Somewhere between getting a quote and booking, most people ask the same question: could we save money by packing it ourselves? It is a fair question. You packed for your last house move and nothing broke. You have weeks before you leave, and a loft full of boxes.
The honest answer is that you can pack some of it, and for some things it makes good sense. But an international move is not a longer version of a house move, and who packs a box changes more than most people expect. Here is what changes, so you can decide.
The quick answer
- Packing some things yourself is fine. Clothes, bedding, books and soft toys travel well in boxes you have packed.
- Leave breakables, furniture and anything going through a strict border to the crew. That is where export packing and an accurate inventory earn their keep.
- A box you pack is recorded differently. It is listed as “packed by owner”, and that affects how customs treats it and how a claim for damage inside it is assessed.
- The saving is usually smaller than people hope. Furniture still has to be wrapped, everything still has to be listed and loaded, and boxes are the quickest part of the job.
What does “packed by owner” mean?
When a removal crew packs your home, they write an inventory as they go: every carton numbered, with a short description of what is in it and a note of its condition. That inventory is the record of what left your house. It is also your customs list.
If you pack a box yourself, the crew cannot describe what is inside or vouch for how it was packed, so it is marked “packed by owner”, sometimes shortened to PBO. Nothing is wrong with that. It simply tells everyone who handles the box later, including customs officers, that its contents were not seen by the remover.
What does packing yourself change at customs?
More than you might think, and it depends on where you are going.
Customs and biosecurity officers decide what to inspect from the paperwork. A line that reads “carton 14, kitchen: saucepans, utensils, chopping boards (wooden)” tells them exactly what is there. A line that reads “carton 14, packed by owner, kitchen items” does not, and the way to find out is to open it.
- Australia and New Zealand assess every household consignment for biosecurity risk, and inspection is charged by time. Boxes with vague descriptions take longer. Wooden items, outdoor gear and anything made from plants need to be findable, not buried in a box labelled “misc”.
- South Africa holds and fumigates items that arrive with soil or plant material on them, at the owner’s cost.
- The USA expects a detailed inventory, and consignments with a lot of owner-packed cartons are more likely to be examined.
If you do pack your own boxes, the fix is simple: write a proper contents list for each one and give it to the crew on packing day, so the inventory can say what is inside. Our guide to explains what a hold involves and who pays for it.
What does packing yourself change for cover?
This is the part to check before you decide, whichever company you use.
Across the removals industry, it is common for the remover’s liability for the contents of an owner-packed box to be more limited than for a box the crew packed. The reasoning is straightforward: if a glass arrives broken inside an undamaged box, nobody can show whether it was the journey or the packing. Loss of the whole box is one thing; breakage inside it is another.
We recommend , our move liability cover, for every move. It raises our contractual limit of liability above the standard level, there is no excess, and your move manager handles any claim with you. Before you pack anything yourself, ask your move manager how owner-packed cartons are treated under your contract, so that you are choosing with the facts in front of you. Ask the same question of any company you are comparing.
How much does packing yourself save?
Less than most people expect. On packing day the crew’s time goes on wrapping furniture, protecting pictures and mirrors, packing the kitchen, writing the inventory and loading. Filling boxes with clothes and books is the fastest part of the job.
There is a better way to bring the price down. International moves are priced largely on volume, so taking less saves more than packing it yourself. Our article on is a good place to start, and your surveyor can show you what difference a few large pieces make.
If your quote assumes you will pack some of it, make sure that is written down, along with what happens if packing is not finished when the crew arrives. See for what to look for.
What is sensible to pack yourself, and what to leave to the crew
| Fine to pack yourself | Better left to the crew |
|---|---|
| Clothes, shoes (clean) and bedding | China, glass and anything breakable |
| Books and paperwork (in small boxes; they are heavy) | Pictures, mirrors and artwork |
| Soft toys and children’s games | Televisions, computers and other electronics |
| Towels and linen | Lamps, ornaments and clocks |
| Non-breakable kitchen plastics | Furniture, including anything that needs dismantling |
| Anything wooden, outdoor or made from plants, if you are moving to Australia, New Zealand or South Africa | |
| Anything irreplaceable (see ) |
Why the difference? A box for a house move spends a few hours in a van. A box for an international move is handled many times, stacked under other boxes, and spend six weeks in a container that heats, cools and moves with the sea. Export packing uses stronger cartons, more cushioning and tighter fills than most people would think necessary at home. That is not a criticism of anyone’s packing. It is a different job.
If you do pack some boxes yourself
- Use new, strong cartons. Supermarket and second-hand boxes weaken with use, and food boxes can cause problems at some borders.
- Fill each box completely. Empty space is what lets things move and boxes crush.
- Keep heavy boxes small. Books go in small cartons, not large ones.
- Write a contents list for every box, number it, and hand the lists to the crew.
- Leave the boxes open if the crew or your move manager asks to see inside.
- Never pack anything that cannot be shipped: aerosols, paint, gas canisters, cleaning chemicals, food, plants. Our guide to has the full list.
What to keep with you
Some things should not go in the container at all. Carry these with you when you travel:
- passports, visas, birth and marriage certificates
- your removal paperwork and your move manager’s contact details
- medication, with prescriptions
- laptops, phones and chargers
- jewellery and small items of high sentimental value
- keys and the documents for your new home
Your belongings may be at sea for weeks. Pack your suitcases as if you will live out of them for a while, because you will.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pack my own boxes for an international move?
Yes. Most removal companies will carry boxes you have packed; tell your surveyor which ones so it is agreed in advance. They are recorded on the inventory as “packed by owner”, which affects how customs may treat them and how damage inside them is assessed.
Does packing myself make an international move cheaper?
A little, but usually less than people expect, because wrapping furniture, writing the inventory and loading still have to be done by the crew. Reducing the volume you ship saves more.
Will customs open boxes I packed myself?
They can open any box. Owner-packed boxes with vague descriptions are more likely to be chosen, particularly in Australia, New Zealand and the USA. A clear contents list for each box reduces the chance and the time an inspection takes.
Are my belongings covered if I pack them myself?
Ask before you pack. Across the industry it is common for liability for breakage inside an owner-packed box to be more limited than for a box the crew packed. Your move manager can tell you exactly how your contract and MoveProtect treat owner-packed cartons.
What should I not pack in a removal box?
Anything flammable or pressurised, such as aerosols, paint and gas canisters, along with food, plants, and documents or valuables you need with you. Destination rules add more; your move manager will give you the list for your country.
How far ahead should I start packing?
If the crew is packing, you do not need to start at all, only to sort what is going. If you are packing some boxes yourself, begin two to three weeks before collection and have them finished, listed and numbered the day before the crew arrives.
Related topics
Talk it through at your survey
You do not have to decide alone. At your pre-move survey, a removal specialist will look at what you have and agree with you who packs what. Your move manager then builds the quote, the packing plan and the customs paperwork around that.
