Packing for International Moving
Relocating overseas can be a very complicated, and you will need to prepare for it as much as you can. One such preparation is making sure that all of your belongings are packed properly and securely. The best way to do this is hire a moving company like Allied International to do it for you, but there are things that you can do to help make sure your items arrive to your new home quickly, and damage-free.
Every country is different when it comes to customs rules and regulations. You will want to familiarize yourself with the laws of the country that you are moving to, so you can avoid any undue stress caused from potential customs violations. Most countries will have certain forms that have to be filled out in order for certain items to be allowed into the country. You will need to fill out these forms in advance. Also, every country has a list of items that cannot be imported in for whatever reason. Obviously not every country has the same laws, so not everything can be imported from one into the other. Furthermore, a lot of countries will not accept any items that have not been packed professionally.
You will also want to have a complete inventory for everything that you are trying to clear through customs. This is both for you and the customs agent. You should include as many details as you can into the invoice, which should hasten the entire process. You also want insurance on your items in case of damage, destruction, or lost items. You never know what can happen mid-transit, and you will want to be compensated in case something does happen. Your inventory and insurance will go a long way toward making that happen. If you are importing items that are extremely valuable, pack them separately so you can recognize them immediately, and they will not be damaged from banging into other things in their container with them. If your valuables are small, keep them with you in your carryon luggage.
Things You Can Do When Packing Yourself
If you are packing things yourself, use appropriate materials when packing. Undamaged boxes and packing material will help keep your things safe more than anything else. Material such as bubble wrap, air bags, and packing paper will do a much better job than wrapping your belongings in a towel or t-shirt to keep it safe. This is especially true for fragile items that are made from glass, porcelain, or any other delicate material. You may even want to consider using a crate for things like artwork. Consult your international moving company for the most effective way to pack your things. Of course one way to cut down on your things getting broken, is to not bring as many things. Downsizing your items makes it so you will not have so much to pack, and will leave more room for packing materials within the boxes. This is especially true for international moves, which take a much longer time, over a much longer distance.
Chances are you will have two options when moving your belongings abroad, by air or by sea. Obviously air travel is much faster than a boat, but this is also a greater chance of your items being damaged. A plane moves a lot more and a boat, which can cause your items to move around as well. Things that will be necessary upon immediate arrival should be sent in a plane, but if you can live without something for a couple of weeks, consider moving those items by ship.
Contact Allied International for any packing concerns, or to utilize their packing services. As mentioned above, many countries will not accept items that are not professionally packed. Allied International can do that for you. When you use a professional company, you can be assured that your belongings will be packed in the safest manner possible, and will greatly increase your chances of all of your things going unharmed.
