Shipping from the United States

Arrange international shipping for appliances from a U.S. retailer, warehouse or home. Check model compatibility, transport preparation and unloading before booking.

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On this page

• Identify each appliance and check the destination
• Follow the manufacturer’s preparation instructions
• Protect large and fragile appliances
• Disclose batteries, refrigerants and other special contents
• Measure the packed unit and choose a transport option
• Plan pickup, delivery access and installation separately
• Prepare documents and check the delivery record
• Worked example for a washer and an oven
• Frequently asked questions

Identify each appliance and check the destination

Start with the manufacturer, model number, type and quantity of every appliance. Say whether the goods are new, used or refurbished and whether they are still in the original packaging. List accessories, hoses and installation kits separately if they travel in another carton. Give the seller’s location or pickup ZIP code, destination city and postal code, and the date the units are ready. Photos of the rating label and packaged condition can help the operator confirm what is being collected.

Before buying an appliance for overseas use, ask the manufacturer or a qualified installer whether the exact model is suitable for the destination. Check voltage, frequency, plug or wiring type, water connections and gas specifications as applicable. An adapter cannot resolve every difference. Ask about installation, ventilation, parts availability and whether the warranty covers use outside the original market. Keep those questions separate from the carrier’s ability to transport the goods.

Ask the importer or broker about destination rules for the product, particularly for used units or commercial quantities. Check whether the importer needs product documentation, conformity records or other evidence before the shipment moves. If a model cannot be installed or cleared at the destination, receiving it successfully would still leave a practical problem. Obtain the answer for the actual model before booking.

Follow the manufacturer’s preparation instructions

Ask the seller for the transport instructions for the specific appliance. For a washer, check whether the manufacturer requires transit restraints and whether the seller still has the correct parts. For a refrigerator or freezer, ask about transport orientation and preparation. For a dishwasher or appliance that has held water, ask the seller or installer how to prepare it for movement. Have a qualified person handle disconnection where required.

Photograph the unit before it is covered, including the corners, door, controls and serial label. Record existing dents or scratches on used goods. Keep manuals, fittings and cords organized, and ask the packer how they should be secured or boxed. Make sure detachable parts cannot move against a finished surface. Give the receiver a list of accessories so they can check what should arrive with each unit.

Ask the seller what the factory packaging was designed to withstand. A sealed retail carton may be suitable for one type of delivery and need reinforcement for another. A loose appliance with no factory base may need custom packing. Confirm who will pack it, who pays and when final measurements will be available. If packaging is added after the first estimate, give the operator the new dimensions before pickup.

Protect large and fragile appliances

Choose a support and outer protection suitable for the appliance’s weight and shape. Protect controls, corners, glass panels, hinges and finished surfaces. Ask the packer to confirm the orientation and whether the unit can support anything above it. A tall refrigerator and a heavy low oven can occupy similar volumes but need different handling. Record any part that protrudes beyond the base, including handles or attached brackets.

For palletized units, include the pallet in the measurements and confirm forklift access. Ask how the appliance will be held securely without loading fragile doors or panels. If a crate or pallet uses regulated solid wood, check the destination’s packaging requirements before the packer builds it. Retain photographs of the finished package and any relevant marks. Put the piece identifier somewhere visible after wrapping.

If appliances are going to more than one recipient, label each package with the correct booking and piece reference. Keep similar models identifiable by serial number or an agreed inventory mark. Ask whether accessories should be packed with the unit or separately. If a crate contains more than one appliance, list its full contents and make sure the packer and operator agree on the finished gross weight.

Disclose batteries, refrigerants and other special contents

Tell the operator if a model contains a battery, a refrigerant system or other components that could affect carrier acceptance. Provide the exact model and manufacturer information requested. If an appliance was damaged, repaired or returned, describe its current condition. If there are signs of leakage or an unknown component, pause before arranging collection and obtain instructions from the manufacturer or a qualified specialist.

Where an appliance contains a lithium battery, say whether it is installed or supplied separately and whether it is damaged or subject to a recall. Ask the operator to check the requirements with the carrier for the chosen route. The mode of transport and the battery configuration can affect what is accepted. Share the relevant documentation rather than assuming that factory packaging establishes acceptance.

For refrigeration equipment, provide the model and any information on the rating plate that the carrier asks for. Ask the carrier to confirm transport acceptance and preparation for that unit. Do not attempt to alter a refrigerant system to make the shipment fit a service. If special work is needed, use a qualified professional and confirm the documentation and handoff arrangements with the operator first.

Measure the packed unit and choose a transport option

Record the longest outside dimensions after packing, including the base, corner guards and anything that sticks out. Give the gross weight of each handling unit and the units used. For example, a packed appliance on a base measuring 0.85 × 0.80 × 1.95 metres occupies 1.326 cubic metres before any service adjustments. If the packing makes it taller than the door opening or prevents stacking, tell the operator before comparing prices.

For a small appliance that fits parcel limits, ask about packaging, contents and destination acceptance. For larger appliances, ask whether shared ocean freight is available and how handling, non-stackability and destination warehouse charges are calculated. If several units need to travel together or require a particular loading plan, ask for a dedicated container comparison. For a time-sensitive replacement, check which faster services accept the packed size and weight.

Compare quotes that end at the same place. A delivery to a port or warehouse is different from delivery to a named home or shop. Check who collects, who clears the cargo, who unloads and who moves the appliance inside. Ask for an itemized quote covering origin handling, international freight, destination charges and any equipment or appointment fees. Compare how estimated delivery times are measured and which stages are outside the quoted transit window.

Plan pickup, delivery access and installation separately

Give the operator the exact pickup location and confirm whether the seller has a dock or forklift. At a retail store, check who can authorize release to a driver and whether collection needs an order number or appointment. At a home, check stairs, door width and where a truck can stop. Tell the operator if the unit is still installed or needs to be moved out of a room before the driver arrives.

At destination, measure the available entrance and check corners, stairs and lifts. A packaged appliance may not fit through the same opening as the bare unit. Ask what the delivery scope includes. Confirm whether service stops at a terminal, at the curb, at the door or in the installation room. If the crew must unpack or carry it inside, request that service before booking and confirm which party removes packaging.

Arrange installation with a qualified local person where needed. Give them the manufacturer’s requirements and check that the site is ready before the shipment arrives. Ask about any waiting period or orientation instructions before switching the unit on after transport. If the delivery crew and installer are separate, agree who takes custody between those appointments and where the appliance can be held safely.

Prepare documents and check the delivery record

Ask the supplier for an invoice and prepare a packing list showing model numbers, quantities, package identifiers, gross weights and values. Give the broker an accurate description, including whether the unit is new or used. If the unit is a warranty replacement or return, explain why it is being shipped and keep the supplier’s authorization. Ask which supporting documents and destination approvals apply before collection.

Keep photos, the pickup receipt and the shipment reference together. Confirm how the operator will identify individual pieces after a warehouse or carrier transfer. Give the consignee the expected piece count and any release instructions before arrival. Ask who pays duties, taxes or handling charges where applicable. If the arrival notice gives a warehouse collection deadline, make sure the receiver has equipment and an appointment before storage charges can begin.

At delivery, match package identifiers, count the units and inspect visible condition. Note any crushed packaging or obvious damage on the delivery record when possible. Keep photos of both the package and the appliance. If there is an issue, retain the packing and paperwork and ask the operator which party needs notice and what deadline applies. If you want insurance, ask about available terms and exclusions before pickup.

Worked example for a washer and an oven

A customer buys a washer and an oven from two U.S. retailers and wants both delivered to the same address overseas. Before arranging collection, they check model compatibility with a local installer. One seller can release a factory-boxed oven at a warehouse, while the other needs time to prepare the washer for transport. The customer asks for separate packed measurements and gross weights and gives the operator both ready dates.

The customer requests an estimate for consolidation and asks how waiting for the washer affects origin storage. They also ask for an option in which the oven moves separately. The destination address has no loading dock, so they confirm whether the delivery vehicle can unload both pieces and whether indoor placement is included. The final comparison includes pickup from both retailers, destination handling and the equipment needed at delivery.

Before collection, the customer records model and serial details and checks that accessories are assigned to the right package. At arrival, the receiver checks both pieces before the installer is scheduled. If the oven arrives before the washer, the package marks and tracking references show which unit is still outstanding. If a crate is damaged, the receiver can report the affected piece with its condition photos and invoice.

Frequently asked questions

Can I ship an appliance in its original box?

Ask the seller whether the original supports and packaging are complete and suitable for the proposed service. Send photos and the gross weight and dimensions. The operator can check whether additional protection or palletization is needed. Keep the manufacturer’s preparation instructions with the booking records.

Can I send a used refrigerator or freezer?

Provide the model, condition, packed size and manufacturer information requested by the carrier. Ask the broker to confirm destination requirements for used equipment. Get the carrier’s acceptance and preparation instructions before arranging pickup, especially if the unit has been damaged or repaired.

Does delivery include installation?

Check the quote for the exact delivery point and any indoor placement or unpacking. Arrange installation with a qualified local provider if needed. Confirm who handles connections and testing, what access is required and whether the installer can work with the appliance’s specifications.

What details should I send for a quote?

Send the model and type, pickup ZIP code, destination city and postal code, packed dimensions and gross weight for each unit, and the ready date. Note whether the goods are used, whether loading equipment is available and whether the receiver needs indoor delivery. Include photos and disclose anything that could require special handling.

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