Last week we discussed finding the best international mover for your move overseas. While choosing the right international moving company is vital for a successful overseas move, it’s only the first step in the process.

Once you’ve found that perfect international mover, the next steps to organizing your international move can be a logistical challenge so here at UPakWeShip we offer a series of free tools, apps, information and knowledge that will help you along each phase of your move.

Moving Preparation

Shipping Volume Estimator. Every international mover you’ll work with will ask you about how much volume you’ll be shipping overseas. To help you give them an estimation, use our free shipping volume calculator, which allows you to tally up some of the most common goods & items that people bring with them overseas. This is especially handy for those items that don’t fit in normal moving boxes.

We also offer guides on how to measure your shipment, shipping large items overseas and a handy countdown to moving day guide which will help you know what to do in the months, weeks and days before you move abroad.

We also provide free, all inclusive shipping quotes so you’ll know how much to expect to pay for your international shipment.

Packing Your Shipment

Once you’ve got your volume estimated, check out our packing and loading tips guide on how to best pack the most commonly shipped items overseas and the best ways to load our own international shipping service crates & containers.

Packing Documents

Packing List Creator App. Once you’ve got everything packed up in boxes or otherwise ready to go, you’ll need to create a packing list that will itemize your shipment for customs purposes. This packing list creator allows you to add items from our preloaded list of approved items that can be shipped overseas and produces a PDF for us to pass on to customs in your destination city. Take note of the items we list that CANNOT be shipped (see left margin on the packing list creator page).

Shipping Label Generator App. Now that you have your list, you can quickly add labels to your boxes and items using our quick shipping label generator. Enter your name, email, booking number and destination country, and you’ll be emailed a PDF with shipping labels that you can print copies, cut out and place on your boxes and items.

Once you place the labels on your items, using your packing list created above, write down the number on the label that corresponds to each item in your list. For example if Item #1 on your packing list is “Books”, write #1 on the shipping label you put on your box of books, and so on until you have each item labeled.

Customs & Tracking

Maybe one the most asked topics about international shipping, customs document preparation and information is something we help our customers with to make sure your items get through in a timely fashion. Having your packing list and shipping labels (see above) are an important part of this process so having those ready and accurate will help as well.

Finally, after your shipment is loaded onto a ship you’ll be able to track your shipment as it makes its way to your overseas location.

We’ve handled thousands of shipments over the years and we know that by using these great, free tools, information & apps you’ll get the best international moving experience possible. (See our reviews here.)