The Complete Packing Guide for Long-Distance & International Moves
Packing for a long-distance or international move requires more than just boxes and tape — it requires planning, structure, and the right materials to protect your belongings as they travel thousands of miles by truck, plane, or sea.
Why proper packing matters: Whether you're moving across the country or overseas, proper packing directly impacts the safety of your items, the speed of your move, and the accuracy of your quotes. This guide covers everything from what movers protect to how to label boxes correctly.
What's In This Guide
What Movers Protect vs. What You Must Pack Yourself
Understanding who handles what is the key to a smooth move — and it prevents last-minute stress on moving day.
What Professional Movers Will Handle
For long-distance and international shipments
- Furniture protection: Heavy-duty moving blankets, shrink wrap, and padded wrapping
- Disassembly & reassembly: Beds, tables, furniture legs, shelving
- Export wrapping (international): Multiple protective layers, moisture-resistant materials
- Padding odd-shaped items: Bikes, strollers, gym equipment, large décor
- Palletizing or crating: If your shipment requires extra stabilization
- Container loading: Ensuring weight distribution and box stacking are safe
Bottom line: Movers protect large, non-boxable items. Anything that fits into a box is your responsibility (unless you've arranged full packing services).
What You (the Client) Must Pack
If it fits in a box, it must go in one
Critical rule: If an item can fit into a box — it must go into one, especially for long-distance or international moves.
You're responsible for packing:
- Clothing, shoes, linens
- Books, kitchenware, bathroom items
- Toys, office supplies, personal belongings
- Everything inside drawers and cabinets
- Small appliances and all loose household items
Warning: Nothing should be left loose. Loose items shift, break, or simply cannot be loaded securely into a container or truck.
Choosing the Right Boxes & Packing Materials
Not all boxes are equal — and the longer the distance, the stronger your materials need to be.
Standard Moving Boxes
Use high-quality moving boxes in these sizes
Pro tip: For long-distance or overseas moves, choose double-wall boxes — they resist crushing and protect better during long transit.
Specialty Boxes
Certain items require special packaging for cross-country or international transport
- Wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes
- Lamp boxes for tall floor lamps
- Dish Pack / China boxes (double-wall) for fragile kitchenware
- Artwork / Mirror cartons
- TV boxes with foam inserts
- File boxes for documents
These help reduce damage and make unpacking much easier.
Packing Materials You'll Need
Essential materials:
- Packing paper (not newspaper — it stains)
- Bubble wrap
- High-quality packing tape
- Corner protectors (for art)
- Mattress bags or boxes (international)
- Zip-top bags for screws, bolts, and small parts
- Stretch wrap for bundling loose items
For international moves, add:
- Moisture absorbers
- Vacuum-sealed bags for clothing
How to Pack Different Types of Items (Room-by-Room)
Packing Lamps
- Use a tall lamp box
- Remove bulbs and shades
- Shades go in a separate, lightly packed box
- Wrap the base with bubble wrap and cushion the bottom of the box
Packing Artwork & Mirrors
- Use mirror cartons or custom wooden crates
- Wrap with bubble wrap + corner protectors
- For high-value pieces, consider professional crating
- International moves: Crating is often required
Packing Electronics
- Use original boxes if possible
- Otherwise, use padded TV/electronics boxes
- Wrap screens well and protect corners
- Remove batteries (required for shipping in many countries)
- Keep cables labeled and bagged
Kitchen Packing
- Heavy items → small boxes
- Wrap each glass and plate individually
- Pack plates vertically like records (not flat)
- Use dish packs for fragile sets
Packing Furniture Drawers
Critical rule for long-distance and international moves: Drawers must be completely emptied.
- Items left inside cause damage during transport
- Movers will wrap the empty furniture for protection
Packing for Long-Distance vs International Moves
This is where things differ most. The shipping method changes how you need to pack.
Long-Distance Truck Transport (Domestic)
Your items will face:
- Vibration from long hours on the road
- Multiple load/unload points
- Boxes stacked tightly
- Several days of transit
Therefore, you should:
- Use double-wall boxes
- Add extra cushioning on fragile items
- Seal boxes securely
- Avoid very large, heavy boxes
International Moves (Sea or Air)
International transport can involve:
- Container loading
- Warehouse handling
- Humidity changes
- Stacking and compression
- Long transit times
To protect items:
- Use export wrapping (mover-provided)
- Add moisture-resistant materials
- Use strong double-wall boxes
- Consider crating fragile or high-value items
- Expect palletizing if you ship LCL (Less Than Container Load)
Pallets, Crates & Containers Explained
Palletizing
Boxes shrink-wrapped onto a wood pallet. Common in LCL (Less Than Container Load) shipments.
Crates
Custom-built wooden cases for art, sculptures, glass, or expensive electronics. Provides maximum protection.
Containers
Your items are loaded into 20ft or 40ft steel shipping containers for sea freight. Most secure option for international moves.
Labeling Boxes for Long-Distance or International Moves
Proper labeling makes delivery smoother — and helps keep your inventory accurate.
Best Practices for Labeling
Label top + two sides of each box
Include:
- Room name (Kitchen, Master Bedroom, Office, etc.)
- Contents (brief description)
- Fragile (if applicable)
- Box number
Pro tip: Numbering boxes helps you match them to your inventory list or your Cubesheet AI-generated inventory.
Labeling for International Moves
For customs and destination handling:
- Labels should be clear and waterproof
- Use consistent room names
- Match labels to the inventory list provided to movers
- Do not label boxes with personal security-sensitive information
Common Packing Mistakes to Avoid
- Leaving items loose — Everything must be boxed
- Using cheap or weak boxes — They collapse during transport
- Mixing fragile + heavy items — Fragile items break
- Overpacking large boxes — Makes them impossible to lift safely
- Using plastic bins — They crack under pressure during stacking
- Not wrapping electronics properly — Screens and components break
- Forgetting to empty drawers — Causes furniture damage
- Packing prohibited or restricted items — Delays or legal issues
Final Checklist Before Moving Day
Pre-Move Day Checklist
Review these items the day before your move
- All boxes taped and sealed
- Fragile boxes clearly marked
- Electronics disconnected and safely packed
- Everything inside drawers emptied
- Inventory updated and ready
- Access/parking prepared for movers
- Essential items packed separately for immediate access
- Valuables and important documents with you
How Cubesheet Helps You Pack Smarter
Packing well starts with an accurate inventory. Cubesheet's AI-powered photo-inventory tool:
- Identifies items room by room
- Helps you understand what must be boxed
- Estimates packing materials needed
- Generates a clear, exportable inventory movers can use
- Helps movers price your move accurately and quickly
With better packing and better inventory, your move becomes cheaper, safer, and smoother.