International shipments require more robust packing than a local move. Your belongings will travel thousands of miles by truck, be loaded and unloaded at a port, spend weeks at sea, and be delivered by a different crew. Every extra layer of protection matters.
FIDI-certified movers follow specific international packing standards that go beyond what's required for a domestic move. These may include double-boxing fragile items, using cell dividers for glasses and ceramics, extra padding for electronics and screens, and custom crating for high-value pieces. When evaluating movers, ask: "What international packing standards do you follow?" A good mover will give you a specific answer.
Professional movers pack faster, safer, and with materials designed for the job. Items worth letting professionals pack: all fragile items, electronics, kitchen contents, art and mirrors. Items safe to pack yourself to save cost: clothing, linens, books, and other non-fragile personal items.
Regardless of how well packed, do not ship hazardous materials (paints, solvents, compressed gases, flammable liquids), perishable food, live plants, firearms without proper documentation, or prescription medications you may need quickly. Keep essential documents — passports, birth certificates, financial records, medications — with you on the plane. These items should never be in your shipped container.
Most movers exclude Packed By Owner (PBO) boxes from their liability coverage. If you pack a box yourself and it arrives damaged, the mover's position is that they can't be held responsible for how it was packed. For anything fragile or valuable, let your mover's crew do the packing, or purchase a third-party all-risk marine policy that covers PBO items.
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