Mistake #1: I tried to ship everything myself.
Mistake #2: I didn't research the movers I hired.
As you may already know, international moving is a daunting task. If your move is small, then you can easily ship your belongings by air. Otherwise, your shipment will be moved across the ocean via ship. If this is the case, then you'll want to
hire professional movers to help pack your items the correct way for an international move. Items tend to move around quite a bit during transit, so be sure your movers are trained and experienced with international moving to ensure the safety of your belongings.
Insure your shipment
Mistake #3: Who needs insurance?
If you are shipping valuable items -- perhaps anything worth more than $1000 -- you'll want to have them appraised and insured. This way, you'll have your items' true values documented for insurance purposes just in case something happens to them during shipping.
Do your research
Mistake #4: I didn't know I couldn't do that.
Read up on exactly what you
can ship and what you
can't ship overseas. Find out any rules or restrictions on inventory, and look up packing suggestions for specific valuables. Also, you'll want to do your research regarding your new country's regulations. Everybody wants to get off on the right foot in a new home, so you want to be well-informed to
ease the adjustment and avoid culture shock.
You should also
obtain the appropriate documentation for your international move to make sure everything passes through customs without a problem. Additionally, planning your move for contingent scenarios is important. For example, if your travel plans are delayed and your shipment arrives at its destination port before you get to your new country, you may be charged for storage of those items. For this reason, make sure your moving company is reliable and has your contact information to notify you of such circumstances.
Don't wait until the last minute
Mistake #5: I can plan my move in a week, right?
Waiting until the last minute to do anything is a bad idea. But with international moving, it's a
terrible idea. Be sure to plan everything in advance, (and as mentioned above) create contingency plans for all different scenarios. Take your time to find the right professional moving company for you. Take your time to get all the proper documentation for your move. Take your time to find the best home for your in your new country. And finally, take your time to
pack all of your items carefully and effectively.
Fail to plan, plan to fail
Now that you know the five biggest mistakes people make when moving internationally, you can make your international move look like a piece of cake. To find the best professional moving company for the job,
fill out a free moving quote form from Topmoving.ca!