INTRODUCTION
As you might well imagine, moving to another country is much different than a domestic move to Topeka. There are significant details and tasks that have to be managed properly to insure quality service. Here are a few facts to remember when considering Azalea Moving for an international move:
- We're part of the Allied International moving network.
- Allied International coordinates over 40,000 household shipments annually.
- We're one of Allied's exclusive quot;partnership" agents.
- We operate separate, stand-alone international centers in each branch location.
- International specialists serve the needs of the private sector, corporate clients and their transferring employees.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
SINGLE SOURCE POINT OF CONTACT
Once your move is confirmed, you'll be assigned an International Relocation Coordinator (IRC). This person will take care of any needs and questions throughout your move.
IN-HOME SURVEY
After consulting with your IRC, an appointment will be set for someone to survey your home to determine the volume of goods to be moved and the necessary services to be performed.
ORIGIN SERVICES
Depending on size and your individual requirements, the time needed to prepare your move for shipping could take from 1 day to 1 week. The typical international move will take 2-3 days for proper packing, wrapping and loading by International specialists. (For pictures of international move preparation, click here.) Furniture, and many other items, require a specialized international corrugated protective material to prevent damage while in transit. If your shipment requires a separate air freight consignment, they will be loaded into specially-designed, heavy-duty air freight containers. In most cases, all types of shipments
will be loaded directly into their respective containers and sealed at your residence.
 IN TRANSIT
Once carefully prepared and loaded, your goods will be transported to their respective port of departure, whether air or sea. Transit times vary depending on many circumstances. Please check with your IRC to determine your particular transit time. The average door-to-door transit time for air freight shipments is 3-5 days. For surface
shipments, the average is 4-6 weeks. Shipments from the US to the Pacific Rim, Australia or New Zealand can take longer.
CUSTOMS CLEARANCE AND DELIVERY NOTIFICATION
Once your shipment has arrived at its destination, we clear it through customs for you. When cleared, your IRC will confirm a delivery date and time with you. It is very important that we have all proper, legal documents necessary for immigration into your destination country prior to your departure. Without them, customs clearance
could be delayed Your IRC will counsel you on the necessary forms and your responsibilities.
DESTINATION SERVICES
Upon arrival at your residence, your unloading crew will:
- Unload your possessions from the container
- Unwrap and place the furniture
- Unpack the boxes (if requested)
- Remove the debris
Many foreign locations have difficult egresses. Please let your IRC know what the egress to your new location is like so that we may be prepared upon arrival.
HELPFUL HINTS FOR MOVING
STORAGE
Tip 18. If you require long-term storage of your goods while you are overseas, Allied International has safe, secure storage facilities for your convenience. Typically, a company's relocation policy has an allowance for storage.
Tip 19. An alternative to storage is selling or donating those items you won't need or use at your destination. It may be cost-effective to get rid of those items prior to your move. You can use the money you've saved somewhere else.
TRANSIT PROTECTION
Tip 20. Consider the cost to replace your goods in your destination country when calculating what your total transit protection coverage should be. To access our Valued Inventory form to help you determine the appropriate level of protection, click here.
COUNTRY INFORMATION
Tip 21. Every country has its own laws and customs, so it's a good idea to know the etiquette and customs of your destination country beforehand. The country's consulate is an excellent source for this type of information. For supplemental country information, click here:
Tip 22. The US Embassy in your new country can provide a list of schools that are referred to as American schools. They follow the traditional US curriculum and provide all instruction in English. For information on international schools and US Embassies and Consulates abroad, click here.
Tip 23. Health care is managed differently in each country. The consulate and US State Department can advise you on what the current situation is regarding health care for foreign nationals in the country to which you are moving. For information regarding health care issues abroad, click here.
RESTRICTED ITEMS
Tip 24. Often many restrictions are placed on what can be brought into your new host country. Guns, alcohol, controlled substances and even certain types of literature are strictly prohibited in certain countries. The country's US Embassy or Consulate will have consular information sheets and complete information. Your Allied International IRC will advise you as best as possible, but for complete,
up-to-date information regarding restricted items, click here.
ELECTRICAL DEVICES
Tip 25. Some of your appliances and electrical devices may not work in your new home, or may need special adapters. Click here for more information:
VISAS / PASSPORTS / WORK PERMITS
Tip 26. Each country has different requirements for entry or immigration. The consulate in the country you are moving to will be able to give you the most reliable, up-to-date information. For assistance with Visas and Passports, click here.
PERSONAL RECORDS / VALUABLES / DOCUMENTS
Tip 27. Get complete medical and dental check-ups for you and your family, prior to your move, so all of your medical records are current and up-to-date. Ask for copies of these records and carry them with you to your new residence.
Tip 28. Obtain all personal records, eg., prescriptions and medical records, school transcripts, marriage and birth certificates, vehicle registrations, and carry them with you to your new residence.
Tip 29. Valuables, items from safe deposit boxes, jewelry and collections should be carried with you as well.
VACCINATIONS AND INOCULATIONS
Tip 30. 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 contacting the consulate office in the country to which you are moving. For more information, click here.
FINANCIAL MATTERS
Tip 31. As an American citizen living abroad, you will need to deal with US and foreign tax obligations. You will need professional assistance here. Your company should provide assistance in this matter. For additional information, click here.
Tip 32. Close all savings and checking accounts, as well as charge accounts, that you won't be using overseas.
Tip 33. Consult the overseas representative at your local bank about letters of credit and transfer of funds, etc. For currency exchange information, click here.
PETS
Tip 34. Each country has different requirements for allowing pets to enter their borders. These range from disallowing them to enter at all, to several months of quarantine. Moving pets is discouraged due to the length of quarantine, but if bringing your pet with you is crucial, check with the consulate office in the country to which you are moving.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS NOTIFICATION
Tip 35. Send change-of-address notification to the post office, Social Security Administration, insurance companies, relatives, friends, etc. Click here for the US Postal Service.
PUBLIC UTILITIES
Tip 36. Don't forget to notify the telephone, gas, cable, electric and water companies; as well as newspaper delivery service, garbage pick-up and any other service to be discontinued.
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