Planning to Move Internationally? Try These 6 Innovative Ways for Stress-Free Experience

Moving is never a stress-free experience, regardless of the excitement you might feel, but moving to another nation brings up an entirely new set of challenges designed to test your metal thoroughly! Not only do you have to contend with the usual moving complications that accompany any move, but you will also need to deal with the numerous legalities and taxation issues that can turn an otherwise exciting experience into one rife with anxiety and anguish. Nonetheless, with the right mindset and, of course, proper preparation, you can transform your concerns into something a little more seamless and a little less stressful.

Utilize The Services Of A Professional Moving Company

Perhaps the most critical aspect of a move, international or otherwise, is procuring the right moving company for the job. Most first-time movers dismiss this initial step, instead opting to focus on other tasks they believe to be more vital. However, those who fall into this trap are typically faced with issues regarding timing and schedules if they leave things too late, which can lead to other knock-on effects that can really ruin your week/ month/ year depending on how tight your deadline is. Additionally, when you put effort into searching for not only a reputable but also an innovative company, you’ll find things go far more smoothly than you could ever imagine. For instance, Seven Seas Worldwide, which has been in the moving industry for over 25 years, utilize their property shipping containers that they dub the “MoveCube.” The primary difference between these containers and conventional shipping containers is that you get your own dedicated container that you can fill up with only your belongings, ensuring safe passage and that there is no mixup, as could be the case with shared containers. Nonetheless, aside from the innovation side of things, you must pay attention to a few factors that will enable you to discover the right movers for your specific circumstances, including:

• Their service selection: Only comprehensive service providers will be able to meet your requirements for a worry-free experience. This might include door-to-door service, creating an inventory list of your belongings, packing, and more. You will have a much more positive moving experience overall if you are given the option to tailor your relocation to your specific financial and time constraints.
• Insurance: We will cover insurance later, but any moving company you choose should have insurance that covers you up to a certain amount. This will put your mind at ease and show how seriously they take customer satisfaction. Bear in mind that you may have to pay extra if you want to gain full access to the most comprehensive coverage, yet they ought to offer a minimum coverage as part of their fee.
• Reputation and history in the business: Reputation and expertise are everything in the moving game. Those who don’t cut the mustard often find themselves losing out to rivals who take it seriously. Nevertheless, even though the bad apples don’t last long, they still exist, meaning you need to exercise caution when searching for the best options. You can use the web to search for reviews of previous customers to get an overall feeling of the situation.
• Experience dealing with customs: Dealing with other countries’ customer authorities isn’t something you need to contend with when moving domestically, but it certainly is essential when moving abroad. The moving company you choose should have extensive experience dealing with customers, including paperwork and taxes et al.

Stay Organized And Document Every Aspect Of Your Move

Any significant action you take in your life should be planned to a certain degree. This will allow you to see the bigger picture and get a handle on what you need to do and which direction you need to take in order to fulfill your tasks as promptly and efficiently as possible. Start by creating a checklist of everything you need to do before, during, and after the move. This should include securing visas and passports, arranging for shipping or storing your belongings, and canceling or transferring utilities and services. As you complete each task, mark it off your list and keep any relevant documents or receipts in a file or folder. This will help you keep track of what you’ve done and what still needs to be done. Through each step of the way, you should communicate with your moving company so you can relay any issues you might face or whether they can proffer suggestions or assistance.

Engage In Comprehensive Research And Planning

This will arguably be the most considerable endeavor in your life, and if you want to avoid abject failure, planning isn’t a luxury you can choose to engage in but a necessity. As the old saying goes: “proper planning prevents poor p[erfoimce,” While this is primarily aimed at the corporate world, it rings true for all aspects of life, especially when moving! However, where this might differ from other forms of moving preparation is that you will incorporate the elements of your new nation, such as the culture, language, customs, and laws. This will help you understand what to expect and how to navigate your new surroundings. If you must relocate because of your job, you will still need to participate in the preparations, even if your employer handles the paperwork. By doing so, you will gain a deeper understanding of your new country and the hurdles you might face when transporting your belongings. 

Insure, Insure, Insure!

Asa mentioned briefly earlier in the post; your movers should offer basic insurance to cover you up to a certain extent. However, if you want to take the belt and braces approach (which you probably do), it might be prudent to take out additional insurance with a greater level of coverage. When choosing an insurance provider, make sure to do your research and compare policies to find the best fit for your needs. Some policies may cover only basic losses, while others may include additional coverage for specific items or situations. It’s also important to read the fine print and understand any exclusions or limitations of the policy. While insurance may add an additional cost to your moving expenses, it’s a small price to pay for the security it provides. By taking the time to invest in comprehensive insurance, you can ensure a stress-free and worry-free international move. When it comes to shipping insurance, there are usually several possibilities from which to select:

1. All risk: This covers all your goods during transit but often includes the all-encompassing caveat: “within reason.”
2. Named perils: This insurance will pay out for loss or damage only for the items you list on the documentation. This can be a great way to reduce slightly the cost as you don’t have to name everything, only the things that matter most to you.
3. Toitoal loss only: For this to kick in, the cargo ship must be totally destroyed. It’s cheaper than other options, but you won’t get a dime if only your container is lost or destroyed.
4. Single coverage: this covers the journey of one ship. This is fine if you know it will only travel between two ports.
5. Open coverage: This is best if your shipment must dock at multiple ports before your host nation.
6. General average coverage: If anything else goes missing or is destroyed on the ship, including your own belongings, you are protected.

Warehouse-to-warehouse coverage: This is perhaps the creme de la creme and covers you for everything from when your belongings are picked up to when they are delivered to your door. You will pay a heft premium for this, but it could be worth it if you can afford to do so.

Make Use Of Tracking Technology To Keep Tabs On Your Belongings

If you are the type of person who craves to know everything, then you should make extensive use of specialist tracking technology. Most international movers will keep you updated with their own tracking software, but this can sometimes be delayed and prone to issues when dealing with large amounts of traffic. Various tracking devices and apps can help you keep tabs on your belongings during the move. You can attach tracking devices to your boxes, furniture, and other items, allowing you to monitor their location and movement in real-time. By doing so, you can rest easy knowing that your belongings will remain undamaged throughout the duration of the move.

Ensure You Set Up A Borderless Bank Account So That You Can Start Making Payments Immediately

This final point isn’t related to the actual procedure of moving per se, but it will make your life a little more straightforward. Most nations offer some form of borderless bank account that you can top up with your native currency, convert it to the currency of whatever country you’re moving to, then withdraw it when you arrive. This can often bridge the gap between arriving somewhere and setting up a bank account.

International moves can be fraught with problems if you are ill-prepared and unable to plan correctly. However, with some planning and the help of reliable movers, the process can go more smoothly than you might imagine.