No one really needs to be told to 'plan ahead' when packing or moving, just maybe one or two reminders?
*this blog post is off my other blog, not all of whats here will be relevant for those departing Australia, but am reposting it in case it may be of help to others that are packing to move overseas anyway*
We started our
planning and sorting last November so that we did not have a "last
minute panic". So far this has worked fairly well. Yes, we have had
many obstacles and brick walls to climb over, by by planning ahead we
seemed to have been getting over them a little easier.
When repatriating home, you will find there are many things to think of
and it will be a lot more difficult than when you first arrived into
Singapore. Or anywhere else for that matter.
Plan ahead by looking up the customs and immigration site of where you
are moving to. For us this was the Australian Customs and Immigration
site. So much to read, so much to learn and so much to absorb!
But my immersing yourself in this knowledge then (hopefully) there will
not be too many surprises once you start the packing or unpacking
process. We certainly did learn what we could take back and what we
couldn't. We also know that anything purchased within the past 12 mths
will be taxed at the other end. We strongly disagree with this, but
"thems the rules". Our disagreement is because we have purchased items
here in Singapore for our personal use and paid tax, GST etc here, so
why the need to pay extra tax at the other end when it is still for
personal use?
So yes, keep those receipts!
Scan
and copy all your receipts if you have to...... the originals can be
shipped, but do keep a copy of anything purchased within the past 12
mths to show the removalist company. This certainly applies for
Australia, not sure of elsewhere and this is why its a good idea to read
the website of the country you are moving to. Be well prepared. We have
actually kept aside anything that we need to declare and the boxes are
marked as "to be declared". The removalist or packer will need to repack
these boxes, but we have put aside the items, not actually 'packed'
them.
If you can, scan all your documents. Believe me, there will always be
that one piece of paper that you have packed and sealed, then suddenly
find its needed. For us it was one of Oscars bits of paperwork ....
the Kennel Company phoned yesterday asking if we had the letter for
"XYZ".
Most of our paperwork has been scanned and we have copies on our HD, on
the portable HD and on the IPad. We always have hardcopies of our
passports in our suitcase and in our carry on luggage, then the
removalists phoned to make sure we have a copy for them on the day of
packing. Just as well we had a couple of spare copies on hand.
We keep copies of documents on our IPads that we may also need in
transit. As we carry the IPad with us constantly, this comes in handy.
As usual, all our important documents are on the HD, but as we will not
have access to our computers till at least mid April, John has done a
complete back up - as he does every few days anyway - and he will have
the portable HD with him. This allows us access to our full computer
system on the MacBook while in transit.
All items that we need to 'declare' for customs has been set aside for
the removalists when they arrive on Wednesday. There is a chance - or so
we are told - that if there is a hold up with the shipment at the other
end, they can clear the rest of the items for shipping to the final
address and just hold back the items that are being declared for
checking and processing.
There is a high chance of most of it needing to be fumigated as well. So
all timber furniture is also being set aside so it can go in the
container together.
If you are unsure if an item is to be declared or not, declare it. Be safe.
I have copied the pages from the website and highlited the items of
concern. In particular, the part that says for Musical Instruments, I
have a Djembe with goat skin. I know that it should clear customs OK as
there is no hair attached or on the drum itself. But quarantine will
still need to check it. I have copied the appropriate page, highlited
the part about the musical instruments and added my own note to say it
was originally purchased in Australia, came to Singapore in 2007 and has
not been to any other country. Hopefully they will allow it through!
Another 'item' to allow time for is the viewings ... yes, viewings of
your apartment. That is if it is leased. The agent is likely to contact
you at least 4 times a week for viewings, you can say no, but its better
to compromise with time. If its not convenient for 12 noon, then ask if
they can come at 11.00am. Be flexible if you can. But do allow for
these times .... especially if you are in a 'packing mess' and need to
hide some items and do a quick clean up!
Plan ahead for bathroom items ..... by about the final 4 - 6 weeks, no
longer should you be purchasing the larger bottles of body wash,
shampoo, conditioner or Listerine! Try to ease down to just a small
amount by the final week, otherwise you will be throwing out too much.
This also applies to the kitchen. Do not even think of buying the 25kg
bag of rice in that last month .... unless you have a huge family that
is!
Organise the phone. internet, TV disconnection. The change of address's
all those things that need to be done even if you are moving just 5 klms
away.
For anyone moving OS, then start to organise the phones, internet etc
for connection to be made on arrival, find out about the 'phone plans'
that are available. Start to think of what your needs maybe. For us,
this phone call to the Telco in Australia took one hour and 45 minutes.
Consider your "checked in" luggage a couple of weeks before departure.
What will the weather be when you arrive at your destination? Consider
cooler weather means jackets etc! Then make sure that jacket is not
going to be shipped. Keep aside the items you need for your flight and
what needs to be in your 'checked in' luggage. If you are constantly
changing the items around, then weigh it every few days, keep track of
that weight! If flying Qantas, check their new baggage allowances.
If by chance you know you are repatriating 'next year' and are going
home for a visit before then, take extra your clothes to leave behind at
the next visit. That way on final departure you will not need to carry
so many things with you ... or at least it will allow you to carry more
souvenirs perhaps! We did this over Christmas, we went home for a few
days and took shoes and clothing we could leave behind. Now we don't have
to wait till mid April when the shipment arrives for most of our clothing!
Plan ahead for the 'handover' too ... like curtains will need to be dry
cleaned, walls may need painting etc. I should do a new blog post for
'handover' time with regards the apartment. This is perhaps the most
stressful part of moving out of any apartment in Singapore as we - and
many others - very well know. My blog post on our handover from The Jade
is
HERE.
As our handover is on Friday and we depart Friday afternoon, I think I
will leave that blog post for another time. Suffice to say, be prepared
for anything!
When its time to organise a removalist / packer, start getting quotes at
least three months ahead of the time needed. Think about your needs and
what you want, get to know the company and if you feel comfortable with
them, with their staff and what they are offering. I had four companies
come out and chose one that I was very happy with. The staff are
excellent and they don't even mind coming out again if you have any
questions. But do plan ahead so you feel comfortable with the choice you
make too.
PS: do not always go with the 'cheapest' either .... make sure you have everything in writing. Our move ended up being a disaster and we removed the blog posts (with their name) until it was settled ..... but nothing was. They told us we lied when I showed them the images of broken and damaged items. It really ended up being far too stressful all because we chose the 'cheapest' and yet as we all know, you get what you pay for .... and we did!
Plan head for any eventuality and even allow extra days for the 'unknown'.
.... as an example, Oscar was to fly out today (Feb 20) and his final
medical check was booked for last Friday. Then we were informed that
they had to delay the flight by 24 hours. Which meant we had to
rearrange the final vet check for today (instead of last week) the
flight is now tomorrow (21st) and the removalists that were due here on
the 21st now had to be rescheduled for the Wednesday 22nd as we will
still have Oscar here at the time they were originally to be here.
Everything we had planned for this final week now had to be delayed by
24 hours.
With hindsight, I think I should have blocked off two days each week 'just in case'!!
Often people will say "there are not enough hours in the day" and this
will apply to repatriating too, but by planning ahead, hopefully there
will be enough hours in the day for everything you need to do.
We set aside the final two weeks as a 'wind down' time. Still with
things to do of course, but we have tried not to full every minute of
every day. People will be wanting to meet with you, have lunch, catch
up with you and you will be wanting to set aside time to be with them
too. Have some times available that is flexible for you to spend time
with your friends.
But just as important, if not more so - take some time out to spend with
your partner. With all the things that need doing, you do need time to
be together. Cross off a day in the diary, this 'date' is not flexible.
Spend it going for a walk, having dinner, lazing by the pool, beach or
wherever. No cell phone, nothing ... just yourselves.
Our day was last Thursday when we spent three hours at the Buddhist
Temple in Chinatown and the afternoon at Spa Botanica on Sentosa. The
blog post is
HERE on where we went.
main thing to remember is to plan ahead and relax!!
.
