Christmas moves foreign from the UK: a down-to-earth guide to making your removal to the USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand a reality this festive season

Moving to a new country in December or early January can feel really overwhelming, but with some good planning it’s definitely doable. The key is to work around the holiday closures, shipping schedules and winter weather, while still giving yourself time for a proper Christmas send-off and a comfortable arrival. This guide will give you a realistic removals timeline, walk you through what to expect from an Anglo Pacific remote video survey and packing days, and highlight a few seasonal pitfalls to watch out for.

A Sensible Christmas Removals Timeline

8 to 10 weeks before you’re due to leave

• Get in touch with Anglo Pacific to discuss destinations, preferred dates and shipping options – it’s a good idea to book a spot in December as they tend to fill up quickly.
• Book a remote video survey – it’s a great way to get everything sorted out without having to have someone come to your house over the holidays.
• Work out what you’re going to ship in a full or part container, and what you should send as a baggage shipment to get to you early.

6 to 8 weeks before you’re due to leave

• Get your quote and confirm your booking.
• Start sorting out what you’re going to keep, what you’re going to sell or give away, and what you’re going to bin – it’s even more important to do this before Christmas when time is of the essence.
• Work out what you’re going to need as soon as you arrive – things like warm clothes for winter or essentials for the kids – and set those aside for the baggage shipment.

3 to 4 weeks before you’re due to leave

• Finalise your inventory with your move manager.
• Confirm the dates for packing and agree on times for access – Anglo Pacific will work with the available sailings to make sure everything gets packed and shipped on time.
• Arrange temporary accommodation if you need to, especially if packing happens before you fly.

1 to 2 weeks before you’re due to leave

• It’s time for packing – Anglo Pacific’s crew will wrap and pack everything up for you, and then load it onto the ship for you.
• Your main shipment will get sent off to the port to catch the next sailing.
• Baggage shipments get collected and sent on their own to get to you faster.

Booking and Getting Ready for an Anglo Pacific Remote Video Survey

A remote video survey is a really useful way to sort everything out without having to have someone come to your house – it’s especially good for a busy time of year like Christmas.

Getting ready

• Get your rooms tidy so that everything is out and visible – but don’t worry if they’re not perfect.
• Make sure the surveyor has access to any lofts, garages or sheds that you’re using.
• Set aside anything that you’re not shipping so the surveyor can take it out of the equation.

What happens

• A surveyor will guide you through your house via a video call.
• They’ll ask you a few questions about access, parking and any big or fragile items.
• It all helps Anglo Pacific to come up with a good quote and plan the packing and shipping schedule.

Packing Days and How They Fit in with Sailings

Packing usually takes one or two days, depending on how much stuff you have – but in December, Anglo Pacific makes sure it all happens on time so that everything gets shipped off quickly.

• Containers tend to leave the port about once a week, but things can get a bit tighter in the run-up to Christmas and New Year.
• Anglo Pacific tries to avoid storing things if it can be helped.
• You’ll get an idea of how long it’ll take for your stuff to get to you so you can plan for essentials.

Keeping Christmas Going with Baggage Shipping

One way to keep things less stressful is to send along small baggage with your main move. This is great for things like:

• A few decorations to get you in the mood.
• Bedding and towels for the first week.
• Seasonal clothes, especially if you’re moving to a colder place.

Baggage shipments get to you faster than a full household load, so you can get a sense of home again sooner.

Country-Specific Planning Things to Bear in Mind

Canada and the northern USA

• Winter weather can make a mess of access to your new place, especially in rural areas or places with loads of snow.
• Make sure driveways and entrances are clear so the delivery can happen safely.
• Flexible delivery dates are a good idea just in case the weather causes any delays.
• Chat with Anglo Pacific about local storage options if you’re going to have issues getting to the new place.

Australia and New Zealand

• There are strict rules about biosecurity to stop pests and diseases getting in.
• Avoid sending any natural decorations like wreaths or dried plants – they’re too high risk.
• Some items might need treatment, get delayed, or even get destroyed on arrival.
• Give outdoor gear and shoes a good clean before packing to avoid any issues.
• Declare any items with natural materials so you don’t get any penalties or delays.

Finalising Paperwork and Your Booking Checklist

• Check your passport validity and visa approvals.
• Complete all the shipping documents Anglo Pacific gives you.
• Get insurance cover for your shipment.
• Confirm your flight dates and arrival address details.
• Book baggage shipping for any essentials you need early.
• Let the utility providers and post office know you’re moving and get everything redirected.

Ready to Plan Your Christmas Move?

Moving to a new country in December or early January doesn’t have to be a stressful or chaotic experience. With a bit of planning and expert help, you can arrive feeling organised and relaxed.

Get in touch with Anglo Pacific for a removals quote tailored to your destination, or speak to the team about baggage shipping options so you can still have a proper Christmas at your new place.

From all of us here at Anglo Pacific, Merry Christmas!