Household moving generally becomes more chaotic with added miles between destinations. When you’re moving to another country, planning particularly intensifies. In order to get a smooth relocation, here are a few tips to keep in mind when for an international move.

Update Your Passport

If you’re moving internationally, chances are this isn’t a spur-of-a-moment decision. Ensure your passport is up to date. If you don’t have a passport already, start the process a year in advance. The time it takes to renew or update a passport can vary throughout the year, so make this a top priority!

Prepare Family Pets

Different countries have varying requirements that allow animals to enter. Some countries even have quarantine time requirements. Ensure you know the rules about welcoming your beloved pet in the new location and make arrangements with your vet early to get necessary vaccinations or paperwork.

Research Local Culture

With nearly 4,000 different cultures worldwide, chances are that you’ll be in culture shock in a new country. Prepare ahead of time by becoming familiar with common customary practices. For example, in many countries, guests are expected to remove their shoes before entering a home.

Learn a Few Phrases

You might not be able to learn an entire language before moving day. With so many online language learning apps, you can learn a few common phrases, such as welcoming greetings or expressions of gratitude. Another valid term to know is “how much?” Many countries have markets for barter.

Obtain Converters or Adapters

If you’re moving abroad short term, you might not want to get rid of all your electronics. Still, most countries operate between 220 and 240 volts, while the U.S. uses 120V. This means you’ll need converters to work. You also might need to purchase wall plug-in adapters.

Prioritize Your Belongings

Houses in the United States are massively larger than most other countries. Even compared to British homes, the average U.S. home is two times larger. That means you’ll need to prioritize your belongings, also considering that many countries don’t have built-in closets.

An experienced international moving company can help get you to a new country smoothly. Still, there’s prep work to do ahead. Clemmer Moving and Storage has nearly 120 years of service as a reputable relocation company. Get started with a free quote.