Picture this: your move abroad has been finalised and now you are in the process of packing your ship bags and sending your belongings to your new country of residence. Bliss!
If finally saying goodbye to your final bag as you go to catch your flight seems a long way off, you’re not alone! Packing up your home and moving to another country, although exciting, can also be extremely stressful if you don’t know what you’re doing. Luckily, we’ve done all the hard work for you.
If you’d like to know how to pack up your things like a pro, read on for our top tips, hints and tricks.
Declutter your home
International shipping can get expensive if you’re shipping everything you have ever owned abroad. As such, it’s a good idea to declutter your home before you move to save some money.
Start by asking yourself if you need the item or whether you use it on a regular basis. If not, then you might want to consider donating your unwanted items to charity shops. You could even sell a few items on marketplaces such as eBay to help you cope with increased living costs!
It’s also important to be aware of any customs policies that could land you in hot water. For example, you’ll want to ensure that none of your possessions are banned, restricted or heavily taxed. If they are, it might be worth leaving them behind.
Hire a shipping company
If you’re overwhelmed by the process of moving abroad, hiring a shipping company is a great way to ease some of the pre-move nerves. A reputable shipping company will be able to handle everything, giving you peace of mind that all your belongings will arrive safely. This is especially useful if the journey uses various types of transport.
Get insurance for high-value items
As well as getting the help from a shipping company, it’s a good idea to get insurance for high-value items. Whether your items get bumped and broken in transit or fall into the ocean at sea, it’s important to have insurance in place so these items can be replaced.
Furthermore, although it’s unlikely, if customs locate something illegal in cargo that’s sharing your container, the whole container (including your legal belongings!) will be taken as part of an investigation. Just another reason why insurance is essential!
Final thoughts…
Although moving to another country can seem like a never-ending process, the good news is that moving to your dream home abroad is easier than you’d think. By simply decluttering your home, taking out insurance, checking customs policy and enlisting the help of a shipping company, your move is all but guaranteed to be smooth sailing!
