Preparing an international move
Moving overseas is a stressful time, especially when the two Cs (Children & Container) are involved. While our own move was a couple of years ago, many families are moving right now as it is the peak season for expats. I want to share the tips and tricks I’ve gathered from experienced expats that helped us during our last international move. This list is specifically tailored for families moving with a container. While professional moving companies can be a huge help, they can also lead to misunderstandings and hiccups along the way.
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Let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work! 😊
Top priority: declutter
It’s time to get rid of all the things you’ve accumulated over time. It’s amazing how much stuff can pile up in just a few years! I know it’s tough, but try to be as ruthless as possible. There’s no joy in opening a box on the other side of the world only to find items that don’t spark joy. Think about things like Christmas wrapping paper, jeans you haven’t worn, or towels that no longer look nice.
When you ask serial expats, this is one of their top three tips. Start this process early so you can gift or donate items instead of just throwing them away. A good rule of thumb: if you’re in doubt, it’s not worth moving. Personally, I enjoy the forced shift to minimalism from time to time, although I regret leaving boxes of unused items waiting for us when we move back.
Separate airfreight/personal luggage from the container Pile:
If a moving company is packing your belongings, make sure anything you will need before your container arrives at your new destination is out of the movers‘ way! Don’t rely on „Don’t pack“ stickers, as they are easily overlooked. Packing often happens quickly and with many people in one room, making it hard to control what gets packed and what doesn’t. If possible, lock these essential items away in a bathroom, car, or locker.
Digitalize your files
Make a photo or copy of all your important paperwork and store it in a cloud. You’ll likely need documentation for registration, administrative tasks, or even your tax declaration, and these often require timely access, so you don’t want to wait until the container arrives. Keep the originals of birth and marriage certificates, baby immunization records, and health records with you in your hand luggage.
Thinking ahead about baby items
If you have a baby, plan ahead to determine whether their toys or furniture will still be useful in two months or if they might have outgrown them. Check what you can borrow from friends or family, either in the country you are leaving or the one you are moving to. This way, you can send larger items, such as highchairs, via container and avoid making double purchases.
Organize your things before moving day
Movers will pack your things almost in the same order they find them in your home. Make unpacking easier by grouping items of the same category in one place. Gather all the books from around your apartment into one pile. Do the same with clothing, electronics, etc. Another method is to ensure that all items are in the correct room when the boxes are labeled „bathroom,“ „kitchen,“ etc. It can be frustrating to search for bath towels only to find them mixed with clothing because you stored them in your bedroom.
Remember, there’s often not enough time to reorganize boxes on moving day. If you have an external locker or bike space, bring everything inside your home before the movers arrive. Bottom line: Reflect on what system is most convenient and logical for you, and plan accordingly.
Take pictures of your belongings
If you’re working with a moving company, take photos of your belongings in addition to the inventory list. Walk around your home and take pictures of the contents inside your drawers and closets. After a few months, these photos will be a helpful resource to verify if everything has arrived at your new place and to support any claims if something is broken or missing.
Define a black box
Create a dedicated box, whether you call it the white box, red box, or black box, for all the small items you don’t want to lose sight of. This box should include things like bike keys, USB drives, essential tools for furniture assembly, and any other small items that might easily get lost among the packed boxes.
Find a new owner for your plants etc.
Start early with giving away plants, food, electronics, and other items you don’t plan to move with you. Whether you’re gifting or selling them, this process takes time, and you won’t want to deal with it during the hectic days of moving. Some of our plants will be handed over to the third generation of expats, and I’m arranging a pickup day for our spices the day before our move. Ask friends if they could use your iron, or post on local expat community boards to find a grateful new owner.
Get adaptors right away
If you plan to take electronics with you, despite potential voltage differences, it’s a good idea to purchase adapters before moving. This way, you can use your items right away, and it’s often easier to find adapters that work in the right „direction“ beforehand.
Reach out to local tribes
Check local forums for information specific to the country you are moving to. What better way to plan ahead than by asking people who have already done it? Every country has its unique features. Some are obvious, like voltage differences and are easy to Google, but other information can be more niche (e.g., German car seats not being allowed in the US). Facebook is still a great starting point for local communities.
What about alcohol & food?
Opinions vary on this, but some moving companies are okay with transporting alcohol and food. However, remember that it’s not the moving company who checks your goods at customs! To avoid having your items stuck at customs, consider hosting a party before you move to get rid of your alcohol.
Moving is also a great time to check your food inventory. Treat yourself to the special ingredients you’ve been saving for special meals. In my case, that’s definitely our truffle oil!
Pack small personal items in your personal luggage or airfreight
Take smaller art pieces or pictures with you that feel like home. These can be invaluable when you arrive in an empty apartment and are feeling blue. Small art pieces, favorite toys, plates, or coffee mugs can make a big difference in helping you feel more at ease from the beginning.
Some advice for peace of mind
Plan with a much longer time for the container to arrive than estimated. Customs clearance is a process that is unpredictable! Plus two weeks is often seen as a realistic buffer. On the contrary, it might also happen that your container will arrive earlier than estimated which can cause stress in case you do not have a new home yet or you are still on vacation. So it is a good idea to plan +/- two weeks to schedule your activities accordingly.
Get a sim card
Arrange for phone SIM cards for your next destination and activate them a couple of weeks before moving. Many online services (like PayPal) use phone number verification as a security measure, and you won’t have access to these services without your former mobile number. It’s easier to set up a phone number you’ll have access to in the future, so you don’t get trapped in the vicious cycle of “resetting your password with a phone number you no longer have.”
Close your bank accounts
Sometimes it’s necessary to keep one account open, but be sure to close the ones you no longer need and get confirmation in writing. You don’t want to deal with hidden account fees when you’re far away and can’t cancel the account in person anymore.
Don't get stuck with the packaging material
Clarify who will take care of the empty boxes and packaging material. Some moving companies are willing to collect the materials two weeks after delivery if you don’t manage to unpack everything right away.
Check for leftovers
Once the last box is packed, walk through your home to check for any items that might have been forgotten before signing the inventory list.
Where are your passports?
It’s almost a running gag within the expat community, but passports are not only the most important documents you have, they are also very easy to lose in the turmoil of an international move. Secure them early in the process and decide together as a couple where to put them so that everyone is aware of their location. Moving can be hectic, and you don’t want to worry about your passports!
Keep your sense of humor
Try to keep your sense of humor and accept that you can’t plan for everything. Things will break, deadlines will be missed, and unexpected challenges will arise. However, life is short and humor is too important to lose. I searched the web for some funny moving stories, and you won’t believe the hilarious situations that can happen when you have movers in your house combined with high stress levels. Here are some of the funny anecdotes shared by fellow expats:
Any funny moving anecdote to share? Feel free to tell us in the comment section below 🙂
These are my top moving tips for your next international adventure. Moving is a stressful time filled with sad goodbyes, new beginnings, and many question marks. Try to spread out your tasks and decide as a couple how to organize everything. Be kind to yourself and patient with your family. We all cope differently with closing chapters in our lives. Some of us are loud and expressive, while others are quiet and keep their feelings to themselves.
One way or another, you’ll wake up one day in a new place that feels like home.
If you have any other great tips, please share them in the comment section below!
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2 Antworten
Once you know you move start making a list of all mail that arrives. Makes it easier to re-direct or cancel without forgetting anything/anyone important nearer the time.
Relocating abroad may be a thrilling and intimidating adventure! Having gone through it myself, I can attest to the importance of being prepared. Making a thorough checklist was one thing I found to be really useful.