Homes & Relocation Detail
Should I take the kitchen sink?
When emigrating, do you take certain items with you as reminders of home, or have a completely fresh start?
Matt French talks to a removal expert to find what you can, can't and could take.
What to take, what not to take? When packing for holidays most people fall into trap of taking too much – 50 pairs of socks, hair straighteners and the kitchen sink spring to mind. When emigrating, though, can it prove costly to take too many of your British belongings? What are you allowed to take anyway? Will electronic goods work when you arrive? Moving permanently creates many more questions and issues than the relatively minor headache of how you will get the zips shut on your suitcase and essential carry-on luggage for a week in the Costa del Sol.
So, what are the answers for all you would-be emigrants?
"We find that almost all the families we move to Australia take virtually everything they own," says Nick Witham of PSS International Removals. "Obviously in many houses there are certain items which are nearing the end of their life-span and are understandably left behind. In most cases – and especially with people who have been advised by friends or relatives already living in Australia – clients tend to want to take everything with them. "Most items are admitted duty free, providing you have owned and used them for 12 months prior to your departure."
Just because the majority of people go all out, however, doesn't mean it's the correct or only way. The options for what you take range from a suitcase and a dream to the entire contents of your home, and there will be options for people no matter what course of action they take.
Quarantined
Having waited for three months for the container with your prized possessions to arrive by boat, it's hard to imagine the disappointment you'd feel if some things didn't get through quarantine. So do not underestimate how important a little research and forward planning may be. "Upon arrival in Australia all consignments have to be unloaded at a bonded warehouse and presented for examination by the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS)," explains Witham.
There are numerous items that will be the subject of close scrutiny by AQIS officers. "Many of these are items which have been used out of doors and could be contaminated with dirt," Witham continues. "But don't forget your shoes, trainers and vacuum cleaners which may all be kept inside but also need to be clean. "The items which should not be taken are plants – or parts of plants including dried flowers, seeds, pot pourri and so on – and of course any foodstuffs. Also remember to check that your Christmas decorations do not include any real timber or pine cones; there are strict restrictions on raw or
un-treated timber."
This may sound extreme, but remember Australia's agricultural industry has been battered by drought in recent years; and how bad would you feel if you were the one to bring a diseased Ficcus into the country that finished off an important industry in your new homeland?
Electronics
So, will your laptop crash when you plug it in, will your vacuum cleaner fizzle and die, what else do you need to know when thinking about shipping your British electrical items? "The electrical supply in Australia is the same as the UK but the plugs will need to be changed," says Witham. "The only query on electrical items is televisions, as UK TV sets will only work on the satellite channel – assuming you are going to get satellite TV. "The terrestrial TV transmission in Australia is VHF 625 Alternate Line PAL system, so if you want to watch TV through the aerial you will have to have your television set converted. Some modern sets may have multi-frequency converters, which means they can be switched over, but in the majority of cases your UK TV will only be able to be used on the satellite channel and as a monitor for a DVD/VCR player."
Drugs and booze
We are not talking illegal drugs here – which will always lead to heavy punishments – but rather medication from your doctor and that bottle of champagne you have been saving for a special occasion: like emigrating. "If you are being prescribed drugs or medication of any kind you need to take a prescription or letter from your doctor," says Witham. "These items should be carried with you in their original containers and should not be sent in your household removal. "Import Duty will be charged on any alcohol in your shipment and you will need to prepare a list detailing the type, size of bottle and content percentage if it is not full, alcohol content, country of production and a value." Alternatively, of course, there's the option of using up everything before you leave at a massive send-off party.
Taking more is less
Rather than being costly to take too much – as with excess baggage costs charged by airlines – the principal may actually be reversed when you are shipping your worldly belongings, even when you include the kitchen sink! "The most economical method of moving your goods is to have your own sole-use container and this is why we recommend that you get your estimates early," says Witham. "If the volume of your removal is just under or over a container load you have time to adjust. "Get estimates from international removers a minimum of three months before you plan to leave – this is necessary to allow sufficient time to choose a company that meets your requirements. "Most International removal companies offer a free estimating service and a back up service with experienced International Move managers in their office with whom you can liaise after you have received the quotation. "By leaving it late you could end up being limited by which companies have qualified export packing crews available to move you on your required dates. It's just like going out to a restaurant for dinner – the best and most popular ones are always busy. "If you are not sending a sufficient volume of goods to fill your own container then there are shared container services offered by most international movers, whereby you either pay for a part of the container or the space you use."
Other considerations
So apart from what can't be taken, what is it that could be left at home? Some things – especially those with minimal sentimental or economic value such as toasters, cushion covers and even the "Welcome" front door mat – can be easily and cheaply replaced. "Other items which may not be worth taking are wardrobes, as the majority of modern Australian houses have built-in wardrobes." says Witham. "Deciding what to take with you can be difficult and, on some occasions, a false economy. So don't dispose of items or promise them to someone else until you've had the removal estimate. If you are unsure about certain items you can always ask the estimator for two quotations – one for the items you are definitely taking and a second for those plus the items you are unsure about." As with all aspects of emigrating, planning is the key to moving your possessions. If you do this, though, you can even take the kitchen sink.
For further information:
PSS Removals