Moving overseas can often be a stressful time, especially when you have to fit your entire life inside a shipping container. It’s not easy deciding what belongings to ship, what should stay behind, and what can make the journey with you in your packed luggage.
At Overseas Packers & Shippers, our experienced international removalists help you find the ideal shipping option for your situation and budget. When it comes to packing for a shipping container, we have compiled some past experiences from across the internet to help you understand how the process works, and hopefully reduce some of the stress of such a big move.
Downsize What You Don’t Need
Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/expats/comments/1ct8oit/shipping_your_life_how_to_pack/
One of the best ways to reduce the number of belongings that will need to be packed into a shipping container is to start downsizing long before your move. This commenter on Reddit provides a detailed breakdown of why it’s important to sell or dispose of anything you don’t need to take with you to your new country, and why it’s beneficial to do so.
The cost per kilo of shipping is another important factor to keep front of mind when planning for a shipping container. Offloading belongings before the move is a good way to ensure this price stays as low as possible. If an item or a piece of furniture is no longer useful for you, or you can simply repurchase its replacement in its new country, it may be wise to part ways with it.
If you’re not sure which method suits your situation best, this is where understanding your overseas shipping options is crucial. Whether it’s a few boxes, a shared container, or a whole container to yourself, the right plan makes all the difference.
Paying for Storage
Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/expats/comments/1ct8oit/shipping_your_life_how_to_pack/
But what happens if you don’t want to ship certain belongings overseas, but you also don’t want to say goodbye to them completely? Thankfully, this Reddit user has a good suggestion. Finding a storage facility in your home country is a good compromise between holding onto your belongings and not overfilling your shipping container with unnecessary weight.
Investing in a storage option gives you this flexibility so you can travel light without feeling like you’re completely letting go of your past. It also means that if you decide to return or move again later, your life isn’t scattered across various different locations.
Living simply overseas is a popular choice, especially when settling into a new country with unfamiliar costs and cultural norms. Paying for storage in your home country gives you room to start fresh while still holding on to your past precious belongings.
Every Situation is Different
Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/expats/comments/1ct8oit/shipping_your_life_how_to_pack/
The truth about packing for a shipping container is that every situation is going to be different. This Reddit user touches on some of the variables in their comment, including:
- Where are you moving to, and where from?
- What is the expected shipping time and cost between your two countries?
- How long are you planning on staying in your new country?
- Are your appliances compatible in your new country?
- Are you moving somewhere that can house all your belongings?
- And so much more.
These questions are important to ask yourself before your move as the answers will provide a clearer picture of how to pack and what kind of shipping container will work best for you.
Ultimately, if you are planning on using a shipping container, you should use the services of trusted overseas removalists. As an experienced overseas moving company, the team at Overseas Packers & Shippers can help you figure out exactly what to bring and how to get it there.
Contact Overseas Packers & Shippers
Packing up your life to move overseas is a balancing act between sentimentality, practicality, and strategy. The good news is you don’t have to do it alone.
Contact us at Overseas Packers & Shippers to chat through your plans, get personalised advice, and make sure every item that matters gets to where it needs to be.
