The Japan Meteorological Agency . |. How to Pack Shoes for a Move | International Van Lines Its small items like jewelry that tend to be forgotten. One of the most important parts of an international move is having a safe and comfortable place to land. Thanks for posting this. Plenty can go wrong during even the smallest move, so its best to expect the unexpected when youre moving to the other side of the world. As shipping containers are transported via maritime shipping, the cargo within are often prone to sudden movements, given the rough conditions out at sea. Moving and Packing Services | International Van Lines |, The Essential Moving Abroad Packing Checklist, 9 Difficulties of Living in a Foreign Country You Must Overcome, Its incredibly important to check your bag size, complete list of things to do before moving to another country, VisitHealth Review: Convenient On-Site Healthcare Without the Wait, The Best Easy Day Trips From London by Train. Between airport transfers and cab rides and wheeling stuff through an unfamiliar city, I wasnt about to risk losing our most important documents. Move enough and youll think that youve got the process down patthat is, until you set your sights further and decide to move internationally. Expatriate Resources, 18 Shipyard Drive, Hingham, MA 02043, USA | info@internationalcitizens.com. You'll be glad you did when it comes time to unpack. So, if you're moving a load equivalent to around 2,000 lbs. When it comes to packing for an international move, it's important to be strategic and efficient. Place paper between all plates/bowls/cups and dinnerware to prevent chipping and breaking. Downsizing your belongings is a good idea any time that you relocate, but it becomes really important when you need to pack to move abroad. Here are some expert tips from our branch managers, located around the world. 25 Essential Packing Tips for Moving Abroad Here's our fundamental guide for the top moving abroad packing tips! Unless you require specialty products or a specific brand of hair care, consider purchasing your toiletries after your arrival abroad. Plan on giving yourself room to grow, instead of bringing so much stuff that youre filled to the brim before you even have a chance to settle in. If youre an American expat moving abroad, USPS provides options to ship large objects to multiple countries but it can get pretty costly. It can take up to 14 weeks to receive your passport after you submit for renewal, and the Bureau of Consular Affairs recommends applying for passport renewal 6 months before you plan to travel.[2]. Find out how to properly pack your belongings for overseas shipping so they arrive on time and without damage. Learn how your comment data is processed. So, when packing for moving abroad, you need to carefully assess your actual needs and future lifestyle, the peculiarities of your new country (climate, available commodities, importation regulations, etc.) Thank you for the advice. The very first thing we did after arriving at our new flat was charge our rapidly dying phones. I cant recommend a shipping company at this time because we didnt use one. My friend will need some help packing since shes looking into getting a marriage visa and moving to her partners country later this year. And dont forget to use a mix of bubble wrap and clothes to cushion everything! Luckily, all of the pet shippers on our list of the best pet shipping companies can transport pets internationally. Planning an International Move - MovingScam.com A second plan of protection is full coverage, which you can declare full value for the whole shipment . Favorite jewelry. Be sure to fill out your inventory . Start with the essentials. My wife and I are moving to Germany in six months since I am getting a promotion at work. You can use a mix of suitcases, duffel bags, and storage bins for packing. If youre moving to a country thats on the same continent as the one where you currently live, you can opt for ground freight in a moving truck. Many of the items that youll need will be available in your new country. This will cause your stuff to wear out much faster, and you run the risk of electrical shortages and fires. We've got some sample move pricing listed below, but in general, you'll see pricing for international van lines to be anywhere from $1,500 to well over $12K. This guarantees you wont be stranded if something goes awry and your debit cards get frozenwhich can happen when you travel, even if you notify your bank of your move. She likes to focus on the small details that make every person unique and every moment worth living by incorporating non-traditional ideas, solutions, and points of view in her work. It only cost a few hundred dollars in excess baggage fees, and saved time on customs paperwork as well. Home Living Abroad The Essential Moving Abroad Packing Checklist. International relocation, while an exciting prospect, carries with it a significant environmental impact. They finalize all your service options with you. I like your idea to use strong boxes when packing electronics. Make sure to take all of their needs into account too when packing, and plan well in advance so that you know what to expect in terms of transport, pet import rules, and other essentials. So much helpful information! Rather than pay thousands of dollars to ship our luggage overseas, we downsized before moving abroad. Moreover, its recommended to hire a professional international moving company when planning to move overseas. For more information, click here. We bought plastic luggage tags in place of the cheap paper things you can get from the airport. If you use your tablet to fulfill art commissions, definitely bring it with you! This is where the cost of shipping versus the cost of buying new will really come into play. Smaller items, such as socks, underwear, and bras, can be placed in corners and inside shoes. How to Pack for an Overseas Move | moveBuddha And small things like peelers and sauce bowls are easy to replace. I am preparing for my 9th move overseas in 25 years but each new one is not easier! It will say something like 100-240V or just a single value. After you pick a moving company and get your initial quote, youll need to schedule an in-home estimate with an international mover. From calling utility companies to navigating with Google Maps, your phone will be an essential part of daily life. Electronics like cell phones and laptops are among the most important things to pack for moving abroad, especially if youll be working abroad. But again, youre still looking at costly air or sea shipments, plus a lot of customs paperwork. [1], If your passportor the passport of anyone youre moving withis expired or will expire soon, get it renewed ASAP. I saved hundreds of dollars by taking my cordless vacuum to London! All rights reserved. Are you moving abroad with pets? Every item you sell, donate, or throw away will make your load a little lighter, and therefore a little cheaper. Its time to go through those (hopefully organized) file and lock boxes! Your clothing list will vary not only based on the climate but also should be based on if youre staying in an urban or rural area. How they're determined and calculated varies from country to country", Klaus Lydsal, vice president of operations at iContainers, I'd like to get pricing alerts, new available routes, & relevant information from iContainers (optional). Dont forget about their needs! Your best bet when you pack to move abroad is to take a careful inventory and to be selective about what makes the trip with you. Privacy policy | Terms of service | Sitemap. Open a Wise account today to get real exchange rates, speedy transfers, and ultra-low fees. Packing list generation in progress. We ended up selling most of our stuff and bringing everything else as luggage on the plane, and it was far easier! 01 of 10 Getting Ready Westend61 / Getty Images The planning and preparation steps in an international move are, of course, crucial. Stresses me out just thinking about it. For a Step by Step Guide to Moving Abroad, download the free 20-page checklist.*. Therefore, you need to carefully decide which of your items will be relocated by your chosen international moving company and which ones will be packed in your luggage. If you or your kids are going to be attending school in the new country, youll want to find the right schools, apply, and get everyone registered as soon as you can. Now, things with heating elements or motors, like hair dryers or electric shavers, typically only work with the voltage and hertz of your home country (110/120V and 60 hertz in the US). Or perhaps youre a music lover and want to bring your guitar or record player. I was rational and objective for 90% of our packing list. If your move is a temporary one, leave the sentimental items at home and stick to the basics. What shipping company do you recommend? As already mentioned, the cheapest way to move belongings overseas is as sea freight. Start by creating an inventory of all your belongings and determining what needs to be packed and what can be left behind. Putting up a few photos made us feel closer to the family we left behind. However, when thinking about what to pack when moving overseas, remember that some items can make your first months abroad much more enjoyable, and certain items that have meaning will help you feel more at home in your new country. Well keep this in mind as we get ready and find a moving company to help us. Given that, its important to pack your household goods properly and accordingly to minimize the damage they may suffer along the way. If youre struggling to make room in your luggage, packing cubes are a great way to save space and stay organized. 2) Categorized into three groups. Here are a few things you should do to ensure your trip goes smoothly: Plan your taxi/train/Uber trips from the airport. Hi Shelby, if I remember correctly our luggage was insured as part of my husbands relocation package. Congrats on the upcoming move, Meg! In a pinch, you can rent your own moving truck and take off for your new home . So do your research and buy the right type before you leave! We also squeezed in a few small things after everything else was packed. This guide will walk you through all you need to know and do before your big move. International movings | Help center | iContainers What is your moving budget? They give you a locked-in estimate for your international move. Before you start packing for your international move youre going to want to get in the right mindset. For more great tips and advice for your overseas move, do check out and like our Facebook page. Your email address will not be published. Are there rules and customs that dictate what sorts of items you might need and what you wont? Are you preparing to embark on a new life abroad? Required fields are marked *. This step is required to be able to fill out your. Well also direct you to government resources, budget-saving tips, and the best international moving companies in the business. Between the three of us, six bags isnt going to cut it for all of that. She is particularly interested in topics around organization, home design, and real estate, and definitely has a few tricks up her sleeve after moving eight times in eight years during her 20s. I agree that packing for moving abroad can be stressful. However, if youre the type of person who likes to make checklists and notes, youll want a notebook and pen handy the minute you arrive (and probably on the plane). Define Expatriate What is an Expat Anyway? If any of your current services arent available in your destination country, cancel them before your move so you arent paying for services you cant use anymore. At the first opportunity, you should also exchange some of your money for the currency your destination country uses. Depending on the country, you might also want to bring some electronics. How to Pack for an international Move - Moving Experts US Chicago Bubble wrap each piece for added protection. Remember to pack everything more carefully than you would for a domestic move. Thanks Mia! How to pack for an international move The importance of proper packing in an international move One of the most important aspects of an international move is the proper packing of your belongings for the ocean freight journey. 10 Easy Tips on How to Pack for an International Move Go over this list to make sure you have what you need for your trip to be successful! Loading into a container for sea freight. Household Packing Tips | How to Pack Items for Move Overseas Get creative with how you pack these items. Posted in: Moving Tips, News Page Tag (s): Published Date: 23 December 2021 23 Dec The golden rule? The Portable Wife. My Anker PowerCore fits in my pocket and can fully charge my Google Pixel 2 three times. The kitchen was the trickiest area for my moving abroad packing list. "Customs duties play an important role in your international shipment. You can find this information on the plug, or somewhere on the item itself (usually near where the power cord goes into it). Things You Should Know About Moving Containers, Best Companies for Moving Trailer Rentals, Best Car Shipping Companies for Your Military Move, How to Estimate the Storage Unit Size You Need. Now, I share authentic advice on how to maximize your vacation days, travel off the beaten path, and move abroad. When it comes to packing for an international move, you have a few different options. How to choose the right size moving container. However, understanding how to pack for an overseas move and the type of boxes you should use can save you time and a headache. Learning where to go shopping while abroad is part of the adventure! Favorite books or records. Your local bank in your home country can usually do this for you. The most important thing to remember is to check if your prescriptions are legal in your new country.