1183 Views Moving Soon? 4 + 1 Ideas how to transfer your personal belongings abroad
We bring you some ideas to help you plan your big move…
Moving overseas could well be the biggest move you’ve ever made. It can seem like a huge undertaking, but plan well in advance and your exciting new move could be easy and stress-free. We bring you some ideas to help you plan your big move…
- Carefully choose your moving company
You’ll need to find a moving company that specialises in international moves. Don’t just go with the first company you find, or simply pick the cheapest. Spend some time doing research and look at reviews. Make sure your mover offers everything you need. Will they pack for you? Will they move your belongings door to door? Can they handle any specialist items you might have such as valuable artwork, or a bulky piano?
- Put some thought into your packing
It’s highly likely that you will arrive at your new home before your belongings do, so it’s important to ensure that you take anything you urgently need with you. If you’re packing yourself, then get started well in advance. Buy good quality packing boxes for your move. Good quality boxes are a great idea for any move, but they’re vital if you’re sending all your possessions overseas. It’s also very wise to use a high quality packing tape to make sure your boxes all stay sealed. If you’re hiring movers, then they should be able to provide everything that is needed for the most secure packing.
- Understand the customs rules
No matter what country you are moving to, there is going to be a list of rules and regulations regarding what you can and cannot take into the country. Make sure you fully understand this or you could end up in trouble! Some forbidden items are obvious, such as firearms, but some countries have a long list of food you can’t take into the country. Packing your favourite local snack could cause some long delays at customs if you’re not careful! If you are using professional movers, they will be able to advise you in this area.
- Don’t forget to take out insurance
Even with the utmost care, you need insurance because things can go wrong. There are some disasters you simply can’t account for, for example if the ship your belongings are on is caught in a bad storm and sinks. These occurrences are rare, but you should always ensure you are covered just in case.
- Plan pet travel in advance
If you have pets it’s important to understand the procedures for moving them to another country. They may need to go into quarantine, there could be some particular vaccinations they need and you’re likely to need certain permits. It’s a good idea to have a chat with your vet before relocating a pet, as they can advise you on the best method of transportation for your pet.
Need help with your overseas move? No problem!
Don’t let yourself become overwhelmed with a move overseas, simply sit back and let us do the hard work for you. We’re experts at packing and moving and we fully understand all the rules and regulations regarding overseas transportation. Get in touch now for a quote, or learn more on our website. With Columbia World-Wide Movers, your belongings are in safe hands.