Moving and Relocation
Moving and Relocation
Moving is stressful enough when you are relocating within your own country. When you throw a few thousand miles into the mix it can seem even more daunting. But remember, you are not the first, nor will you be the last person to relocate to the Russian capital and there is a wealth of information and relocation services available to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Whether you are planning to bring one suitcase or the entire contents of your current home, it is important to research your options fully to minimise costs and disruption at this exciting time in your life.
Planning
Planning is vital with any move and when relocating to a new country it is even more significant. Well-laid plans can save you a lot of hassle in the long term.
Do your research at least two months in advance and get quotations from as many international moving companies as possible before you choose who will assist you in your move. Most companies will complete a pre-move survey to determine packing requirements, the most appropriate mode of transportation, any in-country restrictions and any specialist services required before providing you with a quotation for their services.
Shipping options
Shipping and transportation options and costs, as well as transit times vary depending on where you are moving from. The two main options are road and sea or air shipment.
If you are travelling from within Europe to Russia you will probably be shipping your belongings by road. From further afield you may decide to have your goods shipped by sea. With both of these options there is the option of using group or single shipments, depending on the volume of your goods. Group shipments are naturally less expensive but can take a lot longer door to door.
Air shipment, while much faster, is more expensive and you are limited in the volume and size of belongings you can ship. If you are leaving furniture and larger items in storage at your origin or you needs your belongings urgently then you may want to consider this method of shipping.
How to pack
Your removal company will pack your belongings for you as part of their service. They are experts in how to safely transport even the most fragile of goods and will also disassemble any larger items of furniture for you.
Insurance
It doesn’t matter how carefully packed your belongings are, there will always be a slight risk involved with moving them thousands of miles!
Your move may be covered by your company insurance policy. If not, then ask removal companies about the insurance they offer at time of quotation.
Insurance may vary depending on your shipment method and final destination.
Customs
Russian customs clearance is a very complicated process and the rules are constantly changing. If you are unfamiliar with the system and do not speak any Russian then it really is best to leave this to the professionals. Most reputable international removal companies will take care of customs for you by drawing up and obtaining the necessary documentation.
Should you have any antiques or artwork, you will also need to apply for any import permits at this stage. Your chosen relocation experts should be able to assist you with this. Failure to do this may result in issues when you come to re-export them from the Russian Federation.
Animals
Bringing your pets to Russia is a far less complicated process than you might imagine, especially for dogs and cats. There is no quarantine procedure or permits required. Smaller pets can be slightly more complicated, particularly if you wish to re-export them and rules are constantly changing so it is worth checking the latest legislation.
Vehicles
Inform your removal company at the time of the pre-move survey if you are planning to take a motor vehicle with you to Russia. Vehicles are subject to import charges and a deposit usually has to be paid in advance. Import duties vary depending on the make, model, year and engine size of your vehicle.
Relocation companies:
You can find more relocation companies here.
