* Choose a removal company with strong partnerships and full freight and luggage tracking in the country you are moving to, as well as quarantine and customsclearance facilities.

* Moving overseas can be expensive and complicated, so think about using a free Internet service, such as OneEntry, to compare moving companies and to help you pick the best option.

* Ask your removalist to provide you with a list of agents they use for locating pre-schools, child care or kindergartens, as well as local doctors and dentists if you don’t already have your own list.

* Keep all your important documents with you and make sure they are kept safe. Identity documents such as birth and marriage certificates, passports (and visas if you need them), as well as driver’s licence and travel insurance, are the most important. Make sure you leave copies with family members, your lawyer or a financial institution in case something gets lost along the way.

* Don’t forget school and medical records for the whole family, as well as books and games to keep children entertained on your journey.

* Use the Internet to research contact details of utility companies.

* Take recent insurance and telecommunications bills (phone, Internet Service Provider [ISP]) with you – local companies will accept them as proof of a good record in starting up new services.

* If you’re taking pets with you, remember to also take proof of their vaccinations and ID chip, if they have one.

* Make sure you know where electrical adaptors are for any essential appliances (and chargers for mobile phones and laptops), so that you don’t waste time searching for them when you first arrive.

From 10,001 Timesaving Ideas