Corporate Relocation Terms You Should Know

Even if you’ve had experience with corporate relocations in the past, you need to brush up on jargon and processes. After all, relocation companies and van lines will use specific terms to describe and prepare you for the move.

Your understanding of these terms can make the relocation process smoother, so take some time to read through the definitions below. You’ll be glad you did so you know exactly what’s going on and what to expect from each stage of the process.

Common Terms Defined

  1. Relocation Package: Materials and information related to the relocation destination. This package provides a basic foundation for your understanding of the new location. Companies may offer specific packages, including the following options:
  • Full pack/unpack
  • Childcare
  • Home finding/buying
  • Elder care
  • Auto transfers
  • Home sale service
  • Lodging
  • Spousal support
  • Storage
  • Temporary housing
  • Expenses
  1. Intrastate and Interstate: The former refers to moves within the same state, but outside the 30-mile local move limit. The latter means the move takes place across state lines.
  2. Cartons: Boxes in various shapes and sizes provided by your chosen moving carrier for the transport of your items.A moving agent greeting a customer.
  3. Moving Coordinator/Consultant: The employee your carrier provides as your single point of contact. From origin to destination, your moving coordinator will contact movers, help you make decisions, and contract any additional services.
  4. Survey: An initial estimate of moving charges conducted by an agent. Usually conducted at the site of origin through visual and inventory checks.
  5. Agent: Carrier employee with authority to act on behalf of the carrier in booking and various other services.
  6. Booking Agent: Carrier employee responsible for accepting and registering your order date and time. Can also double as the origin or destination agent.
  7. Destination Agent: Carrier employee designated to provide assistance and information at your destination.
  8. Origin Agent: Carrier employee designated to assist in readying the shipment and providing information at origin.
  9. Accessorial Charges: Charges such as packing, appliance service, or unpacking in addition to basic freight and transportation costs.
  10. Appliance Service: Preparing large electrical home appliances to ready them for safe shipment.
  11. Moving InShuttle: A smaller truck used to load belongings when a full-sized moving van won’t fit at your origin location. Need for and use of a shuttle usually results in additional costs.
  12. Bill of Lading: Your receipt for services and transport contract. Your signature will acknowledge the release of all goods and items to your carrier at the agreed-upon price.
  13. Valuation Coverage: The liability of household goods carriers operating in interstate commerce (moving from one state to another) is based upon the customer’s declaration of value made prior to the time the shipment is loaded.
  14. Weight Ticket: Statement of van weight while empty and then following shipment loading. This weight ticket helps calculate the total cost of your freight bill.
  15. Storage in Transit (SIT): Temporary storage provided by your carrier warehouse, pending further transport at a later date. If service exceeds 180 calendar days, your shipment falls under the ruling of local warehouse organizers.
  16. Tariff: A publication with carrier rules, rates, regulations, and services available for your move.
  17. Third-Party Service: Any service performed by someone outside your original carrier by your request. Also non-carrier affiliates performing services because of a state, federal, or local law.
  18. Unpacking: An example of additional service you may request. Involves carrier employees removing your items from cartons and placing them on a flat surface while disposing of packing materials. Unpacking services happen upon delivery unless otherwise requested.

Knowledge Is Power

With a basic understanding of the above terms, you can go forward in your move with confidence. Consult your employer and moving company regarding various relocation packages and what perks you can expect.

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