Why Furniture Packing for International Moves Is Different
Furniture packed for a local move faces hours of transit. Furniture crossing the Tasman faces 3–6 weeks in a shipping container — exposed to ship motion, temperature variation, and humidity changes. What protects a sofa for 30 minutes won't protect it for 30 days at sea.
What Professional International Packing Includes
Easy As uses purpose-made packing materials designed for international transit:
- Custom timber crates for high-value or fragile items (mirrors, artwork, antiques)
- Furniture blankets for padding upholstered pieces and reducing vibration
- Stretch wrap to protect surfaces and keep drawers and doors secure
- Corner protectors for solid timber pieces
- Moisture-absorbing desiccants placed inside containers to manage humidity
Key Dos and Don'ts
Do:
- Disassemble furniture where possible — reduces volume and protects joints
- Remove drawers, store them separately or with packing inside
- Clean all wooden items thoroughly for biosecurity compliance
- Photograph high-value items before packing for insurance records
- Keep all manufacturer-original packaging if available for electronics
Don't:
- Use newspaper to wrap items — ink can transfer and damage surfaces
- Leave soil or organic material on any item (especially outdoor furniture)
- Over-fill boxes — weight should not exceed 20kg per carton
- Mix food with household goods in the same box
- Ship items not fully cleaned of Australian biosecurity risk material
Mould Prevention in Containers
Humid conditions inside shipping containers can cause mould on fabrics, natural fibres, and timber. Mitigation strategies include: ensuring all items are completely dry before loading, using desiccant packs in the container, and avoiding packing fabric items in airtight plastic bags (moisture gets trapped).