It might seem that making tough choices is the name of the game when deciding what to take with you when you emigrate to a new country but there are plenty of options.

One of the first questions to be asked is about the length of time you’ll be abroad. If it’s a short-term job offer or university course and you hope to come back the simplest option may be to place everything in storage close to home. Shipping large goods backwards and forwards can be expensive so you might just need to take essentials such as family favourites. These can be shipped with PSS International Removals Excess Baggage service which allows you to pack smaller and more unusual items at a fraction of the cost of hiring an entire crate. Go to https://www.pssremovals.com/excess-baggage for more information. Students are currently being offered a 10% discount (code – students2015).

If you’re intending to stay for a while and want a home-from-home to come with you the next step is to find out where you’re going to be living. If your employers have rented you a furnished apartment it would be worth considering what you’ll need and what you can leave behind. If you’ve bought a new home be sure to check room dimensions. If you’re upsizing, that 12-seater table and chair will look great, but if your new dining room is a fraction of the size, is it realistically worth taking with you?

There are different considerations to take into account with electronic goods which can prove useless in a new country due to varying levels of acceptable voltage. In Canada, for instance, UK approved plugs will not work and in fact, may prove dangerous in terms of differing levels of electrical currents. Kettles, toasters, hairdryers can all be brought for similar prices in the UK and can be left behind. It might be worth considering buying new appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers. Not only do they suffer similar electrical issues to those smaller products but any repair plans or warranties may not be transferable to your new location. Check before you move.

Cars too are something that people can become very attached to. Countries such as New Zealand and Australia have very strict guidelines about car imports and you’ll need to meet certain vehicle safety standards, emission standards and a vehicle compliance check. Confirm the requirements with the relevant bodies before making the decision. Check out https://www.pssremovals.com/car-shipping for more details.

Finding out how much goods cost abroad can also determine whether you take them with you, or you leave behind. The New Zealand government provide a helpful website so you can compare the prices. https://www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/living-in-nz/money-tax/comparable-living-costs. Other sites such as www.expatistan.com and www.xpatulator.com allow you to compare living costs between your current and your new location.

Your new salary will obviously determine what you can and can’t afford to buy and take. Will it allow for new purchases? If it does maybe you could think about placing some of the items on ebay or other sites such as Gumtree. This can be seen as a way to make some money to buy products in your new location. Other items can go to charity shops.

For those items that you need to take, you’ll want to make sure that your moving partner is professional, experienced and reliable.

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.

If you are looking to emigrate and want some expert advice, PSS International removals is a family run company and our desire is to ensure your family receive a friendly, professional and stress free overseas move. We have specialised in international removals for over 32 years, so whether you are planning on se

nding a full or part household removal, excess baggage or a vehicle we recognise the importance in ensuring that our customers receive the same level of care and attention that we would expect ourselves. Contact us now for a free estimators survey, online moving and baggage quote.