Shipping Furniture Overseas From The UK: A Complete Guide

Are you planning an international move? According to the United Nations, over 1.3 million UK citizens are living abroad. While you are likely very excited about your new move there are a lot of hurdles to jump through.

One of those hurdles is figuring out how to get all of your furniture and other goods to your new country of residence. While this can seem confusing with various laws and different packages, this guide is here to help you figure everything out. Keep reading to learn everything about shipping furniture overseas!

Shipping Furniture Overseas: A Guide 

There are a lot of choices and decisions you’ll have to make. Let’s jump right into everything by showing you how furniture shipping actually works in a step-by-step process.

Determine What You’re Bringing

One thing that cannot be denied is that shipping large items overseas is going to be expensive. For most situations, it might be a good idea to balance the costs. If that Ikea shelving unit is going to bump you up to the next crate size then you might be able to save money by buying a new one once you’ve moved.

It might be a good idea to sell some of the things you plan not to bring with you. This can help finance your international shipping.

At the same time, you shouldn’t skimp for family heirlooms. Many people wind up regretting letting go of these treasured items so it’s worth the added expense to bring them with you. So don’t ignore sentimentality in this process.

Decide if You’re Packing Everything Yourself 

There can be several reasons why you might want to have someone else pack your items. If your shipping company offers it, they’re experts who have experience in the movement your furniture can expect during shipping. They can pad things accordingly.

Additionally, lifting furniture can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. If you’re not careful you could damage both yourself and your valued furniture items. If you intend to move everything yourself it’s a good idea to look at some tips to keep you safe.

If you are packing everything yourself, you will have to invest in a variety of packing materials. More than just bubble wrap you will need cardboard sheets to keep things from rubbing against each other, and rope to tie things down. Make sure you have everything ready to make the process as simple as possible.

If your life is busy with all the other things that go into an international move, it can make sense to have someone else do all the packing. Luckily, many international shipping services have the option to include packing, so you don’t need to hire yet another company. You can see how this works with overseas shipping.

Get Your Quotes 

Now that you know how many things you definitely want to ship and some of the extra services you might want, it’s time to ask for a quote. Almost all international shipping is done by sea in crates. While some places will offer air shipping it is nearly always prohibitively expensive.

Some companies offer a “if it fits, it ships” model with crates. You simply select the size crate you want and then you can put as many things in it as possible. There might even be room for some extras you weren’t sure about in these scenarios.

However, if you don’t have that much furniture, perhaps just a few chairs, you may not need an entire crate. Some companies will offer a pallet service for these situations. They can ship some boxes and smaller furniture items for cheaper prices which might work out better for your budget.

Alternatively, you might be planning this move to be completely permanent and you want to bring your entire house from one location to another.

In this case, companies will offer entire shipping containers for your removal. While more expensive, it can be the simplest solution. Sometimes you can share shipping containers and save some money as well.

Once you’re satisfied with your plan, it’s time to set everything in motion. Choose your company and start arranging the dates. This guide includes some of the best moving companies, which should be helpful.

Planning a Move? Check Out Who You Should Hire 

When it comes to shipping furniture overseas it can seem like a complicated process. That’s why it is best to hire someone locally, who knows the laws and regulations of your area specifically.

They can answer all your questions and help you set up the best plan.

UPakWeShip UK is the best option to choose if you live in the UK. They work with all areas of the country, from England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Ask them for a free quote today and get started on your next big adventure!