If you have an international move coming up on the calendar, you may already be daydreaming about the exciting adventure that awaits you abroad! But before you can relax on the warm Bahama beaches or frequent a Parisian cafe, you need to get yourself and your belongings to your new home, which can be easier said than done during overseas relocations!
Solomon & Sons Relocation Services is a trusted moving and storage company that's been offering seamless international moving services since 2014. We know how much goes into a successful out-of-country move, and are here to share our top tips with those that want to keep their international relocation as simple and affordable as possible.
Begin Planning Early
First and foremost, begin planning your international move as early as you can, ideally 6—12 months ahead of time. With so many extra steps involved in an overseas relocation, including visa processing, research and complex paperwork, you'll be grateful you set aside as much time as possible to coordinate your move to a new country!
Planning your relocation early also gives you more flexibility with moving companies, who will have more availability if contacted months in advance. We suggest collecting quotes from at least three different movers to make sure you're getting the best rate!
Deep De-Cluttering
One of the main factors affecting your international relocation estimate will be the weight and volume of your belongings. To keep your move budget-friendly, consider downsizing more aggressively than normal, getting rid of anything that doesn't need to make the journey with you. If you're moving to the Caribbean, for example, you may want to part with a large quantity of your winter clothing, skis or snowboards, or the snowplow in the garage.
There are many things to do with the items that won't be joining you on your long-distance move, such as:
- Create a "Free" Box at the End of Your Driveway
- Bring Belongings to a Secondhand Store
- Sell Unwanted Items Online
- Host a Garage Sale
- Re-gift Belongings to Friends and Family
Find Cheap Shipping
Unlike local moves where your belongings are transported via moving trucks, international relocations typically require customers to make use of other shipping methods, which can incur varying costs depending on what you choose. Most of the time, those moving abroad will have the following shipping options to choose from:
- Air Freight: If you elect to have your items shipped via air, you'll get to look forward to a fast delivery window, but will most likely pay higher rates.
- Sea Freight: When folks opt for sea freight, they may have to wait longer amounts of time for their belongings to arrive, but will be given significantly lower price estimates.
Pack Your Own Items
Many moving companies offer full-service options, where they take the lead on all tasks related to packing, loading transporting and beyond. While this does eliminate much of the stress and hassle experienced by the person moving, it does incur extra charges. Our final tip for keeping your international move affordable is to pack your own items and source as many of your own packing materials as possible to cut out extra charges or higher quotes.
From multilingual services to full-service packing to customs and border clearance, Solomon & Sons helps our customers every step of the way during their international relocations. We can reassemble furniture pieces, offer same-day debris removal, and take care of all transportation costs for the most comprehensive moving service imaginable. Contact Solomon & Sons today for a free estimate on our international moving services and to hear more!
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