Sea freight for furniture
Grandmother's table, an oak chest of drawers, a grand piano, a sofa bought a year ago – sometimes furniture is the very reason someone chooses a ship instead of buying everything new abroad. Shipping furniture by sea does, however, call for different packing than transport within Poland. The load spends weeks in a closed steel box, passes through zones of different temperature and humidity, and is sometimes moved by crane along the way. At 4RELO we prepare furniture for such a journey in Wrocław, and organise the voyage and delivery with partners from the FEDEMAC network.
What furniture faces at sea
Condensation
When a ship sails from the cool Baltic into the tropics, a phenomenon known as container rain occurs. Water condenses on the ceiling and drips onto the load.
Mould and warping
Solid wood, veneer and upholstery absorb moisture. Drawers stop closing, veneers peel away, and a sofa sealed in plastic can go mouldy.
Forces in transit
The rolling of the ship and handling at ports mean forces you do not get in an ordinary vehicle. A poorly braced wardrobe topples onto the rest of the load.
How we protect furniture for the voyage
- Moisture absorbers are placed in the container and in the crates, and in greater numbers on longer voyages.
- We wrap upholstery in breathable material, and use airtight film only where the piece of furniture is dry beforehand.
- Tabletops, glass and marble travel upright in made-to-measure crates, with cardboard and foam spacers.
- Legs, handles and cornices are removed and packed separately, labelled with the piece they belong to.
- Drawers and cabinet doors are secured so that they cannot open when tilted.
Wooden crates and the ISPM 15 standard
We build crates for valuable and fragile items. Wood used for packaging in international transport must be heat-treated and marked in line with the international ISPM 15 standard. Without this mark, authorities in many countries may order fumigation, return or destruction of the packaging at the recipient's expense. This also applies to pallets. Please note: the standard covers packaging, not the furniture itself – solid wood antiques may be inspected in countries such as Australia or New Zealand regardless of the crate.
Which furniture is worth shipping
| Furniture | Is it worth it | What to watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Solid wood furniture, antiques | usually yes | moisture, proof of age for antiques |
| Designer sofas and armchairs | often yes | upholstery, the volume taken up in the container |
| Chipboard furniture | rarely | does not cope with repeated dismantling or moisture |
| Fitted kitchen units | probably not | will not fit a different room |
| Upright or grand piano | depends on its value | change of climate, tuning needed after delivery |
| Garden furniture | yes, once cleaned | soil and plant debris cause problems at the border |
Insurance for the voyage
The shipping line's liability for cargo is limited by law and usually does not cover the value of furniture. That is why for every sea shipment we offer cargo insurance based on the value you declare on the inventory. It is worth describing your most valuable pieces separately and photographing them before packing – in the event of damage this is the key evidence. If not all your furniture is going at once, some of it can wait in our storage for a second shipment.
Questions about shipping furniture by sea
Can I ship just a few pieces of furniture by sea?
Yes. Individual pieces travel in crates in a shared container together with other people's shipments. You pay for the volume used, but delivery takes longer than with an exclusive container.
Does furniture need to be dismantled?
Anything that can be safely dismantled, we dismantle – it reduces volume and the risk of cracks. Glued or antique furniture, or pieces that lose rigidity once taken apart, we pack whole.
Can wooden furniture be held at the border?
In countries with strict biosecurity checks, yes, if an inspector spots signs of pests or bark. Clean, dry and well-labelled furniture passes inspection without any problem.
Who unpacks the furniture at the destination?
Our partner in the destination country. They carry the furniture in, remove the packaging and reassemble whatever was dismantled in Poland.
Your furniture will survive the voyage
We will quote for packing, crates and shipping – with no obligation.
Free quote