Should I Use a Packing Service for an International Move? 

Deciding whether to use packing services for an international move can be a real dilemma. While professional packers and movers can help reduce your stress and workload, budget constraints and other concerns could make these services less suitable. 

Professional packers have pros and cons, and whether you decide to hire them depends on your circumstances and preferences. Below, we'll explore the key factors to help you make an informed decision. 

Benefits of Using Professional Packing Services

From house searches to visa applications and learning a new language, you'll likely have a lot on your plate before an international move. Working with professional packers can simplify your relocation in several ways.

Time-Saving

Many people underestimate how long it takes to pack the contents of an entire home, which can lead to last-minute panic if you find yourself running out of time. Packing professionals pack people's belongings day in and day out, so they work significantly faster than most individuals and families. Handing this job over to the pros ensures your packing gets finished on time and allows you to focus on the rest of your moving checklist.

Expertise and Care

Broken belongings are the last thing you want to discover when you open your packing boxes in your new home. Professional packers use specialized materials and techniques to protect various objects and are skilled at handling and transporting valuable items, reducing the risk of breakages.

Insurance Coverage

Reputable movers carry robust insurance. While these insurance policies don't cover your belongings directly, federal law requires moving companies to offer two types of contractual liability coverage: released-value protection (RVP) and full-value protection (FVP). Although the risk of lost or damaged belongings is lower when you hire professional packers and movers, this coverage can provide additional peace of mind during international moves.

RVP is calculated using the weight of your belongings and offers a small amount of coverage per pound. FVP offers more comprehensive coverage, and your international moving package should include it unless you decide to waive it. If your belongings become lost or damaged, your movers must repair or replace them or offer a settlement up to the maximum covered value.

Convenience

While services may vary slightly between companies, many professional packing companies offer the following:

• Packing supplies, such as boxes and packing tape
• Protection for fragile items
• Blankets and other protective materials for furniture that can't be disassembled
• Furniture disassembly and reassembly
• Loading and unloading
• Crating fragile and irregular-shaped objects
• Packing and unpacking your belongings
• Packing material disposal

It's common to experience burnout while preparing for an international relocation, especially if you have a busy work or family life. Professional packing companies make international moves more convenient because they manage the entire packing process, enabling you to keep up with other responsibilities.

Drawbacks of Using Professional Packing Services

While professional packers and movers can streamline international relocations, they're not right for everyone. The potential drawbacks of professional packing services include:

Less Control

Some people struggle with the idea of professional packers because they want to ensure their possessions are correctly packed and handled. They may also feel uncomfortable about professional packers handling their personal items and prefer to pack in privacy.

While hiring professionals to pack your belongings inevitably involves relinquishing some control, a reputable company will happily explain the process to you to help you feel more comfortable. If you're undecided, consider discussing your concerns with your moving company — they may offer suggestions to alleviate your worries.

Unfamiliarity With Belongings

If you have fragile or valuable items or belongings with sentimental value, it's natural to worry about them getting damaged or lost. Professional packers will always endeavor to protect your possessions, but unfamiliarity with your items could sometimes lead to incorrect packing. 

Telling your movers about objects requiring additional protection can help them choose the most appropriate packing method for each item. Alternatively, you could opt to pack these items yourself, although liability coverage from your movers may not cover them.

Scheduling Conflicts

Seamless moves require precision timing, and you could find it challenging to find professional packers with availability that fits your schedule. International relocations can be particularly challenging to coordinate because they typically take longer than local moves. 

The earlier you book packing services, the less likely you are to experience scheduling conflicts. Contacting professional packers and movers several months before your planned moving date gives you enough time to iron out any availability issues.  

Factors to Consider When Deciding to Hire Professional Packers

Whether to use professional packers for moving is a personal decision, and there's no right or wrong answer. Considering the following factors can help you choose with confidence.

Value, Fragility and Sentimental Importance of Your Belongings

The value and nature of your belongings can significantly impact whether you choose to use packing services. For some people, hiring professional packers and movers provides reassurance that their valuable, fragile and sentimentally important items will be packed correctly. Others prefer to retain control of their most valuable and significant possessions. If you feel uncomfortable about other people handling these items, professional packing services may not be right for you.

Your Packing Skills

If you've handled previous moves and feel confident in your ability to pack your belongings quickly and appropriately, you may feel equipped to pack them yourself. However, hiring professional packers could be the safest option if you lack experience packing for a long-distance move. People with mobility issues or health problems may also find packing services helpful. 

The Distance and Complexity of Your International Move

Long-distance international relocations are complex, but hiring professional packers can make these moves much easier. Packers take on some of the most physically and mentally demanding aspects of international moves, giving you more time to complete other tasks and spend time with friends and loved ones. For more straightforward moves, you may feel you have the time and energy to pack your house yourself.

Still Undecided? Contact Atlas International for More Guidance

The Atlas International team has decades of experience coordinating packing and moving services for international relocations and is always on hand to evaluate your needs. We partner with vetted packing professionals, allowing you to schedule packing services with confidence. Contact us today to explore your options for a stress-free move.