An international moving involves a minimum of 1 month’s preparation prior to departure. The first step is to choose an international moving company.

For a quotation to be properly prepared, it is essential that the removal company makes a technical visit to your home. This visit will be carried out by an advisor, who will then become your sole contact. The visit will allow you to calculate the volume, select the objects and furniture to be transported.

The adviser will also have to determine which fragile objects, such as mirrors, require specific packaging in wooden boxes. Don’t forget to make sure that the estimate is clear and complete. It must include taxes, customs duties and insurance. In short, everything must be specified and the removal company must take care of the packing and materials used (adhesive tape, triple-grooved cardboard, boxes, bubble wrap, etc.).

International removals require a number of specific skills, as the company must know how to coordinate an operation involving different entities, such as the freight forwarder and his liaison abroad. In addition, it has to know the peculiarities of the destination country and take care of all customs formalities. For these reasons, you need to choose a professional company with experience in international removals.

For cost reasons, transport by ship is often preferred to transport by air, which is rarely used. Delivery times vary and can be very long. For example, you should allow one month for a move from Spain to South America, three weeks to the United States and about eight weeks to Australia.

The costs depend on each country and its customs policies, which are reflected in port taxes, formalities, legalizations and customs clearance at origin and destination. For this reason a transfer of a full container of 30 cubic meters, can mean more than 5000 euros of expenses.

Finally, you must be aware that you will be able to negotiate the rate better if you move in the low season for removal companies, that is, outside the summer months and the end of the year.

If you are thinking of moving abroad, contact us…