Tips for Packing When Facing an OCONUS Relocation

Whether it’s an emergency, family, or career has prompted an OCONUS move, preparing for an overseas journey can be exciting. Proper packing is critical to a successful trip when one is preparing for a move to a foreign country. You should always have a notebook, and take as much time as possible to plan for an international trip. Of course, everyone wants to spare some energy and time to arrange their home once they reach their destination. However, a professional moving company can help pack all your things safely and keep your shipping costs down. Below are incredible tips to prepare for an OCONUS relocation.

1. Get Travel Insurance

Many people don’t know that most travel insurance policies can cover property damage and lost luggage. You’re moving to a foreign country with all your valuable items, and you may need an insurance cover to reimburse you if you misplace a suitcase while on the move. You can research online to find an insurance company that offers an option that suits your needs.

2. Label Your Suitcase

You could forget an item in the plane, but labeling a suitcase with a name that matches your destination can help airport personnel to locate you. Even if you lose luggage in the airport, airline personnel will use the tag attached to your bag to track you down. Most airlines are reliable and will use the labels attached to a suitcase to identify the owner.

3. Confirm Luggage Allowance before Booking a Flight

Of course, no one wants to get to the airport with a luggage that exceeds the required weight. You also don’t want to book an economy class seat and realize later that a first class seat would have cost you a few dollars more. Checking travel allowances before you book a flight can go a long way to make your trip pleasant.

4. Buy Packing Cubes

These are nylon bags that keep everything organized and can be used for storage when one gets to their new home. Furthermore, packing cubes come in a variety of sizes to allow for the safe storage of items such as jewelry. There are many manufacturers of packing cubes, but search for a company that offers a lifetime warranty.

5. Roll Your Clothes

Apart from the use of a packing cube, rolling your clothes tightly can help maximize your packing space. You will still lose a little space even if you use packing cubes. However, wrapping things that you don’t mind getting wrinkled such as towels and clothes can save a lot of space.

6. Pack Essentials such as Jewelry, Cameras, and Medicines

While a travel insurance policy can cover things such as lost luggage, it doesn’t cover everything. As such, it is crucial to keep some of your expensive belongings such as jewelry in your pockets instead of the suitcase. While you can still get mugged, you would rather take that risk than wait for the entire luggage to disappear.