Shipping your belongings

Shipping personal belongings by air or sea can be a very costly venture, so be sure to consider all available options, packages and deals before making a decision.

Unless you have a lot family heirlooms that you can’t bear to part with, you may be better off selling your furniture and personal belongings or putting them in storage and buying new items once you arrive in your destination country.

Also, keep in mind that most electronic devices and appliances manufactured to North American standards will not work in other countries due to different voltage requirements. In some cases, an adapter may be all that’s needed to fix the problem.

You may also want to contact customs officials before you leave to find out what you are allowed to take with you. Most countries have stringent import controls, and charge tax and duty on various items.

Plan ahead as your belongings may be slow in arriving to their destination. Pack essential items in your carry-on baggage and check whether your employer will partially or fully cover the cost of shipping your belongings.

One last word of advice: keep important documents (e.g., accounting documents, diplomas, marriage certificates and birth certificates) on you at all times in your carry-on luggage.