Let the Adventure Begin! A Week-by-Week Guide to Moving Abroad
27 Weeks Until Overseas Move: International Moving Tips - Bringing Less "Stuff" & Choosing the Right Moving Company
Bringing Less "Stuff" Abroad
We live in an age where we are attached to our "stuff", so when we find ourselves in a situation where we have to figure out how to get our stuff from one country to another, it's often a process fraught with anxiety and expense. Therefore, the more planning and preparation involved, the more smoothly the international move will go.
Before choosing an international moving company, do everything possible to minimize the amount of items you will move. Now is a good time to have that garage sale. These days, unless you are heading for a remote area, it might be cheaper to sell or store many of your items and buy replacements in your new country, rather than pay to have them shipped there. Keep in mind that it is usually not worth bringing your appliances due to different voltages and plugs in various countries.
To find a moving company, get referrals from other people that moved overseas. The company you or your spouse will be working for has likely moved other expats. Request past transferees' contact information to ask about their moving experience with the company. Or, ask the moving company directly for references. Of course, it would be a great idea to put a post on ExpatExchange asking for help from Expat members.
Figuring out whether a moving company is reputable is a little bit more tricky when the company may be based outside of your home country. Ask if they belong to any trade organizations in their country of origin or find out if their local branch makes them subject to regulations imposed by your home country. Verifying how long a company has been in business can help rule out that they are a "fly by night" operation.
Get estimates from several companies. Although it will be a time saver to get an initial estimate over the phone or online, when you narrow the list down to a few finalists, it is critical that you have the companies come over for an in-person estimate. It is important to remember that the lowest price is not the most important factor here. More weight should be given to the reliability of the company and the guarantee of delivery time for your goods. If possible get a binding quote instead of a non-binding quote to head off surprises once you have arrived in your new home. Maximize the amount you spend on insurance. In our next issue, we will go into more detail about Moving Insurance.
Keep in mind that many international moving companies give estimates based in cubic meters, which may not be the kind of measurement you are used to dealing with. If you are being reimbursed by your new job for some of the moving expense, be sure to find out from the company, what they want on the receipt to ensure you are fully reimbursed.
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Kendra Redman is a well traveled writer with a B.S. in
Journalism and a Master's in Writing. She has lived in
six countries and draws on her experience to write
about her adventures and misadventures. One of her
greatest travel accomplishments was once returning
from a trip with two end tables and two lamps as her
"carry on luggage."
This is an excerpt of our free e-newsletter, Let the Adventure Begin!. For full access, please subscribe to the e-version of Let the Adventure Begin! (free). You'll receive (free) weekly e-newsletters starting 8 months before your approximate move date and running through your first four months abroad.
