Packing
Many people prefer to pack their own non-delicates because that allows them to organize and track their personal items, such as books and clothes. You can pack these using your own boxes or boxes supplied by Kef, but if your contract with Kef is for full-pack, the price is the same whether we pack everything or you pack some.
INSURANCE NOTE: Items you pack yourself are listed by the shipper as PBO, packed by owner. PBOs are covered for loss and theft only, and only if you submit to the insurer a detailed, complete list of contents before pickup. They are not covered for breakage, chipping, scratching, denting, staining, tearing, or surface marring. For this reason it is important that we pack all of your delicates and furniture. If goods were recently packed by professionals then present to Kef the invoice of packing before pickup. Otherwise be sure to UNSEAL the boxes and make sure the packers inspect and repack as necessary. There could be extra charges associated with unpacking in order to repack. From an insurance point of view, there is no difference between your packing and professional packing for non-delicate items such as books and clothes.
Leaving clothing in drawers and files in filing cabinets, etc. is NOT recommended not unless the items are very light and the furniture very strong. Otherwise the furniture could be too heavy, and it could come apart with the moving.
Sorting and Labeling
Sort, label, and separate your goods before the packers show up. Clear labeling and separation saves you from confusion, wasted time, and, additional expense. Label by color and code to indicate what will *not* go and what will go where at destination. Common designations are: MB (master bedroom, BM (basement), BR1 (1st bedroom), GF (ground floor), K (kitchen), and DNS (do not ship).
To limit the volume of your shipment, label items according to their priority in the shipment.
To reduce the volume of your shipment after packing, you may be able to go to the warehouse to take away the highest numbered boxes. You would still be charged for packing, trucking, and warehouse time – but it would be less costly than shipping them. With a container load, if goods are clearly prioritized and loaded according to priority, you will avoid difficult, last minute decisions.
Packing Lists
A numbered packing list including description of apparent defects in your goods must be made up by the packer/shipper and presented to Customs. It is the Importers responsibility to make sure this is done; it is not enough to make your own list.
For goods you pack yourself (PBO=Packed by Owner), ideally you should make another detailed, numbered list. We recommend using room codes and numbers, such as LR1 for the first living room box. During pickup, make sure that these PBO items are itemized on the shipper’s list. If you have packed some delicates yourself, the shippers should repack, or inspect your packing, and not mark those boxes as PBO. They should give you a copy of their list to sign and a copy to keep.
Use both the shippers’ list and your own lists (if any) to check inventory upon delivery and to prove to the insurance company that everything was shipped. With a large shipment it is nearly impossible to take an inventory as the goods come off the truck…but you should make sure the documents exist so that you can make your best attempt.
Insurance Lists
You must make up your own insurance-valued inventory for value at destination. Include quantity, replacement value in US and/or Israel, new or used, the age of used items, brand and model of electrical items. Please supply this list to the Kef office before pickup and before receipt of goods delivered directly to the warehouse—there is a $75 charge to submit the list after pickup (or drop-off of goods), and until the valued inventory insurance list is supplied and insurance paid for, your goods are not insured. For more details, please see our section on Insurance.
Preparing for Pickup
The Importer must let Kef know at least two weeks before pickup about:
- If you have more than one origin or destination
- Addresses, dates, and times of day you want pickups.
- Any possibly difficult conditions, such as a long carry (more than 25 yards), small elevator, narrow street, delivery above the 2nd floor, extra heavy items (pieces over 300 lbs) or many boxes of books
It is your responsibility to let us know immediately of possible difficult access or heavy items. Not letting Kef know well in advance can result in poor or delayed service and additional charges. In addition, if you do not notify us, damage to goods or surroundings during difficult access will be your responsibility. - Description and quantity of goods that:
- Need professional packing (furniture, dishes...)
- You will pack yourselves (books, clothes, etc.) – how many boxes to drop off.
- Require special packing or crating.
- You want to store at origin
- You are delivering or mailing to the shipper’s warehouse
- You want to store in Israel
- You want delivered directly to your destination in Israel
- May be taxable or may need certificates of origin.
Goods You Are Having Delivered to our Warehouse
If you are having goods delivered to our warehouse before shipping, you must:
- Let us know what to expect and when
- For self delivery, arrange a specific time with the warehouse
- Have goods labeled with name and control number
- Supply signed delivery receipts ASAP to Kef of goods delivered by yourself or your agents (i.e. stores)
- Check that goods appear correctly on the packing list.
Tax Privileges
Importers who are Olim or returning residents have tax exemption privileges on certain items. Importers without this status, or who are bringing more than their Oleh privileges cover, also have certain tax privileges based on the free trade or common market agreements. They can avail themselves of these additional privileges only with a certificate of origin for each of the individual items. An invoice marked "Made in the USA" (or "Made in Europe" for goods of European origin) is necessary in order to obtain a certificate of origin. It is the Importer's responsibility to supply such invoices and request the certificate from Kef.
If you are planning to purchase appliances or furniture in the US or Canada for immediate export to Israel, Kef can also provide you with a letter to avoid the relevant sales tax. Please contact Kef with details before making your purchase.
Storage or multiple deliveries
If you want multiple deliveries or storage at origin or destination, request it well in advance. In any case you must sort, label, and divide the parts of the shipment before the packers arrive, or incur additional expenses. Make labels easily visible with clear markings of destination, and separate packing lists for each destination. You can store part of your shipment and ship or deliver the rest, but you must let us know well in advance. Refer to our section on Storage for more detailed information.
