Overseas Packing Guide

Packing for an Overseas Move

The important decision of which items you choose to ship abroad, is made with the consideration of certain factors. The choice is easier if you have already purchased or rented residence overseas. If you know the approximate size of the rooms and have a floor plan made, you will be able to easily determine just how smartly your furniture and appliances will fit. Let the movers pack your boxes. In order to have your belongings covered by insurance, they must be packed by the moving company. They're the professionals; let them do the "dirty work".

Make certain that the delivery into your residences will not cause any insurmountable problems due to oversized furniture. You should consider hallway and stairway dimensions, elevators/lifts may sometimes be too small to be used to transport some items.

Customs can get confusing. And the requirements vary greatly from one country to another. There are some basic elements for you to keep in mind, but be sure to check with your mover for all restrictions. After all, a simple oversight could result in delays, fines, or even seizure of your entire shipment by foreign Customs authorities. To be safe, don't take any of the following (and if you have any doubts, just leave it behind, or talk to your moving representative):

Do Not Take:

    * Valuable and important papers: family records, birth certificates, marriage documents, financial information, etc.

    * Jewelry

    * Fire arms

    * Live plants or seeds

    * Open bottles containing liquids

    * Flammable cleaning solutions or other toxic liquid substances (make sure to drain the fuel from any power tools)

    * Alcohol (in hand luggage only)

    * Pressure spray cans

    *

      In most countries, your household goods and personal effects can often be entered duty-free. (Note: Some items may be subject to certain provisions.) It's important to remember that any duties or taxes levied against your shipment are in addition to the moving charges. If you do choose to pack some items on your own, get tips from our Packing and Unpacking section, but your boxes will not be covered by insurance, unless it can be proven that the moving company mishandled the boxes.