Have you moved from London to Zurich? I need some relocation advice!

Accomodation, House and Garden
1
I searched the forum for relocation but it seems many questions about relocation in general, money for jobs and questions about bins and dogs.

If this info is here, please just link me to it, but I wasn't able to find it....

So congratulations to me, I started looking for work at the start of January and I am now in the final stages of agreeing my pay and benefits with a Swiss company, happy days and all very exciting...

But now reality is starting to set in...

What I am looking for is people who have moved from London to Zurich with about as much stuff as you could fit in a large transit van. We won't be taking any furniture, it is literally just clothes, toys and other stuff which will be mostly flat packed, for instance we have a bookcase that can be flat packed a large TV and so on. Basically I am 99% sure it would fit in a large transit van.

So what are my options or rather, what did you guys do, how did you go about the move...

I am thinking:

A) Hire a van and get some mates to drive with me..

B) Pay a removals company after I have packed everything away..

C) Get a specialist relocation company to do everything for me..

D) Train an army of monkeys to carry one piece each via boats and bicycles...

If I have missed any options please advise... But I am looking for what you guys did and how much did it cost you and would you do the same way again...

Obviously the post is open to all, but similar situations will help me get the best idea of what to do next!! :-)

Oh also I am not in a rush to move my stuff, I can leave my boxed stuff here for as long as I like but I would like to get it over once we have a found the perfect home. I will be coming within a few weeks and the stuff will follow us after that...

2
You'll need to have the right forms and inventory to import your stuff into Switzerland.

If you're doing it yourself, make sure you at least get a bit of help from someone who's done the paperwork before.

3
I used a professional company, I was assigned a volume, packed everything myself (like you, clothes, toys, flatpacked furnature etc) and it was all put into a lorry that did the rounds of the UK and then the rounds of CH. Was expensive (c£1,500) but worth it, because they explained all the paperwork and were insured against damage.

Mind you, I moved from Salford, Greater Manchester, not London......

Can not for the life of me remember the company name now, but it was one I found on here.

4
I think you will find that many people have chosen options A, B or C.

A will cost you much less than B or C. With B or C you will find most companies will not let you pack your own goods. So if you are really keen to do most of the work, you will find there are members on this forum who are licensed and insured and can provide you with a van and transport your goods.

If you do your own packing, do not skimp on packing materials.

Good luck with your move!

5
Hi there,

First off, congratulations on the job and your upcoming move to CH.

I moved from London many moons ago and there was a relocation package associated with my offer. Since you are in the midst of finalizing your package, it may be worth asking about this. If you are working for a big company, they may already have set guidelines from HR but given current cost cuts, may only discuss it if you bring it up and ask about it. Definitely width a try.

I came by plane with just two suitcase and my things were shipped (moving company where I packed up everything). My things were already in CH but the company held on to them until I confirmed a lease.

Finding a flat here is not always easy, so you may also want to ask if they can provide you temporary housing. Anything will help as you don't want the extra stress of not having a place to stay whilst starting a new job. Even 1 month would help give you time to get your feet wet and look around.

In a nut shell, I would recommend asking some assistance from your company. If that does not work out, I would say using a moving company that does not charge a lot to store your things, until you find a place or even does not ship or move your stuff to CH until you have a final destination would be helpful.

Please also don't underestimate how long it may take for you to find a place. Keep your expectations and budget realistic and a bit of luck always helps.

Best of luck for a good start. Switzerland is a great place.

6
Congrats on the job.

As everyone else has said, think more where you are going to live first.

Dont bring your stuff until you have found somewhere.

7
I did A) with furniture.

Mark every box/item with a number. I used self adhesive labels. Make a master list that shows what's in every box.

Carry your and your family's Swiss permits with you.

Check when the customs are open for this kind of business. They don't work 24 hours a day.

Essentially if you are moving house with used items (6 months old) the customs are not interested.

Finally you'd be advised to check the latest customs situation on-line...

8
I moved to Basel from London one suitcase at a time But then I've kept my place in London so it's not actually a relocation but a temporary living arrangement for 12 months. Except I've been here for 4 years ...

9
Greetngs,

I did (A) - several times as we had a lot of stuff and the luxury of being able to do multiple trips as we owned the house back in Newbury UK from where we were moving to Zürich.

I roped in a few good mates - made each trip a longish weekend with plenty of refreshment and food as a thanks.

Don't underestimate how much stuff you have and how many trips you may need - I ended up doing two more trips than originally planned.

Also don't underestimate the effort involved - it's hard work, it's a lot of packing and preparation, you will get very tired, and very stressed (it's your life in back of the van).

I did this is 2004 aged 38 - now 10 years later (and older) I would probably pay somebody professional to do it because of (a) physical effort and (b) time involved. YMMV.

10
The last 3 or 4 times we've moved (within the UK as well as to CH) we've paid a company to do all the packing, labelling, driving and (in the case of CH) all the customs paperwork etc -- not to mention all the carrying and unpacking at the other end. Well worth it IMO.

I can't recall exactly what it cost to move to CH as this was paid by my company. About 5,000 euros I think. Might sound a lot but we had a lot of stuff -- a truckload plus a large trailer. The thought of trying to do it ourselves was a nightmare. Mind you, if it was just a Transit van load and if I was in my 20s or 30s I'd probably do it myself. The paperwork needs a cool head though.

11
Cheers all, Where can I learn exactly how to do customs, detail of the list etc?

12
i didn't have much stuff so hired a van in Germany, drove it to London, loaded it up and drove it back.

2 people to share the driving and extra hands at the end to pack and unpack it is not too bad.

13
Doing a) was a nightmare for me 6 years ago, don't know if it has changed since. Back then there were forms to fill out which I can no longer find for you, using these, as previously mentioned, you should list possessions by box number. Also again I don't know how things have changed, but it might be an idea to drive through the customs during office times, in case of difficulty. I remember the German side letting me through but having to spend 2+ hours in the Swiss part with paperwork difficulties. It was such a bad experience I cannot remember much anymore

Does this link help?

http://www.ezv.admin.ch/zollinfo_pri...x.html?lang=en

14
We moved 2 1/2 years ago and took furniture etc, but I do remember the paperwork being pretty stressful and complicated - even though we had a legitimate company (who were used to moving stuff to Switzerland - out of three companies we approached, there was only one that would do Switzerland and after we saw the paperwork we realised why...).

Also when i have done a pretty big shop (say Christmas) in Germany and come across border - most times I have been stopped and receipts have been checked, permits, driver's licence and car ID etc etc etc. I would be prepared to explain everything if you come over yourself with a van. Give yourself lots of time. Stay calm! We had one friend who had a UK car licence plate in the German style licence plate (don't ask) and his whole car was taken apart at the border. If they see something that doesn't make sense you will be there until they can make sense!! Good luck and once you in, all good!

15
Hi,

We are planning to move our stuff from Bristol to Zurich.

I would like to know how was your experience with the same?

And tips/comments would be really helpful.

Also, your experience with the customs and how much were the charges and all?

What route did you take?

was it open during the weekends?

It willl be really helpful if you could answer these questions.

Thanks

Maddy

16
No charges if your stuff is six months old or older.

Get your paperwork in order including a full inventory of every box.

The ferry to Dunkerque - it's easy to drive on and off this one!

No, go during the week and aim to arrive at the border mid-afternoon at the latest.

It was all relatively straightforward.

We packed up our house ourselves, got a 7.5 tonne lorry delivered to the door and loaded it up (to the top) with a few friends.

I drove the whole way over two days (due to the tachograph requirements) and we spend a night in a motel in France (which had key entry to the car park).

Although my wife and son travelled in the cab with me, I drove the lorry back on my own and then flew back out.

Other things to note:

Arrange with the local Police to block off a section of parking for a couple of days so you can unload easily. You'll need to pay road tax for the lorry/van in Switzerland. Take a roll of gaffer tape.

It was all relatively straightforward.

17
Is this thread exclusive for London-Zurich or are other experiences welcome too?

18
The last questions were from someone moving from Bristol so I guess not.

I didn't move from Bristol or London but the experience is much the same.

19
Have you considered a Fish Courier? They are a bit slow, and you need to pack your stuff in Tupperware or something similar, but the advantage is they can sneak past all the borders, and you don't have to drive the flipping van back home.

http://www.worldnet-intl.com/service...stry/?c=london

20
We're going in a month so if you're going later happy to share our experience.

Because we're going with a dog, have to go on a ferry, otherwise would have gone via the tunnel.

Renting a transit van (Europcar has been the best deal) and taking our time about it, crossing in the evening, staying the night in Calais and then in Mulhouse. Monday morning "importing" ourselves in Basel. Then I'm driving the truck back myself and flying back.