Are you planning a move that involves shipping your household goods across the water? Shipping container moves call for extra effort with packing and planning. Not sure what that means in practical terms for your own belongings? Here are a few things to remember.

1. Use Plenty of Packing Material

Anyone filling boxes or bins for a household move should use liberal amounts of packing and protective material. But when placing items into a cargo container, this is even more important. Containers moving on and off ships as well as traveling on the water are subject to more movement — and in different ways — than a traditional moving truck.

Counteract this extra movement by filling all space inside each box or bin. Use various packing materials for different spaces — such things as peanuts, clean paper, air-filled bags, and even beans or rice.

2. Don’t Skimp on Containers

Good boxes and bins are essential when your stuff has to travel long distances via multiple forms of transport. This is not a time for old boxes and used, taped-together bins. Invest in proper packing containers that are sturdy, can be sealed up properly, and are protective. You may even want to opt for as many waterproof or water-resistant containers as possible in case moisture enters the container.

3. Learn About Restrictions

Containers come in different sizes. The right size will be more important than in a terrestrial move because you want a tightly packed container. But at the same time, you also cannot generally come back for another load if you underestimated your needs.

Talk with the moving service about the dimensions available as well as weight and content restrictions. These limitations might convince you to sell certain items that would be hard to transport, such as oversized furniture or large equipment, and replace them once you are in your new home. You should also ask about hazardous materials restrictions that involve something you might find in your home.

4. Decide What to Carry

When you put your belongings into the hands of another person or company, you must trust them to deliver everything safely. And most of the time, this is exactly what happens. But you may still want to determine what you would feel more comfortable hand-carrying to your new destination. This could include important documents, irreplaceable heirlooms, or items of sentimental value to parents or family members.

Of course, most people who move such a long distance will need to travel by airline, so find out what the airline will allow you to carry in your own luggage. Again, look for size and weight restrictions. Keep in mind that you may be able to pay for additional luggage if you have many things you really want to protect yourself.

5. Hire Professionals

A professional moving company is a good investment for anyone unfamiliar with container shipping methods. The pros understand the intricacies of packing a container, such as how to distribute weight and mass evenly throughout the space so that shifting is minimized. When professional movers pack the container, you likely also have additional protection in case something does go wrong on the trip.

The best thing you can do to get your container-based move off to a good start is to consult with an experienced moving company that specializes in this type of move. Island Movers Inc. can help. With more than 60 years’ experience moving residents to and from Hawaii, we understand the unique needs of both international and domestic shipping. Call today to learn more. We look forward to speaking with you about your specific moving needs.