Prohibited and Restricted Items When Moving Overseas
When you are preparing for an international move, you may feel like it will be an easy process. A company shows up, moves your things, and they end up at your new location ready to go, right? Unfortunately this is not always the case, because there are certain items that most moving companies will not move. You will want to know what these items are ahead of time, so you can be prepared and have a less stressful experience.
One thing you will want to be aware of right away is the duty you will have to pay on any items that you import into a new country. A duty is very similar to a tax, except that it is unique to imported items only. Most items have their own duty rates that will not be included on any regular charges your international moving company, like Allied International, has already laid out for you. Make sure you have obtained a receipt for any additional charges you have accrued, as many overseas moving companies can help settle any fees for you.
It is also important to keep in mind that there is a difference between items that are restricted and items that are prohibited. They are almost identical, but there is a small difference. Prohibited items cannot be taken with you under any circumstances, while Restricted items could technically be moved, but it would need to meet certain criteria, such as permits and other documentation that will make it ok to move into a new country.
How to Know What is Prohibited
You will want to make sure you are familiar with items that are prohibited, because it is better to be safe than sorry, especially if you are potentially breaking international laws. Here are a list of things that are prohibited in most international moves. Firearms, explosives, and narcotics are the first and probably most obvious things to worry about. Many places do not allow these items within their borders, or have different restrictions on them than the United States. The same goes for pornographic materials and any counterfeit items you may have. Customs checks for items like these regularly, and it will be a huge hassle for you if you try to bring them in. Some things you may not be aware of include, alcohol or agricultural items, including household plants. Also, any pressurized spray cans or toxic cleaning materials are prohibited. These are hazardous to ship, and if they burst or leak, there could be huge problems.
If you are unclear if an item you plan on moving is prohibited or not, you can always research online what the country you are going to has in the ways of laws against your items. A good place to start is the government’s website, or their customs agency’s website. You could also try to get in touch with an American embassy in the country you are moving to. You should be able to find the information you are looking for there, and they can help you with any documentation you may need.
