US
Moving to Brazil
from Spain
An international move checklist for moving to Brazil
An international move checklist for moving to Brazil
The checklist below will help you plan each stage of your move to Brazil.
Moving to Brazil is very different to moving house within Spain, so it is advisable to find a reputable specialist international moving company to help you navigate the key stages of your move to Brazil.
Remember that your international moving company will be responsible for moving all your household goods to Brazil and guaranteeing the payment of carrier charges. So check that the international moving company is certified, with all the correct insurance.
You should start by obtaining an international move; the easiest method is through an online Move Quote Form.
A reputable international mover will normally want to discuss your move with you . Doing so will give your company an accurate idea of all your needs, so it will be able to advise you correctly. Any potential challenges can be identified at this early stage, enabling you to address them sooner rather than later.
You may be asked to take part in a pre-move survey of your home contents, which makes certain that you receive an accurate move quote. Some movers do this via an app, which works on your mobile and is very similar to a standard video call, in which you walk around your home and point out what you want to move.
When you speak to the moving company, you may like to ask about the following during the video survey:
Delicate items, antiques, and fine art should be highlighted to ensure they receive particular treatment such as casing and additional protection and meet specific handling requirements. Fine art will also have precise customs requirements.
Your International Move Summary and Quote will usually be issued shortly after the survey. Check the details to make sure that everything is clear. If you receive more than one quote, you should check that you’re getting a like-for-like comparison.
Important note about “ballpark quotes” over the phone. You may be offered a quick international move quote by phone with the option of making a reservation there and then, with a small deposit. Please remember that without a full assessment, the final price may be very different from the original quote, and you’ll have to pay extra charges. As standard, Sterling Lexicon gathers all the information for an accurate price and thus minimises the potential for additional charges.
Just review your move summary and quote, then reply to book your move date. If you’ve any questions, simply call your Move Specialist.
Review your quote: when you check your quote, confirm that it includes everything you requested.
Sterling Lexicon Price Promise: if you’re comparing quotes, contact your Sterling Lexicon Move Specialist to get the best possible price.
In some cases, you may be asked to pay a deposit to book your move. You can pay by credit card over the phone, the safest method, or your mover may enable online payment.
Usually, you can save time by using the international moving company’s web portal to track progress of your move, access information and receive notifications. Ask if your international moving company offers this option.
Once you secure your move date, you can start to prepare your home for your move to Brazil. Check out this Ultimate Guide to International House Removals.
Your selected removals company should confirm key dates. If you book with Sterling Lexicon, your Move Specialist will provide you with a detailed summary, with packing dates and estimated shipping times. Be sure to add these dates to your diary!
PAPERWORK
You’ll have to complete some paperwork at this stage, mostly concerning customs, insurance, and service instructions. Check the list below.
Brazil is known for requiring a bit more paperwork than other countries so be prepared. Luckily if you have selected a decent international moving company they will be able to help you through this process. They can assist you with filling out the Brazilian customs documentation correctly, which includes a copy - in Portuguese - of all the items you are bringing into the country.
You should start by getting your home ready for the packing crews. First, sort out those items you want to take with you and store those that will stay. Items transported by air should be put to one side. If you’ve any pictures, you can take them down and place them on the floor, against the wall, ready for packing. Large items can be set aside for the moving company to dismantle, or you can do this. Place all small parts in a dedicated box so they can be put together at your destination.
Work through your home. Any items that can’t be taken (e.g. prohibited items) should be set aside. Your moving company may provide you with stickers to label items ready for the packing crews. Make sure you clear the loft, basement, and any outhouses.
Put all the nuts and bolts from dismantled furniture, remote controls, etc. into a single box, which should be marked accordingly. Also, you should set aside a box for cutlery, plates, cups, blankets, etc. for your first evening at your new place. These boxes should be clearly identified and the last things to be loaded, to make them easy to find.
Put your passport, visa, phone, charger, power pack, adaptor, documents, and jewellery and medicine aside in a clearly identifiable container so that they aren’t packed. Also, keep your important documents such as insurance contract(s), lease contract for your new home, mortgage letter, etc. in a wallet – and you must have physical and digital copies available.
If your pets are moving with you, please talk to your Move Specialist regarding the specific requirements for your pet. For example, if you have a cat or dog, it will have different requirements to a reptile or an exotic pet. If you choose to move with Sterling Lexicon, the team will provide a consultation and can arrange a suitable time and date to collect your pet(s). For more details, read here. Or let Sterling Lexicon provide you with complete pet relocation services.
On the first day of your move, you can expect the packing team to arrive at your home at the agreed time. Companies like Sterling Lexicon will ensure that the packing team introduce themselves for security purposes. Usually, you’ll then walk through your home and discuss what you’re packing for transport by sea or air, items for storage or special care, and possessions that you won’t be taking.
Professionally trained international packing crewsSterling Lexicon’s professional international packing crews are some of the best in the business and have been working for the company for many years. We only use people we would trust in our own home, so we know they will be professional and respectful in yours too. Their experience ensures all your personal possessions are packed perfectly to withstand being handled and transported over thousands of miles. |
Check the packing materials being used are sustainable and are of the required standard. Reputable companies will use packing materials that offer the highest level of protection and are environmentally-friendly. For example, they’ll use sustainable and 4-6 ply export wrap, thick-walled specific packing boxes, acid-free tissue paper, cornering for furniture and thick carding. Expect the packing crews to use specialist export wrapping techniques to work safely and take measures to protect your home from damage. The crews should also recycle as much as possible.
Inform your Move Specialist of all the items that you intend to take so that they can advise you on any restricted items and on anything that could incur customs duties. You’ll thus be able to talk to them before the move and find the most cost-effective way to handle your move and keep costs down.
Here is the current list of prohibited and restricted items, as defined by the Brazilian customs authorities. If in doubt, speak to your Move Specialist.
Once the packing has been completed, a packing inventory list is generated, itemising everything that has been packed. Keep hold of this until your possessions have arrived in Brazil and are unpacked in your new home.
Your belongings will be transported approximately 8,200 kilometres between Spain and Brazil. You can protect your move by taking out an insurance policy, which will cover your personal items, furniture, art collections, etc. Ask your Move Specialist to help get you covered.
In some cases it may be advantageous to put items into storage, you should ask your international mover for secure storage in Spain before shipping. Your mover should also be able to offer storage in Brazil.
Your international removals company will prepare your possessions for transportation. For the least environmental impact, sea freight is the best way to move your household goods to Brazil. In addition, an air shipment of your most essential items will normally be required. air.
It should take at least 6 to 8 weeks for your sea shipment to arrive. Bear in mind that this will vary, depending on customs clearance and which part of Brazil you’re moving to.
Household goods being moved to Brazil will be subject to customs clearance checks. Your international mover will normally provide this as part of their service, but you should check this is the case. If you use Sterling Lexicon, it will help you complete the forms in advance and manage the clearance process.
Give yourself enough time to get to the airport. Before you travel, check you’ve all your documents ready and to hand. And double-check you’ve done everything to travel legally in terms of visa, COVID and travel arrangements.
Until your belongings arrive, you’ll probably stay in temporary accommodation or a hotel. Please let your Move Specialist know when you’ve arrived at the airport and gone through customs.
Your international moving company should handle the customs clearance process for you. They will notify you when your household goods have cleared customs and will discuss the delivery date to your new home.
You’ll need to get all your utilities set up, register for a local doctor and dentist, open a bank account (if not already organised) and attend to any other practical matters. Do speak to your international mover at the beginning of the move process, because often you can arrange a lot of this in advance.
Welcome to your new home! It’s time to get to explore your new neighbourhood.
Settling-in and orientation supportIf you have moved with Sterling Lexicon and would like any local advice on places to help you settle-in, or you need additional support for the practical things such as utilities, local expat club introductions, schools, or anything else. Simply contact your Sterling Lexicon Move Specialist. |
