International Shipping Containers
If you're moving internationally then you will probably be working with an international shipping company that specializes in exporting household goods. Chances are you will be utilizing a 20' or 40' sea container or a combination of the two sizes (See Container Specifications). Packing and loading these containers is a daunting task and requires greater expertise and know-how from the assigned crew. The most important thing to remember is that your household goods will be shipped thousands of miles over sea and land. During the trip the container will be handled by cranes and trucks designed to move freight, not necessarily household goods. To ensure that your items arrive safely a great deal of care will be taken to pack and load the entire shipment properly.
Packing and loading containers for international movement is not a quick process. Unlike a local move that can be completed in a few hours, international containers require greater care and caution, especially regarding packing, padding and wrapping. Every move is different however we have outlined some historic figures for completion times of international containers below. These figures are based on the average completion times of our crews when packing and loading from town homes or single family homes with favorable conditions. If you reside in an apartment, high rise building or home without favorable conditions (e.g. stairs, long carries, etc) you should anticipate additional time being required.
Average Packing & Loading Times
|
Container Size
|
Packing & Loading
|
Crew Size |
|
20'
|
6 Hours
|
3-Man |
|
40'
|
8 Hours
|
4-Man |
It is important to remember that these numbers are averages, your pack and load could take more or less time. It is imperative that we have enough moving supplies on site to allow for a quality packing job. Many times during the loading of sea containers we have to "create" boxes to make a manageable flat surface. Packing and loading for sea containers use on average 40% more moving supplies than domestic relocation.
Elite Moving LaborTM can provide moving supplies for your international pack and load. Please contact our call center at (888) 354-8303 so we may assess your individual needs and create a price estimate for both moving labor and the supplies required.