Is It Worth Shipping Furniture Overseas From The UK?

Instead of buying new, you could also try shipping furniture overseas. While there’s a high cost to do so, it may end up saving you time and money later on. 

Here’s everything you need to know about the pros and cons of shipping furniture for a long-distance move, and how to get started. 

Shipping Furniture Overseas vs Buying New Furniture

How does someone decide whether or not to send furniture overseas or buy a whole new set?

On the one hand, it’s more convenient to sell what you have and start fresh.

However, you’ll have to take the time to pack up all of your current belongings or pay extra for a shipping crew to pack them for you. 

Benefits of Shipping

Shipping furniture overseas can save you money when moving into your new home. Buying all new furniture can be expensive, and your previous belongings may have sentimental value. 

Additionally, you’ll need furniture as soon as you move in. No one wants to spend a few days sleeping on the floor while waiting for their new bed. 

You can coordinate your long-distance move with your shipped furniture so it arrives right when you do. 

There’s also the possibility that you won’t be able to acquire the same type of furniture you had in your old country. 

Challenges of Shipping

Unfortunately, there are some reasons you may opt against shipping your furniture. 

You may be moving into a smaller space than your previous home allowed. If that’s the case, then your old furniture may not all fit inside the new home.

At the very least, you can sell some of your things to cover part of the costs to replace them. It could prove more affordable to outfit your smaller home with new furniture instead of shipping your old furniture. 

Keep in mind that some items are prohibited and cannot be shipped overseas. These include taxidermy items and firearms. Check the country’s list of contraband to see what you can and can’t take with you. 

Benefits of Buying New

Some items are better off new. Rugs get a lot of wear and tear so a move provides a good opportunity to replace them. Mattresses are also not worth the cost to ship them if you can afford a new one. 

Moving into another space also allows you to completely change your design scheme. Make a bold decision or go simplistic. Alternatively, you can go thrifting and find some vintage and antique furniture that tells a story. 

Challenges of Buying New

The main downside of buying new furniture is the cost. Some expensive furniture isn’t easily replaced. You’re going to want to bring that with you rather than try to get another one. 

You’re also slightly limited by what the furniture stores around your house stock. If you find something too far away, then you’ll have to pay for shipping anyway. 

Shipping Cost Breakdown

When shipping furniture overseas, you need to consider all the individual costs involved. You need to hire a company to pick up your furniture and other items, deliver it to the plane or sea freight, and then deliver it to your new home. The movers may also pack your items for you at a cost. 

Needless to say, there are a lot of moving parts involved. 

The general cost to ship your furniture overseas can range between $1,000 and $4,500 per item. The total cost to ship a household may end up being almost $20,000. 

You should be able to talk to the shipping company about your choices. Sea freight will take longer but is much more affordable than air. However, air freight is a much quicker and safer option. 

You’ll also need to think about insurance. Homeowners’ and renters’ policies provide coverage while your items are in transit and in storage facilities. However, it doesn’t pay for damage caused by the movers themselves. 

A moving company may offer moving insurance to protect themselves and your goods in transit. You can also find these policies outside of the company. 

How to Ship Furniture Overseas Affordably 

A dedicated household shipping service is the easiest and most affordable way to move large items overseas. You can choose shipping crate options appropriate for all of your items, ranging from the smaller U-CRATE 50 to the larger U-CRATE 200. 

The U-CRATE 50 is good for small appliances and special decor items. It’s suitable for fragile shipping as well. Meanwhile, the U-CRATE 200 allows you to ship larger electronics and appliances. 

There are also 20 and 40-foot shipping containers available for shipping a household full of furniture. 

If you want to save money and avoid using a shipping container, you can always try to trim back on the larger items you can replace. It may not be worth it to ship a bed or table you put together yourself. 

Packing Tips

When you’re making a long-distance move, decide early on what items you’re taking and what you can afford to replace. Electronics are portable and can cost a lot to buy new. Small appliances are also easy to transport. 

Furniture can be a bit trickier. It’s one thing to buy a new couch to replace an old one. Replacing an entire household is a more complicated endeavour. 

If you can, get rid of anything that is worn down. The same goes for anything that was cheap or doesn’t hold any sentimental value. 

For what you decide to keep, don’t try to pack it all yourself. While having the shipping company pack your items may cost extra, it’ll speed up the process. You can also count on them doing it right the first time around and avoiding any issues in transit. 

Send Furniture Overseas With Ease

Shipping furniture overseas on your own is a logistical nightmare. It’s one thing to ship a package at the post office. However, most people are unaware of how to package their furniture and send it overseas. 

At UPakWeShip UK, we offer international removal and shipping services.

Our experts can help organize your move, fill out all the necessary paperwork, and even help pack up your items. 

Contact us to get a quick quote and find out more about how we can help you get moving.