Packing Tips for Overseas Moving
Enveo National & Worldwide Movers Inc. uses export-grade packing on every international move. This guide explains our packing standards and what you can do to prepare.
Export-Grade Packing for Every Room- What Enveo Uses
International shipments face unique risks: container movement, humidity, port handling, and multi-leg transit. Our packing crews use materials and techniques designed for ocean and cross-border freight — not just local moves.
Key Points
- Double-walled export cartons rated for ocean transit stacking loads
- Furniture blankets, stretch wrap, and corner protectors on all large items
- Custom wooden crating for antiques, mirrors, artwork, and fragile pieces
- Bubble wrap and foam peanuts for electronics and breakables
- Mattress bags, wardrobe boxes, and dish packs for specialist categories
- ISPM 15 heat-treated timber for all wooden packaging — US border compliant
- Desiccant moisture absorbers for ocean freight containers
- Room-by-room inventory with photo documentation for insurance purposes
Export packing materials photo
What Our Crew Does on Packing Day
From the first box to the last piece loaded onto the truck — every step handled by our professional Canadian packing crew.
Room-by-room inventory and photo documentation of every item
Individual wrapping of every item — glassware, electronics, art, furniture
Furniture disassembly: beds, wardrobes, flatpack, large desks
Self-Pack vs Let Enveo Pack — What You Need to Know
Some items you can prepare yourself. Others must be professionally packed, especially if you intend to claim insurance on them in the event of damage.
You Can Self-Pack These
- Clothing and soft furnishings — folded and placed in wardrobe boxes
- Books — small cartons only, packed flat (heavy: use small boxes)
- Non-fragile decorative items with adequate padding
- Linens, bedding, and towels — also great void-fill for cartons
- Toys and non-breakable children's items
- Self-packed cartons are noted on inventory and may affect insurance
Always Let Enveo Pack These
- All china, crystal, glassware, and ceramics — always Enveo-packed
- Artwork, mirrors, and glass-fronted frames — professional handling required
- Electronics: screens, turntables, audio equipment
- Antiques and collectibles — value and fragility require expert packing
- Musical instruments: pianos, guitars, violins
- Any item you intend to insure — must be professionally packed for claims
Room-by-Room Packing Tips
If you are preparing any items in advance of packing day, follow these guidelines by room.
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Kitchen
Wrap each piece of china individually in packing paper. Pack glasses upright, not on sides. Defrost and dry refrigerator 48 hours before move day. Knives bundled in paper and taped — never loose in a box.
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Living Room
Lamps: wrap bases in bubble wrap, shades in separate cartons. Books in small cartons, packed flat. Artwork: tissue first, then bubble wrap — never flat against glass without protection.
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Bedroom
Photograph all electronic connections before disconnecting. Mattresses need mattress bags — Enveo supplies these. Jewellery and valuables: carry personally, never pack in the shipment.
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What to Set Aside
Clearly label items not to be packed: medications, passports, documents, laptop, chargers, one change of clothes. Separate these in a clearly marked area before the crew arrives on packing day.
Packing quality check photo
Why International Packing Is Different From a Local Move
Your goods will be handled more times, travel further, and spend more time in transit. Export-grade packing standards are significantly higher than domestic packing.
- Greater handling: loaded at home, depot, port, vessel, US port, and final delivery truck
- Temperature and humidity swings inside ocean containers during transit
- Sustained vibration on long-haul ground and ocean freight routes
- US border compliance: ISPM 15 heat-treated timber on all wooden packaging
- Insurance claims: items must be professionally packed to qualify for full claims
- Enveo's packing is backed by all-risk cargo insurance from packing day to delivery
Frequently Asked Questions — Packing for Overseas Moving
How much does it cost to move household goods from Canada to the USA?
Yes — we strongly recommend being present for the entire packing day. You are the best authority on which items are fragile, sentimental, or need special handling. You can also ensure items travelling in your personal vehicle are not packed by the crew. A trusted representative can stand in if absolutely necessary, but the move owner should sign off on the inventory.
Will I pay US customs duty on my household goods moving from Canada?
You can self-pack non-fragile items like clothing, books, and bedding. However, any items you intend to claim on insurance in the event of damage must be professionally packed by Enveo. Self-packed cartons are noted on the inventory and may affect insurance coverage for those specific items.
How long does it take to move household goods from Canada to the USA?
ISPM 15 is an international phytosanitary standard requiring all wooden packaging materials to be heat-treated to eliminate wood pests. The USA and Canada both require ISPM 15 compliance on all wooden packaging. All timber crating used by Enveo is ISPM 15 certified and stamped accordingly — if wooden packaging is not compliant, US CBP can refuse entry of the entire shipment.
What items cannot be shipped from Canada to the USA with household goods?
High-value and fragile items — antiques, fine art, marble table tops, glass sculptures — are assessed at the pre-move survey stage. Custom wooden crates are built on-site on packing day to the exact dimensions of each item. These items are individually photographed, inventoried with declared values, and covered under the all-risk cargo insurance policy.
Do I need to be in the USA when my household goods are delivered?
Set these aside clearly before packing day — ideally in a separate room — and tell the crew on arrival that they are not to be packed. Items to carry personally: passports, immigration documents, medications, valuables, devices, and important financial and legal documents. We recommend a clearly labelled ‘Do Not Pack’ area.
Can Enveo store my household goods in Canada before they are shipped to the USA?
Ready to Move Your Household Goods from Canada to the USA?
Enveo National & Worldwide Movers Inc. provides fully managed household goods moving services from Canada to all 50 US states. Professional packing, cross-border customs clearance, ocean or ground freight, and door-to-door delivery — all under one all-inclusive contract. Contact us today for your free no-obligation quote.
Call Enveo at +1 587-358-2992 — serving Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, Edmonton, Montreal, Halifax, Winnipeg, Ottawa, and all major Canadian cities to all 50 US states.
