Relocating to another part of the planet is never an easy task, and it can feel incredibly daunting because of how many hoops you need to jump through.
Choosing what to pack, and working out how to get your possessions to a different country in one piece, is a major conundrum to solve.
To help you out, here are some tips on how to handle the packing and shipping process so that it doesn’t weigh on your mind, or empty your wallet.
Photo by RODNAE ProductionsThink about your needs
What you bring with you on an overseas move needs to be chosen pragmatically, and that means choosing according to your plans once you arrive.
If you’re only moving temporarily, perhaps for a few months or even a year or two, then it doesn’t make sense to cart everything you own along with you.
If, on the other hand, you’re intending to move permanently, or at least for the foreseeable future, shipping more possessions to your intended destination is wise. For example, if you’re planning to become a US resident by taking advantage of the opportunities on eb5visainvestments.com, you’ll clearly be in it for the long haul.
Knowing what to avoid shipping
There are a lot of benefits of palletization, but that doesn’t mean you should shove everything and the kitchen sink onto a pallet, load it onto a shipping container and send it overseas to greet you when you arrive.
There are some things that you shouldn’t ship in this way for practical reasons and others that are simply impossible to ship on a pallet due to regulations.
For example, it’s unwise to transport anything irreplaceable via this method. Keep important documents, valuable jewelry, and other meaningful items on your person, or send them via an insured, reputable courier service instead.
Then there are prohibited items, which can include everything from food and fauna to guns, alcohol, and aerosols.
Lastly, look into the compatibility of any electronics you’re thinking of packing. Some gadgets won’t work elsewhere in the world unless you’ve got a power adapter, or even a converter that can ensure the local electricity supply won’t do any damage to them.
Consider costs in your new location
A good way to decide whether an item is worth packing when moving overseas is to determine whether the cost of shipping it outweighs the cost of replacing it when you arrive.
If you’re moving to a part of the world with lower living costs, it could prove more frugal to buy furniture once you arrive, rather than lugging your existing dining set with you.
On the other hand, if your destination is going to be more expensive to live in than where you’re coming from, then shipping will often represent a cheaper route to take.
Should you decide to leave your possessions behind, your choice is either to store them or sell them. Selling up or giving away items that you won’t be taking with you on a permanent move overseas is better than paying for storage indefinitely, so you’ll need to be a bit brutal in the decisions you make at this point, unless your budget is very large.
Look into moving options
For large moves across international borders, packing items onto pallets is possible and perhaps desirable, as mentioned earlier.
You can then have these pallets transported via truck, and perhaps make use of shipping containers to transport your possessions long distances.
You can rent a full container, or share a container with others, depending on how much stuff you’re sending, and how much you’re willing to spend.
Working with a professional relocation company is a good idea, because this will give you access to the expert advice and guidance you need to get through one of the most challenging experiences of your life.
The bottom line
When packing for an overseas move, you need to listen to your heart more than your head, because being practical at this stage will make everything else easier as you get closer to the big day itself.
Planning thoroughly and starting early will let you sidestep potential pitfalls along the way, and reduce the stress involved in moving.