Company Policy
Your company's relocation policy probably has a given weight allowance for ocean transport, which generally covers the relocation expenses of a typical household.
An additional allotment may be provided for air freight transport of items that your family will need immediately upon arriving in your destination country (i.e., essentials that can't wait) until your sea-bound shipment arrives.
If your moving needs exceed your company's allotments, the excess items can be moved at your expense or placed in storage. Ultimate Relocation will provide you with a detailed estimate of the costs so that you can decide how you want to handle an overage situation.
Storage
If needed, your company may pay for the storage of some of your household goods for a defined length of time while you're away on your assignment abroad.
As an alternative to storage, if there are items you won't need or can't use at destination, you might want to consider selling them instead; it may be more cost effective, and the money you get for your unneeded items will certainly come in handy.
Packing and Moving
You should not pack, or allow your origin agent to pack any narcotics, prescription medications, cash, and jewelry, furs, coins, collectibles or automobile titles. Keep any purchase receipts. Most countries will allow your used household goods to enter duty and tax free, as long as they have been owned and used for at least six months. But you may be asked for receipts. If they are packed inside your shipment, you will not be able to provide them to your destination agent for customs. These items should be "hand carried" by you to your destination country.
You should never pack or allow your origin agent to pack liquids of any kind. Their containers could break, thereby causing damage to other items in your shipment. If you or your company has purchased insurance through your carrier, that insurance company could refuse to cover damage to those items, due to the spillage of liquids.
If you plan to pack any of the goods you will be shipping overseas, you must provide a detailed list of all articles contained in any box you pack yourself. It is always best not to seal any boxes you pack so your origin agent can inspect them and confirm the items are packed properly for overseas transport. It's usually best to let an expert do the packing for you! Remember, you're not moving to the next state, your shipment will be handled by steamship lines, airlines, railroads etc. It will give you peace of mind to know your goods were properly packed.
Communications
Always provide your origin agent or forwarder your contact information for your new country. If you already have a permanent residence, provide your address and contact phone number. If you do not have a residence and will be staying in a hotel, provide to your agent or forwarder the hotel name and phone number. If you are relocating due to employment, give your forwarder your office phone number. If you have an active email address, provide that as well. Without a phone number, your destination agent will not be able to contact you for necessary customs documents. This can cause a delay in clearance and could cause either you or your employer additional expenses.
Air Freight
Set aside the items you will ship by air —specifically the essentials that you'll need prior to the arrival of your other goods. Air Freight normally takes 10 – 12 days to arrive and deliver. Ocean Freight usually takes 30 – 45 days to arrive.
Make a list of items you should carry with you on your trip-e.g., jewelry, passports, visas, prescriptions, etc.
Country Information
Since every country has its own laws and customs, it's a good idea to study the etiquette and customs of your destination country beforehand. This will help you avoid any inadvertent problems after you've relocated. The country's consulate is an excellent source of this information.
The U.S. embassy of your new country can provide a list of schools that are referred to as American schools, that follow the traditional U.S. curriculum and provide all instruction in English. Health care around the world is different in every country, in terms of how it's managed. Also, the consulate or U.S. State Department can advise you on what the current situation is regarding health care for foreign nationals in the country you're moving to.
Restricted Items
There are often strict restrictions on what you can and cannot take across the host country's borders. Guns, alcohol, food and controlled substances, pornographic materials and even certain types of literature are strictly prohibited in certain nations. Your Ultimate Relocation coordinator can discuss this with you well in advance of your move.
Appliances and Electrical
Some of your appliances and other electrical items may not work in your new home, or may need special adapters, most major appliances such as refrigerators, washers and dryers will not work and should be stored at origin.
Visas / Passports
You'll want to be in touch with the consulate of the country to which you're relocating, to obtain all of the legal documents and permits that allow your immigration to the new country.
You can obtain your passport application by simply paying a visit to your local post office. You'll need two (2) specially-sized photos and a copy of your birth certificate. Complete your application well in advance, allowing at least 2-3 weeks for processing and delivery.
The consular representative can advise you as to whether or not visas are required and how to obtain them.
Work permits also may be required; if so, they must be obtained before leaving the country.
Provide a copy of your visa and work permit to the origin agent, always keep your originals.
Medical
You and your family should get complete medical and dental check-ups prior to your move, so that all of your records are current and up-to-date.
Obtain all personal records—e.g., prescriptions and medical records, school transcripts, marriage and birth certificates, vehicle registrations, etc.—and carry them personally.
Valuables from safe deposit boxes, jewelry boxes, and dresser drawers should be carried with you and not shipped as well.
Vaccinations / Immunizations
You may need immunizations, inoculations, or booster shots before moving overseas, and your children will most likely need them to enroll in school; you can find out what inoculations are necessary by calling the consular representative of your destination country or the U.S. Public Health Service Quarantine Division.
Also check with the consular representative of the country to which you're moving about required inoculations. The U.S. Public Health Service can advise you about optional immunizations.
Financial Matters
As an American citizen living overseas, you'll have to deal with U.S. and foreign tax obligations. Most large, international accounting and consulting firms have departments that specialize in overseas planning for all your financial and tax needs.
Close charge accounts that you won't use overseas, as well as savings and checking accounts.
Consult the overseas representative at your local bank about currency exchange rates, letters of credit, transfer of funds, etc.
Transit Protection
Consider what it would cost to replace your goods overseas when calculating what you'll need in terms of transit protection, usually it is higher than the U.S.
Your Ultimate Coordinator can advise on types of insurance coverage available and the cost of each option.
Pets
Before moving your pet, schedule an examination by a veterinarian, who may suggest a tranquilizer or some other measure to make your pet more comfortable during the trip. Obtain copies of your pet's health and rabies vaccination records, and update identification tags.
When shipping a pet by air, contact the airline well in advance to check regulations and services, and to make reservations. If possible, book a week-day flight during slack periods when there's more room in the plane's cargo compartment. Also, try to book a direct flight to reduce the amount of time your pet will be confined.
Select a portable air-transport kennel that's large enough for your pet to stand and move around. Let your pet get accustomed to it well in advance of the trip. Mark the container "Live Animal," and affix a label that includes your pet's name, new address and phone number, and special handling instructions.
Travel Arrangements
Make all travel arrangements and obtain your tickets well in advance. Familiarize yourself with alternate travel options.
Change of Address
Send change-of-address cards to the post office, social security office, insurance companies relatives, friends, etc.
Public Utilities
Don't forget to notify the telephone, gas, cable, electric, and water companies, as well as newspaper delivery service, garbage pickup, and anyone else who should know when to discontinue service.
When questions arise, your Ultimate International relocation coordinator should be the first person you ask. They're your "single source" to handle everything, from start to finish.
Tips provided are general information to assist our customers and are accurate to the best of our knowledge. Lending policies and the relocation market is constantly changing, contact Ultimate or an industry provider for complete information on specific questions. Ultimate Relocation is not responsible for any errors included in these tips.
Ultimate Relocation
6709 Stony Hill Rd
McKinney TX 75070
Ph: 888-757-7540 972-569-8550
