How to keep removalists honest ?

[dbenne22]

My wife, son and I are moving to Singapore in November, and like most expats will ship a containerload of furniture etc over.

I have a lingering concern about removalists - if we use a company to wrap and pack our possessions, and a sister company in Singapore to deliver and unpack, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that an extra package could find its way into our container.

Given that Singapore has extremely harsh penalties for importation of prohibited items, I am keen to take whatever precautions I can.

Does anyone have any advice / suggestions ?

[hillview2006]

Been moving many times and ever encounter such dishonest Movers or agents. Most of the international Movers are very professional in their businesses including their agent or sister company.

[dbenne22]

The brother of a friend of mine was the head of security for Air New Zealand for a few years and tells me the practice of 'muling' (whereby baggage handlers slip items into passenger's bags and have the item retrieved at the far end) is commonplace.

Of course most removalists are honest - I just want to take whatever sensible precautions I can to protect myself and my family in case we got unlucky.

So, any practical suggestions anyone ?

[ksl]

The brother of a friend of mine was the head of security for Air New Zealand for a few years and tells me the practice of 'muling' (whereby baggage handlers slip items into passenger's bags and have the item retrieved at the far end) is commonplace.

Of course most removalists are honest - I just want to take whatever sensible precautions I can to protect myself and my family in case we got unlucky.

So, any practical suggestions anyone ?

If you are leeting the removalists, do the packing, let them also do the packaging list, sign and document, that it has nothing to do with you whatsoever. You can explain you need this done, because of the unpacking at the other end, don't metion anything about prohibited items being slipt in.

Why else does the airport ask if you packed your own case, or if you have left the baggage alone.? Once you say yes, you are committed, but in the case of removal, it is more difficult to prove, you yourself had packed the items. get the list done by the packers.

There is benefit of doubt in law and under the circumstances of Singapore law, you need to be pretty well covered, in every direction ! There are European proffesional guys doing time out here, for being caught at parties, I mean a long time, 12 years, for getting caught with guys that were on drugs or peddling drugs, so you also have to be careful who you mix with out here!