Some items require specialist expertise, custom preparation, or additional documentation that goes beyond standard household goods handling. Tell your mover about these items before they come to pack — surprises on pack day cause delays and cost money.
Pianos — especially grand pianos — require disassembly (lid, legs, pedal lyre removed), specialized piano boards and straps, and crews trained specifically in piano handling. Grand pianos require 4–6 people. For international shipment, pianos are typically placed in custom wood crates. Budget $500–$2,500+ depending on piano size and distance. Always confirm your mover's crew has piano-handling experience — it's a specialist skill that not all crews have.
Heavy safes require specialist equipment: appliance dollies, stair rollers, and proper rigging. A 600-lb gun safe on a second floor is a significant operation. Be specific about the safe's weight and its location in your home when getting quotes. Most qualified movers can handle safes, but they need to know in advance to bring appropriate equipment and crew.
Pool tables must be fully disassembled: the slate top removed (slate alone can weigh 450–800 lbs), felt assessed, and all hardware labeled. Reassembly at destination requires re-leveling the slate to within 1/1000th of an inch, which usually requires professional re-felting. Expect additional charges for disassembly, crating, and professional reassembly internationally.
Original artwork and valuable paintings should be packed in custom-fit mirror boxes or custom wood crates. Professional art handlers use acid-free tissue paper, Glassine paper, and custom foam cutouts. For significant pieces (valued over $2,000–$3,000), obtain a professional appraisal before moving and document every piece photographically. This is essential both for insurance and for customs valuation at destination.
Antiques and ceramics require additional packing layers, cell dividers within boxes, and clear fragile labeling. Very high-value or irreplaceable pieces should be custom wood crated rather than box-packed. Discuss your fragile inventory with your mover during the in-home survey — a good mover will assess each piece and recommend standard packing vs. custom crating based on value and fragility.
For items that are particularly valuable, fragile, or unusually shaped, custom wood crates are built around the item at your home. The item is cushioned inside with custom foam cutouts. Crating adds cost ($150–$600+ per item depending on size) but provides maximum protection through international transit. Commonly crated items: marble tabletops, large flat-screen TVs, antique mirrors, sculpture, and original artwork.
Motorcycles must be properly prepared for international shipment: fuel drained to a minimum (typically under ¼ tank or fully drained depending on carrier), battery disconnected, tires aired down slightly, and the bike secured upright in a custom crate or on a reinforced pallet. Older bikes with carburetors may need additional fuel system preparation. At destination, import requirements vary significantly by country — title, registration, bill of sale, and sometimes an emissions certificate are typically required. Some countries levy significant import duties on motorcycles. Confirm destination requirements before shipping.
Disclose everything during your in-home survey — before you've signed anything. A reputable mover will provide accurate costs upfront. A mover who didn't know about your grand piano and discovers it on pack day has every reason to charge you a surprise premium, and you have little recourse at that point.
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