Moving to New York
New York is one of the shortest overseas destinations in terms of the voyage – and one of the hardest when it comes to carrying your belongings in. So we plan moves to New York backwards: first we ask about the building, the lift and the street, and only then about the number of boxes. We do the packing and loading in Wrocław, and clearance and delivery in the city are handled by a local partner from the FEDEMAC network.
From Wrocław to Port Newark
A container from Wrocław most often goes to Hamburg or Bremerhaven, from where ships sail regularly to the Port Newark and Elizabeth terminals in New Jersey. The voyage itself takes about two weeks. After unloading, the container waits for clearance and is then taken to the partner's warehouse, where your belongings are transferred to a smaller truck. A full-size rig with a container can rarely park outside a building in Manhattan or Brooklyn.
A New York building – what the management will ask
Certificate of insurance (COI)
Most managed buildings require the moving company to provide a certificate of insurance naming the building as an additional insured. You will get a sample from the management – pass it on as early as possible.
Freight lift booking
Buildings set time slots for moves, usually on weekdays at specific hours. Outside that slot the crew will not be allowed in with furniture.
Walk-up buildings
In brownstones and older buildings without a lift the stairwells are narrow and steep. Large sofas sometimes go in through a window or have to be dismantled.
Parking the truck
Space outside the building is a challenge of its own in New York. Our partner plans delivery early in the morning and, for larger moves, applies for a parking permit.
How much to take to a New York apartment
New York apartments are usually smaller than in Wrocław for the same rent, and built-in wardrobes are rarer than you might expect. Before we pack all the furniture from a three-room flat, it is worth measuring the new place and the front door. Often a better choice is space in a shared container for boxes, clothes, books and a few favourite pieces, while the rest can be sold or left in our storage in Wrocław. You can work out the volume in the calculator.
Formalities before shipping
- CBP Form 3299 and an inventory in English,
- ISF data provided before the ship is loaded,
- a copy of your passport with visa, or your green card,
- a lease or proof of address in the city,
- a certificate of insurance for the building management.
Timeline for a move to New York
| Stage | Approximate time |
|---|---|
| survey, quote and ship booking | 1–3 weeks |
| packing in Wrocław and transport to the port | a few days |
| Atlantic crossing | approx. 2 weeks |
| unloading, clearance, partner's warehouse | from a few days to 2 weeks |
| delivery on the date allocated by the building | according to the booking slot |
New York – questions before your move
Can you also deliver to New Jersey or Long Island?
Yes. Our partner covers the whole metropolitan area, including Jersey City, Hoboken, Queens, Staten Island and Long Island. Getting there from the port can be even easier than getting to Manhattan.
What if the building does not agree to the delivery date?
Your belongings can wait in the partner's warehouse until the day the lift is available. Storage is charged, so it is worth agreeing the date with the management in advance.
Is it better to ship everything before I fly out?
Ideally the container should sail once you have signed a lease. That way you avoid a situation where your belongings are in port with nowhere to deliver them.
Will my furniture from Poland fit in a New York apartment?
It depends on the apartment. We help you choose what makes sense to ship based on the floor plan and door measurements – before you pay for volume that will not fit.
From Wrocław to Manhattan, Brooklyn or Queens
Ask for a free quote – we will take your building's requirements into account.
Free quote