Moving Internationally During Holidays 101

By International Sea and Air Shipping / December 18, 2024

And for those moving across international borders, the challenges of finding services that are open can quickly compound—from shipping delays and customs bottlenecks to compromises in quality. International Moving During Holidays 101 is precisely what you need to make sure that you won’t mess up stuff while moving overseas

Small delays can cause big headaches, especially during periods of high demand and holiday traffic. From hiring international moving companies to sorting documents and packing dishes, all are done tentatively. This guide breaks things down into manageable steps so you can move efficiently and still enjoy the holiday season.

Begin Preparing Now For Your International Holiday Move

When planning to move overseas over the holidays, you can’t deny that planes for moving to the UK from USA are just booked so full during this time of year. By booking movers, flights, and other services in advance, you can often secure lower rates and ensure the availability of resources during peak season.

Tips for early planning:

• Look at the holiday calendars and customs closures of your destination country to prevent delays.
• Book international movers, flights, and shipping as far in advance as possible (we recommend a few months at the very least).
• Maintain flexibility in your moving out and in dates to avoid peak season surcharges. Shifting your move a day or two one way or the other could help save you money.
• Check with professional movers for other options, storage possibilities, and shipping dates.
• Think about insurance ahead of time—higher volumes make holiday moves more likely to result in damage or loss.

Example: British customs offices are closed for several days over Christmas. The earlier you submit your paperwork, the sooner your shipment is cleared. Likewise in Spain, holiday shipping volume peaks toward the end of December, and early reservations mitigate loss of availability.

Packing and Shipping Smartly for the Holidays

Packing smartly is important to safeguard your goods and make international shipping easier. Volumes are higher during holidays, so it’s even more important to plan carefully.

Packing tips:

• Mark boxes so they are easy to identify, and group similar items together for simple unpacking
• For delicate holiday decorations, electronics, and gifts, wrap with bubble wrap or any other thick packing material
• Have an essentials bag (passports, visas, medications—including vitamins and prescriptions—valuables, and critical documents) with you
• Place heavy items on the bottom and light ones on top so nothing gets crushed
• Professional packing services are invaluable when it comes to fragile, unwieldy, or high-value items—since they save time and effort and reduce nerves
• Store seasonal items, like Christmas ornaments or family heirlooms, in a different basket so they don’t get all mixed up and confused

Methodically filling a box can keep your move organized and stress-free as the holiday season, a busy time for shipping, approaches.

Relocating Abroad during Holidays 101: Must-have Checklist

The International moving checklist is a thoroughly comprehensive list that keeps you from forgetting anything and helps keep your move on schedule.

International holiday moving checklist:

• Categorize belongings: Decide what to keep, sell, donate, or ship
• Investigate movers: Choose to work with a reliable international mover that has positive customer reviews and past experience moving shipments during the holiday season
• Collect important documents: This can include passports, visas, birth certificates if applicable, financial statements, and immunization records
• Label and organize boxes: Write what’s inside the boxes so you don’t need to open up each one
• Alert utilities and services: Set up a disconnection, transfer, and address change
• Pad delicate possessions safely: Protect breakables with padding and a strong box
• Pack an essentials bag with travel documents, medication, electronics, and valuables
• Organize temporal storage if there is a need for deferred deliveries or surplus products
• Verify coverage of high-worth goods with insurance when shipping during busier holiday seasons

Keeping everything under control and maintaining perfect organization with this list eliminates the risk of last-minute moving-related issues.

Prepare for Customs and Documentation

Preparation is just as important for the customs side of holiday moves, especially if you are moving to a country such as Portugal, France, or Iceland with its own sets of regulations.

Customs preparation tips:

• Gather all necessary paperwork—passports, visas, residency papers, and customs documents
• File as early as possible—customs offices face staff shortages during the holidays, and you may experience delays
• Seek advice from professionals on country-specific regulations, items not allowed, and import duties
• Have digital copies of all your documents in case they are lost or damaged during shipment

Example: Certain electronics and appliances in Portugal are subject to prior customs approval. Professionals can avoid fines or holds on shipments, which saves time during the hectic holiday season.

Stay Flexible with Storage Solutions

Short-term storage solutions help make your holiday move more manageable, particularly when schedules or delivery windows change.

Storage tips:

• Opt for secure climate-controlled storage for fragile or valuable items
• Temporary storage If you have any leftover stock or shipments that are late due to holiday volumes, plan for temporary storage
• You can even arrange with your movers to have storage fit neatly into the schedule
• Label boxes with what is inside so they don’t have to be pried open

Flexible storage is also available, so you don’t have to worry if something falls through.

Stay Organized and Practice Self-Care

Moving abroad can be frustrating, and during the rush of holidays, even worse. Being organized and taking care of yourself to feel good helps improve focus and efficiency.

Tips for staying on track:

• Set up apps or reminders to mark tasks, deadlines, and appointments
• Hand out assignments to friends, family, or pros if you can
• Breaks to avoid burnout and improve productivity
• Have healthy meals and drink a lot of water so you have enough energy while moving
• Add sleep time—working while exhausted just increases the cost of mistakes

Having an organized thought about the process helps your move go more smoothly and keeps stress in check.

Keep the Holiday Spirit Alive

Even if you’re moving across the globe over the holidays, that doesn’t mean you have to go without celebration. With a little planning, you can keep traditions alive and even make exciting new ones.

Ideas for preserving holiday cheer:

• Designate times to pack and do other holiday activities
• Bring in the family to do the packing together as a team
• Paint boxes with Christmas décor or bring along teeny Xmas knick-knacks
• Take along any sentimental items, such as family recipes, ornaments, or holiday music
• Mark your new home with small traditions, even amidst travel or unpacking

You Are Set For a Successful International Move!

When moving overseas during a holiday, it can be a beautiful, rewarding experience with proper planning. Decking the halls—and making it easy on yourself—is all in the planning. From keeping track of documents to rallying family members and using versatile storage options. Your move will be headache-free if you stay organized and involved!

Our professional staff knows how to keep your move intact, rain or shine. Get in touch with us today, and let us make your Moving Internationally During Holidays 101 an unforgettable, easy, and stress-free process.

FAQs