What to Avoid When Moving Internationally

One of the biggest mistakes when it comes to relocating overseas is underestimating the size of the task at hand. As modern technology has made the world smaller than ever, people seem to forget the stress and hardship involved when moving overseas. Even Australia is around a day's flight from the United States so it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking things will be relatively uncomplicated. However, you have to remember that your possessions will be transported by sea which will take far longer than you would imagine. International moves are much more difficult than moving domestically and here are a few mistakes made by people who move abroad.

Failure to Hire Professionals with Experience

The majority of goods being transported abroad are done via the ocean. This means your possessions will be placed in a metal container which will be loaded onto a ship. Items in these containers will be shifted while being transported from land to the ship and during the voyage itself. Removing and storing goods in this manner requires the steady hand of professionals. They will know how to smoothly get your possessions on board a ship and most importantly, they will have the experience to ensure that all goods are correctly packed to avoid damage during the sea journey. Well-packed items stand less chance of being damaged. Ask international moving companies how many moves they handle a year. If it's only a handful, look for an organization that is involved in dozens if not hundreds of moves per year.

Lack of Communication

As you know, communication is a two-way street. No matter how good an international moving company's customer service is, they can only help you if you're actually contactable. Whether it's your mobile phone or a landline, always have a phone line open when you're moving internationally so that the moving company can get in contact with you if there are any issues. For example, you may have transported goods that are not allowed in your new country. You're also recommended to have an email account that is easily accessible.

Overestimating Available Time

You should always aim to have a day left over between the last day of the move and your flight out of the country. Leaving mere hours between these events is just asking for trouble. Problems can manifest themselves in the form of inclement weather, traffic and mistakes by the moving company. If you only leave hours between moving and leaving, the entire process could quickly fall apart. Ask your moving company for a delivery schedule and make plans based on that. Remember that this will be an approximate time rather than an exact one. Bring essential items with you rather than allowing them to be shipped over because shipments can take weeks if not longer. The bottom line is: Never leave things to the last minute.

Although moving internationally could be the change that transforms your life for the better, you must plan everything with military precision. Even when you use the services of a high quality international moving company, the onus is still on you to ensure the move goes smoothly.

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