Moving Abroad Checklist: From Planning to Delivery

A moving abroad checklist helps you organize the tasks that must be completed before you leave and before your household goods arrive. Start by checking destination requirements, deciding what to ship and preparing your budget. Then compare quotations, organize documents, arrange packing and collection, and prepare for customs clearance and delivery.

Use the timeline below as a planning framework. These are suggested preparation windows, not guaranteed shipping times or official deadlines. Start earlier if your move involves permits, pets, school arrangements or complex documentation.

Moving abroad checklist at a glance

3–6 months before moving: establish your plan

Check what you need to live in your destination country

• Confirm passport validity and any visa, residence or work authorization requirements with the relevant official authorities.
• Check whether personal records need translation, certification or legalization.
• Plan housing, healthcare, school arrangements and any pet travel separately from your household-goods shipment.
• Identify which arrangements must be completed before departure.

Keep your personal relocation requirements and shipment requirements in separate lists. Permission to enter or live in a country does not automatically establish how your belongings can be imported.

Decide what to ship, store, sell or donate

• List the belongings you intend to take.
• Compare the cost and practicality of shipping bulky items with replacing them at destination.
• Check furniture dimensions against your new home’s doors, stairs and available space.
• Check whether appliances are suitable for the destination’s electrical supply.
• Remove items you no longer need before requesting final quotations.

Your quotation should reflect the goods you actually intend to ship. Adding furniture or boxes later may change the price and collection arrangements.

Build your relocation budget

• Allow for transportation, packing, insurance and any services you intend to purchase.
• Ask which origin and destination charges are included.
• Plan for possible customs-related charges, inspections, storage or difficult-access delivery.
• Budget separately for flights, temporary accommodation and everyday essentials before your shipment arrives.

For an overview of the wider process, read the international moving guide.

8–12 weeks before collection: compare quotes and confirm responsibilities

Give each provider the same shipment details

• Supply your origin and destination addresses, including postal codes.
• Provide an inventory and estimated packed dimensions or volume.
• Explain access conditions, including stairs, elevators, parking restrictions and distance from the vehicle to the property.
• Identify fragile, unusually heavy or oversized items.
• State your preferred collection date and any delivery constraints.

Use consistent information when comparing quotations. Differences in shipment size or service scope can make apparently similar prices difficult to compare.

Confirm exactly what the quotation includes

• Check the agreed pickup and delivery points.
• Confirm who packs, loads, unloads and unpacks the goods.
• Ask who handles export and import procedures.
• Identify destination charges and services payable separately.
• Confirm quotation validity, payment terms and cancellation or amendment conditions.
• Ask which dates are estimates and which appointments are confirmed.

Door-to-door describes the agreed transportation scope. Check the quotation for packing, unpacking, furniture assembly, storage and other moving services.

Read more about door-to-door and door-to-port moves.

Confirm the shipment method

• Ask which transport options are available for your route and belongings.
• Compare complete quotations for the same service scope.
• Confirm any packing, collection or handling requirements associated with the chosen method.

For ocean shipments, use the moving FCL or LCL guide to understand shared and dedicated-container options.

4–8 weeks before collection: organize documents, inventory and protection

Obtain your route-specific document checklist

• Ask your provider or destination customs representative for the required documents and submission deadlines.
• Check that names, addresses and contact details are consistent.
• Confirm whether originals, signed forms or translated documents are required.
• Keep accessible copies and carry essential personal originals with you.

Start with the documents required for an international move, then confirm the requirements for your particular route.

Prepare your household-goods inventory

• Give each box or package a unique number.
• Describe its contents clearly.
• Match package numbers to your inventory.
• Record the condition of valuable or fragile belongings with photographs.
• Supply values or other information in the format requested for customs or insurance.
• Update the list whenever you add or remove items.

Keep one final version that matches the goods collected. Ask your provider to review the inventory before collection.

Confirm packing and insurance arrangements

• Establish whether you or the provider will pack each item.
• Obtain packing instructions before buying materials or sealing boxes.
• Ask about protection for fragile items and furniture.
• Confirm insurance arrangements before the shipment begins.
• Check valuation requirements, exclusions, deductibles and any conditions affecting owner-packed goods.
• Save the policy details and claims instructions.

Use the furniture packing guide for preparation details and the moving insurance guide for questions to raise about coverage.

2–4 weeks before collection: finalize the handover

Check which belongings can be shipped

• Ask your provider to review potentially restricted or regulated items before packing.
• Identify batteries, liquids, aerosols, food, plants, medicines and other items requiring specific checks.
• Remove anything the provider has not accepted for your shipment.
• Follow the confirmed instructions for cleaning, draining or preparing applicable items.

Acceptance for transport and permission to import are separate checks. Confirm both for any item that needs special attention.

Prepare the collection and destination addresses

• Arrange building access, parking permissions or elevator reservations where needed.
• Tell the provider about access restrictions at both ends.
• Confirm the destination contact’s name and telephone number.
• Report any change to the delivery address promptly.
• Decide how you will manage if your belongings arrive before your home is ready.

Confirm alternative arrangements in advance if storage or a change of delivery address may be necessary.

Final week: keep essentials outside the shipment

Prepare a travel bag for the period before your household goods are delivered.

• Keep passports, travel documents and essential originals with you.
• Set aside necessary medication, following applicable travel requirements.
• Pack chargers, basic clothing and immediate household essentials.
• Keep valuables and items excluded from shipment insurance outside the shipment where appropriate.
• Save your booking reference and origin and destination contact details.
• Reconfirm the collection appointment and outstanding preparation tasks.

Check that everything you need during travel has been separated before the shipment is packed or sealed.

Collection day: check what leaves your home

• Be present or appoint an authorized representative.
• Confirm that the collected goods match the final inventory.
• Record any agreed changes to the shipment.
• Photograph prepared goods and any existing damage where practical.
• Obtain the collection receipt or handover record.
• Keep copies of the inventory and shipment documents.

For self-loaded containers, follow the agreed loading instructions. Read how to load a container for an international move before collection day.

During transport: prepare for arrival

• Monitor updates from your provider.
• Respond promptly to requests for documents or clarification.
• Confirm who will contact you about destination clearance and delivery.
• Arrange payment of applicable charges through verified channels.
• Keep the destination representative informed of changes to your contact details or address.

Treat arrival estimates as planning information. Arrange final delivery with the responsible provider once the necessary release and scheduling steps have been confirmed.

Before delivery: confirm access and service scope

• Confirm the delivery appointment and destination address.
• Check that customs and carrier release requirements have been completed.
• Arrange parking, building access and elevator use.
• Confirm whether unloading, carrying goods inside, unpacking or assembly is included.
• Ensure an authorized person can receive the shipment.
• Have your inventory available to check the delivered packages.

If you cannot receive the goods as planned, contact the provider promptly to establish the available options and charges.

Delivery day: inspect and record

• Count packages against the inventory.
• Check for visible damage or missing items.
• Record discrepancies on the delivery paperwork before signing where possible.
• Photograph affected packaging and belongings.
• Follow the provider’s and insurer’s notification procedures.
• Keep relevant packaging and evidence until you receive further instructions.

Check the applicable reporting deadlines promptly. Delivery paperwork and insurance policies may specify different notification requirements.

Ready to plan your household-goods shipment?

Prepare your inventory, collection address, destination details and preferred moving dates. Then explore international moving services with iContainers and request a quotation for your route and agreed service scope.