Packing up all your belongings for moving overseas can feel like an overwhelming task with no clear roadmap on how best to undertake it. After all, while international moving companies can help you organize your possessions for a move, there is bound to be at least some of the responsibility that falls on your shoulders. Thankfully, we’ve compiled a list of helpful tips to help you pack for international moves, so your belongings will be stored as safely and efficiently as possible. Read on to find out how to become a pro at packing.
Be Strategic with Your Moving Boxes
Chances are, that packing will involve a lot of placing items into moving boxes or containers. While this may seem like a simple task of “place object X in box Y”, there is more to it than meets the eye. Being strategic with how you pack your moving boxes is similar to how there are right and wrong ways to pack your groceries. And by doing it the right way, you will have the peace of mind that your belongings will be stored safely and efficiently.
Fragile items should always be placed at the top of the box, with heavier items forming the base. Use larger boxes to store lighter items, while smaller boxes should take anything heavy such as books or kitchen appliances. The last thing you want is to hurt yourself while attempting to lift or carry a large heavy box, so avoid this combination as much as you can.
It’s important that you are efficient with the containment space you have. A half-filled box isn’t going to help complete your move, nor is a bulging box that’s going to buckle at any moment. Fill it up as high as you can without adding pressure to the sides or the top of the box. And items such as saucepans and shoes are ideal for storing even more items inside of them!
Use Your Carry-On Luggage Wisely while Moving Overseas
Moving overseas means traveling by air, which means you’ll have a carry-on allowance to use. This is the luggage with you onboard the airplane and usually gives you a valuable few kgs to squeeze in some important items. This may be your laptop, tablet, toiletries (although aerosols and razors won’t be allowed), or toys for your children.
You can also be clever about the clothes you wear on the plane. You can ease the pressure on your suitcase by wearing heavy jackets, boots, pants, and as many layers as you can bear. It’s a small way to help you pack more efficiently overall.
Rolling Up & Reusing Clothes
Your wardrobe will likely take up a sizable portion of your packing, but do you know what’s the most efficient way of packing all of your clothes? It may surprise you to know that tightly rolling up your clothes will take up less space than traditionally folding them. This is because rolled-up clothes take up less space and can be squished together with other clothes without risking creases or wrinkles.
Another hack that you can achieve with clothes – particularly older ones – is to use them as cushioning for your precious belongings in place of bubble wrap or packing paper. This will stop you from having to buy the additional resources and saves you packing space as you’ll be combining different types of items in the same box. Towels, washers, and dishcloths can also be used in this regard.
Don’t Take Unwanted Things when Moving Overseas
In case you are moving permanently overseas, you don’t have to take all your belongings as you can buy certain things such as clothes, furniture, and household items in all countries. Bulkier items consume enough packing space and valuable time. Hence, take only things which are absolutely necessary.
Sometimes, there will be a few favorite items that can’t be ignored, so here prioritizing is precious.
Conclusion
Packing for a move overseas doesn’t have to cause endless headaches. If you follow these tips, and by using trusted international removalists, the process of packing up your belongings will feel far more manageable and stress-free. This way, when you start setting up your new life, everything you need will be waiting to be opened up exactly how you left it.
