| Generally most international
destinations will require that your goods be professionally packed
and inventoried, many do not allow “packed by owner”
items on an inventory. However if you are moving to Europe and you
feel that you want to undertake some or all of the packing yourselves
– we have compiled a list of packing tips which we hope will
be of assistance.
Don't pack your chequebook, passport, visas or airline tickets or
any other relevant documents and keys! If you are putting
your goods in storage, don't pack important papers like passports,
driver's licenses, birth certificates, etc?
Correct Packing is the most fundamental 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 one person can handle. If you work
on the basis that if you cannot lift it then neither will the crew.
Don't save all your packing for the last day. Begin
packing items not needed well in advance and move them to a room
to be stored ready for move day. Disassemble items that need to
be taken apart and carefully save any nuts, bolts or screws involved.
Sometimes lost hardware is virtually impossible to replace, so be
very careful where you save it.
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 loose them in the packing materials. Glassware
and china should be wrapped so as not to clatter within the box.
Use plenty of scrunched up 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 layed on their side.
Wardrobes and chests of drawers normally have handles
that can be removed. Instead of removing them completely try to
reverse them so they are on the inside of doors or drawers thus
preventing them getting knocked off in transit.
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 with contents
and destination location (such as bedroom, kitchen, or dining room).
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 non
acidic 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 lampshades
should each be placed in separate boxes. If two lampshades 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. European Van Lines will do these things if needed, but if
you do them you will save time. Remember that saving time saves
you money.
Do a walk through of each residence from which
you are moving after the truck has been loaded with its 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.
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