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8 – 12 WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE

 Contact GFS Relocations for a pre-move survey.
 If renting, advise your current landlord or agent, in writing, of your intention to move
 Advise your children’s school / kindergarten and have transfer documents sent to your new school / kindergarten. Some Schools, especially International Schools, require a full term’s notice if a student is withdrawing.
 Create a file for paperwork, receipts and important documents pertaining to your move.
 Determine tax requirements.
 Consider what household goods to take. Be careful to check regulations before shipping a vehicle.
 Inventory/photograph home contents for protection coverage.
 Identify those items of particularly high value and have them appraised.
 Contact insurance, bank, financial, medical, dental contacts re: changes, transfers of document or records.
 Pre-advise clubs, and organizations about anticipated departure.
 Consider what appliances and electronics will be taken back (consider voltage, obsolescence)
 Use the internet to obtain relevant information about destination or, ask GFS Relocations
 Consider which purchases you need to make.
 Start to use up things you can’t move, such as frozen food and cleaning supplies. 6 WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE
 Establish (re-establish) contact with healthcare professionals at destination.
 Consider movement of pets and their veterinary needs.
 Complete change-of-address notifications for friends, family, vendors, and service providers.
 Take steps to sell car(s), club memberships.
 Contact the foreign consulate for helpful information if necessary 4 WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE
 Moving Sale (Garage Sale) to dispose of items you do not wish to ship.
 Clean closets, storage areas
 Notify utility services of your intention to move so that they can arrange final readings 3 WEEKS TO GO
 Have airfreight segregated to include “survival kit” of essentials for destinations.
 Consider fumigation of selected items; polish/lacquering of silver, brass, copper.
 Sort through toys and assemble small parts.
 Arrange for professional handling or servicing of specialty items such as wall units, piano, valuable clocks, audio/visual equipment, and sports equipment. For special handling, contact your GFS Relocations Move coordinator
 Settle club dues, fees. Consider “inactive” membership if it is available and there is a possibility you will return.

2 WEEKS TO GO

 Collect children’s school records, immunization certificates etc. for the new school.
 Arrange to disconnect your essential services, gas, water, phone and electricity and settle charges.
 Inform your doctor, dentist and other medical specialists of your move. Collect your records or request transfer to your new practitioners.
 Record the contact numbers and email addresses of friends, service providers, vendors with whom you may wish to keep in touch.
 Photocopy duplicates of necessary papers (passports, tax records)
 Arrange Post Mail Redirection Service application to redirect your mail to your new address.
 Return items you have borrowed; collect things you have lent.
 Reserve a baby-sitter and pet-sitter for moving day, if necessary. 1 WEEK TO GO
 Dispose of flammables, BBQ gas, cleaning solvents.
 Clean BBQ thoroughly if you are shipping to new destination.
 Have a final clean-out and dispose out-of-date materials from under the kitchen sink, garage, laundry, etc.
 Commence home repairs essential to getting the home deposit returned: wall touch-up, mail hole filling, floor polishing.
 Bring home office records, files, equipment which need to be packed.

 Keep a few things out for the kids on move day.
 Pick up all items from vendors or repair firms.
 Empty and clean sports bag contents.
 Finalize valued inventory for protection coverage. Be sure to recognize surface, freight, and airfreight.

A FEW DAYS BEFORE YOU MOVE

 Empty, clean, dry, add baking soda/sachet to refrigerator, freezer
 Mark the cords of appliances to designate 110 volts vs. 220 volts.
 Finalize personal documents/papers into suitable carrier. Do same for personal valuables.
 Close / transfer accounts.
 Assemble pharmaceutical needs. Clean out medicine cabinet.
 Seal up spices, and other consumables you’ll need at destination, if you are shipping these. (please note that some destinations do not allow food of any kind to be shipped)
 Be sure that the final cleaning of home is scheduled as a “walk through” with landlord for prompt return of security/damage deposit.
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MOVING DAY!

 Place all suitcases and essential items you need in one specified place eg. Bathroom or car, so they are not loaded in the removal van or container
 Review home with the crew supervisor; point out special care items and special packing procedures.
 Set aside and carry all valuables and important papers and passports with you.
 Ensure children and pet’s are safe and out of harm’s way.
 Make sure the packers pack categorically – air, sea and storage – don’t mix.
 Keep copies of PASSPORT, paperwork, inventory, and insurance with you.
 Be sure that GFS Relocations has an update of your needs, instructions, contacts and timetable.
 Before the movers leave, make a final inspection to check for left-behind items.
 Lock all doors and windows as you leave.

Be sure to contact GFS Relocations at Tel: 24316530 if you have any questions or concerns before your move

Tea, sugar, jam, etc., should be packed together. Remember that only dried foods, tins, and spices can be sent for storage—no liquids, oils, etcetera are acceptable. Open food items should not be packed and shipped internationally.

Hermetically sealed foods and canned items may be packed; however, there may be regulations at destination that limit or prohibit this practice. You can check with your Move consultant.

The documentation varies by destination so ensure that you confirm the requirements with your Move Coordinator. Your customs documentation is supplied by the GFS office at origin or destination, depending on your destination country. Your Move Coordinator will advise you.

The following documents will need to be forwarded to your Move Coordinator:
•Copy of your passport
•Insurance documents
•Customs forms if applicable

It’s a good idea to keep copies of all your documentation

Documentation is an important part of the moving process. Late receipt of your documentation may delay your shipment, which can also result in additional cost.

Moving your pets internationally is both stressful for them (they will sense something is about to happen even before your move commences) and for you; we therefore recommend that you use the services of a pet relocation specialist. These specialists can:
•Advise on regulations regarding health and/or veterinary certificates pertaining to your country of destination
•Arrange to pick up your pet from your home
•Arrange the necessary international documentation, such as transit permits, consulate legalization, import licenses, etc.
•Arrange the correct type and size of flight kennel in accordance with regulations and airline requirements
•Arrange flight reservations taking due consideration of the airline schedules that are best for the health and wellbeing of your pet
•Arrange for your pet to be collected from the airport at destination and delivered directly to you (if regulations allow) or to a quarantine kennel if so required

Most entertainment equipment is best moved in their original packing so it’s worth having them available or getting replacement boxes from your dealer. If not, our movers will modify packing materials for this task.

You are entirely responsible for the transit of these valuables. It’s best to take them with you personally. Make sure you set aside all passports, birth certificates, car log books, and other documents you may require either during the move or before your goods are delivered to your new home. Make up a special carton labeled “DO NOT REMOVE” and ensure that this is kept to one side

•Is everything on your Take-With-Me list loaded into the car or taxi?
•Have you left anything behind? Take one last look around.
•Is the dishwasher emptied?
•Are all the water taps turned off?
•Is the electricity turned off at the mains switch?
•Are all the windows locked?
•Have you left your forwarding address in a prominent place?
•Have you locked and tested the back, side, and front doors?
•Have you surrendered the house keys to the new owner, estate agent, solicitor, or caretaker?

Check that all caps, tops etc. are secure. Use clear nail varnish to seal where the cap meets the bottle and/or tape the tops on. Check the instructions, or ask your physician or pharmacist about safe transport of medicines, particularly prescription items. Also check the foreign regulation as to prescription medications such as sleeping aids, tranquilizers etc.

Cars, motorbikes and other vehicles are transported by GFS with expert care. Upon receipt of your vehicle, prior to shipping, GFS Team will carry out an inspection, with you present, to determine pre-existing damage which will be noted on an inspection sheet of which you will receive a copy.

Sometimes unforeseen circumstances (e.g. inclement weather, elevator breakdowns, etc.) can result in your move taking longer than planned. We therefore strongly recommend that you arrange for packing and loading to be completed at least two working days in advance of your scheduled departure date.