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International Moving Guide:

The key to a successful and uncomplicated international relocation is knowing what to expect and preparing for all the stages ahead of time. We take the guesswork out of moving by laying out a series of manageable, scheduled events.

During your move, use our resources. You will find that Allstate representatives reserve a wealth of information and provide essential guidance to help you prepare and execute your move, assisting you every step of the way. As specialists experienced in overseas moving, we help secure the safe transportation of your belongings. At your final destination, an Allstate overseas partner will assist you from customs to the final delivery.

Below is a comprehensive guide to be used as your road map to planning from start to finish for a trouble-free overseas move:

Understanding Your Move:

  1. Order for service and limitation of Liability
  2. Packing and Loading
  3. Preparation of Appliances
  4. Types of Transportation
  5. Transit Time for Goods
  6. Shipping Costs
  7. Other Possible Expenses To Prepare For

Pre-Planning Your Move:

  1. Selecting a moving date
  2. Resources Available
  3. Customs Regulations
  4. Items To Take
  5. People and Places to Notify

Documents Needed:

  1. To Leave a Country
  2. To Enter a Country
  3. Questions to Ask
Getting Settled Abroad:
  1. Following Up
  2. Settling In

Understanding your Move

By land, sea or air, Allstate Moving Systems can move you anywhere. Our representatives are available to help guide you through every detail of your international move.

1. Order for service and limitation of Liability

At the time your goods are loaded and again at delivery, you will sign an agreement known as an order for service. It will contain all charges for services performed, in addition to terms and conditions under which your goods are moved.

On the order for service, you will have the ability to select the level of carrier liability for your goods in terms of dollars and cents per pound, per item/package (for details view our Shipment Protection section).

Note: To protect yourself financially, take pictures of your furniture and valuables as proof of ownership in the event of loss or damage. Also take photographs anything that might need to be disassembled for transit so the destination crew will know how to reassemble the items upon arrival to your new home.

2. Packing and Loading
When the packing team arrives at your home, your personal belongings will be placed in appropriate cartons or containers. To protect your goods from damage, items will be individually wrapped in paper pads as needed. Made of shock-absorbing fiber, the paper pads are used exclusively for international relocations.

Once your shipment has been prepared for loading, it will be placed inside one or more containers. The type of containers selected will depend on the mode of transportation, the size of your shipment and your destination. Your shipment can be loaded into one or more of the following:

3. Preparation of Appliances
Before the packers arrive at your home, make certain all of the appliances you plan to take have been cleaned and serviced (check your owner's manuals for cleaning instructions). Allow drying time for any major appliances that use water or produce moisture before packing, to avoid mold or mildew build-up during the move.

All mechanical and electrical equipment must be serviced prior to your move. Most washers, dryers, air conditioners, refrigerators, stereos and grandfather clocks have components that must be secured by a trained technician. Items not serviced will be noted on the inventory as "not serviced - loaded at owner's risk". At your request, Allstate can arrange for the necessary appliance and equipment servicing for an additional cost.

4. Types of Transportation
Your shipment will be forwarded via one or more modes of transportation:
After your shipment has been packed and loaded, it will be transported by truck or rail to the port of exit, depending on the type of transportation selected.

5. Transit Time for Goods
The type of transportation used, the distance covered and the time required to clear customs will affect the transit time of your shipment.

Allstate Moving Systems utilizes a system to track your shipment.
You can receive updates on your shipment by calling contacting your representative.

6. Shipping Costs
To determine the moving costs, an Allstate Moving Systems representative will come to your home for a FREE in-home estimate. Be sure to show the agent everything that will be moved. The estimate you receive will detail the charges for packing and transporting your household goods.

Services not typically included in estimates are:
No matter how your shipment is transported, you (or your employer, if applicable) will receive only one invoice.

7. Other Possible Expenses To Prepare For Back To Top

Pre-Planning your Move

Carefully pre-planning your move overseas can make all the difference in experiencing a stress-free move.

1. Selecting a moving date
Things to keep in mind when determining your moving date: 2. Resources Available
Allstate’s representatives can provide a variety of services to assist you with your move, from information about your destination and customs regulations, to cross-cultural training, housing assistance and settling-in services (some of the services are fee-based). Other resources for information include a consulate, embassy, customs office or chamber of commerce for your destination country/city.

3. Customs Regulations
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.

As your shipment goes through customs, it is important that you be on hand to answer questions, to provide additional documentation, if necessary, and to pay any duties that are levied against your goods. Upon paying, keep the official receipt. Some duties may be refundable when you leave the country.

The items below are commonly regulated in customs:

4. Items To Take
Regardless of how your household goods are transported, there are many items you may want or need to take with you - clothing, bedding, medications, valuables, work materials or any other items you will need on hand between your new home and your old home. If your shipment is moving by sea, you may consider sending some items you will need right away by air. Some examples and ideas of items you may want to take include:

Electric Adapter: Some countries in the Western Hemisphere have an electric power of 110 volt, 60-hertz (cycles per second) alternating current (AC). However, the majority of countries run on 220-440 volt, 50 hertz AC. Depending on your destination, you might need converters, transformers, voltage regulators or adapter plugs.

Remember that converters work only with the same type of current- an appliance manufactured to run on AC will not work on direct current (DC).

In addition to transformers and regulators, you also might need adapter plugs. Appliances with flat-blade plugs are common in the United States, whereas European countries often use plugs with two or three round prongs.

As well as differences in electricity, television broadcasting varies from country to country. Receivers manufactured for the U.S. market most likely will be incompatible with foreign signals.

School Records: Take copies of your children's transcripts with you. If you move during the school term, ask for the grades your children have earned in classes at the time of withdrawal. If your children are in junior high, middle or high school, try to obtain a curriculum guide or course description of classes your children are taking.

You can receive addresses of schools abroad by requesting the Directory of Overseas Schools, which is updated annually and cross-indexed by country, city, residential status and name. Check your local library or request a copy by visiting International School Services.

Medical Information: Prescriptions for eyewear, dental records (both from physicians and hospitals) should be taken with you. If medications are listed by brand name, have your physician include the generic name. Gather details on the dates you or your children received immunizations.

Hard-to-Find Items: Some items may be hard-to-find, expensive, nonexistent or of less quality overseas. Consider packing extras when you move. Some hard-to-find items may include:

Old Telephone Books: Take your local telephone book with you to save on long-distance information charges. If you do not have room, the Internet is a great solution.

5. People and Places to Notify
You will need to alert many people of your upcoming relocation. Suggestions for people and places to contact follow:

Power of Attorney: Before moving, you might want to execute a power of attorney, which will designate a person to act on your behalf. If you do, provide this person with a key to your safe deposit box, an up-to-date will, insurance policies, appointment of your children's legal guardian (should the need arise), and copies of the legal documents you are taking with you. These documents might include birth and marriage certificates, divorce decrees, bank drafts, letters of credit, tax documents and Social Security records.

Insurance Agent: Find out if your automobile and homeowner's insurance polices will be valid at your destination. If not, you consider taking out a new policy. A recommendation letter with your driving record from your current insurance agent may help you receive coverage overseas.

Travel Agent: Unless your employer is handling your travel arrangements, you might find that using a travel agent can save you time and trouble. If traveling with a pet confirm that your pet can travel with you as accompanying baggage, rather than in the cargo area.

Post Office: Inform your post office that you will be moving, inform them when to start holding or forwarding your mail and complete the post office change-of-address. Keep in mind that some magazines, books and records sent through the mail might be prohibited in foreign countries.

Government Tax Department: If you are expecting a tax refund, notify the appropriate revenue department that your address is changing.

If you are a U.S. citizen relocating outside the continental United States, keep a record of all moving-related costs. Some expenses might be tax-deductible if they are itemized on the appropriate Internal Revenue System (IRS) form. U.S. citizens can ask the nearest IRS office to send all of the government publications and forms needed for living as a resident of another country.

If you are a resident of a country other than the United States, check with the country's appropriate governmental department for tax information.

Finance Companies: Notify any banks or finance companies with which you are doing business. A lender's permission often is required when moving unpaid items out of the country.

Before moving, open a bank account at a worldwide financial institution. By using a bank with offices at your origin and destination, services and cash may be more accessible.

Doctor/Dentist: Inform your current physician and dentist that you will be moving, and ask for recommendations they might have for counterparts in your destination country. If they can't provide suggestions, ask a consulate or embassy of your destination country, or The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT).

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Obtaining Required Documents

When crossing international borders, you will need several documents to avoid potential complications. Submit your applications far in advance. If possible, allow three to four months before your departure date.

1. To Leave a Country 2. To Enter a Country
Check with a consulate or embassy of your destination country to confirm which documents you'll need when immigrating. Start obtaining the appropriate documents as early as possible. Waiting for approval can take several months, if not longer. For some applications, you will need duplicates of your passport photos. Also, copies of any marriage certificates or divorce decrees can facilitate obtaining permits, be sure to bring them along.

When entering the United States, the documents you will need depend on whether you are a returning resident or a non-resident. A U.S. citizen will need a passport; a U.S. resident alien will need a reentry permit or an alien registration receipt card issued by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Services. A non-resident will need a valid passport and visa issued by U.S. consulate or embassy abroad. Non-residents also should check with a consulate or embassy to see if they need a labor and/or immunization certificate.

If you're moving to a country other than the United States, you might need several documents in addition to your passport. Confirm with a consulate or embassy of you destination country which of the following documents you will need:
3. Questions to Ask
The following are miscellaneous questions you might want to ask a consulate or embassy of your destination country:
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Arriving at Destination

When you reach your destination, you'll naturally need a transition period while adapting to the new surroundings. The more you have preplanned and prepared for your move, the easier your adjustment will be.

1. Following Up
With the excitement of arriving at your new home, make sure you do not forget follow up on a few details:
2. Settling In
Life in a foreign country can be exhilarating or frustrating, depending on your expectations and preparations. Information and organization are essential when "starting over" in a new country. Because you need information, remember to use your resources: Allstate Resources, a consulate or embassy at your destination country, customs offices in your home and destination countries, bookstores and your public library.

Experiencing difficulty in adjusting to a new country is normal, even if you have prepared yourself in advance. If this happens to you or someone within your family, some suggestions that may help are:
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