10 tips for a stress-free international move

While you can’t eliminate the emotional ups and downs of relocating completely, you can make the process of moving your belongings far less stressful. With the right planning and a few expert tips, the practical side of your move doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

Here are 10 ways to keep the chaos in check and bring more calm to your international move.

1. Prepare as early as possible 

Moving professionals recommend preparing for an international move at least six months in advance. Why so early, you ask? Preparing this far ahead of time allows you to calmly complete logistical preparations, organise your belongings, and establish a concrete timeline for the moving process.

Starting early also guarantees you’ll have enough time to: 

• Find suitable accommodation
• Find employment
• Evaluate school districts
• Obtain visa documents 

Essentially, you’d like to provide yourself with as much breathing room as possible, and the earlier you begin, the more time you’ll have to focus on critical tasks.

2. Create a step-by-step list 

Preparation requires planning, and the best way to plan your international move is to create a list of tasks to be completed. Next to each task, specify a date by when it must be accomplished. We recommend listing your tasks in order of importance and urgency.

Here are a few examples of tasks you could add to your list: 

• Find a good moving company
• End your lease and/or sell your home along with furnishings and appliances that won’t be making the move with you
• Secure new accommodation
• Secure a school for your kids
• Cancel all subscription-based services (water, gas, internet, deliveries)
• Have your mail forwarded to your new address
• Ensure compliance with customs and administrative bodies
• Prepare pets for transportation
• Resolve banking and tax-related queries
• Secure your existing (or new) medical insurance coverage
• Ensure you are tax-registered in your destination country

3. Budget for your move 

Moving costs can quickly add up. For this reason, it’s best to establish how much your move will cost and create a strict budget. Getting quotes from moving companies, researching air ticket prices, import duties, school fees, and even transport to and from your destination is important. Moving costs are influenced by different factors, so here are some variables to consider:

• Time of year: This can affect air ticket prices and moving costs
• Volume of items: This can affect the cost of transportation
• Quality of service: Range and quality of service typically cost more

4. Compare moving quotes 

Professionals recommend getting quotations from at least three moving companies before deciding. This will allow you to compare the prices of specific services and select a company that not only suits your budget but also your specific needs during the moving process.

Here are some factors to consider: 

• Total cost of service
• Services included, and complimentary services
• Type of packages available
• Moving insurance policy coverage
• Logistics and moving certification
• Customer reviews and testimonials
• Packing and transportation materials
• Which areas the company serves 

5. Select a reliable moving company 

You want your personal belongings to stay in prime condition as they make their way to your new home overseas, so it’s best to choose the most experienced movers for the job. But how do you know if a moving company is reliable and trustworthy?

Checking online reviews, word of mouth, social media and overall customer satisfaction is the best way to gauge a company’s competency. Remember that, although low prices can be attractive, they could be a sign of a company desperately looking to attract new customers due to poor service on their part. Always do your due diligence.

6. Choose the right moving package 

Most moving companies have “packages” to choose from. These are essentially different combinations of services, designed to cater to different customers’ needs. Packages vary in price. Typically, the more services included, the greater the cost.

Focus on selecting the package that best suits your needs and avoid spending money on services that you don’t need. For example, if you simply need your furniture to be packed and transported to your destination, don’t select a package that includes storage and refrigeration.

7. Entrust professionals with fragile goods 

Heavy, fragile, outsized or awkward-to-carry items are more difficult to pack and transport. Trying to move these yourself, without the specialised equipment and packaging skills of a reliable moving crew, could damage the items and leave you needing medical care.

Movers wear specially designed protective gear that greatly reduces their risk of injury. They also know how best to pack your possessions to ensure maximum protection during transport.

8. Catalogue your belongings 

Creating an inventory list of your belongings is important. While packing, create a detailed list of your items and their value to ensure you have a clear overview of what you’re moving and where to find it. Once your belongings have arrived at your new home, use this checklist to confirm that everything has arrived safely.

9. Insure your belongings

Insuring your belongings gives you peace of mind throughout the moving process. In addition to the basic coverage offered by your moving company, we recommend taking out additional insurance to cover the replacement value of your belongings. This ensures blanket coverage for the move and specific coverage for the value of your most valuable items.

10. Familiarise yourself with customs procedures 

Depending on the rules of your country of origin and your destination country, there might be certain procedures to follow and declarations to be made before you’re allowed to travel. We recommend familiarising yourself with fees, procedures, declarations, weight limits, and duty-free classifications beforehand. A reliable mover will also be able to give you all the information you need to clear customs without a hitch.