How do I move my personal items to a new country? Moving overseas can come with a number of unique challenges and tasks which can seem daunting. L & J Home Ltd can help limit those stresses for you. Here, we discuss the most effective and efficient ways to move your belongings abroad along with some important considerations you may need to think about. We also take care of all customs clearance documents, translations and insurance are completed and submitted. Moving overseas by sea The common and most cost efficient way to transport your household items to a new country is through shipping them by sea. This can either be in a container or in a vehicle with your removal team. Moving using a container When choosing to move using a shipping container, you’ll find you have a couple of options. A Full Container Load and a Less than Container Load. The option you choose often comes down to the items and amount you’re looking to move. With a Full Container only your belongings will be shipped whereas, with a Less than a Container Load it is highly likely that you would be sharing a container with another person's possessions as well. To move using a container, we can either arrange for the container to be delivered to your home to load straight in. a lorry will then collect the container and transport it to port. Alternatively, if a container isn’t able to be delivered due to your location then your items can be collected in a van and later loaded into the container and taken to port. Moving using a vehicle and removal team Many of our clients prefer to choose this option. Moving overseas by air This is a less common way to transport your belongings to a new country due to the costs involved compared to sea freight. In addition to cost, there are usually limitations on weight as well. Many companies often say that the convenience of air friends is worth the higher removal costs and space limitations as it’s considerably faster compared to sea. 4 things to consider when moving abroad 1 - Are you shipping your car? First of all, insure you are allowed to drive and register your car in the new country. Different countries have their own licensing guidelines and requirements. 2 - Are you moving your pets? Don’t forget to plan for your pets! Moving your pets often comes with their own challenges. Firstly, make sure that you research the country’s pet import laws. Your pet is likely to need additional vaccinations prior to travel. Once you’ve met all the requirements you’ll need to consider how you’ll be transporting your pet. May ferries and airlines have different requirements that you can consider. 3 - Will you need storage before sending your items or when they arrive in the new country? Sometimes, you may wish to hold your belongings in storage before moving abroad, this often happens if your house has sold and your move is taking place at a later date. Storage may also be preferred if you’re looking to travel to your destination and rent a property until your new property is ready. There are often plenty of secure storage options you can opt for. L & J Home Ltd, will always try to find a few different options for you. These can be units where you can gain access if you wish until you’re ready for all of the items to your new home. 4 - Is it worth replacing your current furniture with new? When looking to move your furniture, you can think about how long you’re planning on keeping the furniture for. You may want to consider purchasing new beds or sofas for example in the country you’re moving to if you’re not planning to keep your existing furniture long term. Are you planning on moving soon? International removals can seem daunting, however, they don’t need to be. Here at L & J Home Ltd, we can help you from day one of your enquiry through to arriving and delivering your belongings at your new home. Feel free to call us on 01752 946732 for further information.