British International Removals
Pros and cons

2090 Sandton
Chamber of Commerce
Registration number is unknown
About moving company British International Removals
British International Removals specialises exclusively in international recolations, with agents in 90 countries around the world. British International Removals provides a full door-to-door relocation service of household furniture, vehicles, motorcycles, boats, caravans and special care items.
British International Removals are members of: The Road Freight Association (RFA) Professional Movers Association (PMA) South African International Movers Association (SAIMA) Accredited Mover of South Africa (AMOSA)
Services
Type of Mover
Associations
Services
Type of Mover
Associations
Details
Really bad communication with me after the quite was accepted. Ignored emails for days and then blamed it on covid when I complained. I tracked my shipment only to find that my container was not on the ship the mover said it was and they never informed me. My container went on a ship three weeks later because of............COVID!!!! When I called them out on their slack service they did not improve. I constantly had to nag to updates.
Friendly, proffessional service, outstanding rates, went beyond the call of duty. Called on the day of the packing to confirm time of arrival.
After receiving payment customer service non existing. Tractability of cargo not possible. After 6 months I can not find where my cargo is. Do not try this company, Please!!!!
Diabolical experience, 6 boxes did not arrive at the destination and selected items of value had been removed from some of the boxes such as spare cell phones spare watch,Alcohol ,sporting goods and new mini hifi.
Absolutely no recourse after the fact.Apart from that multiple items were broken
I would absolutely recommend you to stay away
Response of British International Removals
Good day
We are truly sorry about your past experience.
Unfortunately, according to our records, this incident occurred 10 years ago. Our auditors are unable to access the relevant records, in order to assess the exact facts surrounding the items mentioned. We trust that should adequate Transit cover have been in place, it would have at least assisted with the loss, not that it can ever replace sentimental items.
We hope you can accept our apologies for not being able to assist further after a decade.
Regards
B.I.R
Published on: Sep 1, 2020
OUR GOODS WERE NOT DELIVERED BY BRITISH INTERNATIONAL REMOVALS.WE HAD TO COLLECT OUR BELONGINGS FROM THE CLEARING AGENT IN THE UK WHO REFUNDED BRITISH INTERNATIONAL REMOVALS A PORTION OF THE FEE PAID BY US. WE HAD TO SPEND AN ADDITIONAL R18 000.00 TO COLLECT OUR GOODS.
Response of British International Removals
Good day
Unfortunately with the COVID-19 restrictions in the UK, as with the rest of the world, deliveries are done under strict protocols and are unfortunately hampered compared to usual. We offered to refund the original allocated and amount agreed on, this was however turned down.
One can fully understand and appreciate the frustration being felt during these difficult times, however the inconvenience of a global pandemic is unfortunately unavoidable, and completely out of one's control. A once-off delivery, within a two week period, was turned down, and goods were collected with several separate vehicles.
We at B.I.R wish there were more we could do to shield customers from the inconvenience of an unplanned World-wide pandemic.
B.I.R
Published on: Sep 1, 2020
Very helpful assistance in a tight schedule my container needed to be be packed. Packing was done swiftly. My container was 3 times less than other quotes. I recommend this firm.
The gentlemen were quick, helpful, thorough and pleasant. They cleared up any debris after themselves.
Appointment made to view all the household effects within days of the first request Quote received timeously. Every part of the move happened on the days as planned. Packing, etc was handled professionally. Good information on what documentation is needed plus requirements of importing household effects into the UK. Explaining procedure in UK. All documentation processed and received.
We were given a quote, to pack our entire contents and were advised by [name removed by Sirelo] that everything would fit into 20ft container. We were advised the container would arrive on packing day and we could lock the container personally when the container was packed, this is when we should have realized things were going south, no container just a small truck. When i asked the guys what was happening they said they were instructed to pack our things over three days and take them back to the warehouse and they would be loaded into a container there.
I paid close to R87 000 in cash when the last truck load was done
Packing was done in June 2018 and we requested our container to arrive in Brisbane 1st week of December 2018
Before our container left we were advised there had been a change in shipping rate and we needed to pay in an additional $1400
This payment was made
My hubby moved into our new house in the first week in December and contacted BIR - container had no.. Read more
On Dutch side we were selected for inspection and had to pay €405 unplanned, which was a bit unfair as nothing was reportes yet we had to pay.
They sent a lady by the name of [name removed by Sirelo] out to check to things that needs moving . We agreed on the amount of things , and a Price was agreed upon .We set the date for packing . I heard Nothing from anyone , and called [name removed by Sirelo] at 20.00 the night before they were to come and pack , to make sure that all is in place . She said they were short staffed , that is why I had no communication from her Office .
The next day the Packing guys arrived , and got it all done in a few Hours . I confirmed with the Team Leader , as to the things being packed , did not exceed what was originally agreed upon . He assured me that it was in fact less. This was on the Thursday . I called the following week , Tuesday and asked [name removed by Sirelo] for a Invoice , I needed to pay , as I was flying out to Perth on the Saturday .No Invoice . I the got into my Car , drove to their Offices in JHB , and got [name removed by Sirelo] to make out an Invoice . The Price had chang.. Read more
Very informative thus far. The movers were efficient and professional. They were also the most helpful in terms of ToR applications which I have not had to do before
Furniture was badly damaged on arrival in New Zealand. During our negotiations with BIR ([name removed by Sirelo]) the possibility of poor handling or packaging was not mentioned thus for the insurance option Clause B was chosen unfortunately. Due to this we have no claim and I truly feel someone should take responsibility for this. The damage is directly related to poor handling and container packaging.
Trust you will contact me regarding this.
Ils ont été vraiment professionnel en matière de l'emballage.
The packers were so friendly. Professional. The rep was a super star. Couldn’t ask for anything else
As expats we move evry 4 years and have had the privilege of living in all continents ( besides Antarctica) but in all the years of moving we have never ever had such a bad experience as this one. More than half of the things were broken beyond repair, plasma tv shattered, christal smashed or chipped, wooden furniture transformed in fire wood ... all the small electronics just disappeared... even the surveillance camera disappeared, the external DVD reader for my Mac , the walkie talkies, the electronic dig trainjng collars everything! and the worse part is the insurance doesn’t pay out properly... give insured something for 4000 and they offer you not more than 800 for it... and for electronics, unless you specify “ electronic dog collar “ or surveillance camera” in the list then they woont pay a penny....
I’m not a materialist person, things are things and nothing more... but we’ve worked hard for this things and it hurts to see them broken or disappeared .
Professionalism
Move was done efficiently, quickly and their methods for protecting my goods were excellent
On the whole everything went smoothly from the quoting, to the packing, to the delivery and unpacking. Communication at the beginning was not very forthcoming, but we were then kept informed as to the shipping, arrival and delivery.
Great service! Punctual. Friendly. No issues
Was promised my things 17september to date am still waiting 29th October also have been charged 3ADDTIONAL amount which REALLY annoys me
Things were not packed which should have been. Crystal glasses were broken because they were not packed properly. Boxes were incorrectly labelled ie boxes marked 'kitchen ware' contained toys which made unpacking very frustrating. Chocolates and alcohol were taken from a fridge. No reply received when I complained by e-mail
From day one Ben and his team did what he said would do, it happened all as planned and I was never in doubt about the process. They really are professional and get the job done, what look like a mountain to me they reduced to something totally insignificant and made it a stress free experience. I was impressed at their knowledge and advise and by taking everything to heart, it was a easy move. I am so grateful to the whole team and especially to Ben whom I could contact and ask any and everything from start to end without a problem. Thank you all at British International Removals
Very efficient, on time & staff were very pleasant
Some of our kitchen stuff got stolen and they just don't care!
Our move is in progress. So far the service has been excellent.
The team who did the packing was fantastic - 10 out of 10 - the Sales/Admin ........
Communication good, helpful
I was sceptical to give my precious valuables to anyone because I was not sure how they would be treated. The teM from British international were very efficient and handled all my items with great care. They were friendly and always willing to help if I had any concerns. Their price was also very competitive when compared to other companies.
Excellent service
They had the best price and was very impressed with their service when they came and loaded the house. They initially planned to pack up in 3 days but did it all in 1. This allowed me to take less days off from work which made my employer very happy.
Super great service for packing but shipping is a mess. Wrong information about the time for shipping has let to container arriving at destination 3 weeks early. This could have been avoided if the company had answered email and endless phone calls.
We found Mr Ben Nienaber to be personal, interested, efficient and co-operative in all his dealings with us. His team worked tirelessly to get the packing up done in the stated time. The personnel of the Company, who were involved with us, were all very friendly and most helpful.It was a pleasure to do business with BIR.
We had a very tight timeframe. The on site survey and move had to be done within 3 days. They promised they could accommodate us, and they managed to do it 2 weeks ago. Our goods are currently still in Jhb and should be shipped as groupage soon. Hopefully all goes well till the end.
Very punctual, professional and efficient in getting things moved
We are not impressed with there total service. Once cargo was ready in the UK for delivery, we found ourselves confronted with excuse after excuse as to why they had to bill extra for delivery. Overall service was unacceptable and we advice to not use them at all.
Good service, however the packers missed a cupboard in the kitchen and we had to get the goods to the mover's head office ourselves.
We were happy with the initial assessment and quote. We were disappointed that we were not informed that our tent and roof box needed to be steam cleaned before packing
our container which landed up costing us $265-00 in New Zealand. We were also told by British International Removers that it would take 6-8 weeks to receive our container, however it took ±13 weeks. The container arrived on the 22 December 2015 however was only cleared and delivered by the 9th of February 2016!! This cost us $165 a week for the additional weeks to rent furniture. Some of our crockery was not wrapped at all and some non breakable items were wrapped We have other family members and friends immigrating to New Zealand and we will not be recommending British International Removers. One unhappy customer.
From the outset they were prompt and very professional and extremely helpful in all their dealings with us.
They were efficient, professional, friendly and affordable.
My quotation was reasonable and I got it the day after the agent saw me. The have been very professional in all the dealings so far. The packers were great and very patient
I felt daunted when I had to arrange an international move, but after contacting Worldwide Removals, at least 5 companies contacted me and gave me quotes. I accepted British International Removal's quote. I have been more than impressed with their professional Approach, service and assistance with documentation. I would recommend the whole experience with confidence.
Other reviews
Headquarters
British International Removals
2090 Sandton
Chamber of Commerce
Registration number is unknown
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Response of British International Removals
Good day
Whilst being fully booked, we made a concession to assist you before the initial COVID-19 shutdown in SA.
Your household effects being expertly export wrapped, and collected days prior to the impending emergency Lockdown situation, at the end of March 2020 in SA, there were sadly always going to be an unfortunate delay.
Nobody could have predicted the world-wide restrictions on movement of humans and cargo, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions, which only permitted essential cargo to be shipped/exported .
Non-essential cargo were only permitted for export during June/July.
Our Agent in EUROPE, we believe have been in touch re dates for possible delivery.
We do however understand the frustration the restrictions and delays have caused, all of which are beyond anyone's control. and offer our sincere solidarity with you during this very difficult time.
Yours in service
B.I.R
Published on: Sep 1, 2020