SEO Description: First Time Moving Out Checklist to help you prepare week by week—stay organized, reduce stress, and make your first move with RWS Moving Company smooth and easy.
Making your first move out, especially to a new country, is an incredible journey. It brings together the excitement of being independent and the thrill of living abroad. Whether you’re going for school, a new job, or just adventure, this big step needs careful thought and planning. This comprehensive first time moving out checklist is specifically designed for international moves, making sure you don’t miss anything important, from shipping your belongings to settling into your new life. At Riyadh Warehouse Solutions, as an IAMT Trusted Mover certified company, we are experts at helping new international movers handle all the complex parts of moving overseas.
We specialize in getting household goods shipped easily and safely. Our comprehensive services include home moving, international relocations, office and commercial moving, storage and warehousing, cargo logistics, and customs clearance. We serve clients across Saudi Arabia and beyond.
- Planning Your Move (10-12 Weeks Before Moving)
- Getting Organized (8-10 Weeks Before Moving)
- Logistics & Timelines (6-8 Weeks Before Moving)
- Packing & Paperwork (4-6 Weeks Before Moving)
- The Final Countdown (2-4 Weeks Before Moving)
- Last-Minute Checks (1-2 Weeks Before Moving)
- Moving Week
- After You Arrive (First Month)
- Don’t Forget Your Carry-On Essentials
Planning Your Move (10-12 Weeks Before Moving)
- Research visa and work permit rules for your new country.
- Apply for needed documents through embassies or consulates.
- Figure out your budget for shipping household goods.
- Get quotes from international moving companies.
- Start decluttering your belongings.
- Decide which items are worth shipping internationally.
- Look into import rules for your new country.
Getting Organized (8-10 Weeks Before Moving)
- Secure housing in your new country. This can be temporary or permanent.
- Start gathering important documents like passports and birth certificates.
- Get many certified copies of these documents.
- Research international health insurance.
- Start the process for an international driver’s license if you need one.
- Begin learning basic phrases in the local language.
Logistics & Timelines (6-8 Weeks Before Moving)
- Finalize details with your international moving company.
- Understand shipping times; sea freight often takes 4-8 weeks.
- Arrange temporary housing if your goods arrive after you do.
- Open an international bank account or research banking options.
- Schedule full medical and dental checkups.
- Get vaccination certificates if required by your new country.
Packing & Paperwork (4-6 Weeks Before Moving)
- Start packing your household goods.
- Make a detailed list of all items being shipped.
- Arrange for professional packing for fragile items.
- Buy travel insurance and moving insurance for your goods.
- Use up perishable foods and avoid buying new furniture.
- Research customs rules and prepare required documents.
The Final Countdown (2-4 Weeks Before Moving)
- Confirm all shipping dates and collection times for your goods.
- Prepare customs forms with accurate details.
- Arrange for mail forwarding.
- Tell important contacts about your international move.
- Exchange currency.
- Set up international money transfer services.
- Update your address with banks and credit cards.
- Pack a survival kit for your first few weeks abroad.
Last-Minute Checks (1-2 Weeks Before Moving)
- Confirm all your travel plans and flight details.
- Make sure your household goods are packed and ready.
- Organize all customs and shipping documents.
- Pack essential items in your carry-on luggage.
- Arrange for pet transportation if you have animals.
- Confirm delivery details and contacts in your new country.
Moving Week
- Watch over the collection of your household goods.
- Complete any final customs paperwork.
- Take photos of valuable items for insurance.
- Keep all shipping receipts and tracking info with you.
- Do a final inventory check with the moving team.
- Arrange for temporary living essentials until your goods arrive.
After You Arrive (First Month)
- Register with local authorities and immigration.
- Track your household goods shipment.
- Prepare for customs clearance.
- Arrange for customs agent services if needed.
- Set up temporary living arrangements.
- Open a local bank account and transfer funds.
- Register for essential services like healthcare and internet.
- Start receiving and unpacking your household goods.
Don't Forget Your Carry-On Essentials
- Pack important documents: passport, visa, certificates, medical records.
- Include prescription medications for at least one month.
- Bring a change of clothes for one week.
- Pack electronics chargers and international adapters.
- Include basic toiletries and personal care items.
- Have some local currency and emergency contact information.
Your first international move doesn’t have to be overwhelming when you follow a systematic first time moving out checklist designed for household goods shipment abroad. Riyadh Warehouse Solutions understands the unique challenges first-time international movers face. We provide comprehensive services, from professional packing to customs clearance, ensuring your household goods arrive safely at your new international home. With our specialized shipping services from Saudi Arabia to popular destinations including the USA, Canada, and UK, we make your global relocation seamless and stress-free. With proper planning and expert support, your first international move can be the beginning of an incredible global adventure.