Planning your move to a new country heralds the beginning of an exhilarating journey, brimming with anticipation for the adventures that lie ahead. Yet, amidst this excitement, the reality of relocating can present its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to ensuring the safe transit of your belongings across borders. Whether you’re contemplating the logistics of moving your entire household or deciding which possessions to leave behind, the expertise of international removalists becomes indispensable.
To navigate the complexities of an overseas move with ease, it’s crucial to partner with a reliable international moving company like Overseas Packers & Shippers. Our seasoned professionals are trusted overseas removalists and international packers and shippers who offer tailored solutions to streamline your relocation process. Recognising the stress points that often accompany such significant transitions, we’ve curated a list of 10 essential tips aimed at simplifying your move.
These strategies are designed not only to safeguard your valuables during their journey but also to alleviate the stress associated with moving internationally. By leveraging the knowledge and services of skilled removalists, you can focus on the excitement of embarking on a new chapter in your life, confident in the knowledge that your move is in expert hands.
Make a list
Lists will help make your move that much less stressful. Make a list of everything you need to do. This will help you establish a timeframe, and avoid everything being left to the last minute. You’re sure to think of extra things as you go, but writing an initial list is a sure way to ease the stress. While you’re packing, it’s also a good idea to keep a list of your belongings, what you’re moving and what you’re shipping. This can help you to keep track of your belongings and know you haven’t lost something when you arrive overseas
Know what you’re moving
One of the first things you need to do is decide what you are moving overseas. If you’re planning on relocating permanently, it may make sense to move all of your belongings, particularly furniture. This will save you having to sell and rebuy the same furniture. However, if you’re only temporarily moving overseas, you may want to place your items in storage. This is always a viable option, particularly if you can find a furnished apartment or house to live in, or if you know you’re not going to be in one location for long.
Know how you’re moving
Once you know what you’re bringing with you on your overseas move, you can move on to looking at how you’re going to transport your items. Depending on what you’re moving, there are several options available:
- Shipping containers: if you’re moving large objects, you’ll need to consider shipping your belongings overseas. What type of shipping container you’ll need will depend on how much you’re shipping, the size of your belongings, or how quickly you will require them to arrive. Shipping container options include:
- Full Container Load: you get sole use of a shipping container that is 20ft or 40ft in size. A 20ft container is suitable for a three bedroom home, while a 40ft is perfect for larger houses, or people shipping vehicles.
- Less than Container Load: for those who know they will not be able to fill a full shipping container, less than container load is the perfect method. Belongings are packed and then placed into wooden lift vans. These are then consolidated into a shipping container. This is the ideal option for those who have smaller shipments where timing is important.
- Groupage: if you aren’t shipping much and have the luxury of time, groupage, or shared shipping containers, is the option for you. With shared shipping containers, you only pay for how much room you take up in the container. The belongings of other clients are then placed in the same shipping container. Just be wary that this option does take longer, as it is only shipped once the container is full. However, this is an excellent way to save a bit of money while safely transporting your belongings overseas.
- Air freight: if you’re not moving all of your furniture, or need your belongings quickly, you should consider air freight. It has the average transit time of 7-10 days. Air freight is charged by dead weight or volumetric weight, whichever is the largest.
Moving your car
You will need to decide whether or not you are going to move your car overseas. In many cases, it can be more cost effective to move your car. If you’re going to move your car, there are a few things you need to do before the move:
- Clean and vacuum your car to avoid any biosecurity problems.
- Remove any household and personal effects from the car. These items will require a separate clearance.
- Organise the appropriate documentation – registration, original purchase invoice, original compliance certificate, original Passport.
Once you and your vehicle are overseas, you will need to ensure you register your vehicle before driving. You may also be required to have compliance inspections on your car before being allowed to drive.
Organise storage
If you’re not moving all of your belongings, but can’t leave them at home, you need to consider storage. Putting your belongings in storage means you don’t have to worry about them being in an empty house. Your possessions will be kept safe and will still be there upon your return.
Wrap and pack your items
Once you have made a list of what is being moved overseas, what is being put into storage and what is being sold, it’s time to wrap and pack your belongings. This sounds like a simple step, but it is one that shouldn’t be overlooked or left to the last minute. The earlier you start packing, the better. Overseas Packers & Shippers have a team of expert wrappers and packers. This will not only save you time in your moving process but will also speed up the customs clearance.
Insurance
Sometimes accidents are unavoidable, which could damage your possessions. To protect against accidental loss or damage on your overseas move, you should consider getting insurance. Overseas Shippers & Packers offer a range of insurance options, with payments varying depending on the value of the goods being shipped or stored.
Customs
Make sure you familiarise yourself with the customs of the country you’re moving to. Every country is different, so don’t assume it’s the same as the country you live in. Some countries may forbid certain items from being shipped and entering the country. To avoid having problems with customs, do you research thoroughly before packing your belongings, and don’t pack anything that’s banned.
Know if your pet can come
If you or your family own a pet, you will need to know about quarantine laws in the country you’re moving to. Often, you’ll have to supply information about your pet, such as a health report and vaccination history. You will also need to organise an appropriately sized crate for your pet. Make sure you check your airline’s policy regarding pets, as airlines have different policies and methods of moving pets. Overseas Packers & Shippers have a comprehensive pet moving service that ensures a safe journey for your 4 legged friends.
Sort out your finances
It’s a good idea to make an appointment with an accountant before you move overseas. This will help you to become familiar with any tax implications you’ll face when you’re overseas. Make sure you know:
- Which country you’ll have to pay tax in
- How to file a tax return
- How to avoid being double-taxed
- Whether or not you’ll become a non-resident for tax purposes
- What to do about repayments such as HECS debts.
Make sure to follow these tips to ensure moving overseas is as stress free and easy as possible.
