Packing for a move to China

Why packing dry matters more on this route than on almost any other, how packing density turns directly into money on a per-cubic-metre rate, and what to do before the crew arrives.

Two things that make China different

A domestic move takes a day and travels in a dry van. A move to China spends four to six weeks in a sealed steel box crossing multiple climate zones, then sits in a port, then travels again. Everything about how it is packed has to account for that.

Everything must be bone dry

Warm moist air meeting cool surfaces inside a container produces condensation — movers call it container rain, and on a route ending in Shanghai or Guangzhou in summer it is a real risk rather than a theoretical one. Asian Express publishes guidance on mould and mildew prevention for exactly this reason.

• Do the laundry a week early. Anything even slightly damp when it is packed will be worse by the time it reaches China. This includes the wash that came off the line that morning.
• Wipe down and dry appliances thoroughly. Washing machines, dishwashers and kettles retain water. Drain and dry them days ahead, not on the morning.
• Empty and dry the fridge and freezer well in advance. Defrost properly and leave the doors open to air.
• Watch the bathroom. Towels, bath mats and shower curtains are the classic culprits.
• Leather and upholstery need particular care. They hold moisture and they show mildew.
• Garden equipment is worse than you think. Soil and moisture on tools is both a mildew problem and a biosecurity one — clean it or leave it.

On our side, containers on this route carry moisture-absorbing materials as standard, and vulnerable items are wrapped accordingly. It is a fair question to ask any mover quoting you — see furniture shipping for how we protect specific categories.

Density is money

You are charged for the space your shipment occupies, not what it weighs. That means every wasted cubic centimetre is money, and it means the arithmetic works in your favour if you pack thoughtfully.

• Fill every carton completely. A three-quarters-full box is charged as a full one — and it also crushes when boxes are stacked, which is the other reason crews fill them.
• Use the inside of things. Drawers, suitcases, laundry baskets and the washing machine drum are all volume you are paying for regardless.
• Standard cartons stack; odd shapes do not. Uniform boxes waste far less container space than an assortment.
• Soft goods fill the gaps. Bedding and clothing pad fragile items and use space that would otherwise be air.
• Dismantle what comes apart. A dismantled bed is a fraction of the volume of an assembled one, and it travels better.
• Be ruthless about bulk with low value. Garden furniture, cheap wardrobes and the exercise bike nobody uses are the expensive things to ship.

Run your list through the volume calculator before and after a cull. Seeing the cubic metres drop is a more persuasive argument than any advice we could give you.

What to do before the crew arrives

1. Separate what is not shipping

   One room, clearly marked, containing everything travelling with you — passports, permits, prescriptions, laptop, valuables, and the children's essentials. Tell the crew leader on arrival. Better still, put it in the car.

2. Deal with anything restricted

   Go through the prohibited and restricted list. The drone, the medication, the wine, the food cupboard, the antique with ivory inlay. Sort these out now, not while a packer holds one up.

3. Get everything dry

   Laundry, appliances, bathroom textiles, garden tools. A week ahead, not the night before.

4. Do the honest cull

   Everything you keep costs money three times: to pack, to ship and to deliver. This is the last point at which that is free to change.

5. Note what needs special handling

   Artwork, mirrors, marble, musical instruments, anything with sentimental value. Flag it so it is crated rather than wrapped.

6. Photograph valuable items

   For insurance, and for your own peace of mind.

Owner-packed cartons

For excess baggage shipments, packing your own boxes is normal and fine. For a household move we advise against it, for two specific reasons rather than because we want the packing fee.

• Insurance. Marine transit cover on owner-packed cartons is limited, because nobody can establish whether damage occurred in transit or at packing. Professionally packed cartons do not have that problem.
• Customs. Owner-packed boxes with vague inventory descriptions are the ones inspection tends to open. An itemised professional inventory makes a Chinese customs inspection quick.

Questions people ask before booking