Overseas Moving Service

AA Varco Moving & Storage is an experienced overseas moving company based in South Florida. Many considerations are necessary when moving overseas, so seek expert help before undertaking this important task. Call AA Varco Moving & Storage at 954-971-7112 to discuss your move and receive a free quote.

Below are some tips for consideration before you make the move.

Moving overseas can be a frightening experience, on the other side; it can even be exciting too. You see lots of new people, learn and know their cultures; become acquainted with a new culture and different hues of living. On the other side of the coin, there are anxieties of your family, its compatibility with the new surroundings, the status of your household possessions. What about the jimmy- my dog and other pets? How about my taxes and the list never ends.

Further, moving to some other place involves lot of regulations - customs and other stuff. The legal provisions of that country, may become a noose, if you are not aware of important regulations.

The key to a successful overseas move, is getting organized in a planned manner. Go through the tips and guides that moversweb.com provides, and also make sure that you itemize things in an order ( like 1. do this at this time , 2. do that in that time 3. so on) and see that you finish all the items.

Customs regulations general, country specific
Countries collect duties , some sort of taxes, when you take some particular items with you. And the items on which these duties are collected, depend on the particular country. The customs authorities have different questions to ask you so be prepared to answer their questions. And also be ready to show them, any document they require. So know the customs information before, so that you can avoid surprises later on .

For those of you who live in the United States, the U.S. Customs Service offers publications on international moving. Call (202) 354-1000 for tape-recorded messages and to request publications or write: U.S. Customs Service, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington D.C. 20229. Check the Customs Service's Internet site: - http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/- for online publications.

Customs Regulations - often regulated items
Check with a consulate, embassy or customs office for your destination country, if you have specific questions on items you want to take with you. If something is questionable, obtain written assurance from the consulate/embassy that the item can be admitted as part of your shipment.

There are some items, which are often regulated by the customs offices of your origin and destination countries and these are given below:

Household Goods
- If you take any household good, they are generally duty-free, but if it's a brand new (less than a year of purchase), then you are going to pay a price. Before buying any items to take abroad, determine if it is worth paying duty on them. You might want to purchase the items after the move if they are available at destination. Although you can order items by mail while living abroad, you still are required to pay duty on them.

- Check with the customs, consulate whether you can carry the following items packed in your household goods shipment: alcohol, tobacco, cameras and unexposed film. Many countries limit the amount of these items you can bring. Check with a consulate, embassy or customs office for your destination country, prior to your departure to determine the quantities permitted.

- And if you carry something like matches or candles, then you may be in a trouble. So make sure that you consult consulate or embassy of your destination country on other items that are restricted, prohibited, or in need of licenses or permits. (matches, candles, paint, and cleaning and lighting fluids)

- don't take very large items with you ; their cost of transportation may exceed the cost you bought it. Check if they are available in the destination country and check for the size of new home if it is sufficient to accommodate the things.

- Personal accessories such as clothing, furs and jewelry usually are duty-free as long as they are for the owner's use and not for resale. Check restrictions of your destination country before shipping your possessions. Ship the jewelry through the airfreight or carry them with you, this could avoid any theft possible.

- Medication : If you carry any prescription medications with you, follow these suggestions to avoid problems:

Carry your medicine in small quantities.
Keep medications in their appropriate prescription containers. If possible, these containers should list your doctor's name, pharmacy and medication name on the label.

Obtain a letter
From your doctor stating your condition, confirming the medication and telephone number for verification.

Pets
Before you decide to move your pet to another country, two factors should be considered. First, will your pet be allowed in the destination country? If so, a health and/or rabies certificate might be required from your veterinarian. Be sure to ask a consulate or embassy of your destination country how long any certificate is considered valid and if your pet also will need an entry permit.

Second - Cost is the consideration. In most cases, you will be required to pay duty on your pet and pay for your pet to be quarantined, Depending on your destination county, your pet could be quarantined from a few weeks to a full year.

If you do take your pet, be sure to do the following:

Get the pet's medical records from your vet

Provide your pet with a travel identification tag - in addition to his/her permanent identification collar - so your pet can be returned to you if found. Include your pet's name; your name, destination address and telephone number; and an alternative contact person's name and telephone number.

Schedule your trip to ensure your pet doesn't arrive at destination on a weekend or holiday when customs facilities are closed. Otherwise, your pet might be without food, water and other care for a long period.

To help speed up the clearance process for your pet, write to the port entry veterinarian advising him of your pet's arrival date, flight number and other required information.

Houseplants
Many countries prohibit the entry of plants and bulbs. So it follows that bulbs, seeds and houseplants cannot be packed as part of your household goods shipment. Find out if a special permit is necessary to carry the seeds with you.

Motor Vehicles
You carry your car to some country paying the duties, taxes or whatever, only to find that the same model car is available at the destination place for a lesser price!! Wouldn't you hate such a position ? So make sure before leaving: if you have a same model car at the destination country available at a lesser price than the combined cost of the buy and transportation plus customs, then you are not going to transport it. Well horse sense isn't it?

Certain makes of automobiles might be prohibited. Models that are allowed, might require an entry permit and modifications to meet emission or safety standards. If you decide to take your car, check the availability of parts, unleaded or premium gasoline, and right-hand versus left-hand driving.

When shipping a car, nothing can be left in the interior or in the trunk, except normal accessories - such as a jack and a spare tyre. Customs also may permit transporting the vehicle's hubcaps, extra air filters and/or engine parts in the trunk. Be sure to check with customs officials in advance.

Firearms
Many countries prohibit handguns and other weapons. Firearms that are allowed will require permits. Do not include any weapon in your household goods shipment, without written assurance from a consulate or embassy of your destination country, that it will be admitted. Remember, all ammunition is prohibited in shipments, due to the risk of explosion.

Money
You will not be allowed to take tons of cash with you. Restrictions can be placed on the amount of currency you can take in or out of a country. This includes cash (native and foreign), money orders, traveler's checks and any other negotiable securities. Depending on the amount of money you can take across borders, you might need to complete a special customs report.

Antiques
Your precious collectibles might be duty-free, if they are at least 100 years old. To verify this, you will need proof of antiquity from an appraiser.

Food
You may want to take your favorite beans with you, but many countries do not allow some food items. You may carry some processed food items, which are available in cans. Further, you need to check with a consulate, embassy or customs office for your destination country before packing food to take along with you.

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