Checklist

Moving Overseas Checklist

When you’re moving your home overseas, there seems to be an endless list of things to think about and arrange. Here’s a helpful list to remind you.

– Click here for a printer friendly version: Moving Overseas Checklist

5-6 weeks before moving:

  • Check that your passports and visas are valid
  • Check whether any permits are required e.g. for residency, work or vehicles
  • Check your travel documents and tickets
  • Collate all your personal documents e.g. birth certificates, marriage certificates and medical records
  • Advise your solicitor, bank, doctor, dentist, insurance company, building society
  • Cancel subscriptions to clubs and magazines
  • Notify Schools
  • Obtain invoices for new purchases (for customs import facilities)

3-4 weeks before:

  • Complete the Marine Insurance Proposal form
  • Dispose of the items you don’t want to ship
  • Supply a contact number in the UK for after you have moved
  • Supply your overseas contact address and phone number
  • Check with your Dedicated Move Manager with regard to VAT refunds on new purchases
  • Ask for final accounts for gas, water and electricity
  • Complete all outstanding credit agreements
  • Cancel all rental agreements
  • Run down stocks of food and drink
  • Confirm your removal date with your Dedicated Move Manager

1-2 weeks before

  • Arrange for mail to be forwarded
  • Clean garden tools, bicycles, etc
  • Arrange care for children and pets on moving day
  • Arrange for mains services to be disconnected
  • Advise your newsagent and milkman and pay their final accounts
  • Empty lockers at school and work
  • Return or retrieve any items on loan
  • Drain fuel from motor mowers
  • Dispose of plants and perishable food

1-2 days before

  • Separate all personal items which are to travel with you e.g. keys, documents, passports, tickets, certificates, currency, clothing, etc
  • Disconnect, clean and dry any electrical appliances that you wish to ship
  • Arrange with neighbours to leave sufficient parking space for the removal vehicle

On Moving Day

  • Remain on hand in case the packers have any questions
  • Check all rooms, cupboards, walls, loft, garage and shed to make sure nothing has been left behind.
  • And finally, try and relax and let the packers do the work!

Notification Checklist

In summary, here’s a list of organisations and people you may need to notify of your move:

  • Doctor
  • Dentist
  • House insurance company
  • Car insurance company
  • Electricity Board
  • Water Board
  • Gas Board
  • Telephone company
  • Internet provider
  • Bank
  • Post Office
  • Building Society
  • Inland Revenue
  • School/college
  • Local council
  • Library
  • DVLA
  • Motor organisation
  • Milkman
  • Newsagent/magazine subscription
  • Sports/social club
  • Satellite/cable TV provider
  • Church/place of worship
  • Vet

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Our Accreditations

As one of the leading providers of overseas removals and relocation services on a national and international scale, we pride ourselves on offering a professional and friendly service. We have been recognised as one of the leading international moving companies and are proud of our credentials and the quality standard they represent. In 2023, we became the most trusted moving company in the UK.

Some of our Customer Reviews

The packers were careful, quick and courteous. I highly recommend this company and would definitely use them again! Efficient, polite, punctual: could not ask for more.

Hertfordshire, UK to Virginia, USA - March 2023

From start with Michelle to finish with Gill the level of service was excellent. John Mason and its international partners handled my move from Devon to Australia seemingly effortlessly. I couldn't ask for better.

Devon, UK to Perth, Australia –April 2023

Absolutely one of the best movers I have worked with. Pleasant helpful admin staff and the delivery drivers were absolute angels sorting and moving the boxes where I asked them to. Arrived exactly when they said it would.

Yorkshire, UK to Sydney, Australia - March 2023

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