Archive for the ‘International Moving’ Category

International Moving Guidelines for First-Timers

Wednesday, March 28th, 2012

If you’re moving to an international country or moving overseas for the first time, the process can be completely foreign to you. Without the right information and tools, you can find yourself lost amongst all of the arrangements that need to be made and all the paperwork that needs to be filled out. Below is an international moving guide that can help you navigate the often complicated waters of international relocation and help you choose an international moving company that will give you peace of mind.

Knowledge about International Customs and Regulations – Any international moving company you employ to transport your household goods overseas should have extensive knowledge on the customs and regulations of international countries. A great way to test this is to call up any prospective company and ask them as many questions as possible pertaining to your international move. Any reputable international moving company should be able to answer all of your questions and help you schedule an international move with little hassle.

Experience is important. The more experience an international relocation service has the better they will be able to deal with your freight or household goods should any problems arise. Unipack is a global relocation service that has been in the business a long time and can make sure that your goods reach their destination in a safe and cost effective way.

 

 

International Moving: Ships, Planes and Trains

Saturday, February 4th, 2012

Most people are pretty familiar with how a domestic move works. You pack things in boxes, put them on the truck, drive the truck to the new house or apartment and then unpack the boxes into your new home. This process takes quite a bit of work, but it is rather simple. Relocating internationally is a whole different beast. Not only does moving to an international country require moving much further distances on average, it also requires things like permits, taxes, proper documentation and moving over oceans. For these reasons moving internationally requires a significantly different approach than a domestic move.

The best way to conduct an international move is to gather the knowledge of experts in relocation through a global relocation service. Coordinating an overseas move requires precise scheduling between trains, planes and cargo ships. The ability to coordinate these different modes of transportation are not ordinarily accessible to the average consumer. Not only that, but individuals looking to use transportation services will usually find that they have to pay the highest prices because they do not purchase services in bulk. A global relocation service like Unipack can bargain for cheaper rates and pass those savings on to individuals looking to relocate internationally.

Using a relocation service can also save a lot of time. For most families, there are a lot of important things to take care of during an international move. All pertinent paperwork needs to be put together and filed, taxes need to be paid and everything needs to be put into order at the new home. Most people don’t want to have to think about the physical relocation of their household goods. A global relocation service can arrange to have your household goods transported door-to-door. This means the only thing you have to do is pack up your valuables in boxes and have them ready to be picked up; the rest will be taken care of.

If You’re Thinking of Moving to Canada

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

Moving to Canada is not just for Vietnam draft dodgers anymore. Canada is a thriving first world country full of opportunity, culture, universal healthcare and some of the finest cities in the world. Canada has jobs in nearly every market imaginable: high tech, energy, film, industry and some of the finest restaurants you can find. Why anyone would want to move to Canada is no mystery, but not all Canadian provinces, or cities, are created equal. What to expect when you move to the west coast will be different than in the interior or the east. We’ll give you a quick breakdown of how each region operates.

Big cities like Vancouver and Toronto are very much like big cities in the United States. They are mostly English speaking, have large downtown centers like Chicago or Seattle, and have a very diversified population that features lots of different cultural treats like restaurants, shops and markets. Canada’s interior in provinces like Saskatchewan and Alberta mimic much of the Midwest of the U.S. They have a thriving agricultural industry as well as oil production. Quebec is a province that really has no American counterpart. Cities like Montreal have a strong French influence, as much of the architecture and design of the city will remind people of Paris. Most people in Quebec also speak French, so if you are looking for employment in that area of the country, it is a good idea to be at least somewhat familiar with the language.

Moving Overseas and Learning a New Language

Friday, January 27th, 2012

One of the most disorienting aspects about moving to any new country is not knowing the language. It’s hard not the feel completely lost and helpless in a place where you can’t understand the signs and can’t ask people questions. That is why it is so important to at least learn a few conversational words before moving to a place with a new language. This can be accomplished quite easily with some online tools or a simple language program that you can find in almost any store. At first it’s a good idea to focus on pronunciation, as learning that will make it easier for you to understand native speakers and for them to understand you.

Once you finish your international move, you’ll want to immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. This means going out to bars, restaurants and other social venues that will allow you to develop language skills. If at all possible, make friends with a native speaker who you can talk to on a regular basis, and make sure to stick to the local language. This is a great way to get immersed quickly and accurately. This is also a good opportunity to get immersed in the local culture as well. By speaking with the locals, you’ll discover all the secrets and customs of the people that you would most likely never read on the internet or any travel guide. You’ll also find out about the best restaurants and locations that they never tell the tourists about.

Choosing an International Moving Company

Saturday, January 21st, 2012

Moving to an international country is one of the biggest steps someone can take in their life. Up until about 100 years ago, moving internationally was a huge multi week or multi month ordeal that involved huge costs and huge risks that sometimes resulted in death. Thankfully, modern travel like airplanes and powered ships have made international moving not only cheaper, but faster and safer as well. Relocation internationally, however, is still a big ordeal. Moving goods overseas can still create tremendous costs and logistical hassles that can have heads spinning. The best way to alleviate these problems is to hire a relocation services company that can handle most of the dirty work for you.

So what makes a good international moving company? There isn’t just one factor, but a trustworthy relocation company should have a positive standing with the community, good reviews and should be properly insured and licensed. These are all things that can be checked through public records like internet databases and through reports with the Better Business Bureau. It’s a good idea to talk to other people who have gone through an international move, or consult online reviews for companies that have a good reputation. It’s also a good idea to ask for quotes from a variety of companies so that you can compare prices and services. The most important part about choosing an international mover is that you do the right research. You are choosing a company that will helping you move your entire life, so don’t make a hasty decision.

Preparing for a Move Overseas

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

Moving domestically can be a big hassle with a lot of things to take care of, but an overseas move is even more stressful. With large oceans, continents and borders to cross, moving internationally requires a lot of resources, planning and preparation. Why not make the whole process a little easier by following the tips below that have come from people and companies who have experience in moving overseas and who have made mistakes that we can all learn from.

-Learn the language as much as possible. At the very least, learn some words and phrases that will help you navigate and find essential resources in your new city. Once you are immersed in the culture, picking up the language will become much easier.

-Make use of a real estate agent/s. This is important not only for finding a home in your new country, but for selling your home in the old one too. Nothing can be more stressful than leaving behind unsold property, which can be a valuable source of funds for your new life.

-Documentation and Visas. Make sure you have all of the proper documentation and permits before you embark on the final leg of your overseas move. This not only applies to yourself, but to your household goods as well. Obtaining the services of a global relocation service will ensure that all the proper paperwork and documentation goes through so that your stuff can stay with you overseas.

-Research is your best weapon. Take in as much information as possible about your new home: food, culture, language, transportation, art, music or anything else you might think you need to know. The more knowledge you have before you get to your new overseas home the less out of place you will feel.

Relocating to Europe in 2012

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

If you’ve been paying attention to the news at all, you know that there is a lot of economic turmoil going on in Europe at the moment. The crux of the problem has to do with the debt of nations like Greece and how the EU is going to pay it off. The most popular method amongst politicians seem to be austerity measures, meaning cuts in good and services in order to save government money. While this may not seem important for someone who is looking to move to Europe, austerity measures and the current economic climate really do have a huge impact on how life will proceed for recent immigrants.

The main factor to pay attention to is employment. While many people going through an international relocation will have a job or funding from school to get by, some people like to wait and find a job until they arrive. This may not be a very wise decision while the European economy remains in its depressed state. Unemployment rates in many nations are in the double digits. This makes it very hard for ordinary citizens to find a job, let alone foreigners. There might be certain industries or professions that are still in need of labor, but it is a good idea to do your diligent research before departing.

Another concern about relocating to Europe at the moment is that austerity measures might cut back benefits that you might have expected when moving to Europe. One of the most highly prized of those benefits is health care. Many countries offer health care to foreigners as well as citizens, but with cut backs being made everywhere there is a risk of those types of services being cut. Call or speak to your prospective country’s embassy or representative before departing to find out about any changes to immigrant benefits or to the laws in general. Hard economic times tend to bring much change. Your most powerful weapon is knowledge.

Moving Isn’t Always the Right Decision

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

Although a fresh start may sound nice for a large number of individuals, it doesn’t mean that it is right for everyone, like you or your family. Relocating Internationally may be difficult or even impossible for you to do if you have a spouse who is currently employed or if you have a teenager is satisfied with their current school and friends. These are all factors to consider. With that in mind, relocation isn’t a decision that you should make on your own, especially if you have a family. It is a decision that should involve everyone who would be impacted, in one way or another, with relocation.

The cost of relocation is another disadvantage or downside to doing so. With that in mind, it is advised that you speak with your employer about assistance. If you aren’t given a choice or if your employer wants to keep you on their team, you may be able to get financial assistance for relocating. This financial assistance, if it is offered, will likely vary, but you should be able to get assistance with the hiring of a moving company, as well as the cost of gasoline or airline tickets to your new destination. Even if financial assistance for relocating is not offered, it would not hurt for you to at least inquire about it.

The above mentioned factors are just a few of the many factors that you will want to take into consideration if you are ever given the opportunity to move overseas. As a reminder, the decision to relocate is one that should be made in conjunction with you, your employer, as well as your family.

Finding New Oppurtunities Overseas

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

Moving overseas for work is probably one of the most common reasons people have for relocating to a new country.

Many people move themselves and their family to follow a job: either an international job offer that they have accepted or a transfer to an overseas office of their current employer. In some ways this can be the easiest way to move because all the practical aspects will be covered by your employer. However it can be hard on an employee and their family if they don’t really want to move to the new family.

If you are moving to find a job make sure that your skills are in demand and that your educational qualifications will be recognized in the new country. This is particularly important in the health and education fields. The licensing rules for health professionals and nurses in another country are normally very strict. It may take many months for your qualifications to be recognized and for you to be able to practice in your new country. In the worst case you might not even be able to start this process until you are in the country. Make sure you have a number of month’s expenses saved to see you through this period.

It is often easier to get university or college level qualifications recognized rather than associate or trade qualifications. A part-degree or qualification may be worthless so consider completing it before you depart or look at any options your school might have to allow you to transfer internationally to complete your qualification.

Alternatively you may be using your global relocation as an excuse to change careers and/or re-train. In this case it may be wise to get further training in your new country meaning that you will start to gain contacts and even student work experience in the same place as you will need to ultimately.

Affordable Overseas Relocations

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

Moving across the ocean to a new home can be a daunting prospect. Most people aren’t even sure how they can get their household goods to their new home. Moving your household goods overseas can involve lots of different modes of transportation including ships, trucks, planes and even trains. Arranging and coordinating all of these different forms of transportation is not easy if you are not experienced. That is why it is recommended for people moving internationally to contact a global relocation company that can arrange the transportation of your goods for you.

When you are planning a move overseas, it’s a good idea to get quotes from several different companies so that you can compare and contrast services and costs. Price alone should not be the only factor in your decision, however. Make sure to pay attention to online reviews and get an in person recommendation if at all possible. Also make sure that the international relocation company you hire has all the proper credentials and insurance.  In the end, you will have been glad that you did all of the proper research an chose a reputable global relocation service like Unipack.