If you're about to start packing because you're going to move to another country, you are no doubt staring at everything you own and wondering where to begin. Packing for an international move is a special kind of packing because you're dealing with freight and moving costs that are normally above and beyond what a local move would cost. That means you need to be very selective in what you take with you. Packing for a permanent move abroad is slightly different than packing for a temporary move, but both can benefit from these five tips.
Vacuum Clothing Bags
While there will likely be some clothes and linens that you can leave behind, the more room you have in the moving boxes, the more clothing and linens you can take with you. That cuts down on the drama involved in deciding if that shirt you really love but rarely wear should stay or go. Vacuum bags for clothing and linens -- the plastic zippered bags that have a hole through which you can remove excess air with a vacuum hose attachment -- are essential items for compact packing. By removing all that excess air, you can shove many more pieces of clothing into those boxes.
Know What You Can Get There
Many things you use here can likely be found in the new country for reasonable prices. Those are items that you should leave behind here and just purchase again when you arrive. For example, if you have some rare cookware that isn't going to be easy to find in your new country, pack that. But if you have a basic dish set that doesn't hold any sentimental value for you or your family, sell or donate that, and buy some new dishes in the new country. The same goes for basic items like plain T-shirts, sheets, and so on. That will cut down on what you have to pack here.
"Ship, Store, Sell"
The website Expat Yourself offers a "ship, store, sell" strategy that can help you figure out what to leave behind. Anything you use often should be shipped. Anything you don't use often but just can't bear to lose should be stored, either in a storage unit or with family or friends. Anything that doesn't fit in the other two categories can be sold (or donated, if you prefer). Anything that's very heavy and that isn't essential to your life should be sold as well, such as large furniture that you can get in the other country. If you're moving abroad permanently, the storage option may be a moot point, though you could store the items and ensure that a friend or family member is willing to help ship them out to you at some point in the future.
TSA Locks on Your Luggage
While this doesn't affect the packing process before you leave, the last thing you need is to find that you have to rush to the airport to leave and you have no locks for your luggage. Get TSA-approved locks now so that you don't have to worry about them later. You do want to lock up your bags so that non-TSA people can't get inside them to steal stuff after you check the bags or put them in an airplane storage bin.
Hire Packers
Once you've figured out what you're keeping and storing, and what you're getting rid of, get some professional packers to help you box everything up. You can hire independent packers or see if the moving company has any who can help for an extra fee.
Contact the moving company to see what help they can offer you and what other advice they may have. Companies that specialize in international relocations (such as Hollander Storage & Moving) can often give you pointers that may be more country-specific.
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