Category: Moving

We know that among the many decisions to be made at this time of moving, the choice of the company is one of them and that everyone should consider, after all, it is not only the transport of goods but of stories, people’s feelings.

Do you need to make an international move and don’t know how to choose the company for this service? We list below 7 points to pay attention to before hiring an international moving company.

1. Research the company

Pay attention to the company’s website, get address, phone number, and contact details (a serious company has no problem disclosing its contacts). One point to pay attention to is the availability of the site in other languages, after all, it is a company that provides international moving services.

If possible, visit the company.

2. Research the company’s hideousness

Every moving company must have a license to work, so search for references of the companies at the responsible bodies, complaint portals and social networks. Previous research about possible complaints or irregularities of the company helps to understand who we are dealing with.

3. Get informed about Packaging

Ask the company about what materials will be used to package your goods, the size, functions of each package, how they protect from humidity, resistance, and other details. It is important to have the proper materials to wrap materials, after all, newspapers, blankets, or sheets are not the most indicated.

4. Specialized Team

The company needs to have a specialized and qualified team in all areas. Not only in packing (an art in which our professionals are unbeatable), transportation and storage, but also in customer service, in coordinating your move. After all, putting in the customer’s shoes, having the experience to solve intercurrences, and ensuring up-to-date information and be always available are fundamental to our team.

5. Insurance

Insurance is not mandatory for international removals, but it is highly recommended, after all, more than belongings, your stories are being transported there. If the international moving company does not offer you insurance for your possessions, run away from this company.

You can do it on your own or with an international moving company, but we strongly suggest that you get insurance and always ask for your signed policy for verification.

Don’t stay in doubt with insurance options, be sure of the insurance you choose!

6. Company Certifications

A certified company is a company that has been approved by other institutions. The more it is certified, the more sifters this company has had to submitted and has its processes validated. It is worth emphasizing the importance of international certifications because we are dealing with your goods going from one country to another, often from one continent to another.

7. Request for Quotation

One of the most made mistakes is to choose the company with the lowest quotation. If a company offers a price 25% to 40% cheaper than the others, be suspicious. You run a great risk of having to pay extra fees that will make the price that was once more affordable, now more expensive than the other companies.

Do not accept a quote without the visit of a representative, after all, the international moving company must measure the volume and see everything that will be transported.

Request a visit from one of our specialists (the visit can be in person or online).

With all these 7 points above, you will already have enough information to choose the company. We know that this is a laborious process, nevertheless, this work will be rewarded with the peace of mind and security that everything will go as smoothly as possible.

Do not allow any company to start the move without the contract being signed, values well defined and having a description of services and an inventory containing the list of goods to be transported signed by the company and by you, so we advise that the ideal is always to plan your move in advance.

Make sure that all your questions have been answered correctly. If you feel the company is being invasive or difficult to contact, politely end the conversation and move on. The moving process is stressful and you should be comfortable with the company you hire.

Good choice and any questions, we will be happy to help you!

An international move is a decision that impacts many areas of our life. Surely even before this decision, there was a lot of research, conversations and even headaches, right?

Thinking about this challenging period for you, we created the checklist below with the dates, to support you in your preparation for the move, and make everything happen in the best way. So, you won’t have any more worries and each step will happen smoothly and without unexpected events.

Let’s go for it:

5 TO 6 WEEKS BEFORE THE INTERNATIONAL MOVE

• Make sure your passport, citizen card, ID and visa are valid.
• Check if permits are required in your new country of residence (e.g. residence permit, permit for pets, arms license, etc.).
• Check which vaccinations are required at your new destination.
• Make sure you have all documentation for the trip, including tickets.
• Keep all your official documents in one place (e.g. birth or marriage certificates, ID, citizen card, passport, vaccination card, driving license, etc.).
• Check if your driving license is valid in the destination country.
• Ask your car insurance company for your personal insurance history.
• Cancel all subscriptions to newspapers, magazines or gyms.
• Notify your child/children’s school.
• Clean your attic, pantry and garden.
• Get your coats, clothes, curtains, sofas, blankets, etc. dry cleaned.
• Check all your items and appliances that need to be repaired and have them fixed: watches, appliances, clothing, shoes, etc.
• Schedule all necessary medical appointments and ask for a year worth of prescriptions.
• Sell your car.

3 TO 4 WEEKS BEFORE THE INTERNATIONAL MOVE

•  Make a survey of the value of goods you want to insure and our Insurance team will make that proposal with you.
• Sell or give to charity all the items you are leaving behind. Our Global Foundation can take care of that for you.
• Give your friends and family your contacts, including your new address.
• Cancel all utility bills.
• Check your leasing, credits or other legal contract agreements.
• Try to finish off the food and drinks left in your home. Buy only the essentials for the remaining days before your move.
• Confirm with your Global Moving coordinator the exact moving date.
• Advise of change of address at your bank, tax office, doctor and other relevant entities.
• Request all your diplomas, certificates and other important documents: school, doctors, veterinarians, etc.

2 WEEKS BEFORE THE INTERNATIONAL MOVE

• Clean your garden tools, bicycles, etc.
• Take all your possessions from work.
• If you have lent any books, CDs or other goods ask for them back.
• Empty the fuel tank of motorcycles or cars that will be transported to your new destination.
• Offer or sell plants and perishable goods that you won’t need (remember that our Global Foundation can also help you with this).

1 WEEK BEFORE THE INTERNATIONAL MOVE

• Close bank accounts or let your bank know of your move.
• Make sure your bank can transfer your funds to your new bank.
• Buy traveler’s cheques.
• Buy necessary medication for your journey including travel sickness pills.
• Organize your transportation to the airport.
• Defrost and clean refrigerator and freezer.
• Hire a team to clean the house after packing is done.
• Send to your Global Moving coordinator all completed and signed dispatch-related documents.

1 TO 2 DAYS BEFORE THE INTERNATIONAL MOVE

• Put aside personal items that must travel with you, e.g. keys, documents, passport, tickets, money, clothes, medication, maps, games, books, etc.
• Confirm ticket bookings.
• Disconnect, clean and dry electrical appliances you want to take to your new destination.
• Organise furniture and follow the schedule set by your Global Moving coordinator.
• Ask your neighbours or building administration for an extra parking space for the day of the move, if necessary.

ON THE DAY OF THE INTERNATIONAL MOVE

• Just relax! The Global Moving team will do the work for you…
• Stay in touch, in case we have any questions.
• Go through each room of the house to make sure you haven’t left anything behind.
• Have a good trip!

And that’s it, we’ll take care of all the transportation of your goods until we deliver them to you and assemble everything at your new address in another country.

Now it’s time to meet your neighbors, the community and explore this international adventure.

If you have any questions about your move or international move, please contact us and we will be happy to help you.

We hope you will be very happy in your new home.