Moving to another country? Wondering how to pack to move abroad? With years of experience in moving individuals and their families abroad, we’ve put together our top packing hacks to help make your move abroad easier, including the best things to pack when moving abroad.

Moving all of your belongings can be a chore so it can be a good idea to travel as light as possible. Start by decluttering a little, selling or donating those items of furniture and accessories that you simply won’t need. 

Our first top hack is…. if you haven’t used it in 6 months get rid of it because you are not likely to use it in the next 6 months!

Think about selling items such as:

• Fridge
• Washing machine/dryer
• TV
• Sound system

These items often aren’t worthwhile moving abroad. They are bulky to ship, and quite likely not going to be compatible with the electricity in the country you are moving to – so get rid of them or find a suitable self-store facility to keep them in for the time being.

If you are moving to a fully furnished home, such as a serviced apartment, there is no need to bring any of your old furniture with you. You may have the odd item, such as a favourite chair, that you want to take with you, but otherwise use a self-storage facility to store all your remaining large furniture items such as beds, sofas and wardrobes. It can be more cost-effective to buy new on arrival, than ship some items overseas.

Give items such as books and DVDs away to friends, family or charity, or put them into storage. These take up a lot of space and are heavy to pack. So just take your favourites with you as it will help to keep shipping costs down.

Whilst decluttering, get rid of any clothes that you won’t need in the new country e.g. winter clothes in a country that is modestly warm all year round. There’s simply no need to take them.

How do I pack my belongings?

Once you know exactly which items you want to take abroad with you, you can then start packing. If you are using a moving company, such as Gerson Moving Services, then we will supply you with the right packing boxes and the most suitable packing material for moving. The best packing materials for moving abroad are double-walled cardboard boxes and unbleached packing paper. Don’t forget to securely tape your boxes so the contents don’t fall out!

Make sure the removal teams use covers on your furniture to save scuffs and scratches and ensure the furniture is well protected for transit.

What is the best way to pack clothes when moving abroad?

When packing your belongings to move abroad, space is extremely valuable. Vacuum packing your clothes will save you lots of space and you will find you can pack a lot more than you would originally think. Plus it will help to keep your clothes fresh and clean during shipping.

How can I organise my boxes so I know where everything is?

Organisation is crucial when packing your belongings to move them abroad, you need to know exactly what you have and where it is at all times. By labelling all of your boxes and writing a simple inventory, you will be able to keep track of all of your items.

A great packing hack is to take a photo of the inside of the box once you’ve finished filling it, alongside a photo of the label. By keeping the photos on your phone during the moving process you can see exactly what each box contains.

What should I do with my electronics?

When moving to another country it’s a good idea to check the voltage output of your new home, as your electronic devices may not work on a lower output than what they already use. If you aren’t sure what the voltage in your destination country is, you can ask an estate agent for help. Pack all electronic devices securely in a box, remembering to remove any batteries.

A really useful hack is to make sure you back up any devices! This will ensure you don’t lose any precious pictures, videos or files during the move. Plus if you have any expensive items (iPads or laptops), keep these in your hand luggage instead of in the hold.

Where should I pack my valuables when moving abroad?

If you are taking any jewellery, sentimental heirlooms or artwork with you, you’ll want to make sure they are safe and secure. If they are small, it is best to keep them in your hand luggage, haul luggage, or wear them to reduce the chance of them being lost or damaged. However, larger items will need to be specially wrapped by the removals team.

Love winter sports but don’t know how to get your skis and board across the ocean? Or looking forward to a round of golf at your destination but not sure how to get your golf clubs there in one piece? Don’t worry! GMS Xtra offers an excess baggage service to save you all the hassle, easily shipping any additional items, equipment and even extra suitcases, to any worldwide destination.

How can I make my new place abroad more homely?

Our last hack is to help you make your new place feel more like home quickly – simply take some home comforts with you when you travel.

A comfortable blanket, your favourite books and some photos are all great things to pack in your suitcase when moving abroad – they will help you feel more settled when you arrive in your destination country. Shipping your belongings, or having to buy new, takes time so bringing a few of your favourite items with you will instantly make you feel at ease.

Gerson Moving Services are here to help you with all your moving needs, why not contact  one of our dedicated relocation consultants who are on hand to help you. Whether it’s just a few boxes or a whole house, even your business, we can move you any time anywher