Professional Packing for an International Move: What's Included and What You Can Do Yourself

Professional packing for an international move is more than boxes and tape — it's a system of materials, an inventory list, and labeling that protects your belongings in transit and determines whether the insurer accepts a claim if something gets damaged. This guide breaks down what's actually included in a packing service, what you can reasonably do yourself to save money, and what's better left to specialists — and how each choice affects the final cost and how safely your things arrive.

What professional packing actually includes

When a crew packs a home before an international move, the job isn't wrapping everything in film and calling it done. Packers assess each item on its own: is it fragile, heavy, valuable, does it need special bracing inside the truck. A sofa and a fridge need different materials and different securing techniques, and that choice is what determines whether an item arrives without scratches or a cracked corner.

Materials used on the job

A professional kit typically includes: double-wall cardboard boxes in several sizes, from book cartons to bulky ones for bedding and clothing; bubble wrap for glass, electronics and mirrors; plain packing paper without printed ink, so it doesn't transfer onto dishes or fabric; wardrobe boxes with a metal hanging bar, so clothes travel on hangers instead of folded into a suitcase; custom-built wooden crates for art, mirrors, antiques and oddly shaped pieces that don't fit standard boxes; and furniture blankets with corner protectors that shield edges of wardrobes, tables and appliance casings during loading and unloading.

An inventory list for customs and insurance

Every item is logged in an inventory list — a number, a short description, and, where it matters, a photo of its condition before loading. That list does two jobs at once: at the border it speeds up customs clearance, because an officer doesn't need to open every box to guess what's inside, and if something is damaged in transit, that same inventory is the basis for calculating compensation under a CMR consignment note. Without it, proving an item was even in the truck, let alone in what condition, is nearly impossible.

Labeling by room and fragility

Each box is marked with its destination room — kitchen, bedroom, office — and its fragility level, plus "this side up" where it matters. On unloading day, that labeling saves real time: movers know at a glance where each box goes, and fragile boxes don't end up at the bottom of a stack under something heavy.

What you can reasonably pack yourself

Full-service packing costs money, and it makes sense to save where the risk is low. You can usually pack clothing and shoes that aren't going in a wardrobe box, books, linens and towels, non-fragile kitchenware, toys and off-season items yourself. Keep documents, cash and jewelry in a separate bag that stays with you rather than in the truck, just in case.

How to pack it right

A few habits genuinely make unloading easier. Don't overload a single box: heavy items like books belong in small boxes you can actually lift. For lighter items, use medium boxes and don't stuff them so full the lid won't close. Tape the bottom in a criss-cross pattern, not a single strip — over a long transit that difference matters. Fill empty space with paper or clothing so items don't shift and knock against each other on the road. And label each box the moment you seal it, while you still remember what's inside — doing it later takes far longer.

What you probably shouldn't pack yourself

Some categories rarely make sense to self-pack. Electronics — laptops, TVs, audio equipment — are safer in their original boxes if you still have them, or with professional anti-static, shock-absorbing packing. Paintings, mirrors and artwork usually need a rigid frame or a custom wooden crate to hold their shape in transit. Wine collections are sensitive to temperature swings and vibration and are typically packed in cellular inserts built for that purpose. There's also an insurance angle worth understanding: carrier liability under the CMR convention covers the cargo, but when fragile or high-value items are self-packed, insurers can often — not always, terms vary by insurer — dispute a claim if the damage is tied to how the item was packed. For expensive or fragile belongings, professional packing isn't just about protection — it's often what keeps a claim eligible at all.

Professional vs. DIY packing: a quick comparison

Here's a short side-by-side to help decide where saving money makes sense and where it risks costing more than the repair.

A realistic packing timeline

To avoid a last-minute scramble, it helps to spread packing across the weeks before moving day.

• 4–6 weeks out: build your inventory, decide what's coming with you and what to sell or donate; if you need custom crates for antiques or artwork, order them now — they take time to build.
• 2–3 weeks out: pack off-season items, books, decor and anything you won't need before moving day.
• Final week: pack everyday clothing and the kitchen, keeping a minimal set of dishes out; put together an essentials bag — documents, chargers, medication, a change of clothes for the first days in your new home.

Special cases worth planning for

Art and antiques. These are almost always packed individually, often in a wooden crate built to the piece's exact size and shape. The right approach depends on material and condition, so it's worth discussing your collection directly and requesting a tailored quote.

Wine collections. Stable temperature and vibration protection matter most. A small collection usually fits in cellular inserts; larger collections are worth discussing separately to plan transit conditions properly.

Electronics. Original boxes are ideal if you kept them; otherwise rigid, cushioned packing works well. For servers, studio gear or other sensitive equipment, it's worth confirming transport conditions individually.

Vehicles. Moving a car or motorcycle is its own logistics task, with documentation and securing requirements that packing boxes don't touch. If your move includes a vehicle, request a separate quote for that part of the shipment.

If you're still in the early planning stage, our blog also covers how to organize an international move step by step and how move insurance and CMR coverage actually work — both are worth reading before the packing crew arrives.

Exact packing and moving costs depend on volume, route and how many items need individual protection, so there's no single flat rate that fits every move. Request a quote through the form on our site and you'll get a preliminary estimate in 15–30 minutes.