How to Pack Your Belongings for a Shipping Container Move

TargetBox’s Step-by-Step Guide to Packing for a Move

Step 1: Plan the Packing

Declutter your belongings so that you’re not packing and moving the things that you don’t even want anymore. Donate them to a local charity so that someone else can enjoy them!

Gather packing supplies, including boxes of many sizes, packing paper, tape, labels and blankets to cover fragile furniture. 

If you’re packing over many days or weeks, start with packing items you use the least and pack essentials last.

Hire help to make the move go faster, or count on some good friends to do the heavy lifting. 

Lastly, understand your destination’s property as well as the route within your new home. You don’t want to be lugging a couch up a twisty staircase that it can’t fit through.

Step 2: Prepare the Shipping Container

Inspect your TargetBox shipping container to ensure that it will meet your needs. You will find that it is clean, watertight and free of debris. Add protective materials if you plan to have furniture lean against the walls. 

The bottom of any shipping container has a small lip, which is far less than the precarious plank that truck rentals require you to traverse. Most wheeled containers and dollies are able to navigate this without problem.

Step 3: Label Everything

As you close and tape each box, clearly label each box with its contents and destination (e.g. “Kitchen – plates”. This will ensure you won’t have boxes that ‘go missing’, and you will be stress-free knowing that your items are exactly where they should be. 

Some people like using coloured labels to designate different rooms or have a complete inventory list to track all of the items. We don’t feel these are necessary, but if they help you, go for it!

Step 4: Pack Wisely

If possible, load heavy items like furniture and large appliances first. Put them on the bottom to create stability, and place lighter/smaller items on top of them. 

Wrap breakables like glassware, mirrors and electronics in bubble wrap or packing paper.

Clearly label the boxes with breakable items as ‘FRAGILE’, place them on top of everything else and secure them with tape. Even better, these items can be secured in a car, truck or van.

Step 5: Secure Your Stuff

Reduce damage by using moving blankets and bubble wrap to protect items big and small from scratches, dents and cracks. Use soft items like pillows, blankets, or clothing to fill gaps between boxes and furniture. This prevents items from shifting during transit.

Tie everything else down to prevent large items from shifting in the container, then lock it up with the heavy-duty lock provided. TargetBox will pick up your container and move it to your destination.

TargetBox Has the Best Advice and Containers for Your Next Move!

TargetBox’s team of dedicated movers will drop off your shipping container any time you want so that you have lots of time to pack it in. We will then move it to your new home and pick it up when you’ve emptied it out.

Moving doesn’t have to be stressful. With TargetBox, you’ll be well on your way to a seamless shipping container move.

Ready to make your move? Contact TargetBox today to book your shipping container!