Jul 18, 2013:--Moving overseas can be a daunting task, more so if you have to worry about shipping your furniture, electronics, and other household goods abroad. We tend to worry about things breaking, goods not arriving on time, or worse, ending up in the wrong place. Fortunately, there are many companies that offer international removals. The trick is to find one that is reliable, trustworthy and has options to suit your specific needs.

The safety of your household goods is something you're probably worried about, but a good removal company has systems in place to ensure your household effects arrive safe and sound – even glassware, china, antique furniture and electronics! Some companies use custom-made packaging that effectively cushions your goods against impact and prevents damage, and heavy-duty strapping that prevents crates from toppling over. If you're worried about the environmental impact of all that bubble wrap and tape, look for a company that offers environmentally-friendly packing options that will not compromise the safety of your goods.

If you have antiques and fine art, keep in mind that these require different packaging methods and materials, and larger items like furniture and musical instruments may require disassembling and reassembling. Check if the moving company you're considering has expertise in the field of packing and transporting delicate goods.

If you're operating on a budget, it's best to obtain price quotes from several moving companies before making a decision. Apart from comparing price quotes, you may want to look for an overseas removals company that offers groupage. Groupage is a great option if the goods you're moving overseas aren't enough to fill an entire container. With groupage, you won't need to pay for container space you don't use. Your container space will be shared with another customer's goods, with all goods safely and securely packed, inventoried, and labeled to avoid error. However, with groupage, your items may take longer to arrive. If you need your goods shipped in a hurry, look for a removals company that offers air transport.

If you have goods that you want to keep but can't take along or have shipped, a company that offers storage as well as removals may be right for you. Check if the company has guards and security systems in place to ensure your goods' safety, and if they offer storage insurance.
Other things you need to consider when choosing a company to ship your goods overseas are availability and customer service. Most removal companies can pick up your goods at their location, and some removal companies offer services even during weekends. Dealing with customs requirements can be confusing at best and a hassle at worst, but a good moving company can help you with this as well. If you need to know the locations and status of your shipment during transport, choose an overseas moving company that offers updates via phone, e-mail, or an online tracking service.

Remember to choose only reliable and trustworthy companies to handle the shipping of your goods overseas. It's great to want to save money, but doing so by choosing a lesser-known or less capable company can spell disaster in the form of goods broken, taking forever to arrive, or even lost during transport. You should only deal with reputable air and shipping lines, so this is something you may need to confirm before arriving at a decision.

A moving company is supposed to make moving to your new home easier, so it's important to find one that has expertise in the field of international removals and is well-equipped to handle any snag you may come across.