Home › Guide

Overseas Move Timeline: What to Do and When

A month-by-month style planning timeline for moving abroad, written as phases rather than fixed dates.

Phase 1: Research

• Learn the visa, residency and customs rules for your destination.
• Shortlist movers and request in-home or video surveys.

Phase 2: Decide and book

• Compare written quotes for the same inventory.
• Choose sea or air, and a full or shared container.
• Arrange insurance and confirm the claims process.

Phase 3: Prepare

• Sort items to ship, store, sell or donate.
• Gather passports, visas, inventory lists and customs forms.
• Pack a carry-on with valuables, medication and documents.

Phase 4: Arrival

• Stay in touch with the destination agent during customs clearance.
• Inspect items at delivery, note damage before signing and file claims promptly with photos.

More guides

• Overseas Moving Quotes Explained: Line by Line
• Vetting an Overseas Mover: A 5-Step Background Check

Last updated October 2026. General consumer information, not legal or financial advice.