General:
Make sure everything is packed and wrapped well. Use strong moving boxes. Be sure to tape all of the seams of the cartons (top, bottom and sides), and make sure they are filled to the top using packing materials to fill any unused spaces at the top so the carton keeps its shape and does not crush when another box is placed on top of it. Do not use printed newspaper, the print rubs off! Make sure fragile items are well padded and remember every box or packed item needs to have your name and piece number on it.
Bikes:
Bikes travel best when put in a bike box that you can normally get for free at any bike store. If loading into a shipping container, wrap the bike in an old blanket or sheet to protect the finish and secure.
Books:
Books can get heavy, so it is best to pack them in smaller cartons.
Clothes:
Dresses, suits, jackets and coats can be packed into hanging wardrobe boxes but if like me you are going to put them in the dry cleaners after arrival then you might as well put them in standard medium or large cartons. You can also fold clothes in suitcases. Your clothes will get wrinkled; there is really no way to prevent this.
Dishes & Glassware:
Every piece needs to be wrapped separately using paper or bubble wrap. Place crumpled paper at the top and bottom of the carton for extra cushioning. Place plates on their edge in the carton, rather than flat. Mark the boxes “FRAGILE’.
Kitchenware:
Kitchenware, pots and pans can be stacked into boxes with layers of crumpled paper in between. Anything breakable needs to be wrapped in paper & or bubble wrap before being placed into a box. Make sure the heaviest items are at the bottom of the carton.
Lamps:
Remove the shade and pack it in a carton (using crushed paper as cushioning). Remove the bulb from the lamp and wrap the base in bubble wrap before packing. Mark the boxes “FRAGILE’ and “TOP LOAD” so that no other cartons are stacked on top of them.
Lawn Mowers:
Lawn Mowers or any tool with an engine, drain fuel and oil thoroughly or the fluids will leak all over the shipment. Remove handles or fold them down to save space. Wrap in old blankets or sheets (something absorbent is best) if loading into a shipping container.
Mirrors & Pictures:
Put masking tape in an “X” over the glass. Wrap the mirror in bubble wrap. Place the paintings into picture cartons or “build’ a box with sheets of cardboard. Be sure to stand pictures and mirrors upright (not flat).
Rugs:
Rugs roll up the rug (with the underside facing out) and secure the bundle with tape. You might also want to wrap the bundle in brown paper or fold it up into a box.
Screws:
It is a good idea to make a “PARTS” box that contains all bed parts, screws, assembly instructions, basic reassembly tools, etc. Be sure to mark this box clearly.
Tables:
Remove the legs and wrap all surfaces in bubble wrap. So that they are not misplaced you will want to put the screws in a PARTS box or in a zip lock bag.
Tools & Garden Equipment:
Drain hoses thoroughly and place them into a carton or if still wet a plastic trash bin first. Tools can be shipped in a sturdy upright carton with the top open if you are loading into a shipping container and you might want to tie or tape the tools together.
TV/Computer:
TV/Computer It is best to wrap the item in the original box and original packing. If you do not have the original materials then wrap the items in bubble wrap before placing them into boxes. You can buy specialty flat TV boxes on line and from self-storage places.
Pallet Service:
Everything needs to be well packed in strong boxes, strong plastic crates, chests or trunks. Items will be loaded on a 48×40 inch pallet and shrink wrapped to keep everything together. Try and keep boxes the same sizes so they fit and stack well together. Make sure boxes are filled to the top and any space needs to be filled with crushed up paper or old clothes otherwise box will collapse with the weight of another box on top of it. Tape up well over all the seams. Duct tape works best!
U-CRATE 50, 100 & 200:
Pack and load boxes as above. Furniture items need to be well wrapped in moving blankets or bubble wrap to form a complete cushion around it. Fit boxes and smaller items around the furniture to hold everything tight and in place so nothing can move around during the journey.
Self-Load Containers
Start with the large and heavy items like appliances and load them on the floor against the far wall of the container. Continue loading heavier items on the floor and towards the front of the container. Place lighter items on top. Pack the items tightly so nothing moves. Work your way along in tiers loading from bottom to top. Look at the spaces in the tier and then go and look for an item to fill that space. Sometimes you can use an empty box, pillows, blankets or even soft toys to fill in the gaps.
Packing and loading the container well is the key to getting your shipment in good shape the other end. Pack as much as you can into cartons or plastic crates. They are easier to carry and give better protection plus it’s easier to pack your container in tiers or layers with cartons of similar size. If in doubt, put another layer of packing material on the item, better safe than sorry! Write the contents on the cartons so you know where you want to put the box at destination and whether you need to open it yet. Load lighter and fragile items at the top of the container. Use blankets, bubble wrap and cardboard to protect items from rubbing against each other and to fill in any spaces.
It is important that everything fits in snug and tight so that nothing can move, slide, or drop. If items are not secured tight they will move around and cause damage. A ship rolling in heavy seas or the truck braking hard or going up a steep hill could cause the load to move unless packed tight. You cannot leave a space at the back of the container otherwise everything up high will come tumbling down! If there is space at the door, do not load tiers so high therefore spreading the load at an equal height throughout the container. Alternatively build a bulkhead using plywood to hold the shipment in place or purchase a load bar online like this one. See our photo gallery to view pictures of containers loading.
If you are loading anything motorized you must notify us at the time of booking.
For more packing tips click here. See how to load a car click here.