Moving overseas requires a lot of planning and preparation. There’s a lot to be done. From organizing the move to packing your belongings. But, one point of concern for many people is relocating appliances overseas. And that often requires a lot more planning and most expenses. The main reason is that not all appliances that you own can work overseas. If any. And here are some of the things that you need to pay attention to.
Problems with relocating appliances overseas
Relocating overseas presents you with many challenges. It’s not as simple as moving next door or to a new city. There are many things that you need to pay attention to. From finding international moving companies Bahrain to making sure that you can transport everything safely. But, when it comes to relocating appliances overseas, there are many more points of concern. And you need to know about them beforehand. So you can properly plan your relocation as well as your expenses.
Are you able to ship your appliances overseas at all?
Before you start calculating how much the relocation is going to cost you, you need to know if you can relocate them at all. Especially if you are being moved by your company. Corporate relocations usually have some sort of weight cap. And it’s the same when, for example, shipping from the US to Bahrain. When you count in the weight of your other belongings, there might not be much room left for household appliances. And if you count them in first, their weight alone can breach your cap.
Consider customs before relocating appliances overseas
While in most cases you won’t have to pay customs fees for the items you will be using in your home, there are some exceptions. So, before you start relocating appliances overseas, make sure you check with your moving company. You might need a customs clearance agent in order to import your appliances. And there might be some fees involved. It depends on the country you are moving to. But it never hurts to be prepared.
Cost of shipping appliances overseas
Household appliances are often big, bulky and heavy. A washing machine weighs around 200 pounds. Which is good, because it prevents it from jumping around during washing cycles. But, it’s a bad thing when you have to move it overseas. Moving companies usually charge based on weight. And with many heavy items, your relocation can quickly become quite expensive. So, when getting a quote from moving companies Bahrain, make sure you ask about the price per pound.
It can easily turn out that shipping that washing machine costs more than buying a new one once you arrive. So, if your appliances are old, it might not be worth relocating them overseas at all. Not to mention the fact that some of them might not be compatible with sockets and electrical current overseas.
Understand electrical terms and problems before relocating appliances overseas
The world is a very diverse place. There are many different types of people, cultures, and customs. It’s what gives it beauty. And we are taught to accept and embrace that. But, when it comes to differences in how items operate, you need to be very careful. Electricity operates quite differently in different parts of the world. So, before you can determine if your appliances will work overseas, you need to understand a few electrical terms.
Voltage and frequency might be different overseas
Voltage, marked by capital V is a term for electrical power. It essentially marks how powerful the electrical current is. And there are two very distinct standards for electrical power in the world. The US and some other countries use 110-120V power. While in Europe and most other countries use 220-240V power. That means that if you are moving from Europe, for example, to the US, your appliances would most likely not work there. And if you are moving to Bahrain, which uses 230V electricity, you can cause serious damage to your appliances. Or even worse, cause a fire. That’s one thing that you need to note when relocating appliances overseas.
The other thing that you need to think about is frequency. Or in plain terms, how many cycles per minute electricity does. Most countries use 50Hz electrical frequency, while others use 60Hz. It’s not as important as electrical power, but it can still cause you problems. Record players, for example, that are meant for 60Hz electricity, will run more slowly at 50Hz. So will the clocks and essentially anything else that has an internal timing mechanism.
Electrical plugs are different as well
Another point of concern when relocating appliances overseas is the type of electrical plug. Some countries use two round tips, while others might be using plugs with 3 straight tips. There are many different standards. And while you can buy adapters for all of them, it’s not the safest way. Especially in wet environments.
What can you do about it?
When it comes to current frequency, there’s not much you can do about it. But, there are ways to convert your appliances that work on a higher or lower voltage. It’s advisable to check the standard that your destination country uses. Using an adapter is not always the safest or most convenient option. That said, some appliances can be adapted to work at different voltages. And some that can work on a few different voltages without adapters. There are devices called transformers, that can adjust the voltage of the electricity. So, when relocating appliances overseas, you can adapt them to work on the voltage in your destination country. It won’t help with the frequency, but you will be able to use your items without causing a fire.
Is it worth relocating appliances overseas?
The answer to this question depends on the state of your appliances. If you have really expensive appliances or the ones that can operate on different voltages than it might be worth it. But if not, it might be cheaper to simply buy new ones once you arrive. Don’t forget that you need to pack them, ship them and maybe even pay customs. When your ad a transformer to that it can cost you quite a lot. So, think carefully before relocating appliances overseas. And do your math.