• Lease It, Inc. - (361) 808-7272 or 1-888-857-8314
• Southwestern Bell Telephone - 800-464-7928
• Central Power & Light - 800-274-2611
• TCI Cablevision - (361) 857-5000
• Corpus Christi Public Utilities (Gas & Water) - (361) 880-3440
• Corpus Christi Independent School District - (361) 886-9200

• U-Haul - (361) 855-3977
• Mayflower - (361) 883-4391 or 800-242-0124
• Bekins - (361) 851-1111
• Allied Van Lines- (361) 884-3511
• Half Price Movers - (361) 937-7615
• North American Van Lines - (361) 888-5907
• United Van Lines - 800-558-8641
• Rider - (361) 937-1202 or 800-467-9337

•  As you pack - Stack boxes in one room or close to the main door...The move will go faster. 
• Disassemble as many items as possible in preparation for the movers. Place parts and screws in Ziplock bags and put the bags in a drawer to be easily located in your new home. 
• It's sensible to move pictures and lamps in your car...Movers require them to be packed if they go in the van. You can save the packing expense. 
• Put small lightweight boxes into one larger box. Fewer trips to the van is a real time saver. 
• Pack your own "loaner" wardrobes while the movers are carrying the furniture out to the van.  Shoes and lightweight bulky quilts and pillows can go on the bottom of the wardrobe. This will save time and money. 
• Unplug all lamps, appliances, typewriters, microwaves, etc. Roll up cords and secure them with twist ties. 
• Pack your own stereo, computer, VCR, etc. in their original cartons. 
• Mark your boxes with your name and the room you want them to go into. It's best to mark boxes on two sides since markings on top are not visible when cartons are stacked. 
• Have items for storage or extra delivery separated and clearly marked. 
• Bundle and tape long handled garden tools, mops, brooms, etc. together. 
• To protect mattresses during moving place a fitted sheet on top and bottom of each mattress. 
• Have a map to your new location ready for the drive. 

Density is a very important factor in International Moving. That means it is important to "break down" every item as small as it can become. Dismantle items that unscrew or unbolt. 

Do not use hanger bar wardrobes. Too much wasted space on bottom. Instead remove all hangers and fold clothing into flat "lay down wardrobes". 

There should be no empty "Air space" in the shipment. This means you want to pack things in clothes hampers, refrigerators, washers & dryers, etc. 

Since surface or ocean cargo may take as much as 30 days or even longer to arrive it would be wise to send a separate small Air shipment of essentials you will need earlier. 

If you are not familiar with the customs or other data on the destination country ask your moving representative for a data sheet. 

Pets. Some countries have strict regulations concerning the importation of domestic animals, particularly England and Australia. Check with your moving representative. 

All international shipments are containerized. Depending on the size of your shipment it will be shipped in either a "lift van", an "ocean cargo container" a crate, or if by air, an air cargo container.  The type of containerization will be an important factor in determining your costs. 

Rates. Check with your forwarder to make sure your rate is a "Single factor" rate. That means the rate per 100lbs. includes all services from door to door. Be careful - Some forwarders will quote a cheaper rate but when your goods arrive be prepared for a surprise. Their rate may only be "door to port" or "Port to Port".  The charges to finally deliver your goods may be extensive. 

Single carrier responsibility. Some freight forwarders use separate companies at both ends to provide origin and destination services. If there is any loss or damage it is difficult to establish who is responsible. It is better to use a company who has their own offices in your destination country. Some van lines have offices in every major city throughout the world. 

Insurance. Cargo insurance is available. We recommend you insure your international shipment while in transit.

• Don't pack your moving company papers.....you will need them.  
• Place items you are going to take with you in an "off limits" area for the packers and movers. This could be a bathroom or closet.  
• As movers make no value judgments. Dispose of your garbage or you may find it at your new residence.  
• Remember, the following items cannot be shipped by movers:  
• Ammunition 
• Aerosol Cans 
• Caustic Cleaners and Bleach 
• Matches 
• Gasoline and other Flammables 
• If it's combustible or corrosive, they can't take it. 
• Items in drawers can stay as long as they are not valuable or breakable. Please don't pack anything heavy in drawers. It's a strain on the furniture as well as the men. Files in the lower two drawers of 4 drawer file cabinets may stay as long as they are tightly packed.  
• Hampers and empty drawers are perfect for storing sheets, blankets, towels, and pillows for the first night in your new home because they'll be easy to find.  
• Disconnect refrigerator and washer on the day of packing so you can clean and dry them out. To prevent mildew - place 1/2 cup of unused ground coffee in a sock and place inside the refrigerator and freezer.  
• Pack an inexpensive phone in your suitcase. there is nothing worse than having new phone service with no telephone.  
• Boxes containing special high value items such as Sterling Silver, Hummel collections, etc. should have a secret or personal marking to make it easy to identify at delivery. 
• Save several ziplock bags for the screws, brackets, and parts of items that you have disassembled.  These are easily lost.  Place these bags in your survival box. 

• Make sure that all items NOT to be moved are clearly marked. Any items to be delivered to a separate location should also be marked. Leave nothing to memory or chance.  
• Have the items you are going to take with you out of the house...In your car or hotel by the morning of moving day...The only exception should be your moving companies paperwork and your cleaning supplies.  
• Pets should be confined to an area that NO ONE has to enter. This will prevent them from running away or getting in the truck. 
• Children should be well supervised. This would be a good day for them to play at a friends house as the moving experience can be traumatic for children ...and you will be busy.  
• Go over the drivers inventory before loading begins. Ask for explanations if you don't understand. At the destination you should check off the items as they are delivered, noting in the far right columns any change in the condition of the furniture or cartons.
• Live plants to be moved interstate must be inspected by the department agriculture no more than 72 hours prior to the move and certified to be healthy. MOVERS DO NOT GUARANTEE PLANTS WILL SURVIVE. IN FACT ANY PLANT GOING ON THEIR TRUCK IS LISTED AS DEAD. If it arrives living...wonderful! Suggestion: Pack plants in plastic garbage bags before placing them in cartons. This will preserve moisture and prevent water from leaking onto your furniture.  
• Guns being transported must be unloaded and available for the driver to note the model and serial number. No live ammunition or hazardous materials is permitted on moving vans. This includes gasoline, or any flammable liquids, pressurized spray cans, caustic chemicals, etc.  
• Be sure the driver has telephone numbers to contact you and a map to your new residence. Confirm the delivery date and approximate time with your driver.  
• Save your cleaning supplies for use after the movers have left. Ask that the vacuum be the last item loaded so you can use it right up to the end. Clean each room as it is emptied and then close the door ... That way everyone knows you have checked it. LOOK BEHIND DOORS, IN CLOSETS, AND DRAWERS!!  
• Leave a note listing your new address in a conspicuous place in your old home so the new occupants will be able to forward any mail inadvertently delivered to them.  
• If any portion of your shipment is going into a public storage facility remember you will need to provide protective covers for your furniture. We suggest packing blankets, sheets, and quilts in boxes marked "LOAD LAST"...At delivery these will be the first boxes off the van.  
• Make a final check of the house:  
•      Water, Furnace, and Lights shut off? 
•      One last look, Have you left anything? 
•      Are all windows and doors shut and locked? 
•      Pets and children secured? 
•      Have you surrendered keys to the old house? 
• Relax. The rest is up to YOUR MOVERS!