International Removals: What to Know Before Moving Abroad

Moving abroad is an exciting milestone, but it also involves far more planning than a typical house move. From organising paperwork and packing your belongings to coordinating transport and delivery, several moving parts need to come together.

Understanding how international removals work before you begin can help you avoid unnecessary stress, reduce delays, and make your relocation far easier to manage.

We've been helping customers relocate across Europe for over 30 years, and it’s our job to stay up-to-date with all the latest changes. Whether you're moving to France, Switzerland, or another international destination, careful planning is the key to a successful move.

Start Planning Earlier Than You Think

One of the biggest differences between a domestic and international move is the amount of preparation involved.

In addition to booking a removal company, you may also need to organise:

• Property completion dates

• Travel arrangements

• Customs documentation

• Visas or residency paperwork

• Packing and storage

• Insurance

Giving yourself plenty of time allows you to deal with any unexpected changes without feeling rushed.

From our experience, the smoothest international moves are almost always the ones where planning begins several months before moving day.

Decide What You're Taking

Moving abroad is the ideal opportunity to review what you actually want to take with you.

Ask yourself:

• Will this furniture fit my new property?

• Is it worth transporting?

• Would it be easier or cheaper to replace?

• Should I store some items in the UK?

Reducing the volume of your move can often lower transport costs and make unpacking much easier once you arrive.

Many customers also choose to move in stages, using secure storage until they're fully settled.

Understand Customs Requirements

Depending on your destination, customs documentation may be an important part of your move.

For example, moving home between the UK and France now requires customs clearance following Brexit. Having the correct paperwork prepared before transport begins helps reduce delays and ensures your belongings can move as smoothly as possible.

Every country has its own import requirements, so it's worth understanding what's needed well before collection day.

What Else Changed After Brexit?

Brexit introduced more than just customs paperwork. British citizens moving to EU countries, including France, now need to consider visa and residency requirements if they plan to stay long-term. There are also stricter rules around the documentation required for household removals, and the process for transporting personal belongings has become more structured than it was previously.

While these additional requirements mean international moves require more planning, they don't need to make the process difficult. At Anglo French, we've successfully managed thousands of moves both before and after Brexit. We stay on top of changing customs procedures and documentation requirements, so you can be confident your move is prepared properly from the very beginning.

Don't Underestimate Packing

International removals often involve longer journeys and more handling than domestic moves.

Your belongings may be loaded and unloaded several times before reaching their final destination, making proper packing especially important.

Professional packing helps protect:

• Furniture

• Glassware

• Artwork

• Electronics

• Fragile household items

It also helps keep your inventory organised, making unpacking and customs procedures much simpler.

Consider Storage as Part of Your Move

International moves don't always happen in one straightforward step.

Your new property may not be ready immediately, travel plans may change, or you may simply prefer to settle in before receiving all your belongings.

In these situations, storage can provide valuable flexibility.

At Anglo French, we regularly help customers combine removals with both short-term storage and long-term storage, allowing transport and delivery to be planned around their schedule rather than fixed property dates.

Choose an Experienced International Removal Company

International removals involve much more than transporting furniture.

An experienced removal company can help coordinate:

• Packing

• Customs documentation

• Transport planning

• Storage

• Delivery scheduling

This reduces the number of companies you need to deal with and helps ensure every stage of your move works together.

At Anglo French, we've spent over three decades helping customers relocate between the UK, France, Switzerland, and other European destinations. Our team understands the practical challenges that come with international moves and works closely with customers to plan each relocation around their individual circumstances.

Plan for the Unexpected

Even the best-planned international moves can encounter changes.

Property completion dates can move, customs systems can experience delays, and travel plans sometimes need to be adjusted.

Building flexibility into your timeline and working with an experienced removals company make it much easier to adapt if plans change.