Relocation USA Movers Guide Packing and Shipping Relocation. Moving Overseas Advice.

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Moving Overseas. Packing tips and advice before you move.

Please excuse some of the anglophile, this page was written by a Brit !
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Proper Packing is the most important thing that you the shipper can do to save time, money, and aggravation! Basically, use common sense when packing. Pack heavier things like books into smaller boxes, and pack lighter things in progressively larger boxes. Never make a box heavier than the lady of the house can handle, since she may be the one who ends up moving it around before or after the move.

Don't save all your packing for the last day. Begin packing items not needed well in advance. Packing gets more and more tiresome over a period of time, so it is good to jump start the packing endeavour as much as possible. Disassemble items that need to be taken apart and carefully save any hardware involved. Sometimes lost hardware is virtually impossible to replace, so be very careful where you save it.

Don't pack your chequebook, passport, visas or airline tickets ! If you are putting your goods in storage, don't pack important papers like passports, driver's licenses, birth certificates, etc.

Thoroughly wrap fragile items individually with paper, bubble wrap or foam wrap depending on the item (newspaper print residue must be hand washed off of all things it touches, dishwasher washing will not take it off). Special care must be taken with small items so as not to lose them in the packing materials. Taping over the wrapping is a good technique to highlight a small item as not being merely a bunched up piece of paper. Glassware and china should be wrapped so as not to clatter within the box. Use plenty of paper to line the top, bottom and side of each box. Plates should be individually wrapped and then stood on their side in the box- NEVER lay them flat; all the weight would be on the bottom plate, and if the box is set down too strongly the bottom plate could break. Glasses should also be individually wrapped and packed standing up; they're stronger when standing than if laid on their side.

All staples in boxes should be removed so as to safeguard surfaces such as wood floors, counter tops, and furniture where cartons may be stacked prior to pickup and after delivery. Do not interlock box flaps together - always tape bottoms and tops with at least three strips of tape and at least halfway up or down the sides of the box for strength. Remember that taping reinforces the strength of the box, and yet can be easily cut with a blade later when unpacking.

Mark the top and sides of all cartons on the tape with contents and destination location (such as bedroom, kitchen, or basement). This will make identifying where things are easy when they are stacked on top of each other. If the box is reused, then using fresh tape over marked taped easily eliminates old markings.

Oil pictures should be covered over with a nonacidic clear wrap and then bubble wrapped or wrapped in blankets, and then placed in a picture box or a flattened out box with the ends taped. Pictures in glass frames or mirrors should be wrapped in blankets and packed in picture cartons or flattened out cartons. Lamps and lamp shades should each be placed in separate boxes. If two lamp shades are put together a piece of plain paper should be put between them so that they can be easily pulled apart. Do not use newspaper with print or it will permanently mark the shades.

Electronic equipment should be padded and boxed so that knobs are not broken off and the finish is not scratched.

Stack all cartons neatly against a wall, and create clear, unobstructed paths to prevent the possibility of tripping. When possible disassemble beds, remove mirrors from dressers or walls. Our agents will do these things if needed, but if you do them you will save time. Remember that saving time says you money.

Do a walk through of each residence from which you are moving after the truck has been loaded with it's contents. Double check all cabinets, drawers, basement, garage, or storage lockers. Make sure you have all hardware to disassembled pieces. Look at all inside or outside places where things been left sitting (including windowsills). Get your ladders, hoses, and toolboxes. Be absolutely certain that everything has been loaded onto the truck before releasing the moving crew to the next location.

Hazards should be noted ahead of time. You should advise your mover of damaged or fragile furniture, weak or broken stairs, or impediments which may affect the move.

Parking near your residence should be easily accessible for your mover. Do whatever you can to reserve parking for your mover; . Remember the moving van cannot block the street. Also, if the movers have to walk half a block with your furniture the move will take longer and cost you more.

Confirm your moving date and time with us at least 5 days in advance.

If you are not on the ground floor or may have access problems, please advise us well in advance. Advise us of potential problems, and special needs such as clothing wardrobes, extra cartons, last minute packing, etc.

Our Partners can provide packing services and materials for your move at a competitive cost. Preparation and organization are the determining factors in having an efficient move. Pre-move planning will go a long way in making your move trouble-free.