The sooner you start making your plans the less likely you are to make hasty incorrect decisions. We advise that you call in a Biddulphs consultant well in advance of your planned relocation date.

The consultant will listen to your requirements and discuss various options. You will be required to show the consultant all the items in your home which you are planning to ship and any special packing needs. In almost all cases, the cost of shipping relates to the volume of items to be shipped.

Our clients have advised us that moving their entire households and personal possessions makes sound economic and emotional sense. Selling effects seldom achieves a viable price and replacing them with your foreign currency allowance should be avoided. The emotional advantages are obvious: it is far easier to settle in a strange environment with familiar objects around you. However, certain electrical items may not be compatible at destination and our consultant will advise you on this.

Biddulphs International offer road, sea and air transport. We have 9 branches and 6 sales offices throughout the Republic of South Africa, 3 branches in Zimbabwe and 1 in Botswana. The contact address for your nearest branch can be found under our branch network.

Seafreight to most destinations in the world is cheaper than airfreight but specific advice will be given to you by our consultants.

The SA Reserve Bank allows household and personal effects and motor vehicles and boats to be exported overseas by persons who are relocating.

Regulations for the importation of household effects and cars vary from country to country and our consultant will be able to advise you in this regard. We have agents at destination and if clarification is required the consultant will contact the agent for specific advice.

Generally, firearms and ammunition, drugs, flammable products, ivory, fresh food, meat, plants and pornographic materials are prohibited from importation to most countries.

The regulations regarding the importation of wine and liquor differ from country to country. Our consultants can advise you the allowances and whether it will be duty-free or not.

Export permits for motor vehicles are obtainable from the Department of Trade and Industry in Pretoria - Phone: (012) 310-9791

Exemption certificates for wine and spirits are obtainable from the department of Agriculture at Johannesburg International Airport - Phone: (011) 970-3130/1 OR the Department of Agriculture in Stellenbosh - Phone: (021) 809-1602.

Export permits for animal skins/hides/horns are obtainable from a State Veterinarian in Johannesburg - Phone (011) 838-5603, Randfontein - Phone (011) 411-4300,  Germiston - Phone (011) 821-7700, Pretoria - Phone (012)328-5140, Cape Town - Phone (021) 551-2050, Durban - Phone (031) 332-6731.

Export permits for firearms are obtainable from your local police station.

Police Clearance Certificates are obtainable from the Brixton Murder and Robbery Vehicle Theft Unit, Brixton Street; Brixton, Johannesburg, OR the Roy Beamish Building, Modderdam Road, DF Malan Industria, Cape Town OR Luttig Street, Pretoria West OR the Rossburgh Testing Grounds, Opposite Southway Mall, Edwin Swales Drive, Rossburgh, Durban.

• Determine the approximate amount of expenses for which you will be responsible
• Confirm your removal dates and complete and sign your quotation acceptance form and insurance proposal form
• Notify the Biddulphs consultant if you add or subtract items from your shipment, or if there is any change in the date of the move or the destination
• Visit your family doctor and stock up on essential medicines
• Settle and close all charge accounts
• Get a transfer letter from the principal of your children's schools
• Cancel all subscriptions to magazines, newspapers
• Make arrangements for your pets' travel
• Notify your insurance company of your new details
• Advise all parties of your change of address

• Have passport photos made and apply for your passport
• Arrange a visit to the Receiver of Revenue, remembering to take your IRP5
• Visit your commercial bank and have them attest your NEP bank form. If you are emigrating you will be required to complete an MP336(a) form and hand in your tax exemption/clearance certificate.
• Cancel M-Net, DS-TV and television licence
• Advise the Department of Interior to cancel your identity book - if you are emigrating
• Notify your local voters roll that you are emigrating

• Health records and prescriptions, including optometrist
• Check your insurance information to be sure that you are covered in the country of destination and take policies
• Marriage certificate, divorce decree and baptismal certificates for your children
• Children's school records
• Your own work records, CV's etc, diplomas, certificates
• Name and contact details of Biddulphs International destination agent
• Biddulphs International inventories of your consignment
• Insurance Certificate relating to your consignment
• Vehicle registration papers and duplicate keys
• Personal telephone book

• Passport
• Visa / Temporary residence visa for country of destination
• Extra passport photographs
• Vaccination certificate
• Driver's licence - Find out what kind of licence is acceptable at destination
• Check your insurance information to be sure that you are covered in the country of destination and take policies
• Letters of employment in country of destination
• Purchase invoice relating to vehicle
• Import permits for motor vehicle
• Police permit for firearms
• Change of Residence Certificate for certain European countries
• Rental contract if possible, in certain European countries

There are other documents required in various countries and our consultants can advise you in this regard.

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