Storing Your Belongings When Moving Overseas

Moving overseas, whether for work or leisure, can be both an exciting and stressful time. It’s never easy deciding what to take with you and what will remain behind when you’re preparing for a major move overseas.  It might not be clear when you’ll return, or when you’ll be able to access the items you store next.  Plus, the entirety of the overseas move is much more challenging than a typical move, mainly due to all the logistics involved. 

You can’t stack your things in the back of a van and go. Chances are, you own a variety of items that are simply not practical to move overseas.  It might be due to an item’s size (perhaps a large eight-person dining table), or it may be you have too much stuff—it happens.

Consider the Space

One of the most important things to consider when moving overseas is space.  Knowing the size of the space you’ll be moving into can determine what you take and what you leave behind and store.  When moving outside from the continental US, it’s highly likely your new space is going to be smaller (the United Kingdom and Japan, on average, have considerably smaller living spaces than the US, while Australia often has home sizes comparable to the United States).  Of course, there will be situations (such as short-notice moves) when you won’t know how much space you’ll have, or what the space will look like.

Consider the Cost

Consider the cost.  How much is it going to cost to move your belongings?  If you’re making a military move, you’ll receive assistance, and contractors will move and ship your belongings for you.  Many private companies will also provide assistance to employees relocating out of the country.  There are strict weight limits you will have to deal with, which vary depending on a number of variables (such as rank or status within a company). 

DIY Move

If you choose to move your stuff yourself, the military will reimburse you for much of the cost (typically up to a certain weight or volume limit). If you aren’t making a military move, be prepared — the costs of moving can be high.

If you’re unsure about how to organize your belongings, you may want to consider placing the bulk of your stuff into temporary storage.  You can assess your space and decide later what will be ideal for your new place.  At that point, you can have your stuff shipped to you (and the rest placed into long-term storage, either domestically or abroad).  This solution can be the most expensive, especially for a non-military relocation, but it can also be the most convenient.

Consider a Storage

When your stuff is in storage, particularly long-term storage, and you won’t be able to access it with any regularity if at all, it’s a good idea to have a friend or family member have access to it.  This is both for security purposes and in the event, you need something from the storage unit and it’s completely unrealistic for you to access it.  Also, be sure to organize your storage unit so that anyone who does have access to it can do so with minimal confusion—make sure everything is logically organized and properly labeled, so the labels can be quickly and easily read.

Before packing up everything in the rented storage unit, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Make sure your possessions are tidy and dry before you pack. Your belongings won’t be as clean when you unpack them if you store them in a dirty, wet environment. 

Solutions For a Business

When it comes to storage, most people think of household items, but it’s also necessary to think about commercial storage, especially if you’re a business owner or entrepreneur. Whether you’re moving temporarily or permanently, having a secure and dependable storage solution for your business-related things will provide you with peace of mind and guarantee that your operations run smoothly.

One useful advice is to look into storage facilities in your destination country that provide specialist business storage alternatives. Look for secure storage spaces that can hold not only personal possessions but also crucial documents, inventory, equipment, and supplies relevant to your business. Choosing a storage facility with climate-controlled units is especially advantageous because it protects delicate objects from temperature and humidity variations.

Avoid utilizing flimsy, outdated, and subpar packaging boxes. Instead, cushion them adequately with bubble wrap and tape them shut. Consider utilizing plastic boxes with sealable tops to protect fragile and perishable items from dampness.

Additionally, it’s very important to rent a climate-controlled unit, since your stuff may be stored over multiple seasons and weather conditions.  Having a consistent environment will keep your belongings from becoming damaged (from moisture, heat, or cold).  Oh, and if you’re in the military, don’t forget to ask for a service member discount, which most storage facilities provide.