Professional Packing for an International Move
When your belongings are travelling thousands of kilometres, how they’re packed matters.
At Overseas Packers & Shippers, our experienced international removalists professionally pack and prepare your belongings for the journey ahead. From everyday household items and furniture to artwork, antiques and fragile pieces, we use different packing methods depending on the item and the protection it requires.
With 50 years of international moving experience, our team understands the additional handling involved in an overseas move and how to prepare your belongings for transportation by sea or air.
Whether you’re moving an entire household or sending just a few items, we’ll make sure everything is appropriately packed for international transit.
How We Pack Your Household Belongings
On packing day, our team leader will complete a final walk-through with you to confirm what’s being shipped and identify any items requiring special attention.
Our crew then works through your home, professionally packing and wrapping your belongings.
Furniture
Furniture is carefully prepared and wrapped to help protect it from scratches, knocks and movement during handling and transportation.
Depending on the item, furniture may be dismantled where appropriate to make it safer and more practical to transport. Components and fittings are carefully managed so they can be reassembled at your destination where this service is included.
Cartons & Everyday Household Items
Items such as clothing, linen, books, kitchenware, ornaments and personal belongings are professionally packed into appropriate moving cartons.
Different carton sizes and packing materials are used depending on the contents, with fragile items individually protected where required.
Each carton is labelled and recorded as part of your shipment inventory, helping identify your belongings throughout the international moving process.
China, Glassware & Fragile Items
China, glassware, ornaments and other breakable items require additional care.
Our trained packers individually wrap fragile pieces using appropriate packing materials before carefully positioning them within cartons to reduce movement and provide protection during transportation.
Artwork, Mirrors & Special Items
Some belongings need more than standard wrapping.
Large artwork, mirrors, sculptures, antiques and particularly fragile or valuable pieces can require additional protection or custom-made packing.
Depending on the item, we can arrange specialised wrapping, reinforced packaging or purpose-built cases/crates to prepare it for international transportation.
If you have something unusual or particularly important to you, let us know during your quote or pre-move survey so we can determine the most appropriate way to pack it.
Packing Cars & Vehicles Into Shipping Containers
If you’re taking a vehicle with you, it may be possible to load your car in the same shipping container as your household belongings.
Where a vehicle and household effects are travelling together, the household shipment is packed and loaded first. A protective bulkhead is then constructed between the household belongings and the vehicle, helping keep the two sections separated and protecting the vehicle from the household load.
The vehicle is then carefully positioned inside the container and secured to minimise movement during transit.
We use 1500 kg-rated ratchet straps at each wheel, secured to the container, to restrain the vehicle during transportation.
Learn more about shipping cars, motorbikes and leisure vehicles overseas.
Motorbikes
Motorbikes require a different approach.
Depending on the shipment, motorbikes can be secured in a purpose-built crate to provide additional protection and stability during international transportation.
If you’re moving household belongings as well as a motorbike, our Moving Consultants can look at the complete shipment and determine the most practical way to transport everything together.
Professional Export Packing
Packing for an overseas move is different from packing for a move around the corner.
Your belongings may be handled several times and travel by truck, container vessel or aircraft before reaching your new home. That’s why our packing methods are designed specifically for the demands of international transportation.
Our crews are trained in export packing techniques and use professional materials appropriate to the items being moved.
As a FIDI FAIM accredited international mover, Overseas Packers & Shippers is required to maintain recognised standards across our international moving operations.
What Happens on Packing Day?
We’ll agree on your packing date with you before the move.
When our crew arrives, the team leader will complete a final walk-through with you to confirm what’s being packed. Depending on the size of your move, several crew members may then work in different areas of your home to complete the packing efficiently.
We ask that at least one adult remains available at the property while we’re packing in case our team has any questions or needs you to make a decision about an item.
Packing day can be busy and there will be people moving throughout the home, so where possible, we recommend arranging for young children and pets to be elsewhere while the packing is taking place.
Once everything has been packed, your shipment is inventoried and prepared for the next stage of its journey.
Let Us Take Care of the Packing
Packing an entire home for an international move can feel like one of the biggest parts of relocating overseas. It doesn’t have to be something you do yourself.
Our experienced team can take care of preparing your belongings for their journey, from the everyday items in your cupboards through to furniture, fragile pieces and vehicles.
Request an obligation-free in-home or virtual survey and let us show you how we’ll prepare your belongings for their move overseas.
International Packing FAQs
Do you pack everything for me?
Yes. We can provide a complete professional packing service, including furniture, household belongings, kitchenware, clothing, books, artwork and fragile items.
We’ll identify anything requiring specialised packing during your quote or pre-move survey.
Do you dismantle furniture?
Where appropriate, certain furniture can be dismantled to make it safer and more practical to transport. Our team will assess individual items and determine what preparation is required.
Can you pack fragile or valuable items?
Yes. Our team regularly packs fragile belongings including china, glassware, artwork, mirrors, antiques and ornaments.
Items requiring additional protection can be specially packed or crated where appropriate.
Can I pack some boxes myself and have you pack the rest?
Yes. You can choose to pack some belongings yourself and have our team professionally pack the remaining items.
Please speak with us beforehand, as different customs and insurance conditions may apply to owner-packed goods.
Do you supply packing materials?
Yes. We can supply professional moving cartons and packing materials if you’re packing some of your own belongings.
Will you unpack my belongings at the destination?
Unpacking services can be included as part of your international move. The services provided at destination will depend on your moving arrangements, and we’ll explain what’s included in your quote.
How do I know if something needs special packing?
You don’t need to work that out yourself. Show us anything you’re concerned about during your in-home or virtual pre-move survey, and we’ll assess the item and determine the appropriate packing method.