The world is on hold, but the move must go on. For some, this is simply reality. You have sold your house here in the US, and you need to be in your new home overseas as soon as possible.
Don’t Panic. Not all is lost. For starters, you might be happy to know that moving has been deemed an “essential service” virtually everywhere in the US. This means that currently, movers in the US can pack, pick up, load, ship or store your personal items without much difficulty. This checks off one major box for many. However, regulations related to the moving industry are not universal. Many of our foreign partners are currently unable to operate at full capacity due to either government regulations or labor shortages (or sometimes both). So now you might ask, “Do we go ahead and ship or do we wait it out?”
Well, let’s start with research. Fortunately, most everything you need to know about the current pandemic situation in the country you are moving to can be found online. In most countries, the media is doing a pretty good job of reporting on current status of the Covid-19 virus as well as the projected impact of the virus on life in that country. So, as if you need to be told this, the internet will be the first place to start.
Beyond that, you will need to keep an active chain of communication open between you and your shipping company. They should be able to advise you of any relevant changes or events that might impact your move and provide you with the best options available for your particular situation. Here are just some examples of what’s happening around the world:
In the UK, moves are not currently considered “essential,” so all inbound shipments are currently being unloaded into storage warehouses and kept there (mostly at the expense of the owner of goods) until the government resumes allowing deliveries. Most companies are offering very reasonable storage rates considering the times and circumstances.
In Australia, while most movers should be able to deliver shipments, there is a 14-day quarantine for all people entering the country from abroad. This might mean that someone else will need to receive delivery on your behalf, or, alternatively, you might need to arrive in the country earlier than previously planned.
As Canada is one of the few countries where you must personally present yourself to the customs office to clear your goods, this poses a completely different issue. There is a 14-day quarantine there as well, and since the transit time for most shipments to Canada is less than that, you will likely have to plan for additional storage charges as well make a logistical plan that takes this quarantine timing into consideration.
These are just a few of the situations we are seeing around the world, and things are changing so fast that by the time you finish reading this blog there is a good chance something else might have changed. The best advice we can give you is stay engaged and available, plan ahead, and be flexible. Check your emails regularly and make sure you have clear methods of contacting and being contacted by your movers and your forwarders.
That, and pack an extra case of toilet paper!
Stay safe and Stay well!
Monthly Archives: April 2020
Tips to avoid health problems when moving overseas
Keeping little critters out is important but always remember to protect your health when moving overseas. Wherever you are you are moving overseas, it’s really important to be informed regarding any health epidemics or other health-related concerns before relocating abroad. The US usually provides information about any health concerns you need to know about through Homeland Security and State Department advisories.
Here are some tips to keep-in-mind when you move overseas:
• Make sure you and every family member has a full medical check-up before departing. This needs to be done months in advance to ensure if someone has an underlying illness, it’s detected now before leaving. Also, this should include dental check-ups as well.
• After seeing your physician and dentist, make sure to make several copies of the medical records of each family member. The records almost certainly will be required by schools and will ease the transition to a new physician. Also, if any one of your family member’s has a chronic or special health condition, it should be determined whether it can be adequately treated in your new country. You can contact your consulate and they should be able to let you know what health services are provided at your new destination.
• It’s good to make a little wristband or medical bracelet for a family member that is allergic to certain drugs, has allergies, or any other type of health issue so that if he or she is treated at a clinic or hospital for an emergency, health technicians will know. Make sure to get a list of all of your families medicines and their generic names so an overseas pharmacist can provide something equivalent.
• English is widely spoken in many countries, but it is important that you translate the medical information to the language of your destination. This will ensure you will be given the correct and right dosages of the medicines you or your family take.
Always prepare for the unexpected so you and your family will be fully prepared if a minor or major health concern happens at your new overseas home.
Safe moving!
Tips about big-ticket items
You have your garage sale and sold a lot of items per my blog last week. But you still have really big items that you need to move. When you are planning to move whether from state-to-state or internationally, it’s important to know what personal items you have that are difficult to move so you can prepare when your assessor comes out to ensure your “big-ticket” items are safely packed and safely moved.
Being prepared is key and having movers come in to move all of your belongings especially the big-ticket items, will ensure safe transport from point A to point B.
One of the most difficult items to move are pianos, no surprise there. Pianos are heavy and challenging to move they are large and bulky but more importantly, they have small intricate parts inside that can easily be damaged. Leave it to the pros to move your piano because they will make sure to not cause damage to it but more importantly, not to damage your doorways, hallways, walls and even ceilings and fixtures on top.
Another tough item to move are fish tanks. They are large and heavy and most of the time, fish don’t survive a move if they are left in the tank due to fluctuating conditions. I highly recommend to leave some of the “original” water in the tank, just above the bottom to ensure the existing bacteria in the water remains when you fill it. In addition, move your fish into small containers or bags using your fish tank water and transport them that way. If it’s a long trip to move, have them specially shipped via overnight or if possible, take them with you in a portable dispenser bag. You can purchase the bags at most pet and aquarium shops.
I have discussed moving artwork before but it’s also in the same category of difficult items to move. More often than not, your artwork is expensive or at the very least has sentimental value to it so you want to make sure during transport, your art safely arrives without damage. Your assessor and mover will wrap it in paper and use bubble wrap all around the frame for extra protection. If they are very good movers, they will also use packing peanuts and professional moving tape and mark it as “fragile” when it’s secured in a box for the move.
When you know and are aware about some of the big-ticket items and how they should be packed before your move, your large items will be safely secured. Leave it to the pros and you’ll have less headaches when you move to your new home.
Safe moving