Many of those considering relocating to a new country find the tipping etiquette a bit confusing when it comes to international movers. Don’t worry, we’re here to help! In this blog post, we will provide all the answers on how to tip movers appropriately. Whichever new and exciting destination you plan to move to, read on for tips on how to hand out your hard-earned cash wisely.
Tipping is always appreciated, but it should not be expected. If your move was especially difficult or if the movers went above and beyond what you asked for, then you may want to offer a bonus as a reward for their hard work. For international moves, it would be appropriate to tip each mover $30-$50. When tipping your movers, cash is usually preferred. If you plan on leaving a bonus after your move is finished, make sure that you have enough money on hand in advance.
Tipping Custom in the USA
Most people associate tipping with fine dining and luxury restaurants, but it actually dates back to the Middle Ages. In medieval England, aristocrats would leave a coin for their servants when they performed well in their function or service. Ultimately, the practice was adopted by people of all classes. The custom really took off in the United States during the Great Depression. Tipping was therefore seen as a way for customers to incentivize better service, and it quickly became a part of American culture.
Across the country, it is generally expected that customers leave tips when they have received good service at a restaurant, bar, or other business. It is customary to leave tips for waiters, bartenders, taxi drivers, hairdressers/barbers, valet attendants, and other service workers – which also includes international movers. As for the amount, the rule of thumb is to give a bonus that amounts to 15%-20% of your total bill.
International Move and Tipping Etiquette
Although there are no easy relocations, nothing gets as complicated as organizing a move across the world. Besides dealing with culture shock and having to break the language barrier, international moves also come with their fair share of paperwork and bureaucracy. When moving abroad, it’s important to familiarize yourself with visa requirements as well as any other legal documents or permits that may be necessary in order for your move to go smoothly. It’s also important to make sure all your documents needed to travel abroad are up-to-date before relocating so that there are no surprises upon arrival at your destination country.
But that’s only half of it! Moving overseas also implies dealing with more than complicated logistics and, of course, packing. You need to know how to pack glasses and protect and move large items so they can survive the many displacements each international move brings. Therefore, help from an experienced relocation team is practically necessary. Their job is to deal with the logistics and help you move safely and promptly. Of course, if you plan on getting packing services, you’ll be able to leave all the packaging-related tasks to the professionals while you focus on other important items on your to-do list.
The question is – are you supposed to tip movers for this work? After the job is over, you can decide to tip workers and show your gratitude for all the help provided.
Are You Required to Provide Bonuses?
Simply put, no, there isn’t a tipping norm. Of course, just because something is optional doesn’t imply you should disregard it without giving it any thought. Relocation experts must have strength, endurance, knowledge, and abilities to bring your move to a successful end. If they went above and beyond to help you move efficiently and have a smooth transition, you should consider awarding them with a suitable bonus.
How to Tip Movers With the Right Amount When Moving Internationally
First things first, there are a few things that will affect the bonus amount you should provide, such as:
- The size of the relocation,
- The move’s difficulty (if there are many stairs, bedrooms, and so on),
- The number and type of heavy objects,
- How satisfied you are with the service provided.
It should go without saying that the more complicated the move is, the higher the bonus should be. At the same time, you should consider how much effort and care the workers put into your move – and provide a bonus accordingly. It’s acceptable to provide a $20 tip per mover for a full day of work where workers are expected to load, haul your belongings short-distance, and unload them.
However, for a full-service international move, a bonus should be higher – between $30 and $50 per worker. Still, you need to take into account circumstances where employees must use extra effort to execute the task, such as hauling heavy items up and down stairs or relocating during the rain. In these circumstances, it is appropriate to increase your tips a little bit. However, these are just some rough guidelines you can apply. Ultimately, the final amount should be up to you.
Is It a Good Idea to Base Your Bonus on the Relocation Cost?
While this is a good solution for shorter-distance moves, it’s not a good choice when you plan on living overseas. Keep in mind that shipping overseas can get costly fast, and the more the move costs, the higher the tip will be. International moving services can cost up to $10,000 (or even more). If you wish to provide the customary 10% or 20% bonus to the workers, you’ll have to set aside hundreds of dollars for the bonuses. It’s quite a lot, even if you’re not relocating on a low budget. Therefore, it’s best to have a flat amount in mind, which you can then adjust to the services provided.
When to Tip International Movers?
Providing a bonus is typically one of the things to do after the move, but if you feel like it, you can give a bonus straight away and motivate professionals to increase their effort. However, tipping etiquette may be a little more complex with international moves, where there are several teams working on your move. The best solution is to contact your international moving company and ask how many workers will be handling your move, both in the current and future country. That way, you can make sure you’ve prepared the right amount for workers in all teams – and provide the bonus once they finish their part of the job.
To Whom Should You Give Tips?
You can choose to provide a tip to all workers individually or give the whole amount to the person in charge. However, keep in mind that not all workers need to get the same bonus – they should get as much as you deem they deserve based on their work. That being said, if you wish for each mover to get the exact amount you intended, it’s best to use cash and provide the bonus to each team member separately – just don’t forget to visit the ATM when preparing for movers.
When Should You Not Provide Tips?
Tipping your movers is a nice gesture, but there are certain situations when it’s best to avoid providing a bonus. Here are some examples of when the service provided is not at a satisfactory level:
If workers from an overseas shipping company don’t show up on the day of the move or arrive significantly late, then it’s perfectly acceptable to avoid providing them with a bonus. In this situation, you should consider filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau as well as writing an honest review of your experience, so other people who plan on living in another country don’t fall victim to their poor customer service.
Movers should act professionally throughout the entire process and treat your belongings with care and respect. If they are unprofessional in any way, then they shouldn’t expect any sort of gratuity from you. It is important that you communicate any issues with their behavior during the move so that they don’t take advantage of anyone else in the future.
Professional companies should deliver high-quality services every time with no exceptions! If your movers damage anything during the move or make relocation mistakes that cost additional money for repair or replacement down the line, then you have every right not to tip them for their poor-quality service. Make sure to document everything that is damaged or broken during the move so you can file a claim later if needed.
Beware of Fraudsters Looking to Scam You
Of course, there’s no need to tip a relocation company you have chosen who has ended up using some common relocation scams to trick you (holding your belongings hostage, providing hidden fees, and so on). In general, a client may be a victim of a relocation scam if they don’t obtain a service that’s been promised in the contract. Unfortunately, these do occur, and nobody is safe from them. Utilizing the FMCSA’s website to learn everything there is to know about a relocation company is the safest option to make sure you’re working with a legitimate team. Before even thinking about employing someone, check their license and insurance and read independent reviews and recommendations.
Showing Gratuity in Other Forms
Keep in mind that workers from an overseas moving company have a demanding job. It’s always advisable to be courteous and respectful to your movers. Additionally, you should provide refreshments (water, soda, sports drinks) and secure lunch for the staff. At the same time, don’t forget to leave a positive review on the company’s (and other) websites. Say how much you’re satisfied with the job done and recommend the company to other people who plan to move to a new home. The workers can be rewarded by their employer for the good marketing they’ve provided with their work.
If You Plan to Tip Movers, Make Sure to Calculate It in Your Budget
If you really want to take relocation stress out of your big move, consider hiring a team of professional international movers. They’ll handle everything from packing up your belongings to transferring them across the country lines. Though it’s not required, when planning a move to another country, many people choose to tip their movers as a way to say thank you for all their hard work. If you decide that tipping is something you want to do, make sure to factor it into your relocation budget ahead of time, so there are no surprises when the relocation day comes.
