Planning Your International Move?

Being organized is key to a smooth and successful move. Begin planning as soon as possible to start getting the details of your move in order.

First, decide what items you wish to transport to your new home. If you decide to dispose of items that you don't need, consider donating them to a charity or having a garage sale. Contact a local charity or pick a date at least two weeks before the moving date for the garage sale. Advertise the garage sale and team up with your neighbors and/or friends who want to sell some of their old belongings, and plan your "sale".

Start collecting suitable moving and packing supplies if you plan to do your own packing or partial packing. You can purchase all these materials from your agent or a moving supply company. All boxes that you purchase from BWS are specially designed for the moving industry to prevent any damages to your belongings. Getting boxes from other sources may create some difficulties when packed in the shipping containers or aircraft as they may be unusual sizes and not strong enough to prevent damages to items packed inside.

Think about your new home layout and start thinking about where you'll place the furniture. Create a floor plan of your new home that will prevent the stress of making decisions when your furniture arrives at your new home.

All travel arrangements (hotel, flights, car rental, etc.) for your family should be made at this time. Try to keep your plan flexible as possible to accommodate any schedule changes or delays. 


Contact your insurance agent to transfer medical, property, fire and auto insurance.

All medical and dental records should be placed in a safe and accessible place. Be sure to include prescription, vaccination records and eyeglass specifications.

Plan on taking all important documents, such as wills, stock certificates and other one of a kind items (jewelry, coin collection, photos etc.).

4 Weeks before moving
Take time to look at what you own and decide what must go and what can be left behind. All items such as old books, magazines and old toys can be left behind. Broken and/or irreparable items can be disposed of.

Remember-adding more weight to your shipment costs more money.
Make a decision if the items not going that will be sold at a garage sale, picked by a charity or trash it.

Make a decision on who will do most of the packing or all the packing. It is a good idea that you let the moving company do most of the packing. The moving company knows the best methods for keeping items safe.

3 Weeks before moving
Notify your relocations agent if there are any changes in the dates of your move. If you will need any additional accessorial service such as piano moving, packing and unpacking, or storage you should inform the moving company for pricing information. Also inform them if you have added or subtracted items from your planned shipment.

Consider giving your plants to friends or a charity.


Make transportation arrangements for your pets. Take them to your veterinarian to ensure health certificates and rabies inoculations are up to date.

You will need to carry all valuable jewelry with you. If you have any valuables around the house, be sure to collect them before leaving.

Return any borrowed items such as library books. Also collect all items that are being repaired, stored or cleaned (clothing, furs, shoes etc.).


2 Weeks before moving
Transfer all prescriptions. Call your bank to find out how to transfer your accounts. Clear all your safety deposits boxes.

Disassemble and disconnect your computer system before your move. Back up all your computer files on a disk. Consider taking all back up file disks with you instead of sending it with your shipment. Exposure to extreme temperatures can damage your software.

Make final packing decisions. Clean and clear your home including closets, basement and attics and the items that you will take.
Dispose of items that represent a hazard and are not allowed to be shipped.

Tape and seal all cleaning fluids that are non-toxic and non-flammable in plastic bags.
Drain your lawn mower and power tools of all the oil and gasoline to ensure safe transportation.

Schedule appliance disconnection and preparation with a service provider.
If you need to store anything, call your moving company about storage options available.

Inform gas, electric, cable, and telephone services of your move. Arrange to have them disconnected the day after your scheduled moving day.

1 Week before moving
Make sure to mark which items you will take yourself, so the movers won't take them or have any questions.

Make sure you haven't overlooked anything in the house.
Mark your boxes to be shipped with "Fragile", "Do Not Load", "Load Last" stickers.

Empty, defrost and clean out your refrigerator and freezer. Clean your stove, all at least 24 hours before moving to let them air out. Try using baking soda to get rid of any odors.

Prepare items you will need while your goods are in transit. Pack your suitcases and confirm travel arrangements for you and your family. Try to keep plans as flexible as possible in the event of unexpected delays or schedule changes.

Make sure your agent knows the address and phone number to your new home overseas. You should also provide an address and phone number of where you can be reached while in transit to your new home. You should ensure all documents required for your move are completed and copies given to your relocation agent.

Arrange payment for your moving company. Inquire about methods of payment accepted.

Insurance
There are times when for reasons beyond anyone's control (i.e. Acts of God, fire, hijacking, etc.) when your goods may be damaged or lost. For this reason, we suggest you always insure your goods with an "All Risk, Door to Door Marine insurance" policy which should take effect on the moving date. (Note: The All Risk Marine Insurance includes war insurance, which covers hijackings.)

Remember, always insure your goods for the amount of money it would cost to replace them in the country you are moving to. Replacement costs overseas will often vary from country to country.

Off the Ship - Clearing your shipment
Depending upon the country you are moving to, you will need some or all of the following documents in order to clear customs:
Passport
Immigrant Certificate
Detailed packing list with value of contents
Receipts for appliances and new furniture
Tenancy contract or title for new house
Proper proof of tax exemption, if entitled
Destination country's appropriate Customs documentation
Bill of lading

NOTE - Customs regulations are subject to change at any time. Please contact your local and/or destination embassy or consulate.

Ways to Save
One of the best ways to save on moving is selective packing. Will that king-sized bedroom set fit your new home aboard? Will that appliance work on the electrical current in your new home? Will you be able to get spare parts for it?

These are types of questions you should consider and whether such items would be cheaper to replace once you arrive at your new destination.

Custom Crating & Packing
Whether you are looking to move locally or Internationally, BWS-BOSS Ltd. has the experience and personable staff you can depend on. We treat your furnishings and other valuables - large or small - as if they are our own and get them to your new home in a safe and efficient manner.
We specialize in packing your everyday stoneware to your finest porcelain. We offer special attention and custom crating for all antiques and original works of art.

BWS-BOSS Ltd. can supply custom crating that meets the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packing Materials in the International Trade (ISPM15). The International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures was adopted by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and is an international treaty to secure actions to prevent the spread and introduction of pests to plants and plant products, and to promote appropriate measures for their control. The ISPM15 is a standard on which many countries WPM (wood packing material) regulations are based upon.

Call or email us for a free survey and packing estimate.
roger@bdashipping.bm (441) 292-9649 ext. 201

steve@bdashipping.bm (441) 292-9649 ext. 202