It’s been said that “home is where the heart is”, but if that’s true, then why does a favorite personal item often bring a person so much comfort? While material possessions are certainly not the most important things in life, they sure do go a long way in making a space feel familiar; more like your own; a place where you belong. Just ask any expat family on assignment in a far-off place with an unfamiliar culture and a brand-new language yet to learn.
With shipping difficulties arising from time to time due to various reasons, some clients have turned to alternatives to shipping a family’s goods, including destination furniture rental or furniture purchase allowances, which can be great in a pinch, but create issues of their own.
Because we appreciate what a family’s belongings can mean to their living comfort and the impact of that on the success of an assignment, we have worked with our global shipping and storage partners to help ensure the timely delivery of household goods shipments to families who are counting on them. And we’ve done it without causing our clients excessive transit costs, delays, or added circumstantial expenses like extra temporary living. Call us miracle workers. Or call us dedicated Household Goods Specialists. We answer to both.
Creative (and Cost-Effective) Solutions Around Shipping Delays
The ongoing situation in the Red Sea has been largely unchanged since it began. However, our ocean shipping partners have quickly adapted to the circumstances by avoiding the Red Sea altogether.
Shipments routed between Asia and Europe in either direction are now sailing around the southern tip of Africa (the Cape of Good Hope) to avoid conflicts and potential attacks in the Red Sea.
From a cost perspective, yes, ocean freight has increased a little to compensate for the additional transit time and distance on the water. However, even with the increase, the freight is still typically far less than the anticipated costs of rental furniture over the term of an assignment, especially for accompanied assignments.
And as you’ll see in the illustration at right, from India, for example, the additional transit time is typically only around 10 days (which is, on average, even less than the time it can take
to select, order, and receive household furnishings. Not to mention the time it takes to break in “your spot” on your favorite couch). From Eastern Asia it might be a few more than 10 days, but overall, still works out to be more economical than furniture rental costs.
Need help evaluating the best alternatives for your assignees? Weichert’s industry-recognized experts are here to help you analyze the options and develop the optimal solution considering your company’s duty of care, scheduling, and cost objectives.
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