North America, unlike Europe or Asia, is made up of just three nations: the United States, Canada and Mexico. This makes international shipping to North America a far less complicated process than trying to land a shipment on the coast and travel across multiple international borders to get it to its final destination. International shipping to North America can be targeted by region. There are seaports all along the East and West coasts that are ideal for delivering to certain areas so overland hauling can be kept to a minimum.

Here’s an example: You manufacture a product in Marseilles, France and need to transport it to a retail distributor in Burlington, Vermont. Your port of departure is obvious because Marseilles is a seaport. The international shipping route to America will go across the Mediterranean and into the Atlantic Ocean. But where do you go from there? If you look at a map of North America it’s not too difficult to determine where your ship should put in to offload. The nearest major seaport on the Atlantic Ocean to Burlington, Vermont is Boston, Massachusetts. Your international shipping route, if planned properly, should go from Marseille to Boston and then overland to Burlington. Cargo ships generally land in Charlestown, a part of Boston located at the mouth of the Mystic River. Containers are inspected and customs duties are paid, then they are loaded onto a truck or train to be transported to their destination. In this case it would most likely be by truck. The overland portion of your international shipping will require the use of only two major highways. The truck will go North on I-93 into New Hampshire and then turn West onto I-89. Within four hours of when your shipment leaves the dock the international shipping process will be completed with a delivery to your retail distributor in Burlington, Vermont.

The ease with which this process was completed is typical of any international shipping done to the United States. Canadian transport is very similar and Mexico has the largest concentration of its population located on the coast, so overland hauling is not usually an issue. The highways throughout the continent are interconnected and there are very few areas that would be deemed inaccessible. Even shipments that need to be sent far into the interior to destinations like Omaha or Denver are rarely held up or arrive late.

Major international shipping ports on the East Coast include Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. Most West Coast shipments go through Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle or Portland. There is also a major seaport in San Diego that is the California home for the U.S. Navy and a good debarkation point for shipments going into Mexico. Canadian ports include Halifax, Nova Scotia and Vancouver, British Columbia. These are all major international shipping ports and all offer convenient methods of overland hauling that can get your shipment to its final destination in a timely and safe manner. For additional information you can search on the internet or inquire at the United States Customs Department.

Nir Dotan is a writer and promoter of
Shipping services, and
Omega Shipping Local as well as International Moving.

If you are planning on moving to another country that is located on the same continent then your international moving company will most likely be using a truck to move your personal belongings. Trucks are also the original transport vehicle for international moving by sea or by air so the information in this article can be applied to those also.

Before you can load up your truck and move to wherever it is that you are moving to you must determine the size of the moving truck that will be required. An experienced international moving company will know exactly what you need and how to pack it. Each item needs to be placed in the truck separately and all of the contents of the moving truck have to itemized on an inventory list for when you cross the border or arrive at the debarkation point of your ship or plane.

When you arrive at the border or loading dock your truck will be examined and the representatives of your international moving company will be questioned regarding its contents. Customs officials may ask that the truck be emptied so that they can inspect your belongings more closely. Your international moving company should anticipate this and have your truck packed in a way that makes loading and unloading less difficult.

Once the contents have been inspected and cleared by customs officials a tax will be assessed and must be paid before the truck can cross the border. If you are moving by ship or plane, this tax will be assessed on the other end when you land. The amount of the import tax is calculated by the inventory list which should have the value of each item listed on it and a total net worth for the shipment. If your international moving company did this all correctly your time at the border will be brief and your furniture and personal effects will arrive at your new home on time.

The most common international moving done by truck is between Canada and the United States or United States to Canada. The border between these two countries is the largest international border in the world between two single nations, spanning five different time zones and three thousand miles. Trucks cross over on a regular basis and, up until a few years ago, could enter either country without a passport. Today that system has changed and stricter regulations are in place to discourage smuggling and possible terrorist activity.

International moving in Europe has also become more common in recent years and easier to organize with the introduction of a universal currency, the Euro. Most of Europe now uses the Euro and this has eliminated the need for currency exchange and complicated conversions for trucks traveling over multiple borders. Taxes are paid in Euros and immigration regulations are fairly standard across the continent. The world is getting smaller all the time and the international moving process has been streamlined to catch up with it. Make sure that the international moving company you hire is aware of all the changes.

Nir Dotan is a writer and promoter of
International Moving services, and
Omega Shipping Local as well as International Moving.

International moving can be both stressful and exciting at the same time. Choosing the right international moving company to help you with your move can make your experience more fulfilling and less of a headache. If you are planning on moving to a European country such as Austria it is important to have everything prepared ahead of time so you can enjoy this historic country when you arrive.

Austria, particularly Vienna, was once the heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and still retains much of the formality and customs of nobility to this day. The entry requirements are standard as far as European countries are concerned. An international moving company can instruct you on what items may be brought into the country and what the current import tax rates are.

If you are moving in from the United States you can get a list of health and financial requirements from your local post office when you apply for a passport. An international moving company will pack your belongings and prepare an inventory list to be presented to customs officials. Tariffs and taxes vary depending on the nature of the items shipped. If you are moving a vehicle you should have your international moving company check into emission and safety equipment requirements.

Austria is a country filled with castles and relics left over from its glory days of being a medieval kingdom. There are a number of sites to see and it’s easy to lose yourself in the quaint villages and coffee shops where time seems to have stood still since the 17th Century. When you first seek out an international moving company to relocate you ask if they information on historic and natural attractions that you should visit.

The currency used in Austria, like most European countries now, is the Euro. Internet access is available in most major cities so you will not be stranded without technology. If you are moving from the United States and plan to maintain your status as a U.S. citizen then you should make sure that you know where the nearest embassy is. In Vienna, it is at Boltzmanngasse 16, A-1090 Vienna. Other embassy locations are available throughout the country and can be acquired by your international moving company when you arrive.

The most dramatic change that Americans go through when they move to Europe is the adjustment to cultures that are older, more refined and usually more polite than people in the United States. It is not uncommon to see residents in Vienna spend hours sitting at a coffee shop reading and just watching the world go by. When you plan your move to Austria make it a point to get a list of shops and clubs that are in the vicinity of your new residence. Moving is always stressful but it should also be exciting and rewarding, particularly if you’re moving to a new country. Let your international moving company do the work and enjoy the sights and sounds of your new home.

Nir Dotan is a writer and promoter of
International Moving services, and
Omega Shipping Local as well as International Moving.

France is a country of lights, romance and diversity that is unparalleled anywhere else in Europe. An international moving experience to France can be the highlight of a lifetime if you do it right or an absolute nightmare if you do it wrong. The right way is to hire an international moving company to assist you.

Every country has entry requirements for international moving and France is no exception. A passport is required and a visa if you plan on working when you arrive. If you purchase property there are legal issues that must be resolved before you can move in. Seek out an attorney who is licensed in both your country of origin and in France to handle the transfer of ownership.

Before you begin the international moving process you need to take a medical examination and get any required vaccinations. France has guidelines that include quarantines for anyone infected or suspected of being infected with an infectious disease. Do research ahead of time before you call for an international moving company and make sure that you have fulfilled all the necessary medical requirements.

The unit of currency in France is the Euro and they are a member of the European Union. If you choose to become a French citizen you will have access and privileges in other European countries. If you retain your current citizenship status or apply for dual citizenship make sure that you know where your embassy is located. The U.S. Embassy in Paris is at 2 av. Gabriel, 8e. The telephone country code is 33 and internet access is available almost anywhere.

When you make the decision to begin the international moving process you should contact your embassy and the Customs Department to find out what the entry requirements are. Make sure that you meet all of them and then contact an international moving company or relocation specialist. You can do it yourself but it’s not recommended. There are taxes, fees and procedures that need to be followed that an experienced professional will know how to handle for you.

When you pack, throw out or sell any articles of furniture that you don’t absolutely need. International moving is expensive so it’s not the time to be a pack rat. Sentimental value is one thing but ask yourself how much it’s really worth to you. There are always storage units if you don’t want to take it with you. Many people move to another country only for a short period of time and storage is much cheaper than overseas shipping.

Your belongings will most likely be shipped to France by sea if you are coming from the United States. When you pack, each item must be placed on an inventory list and the entire shipment will be inspected when it arrives in France. Certain items are illegal to import and will be seized as contraband if you try to include them. To avoid legal problems have a reputable international moving company handle the whole process for you.

Nir Dotan is a writer and promoter of
International Moving services, and
Omega Shipping Local as well as International Moving.

What country are you moving to? This is an important question in the selection process for choosing an international moving company. Someone who has experience in moving from the United States into Canada may not be the right choice if you are moving to Europe or Asia. The international moving company you select will be responsible for getting your personal belongings into your new country and handling all taxes and regulations at the border. It’s essential that whoever you choose to do this has specific experience with that particular country.

What country are you moving from? Your country of origin can cause you headaches upon your arrival in your destination country. Citizens of certain nations, regardless of personal intentions, may not be particular welcome in countries that have a poor history with your point of origin. These tensions can result in delays at the border or seizure of your belongings so hiring an international moving company which is familiar with your destination and perhaps has a good reputation there can ease your passage through.

Does your international moving company have insurance? A lot of things can go wrong in international moving and belongings can be broken or damaged on a long trip by sea or air. Make sure that the international moving company you hire has insurance and will be liable for any damage or loss. Accountability is important when you are transporting everything you own to a foreign country.

Can your international moving company provide you with verifiable references? The key word in this question is verifiable. Anyone can type up a letter of recommendation and make it look official. Ask for a phone number to call for verification and make the call. Try to get a reference from someone who has actually been moved to the country you are going to and confirm that their move was handled correctly. Also, verify the physical address of the international moving company itself. Knowing where someone is based goes a long way when you need to hold them accountable.

Expectations should be discussed one on one with a representative of your international moving company before any money changes hands. Some of these are obvious. You don’t expect them to break anything or disappear with your belongings. Expectations are the incidentals. Will your international moving company handle taxes and customs affairs at the border? How long will it take to get your belongings in and will they deliver directly to your home in the new country? These are actions you would expect from an international moving company but you must verify all of them before the move can begin. Expectations can turn into resentments if they haven’t been put on the table ahead of time and confirmed. Make sure that everything is clear and that no questions remain unanswered.

Nir Dotan is a writer and promoter of
Moving services, and
Omega Shipping Local as well as International Moving.

International movers in North America are the busiest in the world. Planes, boats, trucks and trains depart and arrive from the harbors, airports and train stations of North America to and from every country in the world almost every day. The shear volume of people relocating either in or out of the country has made international movers billions of dollars a year for decades.

The most common move in North America is the move just over the border into a neighboring country. Canada, the United States and Mexico all have a steady flow of traffic going back and forth. Many companies in the United States have affiliates in Canada and vise versa. The low cost of labor in Mexico has caused a lot of corporations in the U.S. and Canada to look south of the border for their manufacturing needs. Each time something like this occurs, international movers are needed to transport people and equipment to the new location.

Overseas moving has also seen an increase in recent years. Outsourcing to other countries has made it a necessity for certain business people to relocate to European and Asian countries for long or short term stays. International movers in North America have put together corporate packages to ease the burdens on management that has to deal with corporate relocations on a regular basis. It is also now possible to set up round trip moves that involve a discount offered by international movers for those who are going to another country or continent for a short term contract job.

The wars in the Middle East and the formation of new governments have created opportunities for Americans and Canadians to open new markets in previously untouchable regions of the world. The same situation exists in Europe, where the fall of the Soviet Union and the formation of the European Union has opened up borders and stimulated trade between nations that once had no contact with each other. The frequency of business trips overseas has necessitated the establishment of personal and corporate residences and increased the need for international movers.

World markets and outsourcing have also opened up new opportunities in Asia for manufacturing and development of new products and technology. The relationship between the United States and Japan has grown into a healthy partnership since the end of World War II and international movers that specialize in moving to the Far East have sprung up along the West Coast of the U.S and Canada. San Francisco, Vancouver, Portland and Seattle all see a steady flow of immigrants coming in and U.S. business people going out to Japan, Thailand and the Philippines.

The world has become a smaller place and international movers have gotten larger and more sophisticated in their methods. What was once a difficult undertaking is now as simple as going on line or picking up the phone and letting a professional handle your move for you. International movers can take you anywhere in the world anytime you want. What you do when you get there is up to you.

Nir Dotan is a writer and promoter of International Movers services, and
Omega Shipping Local as well as International Moving.

International shipping of food products can be as simple as running a refrigerated truck from the United States into Canada or as complicated as getting expensive luxuries such as caviar or French wine shipped overseas. There are a number of factors to take into account when food is involved in the international shipping process. Temperature controls, safety features and regulations in the destination country are just a few of them.

Most international shipping companies prefer not to deal with any shipment that involves food of any kind. There are, however, international shipping companies that specialize in the packaging and moving of food products either over land or across the sea. These specialists are equipped with refrigerated shipping containers and have the knowledge and experience necessary to ensure that your food arrives safe and still edible.

Trucks and railroad cars move food regularly when international shipping is from one country to another on the same continent. The United States, Canada and Mexico have an agreement known as NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Act, which enables companies on both sides of the border to transport grain, produce, and processed foods without the burden of heavy taxes and regulations. There are inspectors at each border and trucks are subject to search but these three countries are dependent on each other for many different types of food products and the respective governments encourage international shipping.

In Europe, the formation of the European Union and introduction of a uniform currency, the Euro, has made international shipping an easier process. The countries formerly located in the Soviet Block known as Eastern Europe rely on international shipping of food from Western Europe in their rebuilding process. Trucks and trains travel across the continent frequently and the shipping ports are kept busy with food transports loading and unloading.

In order to ship overseas, food products need to be packaged and refrigerated to prevent spoiling. Certain items, known as non-perishable food products, can be canned and sent in a regular container but outside temperature factors must be taken under consideration. A ship may go through tropical or arctic conditions during a voyage and even canned goods can spoil or burst if not protected properly. Imported beer is one of the products that is canned and fairly durable but still may sour if exposed to temperature changes in the atmosphere during a voyage. Beer is usually kept at a constant temperature during international shipping.

Some food products are perishable and need to be shipped by air. This type of international shipping is the most expensive and involves careful packaging and shipping directly to a restaurant or food preparation facility where perishable foods can be immediately prepared for consumption or refrigerated immediately. A good example of this is the shipment of rare shellfish from the Far East to the coast of California. Many restaurants in the San Francisco area particularly will advertise flown in daily on special dishes that are hard to find and typically very pricy due to the air freight charges.

Nir Dotan is a writer and promoter of International Movers services, and
Omega Shipping Local as well as International Moving.

International shipping from Africa is different than international shipping from other continents because of the number of dangerous concerns that need to be considered before attempting it and the obstacles that need to be overcome while doing it. Africa has a more diverse mix of cultures, governments and environmental conditions than any other continent on earth. It is also the home of many dangerous organisms that can create major problems in the international shipping of animals or food cargoes.

From a seaport perspective, Africa is actually a very good place to ship from because it contains a number of good harbors and is convenient to Europe, Asia and the Middle East. African international shipping companies export precious stones such as diamonds, oil and wild animals to many of the countries directly north, east and west. African nations have also become a favored choice for manufacturing and outsourcing because of the lower costs of labor and living expenses.

International shipping from Africa to the United States is heavily regulated and most shipments are searched and quarantined for a period of time upon arrival. Due to the instability of some of the governments in Africa and the lax nature of customs at certain seaports it is necessary to closely monitor all vessels arriving in U.S. port cities that originate from there. Animal and food cargoes are given a particularly thorough examination due to past histories of infectious diseases and harmful organisms that have originated in Africa.

Other concerns for international shipping companies in Africa are environmental and geographical in nature. The majority of the continent is in a tropical zone and this creates problems with storms on the shipping routes and extremely hot temperatures for overland international shipping. The geography of Africa has a selection of obstacles to choose from which include mountains, deserts, and jungles teeming with dangerous wildlife. Roads are narrow and certain parts of the continent are undeveloped and still in their primeval state so there are some places where international shipping simply cannot go.

Of course, Africa is not completely backwards and behind the rest of the world technologically and culturally. Many of the countries on the continent have levels of luxury and civilization that rival and even surpass most western nations. International shipping to and from the nations along the Mediterranean and parts of the Indian Ocean utilizes the most modern methods available for the storage and transport of perishable and non-perishable cargoes. Israel, Egypt, and South Africa are all world trade powers with the technological and financial backing of Europe and North America. International shipping to and from these nations occurs on a regular basis and is mutually beneficial to all involved.

Each country and each continent in the world presents different circumstances and obstacles for international shipping. Africa is considered one of the more difficult to ship from because of the resistance and regulations created by other nations. The situation has improved with the advent of new technology and the development of more open world markets but it still has a long way to go.

Nir Dotan is a writer and promoter of
International Shipping services, and
Omega Shipping Local as well as International Moving.

In 1492, an Italian adventurer sailing under the flag of Spain accidentally discovered a new land mass while trying to find a different way to travel to Asia from the western shores of Europe. Believing the world to be round, Christopher Columbus ignored the conventional wisdom and warnings of his peers and sailed into history. His three ships, loaded with items earmarked for trade, were actually the first international shipping vessels to travel from Europe to America. They began a trend that would build a new world power and develop two new continents into partners in world commerce.

For the next three hundred years, international shipping to the Americas became a race between the English, Spanish and French to see who could colonize and develop the new world first. Cargos were made up of people, domestic animals and supplies to build new homes and cities along the coast and inland to the Appalachian Mountains. Door to door international shipping meant delivering goods to a wooden dock or sandy beach and transporting them inland by horse and cart or hauled on people’s backs to their new home.

In 1776, the United States declared itself an independent nation and international shipping became international trade. After the War of 1812, the United States began to assume its position among its European counterparts, providing natural and manufactured goods to the very nations that had once colonized the new continent and even fought for the right to control it. Spain, and its sister country Portugal, continued their colonization and explorations and developed the areas known as Central and South America.

The Spanish and Portuguese development of South America created new international shipping needs for settlements that stretched further and further south and west across the continent. It had been learned in the sixteenth century that the massive land mass that Columbus had discovered had no break in it that ships could travel through to get to the other side. An Englishman named Magellan had found the far southern tip of South America and traveled around but the voyage was long and dangerous and ships and cargos were not always guaranteed to make it to their destination.

It wasn’t until the early twentieth century that the problem was addressed and solved by the building of the Panama Canal. International shipping in the western hemisphere was changed forever. The ability to be able to travel from the east coast of the continent to the west without going all the way around the horn became a contributing factor in the rapid growth of commerce and technology in the United States and throughout North and South America.

Today, express trains and cargo planes have changed the world of international shipping and made it a much faster and efficient business. The days of sailing ships and adventures into a new world are gone but the contributions of men like Columbus and Magellan will never be forgotten. The Panama Canal still stands and is vital to international shipping. If it had been there in 1492, the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria might have actually made it to Asia.

Nir Dotan is a writer and promoter of
International Shipping services, and
Omega Shipping Local as well as International Moving.

International shipping is a multi billion dollar industry that has overcome all obstacles related to borders, governments, weather and mode of transport. The area of the world known as the Great White North presents an obstacle that is not seen anywhere else on the globe: Ice. For centuries, the mightiest of ships have been laid low by Mother Nature’s most monstrous natural creation, the iceberg, and ships today still have to deal with frozen seas and the potential hazards that they bring.

Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Alaska and the northern parts of Russia are all covered in ice and snow a good part of the year and all offer the possibility of disaster for the international shipping industry. Since the sinking of the Titanic on her maiden voyage nearly one hundred years ago ship captains have been conscious of the dangers in these northern seas. Technology has provided some assistance so accidents are fewer but still possible and even common for smaller vessels.

International shipping in the region just below the Arctic Circle is also a battle against the freezing temperatures that can destroy a cargo and devastate the morale of a crew during a long voyage. Ship captains prepare very carefully when their routes go through the frigid areas where ice and snow dictate the actions of human beings and their machines. Warm clothing, temperature controlled containers and sophisticated technology make international shipping possible in these conditions.

On a positive note, some of the most valuable cargoes in the world come out of the sea ports in the Great White North. Oil, furs, caviar, salmon, crab and other rarities come down to more livable climates from the icy shores of North America and Scandinavia. Ships, planes, trains and trucks travel difficult roads and brave mighty storms to deliver manufactured and natural goods to the nations of the world.

The governments in the Great White North are some of the most tolerant and trade friendly in the world. Scandinavia and Russia do business as members of the European Union and Alaska is part of the United States. This makes international shipping a less arduous task for merchants and helps to compensate for the difficult conditions of shipping to and from these nations.

If you are an individual or business who is considering international shipping to the Great White North there is a good chance that you will never have to experience the weather conditions or need to overcome the dangerous hazards that are involved when sailing across an icy sea. You will however have to pay the price for a merchant to transport your goods or belongings. The difficulty of the voyage and the high cost of living in the countries of the north make international shipping in or out an expensive venture. Be prepared and appreciate why the price is so high. The men and women who do international shipping in the Great White North face danger every day and still manage to get cargoes in and out of port with little or no delays. That’s worth a few extra dollars or Euros, isn’t it?

Nir Dotan is a writer and promoter of
International Shipping services, and
Omega Shipping Local as well as International Moving.