International Removals

International removals - what's to know?

We all know how stressful moving house in the UK can be. Imagine what happens when you need to relocate your life to another country, maybe even continent. It's a situation that can quickly go out of hand. Since international removals have a habit of being too complicated and, oftentimes, too expensive, people have been looking for alternative ways to transport their belongings. But, there really is no other way than hiring a reputable removals company equipped to handle your relocation. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. There are also many other pieces of information you need to have if you are to relocate successfully and without a lot of moving stress.

First things first - how will you ship your belongings?

Being an island country, if you wish to move out of the UK, you will need to ship your belongings. And the first thing you should do is decide which type works best for you. Do you think it will be more convenient to ship your belongings by boat? When sending goods overseas in a safe manner (or trying to), there are two important documents for you to look into - the Bill of Lading and the Sea Waybill. Learn as much as you can about them, inquire about their pros and cons, and then make the most informed decision.

Do you feel airfreight will be a better option? Then make sure you buy plane tickets for the same day your items are supposed to arrive. Someone needs to be there to pick up your belongings and take care of all the paperwork.

Look into different international removals assistance options

There are as many different international assistance options as you need. It's all about finding the right company that can cater to your needs. But, before you even start looking for one, you need to think carefully and decide what type of help you need. Will you need help packing your belongings or do you want to do it by yourself? Are you wishing for your removal company to provide you with packing materials so that you don't have to go looking for them? Know that a removal company can provide you with everything. Take a look at your moving budget, and decide on the best option for you.

It won't be easy and it won't be cheap

Is this your first time relocating or have you already experienced it first-hand? Since an average UK resident moves at least once before the age of 25, we'll go ahead and assume that this is your second move, to say the least. The only difference is that the first time, you had to move to a home that is in your country. International and domestic removals differ in many ways, but the most important one is that international removals are much more expensive and difficult.

If you are on a limited budget, you need to do your best to find the most affordable removals company. Always get a quote from a couple of different companies and compare their offers. What is it that is included in the price? Do you just get a basic package or do you get additional services? The lowest price may not always be the best one!

Questions to ask your removals company

While you might be a renowned doctor or a world-famous businessman, you are not a moving pro. But your company of choice is. It is their job to take care of your international relocation and make sure you have every question answered. So, when moving, feel free to ask any questions that might be on your mind. Some common questions include:

• Questions about different customs regulations of the country you are moving to.
• Will you be able to relocate all of my belongings or are some items prohibited?
• How long will it take for your items to reach their destination?
• Are you required to pay a deposit?
• What about your company's cancellation policy?

Don't worry about your question sounding unintelligent or superfluous. There are no such questions, as no one expects you to know everything beforehand.

Think ahead of time

International removals are tricky because there is too much planning and logistics that goes into it. For example, if something happens unexpectedly, and your items arrive at their destination much before you, what are you supposed to do? Your items can't just stay unsupervised. There is a possibility of putting your items in a storage unit, but that is something you need to plan ahead of time. It's advisable to rent a storage unit at least for that first month of your relocation. It won't set you back for a lot of money, and it will ensure you have a solution to a lot of moving problems. The clock is ticking, so make sure you beat it.

The key to a successful international relocation is good organization. Start planning your relocation months, not weeks, before the moving date. It really is the only way to get on top of all your obligations for the period to come.

And, don’t worry. Yes, international removals are complicated and expensive. But, once everything is done, you will get to live in a new place. A place that you have yet to explore. How exciting is that? And for everything moving-related, this guide should be enough. It should answer all of your questions, and help you have an overview of what is to come. Should you have any further doubts, you can always turn to us – Ravenhill Removals. For the past decade, it has been our sole purpose to help you have a seamless and stress-free relocation, be it a domestic or an international one. Good luck with your research and upcoming relocation!