Delivery Day Abroad: Getting Ready for the Madness That is Moving to a New Home in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand

Delivery day – the moment when all your planning finally comes together and you can finally get settled into your new place. Truth is, while the general process is pretty much the same all over the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, there are going to be local quirks that can make a real difference between a smooth move and a nightmare on your hands.

By taking the time to understand what’s going on in your new neighbourhood, you can avoid those pesky delays and extra charges which can quickly add up, especially if you’re moving into a high-rise building or apartment complex.

Below is a no-frills guide to help you get ready for the ride

Access 101: What to Expect in Houses vs Condos and High Rises

Deliveries to Houses

Houses are generally the easiest to get to, but there are a few things to watch out for before you even start unloading the truck:

• does your street have room for a big removals truck to park?\
• are there any height or weight restrictions you should know about?\
• are there any low trees, narrow driveways or gated access points that might cause problems?\
• is your property on a rather steep slope?

In suburban areas in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, you’ll often come across big trucks, but in city centres or older neighbourhoods, you may need to use a smaller shuttle vehicle. And limited access can really add to your delivery time, so its worth getting the word out in advance.

Deliveries to Condos and High Rises

If you’re moving into a high-rise building in a place like New York, Toronto, Sydney or Auckland, you’ll need to work to the rules of the building. This often involves:

• booked lift time slots, which can be pretty inflexible\
• A Certificate of Insurance from the removal company\
• A refundable lift or move-in deposit\
• Protective coverings for floors and walls\
• Advance notice to building management\
• Strict weekday-only move windows

Some buildings will only let you move in for a few hours at a time, so its worth being flexible if you’re going to hit any delays due to customs or port holdups. And if you miss your lift booking, you might need to rebook, which can add to the cost.

Parking Permits and Local Restrictions

You cant just park a removal truck wherever you like.

USA and Canada

In the cities, you may need parking permits or curb reservations, which can be arranged in advance, or have specific loading bays to use. Winter conditions in some parts of Canada and the USA can also make it tough for the truck to get in – snow clearance and icy driveways are worth thinking about if you’re moving in the winter months.

Australia and New Zealand

If you’re moving to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Auckland or Wellington, you may need to book a loading zone or get a parking permit, especially in the city centre. Strata-managed apartment blocks often have their own delivery bay rules. Getting on top of this can save you a load of hassle and expenses down the line.

Getting Cleared by Customs Before the Truck Arrives

Even before the truck can unload, you need to get your shipment cleared by customs

Across the four countries, this normally involves:

• Putting in your paperwork before the truck arrives\
• Paying any applicable duties or taxes\
• Getting through any quarantine or biosecurity inspections that are needed

In Australia and New Zealand, especially, the authorities may do biosecurity checks on outdoor items or the like, so it’s worth making sure everything is in order. Delays at this stage can mess up your delivery schedule.

Accuracy and clear labelling are key here – an accurate inventory can make a huge difference in how smoothly things run.

Why Labelling and Inventory Matter

A detailed inventory can really make a difference in three key areas:

1. speeds up customs clearance: clear descriptions reduce the chance of any extra queries or inspections\
2. improves delivery day efficiency: when everything is clearly labelled by room, the crew can get the heavy lifting done without having to open every box\
3. reduces the risk of misplacing anything: in high-rise buildings with strict time slots, efficiency is key. The more organised your shipment, the faster the unload.

At Anglo Pacific, we put a lot of work into getting the documentation and labelling right before your goods even leave the UK. That attention to detail can really help keep customs and delivery on track.

Lift Reservations and Time Limits

In high-rise buildings, time is of the essence.

You may come across:

• four hour delivery windows\
• mandatory midday breaks\
• limits on the number of movers allowed in the lift\
• restrictions on weekend moves\
• rules around noise and unpacking materials

If your building requires lift padding or protective materials, make sure to arrange that in advance. Otherwise you might find yourself rescheduling at short notice and incurring extra charges.

Unpacking Options: What Level of Service Do You Want?

Delivery day doesn’t have to be a box-filled nightmare.

Across the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, you generally have the option to:

Door-to-Door Delivery

Goods are delivered right into your home, and the crew will even unpack the heavy stuff into the right rooms.

Full Unpacking Service

The crew will:

• unwrap everything\
• remove all the packing materials\
• assemble basic furniture if agreed

This is a serious timesaver in condos and high-rises where you may need to clear the boxes pronto due to building rules.

Discuss your unpacking needs with the moving company in advance, so they can allocate the right time and crew for the job.## Be Present and Ready for Delivery Day

When delivery day rolls around:

• Make sure your phone’s on hand – you never know what might come up
• Go ahead and confirm lift bookings and parking for the big day – don’t leave it to the last minute
• Keep an eye on those pets and make sure the little ones are looked after before the movers arrive, okay?
• As you go, check off the items on your inventory as they get off the truck – it’s a big job, but someone’s got to do it
• Sort out your priority cartons – you’ll want easy access to those right away

And don’t get caught out if access is a problem – if the truck can’t get to your place, you might be looking at some pretty hefty storage charges. So a bit of prep beforehand is well worth it.

How Anglo Pacific Keeps Delivery Day in Check

International delivery isn’t just about getting a crate from one place to another – it involves a whole load of other stuff: getting the right documentation to customs, sorting out local agents, making sure the sellers at your old place can let the truck in, and scheduling it all so it runs smoothly.

Anglo Pacific is there to help you out with all this by:

• Making sure your inventory is as clear and accurate as can be
• Giving you the lowdown on all the documentation you need to get your stuff through customs as quickly as possible
• Sorting out the local delivery guys so you don’t have to
• Working out a plan so the delivery truck can actually get to your place
• If you need it, offering to unpack everything for you

If you take a bit of time to get things organised, delivery day can be a breeze, not some stressful, last-minute scramble.

Planning a Move to the Other Side of the World?

If you’re moving to the States, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, give us a shout early in the process and we’ll help you get everything sorted out – customs, building access, delivery logistics… you name it. We’ll make sure that final step of the move goes as smoothly as possible.