An international move can be a significant and emotionally demanding experience for individuals and their families. You must make challenging decisions such as selecting your service provider, packing goods, choosing insurance coverage, etc. The best advice we can give you is to be prepared. Wisely use one thing that is probably already in short supply—time. How you use your time during the weeks leading up to your move will influence how well-prepared you are for your relocation. Being prepared will save you time and money and help keep stressful situations to a minimum during the move. Here are some suggestions to help you start your preparations and make informed decisions concerning your moving and transportation needs.
Planning Tips
Even if a professional mover will take care of your move, it is best to prepare yourself by understanding everything a move involves beforehand and planning accordingly.
Schedule Your Move
If you can choose the time of year and the specific time during a given month for your move, we recommend moving outside the peak season. Summer is usually the busiest time of th moving industry in the Middle East and worldwide, as most families choose or need to relocate during school holidays. Additionally, the end of the month is often busier because house leases and other business practices typically conclude on the last day of the month.
Moving companies typically absorb the additional costs (around $100-$200) without you even knowing itw, with charges in the thousands, the costs must be passed on to the shipper—THAT’S YOU. Regardless of what we think is right and wrong, the liability lands solely with the consignee.
Select Your Professional Moving Company
If your move is being arranged by your employer who , who works with an approved provider, great! If not, you must find a reliable international moving company, and some research will be needed. We recommend approaching a few companies and comparing their servicesre selecting the international mover with whom you trust your entire worldly possessions.
How to Choose an International Moving Company
Our suggestion—get a is to least three separate estimates for your move. As a move management company, we can do this on your behalf. We know the right people. We will compare prices, services provided, and the mover’s availability. Although price is important, it is also important to consider the years of service, the services provided, and other people’s recommendations, if available. For instance, packing materials may vary, and some movers may offer specialised fine arts and antiques moving services. Choose the company that best fits your budget and service requirements.
Make sure you compare like with like! When you compare quotations between international movers, check what is and is not included to avoid any nasty additional charges later. Often, quotes that look inexpensive may cost you more in the end. Therefore, ask:
- Is the shipment method the same?
- Are your personal items being moved in their own container, or are they consolidated with others?
- Have terminal and port handling charges been included?
- Is packing/unpacking included?
- Have they accounted for accessibility?
- Is customs clearance included?
- What time frame is quoted?
- Are they a FIDI Accredited International Mover (FIDI FAIM)?
FIDI is the primary association for international movers providing quality services worldwide. To be a FIDI Accredited International Mover, the moving company must prove that they comply with strict quality requirements and be periodically assessed by an independent auditor. They must have protection measures and insurance in place to protect the customer.
- Who will be providing the service at the other end?
The person that visits you in your home and conducts the pre-move survey may be excellent, and the packing crew at origin may be wonderful. But ask them, who will be the international mover that delivers the services at the other end?
Get Recommendations
Personal ones… With so many moving and packing companies around and recommendations coming from friends, relatives, and paid partnerships, it’s hard to know whom to trust. Ask your friends, family members, and co-workers about international movers they have used in the past, and you will soon gather a list of trustworthy international movers. Check reviews about their credibility and, if you’re unsure, ask for testimonials from previous customers.
Additional Service Requirements
Consider the additional services you may require from your international mover. Do you need immigration assistance, currency transfer, a professional carton packing service, house cleaning, pet transport, car transport, or a full unpacking service upon delivery? Perhaps even a handyman service to hang pictures, re-assemble playground equipment, and so on.
Get Everything in Writing
It is unwise to proceed with any international mover without full terms and conditions and a detailed contract. Ensure that you obtain a no-obligation written quotation and check that all details are fully listed and all costs are clearly illustrated. Don’t risk unexpected charges or surprises on your moving day.
Packing Tips
People often worry about packing their household goods for export. But in principle, the professional mover will do most of the work for you. Here are some tips and recommendations to help you and the mover make a smooth move.
Do Not Pack Anything Yourself
If you can choose the time of year and the specific time during a given month for your move, we recommend moving outside the peak season. Summer is usually the busiest time of th moving industry in the Middle East and worldwide, as most families choose or need to relocate during school holidays. Additionally, the end of the month is often busier because house leases and other business practices typically conclude on the last day of the month.
Moving companies typically absorb the additional costs (around $100-$200) without you even knowing itw, with charges in the thousands, the costs must be passed on to the shipper—THAT’S YOU. Regardless of what we think is right and wrong, the liability lands solely with the consignee.
Decide in Advance Exactly What You Want to Take
And what you will leave behind. It’s a very therapeutic and cathartic experience offloading the years of accumulated memorabilia (we have many other words for it, but let’s just go with “stuff”). Given the high cost of shipping, think about this properly—Is your 16-year-old bed and mattress from the build-it-yourself company going to make the journey? What about the 60 cups? 1000 glasses? This will ease the packing process on the moving day itself. It’s lovely unwrapping all of those bits and pieces and leaving them stuffed back in the drawer from where they came, but let’s get serious—Anything that does not bring you “Absolute” joy should be offloaded, donated, or gifted. You’ll thank us later.
Customs Restrictions
Different countries have different regulations, so it is important to be aware of items you can or cannot ship to your new country. In general, we do not recommend moving items such as hazardous materials (paint, articles of explosive nature, etc.), perishables, flammables or corrosives, alcohol and food products, or weapons. Electrical appliances may not work in another country. We will provide you with the import regulations for the country you are moving to, clearly defining what’s allowed and what’s not. Complacency is not an option. We ensure your shipment is well within the guidelines to avoid it being pulled for inspection.
Be Present When Your Goods Are Being Packed
Packing services crews will arrive at the date and time agreed with you and go through your home with you so that you can indicate what needs to be packed and point out anything particularly fragile.
Do Not Move Goods into One Area
Leave everything in situ in your house (such as pictures on walls and glasses in cupboards), as it is easier for the packers this way.
Keep Your Personal Items That You Need for Your Journey
Keep your passports, tickets, flight bags, etc. separate from the goods that are being packed for shipment. You don’t want your personal items to be packed by accident!
Check Every Cupboard Before the Packers Leave
Make sure nothing is left behind. If you still wish to pack some personal items yourself, here is some further information and tips:
- Owner-packed goods cannot usually be insured for damage. Check with your mover to establish the terms of the insurance cover.
- Make a list of everything you pack into every carton.
- Do not pack goods that are prohibited or restricted in your destination country. If in doubt, check with your mover.
- Do not pack anything that is flammable or corrosive.
- Do not pack heavy boxes: they are challenging.
- Have trunk and suitcase keys with you and have them available at the destination for customs officials to inspect to handle and can be damaged more easily than lighter packages.
- Never use cartons that have previously carried foodstuffs.
- Keep trunk and suitcase keys with you and have them available at the destination for customs officials to inspect.
The cornerstone of a stress-minimised international relocation is thorough planning. Aim to schedule your move during off-peak times to evade the high demands and associated costs. Efficient use of the weeks leading to your departure, by comprehensively understanding the move’s intricacies and organising accordingly, can conserve both time and finances, and substantially alleviate stress. Engaging with a move management company like ours can further simplify this process, as we handle the acquisition of multiple estimates and ensure all your moving requirements are meticulously addressed.
Selecting the right international moving company necessitates obtaining a minimum of three distinct estimates for a well-rounded comparison of pricing, services offered, and schedule availability. It’s crucial to opt for companies renowned for their reliability, extensive experience, and a breadth of services that align with your specific needs, including specialised packing, customs handling, and unpacking. It’s advisable to verify if they hold a FIDI Accreditation, signifying adherence to the highest industry standards. Bear in mind, the least expensive quote may not always equate to the best overall value.
For an accurate assessment of moving quotes, it’s essential to compare on a like-for-like basis. This includes clarifying whether your belongings will be shipped in a dedicated container, the inclusion of terminal and port handling charges, and whether packing/unpacking services are covered. Assessing these elements meticulously will help avert unforeseen charges and guide you in choosing the moving service that best matches your budget and requirements.
Entrusting packing to the experts is crucial for ensuring your belongings are adequately protected and eligible for insurance coverage. Prioritise determining which items to transport or leave behind by reflecting on the shipping costs and the practicality of moving bulky or obsolete items. Stay informed about your destination’s customs regulations to avoid shipping prohibited or unnecessary goods. Should you decide to pack some personal items, maintain a comprehensive inventory and steer clear of packing restricted or hazardous materials.
Ensure your presence during the packing process to oversee the handling of your items and confirm nothing is overlooked. Avoid personally packing items that could invalidate your insurance protection. Conduct a final inspection of every storage area and room before the packing team departs to guarantee no belongings are left behind. Secure a detailed written quotation and contract from your mover, outlining all services and fees, to forestall any surprises on moving day.
