How to Pack and Ship Your Belongings When Moving to a New House

Last updated on October 16, 2023

Moving to a new home is an exciting journey, yet it comes with its fair share of challenges, including packing and shipping your belongings with care. This process, while seemingly straightforward, contains many details that demand attention.

The task ranges from sorting items, careful packing to prevent damage, labeling boxes for easy identification, to finally arranging for reliable shipping services that ensure your possessions safely reach your new abode. This daunting task can be transformed into a smooth operation with thoughtful planning and organization.

Our guide is designed to assist you through each step, providing practical advice and tips to make your moving experience as stress-free and efficient as possible.

Sort Your Items

This involves categorizing them into what you’d like to keep, donate, sell, or discard. It’s the perfect opportunity to declutter and only take what you need to your new home. Sort items by room, type, or any other system that makes sense to you.

This step is crucial as it sets the foundation for all the following steps. Furthermore, even if you have the best international shipping services you would want to minimize the number of items you’re going to move. To be able to do this efficiently, you’ll need to have a list of everything you own.

A useful tip is to start with larger items and work your way down to smaller ones. Most importantly, be patient and give yourself enough time to sort through everything.

Gather Packing Supplies

You’ll need sturdy boxes of various sizes, packing tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, and markers for labeling. Consider a specialty box for fragile items such as dishes or glassware. You can get these supplies from local moving companies or purchase them online.

Be sure to purchase enough supplies so you do not run out in the midst of packing. From experience, it’s better to have extra packing supplies than not enough. More importantly, be environmentally friendly and try to use recycled boxes or opt for reusable plastic bins.

Pack Room by Room

Start packing one room at a time. This not only makes the task manageable but also aids in organizing your things in your new home. Ensure you label each box with the name of the room and a brief description of its contents. This step will save you time and energy when unpacking.

For fragile items, wrap them carefully in packing paper or bubble wrap before placing them in a box. Fill any gaps with packing peanuts or newspaper to prevent movement during shipping.

For clothes, use wardrobe boxes to keep them wrinkle-free. Finally, don’t overload boxes; aim for a weight that is comfortable for you or within the shipping company’s recommended limit.

Label Each Box

Clearly label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to. This will save you significant time and effort when unpacking. You can also color-code boxes for each room or label them with a number that corresponds to a list of contents.

Lastly, use caution stickers for boxes with fragile items and mark those that need to be unpacked first. This step may seem tedious, but it will save you from searching through countless unmarked boxes.

Pack Fragile Items with Extra Care

Wrap fragile items individually in bubble wrap or packing paper, and position them in boxes carefully. Make sure to mark these boxes as ‘Fragile’. Additionally, consider packing these boxes with heavier items at the bottom and lighter ones at the top.

This will ensure that your fragile items are not crushed by other boxes during shipping. For valuable items such as jewelry or important documents, consider carrying them with you instead of shipping them.

Choose a Reliable Shipping Service

Research and select a trustworthy shipping service that offers insurance for your items during transit. Ensure they have positive reviews and a good reputation for handling items carefully. You can also opt for a door-to-door service that will pick up your belongings from your old home and deliver them to your new one.

Make sure to ask about their pricing, delivery timeframes, and any additional fees or requirements. Most importantly, make sure to read and understand their terms and conditions before finalizing the booking.

Prepare an Essentials Box

Set aside a box for essential items that you’ll need immediately upon arriving at your new place. This could include toiletries, a change of clothes, important documents, and basic kitchen items. Now, unlike the rest, you will want these types of items in a separate box that you will pack in the car with you.

This will save you from having to search through boxes for important items when you first arrive. In addition, pack a separate box with items you’ll need in the first few days after the move, such as bedding, towels, and kitchen essentials. Label this box as ‘Open First’.

Packing and shipping your belongings when moving to a new house can be a daunting task, but with proper planning and organization, it can be made more manageable. Start by sorting your items, gathering packing supplies, and then packing room by room.

Be sure to label each box and pack fragile items with extra care. Choose a reliable shipping service and prepare an essentials box for immediate use upon arrival. With these tips in mind, you can ensure your belongings safely reach their new destination with minimal stress and hassle.

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