number of staff required, start and finish times, and any separate

equipment or vehicles required.

5. It is the supplying agent's responsibility to respond to the requesting agent with their price and terms

including cancellation terms if any, together with any variation to the number of staff, start/finish times,

or equipment requested.

6. The supplying agent must provide uniformed and applicably trained and/or licensed operative staff.

7. Where the requesting agent is not to be represented at the residence (either with own operative staff or

their appointed contractor) for which labour assistance is being requested and thus cannot directly

account for the consignment or supervise the supplying agents staff, this is outside the scope of 'Supply

of removal staff' and such service requirements should be requested and treated under 'origin' or

'destination' service, as applicable.

G. Invoicing, Payment Terms & Cancellation or Postponement

Charges

G.1. Invoicing

Unless otherwise agreed in writing,

1. Origin and/or destination agent invoices (for contracted services and authorised expenses) must be issued

and sent to the booker no later than 30 days after the completion date of the contracted service(s)

performed 24.

2. Notwithstanding the agents' responsibility for timely invoicing as above, late presentation of an invoice to

the booker does not invalidate the invoice; the booker remains liable to pay for approved contracted

services and expenses within the established payment terms; however:

3. Where the booker requires to receive the origin and/or destination agent's invoice within a specified time

limit (for example, due to billing rules imposed by their client), it is the booker's responsibility to inform

the applicable agent in writing with their purchase order or similar written authority to proceed with the

work; it follows that if the agent is unable to meet the booker's specified time limit for invoicing, it is the

agent's responsibility to notify the booker by immediate return and prior to commencement of the work,

with their explanation and alternative invoicing timeline proposal, if applicable.

4. Invoice(s) must be accompanied by the receipted (signed by the transferee) Packing List 25 and Work

Order and/or Delivery Receipt, unless these documents have previously been submitted (See C 3.3/17).

5. Invoices must be accompanied by applicable back-up documents and/or receipts relating to any third

party charges or expenses included in the invoice.

6. It is the booker's responsibility to specify in writing with their purchase order or similar written authority

to proceed with the work, any conditional requirement for third party back-up documents, receipts,

evidence (...) needed to approve payment; it follows that if the agent is unable to provide the back-up

document, receipt or evidence in the form requested, they must immediately reply, either (a) describing

the alternative form of back-up document, receipt or evidence that they are able to provide, or (b) provide

a valid reason why they will be unable to provide the requested documentary back-up.

7. Invoices must be rendered in the same currency as the applicable quote or tariff.

8. If the shipment goes into storage and remains in storage for longer than 30 days, the origin/destination

agent may bill the booker for the services performed from arrival point to the warehouse, including

ongoing storage charges. The balance will be invoiced at the time the shipment goes out of store.

24 FAIM Requirement.

25 FAIM Requirement.

G.2. Payment terms

1. Unless separate payment terms have been established in writing between the (creditor) agent and the

(debtor) booker, invoices must be paid by the booker within 30 days of receipt (of the invoice). This is

regardless of any agreement that the booker may have with their customer on any other terms.

2. The creditor agent (to whom the money is owed) is entitled to receive payment of an invoice in full, in the

currency specified in the invoice, without deduction or off-set, and free of any bank charges imposed by

the (debtor) booker's bank and/or that bank's corresponding agent bank(s); it is the (debtor) booker's

obligation to ensure correct and full payment.

G.3. Cancellation or postponement charges

Unless otherwise agreed between the parties:

1. If the booker, having issued authority (to the applicable origin and/or destination agent) to proceed with a

booked move, cancels the agreement or postpones the commencement date of the origin or destination

work (this includes notification of cancellation by the transferee), or the move is otherwise prevented

from proceeding at short notice, the origin and/or destination agent contracted to handle the work may

apply a cancellation charge to reflect their loss of non-recoverable expenses and wasted labour, for

account of the booker, according to how much notice is given.

2. If the origin or destination agent accepts the booker's instructions in writing committing to perform the

origin or destination work at customer's residence on pre-agreed specified dates, and subsequently

arbitrarily cancels the booking 10 working days or less before the work was due to start, then the booker

is entitled to compensation payable by the origin or destination agent, not exceeding 50% of the agreed

origin or destination rate.

3. A cancellation charge for wasted labour may be applied if the period between the cancellation date and

the scheduled start of the physical origin and/or destination work is three (3) working days or less. This

charge should reflect the given origin and/or destination service rate after deducting any and all third

party expenses/or service elements normally incurred which were included in the original origin and/or

destination rate calculation, which have not been and will not be incurred, on the following basis:

1) 4 days (or more) notice: No cancellation charge;

2) 3 days' notice: 30% of the given rate for origin or destination services;

3) 2 days' notice: 40% of the given rate for origin or destination services;

4) 1 day or less notice: 50% of the given rate for origin or destination services.

4. Non-recoverable expenses for required services booked in advance and outlaid may be invoiced at cost;

including (but not limited to) port fees; container hauling; vehicle hire; parking authority suspension; preordered

and supplied bespoke internal crates.

H. Claims Handling and Settlement; Loss or Damage

Prevention and Action

H.1. Insurance

For clarity, it is appropriate to differentiate the types of insurance 26 referred to in this section, which may

apply or be relied upon in response to a claim:

1. Marine/Transit/Cargo Insurance including general average and salvage charges (hereinafter referred to as

marine/transit insurance). This is insurance arranged on behalf of (or by) the owner/shipper of the goods

for his/her consignment during removal handling, whilst in-transit and delivery, including during

professional in-transit storage.

2. Extended Liability Program (hereinafter referred to as extended liability)

This is contractual liability insurance, also known as cargo liability or goods in transit insurance taken out

by the mover, to protect their liabilities of loss or damage (to transferees goods) including general average

and salvage charges, which upon written instruction by the transferee, the mover extends up to a preagreed

limit of liability and contracts to pass on any insurance compensation (to the transferee) in the

event of transit loss or damage to the goods. This alternative is offered to transferees by some movers

instead of offering a marine/transit/cargo insurance option.

3. Contractual Liability Insurance

This is insurance, also known as cargo liability or goods in transit insurance, taken out by the remover, to

protect their liabilities of loss or damage to transferees' goods, legal costs, consequential loss, and errors

and omissions.

4. Public Liability Insurance

This is insurance taken out by the remover to protect their liabilities for claims by a transferee (or third

party) awarded against them because of loss or damage to property, or injury caused by the remover.

26 FAIM Requirement.

H.2. Claims Handling (cargo) and Settlement

1. Responding to a transferee claim notification or complaint for loss or damage to the removal

consignment/cargo and subsequent claims handling with the transferee (or his agent or his insurers) is the

responsibility of the booker.

2. Where a claim notification or complaint is submitted by or on behalf of the transferee to or via the

corresponding agent, in writing or verbally, the agent must immediately inform the booker in writing

including forwarding any written correspondence received or exchanged with the transferee (or his agent

or his insurers).

3. Claim handling formalities, the repairs or reimbursement for loss or damage is the responsibility of the

party who arranged the marine/transit insurance or extended liability cover. This party may be the booker

or the transferee's own insurers. Notwithstanding transferees' own insurance arrangements, the booker

shall continue to be responsible to the transferee for claim handling as stated under item H.2-1 above.

4. The corresponding agent must provide basic assistance with claims handling to the booker, to enable the

booker to fulfil their duties under H.2-1 and H.2-3 above.

5. Where fees and expenses for the provision of claims handling assistance are incurred or likely to be

incurred (e.g., for inspections, repair estimates or other third party services) for account of the booker,

these must be established in advance by the corresponding agent and approved by the booker before the

expense is incurred.

6. Obligation to mitigate loss. Notwithstanding item H.2-5 above, the corresponding agent must, when

appropriate, take reasonable measures to assist the transferee's legal obligation to mitigate his loss, and

also to protect cargo insurers interest, by segregating sound goods from damaged cargo, where, not to do

so may cause further damage to cargo, or damage to persons or property, due to discovery (usually on

out-turn) of contamination such as (but not limited to) water (or other liquid) damage, mould or mildew,

infestation, perishable or dangerous goods and/or other foreseeable risks.

7. Notification (to carriers) of intent to claim.27 Where evidence of a loss or damage is established at time of

delivery, which could be attributed to the carrier (e.g., shipping line, airline, road or rail transport

operator, NVOCC or freight forwarder), it is the booker's responsibility (on behalf of the transferee and

the insurer) to protect the insurer's subrogation rights against the carrier, as (and if) required by the

insurer under the terms of the insurance policy. We recommend this is achieved by (1) the booker issuing

a formal 'notice of intent to claim' letter to the carrier(s) involved in conveying the consignment from

27 A principle of cargo insurance is to relieve the claimant of any need to pursue recovery (for loss or damage

during the transit) from the party(s) responsible (for the loss or damage). Thus, after a claim has been settled

(by the insurance company to the claimant) the insurance company acquires the claimant's right of recovery

(subrogation right) and is then entitled to pursue the party(s) which they deem to be responsible (for the loss

or damage) for recovery of their claim outlay.

In order to preserve subrogation rights, the cargo insurance policy requires that the insured party (usually the

claimant) must take steps to ensure that rights of recovery against third parties are fully exercised and

protected. Third parties are usually the carrier(s) of the goods, for example the shipping line, airline, rail of

road-transport operator or the freight forwarder. It may be necessary to protect insurer's rights of recovery if

more than one third party was involved. In practise, for household and personal consignments the insured

party is typically represented by the booker, so it is the booker who should exercise insurers rights of recovery.

origin to destination within the established time limits, or (2) by prior agreement between the booker and

his appointed destination agent, by the destination agent issuing such 'notice of intent to claim' to the

local carrier(s) involved, on the booker's behalf. Either way, such written notification should generally be

issued immediately following discovery of and/or report of the loss or damage, and certainly within the

applicable insurers time limits, or in the absence of clear time limits, within the following time limits set

out in international trade law (e.g. International transport conventions):

28 CMR convention does not apply to furniture removals, but the time limit specified in CMR for an initial claim

notification may reasonably be expected by the road carrier.

• Shipping Line (including rail if part

of freight contract):

Hague Visby Rules stipulate within 3 days from

the time of delivery.

• Airline:

Warsaw and Montreal Convention's stipulate

within 14 days from the time of delivery.

• Road/Rail:

CMR 28 and CIM Rules stipulate within 7 days

from the time of delivery.

H.3. Claims Handling (public and/or contractual

liability, property damage) and Settlement

1. Responding to a transferee claim or complaint (e.g., for alleged property damage, loss, or other potential

public or contractual liability, other than loss or damage to goods submitted for removal covered by

insurance set out in H1-1 or H1-2 above against the corresponding agent), is the responsibility of the

booker because they hold the contract with the transferee/client 29.

2. Under H3-1 above, it follows that the corresponding agent is responsible to the booker to account for the

transferee's claim or complaint with details of his response to the allegation. Such response should be

submitted without delay and certainly within seven (7) days.

3. If the corresponding agent denies responsibility for the loss or damage claim or complaint or endeavours

to limit their liability under their contract trading conditions, they must set out their reasons to the booker

clearly and in a manner which will enable the booker to pass on the response to (a) the transferee, and (b)

their (the booker's) public and/or contractual liability insurers.

4. It should be noted and understood by both the corresponding agent against whom the allegation is made,

and the booker, who has the contract with the transferee (or his agent) that if a dispute resolution cannot

be reached with the transferee, either or both parties are at risk of being pursued (by the transferee or his

agent), possibly resulting in legal action by the transferee against either or both agents.

5. If the corresponding agent accepts responsibility for the claim or complaint made against them, they must

set out their proposed action plan to the booker to bring about a resolution, or, with the booker's

agreement, they may set out their proposed action plan and resolution directly with the transferee.

6. For similar public liability complaints or claims alleged by a third party (i.e., not by the transferee or his

agent) against the corresponding agent, the complaint or claim handling response to the third party is the

responsibility of the corresponding agent, unless (a) the booker also has a contract with that third party,

and/or (b) the third party is claiming against the transferee, in which case item H3-2 applies.

29 The claim forms and claim procedure have to be provided to the transferee within two (2) working days of

receiving notification of intention to file a claim. The agent has to acknowledge in writing receipt of a formal

claim within two (2) working days (FAIM Requirement).

H.4. Loss or Damage Prevention and Action (origin)

1. The origin mover's representative (the designated crew member) should conduct a pre and post move

'walk through' inspection at origin residence with the transferee, noting (on the Work Order) any evidence

of pre-existing and/or post move property damage; the work order should subsequently be signed 30 (in

the presence of the other) by both the mover's representative and the transferee.

Recommendation:

With the transferee permission, take digital photograph(s) of any property damage;
Notify the booker immediately, if any property damage is established either before commencement,

during, or following completion of the work, and include digital photographs where available.

2. The origin agent's representative must prepare the residence prior to commencing work to ensure

adequate protection of areas at risk (of property damage) such as but not limited to protective covering of

carpet and other floor surface areas, exposed banisters, rails, wall areas and corners.

3. Record all visible 'exceptions' (i.e., pre-existing damage or fault) to any item(s) submitted for the move on

the packing inventory prior to obtaining transferee's signature.

Recommendation:

With the transferee permission, take digital photograph(s) of any pre-existing damage to items

submitted for the move and notify the booker immediately.

4. Verify the cargo-worthiness of the conveying container (e.g., steel Container, truck, wooden liftvan,

shipping case and/or Tri-Wall container and/or Airline container) prior to commencing loading and

stowage of the consignment.

Do not proceed with loading if the container, truck or case is damaged, wet or damp, contaminated (e.g.

odour), and therefore not cargo-worthy.

5. Record the container/truck unit Seal Number (to be affixed to the sea-container or truck unit) if

applicable; and record the unique serial number (of the seal) on the Bill of Lading or applicable alternative

Transport Document.

Recommendation:

Take digital photograph(s) showing both affixed seal number and container/truck unit number.
Use High Security ISO/PAS 17712 Seals.

6. The corresponding agent must send the signed (by transferee) inventory and/or Vehicle Condition Report

and if applicable the signed Work Order with details of any 'exceptions' noted in writing or verbally by the

transferee, to the booker 31.

30 FAIM Requirement.

31 FAIM Requirement.

H.5. Loss or Damage Prevention and Action

(destination)

1. The destination agent's representative (the designated crew member) should conduct a pre and postdelivery

'walk through' inspection at destination residence with the transferee, noting (on the Work or

Delivery Order) any evidence of pre-existing and/or post-delivery property damage; the work/delivery

order should subsequently be signed 32 (in the presence of the other) by both the mover's representative

and the transferee.

Recommendation:

With the transferee's permission, take digital photograph(s) of any property damage;
Notify the booker immediately, if any property damage is established either before commencement,

during, or following completion of the work, and include digital photographs where available.

2. Verify the sea-Container or truck unit Seal Number (against the Bill of Lading or other Transport

Document) and the integrity of the seal prior to removal from the container/truck unit.

Recommendation:

Take digital photograph(s) of the affixed seal prior to removing it from the container/truck unit.
Report any seal discrepancy to the booker and shipping line agent or carrier immediately.

3. Verify the cargo-worthiness of the container (e.g., steel container, truck, wooden liftvan or case and/or

air-freight tri-wall case and/or airline container) at the point it comes into your care.

4. Prior to removing seal and unloading, record the external condition of the container, noting any apparent

pre-existing damage, fault, rust, repairs; and,

5. On completion of unloading, examine and record internal condition of the container to verify the clean,

wind and watertight condition.

Recommendation:

Take digital photograph(s) of damaged (or suspected damaged) container.
Report any discrepancy to the booker and shipping line agent or carrier immediately.

6. Check-off/account for each and every item, piece, package, box unloaded from the container truck,

liftvan, case ... against the packing inventory, noting any visible exceptions such as open packages,

exposed contents, impact damage, water-damage, damp, mould or mildew, apparently missing (or extra)

items, package number discrepancies against inventory.

Recommendation:

Use of a separate Checklist / Bingo sheet to check-off packages when transhipping via warehouse.
Take digital photograph(s) of apparently damaged packages, package number discrepancies.

7. Notify the booker immediately (in writing, transmitted by e-mail) when it is known that the transferee

consignment has or may have suffered a loss or damage possibly resulting from the packing, transit or

delivery service. The nature of the loss or damage should be described as fully as possible, based on the

transferee's initial exception(s) noted at time of discovering the loss or damage.

Recommendation:

32 FAIM Requirement.

If the corresponding agent offers additional information to the booker about the loss or damage, or

the circumstances not noted specifically by the transferee, they should make this clear in the

notification.

8. The corresponding agent must send the signed (receipted by transferee) inventory and/or Vehicle

Condition Report and if applicable the signed Work Order or Delivery Receipt with details of any

'exceptions' noted in writing or verbally by the transferee, to the booker.

I. Resolution of disputes

1. Disputes between the parties arising out of or in connection with the service(s) or action(s) by either party

within the framework of their professional international moving and storage activities shall to the extent

possible be settled amicably by negotiation between the parties within thirty (30) days from the date of

written notice by either party of the existence of such a dispute.

2. If the parties are unable to reach settlement within thirty (30) days, either party should refer the dispute

to their respective trading associations. If both parties are affiliated to FIDI, both parties must refer the

dispute to FIDI subject to FIDI Dispute Resolution Scheme. FIDI will attempt help the parties to reach a

compromise and mutually agreed outcome.

J. Responsiveness

1. All FIDI and non-FIDI affiliated movers operate in an increasingly time-driven environment where

responsiveness is vitally important. Parties should always aim to reply to requests for information, status

updates, rates (...) within twenty-four (24) working hours. If it is not possible to provide the information

within this period, then they should acknowledge the request and indicate when a reply will be

forthcoming.

PROFESSIONAL COOPERATION GUIDELINESFOR INTERNATIONAL MOVERS (The PCGs)

PROFESSIONAL COOPERATION GUIDELINES
FOR INTERNATIONAL MOVERS (The PCGs)