10 most frequent questions about international moving

1. What risks are there in an international move?

You know that there may be damage, loss or theft of your furniture. What may be new to you is that a company can hide some serious costs in their initial quote; that you can make  the mistake of signing a contract with no way back (no one should ask you to sign a contract); or that an international move involves multiple parties (origin agent, broker, destination agent, transport, insurance, etc.), and everyone's responsibility is nobody's responsibility.

2. Why should I hire a moving company?

Obviously, to reduce the risks mentioned above: to have someone answer you for any flaw in the process, to prevent damage to your belongings and to optimize costs, but mostly because, let's be honest, you need a moving company and not someone who claims to know how to "carry things from one country to another."

3. What should I ask to select an international moving company?

If you don't want your things to end up in the wrong hands, use these questions as filters to detect quality among the abundant garbage on the moving industry: How long have they been in the market? Can they provide recent references from recent clients? Who certifies them? What associations do they belong to? Do they put their prices and promises in writing? Should you expect additional charges and what they are? Can they ensure your move? Will their employees be identified?

4. Will my belongings be safe and secure on the move?

You get what you pay for. Depending on the mover you choose, your belongings may be protected with suitable equipment, or they may be tossed into the truck like sacks of cement.

5. Can I insure my international move?

In case of loss, Mexican moving companies are required by law to give you $500.00 MX per metric ton or its proportionate share. You'd have to lose about six thousand cotton t-shirts to get back 500 pesos. In the United States companies are legally required to pay 0.40 USD per pound, which is not much either. So in order to recover what your things are really worth, you can and must insure your move. Your mover should advise on how to do it.

6. Do I have to pay taxes for my household goods shipment??

If you meet the requirements by Mexican law, no. So get information about these requirements (before you start moving), because a simple oversight can cost dearly.

7. How to save money on my move?

Take only what you need, and sell or give away what you don't use. Be sure to inquire about hidden additional costs to prevent unexpected expenses. Ask which services are included in the price of your move, and have a separate money reserve for these. You can also consider selling everything and taking nothing, check out our article on this decision.

8. How to protect my family with so much insecurity in Mexico?

As our parents told us, we shouldn't trust strangers. So make sure your mover doesn't subcontract personnel, i.e. those involved in your move should be direct employees of the company, identified and uniformed. Hire he who seems most dependable, and always buy insurance to protect your assets.

9. Can you give me free advice?

There are companies that do not, people that will give incomplete advice or make you sign a contract first. Our advise is completely free and without compromise, just enter our live chat or call us toll free, you will find both here.

10. Should I sign a contract?

No.

We want you to help you with these and more tips; help us help you by visiting How to move to Mexico.

Oh, and follow us on Twitter @moversmexico and Facebook  Moving to Mexico  (you'll find plenty of free advice and special offers).

by Mauricio Pozas

Paperwork needed when moving to Mexico: A summary

Even though Mexican legislation is much more extensive, here is a brief summary of the paperwork you'll need for moving to Mexico, in some of the most common scenarios.

Returning Mexican citizens

• Copy of shipper's Passport
• Visado de menaje de casa (to get it you must show prove having resided outside of Mexico for at least two years)
• CURP: Clave única del registro de población
• Signed affidavit that no prohibited items are being imported.
• Destination address in Mexico.

FM-3 visa holders

• Copy of shipper's passport
• Copy of FM-3 visa
• El visado de menaje de casa (para conseguirlo hay que comprobar haber Visado de menaje de casa (to get it you must show prove having resided outside of Mexico for at least two years)
• US citizens are required to provide to US customs their Employee Identification Number (EIN) this number can be obtained by the shipper directly at http://www.irs.gov/ or by calling the IRS at 800-8294933 and to Mexican customs their US Social Security number.
• Other nationalities are required to provide tax ID number from their respective country to Mexican customs.
• Original and two copies of typewritten inventory in Spanish, with brand model and serial number on major electrical appliances.
• Signed affidavit declaring value of shipment and that no prohibited items are brought.
• Affidavit on company’s letterhead signed by company officer with power of attorney, stating that all imported items will be exported from Mexico once your visa expires and that your company is responsible for that.
• Shipper's address in Mexico as well as address in country of origin

FM-2 visa holders

• Regulations are the same as for FM3 visa holders and not having previously imported household goods and personal effects shipments

IMPORTANT: Remember that even though household goods and personal belongings are free of duty and taxes, it is necessary to comply with certain requirements for this, like not shipping any new or prohibited items, and having the paperwork in order. Every move is subject to custom process.

A household goods shipment should consist only of furniture and personal effects for the daily use of a family, such as beds, chairs, clothing, books, pictures, etc.

Check with us the rest of the specs and a complete list of prohibited items, by entering our free, live chat attended by experts.

We want you to help you with these and more tips; help us help you by visiting How to move to Mexico.

Oh, and follow us on Twitter @moversmexico and Facebook  Moving to Mexico  (you'll find plenty of free advice and special offers).

by Mauricio Pozas

5 questions you should ask a moving company to know if they're good

There are international moving companies that will risk your patrimony by not having the minimum requirements needed to succesfully do their work. Sadly, they're many, and they're very hard to identify.

You do not want your belongings falling into the wrong hands, and the only way to avoid it is by asking the right questions to your posible movers, and paying attention to their answers. If they seem unable or unwilling to adequatly answer one of these questions, something's wrong.

1. How long have you been around?

Ask for precise information on the number of years they have been working on international removals. If they have survived the passage of time, then they probably know what they're doing. Also ask how long have the employees, drivers, shippers, packers, etc. have worked for the company. Do not let your move be a learning experience for a rookie.

2. Where is your company physically located?

You wouldn't give someone you met a week ago over the internet the key to your house. Just as you wouldn't trust your belongings to a company without being completely sure it is real and established. Ask them for their exact address, and make them show you photos of their office and warehouse. If they so much as hesitate, stop losing your time and hang the phone.

3. Can you show me past customer testimonials?

Satisfied customers are the best letter of recommendation a company has. Ask for these references. If they have received any, they should still have them; and if they have them, they must be willing to share them. If possible even try and contact one of their past clients to reveive his impressions first hand.

4. Who certifies you? Do you belong to any associations?

Every moving company will boast itself as being excellent in what they do; that's why you need someone else to certify it. One of the most known certifications is the RIM (Registered International Mover), by the American Moving and Storage Association, among others.

5. Are your employees properly identified?

The answer to this question will send you signs of huge relevance. If the company outsources carriers or other people they don't even know, then it is impossible for them to be identified as part of their company, and this is very dangerous. Knowing exactly who will be entering your home and handling your move is important, and speaks of a serious, professional moving company.

These are the basic questions your international moving company adequately has to answer to ensure that it deserves to serve you and won't represent a threat to you and your family.

We want you to help you with these and more tips; help us help you by visiting How to move to Mexico.

Oh, and follow us on Twitter @moversmexico and Facebook  Moving to Mexico  (you'll find plenty of free advice and special offers).

by Mauricio Pozas

¿Moving everything or buying upon arrival?

Which is cheaper, ¿moving everything or buying upon arrival?

If you've been through the process of an international move or are about to do, you have surely questioned yourself what is better: to take all your stuff or to buy it upon arrival.

There are several factors to assess, as are the cost of your furniture, how complicated would it be to replace them, and how valuable are they for you and your family.

The cheapest way to move your belongings across long distances is by sea. A 20-foot container will cost at least $ 8,000 (land transportation is the best choice when it comes to short distances). Buying just three full bedrooms, a couple of televisions, a desktop computer, a dining room and a kitchen would probably cost as much, at least. Not to mention if you include a piece of art.

In addition, the cost of replacing the furniture is not only monetary, it is also time and energy you have to invest in shopping and finding things to your liking.

Neither the value of your stuff is only measured in dollars. Your house is full of priceless memories, and for the vast majority of people, being surrounded by familiar articles on a new home is quite reassuring. This applies especially to children, who will feel much more confident and less anxious about the change.

While there are appliances that will not work in your destination country for reasons of voltage, it is also true that this is easily preventable, and you can leave only those items that fall into this category. Plus there are cases that are resolved with an adapter; you do not have to leave every appliance. Check out this list of voltages and socket types in different countries.

If the cost of moving everything or buying everything are similar, and taking your belongings diminishes time and stress, then moving with everything must be the better choice.

Definitely needs of each family are different, so it is best to get professional advise, and to analyze the pros and cons for your specific situation.

We want you to help you with these and more tips; help us help you by visiting How to move to Mexico.

Oh, and follow us on Twitter @moversmexico and Facebook  Moving to Mexico  (you'll find plenty of free advice and special offers).

by Mauricio Pozas

5 steps to prevent your children from suffering when moving abroad

“Many child development experts see moving as one of the most disruptive events in a child’s life”, says Dr. Arlen Fulton, of Ohio State University.

Children use to suffer the process silently, with higher stress levels than their parents who, focused on the technical problems of the move, don't pay them enough attention.

We know you don't want to watch your son become anxious nor violent. You obviously don't wish him to feel alone or to suffer too much being "the new kid" in school. Of course you wouldn't like him to think his life is falling apart. But, how could you avoid it? After all, sometimes moving is necessary and unavoidable.

Worry no more, and follow these 5 steps to successfully moving with children.

1. Talk about it.

Listen to your children's thoughts on moving, accept their feelings upon it, and do not force them into liking the idea. Answer their questions and attend their restlessness, and above everything else talk to them with the truth. Do not keep them out of the process. The best thing to do is keep them informed from the moment you decide to move until things return to normal in your new house.

2. Put a good face!

Children, especially young ones, are sponges that not just absorb, but magnify your attitude towards things. If you are positive every time you talk about moving, they will join you in your happiness. If you are complaining, arguing, crying or worrying, they'll feel that the move is nothing less than malignant and fatal.

3. The unknown scares.

Human beings of any age fear what they do not know. If your kids do not know what's coming, it will probably terrify them. So get all possible information about the city you're moving to, the type of people they'll meet, which of their favorite restaurants they'll be able to find, or how close is the nearest park. Show them pictures and videos; let them know where they're going.

4. Their room goes first.

Nothing -remember it well (if you care about your children's emotional stability)- is more important in your move than their room. Take the things that make them feel at home, their favorite blanket or pillow, a particular toy. Unpack and organize their room before the rest to rapidly provide them with a familiar atmosphere while the rest of the house is in order.

5. Reassure them, love them and set a good example.

"Home is Where the Heart Is" is a phrase you probably have heard, and yet may not understand its application in a move. Your house can completely change, but your home is the love, support, unity and caring between family members. Make sure your children have these four things, and they will probably miss their past house but not their home. Finally, set the example meeting new friends and merging into your new community with enthusiasm.

We want you to help you with these and more tips; help us help you by visiting How to move to Mexico

Oh, and follow us on Twitter @moversmexico and Facebook  Moving to Mexico  (you'll find plenty of free advice and special offers).


by Mauricio Pozas

6 mistakes that will turn your move into a disaster

Let's start with the obvious. Moving to another country is not like going on vacations, it's much more complicated. The consequences of a planning error in a recreational journey are temporal bumps, bruises that pass; while the ones from a miscalculation in an international move are permanent injures that leave ugly scars.

We present you then with 6 mistakes that will guarantee, without any doubt, your international move will be traumatic for your family and patrimony. There's no need to say (but I'll go ahead and say it anyways) that you should avoid them.

1.  Thinking in terms of price, not cost

An understandable, but dangerous mistake is deciding to book a move by its price, without taking into account the final cost it might reach. And we're not only talking about money here, but about losing that painting your grandpa made, or your son's favorite, irreplaceable toy. These are costs you probably wouldn't be willing to pay, at any price! Now, economically speaking, it gets worse: many companies will hide in their initial quote customs fees or delivery costs, for example, and the price will duplicate. With your goods in their hands, you'll have to pay. Beware.

2.  Wanting to ship EVERYTHING

Even if it seems minor, this is a mistake that could cause you many headaches. If you accept leaving behind some stuff you don't really use anymore your international move will get lighter, both materially and emotionally. You'll save on the economical and ease things up.

3.  Not paying attention at the game's rules

In moving like in life, he who doesn't follow the rules shall lose. If you don't take a close look at the prohibited items, requirements, or paper work needed for your country of destination you'll surely regret the long delays, expensive fines and painful confiscations at customs. For a peaceful sleep, get professional advice.

4.  Planning short time ahead

In the world of international moves there's nothing worse than leaving things to the last minute. If you start researching and comparing companies two weeks before packing day, your decision will be hasty and (most probably) wrong. Between 2 and 3 months is a good time frame to start planning.

5.  Loss of contact

Lack of communication before, during and after your move can unleash chaos. If you close the e-mail account with which you communicated with your moving company, change cellphone, or by any reason stop being reachable during the process, there will be trouble. So make sure to provide at least two different ways of contact both at your move's origin and destination.

6. Not looking for an experienced international moving company

There exist a huge number of companies that don't have the resources, personnel, knowledge and experience required to move you. These people will offer a low price just to get your money. Be careful, you could lose much more than your hard earned dollars.

We want to help you avoiding these and more mistakes; help us help you by visiting How to move to Mexico

Oh, and follow us on Twitter @moversmexico and Facebook  Moving to Mexico  (you'll find plenty of free advice and special offers).

by Mauricio Pozas