An international move in itself is a big adjustment. You’re learning a new city, a new country, maybe even a new culture. For some people, the actual process of moving can feel just as stressful as the relocation itself. However, there are ways to pre-plan so you worry less about getting there and simply enjoy the adventure. Here are some tips for international moving.
1. Get the necessary paperwork out of the way. This step will vary depending on the reason you’re moving. You’ll need a different visa if you’re moving for school than if you’re moving for work. This is good to keep in mind if you’re moving with children. You and your family will also need passports if you are moving out of the country. If you don’t have passports already, be sure to give yourself ample time for applying and processing (ideally, several months).
2. Decide what to carry and what to ship. If you’re flying to your new destination, obviously you won’t be able to fit an entire household into carry-ons and a couple checked bags. Thus, you will need to decide what to carry with you and what to have shipped. It is recommended you keep important documents, medications, and clothing with you, as these things may be needed on a short notice. In terms of shipping, be aware of any non-allowable items. Your international moving company may provide you with a list, but generally non-allowable items include things like food, alcohol, firearms, narcotics, and explosives. However, these restrictions can vary depending on the country to which you’re moving.
3. Speaking of shipping, decide what you’d like to do with your car. Moving companies can often ship cars, but you may want to weigh the cost of leasing or renting a car if you’re only relocating for a short period of time.
4. Consider storage options. This is another factor to weigh if your international relocation is temporary, like for a military relocation or attending university. If there are certain items that are special or important to you but that aren’t necessary to bring or won’t fit in your new home, you can arrange for storage in your country of origin or where you are moving. If you’d like to minimize storage, look into how you can downsize your belongings.
5. Take care of all the “details.” In addition to the bigger logistical pieces, there are many smaller parts of the equation to remember. This includes finding schooling for children and relocation services for pets, transferring your bank accounts, getting any required vaccinations, and whether you’ll need a new cell phone and/or adapters for your electronics.
Embarking on an international move can seem like a daunting task, but can be very manageable if you break it up into smaller steps. Enlisting the help of experienced international movers is invaluable as well. As overwhelming as the process may feel, there are plenty of resources available to make it easier.
If you’re looking for international movers, make Dependable Relo your first and only call!