Quick Guide for Moving Overseas

As if moving itself isn’t stressful enough, some of us have to prepare for overseas moving. This means an additional layer of stress and anxiety added on to an already hectic time. But relocating to a new country can also be very exciting! With a little planning, the move can go smoothly and become part of a hopefully pleasant experience. Here are some tips on how to plan for your international relocation:

Choose the Right Moving Company
One of the first things you should think about is finding the right moving company for your international relocation. Start with research several months prior to the move. Ask friends, family, and people at your new job, if that’s the reason you’re relocating, to recommend movers. Find several reputable, professional companies with good reviews and compare their rates and contracts. Make sure they have all the proper license, insurance and documentation required by law to perform their job and never sign a contract you’re not comfortable with.

Decide What Items You Want to Move
Because an international move is often farther and more complicated than within the nation, it’s often more costly. Ask yourself what items you won’t need and what you absolutely cannot live without. The answer to this question depends on many factors such as if you’re paying for the move yourself. The decision should take into account whether some of your items will be useful or not in the new country—for example, if the outlets in the new country only take 220 volts, some of your appliances may not be worth hauling. Or if you’re moving to a tropical locale, where the weather is very warm, your skiing attire can likely stay back in the United States.

Make Lists
Once you decide what stays and what goes, make lists of those items. Also list items you want to sell either in a garage sale or place on classifieds and things you’ll want to donate or throw away. Make a note of goods that will be heading to a relative’s house or storage for safekeeping. No matter the decision about each item, lists will make it easy to figure out which pile each will go in.

Purchase the Proper Moving Supplies
Having your belongings go within the state or in your car can mean you might be able to get away with less than stellar packing and sub-par moving supplies. But when your items are being shipped overseas, you want them to have the best chance of arriving at their destination safely. This means you should properly pack your goods to survive the long haul and to do that you need proper moving supplies. Ask your moving company what kinds of supplies they recommend or do some research on the Internet to see what folks in your situation have to say about it.

Get Your Paperwork Together
Entering, staying and working, or studying in a new country means you’ll have to present the proper paperwork to show that you are allowed there. Make sure you have all the required documents for you, your family, and your goods to enter and live in your new home country.

Report Change of Address
Just like your move within the country, you’ll need to inform your credit card companies, government agencies, insurance carriers, and other relevant entities of your planned move.

Prepare Healthcare
Let your doctors know of your move and ask them if you need any special medicine or vaccines for your move. Also, if you’re currently on medication, ask your healthcare professional if they can supply you with extra medicine until you find a new physician.

Research Your New Home Country
A move to a new country can be very exciting. Knowing more about the culture, the area, and the language eases some of the anxiety of the move. Guidebooks and language guides are very helpful. Check out online travel sites and blogs. Get to know your new home and learn as much as time allows prior to the move. And lastly, enjoy the experience.