Container moving
A shipping container is a steel box of standard dimensions that is transferred, unopened, from lorry to ship, from rail wagon to trailer and back again. That is exactly why container moves are the standard for moving overseas: once packed and sealed, your belongings are not handled at every port. On this page we explain the types of container and shipping methods, so that it is easier for you to choose the right option for your move.
A 20 or 40-foot container
| Type | Usable capacity | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| 20' (twenty-foot) | approx. 30 m3 | a furnished two-room flat or three rooms without large furniture |
| 40' standard | approx. 60 m3 | a three- to four-room flat or a small house |
| 40' HC (high cube) | approx. 70 m3 | a furnished house, tall wardrobes, garden equipment |
| space in a shared container | from a few m3 | a studio flat, a few dozen boxes, a few pieces of furniture |
Capacity in cubic metres is an approximate figure – furniture does not stack like building blocks, and fragile items need room for protection. You can estimate the volume of your home in the volume calculator, and we will confirm the result during the pre-move survey.
Shared LCL shipment or your own FCL container
LCL – groupage
Your belongings travel in wooden shipping crates together with other people's consignments. You only pay for the volume you use. You do, however, need to allow more time, because the container only sails once it is full, and shipments are separated at the destination port.
FCL – exclusive container
The container arrives at your home, we pack it on site and close it with a seal. Nobody apart from customs officers opens it until it reaches the destination address. It costs more for a small amount of belongings, but the timing is more predictable and there is less handling.
Loading at your home or at the warehouse
With an exclusive container, loading directly at your address is possible. This needs space for a vehicle over a dozen metres long and waiting time, for which the carrier charges once the limit is exceeded. On a narrow street in Wrocław or at a gated estate this may be impossible. In that case we take your belongings in our own vehicle to the warehouse and load the container there without pressure. We use the same solution when your moving-out date does not match the ship's schedule – the load then waits with us under cover.
How we pack a container
- We wrap furniture in blankets and film, protect corners with cardboard, and glass and mirrors go into crates.
- The heaviest items stand on the container floor, lighter ones higher up, everything braced and strapped.
- Each item has a number matching a line on the inventory – the customs officer can see what they are opening.
- We fill empty spaces so that the load does not shift as the ship rolls.
- Finally the container is sealed, and we enter the seal number in the transport documents.
When a container is a bad idea
Not every move abroad needs a container. To Germany, the Czech Republic or France it is cheaper and faster to go by lorry – we serve these routes with our own fleet, as described under international moving. A container makes sense where there is sea on the way or when the load has to go through full customs clearance. On other continents we organise the voyage, collection and delivery together with partners from the FEDEMAC network.
Container moving – questions
How many boxes fit in a 20-foot container?
Several hundred standard boxes alone, but in practice a mix of furniture and boxes travels. A typical flat with two rooms and a kitchen usually fits in one twenty-foot container.
Can I add items to the container myself?
You can pack boxes yourself, but loading and stacking are done by the crew. In many countries customs officers treat owner-packed boxes with more caution and check them more often.
Will a car fit in the container?
A passenger car can be shipped in a container, even together with furniture, but it needs separate securing and documents. Importing a car has its own rules in many countries, which are worth checking in advance.
What is a container detention charge?
The shipping line allows a set time for loading and unloading and for collection from the port. Once it is exceeded, charges apply for every day. That is why we prepare the documents before the ship sails, not when it is already on its way.
We will match the container to your home
After the survey you will know whether space in a shared container is enough or you need your own.
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