Deciding you want to move internationally is a huge step, but if you’re set on changing your place of residence, you’re in for a great adventure. However, you’ll also have a lot of work to do, as organizing a relocation abroad requires a few moving essentials for the entire process to go smoothly and efficiently.
The most important moving out essentials that you can’t move abroad without include: writing a detailed checklist of the tasks that are ahead of you, gathering all the necessary documents for traveling, finding trustworthy international movers, gathering the necessary wrapping supplies (and organizing the packing process), cleaning the place before you leave, discarding things movers won’t move, and gathering the travel essentials that you’ll take with you on a relocation day.
Start the Relocation Preparations By Writing Down a Detailed Moving Essentials Checklist
We all want to have a comfortable and successful move that won’t stress us out too much and experience the benefits of relocating as soon as possible. Sadly, this often isn’t the case, as many people get too overwhelmed with relocation stress and lose track of everything that needs to be done before the big day. If you don’t want to be one of them and instead organize a pretty efficient move, we can help.
The key to a perfect relocation is keeping track of all the basic tasks. This might sound complex because you have a hundred things to do, but it actually isn’t. In fact, all you need to do is write a very long move-out essentials checklist that will serve as the ultimate to-do list. This way, you won’t leave behind any of the most commonly forgotten things when relocating.
Relocation Expenses Checklist Is One of the Essentials for Moving Out
Besides the to-do checklist, the best thing you can do for yourself is to write a relocation expenses list that will help you keep track of your relocation budget. Spending often turns out to be more than you thought it would – it’s not just buying packing supplies, trust us. Things are especially complicated when you’re relocating abroad instead of just inside the US, so if you don’t pay attention, you might start your life in an expat community with less money than you’d like. On the other hand, with your detailed list, things will turn out better than expected.
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Gathering All the Necessary Documents for a Move Is of Huge Importance
Of course, you can’t move out of state without plenty of documents needed to travel abroad. Gathering all the necessary paperwork can sometimes take even a few months, so we suggest you start the process on time. Naturally, the passport is the first document that comes to mind, so check if yours is still valid and for how long. It’s usually recommended that your passport is valid for at least six months. If you don’t plan on coming back, it’s still good to have a valid passport since some countries actually require that.
What Else Do You Need Besides a Passport? Here’s What Makes the List of Essential Paperwork
The visa always goes hand in hand with a passport. Whether you will require one depends on where you plan on relocating – it’s always best to check on the official website of the country you will move to, just like you would do when traveling for a vacation. There are a few types of visas, but you will most likely require a resident, student, or work visa, depending on your reason for relocating.
Another important thing to think about is a driver’s license – even though you will probably require an international driving permit, you should still bring your US driver’s license with you. Needless to say, you should get the international permit way ahead of the move. Here are other important documents to pack for your international relocation.
- Medical and dental insurance (check to see if yours will cover you overseas),
- Medical documentation,
- Birth certificate,
- Your ID,
- Documents from the vet and your pet’s passport,
- Immunization records,
- Plane tickets.
It’s Always a Good Idea to Have Copies of Your Documentation
When carrying a load of such important paperwork, the last thing you want to happen is lose something. That’s why preparing copies of these documents can be a lifesaving thing. We suggest you pack one set of copies in your suitcase and the other in your carry-on with the originals. Some people find it smart to leave another set of copies with a trusted friend or a family member, so you should consider that as well.
What Do People Need When They Are Moving Internationally? Reliable International Movers, Of Course
We’re sure you’ll have a great time after relocating to another country, but before you get to explore your new city, you will have to ensure your items arrive there safely. The only safe way to ship belongings overseas is by booking reliable movers for international moving services. When your belongings have to travel such a long distance, there simply isn’t another solution besides letting professionals handle things. Packing services are also a great idea, especially for those who don’t know how to pack fragile items or furniture. The same goes for people who are about to move out for the first time.
You Need to Know That Every Good International Moving Company Will Always Be Booked Months in Advance
While looking for movers, you must pay attention to their reviews and credibility – there are a lot of relocation scams out there. Luckily, there are also many great companies, but you have to be quick if you want the top-rated company in the business. That’s why it is important to choose a relocation company a few months in advance. No decent business will be available on short notice (in most cases, there are always exceptions), especially if you are relocating in summer (the peak of the relocation season).
Storage Unit Is Something You’ll Most Likely Need When Relocating Overseas – You Won’t Be Able to Bring Everything With You
While you’re in the search for relocation services, don’t forget about storage services. They are quite useful when relocating abroad – you might not be able to bring everything you own to a new country. That’s why you will need a storage unit where you can store boxes for an extended amount of time. Most relocation companies offer storage services, so if you find a decent one, you won’t have any trouble with getting your unit.
You Need a Lot of Supplies to Pack Everything That You’ll Take to a New Apartment
So, we finally arrive at the core of the relocation process – or what most people think is the only thing you’ll have to handle before the big day – wrapping all the items you will bring to your new home. Keep in mind that you’re relocating across the world – it’s not like you can bring only move-in essentials with you, don’t you agree?
Although everyone has a variety of different belongings, you’ll usually be using the same common packaging supplies most of the time. If you’re not sure what to buy, start by getting some boxes, paper, bubble wrap, blankets, and tape.
Organizing Packing By Rooms Is the Key to a Successful Process – Kitchen and Bathroom Should Be Left for Last
The most common relocation mistake that you might make at the beginning of the wrapping process is just deciding to throw stuff into boxes without much thought. This can never end well – you need to have some order. It’s often best to just divide the work and pack stuff by room and label the packages with their corresponding room. You will see that this little relocation hack helps a lot when you start unpacking after the move.
There’s no right or wrong way to do this – the only rule you have to follow is leaving the bathroom and the kitchen for last. It’s logical – you can hardly go days or weeks without these rooms in a home, so they are best to be packed at the last minute.
Cleaning the Home Before You Leave It Is Also Quite Essential
Whether you are leaving a rental home or you are selling a property, the place has to be clean for the new residents that will come soon. That’s why a deep clean is in order. You probably already have most of the supplies you will require for this, so that shouldn’t be an issue. Keep in mind that a very thorough cleaning can take time and that you should probably do it after the going-away party.
If you’re not so happy about this task, you can always contact the professionals to take care of it for you. Also, don’t forget that you will also have to do a detailed move-in cleaning once you move to another country. Check out this video to see what this process includes – it will be of huge help once your move is over and you find yourself in your fancy place abroad.
Don’t Forget to Get Rid of Cleaning Supplies After You Finish – You Can’t Ship These Items When Using International Moving Services
One thing a lot of people forget is that you can’t ship the supplies you use to clean the house. These chemicals have no place in your packages for international shipping, as they are considered one of the items movers won’t move. So, once you clean everything, discard the chemicals – you can always give them to someone else so they don’t end up being a waste.
Deal With All the Other Belongings Your International Mover Can’t Ship to the New Country
Speaking of things you can’t bring with you, the list of things that movers aren’t allowed to ship is a bit lengthy. This isn’t without reason – these things would present a safety hazard, and that’s why companies don’t ship them. So what should you not bring when moving? Let’s take a look at what you will have to dispose of before the move – or carry with you when you travel to another country.
- Money and jewelry,
- Legal or medical documentation,
- Family heirlooms,
- Food and alcohol,
- Plants,
- Weapons and ammunition,
- Flammable materials,
- Hazardous materials,
- Chemicals,
- Propane tanks,
- Gasoline.
Make Sure You Have a Bag With Essential Items for Your Relocation Day – It Will Be a Long One
Since you are about to move quite a long way from your current city or town to live abroad, the relocation will last a while. This means you will require some things to get through this travel experience. So, what goes in an essentials box when moving – or a bag?
A toilet kit, documents, money, and valuables have the central place in this package – since you will travel by plane, there’s not much you can carry on you. However, it’s wise to bring one suitcase with the necessary things you will use until you finally unpack, so remember to set aside some clothes and hygiene products.
Moving Overseas Might Sound Challenging, But It Is a Simple Process If You Have the Right International Movers By Your Side
The relocation process shouldn’t feel like a confusing and scary thing now that you are aware of the essential tasks that await before you step onto the foreign land and become a resident of a new country. You have to take it step by step, and the results will be there sooner than you think.
Still, we must note once more that the key thing is finding a reliable relocation company that deals with international shipping. If you have skilled professionals by your side, there’s not much that can go wrong – your move will be over before you know it. Don’t waste your time – contact trustworthy international movers and make your relocation simple.