So you’ve decided which country you’d like to emigrate to, you have looked into job opportunities and the visa application process; but how do you go about moving your life overseas?
Well, obviously moving abroad isn’t quite the same as moving within the same country and can be a hugely daunting task if not thought through properly. International transport options for moving your household contents, excess baggage, vehicles and even pets are, whether by sea, road or air; slightly limited.
If you plan on moving to a new continent, then the bulk of your possessions will need to travel to your new home by container ship. Most migrants are pleasantly surprised to discover how quick the transit time actually takes to arrive at most far-flung destinations. Some arrivals can be as quick as 4 weeks with a maximum wait of 12 weeks. Should the transit time take between 8-12 weeks, it is strongly recommended that you take advantage of the airfreight or express service to ensure that anything urgent arrives at your destination as quickly as possible.
With all of this in mind, recruiting a professional, reliable and organised removals company, experienced at assisting with international relocations is a wise decision to make. If you are not on a relocation package that includes the services of a specific removal company, you’ll need to find your own; but how do you go about choosing the right one?
Start by researching as soon as possible because the process can take between 3-6 months. Once you begin gathering quotes, each company will most likely give you an estimate. To get a true, accurate quote, the company will look to book you a free household removal, excess baggage and car shipping quote to calculate precisely how much needs to be packed. If you’re receiving several quotes, be patient as there will be many factors to consider!
As a minimum you should select an international mover that has achieved the highest level of service within the industry by attaining FAIM ACCREDITATION which is the only independent Quality Assurance standard for the International Moving Industry.
You should also ask if the company is a Member of the FIDI Global alliance, British Association of Removers Overseas Group, and BAR OVERSEAS, which is covered by the I.M.M.I. Advance payment guarantee scheme for your financial protection.
If at all possible, ask friends and colleagues to recommend a company they may have used in the past or do your own rigorous research and contact two or three for an initial quote. Always make sure you judge each company on whether they can provide the services you need, which areas they cover nationally and internationally, scan for favorable reviews on and offline and research into whether they are reputable members of the various professional associations (such as BAR OVERSEAS and FIDI) or not.
The company will usually then send over a consultant to explain how it all works, discuss what’s most important to you, your overall volume of belongings, some estimated costs and answer any burning questions you might have.
Once you’ve spoken to all, review each company thoroughly and make sure you’re comparing price on a like-for-like basis. Did each offer similar or differing services, who seemed the most professional/knowledgeable and which offered the best value for money to get your home to your new destination in one piece?
Bear in mind that an international removal company should always offer insurance to cover against loss or damages during transit and most will offer deals as part of their quote for tailor-made transit cover or marine policy for example.
Seriously consider choosing a removal company that includes a packing service. It won’t break the bank and can save a huge amount of stress, time and energy. Furthermore, your chosen removal company will have all of the relevant contacts and partners in place to deal with the customs clearance for you and once everything has cleared, your goods will either be placed into temporary storage or delivered to your new home.
PSS International Removals are UK’s first choice for moving overseas and we have successfully helped thousands of customers move to many destinations throughout the world.
All PSS Staff have been professionally trained in export procedures and work entirely on overseas removals.
PSS specialises in:
• Full or Part Household shipments
• Motor Vehicle shipments
• Baggage Shipments
• Airfreight/Express Service
• Shipping Service from anywhere in the UK to Anywhere in the World
PSS also charges for part loads. This means you only pay for the space you fill.
We are able to offer you all of the services listed above including additional visa, employment, banking, currency, pension transfer, pet shipping, tax rebate, education, flight and property advice through our network of trusted partners.
So if you are thinking about moving to a new country and want to find out more about what you should expect, get in touch for a free survey and a chat with one of our experienced consultants who will be happy to help you.
Visit our website to find out more or contact us for a free quote now!
