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Moving is always a major life change, and for good reason. You’re uprooting yourself to a new home and location, and that shift inherently comes with radical alterations to any lifestyle. This is especially true of children, for whom a move can have major social impacts. These impacts on the family can be even more extreme when moving internationally. You’ll have to gather your papers and prepare for a long trip over long distances to get everything together. 

The work for such a momentous move starts long before the truck arrives, and so every second counts when getting your family and things ready for this new phase in your lives. A little planning early on goes a long way toward saving you stress, delays, and extra costs later. Here are seven things to know before you start your international move, the better to get you ready to start your life in your new home on a positive note.

1. Start Planning Months Ahead

An international move takes far more time than a local one, and your preparations deserve a proportionate amount of time for them too. Shipping overseas can take weeks, and booking a mover, getting quotes, and setting dates all need lead time to accommodate all these times (which may also be across time zones, adding more complexity to your arrangements). As a rule, it’s prudent to start planning several months before your move date to ensure you have enough time for everything. A simple timeline that lists each task and when it needs to be done goes a long way toward breaking up work and ensuring you get tasks done gradually until the day itself. This arrangement also keeps you on track and prevents any last-minute rushing that can lead to mistakes or missed deadlines. Booking early also gives you more choice of dates and movers.

2. Get Your Documents in Order

Knowing how to pack for a long-distance move is an essential skill to have for a move like this, but there are other necessary skills as well, such as having your documents ready, organized, and on hand. Each country has its own entry rules, and you’ll naturally need to familiarize yourself with your entry country’s to smooth over your immigration. Check that your passport is valid well past your move date, and find out what visa or permit you need. You will also want copies of relevant documentation (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, school records, and medical records). Keep the originals in a folder, and take care to carry these papers with you (and not in your shipment). Scan everything and save a digital copy too, so you can reach your papers should anything happen to your hard copies.

3. Learn the Customs Rules

Customs rules decide what you can bring into a new country and what you may need to pay. Take note that some items, like certain foods, plants, and medicines, may be limited or banned and prepare accordingly. Rules vary from country to country, so check before you pack. Make a detailed list of what you are shipping; customs officers often ask for one and it pays to be prepared. Contacting an experienced international moving company in Calgary for help can explain the paperwork and help you avoid fines or delays at the border.

4. Sort and Downsize Before You Pack

Shipping costs often depend on the volume or weight of your goods, so the less you take with you the lower your bill. Go room by room and triage your items to decide what to keep, sell, donate, or throw away. Think about whether large furniture will suit your new home and its space, or if it’ll be economically viable to transport them such distances. Some appliances may also not work with the power supply in another country, so check if they’ll still be viable in your new home before you pack them. Letting go of items now also means easier settling in given there’ll be less to unpack on arrival.

5. Choose the Right Moving Company

The mover you pick plays a major role in how smoothly your move goes. Look for a company that specifically advertises overseas moving experience, clear pricing, and good reviews from past customers. As part of your vetting process, ask how they handle packing, shipping, customs papers, and delivery, and get written quotes from more than one company and compare them to find the one most suited to your needs. As a rule, a reliable mover will answer your questions plainly and give you a clear plan. 

6. Plan for Storage and Timing Gaps

Take note that your belongings may not arrive the same day you do, and that’s a consideration you’ll need to prepare for. Ships take time to arrive, therefore your new home may not be ready to settle into right away. Make plans for a backup place to stay and what you will need in the meantime. Pack a suitcase with essentials for this possibility: clothes, key papers, and daily items to last until your shipment arrives. If you are leaving from Ontario, many Oshawa movers do offer storage to hold items you’re not ready to ship right away.

7. Protect Your Belongings and Your Budget

Goods shipped overseas travel a long way and pass through many hands. Insurance is your guarantee that your goods will be protected on the long journey (or else you’ll be compensated for their loss to help you bounce back). Ask your mover about insurance and what it covers, so you know what happens if something is lost or damaged. Take photos of valuable items before you pack them to create a record of how they looked when you started. It also pays to ensure you have enough funds to survive the first few weeks in your new home. Set a budget that includes shipping, customs fees, travel, and your first few weeks abroad, and leave room for surprise costs to avoid being caught off guard.

An international move has many moving parts, but early planning makes each one easier to manage. Keep these steps in mind to prepare and make the moving process go all the more smoothly. With these steps in place, you can focus your attention instead on settling into your new home abroad.

Ready to Make Your Move Abroad?

Planning a move to another country? E&V Moving Solutions can help you pack, ship, and settle in with less stress. Our team handles international moves from start to finish across Canada, and you can trust us to apply the same quality work with your move. Call us today at 1-888-380-8025 (for Ontario) or (587) 470-2308 (for Alberta) to get your move started right.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Early Should You Book an International Mover?

As a rule, it’s best to book as early as you can, ideally several months before your move date. Early booking gives you more choice of dates and time to compare quotes, plan customs paperwork, and sort your belongings.

2. What Documents Do You Need for an International Move?

You will usually need a valid passport, a visa or permit for your new country, and copies of key records such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and medical records. Keep the originals on hand to ease immigration procedures.

3. Can You Ship Everything You Own Overseas?

Not always. Some items, like certain foods, plants, and medicines, may be limited or banned by customs. Check your destination country’s rules before packing so nothing gets held or refused at the border.

4. How Can You Lower the Cost of an International Move?

Shipping fewer items is the most straightforward step available. Sell, donate, or throw away what you no longer need before you pack. Comparing written quotes from several movers can also help you find fair pricing.

5. Should You Get Insurance for Your Shipment?

Yes, it is worth asking about. Goods shipped overseas travel a long way and pass through many hands. Insurance helps protect you if items are lost or damaged, so ask what each policy covers.