Packing Tips
General:
Everything on the baggage and shared container service needs to be boxed. Tips below regarding furniture, bikes etc. refer to container shipping.Make sure every box/piece is labeled with your last name. Be sure to tape all of the seams of the cartons (top, bottom and sides). So that cartons do not collapse or crush, be sure they are filled to the top, using packing materials to fill any unused spaces at the top. Do not use printed newspaper, the print rubs off!
Bikes:
Wrap the bike in an old blanket or sheet to protect the finish.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. Other items should be folded in large cartons or put in suitcases. Your clothes will get wrinkled; there is really no way to prevent this.Dishes and Glassware:
Every piece needs to be wrapped separately using paper or bubble wrap. Place crumpled paper at the top and bottom top of the carton for extra cushioning. Place plates on their edge in the carton, rather than flat. Mark the boxes "FRAGILE'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:
Drain fuel and oil very 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).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).Paint/Flammables/Guns/Narcotics:
NOT ALLOWED!Paintings:
Wrap the painting in paper and then in bubble wrap; bubble wrap might stick to the finish if applied directly to the painting. Place the paintings into picture cartons or "build' a box with sheets of cardboard. Be sure to stand the paintings upright (not flat).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:
Etc. 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 and garden equipment:
Drain hoses thoroughly and place them into a carton or plastic trash bin. Tools can be shipped in a sturdy upright carton with the top open; you might want to tie or tape the tools together.TV/Computer:
It is best to wrap the item in the original box/original packing. If you do not have the original materials then wrap the items in bubble wrap before placing them into boxes. If the items are too large for cartons, or have an odd shape you will want to wrap the items in several layers of blankets or bubble wrap. You might want to mark the "screen' side of the TVs and monitors as FRAGILE.Valuables:
We recommend that you carry jewelry, personal papers, passports, birth certificates, treasured pictures, photo negatives, tax returns, school, medical and dental records, and any other important personal items with you.Container Self Loading Tips
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 of the crate, 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. See our photo gallery to view pictures of container loading.
