What to watch out for with an International move - The hidden costs

Most guides on what to do when planning an International relocation, usually advise you to obtain 3 quotes, ensure you keep in a locked room your documents, keys, passports, wallets etc on packing day so they don't end up in the container like our son's shoes and wallet did, along with the key for the padlock for the side gate. They'll also tell you to make sure the bin is empty and you've washed up the plates before the packers arrive. All good advice, but it's the hidden costs you really need to look for and an honest time frame.

We've been fortunate with 3 International moves and 3 internal moves over the past 10 years that nothing has been broken, other than the odd bowl etc, however we haven't been lucky with the information given to us and the additional hidden costs. Although the company paid for 2 of the moves, it did not pay for the extras.

We've used 4 firms for International moves and 3 different firms for internal moving. The internal moves have gone to plan. You get up, dress, they pack, they deliver to the new address, they unpack and remove all the packaging.

Our first move from the UK to South Africa went wrong from failing to tell us they couldn't ship until we got our visas, AFTER they'd packed and removed everything from the house 2 months before the move and then added we needed to itemise everything they'd packed for insurance purposes.

On arrival in SA there were hidden customs (bribes) charges, our container was 'lost' until we paid the fees, we NEVER received the seal number so had no idea if our container had been opened or not. The UK side of the organisation stopped answering emails and despite the contract being with them directly, they said it was now the fault of the agents in SA.

From SA to Dubai, the move was handled by my husbands company this meant that NO-ONE would discuss any part of the move with me in either country, despite my husband not being present in either country when the packing was done and the container was delivered.

We had to apply for visa on arrival in Dubai, so we were on a tight timeline for the move and organised air cargo with bedding, TV, paperwork and some basic kitchen items. Due to their being a shortage of visas, our container sat in the dock for 2 months and our air cargo arrived 10 days AFTER the container was delivered to our new home. Costs were met by the company as they hadn't organised the visas.

For this last move, we had 2 shipments. The first was a shared container, it arrived on time and no one would speak to me, not the company in Dubai or the agents in the UK. After many phone calls and the threat of legal action and help from the shipping company in Dubai, the Bill of Lading was paid from the company to the shipping line, container released and goods delivered.....on a Sunday night at 6pm, they took 2 hours and dumped the sofa in the neighbours garage leaving me to unpack and remove the waste. The company in Dubai said as a 'gesture of good will, they'd waive the storage fees with the delay. They also failed to take out the Insurance on time and took 2 months to repay it, again with the threat of legal action.

The final saga is the current container, delivered last week, again storage fees wavered as a good will gesture. I picked a company that managed the whole move from door to door, turns out they sub contract and due to them not being available before the 21st July, there was going to be a charge of £1000 for UK port storage.

However, it wasn't customs charging me the fee, they cleared the container on the day it arrived in port and it was ready for collection at 20:20. So then they tried telling me it was the shipping company not having hauliers to move the container. I called them, they said it wasn't their container. Then it was the port charging me due to lack of hauliers, so I called them, they explained no one had applied for a VBS and once that was done the container would be ready for collection within the hour.

Then everyone stopped answering their phones and their emails, they'd already said my contact had ended up in junk, after they swore blind they'd never received anything from me, then it was claimed I never replied. I called them out on the email sent on June 29th, a week before my container arrived.

I have my container, it's all unpacked, fingers crossed I don't hear anything more from anyone and if you ever hear me saying that I'm thinking of moving, please stop me.

Things to do:

• Get contact details of agent in the country you're moving to
• Itemise your packing list and work out replacement value in country you're moving to (I worked off this list and updated it for all moves)
• Take photo of container with it's number, shipping company and seal details
• Track the ship for arrival date
• Register with wheresmycontainer.com
  
  
  
  
  
  

Don't be frightened to call customs, border control, the port, the shipping company directly, they were very helpful and informative and I was able to use the information given to prove the costs incurred were the responsibility of the removal company and not mine.

Packing: 

• Do the washing up
• Empty the bins
• Group items ready for unpacking at destination

Unpacking:

• Using the inventory packing list to decide where each box is going
• Label rooms according to unpacking
• Unpack to surface isn't always possible so when signing the job off add the number of boxes not unpacked and take a photo of the paperwork.

Week 36 - One Daily Positive - Packing and shipping - Our expat journey.

So a brief run down for those of you not in the know, the rest of you can just skip a paragraph or two (I'm mainly talking to you Mary)

We left the UK in January 2011 to move to South Africa, we took all our worldly goods and our two youngest children with us. On leaving South Africa the kids had left home (youngest back to boarding school in the UK) and we had inherited a cat and dog. 5 years in Dubai and most of our furniture is being shipped back to the UK next week, why? Well it's a long story, how long have you got?

Our first tenants stopped paying rent for almost a year, destroyed our house and stole anything they could. Fast forward 8 years, several good tenants and then our last lot, trashed our house again, so we decided to reoccupy it as the quickest and cheapest way to get it back. So we brought our relocation plans for Peter's retirement forward 2 years.

The plan was to relocate a year before Peter retires and for me to set up home, find a job and Peter would then join me, we might move house, change towns or just stay put. So the house was reclaimed in December 2019, the pets flew over February 2020 and then I was to be in and out of the UK/Dubai and we had arranged for Peter to downsize to an apartment and I'd ship the rest of our furniture back to the UK. Covid hit, we were apart for 4 months. I got back to Dubai and we decided to ship anyway despite Peter still remaining in the Villa till at least May next year, then we'll re look at apartments.

I've now got two weeks back in the UK to isolate and will be finishing the decorating ready for our container to arrive mid October. I then have a couple of weeks to unpack, find a home for everything then I'll be back out to Dubai for 3 months over winter to finish sorting out this end (pet sitter permitting)

243 Sunday Packers arrived, I hung around all day (bored) as I'd separated the house into piles and needed to be at hand to answer a few questions about should they pack rugs, cushions etc. I spent the day blogging and trying to keep out the way, but needed to be around to make sure they didn't pack stuff that we were leaving in Dubai. Peter worked from the bedroom and cooked our dinner.

244 Monday Off to Dubai Mall for the day, I walked 5 miles over 4 hours, all with my mask on, inside and out, taking it off only to stop for lunch in the food court and have a coffee. The child in me always chuckles when you realise how these statues are attached to the wall.

245 Tuesday The day was spent rearranging the furniture and cleaning downstairs. I picked the wrong time to food shop, so busy and the staff always rush you. Not really sure what to do with this space now.

246 Wednesday Back to not sleeping and awake at 4am, I started work on the upstairs, had to stop due to needing to use the hoover so sat outside with my breakfast around 6.30am. Humidity is much lower at the moment and it's quite pleasant with the temp at 31c already. Mid morning I visited Park n Shop they stock a lot of British products, I want to see what Gluten Free products they sell (if any) otherwise I'll just be bringing a case of food with me next trip. I can get GF foods here in Waitrose and Carrefour but it really is limited stock. I'm happy with how this area now looks.

247 Thursday We headed out for an early morning walk then Peter was in the office all day so I spent my time finishing rearranging the bedrooms, did some washing, put the slow cooker on for dinner and just chilled out watching movies and doing the ironing.

I'm more than happy with how downstairs looks now.

248 Friday It's covid test day at City Walk, ahead of my flight on Tuesday. Appointment was at 11am, we joined the queue at 10am. Took some photos of the ever changing landscape and off to Festival City for lunch and coffee. Evening spent watching movies.

This is the new canal they created since we've been here. The buildings on the far right are new also.

249 Saturday Early morning walk around the neighbourhood to take more photos. leisurely breakfast then off to Outlet centre. Evening spent with a friend at the Marina.

We were full on sprayed/sanitised entering a mall today.

On the blog this week:

My Garden in August - The UK and Dubai

Day out with my dog - A visit to Charlecote Park National Trust

My ever changing balcony view with My Sunday Photo

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One Daily Positive - Week 49. Back to Dubai

I had a lovely last few days in the UK catching up with family and friends as well as finishing off the house, ready for the professionals to do their magic. Back in the UK in January with the cat and dog and the furniture isn't arriving until June, to give us time to finish all the jobs.

335 Sunday Had a day off from the house and the flat and spent the day with child 1 and child 5 in Gloucester, took child 5 back to Cirencester where he lives then joined Mum of 3 World at the Panto in Tewkesbury that her daughter is performing in. It's been 10 years since I've been in the UK around Christmas and fancied doing something Chritmassy

336 Monday Back to South Wales to clean the flat and meet the agent. I met mum, my niece with Thing 3 &4 and child 2, his wife 2a and our granddaughter 2b for lunch. Thing 3 really didn't like seeing me with my granddaughter. I'm his Aunty Suzanne and he hid under the table from the 2's. He came back to the flat with me to help hoover, child 2 did some repair jobs and 2a transferred everything out to my car.

337 Tuesday Last day and off for coffee, sort post and change of address, purchase a stair gate and hand keys to the agent. They're doing the arbitration for the repairs, identified as tenant liability, which currently stand around £2,500, as the deposit is £900 less I'm guessing we'll be out of pocket. Returned the car hire, had dinner and a beer at the airport, was asleep for take off, woken for food and a G&T, back to sleep, woken for breakfast.

Rediscovered this family picture Thing 1 drew for me back in October.

338 Wednesday Fell back asleep during landing. Peter collected me and I went back to sleep for 4 hours, got up, had lunch, a bath and back to sleep for another 4 hours. So unlike me to get this much sleep but I obviously needed it.

Last year the cat ate all her advent calendar in one go, this year it's hidden in the cupboard, the lure of the cat nip is too strong.

339 Thursday Took the cat to the vets for her final jab before her move to the UK and get vet books up to date. Grabbed a coffee and posted Peter's postal vote, mine hasn't arrived and doubtful Peter's will get back in time either. There has to be a better way for Brits abroad to be able to vote. Most other countries allow you to vote at your embassy, not the UK. Afternoon spent on paperwork online.

340 Friday Awake at 4am, caught up with blogs and writing posts. We went out for breakfast to the Creek and had a lovely long walk. Afternoon spent tidying the garden and we started Christmas off with the ultimate Christmas movie 'yippee ki yay'

341 Saturday Had a lie in and we went out Christmas shopping, I had to try my present on, but Peter selected the style and colour. Home to wash the dog and all the bedding and rugs. Peter cooked dinner and I had a little wine induced nap. Starting my packing for our trip to South Africa next week. Originally only Peter was going with work and rather than leave me at home alone, we booked a flight for me also.

On the blog this week:

Differences I notice between the UK and Dubai as an expat

I forgot to link up week 47 and week 48, so if you're interested in how the rest of the golf went and the house repossession went, do take a look.

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How to pack hand luggage when flying with Easy Jet.

I'm in Greece with Peter for a week, he flew over from Dubai. As he flew with Fly Dubai, he brought a suit case and was responsible for the toiletries and sun cream. Me? I just packed clothes, my trusty laptop and chargers.

I flew with Easy Jet, it's my 3rd trip with them this year. I went to Belfast for 5 days and Munich for a week.

Easy Jet are strict on the hand luggage allowance and actually I don't blame them. There's no weight limit, other than you need to be able to lift your bag by yourself into the locker. There's a size limit, but my trusty Cabin Zero bag meets all airline requirements for size and is strong and sturdy and can cope with 17kg. It's about as much as I can manage to lift and carry on my back.

On a trip with them last year, to Belfast, I was asked/told to put my purse and book back inside my hand luggage before I boarded the plane as everything had to fit and be inside the one bag. This also includes any additional purchases at Duty Free. This year on the same route to Belfast I walked through, ready to plead my case, with a box with fresh cut flowers my son had sent me for my birthday.

5 days with hand luggage, only as long as the weather is warm is doable, longer trips require a bit more space and if I had to fly during cold and wet weather, I'd probably book a suitcase for the extra clothes needed. But on a trip to Munich last month, I discovered a handy little tip, that saved me money and time.

I paid the extra £12.50 each way choosing my seat, for speedy boarding and it allows me to take my handbag on separately which enabled me to carry my laptop, book and purse separate from my luggage and I can pop my toiletry bag in their without having to open my hand luggage saving me time and hassle at security.

This trip to Greece I've done the same, it was £19 extra each way. Seats are allocated on Easy Jet flights, even if you don't pay to choose one, which starts from £5.99. I wouldn't pay to book a seat if I didn't need the extra bag and when Peter and I have flown with them, we've been seated together anyway.

Being able to get on the plane first, take the extra bag and being able to exit quickly without the risk on a full flight as well as getting served first during the flight is worth the extra cost to me, especially if I was travelling with a young family.

As for what I pack and how I pack, I roll clothing after selecting what I want to take and pack in order as well as teaming up 3 tops with one pair of shorts/trousers and wearing my heavier and bulky clothing and shoes on the flight. I also pack the heavier items throughout the backpack to even the weight out and make sure I leave some space to bring back souvenirs.

This is the first holiday I've bought myself a bikini, I'm not convinced it will stay in place though.

Moving Home in Dubai Part 3 - Moving Day

In preparation for moving home in Dubai, I did the following the day before the actual move:

Collected the keys

Coffee with a friend

Had a manicure and pedicure

Wrapped and packed ornaments

Packed valuables

Dug up plants from the garden

Took the cat to the vets

The day of the move I did the following:

Got up

Dressed

Collected all the dirty washing in the laundry basket

Dropped the dog in day care

Drove to the new house.

Peter stayed in the old house to supervise the packing, clean out the fridge, empty the bins etc.

I checked the water and electric was working and the air con etc was operational. We had to set up the DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) account and provide proof of deposit prior to collecting the keys and I waited for the removal company to arrive, half an hour after I did with the first truck to instruct them where the furniture and boxes were to go.

After unloading 2 trucks, they took a break and returned to the old house. I unpacked and put away the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom and we were left with a pile of stuff that came from the outbuildings of the old house, tools, camping gear and garden equipment that now has to be stored inside the house until we get some outdoor storage.

Peter followed at 3pm, collecting the dog on his way with the last 2 trucks and by 3pm the furniture was unwrapped, beds reassembled, they remade the beds, the boxes were emptied and removed along with all the packaging.

We put blankets up at the windows for the first night and we were in our new home.

The next few days were spent rearranging some furniture in the rooms, a few purchases have to be made, a home for all the outdoor stuff was found, but needs to be tidied and quite a lot of stuff will be donated and thrown away. The removal firm did a great job of unpacking, reassembling and putting things back on the shelves, they took photos to help them. Sadly though, they don't dust, so everything had to be removed, cleaned and put back. They also don't set up equipment, so while it was great the office furniture was in place, we had to empty it, move it, put cables back and move the furniture back in place.

Curtain poles still need to go up and things have to be tidied, once that's all in place and Peter is back in work, I'll unpack the ornaments, give the house a good clean and by next weekend it'll all be done.

This is the 7th full move we've done as a family since 2002, 3 in the UK, 2 in South Africa and now 2 in Dubai. 4 of the moves were company moves and they were not easy to do, with the removal contract being with Peter's company so all questions and issues etc had to be made from me, to Peter, to HR to the removal firm and back again as rarely would anyone deal directly with me because 'Miss Suzanne, the contract is with your husband's company, not you' despite it being me who does all the organising, arranging and last minute problem solving when things inevitably go wrong when there are so many people involved in a chain.

This move however was easy, because there was no one to interfere. Even though the contracts had to be signed by Peter as he is the one with the work visa, therefore the one with the income, everyone from the agents, landlords, to DEWA were more than happy to deal with me directly as long as I had copies of the relevant documents and Peter's actual signature.

My Sunday Photo Week 129 P is for......

........Packing, Penguins, Presents and Polish.

I dragged Peter round Dubai Aquarium yesterday for my birthday treat. I'll be in the UK next week for my actual birthday. He bought me a cuddly Penguin as a gift.

Today I finished packing my suitcase and had a manicure and pedicure and new polish, then had to reopen my case to add my birthday present and card Peter bought for me after work.

What to pack in your suitcase for a holiday to the UK?

I asked twitter what I should pack for my holiday in the UK next week and this is what I was told to bring the four S's.

Sanity
Sense of humour
Sunshine
Sou'wester

Now I have no sanity left, my sense of humour has disappeared, I'm coming to the UK to escape the relentless sun of Dubai and a Sou'wester is actually a hat, who knew? For years I'd thought it was one of those long yellow coat/trouser combinations that fishermen wore.

But seriously, I'm coming to the UK for a holiday. My first holiday in the UK since 2010. yes I've been to the UK a couple of times a year over the past 7 years and stayed with family and friends, but I've been sleeping on sofas, sharing rooms with others, living out of a suitcase. I'm NOT complaining, but it's been hard work, tiring and when I've returned home I've felt like I've needed a holiday to recover.

This year we have a 1 bed flat we purchased in South Wales, not in a typical holiday destination, by the sea etc, but in a small town, that plenty of people do actually visit. Whilst it's not a hotel, it will be my own space, it's self contained, in the middle of town and I will be able to not only switch off and relax, but actually unpack and put my suit case away for a while.

The other advantage I have is that I could leave some clothes there on my last trip, winter gear, that I don't need in Dubai.

So being British I know that the weather in the UK is variable, I'm also fully aware that sunshine and heat waves in the South East means it's probably raining everywhere else and that balmy summer will only last 2-3 days before temps drop again to below 20c.

It's always difficult to know what to pack to visit another country, our perception of what weather feels like is based on what we know. For example 20c here in Dubai requires a jacket or jumper in the mornings and evenings, in the UK thats shorts and t shirt weather and I do get funny looks when I'm in the UK wearing hat, gloves and a coat sometimes.

In Dubai I wear dresses, sandals, sleeveless tops, 3/4 length trousers, I dress, I grab a pashmina and go out the door. I don't have to worry about a coat, my feet and my hair getting wet, I don't have to dress with several layers, to take on and off during the day.

If I was coming back for winter I'd be fine, boots, jumpers, jeans, jacket, hat, gloves and scarf. I've got dressing for extreme weather down to a fine art, but summer in the UK? I want to wear a dress to an event, but then I need a coat, once I put the coat on, I need to change my shoes, dainty sandals and a coat don't look right, but then when I get to the venue, I have a lovely dress on and clumpy shoes, should I take my sandals to change into, then I'm carrying a large bag, so I end up wearing trousers and a top that go with the coat and the shoes and a big bag that contains a jumper should it cold later anyway.

I have a generous 30kg allowance. I don't have to pack toiletries and half my suit case is full of gifts.

Camera in suitcase as I'm flying with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul and Hello Kitty kitchen roll for my niece, as well as bargain Converse and Toms I picked up in the sales for 2 of the boys and a girlfriend.

The other half of my case just needs to have a pair of shoes, 1 top and 1 pair of trousers to add plus my hair straighteners and I'm good to go.

I have heels, boots, sandals, dress, jumpers, rain jacket, trousers, cardigans, t shirts and blouses. I will be wearing layers and carrying my hand luggage bag around with me with an umbrella, waterproofs etc on most days out I suspect.

Week 43 - One Daily Positive and Project 366. Newport to Dubai

I arrived back in Dubai on Friday, I'm shattered. I've unpacked and put most of it away. I really don't want to go to work tomorrow, I'm not getting any satisfaction from working, there's too much pressure on me, while I enjoy the teaching side and don't mind planning and evidencing work in my own time, I don't think I've ever worked in a job where I'm under so much scrutiny and asked to justify EVERY single action. I've already decided I will pack it in at the end of the school year in June, but at the moment I'm not sure I'm going to make it to the new year.

Whilst I had a lovely time in the UK, it was sadly a trip made due to family bereavement. My Father's youngest brother's funeral was on Monday. It was lovely a service, there were lots of people there from his involvement with Gwent Football Association and the bands he'd played in over the years.

Sadly on Thursday we heard the news that my Mother's eldest brother had passed away. The funeral will be in mid November and I won't be able to travel to attend.

Day 297 - Kids. Picked up a few craft activities for school, I did want to post a picture of the teen, but he was having none of it as usual.

Day 298 - Cute. My sisters missing cat, he ran away last year, she has moved towns since then, she finally located him and brought him back to the new house where he has settled back in.

Day 299 - Amazing. Lovely to meet up with my SIL who I haven't seen since her Cancer was diagnosed in July, she is half way through her treatment and looks fab. Her daughter (my niece) is spending new year with us and 2 of the boys, she needs a break, she doesn't want or need the break, but her mum and I have ganged up on her.

Day 300 - Light. I've really enjoyed being in the UK in autumn, the rain and the cold, it all looks so pretty, it's amazing how early it gets dark now. In Dubai we average 10-12 hours of light every day. While we miss the long summer evenings of the UK, we certainly don't miss the lack of sun in the winter.

Day 301 - Leaves. I've loved the sight, smell and sounds of autumn. 

Day 302 - Dark. Back in Dubai, an evening at sunset spent on the beach, I've been sleeping the rest of the time.

Day 303 - Trick. I hate this part, the unpacking and eventual putting away of stuff. 

How do you approach things you really don't want to do?

It's moving day, friends came round yesterday for a braai and the goodbyes were said.

The house has been sorted into 4 sections.

Donations

Suitcases

Air freight

Shipping

At the moment the house is a bloody mess. I arrived back in South Africa 5 days ago after getting all the paperwork ready in the UK and flying to Dubai to go house hunting.

Family are asking me if I'm excited, friends are saying that they marvel at my calmness and organisational skills. I'm just amazed I haven't had a major breakdown like I did when we first moved abroad in 2011.

So how have I approached this move to Dubai? This new exciting adventure I'm on?

Daily. That's all, day to day. An international move with an expiring visa is like skating on thin ice. The timescales and requirements have to be adhered to. There's no 'tomorrow' It's all about what needs doing right now and not thinking about the 'what next?'

Despite this being our second relocation abroad it doesn't mean we know what we are doing. Quite the opposite intact. Different paperwork is required, different processes, different worries and this move involves a cat and a dog.

I'm sorry i can't explain to you when you ask 'what is happening?' 'what do you have to do?' because until we complete each task and are set the next one, I honestly have NO IDEA. I can sit and worry about all the things that may go wrong, or worry about all the unknown things yet to come, but it doesn't get the house sorted, it doesn't make the move any easier.

i approach it with acceptance that we are leaving South Africa, I knew we would one day, I just didn't bank on that one being quite so soon.