Moving Abroad
Moving to a Foreign Country: Last Steps
iStockphotoInventory lists are useful when choosing what to bring or leave.
What to Bring – What to Leave
Inventory lists are very important when taking up the task of moving to a foreign country. It is always a good idea to go through all your possessions and ask yourself, will I really need my yellow flip flops in Anchorage? Once you have reduced the “what to bring” list, it is time to actually start packing, selling and throwing things out before moving to a foreign country.
You should also revise your inventory list for the moving company, or rent storage space and start moving some possessions there. While you are packing everything you own into boxes that you will be moving to a foreign country, you should ask yourself what to do with your pets, car, and electrical appliances.
Pets, Cars and Appliances
By now, you should have decided if you want your pets to be moving to a foreign country with you. If taking them along is too complicated or stressful for your pets, you should find a new, loving home for them. If your pets are going to be moving to a foreign country with you, please contact your airline and make sure there is a safe and humane way to transport them.
Concerning the import of your vehicle, it would be wise to contact the embassy of your destination country. Many countries have import restrictions concerning the import of foreign vehicles, or import duties may be ludicrously high. In most cases, it is a lot easier and cheaper to just buy a car in your host country. Take a look at our Driving in section to find out more specific information on various countries and their restrictions for moving to a foreign country with your car.
It may not always make sense to be moving to a foreign country with your electrical appliances, as they may not work overseas. For other smaller appliances, such as your computer, you should buy a power converter and adapter before moving to a foreign country.
International Moving Companies
Unless you are moving to a foreign country with one single suitcase, in which case you are lucky, you will need to hire an international moving company to ship your belongings abroad.
Before choosing your moving service provider, research movers and check out some reviews of moving companies. Some moving companies help complete your inventory list, and give advice on how to wrap and pack your things properly. After all, you want your possessions to be in one piece when you get them back! Ask the moving company for an estimate and for the exact shipping procedure before you hire them when planning on moving to a foreign country.
Canceling Subscriptions and Forwarding Mail
These are the last few details, the last kinks so to speak, that you should straighten out before moving to a foreign country. If you have any subscriptions or regular deliveries, you should notify all these providers that you are moving to a foreign country.
To make sure the mailbox at your old place won’t overflow with your personal mail, contact your post office and request them to forward your mail to the new address you are moving to in a foreign country.
In addition to the checklist above for preparations for moving to a foreign country, you could draft your own too. After all, every situation is different, and maybe you have a thing or two to figure out which did not make it on our list for moving to a foreign country. We are sure however, that our checklist will help you manage the process of moving to another country more smoothly.
Still stressed out about moving to a foreign country? Then read our guide to coping with the emotional aspects of your expat assignment!
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