Moving internationally can be an exciting opportunity, but it can also be a challenging and stressful experience, especially if you’re not well-prepared. There are numerous factors to consider, from finding a suitable property to packing and shipping your belongings, dealing with customs regulations, and arranging international moving companies.

With careful planning and preparation, however, you can make the process smoother and less stressful. In this article, we’ll provide you with some helpful tips on how to prepare for an international move, including finding a property before moving, avoiding customs duty, looking into international moving companies, preparing well in advance, and selling everything you don’t need.

By following these tips, you can save time, money, and stress, and make your move to a new country an exciting adventure.

Find a Property Before Moving
The biggest headache in moving is going to be finding a property once you move your belongings. If you plan on bringing your belongings with you, then it won’t make sense to find a property after you move internationally.

By visiting the area you’d like to move to beforehand, you’ll give yourself a chance to experience the location and check out a few properties before moving. The added stress of having to find a place to live as well as the added expenses of staying in a hotel may affect your best judgment and land you in an unsatisfactory situation.

With one less task to worry about, you’ll be able to ship your belongings directly to your new home and save on any storage fees you might incur otherwise. While it may cost more to find a property before moving, it will save you time and stress during an already stressful situation.

Avoid Customs Duty
When you move overseas with many items, you will need to have a detailed inventory of your belongings. Border officials calculate custom duty and will also physically inspect your belongings so it’s important to not to try to sneak everything in. Ensure your belongings are packed properly or you may incur more charges when your items are inspected. It’s also a good idea to check what items you can bring into each country, as some countries don’t allow certain items to be brought into the country.

Look Into International Moving Companies
When moving to (or from) Portugal, international movers can be of huge help. Without having to worry about moving a ton of items yourself and figure it out yourself, you can look into a service like Three Movers for moving cost quotes.

Depending on where you’re moving from, you should expect to pay anywhere between $3000 to $12,000 depending on the load and how long the distance traveled will be. Another great reason to use a shipping company is that they can hold onto your items at a storage facility for a fee so you can retrieve your belongings when you’re ready.

This can save you the headache of having to find storage for your items if you plan on coming without having your new home in order. You can also save on your moving fees if you decide to move during off peak months.

Prepare Well in Advanced
Prepare your move not weeks before, but months before. Plane tickets will be much cheaper to purchase 3 months prior to your moving date, as well as moving costs. Find out where you’re going to live, and don’t wait until the last minute to pack your belongings.

Make a checklist and start with the big ticket items at the top. This way, you’ll have less stress as you move through your to-do list. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends or family, as that’s what they’re there for!

Sell Everything You Don’t Need
When preparing for your international move, you likely won’t want to bring a ton of furniture with you (otherwise you’ll face fairly high moving costs). You can sell your big items, as well as appliances and purchase new ones once you settle into Portugal or whatever destination you will be arriving in.

Whatever you don’t end up selling can be given to goodwill. If you can’t transport your furniture, then post on Craigslist and ask if anyone would like your furniture for free as long as they can transport the items themselves.

Conclusion
In conclusion, moving internationally can be a daunting task, but with careful planning and preparation, it can be a smoother process. Finding a property before moving can save you time, stress, and money. It’s also important to avoid customs duty by properly packing and checking what items can be brought into each country.

Utilising international moving companies can also make the process easier and more efficient. Planning well in advance and selling unnecessary items can also help save on costs. Remember, don’t be afraid to ask for help and support from friends and family during this exciting but challenging time.