Shipping from the United States

Prepare furniture and personal belongings for an overseas move or delivery from a U.S. seller. Compare packing, shared freight and the handoff at your destination.

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On this page

• Build an inventory before asking for a quote
• Prepare rooms and access at both addresses
• Choose protection for each piece
• Compare parcel, shared freight and dedicated space
• Measure packed items and check the total price
• Prepare customs paperwork and identify excluded items
• Plan pickup, transit and delivery day
• Worked example for a sofa, table and cartons
• Frequently asked questions

Build an inventory before asking for a quote

Start with one line for every piece going overseas. Identify sofas, tables, chairs, bed frames, rugs and cartons of household goods by name, quantity and condition. Write down whether they are used personal belongings or a new purchase. Mark fragile components such as glass tops, mirrors, stone surfaces and removable legs. If the shipment includes an unusually valuable piece, separate it on the list so the operator can ask about handling and insurance before collection.

Use the pickup ZIP code and destination city, postal code and country for the first estimate. Give the actual addresses and contact arrangements before booking. Tell us if the cargo starts at a furniture store, private home, storage facility or several locations. Ask the seller when the order is released and whether pickup needs an appointment. For a private move, identify the person who will be present and authorized to approve the handoff.

Separate pieces still in retail packaging from items that need protective packing. Share photographs and measure awkward pieces, including curved backs, handles and arms. A store’s product dimensions describe the furniture itself, whereas the carrier needs the space the packed unit takes up. If the packing has not been built yet, mark dimensions as estimates. Ask who will provide the final figures and when they will be available.

Prepare rooms and access at both addresses

Walk the route from each room to the vehicle before collection day. Measure narrow doors, turning landings and lift openings. Note stairs, low ceilings, shared hallways and any distance from the doorway to a place where a truck can stop. Give the operator details about restricted access, booking windows and whether building management requires notice. If a couch cannot turn through the stairwell, changing the transport vehicle will not solve the indoor access problem.

Describe the destination with the same care. Ask who unloads, whether service ends at a terminal, at the curb or inside the building, and whether the quote includes carrying furniture upstairs. Ask about assembly, removal of packaging and placement if you need those services. Confirm that the receiver can accept the proposed time and arrange any building permissions or elevator reservations.

If the addresses cannot be served by the same size of vehicle, ask how the transfer works. The shipment might need a smaller truck for one end or an agreed collection point. Get the scope and the cost before booking. Include instructions for parking, entry and a backup contact. If access changes later, tell the operator before the driver is dispatched to avoid a failed visit or a last-minute change of equipment.

Choose protection for each piece

Ask the packer how furniture will be protected from abrasion, impacts and movement during the journey. Protect corners, feet, arms and any finished surface that can rub against another piece. Keep cushions and upholstery clean and dry. If the manufacturer provides preparation instructions, follow them and ask the packer which materials are suitable for the finish. A layer suitable for a short local move may need reinforcement for warehouse and ocean handling.

If a piece can be dismantled safely, agree who will take it apart and who will reassemble it. Photograph joins before disassembly. Label hardware so it can be matched to the right item and secure small pieces in a clearly identified package. Tell the receiver where to find them. Some furniture loses stability when it is taken apart repeatedly. For valuable or fragile pieces, ask a qualified packer whether a crate or other support is appropriate.

For mirrors, glass and stone, give the packer measurements, thickness and any manufacturer transport guidance. Do not assume a large flat piece can travel underneath a stack. Ask how the package is supported and whether it can be stored or moved only in a particular orientation. If the goods travel in solid wood crates or on regulated wood packaging, check whether the destination requires ISPM 15 treatment and marks before approving the packing order.

Compare parcel, shared freight and dedicated space

Small household goods may fit in individual cartons if their size, weight and contents are accepted. This can be useful when the main shipment is large but a few items are needed sooner. Ask how each carton will be tracked and whether all pieces have to travel together. Keep any items you need immediately after arrival in a separate plan so you are not relying on a vessel schedule for essentials.

Shared ocean freight may suit a shipment that uses only part of a container. The cargo can pass through origin and destination warehouses where staff handle individual packages. Ask how the freight is rated and what happens if it cannot be stacked. A sofa that takes up floor space may leave little usable space above it if the packaging cannot bear a load. Compare the actual handling and delivery terms as well as the ocean price.

A dedicated container may be worth quoting when several rooms are being moved, when the packed items need a particular layout or when the shared rate is close to the dedicated price. Ask where loading and unloading take place and how long the equipment may remain at each address. Compare written quotes for the same destination and services. One offer may end at a receiving warehouse while another includes delivery to a named address.

Measure packed items and check the total price

Record length, width and height at the widest outer points after packing. Include pallet bases, protective framing and any protruding part. Keep each piece on a separate line. For example, a sofa crate measuring 2.10 × 0.90 × 0.85 metres occupies about 1.61 cubic metres. A boxed table measuring 1.40 × 0.80 × 0.20 metres adds about 0.22 cubic metres. Together they occupy about 1.83 cubic metres before any carrier adjustments or minimums.

Give gross weight, including the packaging. Ask the store or packer to confirm whether the values were measured or estimated. If a piece is carried in a certain orientation, share both that requirement and a photo. For a tall or heavy crate, ask about door clearance and lifting equipment. If the quote changes after warehouse measurement, ask which piece changed and how the carrier applied its rates or handling charges.

Check what the total includes: preparation, packing, U.S. collection, warehouse handling, ocean or parcel transport, destination fees, brokerage, local delivery and unloading. Ask whether service includes bringing goods inside or arranging delivery by appointment. Confirm who pays taxes, duties or inspection costs where applicable. Keep a separate allowance for services you will arrange independently, such as assembly, stair carrying or short-term storage.

Prepare customs paperwork and identify excluded items

Make an inventory that is specific enough for a broker and receiver to understand. Instead of writing “household goods” on every line, list the main pieces and describe the contents of each box. For store purchases, retain invoices and note currency and item values. For used belongings, ask the broker how to document value and the reason for shipment. Use consistent names, quantities and destination details throughout the paperwork.

Ask the destination broker whether the consignment qualifies under any personal effects or relocation procedure. Requirements can depend on the country, the owner’s circumstances and the goods. Confirm whether identification, residence documents or evidence of prior ownership is needed. The existence of a household goods procedure does not establish that your shipment qualifies. Check the facts and the documents before authorizing pickup.

Take particular care with goods packed inside cabinets, drawers and cartons. Tell the operator about cleaning products, aerosols, batteries, food, plants and other items that may need review. Give the actual item and packaging rather than describing it as household supplies. Ask before including anything regulated, fragile or valuable. If something is removed after paperwork has been prepared, update the inventory and package count.

Plan pickup, transit and delivery day

Before collection, give the pickup contact the piece list and ask them to check it against the items being handed over. Keep photographs of existing marks and the condition of the packed pieces. Make sure identifiers can be read when packages are grouped. Retain the pickup receipt and report anything the driver could not collect. If there are several addresses, confirm how the warehouse will record and match the incoming pieces.

Ask for the shipment reference and which carrier or warehouse updates to expect. A household move can have a local pickup receipt, an ocean reference and a destination delivery appointment. A port arrival is only one milestone. Confirm when goods will be available, what documents are needed for release and who will receive the next update. If plans change, keep the receiver and operator informed so the delivery address and appointment remain workable.

At delivery, compare labels and counts with the inventory. Check visible damage and note discrepancies on the receipt when possible. Photograph any broken packaging before moving the items. Keep packing, invoices and photos if there is an issue. Ask the operator who should receive formal notice, how to document the issue and what deadline applies to the booking or insurance policy. Review available cargo insurance and its exclusions before pickup.

Worked example for a sofa, table and cartons

Suppose a customer is sending a sofa, a dining table and eight cartons from a U.S. apartment to an overseas address. The sofa comes apart into two sections, while the table has a removable glass top. The customer gives the packer photos and asks for separately marked packages for the tabletop, base and hardware. The building has a service lift that must be booked, and the receiver needs delivery to the second floor.

The customer requests a shared freight quote and asks whether each piece can be stacked. They also ask for a dedicated quote using the same pickup and destination scope. Both providers are asked to list the cost of packing, access at origin, destination handling and carrying the items inside. The customer compares the total rather than comparing a shared ocean rate with a dedicated price that includes delivery.

Before pickup, the customer checks that each carton is numbered and sends the recipient a copy of the inventory. The recipient knows that hardware is in a labeled carton and that the glass top is packed separately. At delivery they can account for the full shipment before unwrapping everything. If a crate is missing, they can identify it by its mark and give the operator a specific item to trace.

Frequently asked questions

Can I ship furniture I bought online?

Yes, you can request a quote. Ask the seller whether it can release the order to a third-party driver and whether the retail packaging is suitable for the proposed route. Confirm how the seller handles missing pieces, damage and returns before arranging international pickup. Share the order dimensions as estimates if the final transport packing has not been measured.

Do I have to empty drawers and cupboards?

Ask the packer and carrier about the furniture and its contents. Loose items can shift, add weight and make the inventory inaccurate. Remove contents unless the packing plan allows them and they are included on the inventory. Give the receiver a clear list of where small components and hardware are packed.

Will the delivery crew assemble my furniture?

Ask for this service before booking. A standard delivery may stop at a warehouse, curb or doorway. Get the exact handoff, placement and assembly scope in writing. Ask if the crew will remove packaging and whether that is priced separately. Confirm who is responsible for the property if the furniture cannot pass through an entrance.

What do I send for an estimate?

Send the pickup ZIP code, destination postal code, list of furniture and cartons, packed dimensions and weights, and the ready date. Include photos and any access limitations. Say whether you need packing, indoor pickup, delivery into the home or help with unloading so the quote covers the work you expect.

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