UK Service Terms and Conditions for Switzerland Removals
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which our Switzerland removals service is provided to customers in the UK and for international moves involving Switzerland. They are designed to explain how bookings are made, how charges are calculated and paid, what happens if a move is changed or cancelled, and the limits of our responsibility. By confirming a booking, the customer agrees to these terms. Where wording refers to ???we??�, ???us??� or ???our??�, it means the removal service provider. Where wording refers to ???you??� or ???the customer??�, it means the person arranging the service and any person acting on their behalf.
These terms apply to household removals, personal effects, packing assistance, loading, transport, unloading and any related services agreed in writing. They form part of the service contract and should be read alongside the quotation or booking confirmation. If there is any conflict between a written quotation and these terms, the written quotation will usually apply only to the extent expressly stated in that quotation. Nothing in these terms affects any rights that cannot legally be excluded.
We aim to provide a professional Swiss removals service with clear expectations, realistic timelines and fair allocation of responsibility. However, international moving can involve delays, border procedures, access restrictions and operational changes outside our control. The customer is responsible for ensuring that the goods to be moved are accurately described, lawful to export and import, and properly prepared for transportation. We may decline or suspend a move if we believe the goods, documents or site conditions create an unacceptable risk.
1. Booking Process
A booking is only confirmed when we have issued written acceptance of the quotation or booking request and, where required, received the agreed deposit or advance payment. A request for a quote does not create a booking. Any dates, collection windows or delivery estimates are given in good faith but are not guaranteed unless we have expressly agreed a fixed service level in writing. The customer must check all booking details carefully, including addresses, access arrangements, inventory information, dates and any special handling requirements.
To provide an accurate Switzerland removal quotation, we may rely on information supplied by the customer, including the volume and nature of goods, property access, parking conditions, stairs, lifts, storage needs, and the presence of items requiring special handling. If the actual circumstances differ from the information provided, we may revise the price or schedule to reflect the additional work, time, labour or equipment required. Any changes requested after booking, including changes to dates, inventory, collection or delivery points, may also result in revised charges or revised service timing.
The customer must ensure that someone aged 18 or over is present at collection and delivery, unless otherwise agreed. That person must be authorised to release and receive the goods, inspect them, and sign any documentation on behalf of the customer. If access is not available at the agreed time, or if we are unable to complete the service because information provided was incomplete or incorrect, we may charge waiting time, abortive visit costs, redelivery costs or storage charges as applicable. We may also treat the booking as cancelled if access problems make completion impossible within a reasonable period.
2. Payments and Charges
All prices are based on the information available at the time of quotation and are subject to adjustment if the scope of work changes. Unless stated otherwise, quotations exclude customs duties, taxes, parking penalties, storage fees, congestion charges, tolls, ferry or rail supplements, and other third-party costs. If such charges arise during the move, the customer must pay them. We may require payment in stages, including a deposit on booking, interim payments before dispatch, and the balance before delivery or upon completion. We may withhold services if payment is overdue.
Payment must be made by the methods we specify and in the currency stated on the invoice or booking confirmation. Any bank charges, currency conversion costs or transfer fees are the responsibility of the customer unless we agree otherwise in writing. If a payment is returned, reversed, delayed or disputed without reasonable cause, we may suspend the booking and recover any resulting administrative costs. Interest may be charged on overdue sums at the rate allowed by applicable law, together with reasonable recovery costs.
Where additional work is needed because of circumstances not reasonably foreseeable at the time of quotation, including difficult access, extended carrying distances, extra packing, dismantling, reassembly, or delays beyond our control, we may issue an updated charge. The customer agrees that any international removals to Switzerland involve variable operational conditions and may require flexible pricing. We will normally explain additional charges before incurring them where practical, but urgent operational decisions may need to be made during the move to protect goods, staff and schedules.
3. Cancellations, Postponements and Amendments
If the customer wishes to cancel or postpone the booking, written notice must be given as soon as reasonably possible. Cancellation charges may apply and may increase as the planned move date approaches, reflecting costs already incurred, reserved capacity and loss of opportunity to reallocate the vehicle and crew. Any deposit paid may be non-refundable in whole or in part, depending on the notice given and the work already completed. Specific cancellation terms may be set out in the quotation or booking confirmation and will apply in addition to these terms.
If the customer requests a postponement, we will use reasonable efforts to reschedule, but we do not guarantee availability on alternative dates. A postponement may be treated as a cancellation followed by a new booking if substantial changes are required or if the original resources cannot be retained. We may also cancel or postpone the service if circumstances beyond our control make it unsafe, unlawful or impractical to proceed, including severe weather, transport disruption, border delays, strikes, vehicle failure, accidents, or official action by authorities.
We may also cancel the booking if the customer fails to provide necessary information, refuses to cooperate with reasonable operational requirements, or presents goods that are prohibited, undeclared or unsafe. In such cases, any sums due for work already carried out remain payable. If a move is terminated because the customer breaches these terms, the customer must also pay any reasonable costs incurred in returning goods, storing goods, or arranging onward transport. We will act reasonably in all cancellation decisions and will not terminate without cause unless safety or legality requires it.
4. Liability and Claims
We take reasonable care when handling goods, but our liability is limited to losses caused by our negligence or wilful misconduct and subject to the exclusions in these terms. We are not responsible for damage arising from unavoidable risks inherent in removals, including ordinary wear and tear, pre-existing defects, weakness in furniture or packaging, defects in items not disclosed to us, or damage caused by the customer???s own packing. If goods are packed by the customer, we are not liable for damage to the contents of those packages unless the damage was caused directly by our negligence.
We are not liable for delay, loss or damage caused by events outside our reasonable control, including traffic disruption, weather, public authority action, customs inspections, strikes, civil unrest, acts of terrorism, epidemics, fire, flood, road closures or equipment breakdowns not due to our fault. We are also not responsible for indirect or consequential losses such as loss of profit, loss of business, missed appointments, or emotional distress, except where liability cannot lawfully be excluded. Our total liability for a claim will usually be limited to the lesser of the value of the affected goods or the amount permitted under the applicable service contract or law.
Any damage, shortage or discrepancy must be reported promptly, ideally at delivery and in any event within a reasonable time after discovery. The customer must allow us a fair opportunity to inspect the goods and assess the claim. Failure to notify us promptly may reduce or eliminate any entitlement to compensation. We may choose to repair, replace or compensate for damaged items at our discretion, provided the decision is reasonable and proportionate. The customer must retain packaging, damaged items and relevant documents until the claim is resolved.
5. Customer Responsibilities
The customer is responsible for ensuring that all items to be moved are legal to transport and import, properly packed unless packing has been expressly included, and clearly identified where needed. The customer must remove or secure loose items, drain appliances where appropriate, and advise us of any items that require specialist handling such as pianos, glass, artwork, antiques, plants, gas cylinders, chemicals, batteries or fragile equipment. We may refuse to carry items that are dangerous, prohibited or inadequately prepared. If we agree to move special items, this may be subject to additional conditions and charges.
The customer must also provide accurate documentation and declarations required for cross-border transport. This may include inventories, customs information, proof of ownership, identity documents, permits, and any declarations required for goods moving into or out of Switzerland. We are not responsible for delays, refusal of entry, fines, storage or seizure caused by incomplete or inaccurate documentation supplied by the customer. The customer should ensure that the goods are available for inspection if required by customs or other authorities.
Where our staff assist with packing, loading or unloading, the customer must tell us about hidden defects, unstable items or special instructions before work begins. If we are asked to move items through restricted access, narrow stairs, soft surfaces or other difficult conditions, we may charge additional time or refuse certain items if the risk is too high. The customer should ensure that children, pets and unauthorised persons are kept away from the work area for safety reasons.
6. Waste Regulations and Disposal
We may remove packaging waste, broken furniture, redundant household items or other unwanted materials only if this has been agreed in advance. Any disposal or waste removal service must comply with applicable waste regulations and may require separate pricing, documentation or destination controls. The customer must tell us in advance about any waste or rubbish to be removed and must not include hazardous or regulated waste unless we have expressly agreed in writing and are legally permitted to handle it.
The customer remains responsible for identifying and segregating any waste that may be subject to environmental controls, including electrical items, batteries, paints, solvents, oils, fluorescent tubes, gas containers or contaminated materials. We may refuse to transport or dispose of such items where handling would breach applicable rules or create a risk to staff, property or the environment. If prohibited waste is discovered during the move, we may suspend the relevant part of the service and charge for any additional time, storage, return transport or compliance steps required.
All packaging, waste transfer, recycling or disposal arrangements will be handled in a lawful and responsible manner. If the customer asks us to leave unwanted items at a property, roadside or other location, we will not do so unless permitted by law and expressly agreed. The customer accepts that waste and disposal obligations may differ depending on the route, the destination and the service requested. We reserve the right to seek proof of lawful disposal or to engage approved third parties where necessary.
7. Insurance
Unless stated otherwise in writing, our service includes only the liability set out in these terms and does not automatically provide full replacement-value insurance. The customer is responsible for arranging adequate insurance cover for the goods being moved, especially where items are valuable, fragile, irreplaceable or unusually expensive. If we offer or arrange insurance, the scope, exclusions, excesses and claims process will be governed by the separate policy or certificate issued for that purpose.
Any insurance or enhanced liability arrangement will be subject to accurate disclosure of the items being moved, their condition and their declared value. Failure to disclose high-value items, special risks or pre-existing damage may invalidate a claim or reduce the amount recoverable. The customer should inspect all goods before packing and before handover where practicable. Packaging instructions, inventory notes and condition reports may form part of the evidence used in any claim process.
Nothing in these terms removes any rights the customer may have under mandatory law or applicable consumer protection rules where they cannot be excluded. However, the customer accepts that claims for damage or loss will be handled within the framework of the agreed service, any separate insurance terms, and these limitations of liability. Where there is a discrepancy between a policy document and these terms, the policy will govern the insured risks only.
8. Governing Law and Disputes
These terms and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them, the quotation, or the service contract shall be governed by the laws of England and Wales unless another part of the UK service agreement expressly states otherwise. The parties agree that the courts of England and Wales shall have jurisdiction, subject to any mandatory legal rights that cannot be waived. If the customer is based elsewhere in the UK, this choice of law still applies unless mandatory local law requires a different result.
Before starting formal proceedings, both parties should try in good faith to resolve any dispute promptly and reasonably. The customer should provide full details of the issue, supporting documents and any relevant photos or inventories, and we will review the matter carefully. Where appropriate, we may propose repair, replacement, partial refund or another reasonable solution without admitting liability. Any failure by us to enforce a term immediately does not mean that the term has been waived.
These terms are intended to operate as a clear legal page for Switzerland removals from the UK, balancing customer expectations with the practical realities of international transport. If any provision is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force. Headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation. By booking the service, the customer confirms that they have read, understood and agreed to these terms and conditions.