Tips about embassies and important contact information

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So, you are set with your visa and or passport, now you need to make sure you get to know our embassies. Most embassies and consulates around the world have their own websites. When you move to another country, it’s really important to know the contact information and address of the embassy and consulate of the country you are moving to. They have excellent resources and can assist you if something goes wrong in your new international home.

Here are some important websites you should bookmark and make sure you have on hand before you move overseas:
• Embassy.org – Washington D.C. is the “hub” for international resources, lists of directories, passport and visas guides and much more.
• Governments on the Web – This is one of the most comprehensive lists of governmental institutions on the worldwide web which lists ministries, parliaments, offices, city councils, central banks, embassies, multi-governmental institutions and more. A great resource to use and know about the important local offices in your new country.
• Visa information – A private company not affiliated with a government agency but provides expedited visas, passports and other vital information needed for your move overseas.
• Forms and customs information – Rainier Overseas provides useful information on our own site including forms and customs information you should be aware of. Our online search tool is also really helpful.

Safe moving!

Tips about important tools to always have when moving overseas

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If you plan to move overseas, there are four online relocation tools that you should bookmark before you head on out across the pond. These are helpful tools when you are living in a different country.
• Currency calculator – Oanda provides advanced and comprehensive currency exchanges as well as trading, data input with foreign exchange rates and many other useful foreign exchange tools.
• Language translator – Google provides a solid text and webpage translations. It covers practically all languages in the world.
• Time zones – This gives you current local times in cities and all countries around the world.
• Electrical guide – Need to know what type of adapters to purchase when moving overseas? The website provides you with the type of adapters and power sockets you’ll need so you can use your current electronics and other devices in your new home overseas.

Safe moving!

Making an international move during the Covid-19 pandemic

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The world is on hold, but the move must go on. For some, this is simply reality. You have sold your house here in the US, and you need to be in your new home overseas as soon as possible.
Don’t Panic. Not all is lost. For starters, you might be happy to know that moving has been deemed an “essential service” virtually everywhere in the US. This means that currently, movers in the US can pack, pick up, load, ship or store your personal items without much difficulty. This checks off one major box for many. However, regulations related to the moving industry are not universal. Many of our foreign partners are currently unable to operate at full capacity due to either government regulations or labor shortages (or sometimes both). So now you might ask, “Do we go ahead and ship or do we wait it out?”
Well, let’s start with research. Fortunately, most everything you need to know about the current pandemic situation in the country you are moving to can be found online. In most countries, the media is doing a pretty good job of reporting on current status of the Covid-19 virus as well as the projected impact of the virus on life in that country. So, as if you need to be told this, the internet will be the first place to start.
Beyond that, you will need to keep an active chain of communication open between you and your shipping company. They should be able to advise you of any relevant changes or events that might impact your move and provide you with the best options available for your particular situation. Here are just some examples of what’s happening around the world:
In the UK, moves are not currently considered “essential,” so all inbound shipments are currently being unloaded into storage warehouses and kept there (mostly at the expense of the owner of goods) until the government resumes allowing deliveries. Most companies are offering very reasonable storage rates considering the times and circumstances.
In Australia, while most movers should be able to deliver shipments, there is a 14-day quarantine for all people entering the country from abroad. This might mean that someone else will need to receive delivery on your behalf, or, alternatively, you might need to arrive in the country earlier than previously planned.
As Canada is one of the few countries where you must personally present yourself to the customs office to clear your goods, this poses a completely different issue. There is a 14-day quarantine there as well, and since the transit time for most shipments to Canada is less than that, you will likely have to plan for additional storage charges as well make a logistical plan that takes this quarantine timing into consideration.
These are just a few of the situations we are seeing around the world, and things are changing so fast that by the time you finish reading this blog there is a good chance something else might have changed. The best advice we can give you is stay engaged and available, plan ahead, and be flexible. Check your emails regularly and make sure you have clear methods of contacting and being contacted by your movers and your forwarders.
That, and pack an extra case of toilet paper!
Stay safe and Stay well!

Tips to avoid health problems when moving overseas

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Keeping little critters out is important but always remember to protect your health when moving overseas. Wherever you are you are moving overseas, it’s really important to be informed regarding any health epidemics or other health-related concerns before relocating abroad. The US usually provides information about any health concerns you need to know about through Homeland Security and State Department advisories.
Here are some tips to keep-in-mind when you move overseas:
• Make sure you and every family member has a full medical check-up before departing. This needs to be done months in advance to ensure if someone has an underlying illness, it’s detected now before leaving. Also, this should include dental check-ups as well.
• After seeing your physician and dentist, make sure to make several copies of the medical records of each family member. The records almost certainly will be required by schools and will ease the transition to a new physician. Also, if any one of your family member’s has a chronic or special health condition, it should be determined whether it can be adequately treated in your new country. You can contact your consulate and they should be able to let you know what health services are provided at your new destination.
• It’s good to make a little wristband or medical bracelet for a family member that is allergic to certain drugs, has allergies, or any other type of health issue so that if he or she is treated at a clinic or hospital for an emergency, health technicians will know. Make sure to get a list of all of your families medicines and their generic names so an overseas pharmacist can provide something equivalent.
• English is widely spoken in many countries, but it is important that you translate the medical information to the language of your destination. This will ensure you will be given the correct and right dosages of the medicines you or your family take.
Always prepare for the unexpected so you and your family will be fully prepared if a minor or major health concern happens at your new overseas home.

Safe moving!

Tips about big-ticket items

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You have your garage sale and sold a lot of items per my blog last week. But you still have really big items that you need to move. When you are planning to move whether from state-to-state or internationally, it’s important to know what personal items you have that are difficult to move so you can prepare when your assessor comes out to ensure your “big-ticket” items are safely packed and safely moved.

Being prepared is key and having movers come in to move all of your belongings especially the big-ticket items, will ensure safe transport from point A to point B.

One of the most difficult items to move are pianos, no surprise there. Pianos are heavy and challenging to move they are large and bulky but more importantly, they have small intricate parts inside that can easily be damaged. Leave it to the pros to move your piano because they will make sure to not cause damage to it but more importantly, not to damage your doorways, hallways, walls and even ceilings and fixtures on top.

Another tough item to move are fish tanks. They are large and heavy and most of the time, fish don’t survive a move if they are left in the tank due to fluctuating conditions. I highly recommend to leave some of the “original” water in the tank, just above the bottom to ensure the existing bacteria in the water remains when you fill it. In addition, move your fish into small containers or bags using your fish tank water and transport them that way. If it’s a long trip to move, have them specially shipped via overnight or if possible, take them with you in a portable dispenser bag. You can purchase the bags at most pet and aquarium shops.

I have discussed moving artwork before but it’s also in the same category of difficult items to move. More often than not, your artwork is expensive or at the very least has sentimental value to it so you want to make sure during transport, your art safely arrives without damage. Your assessor and mover will wrap it in paper and use bubble wrap all around the frame for extra protection. If they are very good movers, they will also use packing peanuts and professional moving tape and mark it as “fragile” when it’s secured in a box for the move.

When you know and are aware about some of the big-ticket items and how they should be packed before your move, your large items will be safely secured. Leave it to the pros and you’ll have less headaches when you move to your new home.

Safe moving

Making the most out of “Quarantine”!

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Are you making the most out of your quarantine? Whether self-imposed or government sanctioned, let’s look for a silver lining in it all.
If you are planning a move in the next year, quarantine may be just what the doctor ordered for a completely different reason.
Now is the time to Purge! Transfer stations and dumps are all still open for business and let’s face it, social distancing at a dump is a must do regardless of the outbreak. Get the kids together and take a road trip to the dump. The lines are shorter than usual, and it will give you another reason to wear that face mask.
Donations! While most are not open at this moment, when the quarantine is over, they will need your unwanted treasures more than ever. Start separating them out, make a pile somewhere in the house (don’t worry about the mess, no one is coming over to see it) and then when this is all done you can run it out and be ahead of the game.
Get planning your move now! We are open for business and working hard “virtually” to continue assisting. Now is the time to set up a “Virtual Survey” of your home to determine not only budgetary cost but knowing your options ahead of time, may change what you decide to dump or donate.
Once you know what you want to take, you have the time, start your valued inventory. As you sit on the couch today, instead of binge watching all the seasons of Games of Thrones start making a valued list of all your goods. This will save you having to do it at the busiest time of your move, when you have so much else to do.
Lastly, learn about your new home. The internet is filled with valuable information about your new county, state and city. Now is the time to research with the kids or maybe just for yourself. For customs information you can visit our web site at www.rainieros.com/forms/customs-regulations-by-country/

Be safe and stay well!

Get the most out of a garage sale

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Last week, I discussed tips moving on a budget. This week, I’m going to provide you tips about garage sales so you can use the money to make it less burdensome if moving on a budget.

One of the best ways to make money and be able to lighten the load for your move is holding a garage sale that can turn your unwanted items into cash. If you’re trying to sell your home, a moving sale might even attract a potential buyer.

Here are some tips to getting the most out of a garage sale:
• Schedule your garage sale on weekends. Start on Friday and end on a Sunday. Post the hours of your sale on the neighborhoods blogs in your area, go online and promote the sale three weeks prior to your sale. Use Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest etc. to promote your event.
• When utilizing social media, mention some of the items you’ll be selling like electronics, furniture, appliances etc. Let them know about the prices and provide your email address so they can contact you if they want to know more about the items you are selling.
• Usually garage sales are at your home but if you don’t have plenty of parking and space for people to walk around, consider holding your moving sale at a nearby local school or community center. The fees are usually minimal and you have access to reach hundreds of parents through school or community bulletins.
• How much should you price and sell a particular item? Visit eBay and search for similar items to see what the asking prices are and go online to see how much you can reasonably expect to sell your things.
• Plan for bad weather. You won’t have to worry about the weather if your moving sale is in a school or community center but if it is at your home, get sheets of plastic to cover your items if it does rain.
• Have some drinks on hand and paper bags so shoppers have something to carry their purchases when checking out.

By using these simple tips, you should hopefully have a successful garage sale, making some decent cash while unloading your unwanted items.

Follow these simple steps and you will lower your moving expenses and will also be organized and prepared for the big move.

Safe moving!

In the military? We have some tips just for you

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Now you know how to move your car overseas but what should you know if you are in the military? Moving is complicated by itself and if you are in the military, you know moving your belongings and family can be quite a challenge. A permanent change of station (PCS) is something every military family will experience eventually.

To make the move a lot smoother, here are some simple tips to keep in mind when heading overseas:
• Personal Property Office (PPO) – Once you receive your PCS, contact the PPO. You might have already done this before but no two moves are alike and they have excellent resources for you. There, you can find your basic entitlements and responsibilities among many other helpful tips. A website you will find useful is the Department of Defense site that offers a lot of basic PCS information.
• Make sure to contact your sponsor or new command once you receive your PCS. Your sponsor can help you get to know your new destination and provide you valuable information about what specific belongings to bring or not to bring. In other words, if you are moving to a country that doesn’t accommodate big-sized furniture, your sponsor will let you know so you can put some of your possessions in storage until your new PCS.
• Need to know your entitlement – Make sure you find out how much weight for your move that the government will pay for you. This is really important to ensure you stay within their budget and yours too so you avoid any extra excessive weight fees or charges.
• Papers in order – Before moving, you will need to make sure you have plenty of copies of your PCS available and stored in a safe location. Be sure to have any letters of authorizations, powers of attorney docs, appraisal of high-priced belongings, video or photo identification of your items, and pertinent insurance policies.

One final tip, always purchase movers’ insurance before you move so that your personal belongings are protected when they are shipped overseas. It will definitely give you peace-of-mind. By following these tips and thoroughly preparing before your move, you will know you did everything in your power to ensure a safe military move.

Safe moving!

Moving overseas on a limited budget?

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If you are planning to move overseas whether on your own or due to work, it can become very expensive but there are certain steps you can take to make it less expensive.

Here are some useful tips to move on your budget and to make it even less complicated:
• Lighten the load – When you move, this is a great time to get rid of non-important things and items you never use such as books that have been in your shelf for years or a chair that you never use. Less movers have to move, less you’ll have to pay. Plan on giving away your extra un-needed items, donate, sell or recycle them.
• Dedicated mover – Make sure to hire someone that has been in the business for years and is reputable. At Rainier, you will receive dedicated and personalized service. In addition, we know hundreds of agents throughout the world to provide you the very best price.
• Purchase insurance – Movers know how to transport your belongings but accidents do happen. A reputable company will always offer insurance coverage. If something happens during transport, you’ll know you won’t lose everything monetarily.
• Moving date – Generally speaking, movers are extremely busy during the summer months, weekends and at the beginning and ending of each month. If you can be flexible about the date of your move, the ideal times are middle of the months, November through early December, February through April. These are some of the least busy times and some movers may provide discounts during the slow months.

Follow these simple steps and you will lower your moving expenses and will also be organized and prepared for the big move.

Safe moving!