Moving to Australia – move to Australia
Australia, also known as OZ or the Land Down Under, is a favoured expat destination because of its climate, scenery, work opportunities and high standard of living. The capital city is Canberra; however, the largest and most well-known city is without a doubt Sydney.
Australia is located south of Southeast Asia with New Zealand and the Pacific Islands to the east, bordered by the Indian and Pacific oceans. The country is vast as it is also a continent and as a result, has a low population density of only 26 million people.
Let Altaventura do all the hard work involved in moving while you enjoy your new home in Thailand. Altaventura has built a global network of moving industry partners to ensure your belongings are moved quickly and safely. Enjoy the beautiful scenery, the ideal climate and the friendliness of the local people while we take care of the stress and work of moving.
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Moving services for your move to Thailand
- Moving professional who oversees your move
- Load, schedule and budget assessment
- Packing and picking up your goods
- Loading into shipping containers or by air freight
- Documentation and Customs Clearance
- Delivery, unloading and unpacking at your destination in Thailand
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Shipping options for your move to Thailand
In principle, I will send all goods to Thailand for you if the import regulations of the Thai authorities are met. From household items to office supplies, from vehicles to electrical appliances. Whatever I can get through customs for you, I will move properly and as quickly as possible.
Would you like to know what you are allowed to import into Thailand? No problem – I’m happy to explain to you what’s possible and what’s not.
There are a few different transportation options when it comes to shipping your belongings to Thailand. When moving to Thailand, the goods are usually sent by sea freight. I offer a shared container (LCL) service where you only pay for the space you need. Then there is also the full container (FCL) service for larger moves, where you get a complete container ready for your move to Thailand. For the full container service, you have the choice between a 20-foot and a 40-foot container. For very urgent moves to Thailand, there would be shipping options by air freight.
- Sea freight: This is the cheaper option but of course the slower one. It usually lasts about 6-8 weeks.
- Air freight: This is the fastest and most convenient option, but of course, it is also a lot more expensive. It usually takes about 7-10 days to move your goods to Thailand by air.
Shipping process for your move to Thailand
My highly qualified team comes to your home to catalog and pack your belongings. We use the appropriate packaging material for each item to ensure your goods are properly protected during the move. These can be standard boxes for most items or, for example, bespoke wooden boxes to protect your most delicate and valuable possessions. If you wish, we can dismantle your furniture at the point of departure and reassemble it at the destination.
We take care of the customs clearance and the necessary paperwork when exporting from Switzerland and importing into Thailand.
Finally, your goods will be delivered to your new location in Thailand and you can settle into your new home.
Moving to Thailand – Other Services
- Relocation/Transport insurance: We will be happy to recommend the best possible insurance for your move to Thailand
- Cleaning service: As an option, if you want a final cleaning of your old home or business
- Handyman service: furniture dismantling/reassembly, electrical work, painting, etc.
- Storage facilities: thanks to our network of partners, we can provide storage facilities all over the world
- Pets: We would be happy to help you relocate your pets to Thailand
- Post-Relocation Assistance: We provide advice and local information to help you settle into your new home in Thailand, e.g. in terms of accommodation, best schools, insurance issues, etc.
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Why move to Thailand with Altaventura?
I have many years of experience with international removals and work exclusively with personally selected and extremely trustworthy partners around the world. This allows me to always guarantee a first-class service to meet the needs and requirements of my customers. Your goods will be moved to Thailand safely and efficiently.
So that your move to Thailand goes smoothly and stress-free, I am always informed about the current status of the shipment and can also keep you up to date. Due to my extensive experience, I can usually tell you during the first meeting whether your ideas can be implemented and what costs you have to reckon with for your move to Thailand. In the next step, a tailor-made plan for your Thailand relocation will be created. I offer a range of services to suit your needs, budget and timeline. The staff are friendly and trained in handling all items and are particularly careful with your valuable possessions.
What to take with you when moving to Thailand?
Deciding what to take with you when moving to Thailand is probably one of the biggest concerns for most prospective expats. However, what many people don’t realise is that you can buy most of the things you need in Thailand. But of course people are attached to certain items and so they will try to move them with them as long as Thai import regulations allow it.
Things to pack include clothing, documents, medicines, electronics, and sentimental items. Then you can consider whether you also want to take furniture, hobby and sports equipment, etc. with you.
There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to electronic devices. Firstly, only a certain type of electrical equipment can be imported tax-free into Thailand. Second, you should be concerned about the different voltages in Thailand compared to your home country. Thailand uses 220 volts and 50 hertz, so if you’re traveling from countries like North America, you’ll need a transformer for certain electrical appliances.
The main documents you will need for your stay in Thailand are: Passport, Driving License, Diploma and Transcripts, Marriage or Divorce Certificates, Proof of Income or Payslips, Birth Certificate, Medical Reports, Contact Numbers, Bank Information and Tax/Insurance Numbers.
Cost of moving to Thailand
The cost of moving to Thailand can vary significantly depending on many factors. Of course I will try to fit your move into your budget. I would like to advise you that the cheapest moving company is unlikely to be the most reliable and experienced. I will evaluate your move and make you an individual offer that is certainly worth its price.
Transport by sea freight is the cheapest option with a base price for a full container or a price that usually depends on the dimensions of the cargo if you use a divided container. Air freight, on the other hand, is significantly more expensive. The location of the final destination is also a factor that determines the price, as moving to a big city is much easier than to a remote area or an island.
Of course, the price of any move does not only depend on the distance between the place of departure and destination, accessibility, the type of transport and the weight/volume of the load, but also or primarily on the services offered. At Altaventura, if you wish, you can get the “full all-round carefree service” and benefit from my extensive knowledge and many years of experience in the moving business.
Thailand customs and regulations
Customs clearance in Thailand can be quite a complicated and time-consuming process. But of course I have the contacts and the experience to make it run smoothly. I will oversee and coordinate the process to get your belongings safely to Thailand.
When shipping to Thailand it is required to include an inventory list of all items. Customer must be in Thailand for customs clearance. Certain items are subject to import tax, however persons with a year-long work permit (or one-year visa) and Thai citizens returning after more than a year abroad can obtain a duty-free exemption. In the case of electrical goods, one type of electrical device is permitted duty-free.
For more information about Thai customs procedures, please visit the website customs.go.th. Of course, I can also provide you with answers to your questions about importing removal goods to Thailand.
Popular expat locations in Thailand
Expats live all over Thailand, even in some of Isaan’s most remote villages. However, there are some places that are the most popular and have the largest expat communities. Here are some of the most popular destinations for moving to Thailand.
Expat communities in Thailand
Thailand is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world and many visitors fall in love with the country’s culture, scenery and lifestyle so much that they just don’t want to leave. There are so many features that draw you to the country, from the stunning beaches, moderate cost of living, exciting nightlife and friendly locals.
People are moving to Thailand from all over the world, with the largest expatriate groups coming from the UK, US, Australia, Germany, Japan and India. Expats tend to move to the popular destinations of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya or one of the main islands.
The expat communities in Thailand tend to be extremely hospitable and helpful to newcomers. It’s worth joining one of the many expat groups and online forums to make friends and get advice on moving to and living in Thailand. It’s easier to move to an area with a large expat population if you are unable to communicate in Thai or plan to learn it.
Some great expat groups and resources are:
Visas and work permits
In order to live or work in Thailand long-term, it is necessary to obtain the correct visa or work permit. The procedure can be quite complicated and time consuming and that is why my agents will help you in this process. There are a variety of visas, and each has its own requirements. Obtaining and extending the correct visa is very important as exceeding the validity period of your visa can result in a hefty fine and/or an entry ban. Also, visa requirements change frequently so it is always advisable to check with the Thai embassy.
If you are looking to retire in Thailand, the best option is the Non-Immigrant OA Retirement Visa, which requires you to be over 50 and have a monthly income of around $2,000. It is valid for one year but can be renewed annually. Anyone doing business in Thailand requires a business visa. If you are moving to Thailand for work, you will need a Non-Immigrant B visa, which is valid for 90 days. During this period you must apply for a temporary work permit at the local employment office. You must then apply to the immigration authorities for an extension of your visa. Another option used by many to stay in the Kingdom is through an educational visa.
When applying for the visa, you must present the following documents: a valid passport, a completed application form, two recent passport photos and depending on the visa, a recent bank statement, diploma, police clearance certificate or a letter of acceptance from a Thai university.
(as of June 2022)
Top moving countries
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