Checklist for Moving Overseas

5 – 6 WEEKS BEFORE:

• Check that your passports and visas are valid
• Check whether any permits are required, e.g. for residency, work, vehicles or firearms.
• Check vaccination requirements.
• Check your travel documents and tickets.
• Collate all your personal documents, e.g. birth and marriage certificates and medical records. Advise your solicitor, bank, doctor, dentist, insurance company, building society and relevant government bodies, e.g. social services / welfare office, Cancel subscriptions to clubs and magazines.
• Notify schools. Obtain invoices for new purchases (for customs import formalities)
• Clear out the loft, garage and shed.

3 – 4 WEEKS BEFORE

Prepare a valuation for insurance and complete the insurance proposal form. Dispose of items you don’t want to ship. Supply a contact number and/or address in your home country for after you have moved but before you leave the country (if appropriate). Supply your overseas contact address and phone number. Ask for final accounts for water, electricity, telephone, etc. Complete all outstanding credit agreements, Cancel all rental agreements. Run down stock of food and drink. Confirm your removal date with your agent.

1 -2 WEEKS BEFORE

Arrange for mail to be forwarded. Clean all shoes, bicycles, garden tools, vacuum cleaner bags, wooden ornaments/decorations, grooming brushes and such equipment, clothing etc. or animal hair, seeds, dust/dirt, insects and disease. Arrange care for children on moving day. Arrange for mains services to be disconnected. Empty lockers at school and work. Return or retrieve any items on loan. Drain fuel from motor mowers, etc. Dispose of plants and perishable foods.

4 – 6 DAYS BEFORE

Separate all personal items which are to travel with you, e.g. keys, documents, passports, tickets, certificates, currency, clothing, etc. Disconnect clean and dry any electrical appliances that you wish to ship. Disconnect lights for shipment and make wiring safe. Dismantle furniture items. Any items you are not taking with you make sure they are put away or given away so that the packers do not include them in the packing. Arrang with neighbor’s to leave sufficient parking space for the removal vehicle.

1 – 3 DAYS BEFORE

Relax and let your agent do the work. Remain on hand in case the packers have questions. Check all rooms, cupboards and walls to make sure nothing is left behind.