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It’s easier to move across the world now than at any other time in history. But that doesn’t mean making an overseas move isn’t a big decision, or the potential source of a lot of stress and confusion. If you’re getting ready to move to a new country (or even continent), we’ve got some helpful advice to make the transition to your new home as smooth as possible.

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Moving is always a great time to take a look at all the stuff you’ve accumulated over the years and decide how much of it you really need. This goes double for an overseas move, when transportation logistics and costs can easily get out of hand. When deciding what you’re taking and what’s staying behind, do so with an eye to take as little stuff with you as you can get away with.

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Things to keep in mind when packing for an overseas move:

•Shipping costs are calculated by weight for small packages. Moving a lot of heavy items (books, furniture, etc.) is going to be better to use ocean freight services to ship a container. If you have personal items that are very fragile, it’s best to put them in containers. .

•Keep in mind how much space your new living quarters provide. Most homes and apartments are smaller abroad.

•Remember: Expenses can add up when replacing electronics and appliances! If you can buy a voltage converter transformer that will allow you to use your appliances or electronics overseas, you should!

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Before moving abroad, do some research on prices for electronics items and appliances. The easiest way to do this is to look up a retail websites based in your new country your moving to. Then compare the cost to purchasing a voltage converter and shipping the items overseas.

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Electronics are one of the items that cause the most trouble for people relocating to a new country, and not just because they are fragile and can potentially be damaged during a move. Most countries have electrical outlets with different power outputs than those used in the US, not to mention the compatibility and region code issues associated with some devices.

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If you are bringing your electronics with you, here are some important packing instructions to remember:

• Make sure to store electronics in properly-sized boxes. If a box is too small, it’s likely to break during shipping. If it’s too big, it will run up your shipping costs, and increase the chance of your electronics being jostled around in transit.

• Use lots of padding. The longer the distance something is shipped, the more opportunities there are for it to get banged up. Fill up all free space in the shipping container with bubble wrap, packing paper, or other cushioning.

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Once your electronics arrive safely, the first issue that needs to be solved is how to get American-designed plugs to work in non-US power outlets. Most countries (specifically Europe, Asia, and most of Africa) use 220 to 240 volt outlets to power their electronics. The US, on the other hand, uses a standard of 110 volts. Trying to plug a 110V plug into a 230V socket without the proper plug adapter will be futile.

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Thankfully, there’s a solution to this problem. As more and more people travel and move abroad freely, and as more and more people become dependent on their electronic devices, voltage converters and plug adapters have become readily available. If you’re bringing your American electronics abroad, these devices are a must-have.

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110220Volts.com is your number one source for voltage converters, power adapters, and other tools that allow you to convert your electronics for use overseas. For more information or to place an order, contact us today at www.110220volts.com.