Planning an International Move: Where Do You Start?
Moving overseas is not something that happens every day, so chances are you will have extra time to prepare and organize the move. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t worry or put effort into the process. In fact, because of customs restrictions and costs, moving abroad presents its own set of problems you will need to deal with as early as possible.
If you’re moving to work with an international branch of your company, ask whether they will foot the bill for the move. Even if they don’t plan on paying for everything, you might be able to arrange for partial coverage, such as them paying for a few boxes or bags of essential or offering a partial payment towards the moving fee.
The next step should be to contact the embassy of the country you’re moving to and get a list of restrictions. Are there quarantine laws for pets? If you’re bring Fido along, what paperwork will you need? Are there limits on the type of items you can bring along (anything from guns to electronics to a knife collection)? What are the import and duties fees for different items? You might found out that is cheaper to replace some things than it would be to take them along.
Finally, research your destination. Humid climates may ruin works of art or photos, so might want to consider leaving them behind. If you’re going to be living in a small space or a hotel, it makes sense to take only the basics and sell large furniture or items.
