Time to move, but this time it is not around the corner from mom and dad, it isn't across the country, it is across the ocean. The first thing you think about is how you are going to move your entire life to another country. You need to call an international moving company to gather rate information. You search the web, you call different companies. You find that it is going to be even more difficult to move overseas than you thought.
Each international moving company has very different rates to the same location. You realize that you can't even take your hair dryer with you. That is fine; it may be less expensive to obtain the necessary electrical equipment while you are in your destination country. Your computer, after all you would not have gotten this job if you had not been surfing the web late at night.
You search long and hard for the right adapters for your computer. Finally, that is settled. Your pets, oh goodness, are you going to be able to get your goldfish and hermit crab over there? They are your constant companions after all. You call the international moving company of your choice to see if they have any information.
You have decided that Goldy and Herman will be going to live at your brother's house. In addition, the washer, dryer, large flat screen television and other appliances will live in your brother's garage until you get back. Clothing, toiletries and other basic items will have to be sorted through.
Finally, the packet of information on making transatlantic moves arrives. You realize that you have forgotten to update your passport, immunizations, and several other key items. Panic sets in as you only have two weeks left to get it all together. You rush to the doctor, local federal office building and the post office.
Everything goes well until you get to the post office. You need to put a change of address in but have no idea where you will be living. So your mail will go to live at your brother's house as well.
Five days left until your big move. The international moving company calls and asks if you are packing your belongings or if they need to send packers in to help. You think for a moment and decide to pack things yourself. They offer to ship your car for you at a special rate so that you do not have to purchase transportation while there.
You consider it but outfitting your car to drive on the wrong side of the road will cost more than buying an inexpensive European car. So you decide against shipping your car. It goes to live at your brother's house.
The big day arrives. You have not packed a thing. Your new boss calls to tell you that they are providing a furnished flat, transportation and a line of credit to help you get started. You call the international moving company, confirm your final arrangements and grab your suitcase which is packed to get you through the first few days. The day has finally come and you are off.
What country are you moving to? This is an important question in the selection process for choosing an international moving company. Someone who has experience in moving from the United States into Canada may not be the right choice if you are moving to Europe or Asia. The international moving company you select will be responsible for getting your personal belongings into your new country and handling all taxes and regulations at the border. It's essential that whoever you choose to do this has specific experience with that particular country.
What country are you moving from? Your country of origin can cause you headaches upon your arrival in your destination country. Citizens of certain nations, regardless of personal intentions, may not be particular welcome in countries that have a poor history with your point of origin. These tensions can result in delays at the border or seizure of your belongings so hiring an international moving company which is familiar with your destination and perhaps has a good reputation there can ease your passage through.
Does your international moving company have insurance? A lot of things can go wrong in international moving and belongings can be broken or damaged on a long trip by sea or air. Make sure that the international moving company you hire has insurance and will be liable for any damage or loss. Accountability is important when you are transporting everything you own to a foreign country.
Can your international moving company provide you with verifiable references? The key word in this question is verifiable. Anyone can type up a letter of recommendation and make it look official. Ask for a phone number to call for verification and make the call. Try to get a reference from someone who has actually been moved to the country you are going to and confirm that their move was handled correctly. Also, verify the physical address of the international moving company itself. Knowing where someone is based goes a long way when you need to hold them accountable.
Expectations should be discussed one on one with a representative of your international moving company before any money changes hands. Some of these are obvious. You don't expect them to break anything or disappear with your belongings. Expectations are the incidentals. Will your international moving company handle taxes and customs affairs at the border? How long will it take to get your belongings in and will they deliver directly to your home in the new country? These are actions you would expect from an international moving company but you must verify all of them before the move can begin. Expectations can turn into resentments if they haven't been put on the table ahead of time and confirmed. Make sure that everything is clear and that no questions remain unanswered.