Need to Know: Customs Fees for an International Move

So you’ve decided to move overseas, but aren’t quite sure how customs work? Organising visas, getting all of your goods through customs, and ensuring you meet the regulations at your new destination can be tricky. Here are some handy tips to keep you on track and make sure you aren’t surprised by any additional costs!

It's good to know before you leave exactly how much you're going to have to fork out for your overseas move. Firstly you'll need to make a decision on the best international removalists. After that one of the main things that you'll most likely need is a visa, and these differ depending on if you're planning on working or relaxing. The price will also vary depending on the visa. On average, a working visa will cost you about $500. Some visas will cost more money, and some will cost less, which is why you should always check the rules for the country you’re moving to. A holiday visa will cost you less in general, but you will be limited to what you can do in the country. You certainly don’t want to be caught working while you’re on holiday visa!  

When you move goods overseas you often must be taxed on them. Lots of countries allow you to bring a certain amount in for free before they impose a tax, so make sure you check your destination’s rules to see what your limit is. If you can get in without paying tax, that’s more money in your pocket! in the United States of America, people can bring in $1000 US of goods duty free before they impose tax on your goods, while in Mexico you can bring in up to $500 of goods duty free before you’re taxed. Wherever you’re moving to, check what their rules on tax are so you are fully prepared for the fees you’ll have to pay. It’s better to know in advance than be surprised when you enter the country!

Entering a new country also means you need to declare certain goods that you’re bringing in with you. These are usually goods that are considered dangerous or have a higher risk of causing contamination. That’s definitely something you don’t want to do! Make sure you check the rules before you enter your new country as you do not want to bring any banned goods in. If you do, you may be up for some hefty fines which will certainly set you back a lot more than you would like. If banned goods are found in your possession, you could be liable for fines of up to $420,000. This is certainly not a small amount, and is definitely something you should try and avoid.

Although these customs fees will always change depending on the country you’re moving to, it’s good to get a general idea of how much your move is going to cost you. This way you’ll be fully prepared and ready for your big move. Don’t let the customs fees leave you unprepared!