When moving overseas, it can be difficult to determine what you should take with you and what needs to be sold and discarded of. Appliances are often a difficult thing to take with you as they are heavy and bulky, which generally means that these items are more expensive to ship. However, it is understandable that there are some things you just don’t want to leave behind. To help you decide, we’re listing below whether it’s worth shipping your appliances when moving overseas.
Outlets
One of the first things to check before making the decision to move your appliances overseas is the compatibility of your appliances to the power outlets of your new country. For example, if you’re moving from Australia to New Zealand, you won’t have to worry as those countries use the same power outlets. However, if you’re moving from Australia to the United States, the power outlets vary significantly, just like they do in Europe, Asia and Africa. Of course, you can purchase plug adaptors from luggage shops and airports; however, it is important to keep in mind that these may not always completely solve the problem. This is because voltages vary across the world, meaning that if you use an adaptor to plug your appliance into a foreign outlet, it might become damaged.
Size of Appliances
Another important consideration is the size of your appliances, whereby the appliances you have in your current home might not work in your new home. For example, you might have a double fridge that you love in your current home, but there isn’t a space big enough for it in your new kitchen. Therefore, if you have a home ready to move into, make sure you get the dimensions of your new place so that you can decide if your current appliances will fit. If you don’t have a place to move into yet, it can be a good idea to place your items into storage and then decide if everything will fit once you find a home.
Costs
Appliances are one of the most expensive things to ship overseas, so you want to make sure it will be worth it. All good international removalists should be able to provide you with a quote before hiring them for the move, so make sure you do this before paying any deposits. On the other hand, its important to consider how much money you’ll need to spend to replace your appliances when you arrive. In some countries, like America, electrical appliances and white goods are often much more affordable than you think, whereas the same goods in other countries can cost much more. Because of this, it’s really important to do your research before moving and browse the websites of electrical retailers to get an idea of pricing.
Warranties
Purchasing electrical appliances, you’ll often have been provided with a warranty whereby you can get the appliance fixed or replaced for free within a certain amount of time. Because of this, you should check to see if warranties will still be made valid with an international move. If the warranty is not applicable, however, this doesn’t mean that you can’t take your appliance with you, you’ll just need to check if the manufacturer has an international department to supply parts if need be.
How to Prepare your Appliances for the Move
The first thing to do is unplug the appliances you’re shipping and make sure they’re empty, clean and completely sanitised. Depending on the appliance, it may need stability bolts installed to secure it during the shipping process, which needs to be done before it is packed. Finally, use sturdy packing tape to secure the doors of any appliances to keep them shut, and tie up any loose plugs.