Packing Tips for Overseas Moving
Professional packing techniques, material choices, and practical advice for getting your household goods safely from Canada to the USA.
Professional packing photo
Why International Packing Is Different From a Local Move
Your goods will travel further, be handled more times, and spend more time in transit than on a domestic move. International packing standards are significantly higher.
Greater Handling = More Risk
International shipments are handled multiple times: loaded at your home, unloaded at a port or depot, loaded into a container or aircraft, unloaded at the US port, and delivered by a second truck. Each handling point is a damage risk. Export-grade packing mitigates this.
Temperature & Humidity Changes
Ocean containers can experience significant temperature and humidity swings during transit. Items susceptible to moisture — wood furniture, electronics, musical instruments, artwork — require specific packing materials and moisture-absorbing desiccants.
Vibration & Movement
Ocean freight and long-haul ground freight involve sustained vibration. Fragile items packed for a local move may not survive international transit without upgraded materials. Double-walled cartons, furniture blankets, and corner boards are standard on every Enveo move.
What Enveo's Packing Service Includes
Materials We Supply
Every Enveo move is packed with export-grade materials rated for ocean and cross-border ground freight. You do not need to supply anything.
- Double-walled export cartons — stronger than standard moving boxes
- Furniture blankets and moving pads for all large pieces
- Stretch wrap and bubble wrap for upholstered and fragile items
- Corner boards and edge protectors for glass and mirrors
- Custom wooden crating for antiques, artwork, and oversized fragile pieces
- ISPM 15 heat-treated timber — required for all wooden packaging at US border
- Tissue paper, packing paper, and foam for fine china and glassware
- Desiccant moisture absorbers for ocean freight shipments
- Colour-coded room labels and sequential item numbering
- Tamper-evident security tape for international shipments
What Our Crew Does on Packing Day
Moving long-distance from Calgary to the USA involves more than simply transporting belongings. Proper preparation can help reduce stress and improve efficiency throughout the move.
01
Room-by-Room Inventory
Every item photographed, described, and given a sequential reference number. The inventory is provided to you, CBSA, and US CBP.
02
Professional Wrapping
Every item wrapped individually — glassware in paper, electronics in bubble wrap, furniture in blankets, artwork in tissue then bubble wrap.
03
Carton Packing
Items packed in export cartons by category and room. Heavier items on the bottom, lighter on top. Cartons filled to prevent internal shifting.
04
Furniture Disassembly
Beds, wardrobes, flatpack furniture, and large desks disassembled before loading. Hardware bagged and taped to the relevant piece.
05
Custom Crating
Antiques, artwork, glass table tops, mirrors, and marble pieces custom-crated in timber on site if required — assessed at survey stage.
Room-by-Room Packing Tips
If you are doing any self-packing before Enveo arrives, or preparing fragile items in advance, follow these guidelines.
Kitchen
- Wrap each piece of china individually in packing paper — never nest unwrapped
- Pack glasses upright, not on their sides, with paper fill between each
- Small appliances: wrap in bubble wrap and fill voids with paper
- Knives: bundle in paper and tape — never loose in a box
- Defrost and dry the refrigerator at least 48 hours before move day
Living Room & Bedroom
- Lamps: wrap bases in bubble wrap; pack shades in separate cartons with paper fill
- Artwork: wrap in tissue, then bubble wrap — never pack flat against glass without protection
- Books: pack flat (spine down) in small cartons — heavy items need small boxes
- Mirrors and glass: stand upright, never flat — custom crating recommended for large pieces
- Electronics: original boxes preferred; photograph all connections before disconnecting
What to Self-Pack vs Let Enveo Pack
Pack Yourself (Lower Risk)
- Clothing and soft furnishings — folded and placed in wardrobe boxes
- Books — small cartons only, packed flat
- Non-fragile decorative items with good padding
- Linens, bedding, and towels (great void-fill for cartons)
- Toys and non-breakable children's items
Always Let Enveo Pack
- All china, crystal, glassware, and ceramics
- Artwork, mirrors, and glass-fronted frames
- Electronics — screens, turntables, audio equipment
- Antiques and collectibles — value and fragility require professional handling
- Musical instruments — pianos, guitars, violins
- Any item you are claiming on insurance — must be professionally packed for claims
Frequently Asked Questions — International Packing
Item #1
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 identify items going in your personal vehicle so they are not packed by the crew. A trusted representative can stand in if absolutely necessary, but the move owner should walk through the inventory sign-off.
Item #2
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.
Item #3
ISPM 15 is an international phytosanitary standard that requires all wooden packaging materials — crates, pallets, and packing dunnage — to be heat-treated to eliminate wood pests. US Customs and the USDA require ISPM 15 compliance on all wooden packaging entering the USA. All timber crating used by Enveo is ISPM 15 certified and stamped accordingly.
Ready to Move? Get Your Free Quote Today
Enveo National & Worldwide Movers Inc. provides free, no-obligation moving quotes from all major Canadian cities to all 50 US states and worldwide. One all-inclusive price — no hidden fees.
Serving Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Winnipeg, Halifax and all major Canadian cities.
