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Household Goods Shipper Resources

What is a Household Goods (HHG) Move?

Relocating overseas or returning to the U.S. due to a job opportunity or other personal life change may require overseas shipping services for your household goods or other personal property. A household goods move involves individual consumers sending their own household goods or personal property overseas from the U.S. for relocation or return to the U.S. from abroad. It also can involve shipping goods to relatives or associates overseas.

Finding and working with a reputable Household Goods (HHG) Mover, a licensed and registered company responsible for receiving, packing, and properly arranging for overseas transportation of your property is an important first step in your international move.

Moving Process

  1. Locate an International Moving Company (IMC) to facilitate your move
  2. A local Trucking Company (subcontracted by the IMC) provides pick up and delivery to its warehouse
  3. Your household goods are warehoused and consolidated into a container
  4. The container (with your household goods inside) is delivered to a port by truck
  5. A Marine Terminal Operator receives and loads your cargo onto a ship
  6. A Vessel Operator provides ocean transportation of your HHGs on its ship
  7. Another Marine Terminal Operator receives and unloads the container (with your household goods inside) at the destination port
  8. A destination agent receives your cargo, provides cusoms clearance, and arranges for delivery to you

Planning Your Move

Moving Tips

Related News

Jan 07, 2013
Consumer Alert- False Information Provided By Unlicensed Companies
FMC recently received reports of unlicensed international moving companies misrepresenting their Commission license status on websites and advertisements. In several instances, unlicensed companies have posted the Commission’s seal on their websites or have listed the organization number of a licensed company with a similar name to the unlicensed company to lure unsuspecting consumers.
Read More
 
Jun 19, 2012
Ipanema Moving Consumer Alert
The Commission has received a growing number of complaints regarding Ipanema Moving, an unlicensed company purportedly shipping household goods to Brazil.
Read More
 
Jun 19, 2012
Unity Van Lines, Inc. Consumer Alert
The Commission has received a growing number of complaints regarding Unity Van Lines, Inc., FMC license number 021706, registered to operate in Carlstadt, NJ.
Read More
 
Jun 19, 2012
Echo Trans World, Inc. Consumer Alert
The Commission has received a growing number of complaints regarding Echo Trans World, Inc., FMC license number 019522, registered to operate in New York, NY.
Read More
 
Jun 07, 2012
Brazil Shipments Consumer Alert
The Commission’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Dispute Resolution Services (CADRS) has recently received an increased number of inquiries and consumer complaints involving unlicensed ocean transportation intermediaries hired to ship household goods and personal effects to Brazil. Such complaints include, but are not limited to: failure to deliver goods after payment is made by the consumer
Read More
 
Mar 15, 2012
FMCSA and FMC Work Together to Protect Consumers Moving Household Goods
The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) have agreed to cooperate in providing enhanced protection and assistance for consumers who move their household goods. The agreement leverages the efforts of FMCSA, which regulates interstate household goods moves, and the FMC, which regulates overseas household goods moves by water.
Read More
 
Mar 14, 2012
West Africa and Nigeria Shipments Consumer Alert
The Commission’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Dispute Resolution Services (CADRS) has recently received an increased number of inquiries and consumer complaints involving unlicensed ocean transportation intermediaries (OTIs) hired to ship household goods and automobiles to West Africa and Nigeria.​
Read More
 
May 12, 2011
Household Goods and Personal Property Shipping Practices Recommendations Approved by FMC
At its meeting on May 11, 2011, the Federal Maritime Commission unanimously approved for action a series of recommendations contained in the Final Report for Fact Finding Investigation No. 27. The Commission initiated this non-adjudicatory investigation on June 23, 2010, to develop a record on the nature, scope, and frequency of potentially unfair, unlawful, or deceptive practices in the shipping of household goods or personal property within the Commission's jurisdiction.
Read More
 
Dec 09, 2010
Household Goods and Personal Property Shipping Practices Considered by FMC
At its meeting on December 8, 2010, the Commission considered and approved for immediate action a number of recommendations contained in the Interim Report for Fact Finding Investigation No. 27. The Commission initiated this non-adjudicatory investigation on June 23, 2010, to develop a record on the nature, scope and frequency of potentially unfair, unlawful or deceptive practices in the shipping of household goods or personal property within the Commission's jurisdiction.
Read More
 
Jun 23, 2010
Fact Finding Launched to Examine Household Goods and Personal Property Shipping Practices
By unanimous vote, the FMC initiated Fact Finding Investigation No. 27 into complaints or inquiries from individual shippers of household goods and personal property in U.S.-foreign oceanborne trades. This investigation will further the Commission's Strategic Goal to protect the public from unlawful, unfair or deceptive ocean transportation practices and resolve shipping disputes. Commissioner Michael A. Khouri has been named to lead the Fact Finding.
Read More
 
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Contact Information

Consumer Affairs and Dispute Resolution Services
Phone: 202-523-5807
Fax: 202-275-0059
E-mail: complaints@fmc.gov

Related Links

Protect Your Move (FMCSA)

Rail Customer and Public Assistance (STB)

Know Before You Go (CBP)

Research Moving Company (Move Rescue)

 
 

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