Before you move, you should contact the embassy of your new country regarding
advice on visas. The embassy may even be able to put you in contact with other
expatriate families who can share their experiences and provide you with
valuable suggestions.
International moving insurance
Additional insurance on your items is always advised when you are
moving internationally. You should perform an itemized inventory of
your move, complete with precise valuation of each item. You can even include
the cost to you of moving the item. For instance, if you are insuring a large
screen television, add the pro-rated cost of moving the item to the full value
of replacing the television. Ask your
moving company for complete details and as always, get as many opinions
as possible before making a decision.
If you are planning to
ship your car or truck, you should expect plenty of restrictions.
Import restrictions differ from country to country and you should research the
allowances of your destination.
Here are some things to keep in mind regarding shipping your automobile:
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Are you licensed to drive in your new country?
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Does your vehicle meet the environmental standards required?
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Is the cost of insurance prohibitive?
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Is the cost of
shipping your vehicle within your budget?
If you’re looking into moving overseas, make sure to study up on the
licensing requirements that the
international movers may need. Some
international moving companies are based overseas and some are based within the
United States. To get a firm understanding on the international mover you may
be dealing with, you should consult with the Federal Maritime Commission
(FMC).
International household goods movers are required to be licensed with
Federal Maritime Commission as an Ocean Transportation Intermediary, otherwise
known as an OTI. A reputable international mover would be licensed by the
commission with a tariff and bond. However, what you should know about the FMC
is that its rules and regulations are only for companies which travel overseas.
If you are considering hiring a moving company to help you relocate to Mexico,
the FMC standards do not apply, because, as mentioned, there is no ocean travel
involved. You must research different information and licensing.
There are two different kinds of OTI’s. One OTI is known as an ocean freight
forwarder (off), the other is known as a non-vessel operating common carrier
(NVOCC). Ocean freight forwarders are required to obtain a license to provide
moving services to those in the United States. U.S. based NVOCC’s
are required to be licensed; however the NVOCC’s that are not based in U.S. are
not required to be licensed.
The non-U.S. based NVOCC’s do have the option of choosing to get a license. If
the moving company considers its own financial responsibility, it
would get a license because it lowers a lot of their insurance issues.
When is an Ocean Transportation Intermediary required? It’s
required when any individual, or entity which is a resident in or incorporated
in the United States and performs Ocean Transportation Services in the foreign
commerce of the United States.
What does that mean exactly? The international moving companies based in the
U.S. need a license to transport household goods into a different country.
Outside of making sure the
moving company has proper licensing, consider the currency of the
country you’re moving to, as well any contact information with the U.S.
Embassy.
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