These relocation threads have been really helpful. In the midst of our move from Lausanne to California, I thought I'd share some of our experience. This is a long post, but I had a lot of questions when I started this process 6 weeks ago.
Detour: I'm posting here because I've found it to be the best of the multiple threads on the overall relocation topic. A few other threads are:
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How are moving costs calculated - move to US? started by tartegnin in 2012. Discussed the thread topic + sizes and methods of shipping.
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Moving & shipping small amount back to the US started by claireeh and
moving companies from CH to USA started by jeromepineau, both in 2013, are good if you're only moving a small amount; discusses posting from FR and DE vs CH.
- Older posts
Good Removal Co. (started 2005, posts running through 2012) and
Anybody know international removal/shipping companies? (2008) both discuss specific relocation companies. The first of these is mostly about relocation within Europe (My takeaway: check out Allied Pickfords, Crown; lots both pro and con on Lukers.)
(Copy the thread title into the search box in upper right to find them.)
OK, some things I've learned:
- Mostly you deal with a big relocation services company, that then uses its own crews or (more likely) subcontractors who actually pack, load and ship. For example, Sirva (mentioned by DavidHr in post #54, above) uses Schneider. Crown has its own teams both in CH and throughout the US.
- We are (trying!) to stick to a single 20-foot container. Containers are either 20-ft (holds 32 cubic meters) or 40-foot. It is possible to ship small lots, "groupage" (packed into another container, I guess more loosely?) Groupage is cheapest and slowest. "LCL" is related; some people told me it was the same as groupage, others suggested it's a more self-contained small lot on a pallet, thought that pallet is then placed in another not-full container.
- Not sure you can squeeze into your container? You can have a list of "maybe" items that you are prepared to leave in the driveway if they don't fit at the actual time of packing. (Need to figure out how to dispose of later...)
- Shipping time is about 5 to 7 weeks to West Coast. More if you get into big customs review. The presence of certain items (alcohol...) will slow customs clearance.
- Don't ship wine. You can, but it will be ruined by the poor conditions (heat, etc), and slow your shipment
- US security now much more strict. They scan one in three containers. Lots of restricted items.
- Use the airline's luggage allowance (or even buy extra) to carry not just clothes but also prohibited liquid or delicate items you don't want to toss: cosmetics, a special bottle or 3 of Bordeaux... Paying an airport porter is WAY less than shipping by DHL or the like.
(And, just for fun, you've got to google "youtube Fedex delivery fails")
- They will send someone out to survey your stuff to estimate volume. USE this service, ask questions, explore options. Do not use the survey-by-Skype option; sounds reasonable (they just need to take a look), but it can be hard to see in corners, wifi didn't work in the garage... Bottom line, the guy who did the video survey estimated two-thirds more volume than the guys who came in person.
- Easier to get containers on your schedule if you aren't moving end of month.
Specifically about the price:
- We got quotes from Packimpex, Sirva, Crown and Relocately. First 3 were recommendations (1st 2 are the go-to for Nestle corporate relocations).
- Prices were mostly similar, once all the conditions were clarified
- All of them will cut their price if you call back and say their bid is high and you are thinking of going with someone else.
- Pricing is based mostly on volume (labor to pack, load...). One company put the price purely for the difference between a 20' and 40' container with essentially the same volume at just over 1,000 Euro.
- Some particular items incur extra packing charge (e.g. piano)
- make sure all port charges are included (both outgoing "FOB" and US receiving port "THC" terminal handling charges)
- make sure you accurately describe the carry distance at both ends. This affects price. And if it's not as advertised, you pay later (see next bullet).
- Your quote is an estimate; they settle up at the end, based on --
-- Actual volume is determined when loaded. Differences of 10% are accepted; after that you pay more. (If you are squeezing into certain container size, of course, you can't take advantage of the extra 10%
)
-- Any exceptional customs charges, etc, will be billed to you.
Between US security rules and the insurance requirements, basically the movers have to pack everything for you. However, they all agreed that we could pack some of our nonbreakables (clothes, toys, books) if we kept the box open for them to "verify" and seal. Had some interest in that, just to see if we were staying on target with our volume estimate, but it saves little to no money. One company would take 150 off the price, another zero.
Re insurance:
- Most charge 2.2% of declared value, plus and extra 0.2% each for any of mold, sets or electrical coverage. Crown charges 2.7% and 0.5%
- They use a formula for declared value, but you can adjust it. Some allow you simply to declare lower, but most make you itemize. However, if you don't have a lot of fancy stuff, you can save 1,000 chf or more by itemizing.
Finally ... drumroll please ... the price:
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13,700 CHF, excluding insurance and special items, for a full 20-ft container to West Coast (32 m3)
-- Would've been about 17,000 for a 40-ft container with another 5 m3.
-- I note this is just about exactly the price that 5280 reported in April 2015 (post #32 in this thread)
Hope all this helps. Haven't actually moved yet, so no review of quality.
The rest of it will find a new home, I hope. 
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