A guide for getting through customs when relocating internationally

Moving internationally calls for many more things you need to care of compared to other types of relocation. From packing your items for overseas transport to getting through customs when relocating internationally, it’s important to be well prepared. If you’re moving to Hong Kong, it’s best if you hire a professional company. ReloSmart Movers Hong Kong can help you ensure a successful and stress-free relocation. You can hire professional assistance for many services regarding your move, but it’s still important to stay aware of everything you’ll need to go through. If you understand the process, you can better decide which services you need. And, you’ll know how to prepare best.

What to expect from an international move?

While you might be familiar with packing and organizing a local or a long-distance move, international moves are different. If moving internationally means traveling overseas, that can complicate things even further. You won’t be able to load everything you want to move on a plane, especially chunky things such as large household appliances and furniture. That’s why many people simply choose to buy new furniture when moving overseas, but you don’t need to do this. Everything can be shipped, but you’ll need the right service. It’s a good idea to get in touch with international movers Hong Kong has. They will know best what to expect and they will be able to inform you in detail.

man holding a boarding pass for relocating internationally
Moving internationally requires attention to much more detail than other types of relocation.

How to pack for an international move?

Generally speaking, it’s the easiest to travel lightweight. If you don’t have many things for transport overseas, you’ll have fewer things to worry about. Sometimes you just can’t let go of some things, and you don’t need to. You should just consider every angle to see what works best for you.

Unlike other types of move, international moving requires a different way of packing your items. As they will probably be loaded onto a ship for transport, it’s important to secure everything and prevent any potential damage. When moving to Hong Kong from UK, you’ll want everything packed in wooden crates before it’s loaded onto the ship. While in transport, the cargo will be potentially exposed to extreme weather conditions which require extra protection. Carton boxes won’t be enough to protect your belonging from extreme temperatures and humidity. However, once they are sealed in a wooden crate, they will be much safer and you can rest assured everything will reach its destination in good condition.

Knowing how to pack and getting the right materials is not always easy. That’s why hiring professionals will make everything easier, even packing and finding the best way to transport your items. The great part of packing is also labeling. We’ll go through this in a bit, but it’s important to note that proper labeling can make getting through customs a stress-free experience. There are other things you’ll need to do besides proper packing and labeling, but it’s important not to miss anything important. You don’t want to be stuck with customs officials or to raise any unnecessary suspicion when relocating.

cargo boxes for international relocation
You can travel by plane, but you will have to load your belongings on a transport ship.

Getting through customs when relocating internationally

Getting through customs when relocating internationally is what most people worry about. Many people feel like that’s uncharted terrain, especially if it’s their first time moving internationally. There are many strict rules and regulations, but things are not that complicated once you know what to expect.

You should know that getting through customs when relocating internationally is always related to the import and export laws of the destination country. Many items may fall under restrictions or may require a special license for import. It may sound strange, as you need to move your personal items and not import goods for sale, but there is nothing you can do about it.

While wooden crates ensure the protection of your items during transport, there are also other things you should pay attention to. You should organize and label the boxes according to the import rules of the destination country. Don’t worry if you are clueless about how to do it. Many professionals can help you out. It’s best if you hire professional movers who can help you pack accordingly. If everything is labeled, the customs office will have much less trouble identifying everything for clearance. Poor labeling or no labels at all can cause suspicion and create unnecessary problems. Besides movers, you can also hire specialized professionals to guide you through the process.

Relosmart mover doing the packing
By involving a professional moving company you will have a seamless relocation

How to choose a reliable company to help get you through customs when relocating internationally?

While other kinds of professionals can help you with getting through customs, movers will always be of most help with packing. Since packing is the essential part of enabling you to move through customs with ease, you shouldn’t discard the idea of hiring movers.

Whether you hire movers, brokers, or an agency to help you get through customs, you should only hire reliable professionals. Unprofessional and unreliable assistance can create many problems that can result in a delayed move, extra costs, or unpleasantries with customs officials.

A reliable moving company should be able to provide a price estimate, as well as discuss all parts of the process in detail. Local moving companies won’t be enough, but you’ll need someone who knows how to deal with customs and all the specifics of the international relocation. Many moving companies have partner companies that can handle international transport, while their other partners and employees can assist with customs directly. However, preparing items for transport accordingly is the most important part.

If you plan to move with pets, there are some things you need to know first. A reliable company can provide a list of health checkups you need for everything to go smoothly. They need proper documentation to receive clearance, just as anything else you plan to bring into the country. While it may all sound complicated, it doesn’t have to be like that. The right assistance can help with every step of the way and help with getting through customs when relocating internationally.

Latest Posts

I was hoping to avoid the struggles of having to relocate altogether, but with ReloSmart Movers by my side, I’m glad I didn’t. The team did an incredible job – they arrived on time and handled everything perfectly!

David R.

Sydney