Moving to USA 🇺🇸

As you probably know it, when you travel from a country to another with your personal belongings, it is mandatory to go through customs and thus clear your goods. Of course, SIAM Relocation is used to working with customs and can offer you to deal with the custom clearance of your goods.

1.1 Customs process

Every person arriving at a port-of-entry to the United States is subject to an inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers.  CBP officers will conduct the Immigration, Customs and Agriculture components of the Inspections process.

Here are the documents you must have with you during your international moving:

• Copy of visa
• Copy of passport
• S. Customs Form 3299 (Importer’s Declaration)
• S. Customs Service Supplemental Declaration for Unaccompanied Personal and Household Effects
• Inventory of goods in English (without using the terms “Miscellaneous” or “Contents Unknown” in it)
• Ocean Bill of Lading or AWB
• Stamped I-94 form for non-residents (if applicable)
• Power of Attorney form (POA)
• ISF (Import Security Filling) submissions

It is of the utmost importance that you have a detailed inventory of imported goods to furnish the Customs and Border Protection officers. A simple statement that says it is household effects is not sufficient.

Household effects are furniture, dishes, linens, libraries, artwork and similar household furnishings for your personal use. They should not be mistaken for personal effects. Personal effects are items that belong to and are used by one person, such as wearing apparel, jewellery, photographic equipment and tape recorders. They will also be subjected to inspection by Customs and Border Protection officers.

The Import Security Filling (ISF) must be submitted to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at least 24 hours prior to the vessel loading at the foreign port.

Your Bill of Lading must include the name of the owner of the goods, the address, city and state at origin and at destination. But you don’t need to precise your date of birth, social security number, or passport number in it.

For inheritance goods, you need to present a relevant extract of the will or death certificate, a copy of the inventory, and a letter of inheritance from the inheritor (and the documents needed for any goods clearance, see above).

Antiques (over 100 years old items) require a certificate of antiquity showing approximate date of production. It is possible that the officer shows it to an appraiser to be sure of its origin or date.

Duty rates based on the value of the imported items vary from 0 to 20% in the US. They also are sensitive to the quantity imported. You will sometimes pay because you import a high-value product and other times because you import many products.

Customs duty in the USA is one of the lowest in the world. It is about 3% on average.

It is likely, according to your shipment, that the applicable tax for your entire shipment will be the highest applicable duty rate among the various duty rates of your products.

1.2 Taxes exemption

Beyond the fact that some goods can be exempted of tax (a classification defines that), you can benefit from a tax exemption in the following situations.

In order to avoid paying duty on household items, your goods must have been available for your use for one year (or in a household where you lived). If the goods are intended for sale or for any other person, they can’t be exempted of duty. They must be destined for your own use in your new residence.

Items used for less than one year are subject to duties and require a separate declaration.

*Antiques are admitted duty free if their “antique” status is accepted.

Works of art are subject to the same rules than household effects. To be duty free, they have to be part of the household removal, possessed by owner for at least one year and not destined to resale.

1.3 Vehicle importation

Vehicle importation to the US is subject to various laws regarding safety, air pollution and equipment standards promulgated between 1966 and 1990.

It is quite important that you know the day your vehicle will arrive in the US so that you can organize the processing through CBP. The clearing process will take place at the first port of entry in the country.

You will need some documents to import your vehicle to the US. You must have the original bill of lading provided by your shipper, the bill of sale, foreign registration and other documents covering the vehicle if any.
An Environment Protection Agency form (EPA form 3520-1) is to be filled, as well as a Department of Transportation form (DOT form HS-7). In these forms, you will declare your car’s emissions and safety provisions under which the vehicle is being imported.

If the vehicle is older than 21 years old, there are no EPA compliance requirements upon importation. If it is older than 25 years old, DOT requirements don’t apply.

*The age of the vehicle is calculated from the date of its manufacture and needs to be proven with, for instance, a label affixed to the vehicle, an invoice or a registration document.

If the vehicle does not meet U.S. emission requirements, the importation has to be done through an ICI (Independent Commercial Importer) and he will perform the modifications required to meet EPA requirements.

Customs process

Drug Contreband

Explosives

Biohazard

Chemicals

Corrosive

Counterfeit

Ivory

Batteries

Flammable

Firearms

Drugs

Counterfeit notes

Poison

Pornography

Knife

Tobacco

Gambling

Hazardous

In order to move to the USA from Thailand, you can choose the way you want. It can be by sea or by air. Each one has advantages and drawbacks, so our moving consultant will help you determine the most suitable solution for you.

Transit time

Sea freight rates

Sea freight rates are not stable at all, depending on many parameters. For instance, according to whether you ship a big volume or a small one, you will not choose the same container type, it could be a 20 feet container, a 40 feet or a 40 feet HQ.

We advise to use a FCL (Full Container Load) if your volume is higher than 15 cubic meters and a LCL (Less than Container Load) if your volume is lower than 15 cubic meters. Of course, our experts will help you to choose the best solution in order to fit your needs.

*According to your budget, we can modify our offer (with or without a packaging and/or loading service) which could have huge consequences on the final price. 

Air freight rates

Air freight rates are highly sensitive to weight and volume matters, meaning that the price really are inclined to vary according to what you ship. More, your shipment will have to go through custom clearance at the arrival and so what you ship will determine your expenses.

Why choose us?

SIAM Relocation has a long experience in air freight transportation and is used to working with the best agents for years. Please contact our moving consultants and they will work to find out the best solution to your needs.

Let’s see together how air freight are calculated. The most important aspect that you have to understand is the difference between actual weight and volumetric weight. Once you get it, you can understand your air freight quotations.

*If the volumetric weight is higher than the actual weight of your box, the carrier will quote based on this weight. You can use online chargeable weight calculators to make it easier, now that you understand how it works.

SIAM Relocation is dealing with relocations since now many years and always with a unique point of view: the client will always come first. This explains why, through these years of operating and observing, we chose to set a specific range of offers to best fit your needs.

3.1 Moving insurance

When transporting your goods in international waters or air routes, there will always be a possibility of delay, damages, loss or even theft during the transit. Thus, we do advise you to look ahead and anticipate before an eventual problem happens and spoils all your efforts. It Is named an insurance (“cargo insurance”). SIAM Relocation works with a strong operational network worldwide which will provide you with the best solution of protection.

The damages generally covered by an insurance are damages resulting of bad weather, non-standard storage in warehouse and fumigation services. No need to explain that it will differ according to the type of insurance you choose. Some insurances cover piracy acts, others don’t. They are almost frequent near Africa’s East horn and in some seas of Asia.

To subscribe to an insurance, you can contact a specialized insurance broker or a general insurance company. But you may also contact your personal bank to get an insurance or us, Siam Relocation.

We have consultants who are here to help you be sure the service you opt for really is what you need and one that is trustworthy.

*Our consultants are here to make sure you choose the service you need. feel free to contact him!

3.2 Moving with your pet to Singapore

First, any animal must be inspected by a Thailand’s government veterinary before leaving Thailand. Thus, precisely three days before your planned departure, you must head to the Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport and then look for the Custom and Animal Quarantine Office. Your pet needs to have all its vaccinations up to date. You will be asked some documents during this inspection at the airport.

• The (English written) rabies certificate, with the complete contact details of the veterinary who made it. The pet also needs to have passed a blood serology test in order to check for rabies antibody levels minimum 30 days afterthe date of the rabies vaccination. The test results must be minimum 0.5 IU/mL.
• One copy of your passport
• Your flight information
• Your pet’s micro-chip number (if your animal is chipped)

*Afterwards, you will need to fill in an export request form once at the office.

*All of this is what you imperatively must do with Thailand authorities. But the United States of America also has its requisites.

First, rabies vaccination proof is the most important document to have. The US can’t let rabies enter its territory. It must present the following information:

• Name and address of the owner
• Color, markings, breed, age, sex, and other identifying information
• Date of vaccination against rabies and vaccine product details
• Date of vaccination expiration
• Name, license number, address and signature of the vet who administered the product

An unimmunized dog permit also exists. It is made for dogs that have either not been vaccinated against rabies or was first vaccinated when less than 3 months old or less than 30 days before entering the United States.

As Thailand is considered by APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) to be an affected by screwworm country, you have to be vigilant with the procedure. In addition to rabies certificate, you will have to produce a document signed by a full-time salaried veterinary official of the region of origin stating that the dog has been inspected for screwworm within 5 days prior to the departure to the US. If the dog was found to be infested, he should have been held in quarantine and treated against screwworm until free from it.

Same, Thailand is considered by APHIS to be an affected by Foot and Mouth Disease. Thus, the feet, fur and bedding of the pet should be free of dirt, mud, hay and straw. The dogs has to be bathed as soon as it reaches its final destination. The pet should also stay away from all livestock for a minimum of 5 days after the arrival.

*When you arrive at your US port of entry, you need to have a printed copy of your permit to a US Customs and Border Protection officer. Then, they will check if your pets are healthy and if their appearance and age match the description.

3.3 Packing service

*Here are the most common packing materials.

Packing boxes. They exist in different sizes and are very resistant, especially if the cardboard you chose is of good quality (double corrugated carboard for instance). Think smartly to pack if you have a tight budget. Choose the best boxes for the goods you care the most about and sturdy goods.

Bubble wrapping will be of great help to take care of fragile items like glasses or anything that you want to treat delicately to prevent the damages.

One last very common material is wooden boxes. When a large packing sized is needed, wooden crates are often used because they provide solid packing and can resist a high strength pressure during loading. Wooden boxes have the advantage of being very solid. They can be used longer than cardboard boxes and stay in a warehouse, resisting the humidity.

3.4 Warehousing service

Thanks to its international network and experience, SIAM Relocation has warehouses all over the world. They are fully secured and under 24/7 surveillance with alarm system and guard presence. We want all our services to be as trustworthy as possible.

3.5 Office moves

For a few years, we have developed a specialized service for companies moving (which also is available for associations or government agencies). Our experience has been proved in those logistics needs as our international team is separated into several departments: customs broker, warehousing and packing team, operation team.

As we always seek our customers satisfaction, we decided to create moving packages, adaptable to your needs and your budget. Our three packages go from the simplest to the complete offer.

5.1 Visa & Business

Visa

*Many types of visa exist that can allow you to stay for a long time in the US.

The most common is the Green Card because it is as stable visa to live and work in the US. It is quite easy to obtain if you are the spouse or child of someone who is a US citizen. Thus, it is common that people try to obtain it by marriage but the authority are cautious about this.

Family links can also lead to the obtention of the Green Card if you have a US citizen relative who is your father, your mother, your brother, your sister or your spouse. Then, you have to fill the I-130 form and get informed about the procedure by the USCIS. Depending on your parental links, your Green Card will be valid for 2 to 15 years.

The Green Card can also be obtained through investing in the US. If you decide to be an active investor, you will need to invest at least 1 million of dollars in a business that will lead you to contract at least 10 people and in a project that is thought to be viable for 2 years minimum. Your Green Card will be available during your project duration. If you decide to be a passive investor, you will have to invest at least half a million dollar in disadvantaged centres accredited by the Federal State.

The J-1 allows someone to work or study in the US for a temporary period of time. It requires very specific criteria regarding the company where you work.

One of the best ways to get permanent entry authorization if you work is to opt for a H-1B visa. For this, you will have to have your job before moving. This non-immigrant visa often conducts to the attribution of a Green Card. Yet, it is quite hard to qualify for it because of the quotas the American administration imposes. You need to demonstrate specific qualifications that will help your company and that justify to employ a non-American person. Among the 65,000 H-1B visa delivered each year, a big part are selected by a lottery. Your application has to be submitted to the USCIS on April 1^st for entry in the year, in October 1^st.

Business

The US is known as a land of opportunity. It was true in the past and still is in some business sectors.

Here are the 7 fastest growing industries in the U.S. according to Forbes :

First is the mining sector. It is no secret, the oil industry is a gold mine all over the planet and the technology in the US has taken it to the next step. Shale gas is booming in the US, despite the controversies around it. The conjuncture seems favorable to this growth with Mr. Trump at the head of the Government.

*Civil engineering construction, beverage manufacturing, personal services, direct selling establishments, building finishing contractors, real estate are also in a good dynamic.

5.2 Living in USA

Overview

The USA is the most powerful western country in the world from a political, economic, and commercial point of view. As an expat there, you can get quite a high standard of living. The country is huge, and it offers such a variety of places to stay, work, enjoy your holidays, etc. The United States is definitely a good place to be relocated to.

The US is the 3^rd largest country in the world with 9.8millions km². Geographically, the country is very rich for it is composed of plains, mountains, long rivers, lakes (water represents 6.7% of the total area) and has access to both the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans.

Because of this geographic diversity, it is impossible to describe the United States climate shortly. Among the 50 States of the US, a lot of different climates are present. Some regions are warmer than others, especially in the south of the country. The Northern part can be very cold during winter but also very warm in the summertime. Some states are humid and subjects to floods like Louisiana or Florida for instance.

Strangely, there is no official language in the US, even though English is used by all government agencies and is the used language all over the country. Spanish is also very present in the country, especially in big cities and in the South of the country due to the immigration of Mexicans and the proximity with Spanish speaking countries.

Cost of life

If you are wondering about the real estate industry in the US, keep in mind that the country is huge, and obviously, you will find huge disparities between the various cities. Overall, prices tend to be reasonable as compared to other countries at the same level of development (Australia, Japan, etc.).

The US has to be named among the most expensive country to live in. In cities like New-York or San Francisco, a monthly rent for a single bed flat rarely costs less than 1,000 USD. In other big cities, the cost of living can be very comparable to that of Europe, Japan or Australia.

Below, our table compares the US and Thailand costs of basic needs and leisure based on June 2018 data.

5.3 Local contacts

5.2 Living in France

Overview

*France has one of the richest environmental and climate diversity in the world.

This is explained because of its continental climate in the centre and the east, oceanic climate in the west, tempered and Mediterranean climate in the south, without forgetting the tropical climates in its Caribbean, south-American and Asian territories.

If you’re into cities, you might like living in Paris, Lyon or Marseille, the three majors. You will also enjoy the great mountains that France has to give, like the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Massif Central or the Jura. Maybe water is very important to live nearby for you, so the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts will be your spots. And if you appreciate quiet and peaceful countryside, there is also plenty of it.

Cost of life

Cost of life depends a lot on where you’re living in France, some places are extremely expensive, and others are absolutely affordable.

Let’s talk first about cities. Paris cost of life is very high for almost everything, on average the square meter price is of 10000 €. In the other major cities that are Lyon and Marseille, the square meter price is less high, being respectively of 3600 € and 2500 € on average.

Some regions are particularly expensive to live in. For example, The Alps (Savoie, Haute-Savoie), The French Riviera, the cities in The Basque Country, some areas of the Atlantic coast and the Corsica Island are places where the cost of living is similar to Paris. Other places that are not mentioned are usually affordable.

Job

Opportunities are present in numerous domains, but most of them are for highly qualified (senior) profiles. You will easily find a job in the industries detailed in the business part above.

5.3 Local contacts