If your company is expanding its global outreach, there’s a good chance that at some point, you’ll need to relocate employees to international operational hubs. And if that ends up being the case, there are a variety of factors you’ll need to consider when offering relocation assistance to those individuals.
At Ace Moving & Warehousing, we’ve offered corporate relocation moving services for both domestic and international moves since 1958. As a result of our extensive experience, we deeply understand the many intricacies and challenges of international relocations, and we’re here to help you successfully navigate them.
Below, we explain a few of the most prevalent differences between international and domestic relocations and how those things can affect the moving process.
Assimilation Takes Time (Usually Lots of It)
Many international relocators (often mistakenly) assume that the most difficult part of moving to a new country is logistics. But typically, that’s far from true. Rather, assimilating to a new location and culture is typically the most challenging part of the entire move. Not only does assimilation take time (and usually, lots of it) but it also requires adopting a new way of conducting one’s self, which, for most people, doesn’t come easily.
Since relocation assistance typically encompasses more than just the move itself and the transport of the employee’s belongings, you’ll need to define the benefits you plan to provide. If you’re offering relocation assistance to employees who are moving internationally, it’s always best to create a letter of assignment to help control costs. This document communicates the following:
● The length of the employee’s assignment in the new country
● The relocation benefits available to the employee
● Any monetary caps on relocation assistance
In addition to your logistics and transport planning, it’s important to define how much assistance your company will offer throughout the duration of the employee’s corporate relocation. That way, there’s no confusion as to the tax implications, immigration requirements, housing assistance, and moving expenses associated with the relocation and the employee’s responsibilities in regard to each situation.
Logistics Are Far More Complicated
Moving an employee to a new country comes with an inherent requirement: you (and your employee) must follow the country’s rules. Importing goods to an international location comes with a slew of requirements, and in most places, you cannot:
● Ship firearms
● Import alcohol
● Bring in any perishable items (including house plants)
Depending on the items your employee intends to bring, you may need to acquire specific permits to allow those things into the new country. Without the proper documentation and agency approval, the inclusion of restricted items can significantly slow down a relocation, or, worse, incur heavy fines. In many cases, improperly documented items are sent back to the country of origin, which can potentially put a wrench in your employee’s living arrangements.
To avoid the headache so often associated with customs and international import regulations, it’s critical that you do your research. You’ll need to know about permitting requirements and the new country’s regulations surrounding imported items to ensure your employee experiences a smooth relocation.
In addition to performing your own research, it’s also important that you work with an international moving company experienced in global relocations. Such companies often have logistics assistance built into their move plans and work with shipping companies who are well-versed in international import regulations.
You Can’t Do It Alone
Unless you’re fully aware of international moving regulations, customs stipulations, and all the many details involved in an international move, you can’t conduct the process on your own. There are simply far too many factors that can complicate or even completely bar an international relocation from taking place without the proper knowledge, preparation, and documentation.
Fortunately, at Ace Moving & Warehousing, we’re extremely well-versed in all things associated with international relocations. Plus, our partnership with Atlas International, one of the most well-known international moving companies in the nation, affords our clients much-needed moving advice and assistance you can’t find anywhere else.
If you’re planning to relocate employees internationally, get in touch with our team. We’ll help you conduct the process safely, securely, and most importantly, in compliance with international regulations.
Need an International Moving Company? Contact Ace Moving & Warehousing
When you need an experienced international moving company, get in touch with our team at Ace Moving & Warehousing. Since 1958, we’ve proudly assisted Twin Cities residents with their international moving needs, and we’re ready to help you experience a smooth transition too. To learn more about our services or request a fast moving quote, contact our Minneapolis office today at 763-755-2045 or send us a message, and we’ll be in touch.