Moving to Another Country? Take These Steps First
Whether retirement, a new job opportunity, or sheer wanderlust fuels your decision to move to another country, restrain the impulse to move too rashly or quickly. International relocation is a major project, and as such it requires some advance preparation and forethought. Here are some steps you should take in your old home before stepping into your new one.
Select Your International Relocation Company with Care
Unless your employer has already made arrangements with an international relocation company on your behalf, you may need to select the moving service yourself. Many moving companies have relationships with destination agencies in various countries that can handle the receiving end of an international relocation. If you want to make sure your transition to your new home is as seamless as possible, look for a company that will connect you with a destination service. This service can help you get settled in the community, locate a good school for your kids, obtain work permits, and adapt to your adopted culture.
But a connection with a destination service isn't the only qualification your international relocation company needs to have. Take your time and shop around for the company that wins your confidence while falling within your budget range. Do your due diligence by asking about pricing and bid methods, shipping systems, insurance options, international move experience, and verifiable testimonials from satisfied customers. You should also narrow your list of prospects to FIDI Accredited International Movers. These companies adhere to the quality and accountability standards of the International Federation of International Movers, a Brussels-based international moving organization. Contact companies like Hollander Storage & Moving to get started with your search.
Understand Your Shipping and Insurance Options
Many of the items you need to send to your destination country can be sent by air. You'll find that the major shipping providers use their regular shipping rates up to a certain weight limit, beyond which they charge a freight rate. Shipping by sea is another option if you're actually going overseas, although this method obviously takes more time than air shipment. Ultimately, the location and urgency of your move will determine which shipment option you select.
No matter how you move your possessions, you'll need to insure that move first. International moving insurance is also referred to as marine cargo insurance, but it applies to air and land transportation as well as overseas shipment. There are a few different insurance options to choose from. Total loss insurance, for instance, only covers you in the event of catastrophic and complete loss due to disaster. "All risk" coverage includes your cargo's full replacement value, either in a lump sum or item by item. But the itemized option will pay based on your cargo's value in your destination country, not its US value, so make sure you factor exchange rates into your decision.
Get Passports and Vaccinations out of the Way
You may have done a terrific job of getting your possessions ready for shipping, but those items will make the move without you if you haven't made the necessary preparations to move your loved ones and yourself personally. For instance, you may already be planning to obtain a valid passport for your international move, but this task isn't something you can complete in a matter of minutes. Under normal circumstances you may wait six weeks to receive your passport from the US Department of State. Expedited service, which will cost you an extra $60, shaves that waiting time down to three weeks. If you apply for expedited service in person at your local passport agency, you might be able to receive in passport within eight business days. However you go about it, you'll need to plan ahead.
Vaccinations are another important pre-travel consideration that can protect your family members' health or even save their lives. You can get a good idea of which vaccinations you need to schedule by consulting the World Health Organization's online database of recommended shots for different countries. The time to proceed with these necessities is before you're exposed to exotic microorganisms, not after. Don't forget about your pets, since many countries will require documented proof that they're immunized against deadly infectious diseases such as rabies.
Making the right choices and following sensible procedures well in advance of your international move will help you get the most out of your new life once you've arrived. Have the necessary conversations with your medical advisers, passport agency, insurance provider, and international relocation company, starting today!
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