Relocating is invariably a stressful event, especially so if you are moving base to an altogether different country. Once you have arrived at the decision to move, there are a flurry of things that you have to essentially take into account. However, it is important to mull over your options and spend time pondering on the available resources because a hasty move can prove to be a hassle later on. Choosing a reputed courier and cargo service to help with your relocation objectives should be your primary motive. Here are some errors that you can avoid in order to make a seamless transition to another destination.
Not living out the ‘new’ experience
When you decide to move to a new country, it would be a prudent move to check out the destination. Visiting a place for a short time versus establishing yourself there for along time can be as different as heaven and earth. There are several pros and cons to consider before you decide to move. Talk to people who are actually living there to get insights about how your quality of life would be. Also do detailed research on the internet on the experience of expats in the specific country.
Not roping in the best cargo and courier service
When you are about to relocate internationally, hiring the wrong cargo and courier service can deal a lethal blow to your aims. The move is expectedly going to be a major one and you do not want to be dealing with a company that will only add to your troubles. A professional company will do their best to ease your move and make it as hassle free as possible. However, make sure that the reputation of the company precedes it and has the capability to handle all your needs. Not the least, make a comparison between different cargo and courier companies and weigh them against each other in terms of services and price. The most reputed companies may be the cheapest, but then you are sure to get value for your money.
Not knowing about the aspects of work commute
When you move to the new destination, it helps to calculate how far your workplace is from your home. Different cities have different transportation systems that may be rapid or slow depending on their distinct infrastructure and network. For instance, a commute that takes half an hour in your current city may exceed an hour in the new city. Take this aspect into consideration to avoid time mismanagement issues.
Engaging the services of a courier company for shipping your household goods may not be as complicated as it may seem to be. The priority here is to find the right courier company that will handle your goods in an appropriate manner while also taking adequate steps to ensure that your shipment reaches its destination in an untarnished manner.
Get your household goods professionally packed
Reputed courier companies offer services that include the packaging of household goods in a professional manner that will take the nature of the goods into account. This can go a long way in saving your time and effort, lending you the flexibility to devote attention to other aspects of the move. A good courier company will know how to go about packing specific goods so that their vulnerability is taken into account.
DIY packing
In case you do not want to rein in the services of the courier company to pack your small goods, you can do it yourself if you keep some handy tips in mind. For instance, items that fall into the ‘breakable’ category, should be kept aside from heavy or large-scaled items. If you have some precious heirloom lamps or dainty showpieces, make sure that you use bubble wrap to pack the items. The bubble wrap gives an extra cushioning effect, thus keeping the items safe even if takes a beating. You can also use tissues, newspapers, and ‘beans’ to provide an extra layer of protection. Proceed to seal the box with duct tape, paste an inventory of the items on the side of the box, place a ‘Fragile’ sign and you are good to go.
Other random items
Goods like containers, jars, toys, clothing, utensils and other household wares do not really need the kind of heavy-duty protection that your breakable goods need. They can be packed after being wrapped and deposited into a box. You can use styrofoam or packing paper to fill in the empty spaces in the carton so that the items do not slide or rub against each other during transit.
Help is always at hand
Reputed courier companies have a dedicated customer care service that is always available to resolve all your queries. In case you have any questions or queries or are even seeking tips for packing your goods, you can get in touch with the friendly staff. They can also inform you on what items will be categorised as hazardous and thereby will need to be packed in a manner that does not subscribe to conventional patterns.
With the implementation of the Value Added Tax, or what is commonly known as the VAT in the UAE in 2018, an additional tax of 5% is levied on good , products and services. However, the UAE boasts of one of the lowest VAT rates globally. Companies and businesses can often be thrown off-guard because the intricacies and the seeming notoriety surrounding the VAT may come across as intimidating, especially if you don’t understand them. Here are a few facts to keep in mind when you want to gauge the influence of the VAT on exports made from the UAE.
Zero-rated services
In the UAE, some services and goods do not come under the ambit of the VAT, meaning that they are exempted from the tax. These are essentially categorised as zero-rated products, goods and services, details of which are listed in the GCC-wide agreement. The law in the UAE states explicitly that the “Export of goods and services outside the GCC and international transportation are zero-rated. They must be reported in tax returns, but no VAT will apply.” Thus, when you export an item that is zero-rated, it must still be recorded.
Services and goods that are zero-rated
The services and goods that are exempted from the VAT include certain types of precious metals, certain health care services and associated goods, some educational services and associated goods, rescue aircraft or vessels, and international transport of goods and passengers, among others.
Goods and services that are exempted
In addition to goods that are zero-rated, there are also some items that are classified as exempt. This essentially means that they are not levied with the VAT. Some of these items include life insurance, renewal of life insurance, bare land, local passenger transport, residential buildings except the ones that are already zero rated and certain financial services, among others.
Understanding the VAT and its significance
Understanding the VAT is essential especially for those who are in the export domain. When you ship an item overseas you do not want to run into bureaucratic trouble just because you failed to follow a few VAT-related procedures. It can also help your business since the government in the UAE has clearly specified the scenarios where you could be penalised. These include not submitting tax returns, not registering with the tax authorities, lapses in recording tax information and trying to shrug off tax by providing false information, among others,