Planning for Relocation - Ship - Store Sell or Give Away

What to Store - What to Ship

A good time to do spring cleaning is during preparation for relocation and a major move. As this is done, decide which items should be shipped to stored, sold, given away or disposed of. It may be easier to make these decisions once you have had the chance to visit the host country. Then what is and is not available will be known. For example, the same television needed in the new location may not be the same as what works where you move from. The television format of the current TV set may be different from what the the new country supports or the voltage may not be compatible. Almost certainly the plugs will require adapters.

Make a detailed inventory of every item to be shipped. Make sure the packers label every box accurately listing the contents. Insurance may not replace one item in a set if the set isn't itemized in an inventory. A detailed list will assist to find things more easily when unpacking. Sign across sealing tapes to ensure that the boxes are not tampered with.

Inquire about insuring the shipment with your removal agent. If possible, choose an insurance company that has representation in the new country or ensure that claims can be handled through your moving company.

Ask the moving company if they have a representative office in the host country. It would be easier to deal with a single company in both locations. Your moving company may also deliver the shipment using a local company that is their agent. Ask the moving company for the contact information for the host country agent in case it is possible to visit them during your familiarization trip.

1. Household Cleaning Appliances

A dishwasher may not be required. Often you likely will have household staff to wash dishes for you. Many homes will have tile floors, so you may not need a vacuum cleaner unless you plan to use area carpets or rugs. It also may not be possible to obtain service or spare parts for foreign household appliances.

2. Display, Ornamental and High Value Items

Paintings, photographs of home, friends and family members are appropriate to ship. Avoid bringing items such as small crystal ware, silver and pewter ware, antique items, valuable collections and expensive or heirloom jewelry. If you feel the need, purchase a safe and put it in the shipment. Remember to insure items chosen to bring with you. When trying to decide what to bring, here's a good rule to go by: If you can't bear to lose an item, leave it at home.

3. Kitchen Appliances

Electricity in the host country is often 220 volts AC and 50 Freq/Hz. cycle. While most 110 volt appliances from home will work with a transformer and plug adapter, you may not be able to service them or get spare parts in the new location. Most western-type kitchen appliances will be readily available in large cities, though the brands may be Japanese or Korean. While it is unlikely that the house you rent will be equipped with small appliances, larger items such as an oven, refrigerator, water heater, air conditioners and stove should be negotiated for and supplied by the landlord.

The holes in most of the electrical plugs/outlets in the host country will not be the same as you had previously. Make sure your sponsor or company informs you of the type prevalent in the host country.

4. Cutlery and Other Dining Necessities

Most items needed for the kitchen will be available . Plates, bowls and mugs from home are most probably microwave safe, while locally produced items may not be. Another reason to bring dishes from home is that controls may be lax in the host country on health-related issues such as lead content in dishes. Special baking pans, measuring cups and spoons and other specialized cooking items may not be available. Go to a few major stores on your familiarization trip to determine what is and isn't available.

5. Clothing

Lightweight summer clothing is appropriate year round in some host countries. There are locations where the range of temperature can fluxuate with cool or very cold weather. Some countries have a prevalent annual rainy season. It is best to plan accordingly.

Formal clothing such as jackets and suits may be required for business meetings, but every day dress is generally more relaxed in most countries. Bring formal evening wear for social functions. In many places custom tailored attire is available at relatively inexpensive prices.

Some men and women may not easily find ready-to-wear clothing to fit them. However tailors and seamstresses can easily make custom clothing to fit any size individual. Large shoe sizes are not always available. Most host countries generally use the European Shoe Size system, making up to size 38.

Conversion table for shoe size -->

Pack clothing that is appropriate for the culture of the host country. Revealing or tight attire for women (which exposes thigh, midriff or armpits) is often frowned upon. Wearing this type of clothing will only attract unwanted comments and attention. Sun dresses, halter tops, and midriff exposing shirts are also items of clothing that will garner unwanted attention. However, modest shorts and swimming garments are acceptable for sports activities in club facilities.

If you are moving to the tropics, you may need cold weather clothing for winter trips to the home country or when you travel from to countries with colder climates during holidays and business trips.

6. Children's Clothing

Some International schools require uniforms. Check when making initial inquiries. Pack summer and casual clothing for your children. Good quality export overruns that are locally produced as well as seconds for children and teens are usually readily available at factory outlet and department stores.

7. Bed and Bath items

Ship only flat sheets as bed sizes in the host country may differ from your home country. A large selection of bedding - bed sheets and pillow cases, both imported and domestically produced, are normally available.

Quilts and thick blankets are not required unless you live in a mountainous region. The temperature in an air-conditioned bedroom will be about 23-25 degrees Celsius. Bring light blankets or what you would normally use in similar temperatures at home. Large size or thick towels should be included in the shipment. Depending on the accommodation you rent, shower curtains or shower glass enclosures will already be in the home as they are common in new homes.

8. Personal Grooming, Perfumes and Cosmetics

Although many foreign brands are usually available in the host country, since they are imported they will be more expensive than what you pay at home. They may also be manufactured locally under license from the original manufacturer. Beware that some items may also be counterfeit.

You will probably prefer certain brands of toothpaste, soap, lotion, cosmetics and other toiletries. Your preferred brands may not be available in the host country. If uncertain, it's best to bring a supply from home to last for a few months until you Items needed are located. Pesons returning to the home country can assit each other to replenish any items not possible to obtain locally.

9. Exercise, Hobby and Other Sports Equipment

There are usually fitness and sport clubs that you may join as well as community sport groups. Golf, tennis, squash and other sports equipment are sometimes expensive in host countries. Remember to ship tennis and golf balls too. The prices in the host country may be much higher than what you are used to paying; particular brands which are preferred may not be readily available. Special hobby, art, craft and holiday-related items may also be difficult to obtain.

9. Books and Other Reading Materials

Bookstores in bigger cities usually sell foreign ( English ) books and magazines but prices will be more expensive than at home. Ship your favorite reading materials to the host country. The public library system in the host country may not be of much use. Usually several expat community organizations also run used book stores or lending libraries for their members.

10. Children's Toys and Games

Do bring your children's favorite toys to the host country. They will be immersed in a new environment and having their favorite toys and games will assist in their adjustment. Toy stores such as Toys ‘R Us stock good selections of new foreign toys and are generally found world wide.

11. Telephones

Telephones from home will probably work in the host country. The jack and electrical current (for portables) may be different, but adapters would be available. Cell phones are usually readily available in the host country in major international brands.

12. Computer equipment

Your computer system should work in the host country with a transformer, if necessary, to adjust to voltage differences. Consider the maintenance of your computer equipment in the host country before shipping it. Branded systems may have local service distributors there. Your modem should work, again it depends on the voltage. International brands of computer components are readily available in major cities. The modem adaptor that is required for host countries outside the USA is RJ11. It is difficult to find Macintosh spare parts in some host countries. They must be ordered from abroad.

13. Musical Instruments

You may choose not to ship large items such as pianos as the high humidity could damage them. Instead, consider purchasing a second-hand piano and resell it before your departure. Musical instruments, like all imported items, are more expensive in host countries than they would be in your home country.

14. Tools and Gardening Equipment

There may be household help to look after your garden. They usually don't need mechanized garden tools. Basic garden tools are available as are small tools for household repairs. Ace and True Value Hardware both have outlets world wide in most major cities for do-it-yourself household repair needs.

15. Prohibited items

Certain materials are strictly prohibited in some host country. Ensure that the prohibited items are not sent to the host country in your shipment. Your company or sponsor should be able to get you copies of the lists.

* Pornographic items - Adult theme materials in print, magnetic or digital format.

* Drugs - This covers mainly narcotics. Penalties are severe, so do not take risks. Bring prescriptions for large quantities of pills shipped.

* Firearms and ammunition - Leave your firearms in your home country, they are prohibited in most host countries

16. Pets

Deciding whether or not to bring the family pet is a personal decision. For more information, consult our article on Pets. However, before making your decision consider some of the following factors:

Will having your pets with you help the family in your adjustment to life in a new location?

How long will you be in the host country? If the period is less than one year, consider this as well as any quarantine periods that may be required for bringing your pets back home. Quarantine at point of origin is applicable in: England, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Hawaii or New Zealand only. Most other countries don't have quarantine requirements.

Can the animal adjust to the new environment? Long-hair animals may have health complications in the hot, humid climate. It may be difficult to bring your cat and confine it to your home for years. Remote areas may not have access to good veterinarians and other pet services that you would be able to find in thr major cities of most host countries.

Can your pet be fostered out to a friend or family member and returned to you upon your return home? Or would you be worrying about your pet the entire time you were in the host country?

If you decide to bring your pet to the host country, you will have to comply with import requirements. Import documentation is usually required from the the host country's Department of Agriculture. Ask your freight forwarder, moving company or airline to ensure that the necessary paperwork is completed to import your pet to the host country. Bring a veterinary assessment of your pet's health and immunization records. Birth and pedigree certificates will be needed if you intend to breed your pure-bred animals during your stay.