Additional Information and Guides

Gather the Right Packing Supplies

To pack efficiently, you’ll need a variety of materials. Start with boxes—either cardboard or plastic. Cardboard boxes are lightweight and versatile, while plastic storage bins are waterproof, durable, and reusable, making them perfect for items that need extra protection, such as clothing, books, or toys. For specialty items like clothing on hangers, mirrors, or fragile dishes, invest in wardrobe boxes, mirror boxes, and dish boxes with built-in dividers.

You’ll also need packing materials like bubble wrap, packing paper, and foam sheets to cushion fragile items. Use plastic stretch wrap to secure furniture and keep drawers or doors from opening during transit. Don’t forget heavy-duty packing tape, a tape dispenser, and labels for clear organization.

Protect Your Furniture

Furniture requires extra care to ensure it arrives in perfect condition. Use plastic mattress bags to keep beds clean and dry. Cover sofas and chairs with furniture covers or moving blankets, and protect edges and corners of tables and cabinets with foam or cardboard corner protectors. For larger items like dining tables or bookshelves, disassemble them if possible, keeping screws and small parts in labeled plastic bags.

Wrap furniture in moving blankets or thick pads to prevent scratches. Once everything is wrapped, secure it with ropes or stretch wrap to avoid shifting during transport.

Pack Electronics and Fragile Items Carefully

Electronics need special attention during an international move. If you have the original boxes and packaging, use them. If not, wrap each device in anti-static bubble wrap and pack it in a sturdy box with foam padding. Bundle cables with zip ties or Velcro straps and pack them alongside the corresponding device.

For fragile items like dishes, glassware, and collectibles, wrap each piece individually with bubble wrap or packing paper. Use dish boxes with dividers for added safety, and fill any empty spaces in the box with packing peanuts or crumpled paper to prevent shifting.

Organize Your Packing

Before you start packing, create a detailed inventory of your belongings. Number each box and note its contents in a spreadsheet or handwritten list. Use pre-printed labels or markers to assign boxes to specific rooms, like “Kitchen” or “Master Bedroom.” This will make unpacking much easier.

Photograph high-value items for insurance purposes and take pictures of electronics before disconnecting them to remember how the wires were set up.

Clean Your Items

As you pack, take the opportunity to clean your items. Wipe down furniture, appliances, and other belongings to avoid bringing dust or pests into your new home. 

Pack Essentials Separately

Set aside a suitcase or small bag with items you’ll need immediately upon arrival. This might include clothes, toiletries, medications, important documents, chargers, etc. Label these boxes or bags clearly as “Open First.”

Check Documentation and Customs Requirements

Prepare an itemized inventory for customs, detailing the contents of each box and their estimated value. Research the customs regulations for your destination country to ensure you’re not packing restricted or prohibited items. Keep important documents like passports, visas, and shipping contracts with you at all times.

Prepare Your Container

Before loading the container, ensure both the inside and outside are in good condition. Make sure it’s clean, dry and has no holes or dents. Start loading heavier items like furniture and appliances first, placing them at the bottom and against the walls of the container. Secure them with cargo straps or bungee cords to prevent movement during transport.

Stack lighter boxes on top, but avoid overloading to prevent crushing items below. Use the space efficiently by filling gaps with smaller boxes or soft items like blankets and pillows. Once everything is loaded, lock the container with a heavy-duty padlock for security.

Gather the Right Loading Supplies

Dollies and Hand Trucks: Essential for moving heavy furniture and appliances.

Moving Blankets and Pads: Protect furniture and fragile items from scratches during loading.

Ropes, Cargo Straps, and Bungee Cords: Secure your load to prevent shifting during transit.

Furniture Sliders: Help maneuver heavy items with ease.

Plywood Sheets: Useful for creating a stable, level surface or separating layers of items in the container.

Heavy-Duty Gloves: Protect your hands while handling heavy or sharp items.

Plan the Layout

Heavy Items First: Start with furniture, appliances, and other bulky items. Place them on the bottom and against the walls to create a sturdy base.

Balance the Weight: Distribute heavy items evenly across the container to prevent tipping or instability.

Create Layers:  Load in tiers, starting with the heaviest and largest items, and then layer lighter or smaller items on top.

Load Strategically

Tetris-Like Stacking: Fill gaps between large items with smaller boxes or soft goods like pillows or linens. This maximizes space and minimizes shifting.

Vertical Storage:  For long items like mattresses, place them upright along the container walls to save horizontal space.

Disassemble Large Items: Remove table legs, shelves, and bed frames. Place small parts in labeled plastic bags and secure them to the item they belong to.

Secure the Load:

Use cargo straps or bungee cords to anchor large items to the container walls.

Add plywood or load bars between layers for stability.

Check that nothing can move freely; a tight load prevents damage during transit.