Moving to France – What to Expect

Moving to France – What You Need to Know

For most, the thought of moving an entire household over the English Channel seems daunting, but when prepared properly it can be a lot easier than most people think. Moving to France simply requires adequate organisation in order to make the move as smooth and efficient as possible. When it comes to planning and preparation, using the right removals company is essential. This guide looks at all aspects of a moving from London to France, including the types of removal services available and how to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Land or Air

France isn’t that far from the UK in terms of miles, so there are several options to choose from in terms of how your items get there. The choices are land, air, or even a mixture of the two. Air is the most expensive form available and will be priced largely on weight; it is ideally the best service for light and smaller items.

Air can also be used to ship some larger items, so if you can’t do without your desk or TV for an extended period of time, they can be flown to France at an added cost. Land shipping is the cost effective way of sending items and offers a more personable approach, even if it does take longer than an air delivery. It should be considered the first choice for larger items, but the final decision will come down to speed and cost. Remember to discuss both options with your removal company, as they should be able to advise you as to what method suits your needs and time frame best.

Pack Properly

When moving to France and taking on the unenviable task of packing, make sure that you use every space you have available. It takes skill to pack correctly, especially when moving abroad, in most instances it may actually be worth taking on an additional packing service with your removal firm. Doing this will ensure that items are packed specifically and to their standards, meaning that breakages are far less likely. If you are looking to save money and skip the extra service, it may still be worth discussing packing with the removals firm to know exactly what packing materials they recommend.

Be Prepared Moving to France isn’t a snap decision so nor should be your choice of removals company. Remember, the earlier you decide on a removal firm the more prepared you are likely to be. Moving abroad always brings up several questions and you can be sure that problems will arise. Addressing problems early with your chosen removal company can help prevent problems occurring later down the line.

Legalities

Shipping your household items to France sounds simple enough, but do remember that this isn’t the same as moving items within the UK. France has their own regulations in terms of items that can and can’t be shipped to their country. Be sure to fully understand what is legal in France and what can be moved over there before you start the packing process. The list of prohibited items includes the obvious (weapons, fireworks and ammunition) along with a few items that could catch people out, with the most noteworthy being electrolyte batteries and certain types of fur. Keep the list at hand when packing to ensure that your items aren’t prohibited from travelling, which in turn could cause delays to your move to France.

Conclusion

Moving to France is an exciting time but can also be a stressful one too. This guide has looked at the key elements of making the move, along with the things that need to be taken into consideration. Remember that your chosen removals firm can offer further advice and help make moving to France a breeze instead of a chore.

Sources:
https://www.volitionremovals.com/what-we-do/removals-london/

I set Volition Removals up in 2015 with my business partner Pawel. Our ambition has always been to take the stress out of moving home with a friendly and efficient service. We know its a big day for our customers so we do everything we can to make it go without a hitch.