international assignment
short-term, long-term, permanent, extended business travel, localization, commuter, rotational—the list goes on
Working with Cartus as a trusted guide allows you and your employees to focus on your core business while taking advantage of our global experience, investment in technology, and relationships with the best networks in the world.
Available across the globe and around the clock, our experts become an extension of your team. Your relocating employees receive personalized assistance through a single point of accountability—their Cartus consultant—guiding them every step of the way, minimizing stress, and enabling them to remain productive during their move. Your Cartus account manager partners with your HR and mobility team to oversee all program management, provide consultative policy advice, and deliver industry-exclusive thought leadership to simplify your job, optimize your results, and enhance the employee experience
The Cartus team is always responsive and looks for innovative ways to meet our needs. They are resourceful and partner at all levels to ensure our employees are safe and have a positive experience.
THE BOEING COMPANY
Michael Clark | Senior Manager, Relocations and Assignments
services with a smile :-) international assignment
destination services - apac
A local destination services provider (DSP) conducts a pre-arrival phone consultation and provides a face-to-face review of customized area information regarding housing, cost of living, schooling, local climate, and area-specific highlights. The DSP also coordinates an accompanied familiarization tour and area overview to include areas of interest and neighborhoods, school system/options, viewings of sample housing options, recreation, shopping, commuting, and transportation.
With the launch of our 24/7 online experience, Cartus brings an elevated user experience to its APAC destination services clients and their relocating employees, helping them to settle into their new location with less hassle and more efficiency. In partnership with RelocationOnline, Cartus' new destination services digital environment offers high-tech service through a mobile-friendly digital platform connecting the Cartus Destination Services team to the relocating employee seamlessly.
single source solution
The platform offers a single, organized solution to access essential host location information customized based on users’ requirements, such as home finding, schooling needs, and local market practices. It also safeguards all communications and personal information in a secure and compliant environment.
expert guidance
Paired with expert guidance from a dedicated Cartus consultant, the digital environment enables seamless collaboration for each service milestone throughout the entire destination service program. The platform supports tracking and status updates and real-time communications between the consultant, Cartus’ screened local service suppliers, and the assignee.
APAC availability
Available to assignees relocating in and around Singapore and China, including Hong Kong, the destination services digital environment will complement Cartus’ industry-leading services through more robust experiences and better outcomes for clients and their employees.
distributed workforce solutions
Facing an increasingly complex workplace, HR and mobility managers must take on new obstacles and navigate within ever-changing regulations that can be challenging to track. Through our end-to-end service delivery and automated, cloud-based solution, Cartus manages your organization’s distributed workforces and extended business travelers to identify permanent establishment, immigration, payroll, and other compliance risks.
This solution combines white-glove service and in-depth policy expertise and analysis with innovative technology for a holistic approach to managing relocation, tax, and compliance risks while offering:
Data collation and analytics
Solution design and implementation
Risk assessment and reporting
Program impact analysis and process refinement
From data collection to risk determination to program impact analysis, Cartus manages the wing-to-wing process so clients and their employees can focus on their core work and avoid a lengthy learning curve. This solution provides best-in-class technology and, when combined with Cartus’ service excellence, is unparalleled in the market.
With this new solution, Cartus supports clients with the following:
Identifying employee footprint and travel activity
Calculation of international and domestic withholding apportionment
City jurisdiction reporting to identify tax liability reduction opportunities
Managing permanent establishment
Schengen compliance
Pre-trip immigration and tax assessments
Immigration fulfillment
Comprehensive reporting and analysis
Automation of requests, reviews, approvals, and management of remote workers
After assessing different compliance automation solutions in the marketplace, we recognized that Topia Compass was far and away the best match for our clients. Together, we believe we can help clients seamlessly yet confidently mitigate the risks of business travel and a distributed workforce while maximizing the many benefits for sustained business growth, talent retention, and strategic agility.
DAVID PASCOE
Cartus Executive SVP, Global Talent Mobility, EMEA & APAC
intercultural and language solutions
Cartus Intercultural & Language Solutions is a leading global talent development business practice. We provide relocating and non-relocating individuals and groups with innovative, technology-enabled, flexible coaching and training programs to strengthen individual competencies and organizational capabilities to enhance global business performance. With over 30 years of industry experience, we bring local expertise with a global reach, a commitment to quality, and service excellence—achieving 99% learner satisfaction year over year.
Cartus Intercultural & Language Solutions combines consultative coaching and personalized performance support within a digital learning environment, providing your global talent with expert guidance to develop the skills and mindset required to be most effective in diverse, multicultural settings. Our clients have selected Cartus to ensure their global talent population is supported and prepared to engage and perform as they transition to working—and often living—in different cultural and linguistic environments and to create more inclusive and culturally intelligent organizations that compete more effectively in a global context.
intercultural services
Support the success of an international assignment for your company, the assignee, and their family by identifying employee and family competencies and readiness for an assignment abroad, then ease their adjustment and enable their success from the outset of their assignment to its conclusion. Our personalized Cross-Cultural Coaching programs ensure that your employees have the knowledge, insight, and guidance to develop skills to perform more effectively in different cultural surroundings and manage the transition for themselves and their families. Cartus offers assignment-related intercultural programs across the globe and in multiple languages. Specific services include Candidate Assessment and Assignment Readiness; Cross-Cultural Coaching for Assignees and their Spouse/Partner; specialized programs for children; and Repatriation Coaching to support your returning assignees and your return on investment.
global leadership and team development
Cartus’ Global Leadership & Team Development Solutions provide your organization, teams, and leaders with the knowledge, insights, and tools to build intercultural awareness, gain skills to bridge cultural gaps and establish trusting relationships, and maximize your organization’s potential to compete in a complex global business environment. We offer a wide range of leadership and team development solutions to assist your organization in understanding cultural and cross-cultural influences on your business, on leadership, and on multicultural team performance, and to support skills development to ensure greater global business success—these include programs to develop global agility and leverage the cultural diversity of your workforce; country-specific business briefings to increase awareness of the cultural styles and preferences of specific countries or cultures; and global leadership coaching to enable your leaders to more successfully lead across cultures.
language solutions
Language training is integral to success in an international setting and critical to building an inclusive work environment where the voice of all of your global talent is heard. Cartus specializes in preparing learners to thrive in a second language immersion setting, which is different from building long-term skills. As such, our programs focus on just-in-time preparation for high-priority communication tasks in the second language as defined by each learner, not on driving through pre-set material. Programs are designed to meet the specific needs of international assignees, family members, business travelers, and other non-relocating individuals – to build their confidence for communicating, building relationships, and preparing them for success in new environments. Through our global network of language coaches, we ensure training capability for nearly all local languages around the world. Our comprehensive language training includes general language skill development, Business English, and advanced Global Business Communication Coaching programs, such as business writing, presentation skills coaching, and accent modification. Our distinctive, highly tailored learner-centered and coach-facilitated training is focused on real-life language goals, available both in person and online.
digital reach
Amplifying the reach of our industry-leading global talent development solutions, our newest coaching delivery innovation uses a digital learning environment to transform the customer experience. Through our Intercultural & Language Solutions, Cartus guides employees as they travel and relocate to new destinations and coaches them through some of the most important transitions of their careers and personal lives. With our enriched digital learning environment, Intercultural & Language Solutions caters to each individual with a more engaging, tailored experience to ensure each feels connected to their personal learning path and professional goals.
international freight forwarding and moving services
Cartus’ worldwide household goods shipment program provides you and your assignees with a comprehensive, personal, one-stop source to control costs, significantly reduce administrative tasks, and eliminate many complications associated with international moves. Through our patented eProcurement tool (a global household goods traffic-lane pricing model) and expert move counseling, you and your assignees receive the technical knowledge and expertise to make a smooth transition to locations worldwide.
Our International Freight Forwarding service includes the following:
Employee counseling and advocacy
Ongoing communication and shipment monitoring
ISO-certified supplier selection and management
Replacement value insurance and claims administration
Audit and payment of carrier invoices
Cost and service performance reporting
auto transport
For international moves, cars may be shipped in a steamship line container with the household goods or shipped via Roll-On Roll-Off service (Ro-Ro). Cars are transported on ships and ferries designed to carry wheeled cargo, such as automobiles, trucks, semi-trailer trucks, trailers, or railroad cars. These special ships allow the vehicle to be driven on and off and have unique decks enclosed in much the same way as a multi-story parking garage.
pet transport
We offer services that meet pet owners' potential needs, including consultation, door-to-door transportation, securing import permits, insurance, and making arrangements for quarantine.
high-value items
Our focus on properly handling your employee’s high-value household goods begins with the packing process. Suppliers must adhere to established standards and measure claim results with each provider every month to ensure a focus on the quality of the employee experience and minimizing claims.
arrival assistance
Cartus coordinates airport pickup with a limo/car driver to transport the relocating employee (and family) to temporary housing (or hotel).
assignment cost projections and international budget and forecasting tool
The consultant, working with our compensation analysts and your preferred cost-of-living supplier, coordinates cost projections for assignees who are considering or have accepted an assignment. Estimates include the calculation of assignment costs, hypothetical taxes, cost-of-living differentials, living accommodations (temporary housing, rentals, home, etc.), and all other related costs.
car lease and purchase assistance
The Vehicle Services – Rental Services program is designed to solve your assignees’ long-term rental car needs. The monthly fee program offers an assignee cost savings of up to 50 percent on the best corporate rates available. Additionally, Vehicle Services’ rates include insurance coverage and are available in over 150 countries.
departure program
Our specialized program provides expert guidance to your assignee and their family, relative to the cumbersome tasks associated with leaving the host country at the end of an international assignment.
educational counseling and placement/school search
Our program helps find and place family dependents in a school that meets each child’s unique profile.
executive support services (premier executive advantage)
The Cartus Executive Advantage offering is a fully customizable program for your VIPs supported by a dedicated team available 24/7. Cartus’ Premier Executive team is comprised of our most tenured and accomplished consultants. With an average of 20 years of relocation experience and focus on executive moves, this elite team manages every relocation consideration for your VIP while meticulously considering your culture and the executive’s one-of-a-kind needs and family situation. Because of their extensive experience solving complex relocation challenges, your executive’s consultant anticipates needs, proactively manages expectations, and has the autonomy to move things forward to keep your executive fully productive in their new role. This allows the consultant to review and determine the best course of action to ensure a smooth transition and the elimination of roadblocks.
Understanding the demands and busy schedule of your executive, the consultant works to alleviate administrative burdens by assisting with the completion of required documents and expense reports, working with the executive’s administrative assistant, as well as their spouse/partner, to manage critical elements of the move.
Behind the scenes, the executive consultant manages every level of detail and constantly communicates with internal teams and our supplier partners. They manage the flow of information through Cartus and significantly reduce multiple touchpoints for the executive.
The consultant is available 24/7/365 and, most importantly, at the convenience of your executive. This access is not limited to the consultant. Our internal support teams and supplier partners are also accessible 24/7/365, as everyone understands the urgency needed to support this level of move and the criticality of getting things done when the executive needs them completed.
expense management/administration
Services include auditing expense reports and supplier invoices to client-specific policies, payment of benefits, U.S. tax calculations and wage reporting, tax firm reporting, and additional cost and management reporting on all captured data.
furniture services
Cartus provides furniture rental from a number of different suppliers. Typical services include
Entire furnishing: bedding, towels, cutlery, pots, beds, sofas, dining tables etc.
Partial furnishing: Large items such as beds, sofas and dining tables
Delivery of furniture and timely removal of furniture in line with your employee’s needs
Our in-house consultants will coordinate the services with a furniture supplier. Our large volume which enables us to have favorable conditions with local furniture suppliers.
government relocation
Cartus has decades of experience supporting the unique compliance considerations for government agencies and contractors, including a thorough understanding of the requirements involved in identifying, segregating, and reporting unallowable relocation costs. Cartus will ensure the correct application of the FAR Part 31 Cost Principles on relocation expenses (FAR 31.205-35) and travel expenses (FAR 31.205-46)
Our Government Contract Cost Accounting Compliance Program includes:
Independent audits by an outside audit firm to ensure our staff is applying proper coding to allowable expenses
Clarification and interpretation of FAR
Comprehensive employee training program for relocation accounting analysts
Real-time support through the issuance of regulatory updates and allowability position papers
As a government contractor, Cartus understands the challenges of contract compliance and the importance of administering all programs according to the statement of work within the awarded contract. To manage adherence to compliance guidelines, the implementation contains a customized format that includes a thorough review for confirmation of processes, resources, policy interpretation, and required reporting parameters. Automated milestones, checkpoints, and transparent reporting are established to ensure procedures are adhered to and cross-referenced with current regulations. This is a standardized part of Cartus’ implementation and is customized specifically to the government-contracting needs of each client.
home finding program
Our structured program offers country information and personal guidance in locating a home where we organize and execute a move by accompanying your relocating employee or coordinating the entire home-finding process.
home sale assistance
Cartus offers a variety of approaches to help your assignees successfully market and sell their departure properties. Available programs vary by country and local regulations but may include marketing assistance and home buyout programs.
host country support services
Our comprehensive packages combine Home Finding, Settling-in, and School Finding, plus an ongoing, six-month telephone support line. Programs are carefully tailored to meet assignees' and their families' specific needs and requirements to make them feel comfortable and connected in their new surroundings.
insurance services
In cases where the carrier or van line is settling the claim, it is often handled by a claims department. The objective of claims personnel is to minimize the financial impact to the agent and van line, therefore creating what could be viewed as a conflict of interest and may ultimately impact an employee or assignee's perception of the claims service.
Cartus insurance settlement firm provides claim settlement expertise, high-touch service and complete objectivity. The process is designed to be service sensitive and to minimize time and out-of-pocket expenses of the employee or assignee.
international/expatriate assignment compensation services
Cartus’ International Assignment Compensation Services is a complex and critical group of services supporting your international transferees. International assignment financial issues require accuracy and speed to ensure that allowances and taxes are correctly administered and understood.
Cartus coordinates all aspects of an assignee’s global compensation, including cost estimates, compensation balance sheets, allowances, payroll updates, shadow payroll, year-end total compensation reporting, and ongoing communication with HR and your tax provider.
This comprehensive support allows your transferees to understand the components of their international compensation and provides you with the correct information to administer payroll and year-end tax functions for transferees.
lease negotiation
Our program assists in managing the complicated details associated with renting a home in the host country, including assistance with signing a lease, payment of rent and security deposits, and reimbursement for ongoing utility payments.
letter of assignment preparation
Cartus will prepare the Letter of Assignment and Compensation Balance Sheet for the relocating employee based on an agreed-upon policy-specific template using information provided on the initial authorization form. We then forward the documents to mobility managers for approval. Upon approval, we will counsel the relocating employee by reviewing the letter and the balance sheet and follow up to ensure all required parties sign that letter. The Letter of Assignment and Compensation Balance Sheet will be stored on CartusOnline to be accessible by your employee and your company. Cartus will prepare revisions to the compensation balance sheet as necessary throughout the assignment for changes of circumstances in accordance with the agreed-upon business rules.
look/see visits
The DSP ensures safe transportation during the trip and may recommend a provision in the relocating employee’s policy for a car and driver to further ensure the relocating employee’s safety. They also provide security advice and a welcome guide offering practical daily life tips to the relocating employee and their family. Before the trip, your relocating employee can access country and city guides on CartusOnline.
marketing assistance and closing services
Cartus provides home sale assistance, marketing assistance and property management (vacant or occupied home) in multiple countries around the word. Backed by one of the industry’s largest real estate companies, Anywhere Real Estate Inc, Cartus offers a variety of approaches to help your assignees successfully market and sell or lease their departure properties. In countries supporting full home sale programs, and depending on your policy, we can offer to purchase the assignee’s home at market value and help your assignee locate a buyer at a higher price. If your assignee obtains a higher offer, we purchase the house and complete the sale to the buyer. If your assignee is unable to locate a buyer, Cartus purchases the home from your assignee and resells and closes the property. We also provide marketing assistance, property management, and closing assistance programs for relocating employees intending to repatriate after their assignment.
Availability of departure home programs varies by country. We utilize our local Cartus Global Network partners to ensure local expertise in the real estate market.
ongoing assignment support
This program provides your relocating employee and their family continuous benefits management and support, as directed by your policy, throughout the assignment.
policy counseling
A Cartus consultant acts as the single point of coordination to provide an ongoing, comprehensive explanation and interpretation of the benefits offered to your employees defined by your policy. In addition, the consultant provides proactive guidance in coordinating all available provisions. We offer six months of telephone support through our local destination services providers (DSPs) to assist during settling-in—e.g., explaining bills, providing information on contractors, following up on move-in needs, etc.