Moving anywhere is stressful, even across town is bad enough but moving half way around the world brings a whole new set of do’s and don’ts to moving. There are a number of salient points that must be taken into account if you want your international move to go as smoothly as possible.
Pack or not?
Any successful move starts with an open line of communication both verbal and written. When you are moving overseas shipping is a big issue, one thing you can do to eliminate any miscommunication is to set aside an area in your home where those items which are not to be packed and shipped can be held. These items are all to be very clearly marked that they are not to be shipped, these items will include your jewelry, all important documents, any prescription drugs, flash drives or discs containing important personal or professional information and anything else that might be needed quickly.
Air or sea shipment?
When you are moving overseas shipping can be done either by air, sea or a combination of both. Analyze what it is that is going to be moved, determine how much it will cost and how long it will take, you may find that moving some by sea and the rest by air makes a lot of sense. Your best guide when attempting to make this decision is your moving company but what it really boils down to is that the things which are critical and you have to have access to them literally upon arrival in your new home must go by air; things such as furniture, clothing, kitchen items, etc can all go by sea.
Paperwork:
Keeping all your important papers aside is only part of the problem when you are making an overseas move. As you are moving to a foreign country all your customs and immigration documentation must be in order and available to the authorities upon your arrival. It is not just at the border where these documents will prove invaluable; you may need them in domestic airports, hotels and even in your new office. One of the frustrations of making an overseas move is when your shipment has arrived only to have it held up in customs for an indefinite period. When moving overseas shipping companies that are involved frequently can advise of what to have with you to ensure a smooth and trouble free transition to your new home regardless of where it is.
