Transporting furniture abroad: preparation, price drivers and choosing a company
Furniture rarely gets damaged on the road. It gets damaged at loading and on the stairs. How to prepare it, what actually drives the price, and how to spot a company that will not hand you a scratched worktop.
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Dismantling: what to take apart, what to leave
The rule is simple: take apart what the manufacturer designed to come apart. Cam-lock furniture survives a handful of assemblies before the holes wear out. If the wardrobe fits through the door whole, leave it whole.
- Take doors and drawers out of wardrobes and chests. It cuts the weight and protects the hinges.
- Glass, mirrors and glass tops come out and travel separately, upright.
- Fittings and screws go in a bag taped to the same piece they came from, not into one communal box.
- Photograph everything before dismantling, reassembly at the other end goes twice as fast.
Packing
The usual damage is scuffed corners and scratched tops. The order of layers prevents it: bubble wrap on corners, cardboard on flat surfaces, stretch film only on top of that. Stretch film applied straight onto polish can mark it in heat.
- Upholstery, a breathable layer first, film second. Sealed film over fabric in warm weather creates condensation.
- Mirrors, cardboard both sides plus a cross of tape across the glass.
- High-gloss lacquer, foam, never cardboard directly against the surface.
What drives the price
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Volume, not weight | furniture is light and bulky. You pay for cubic metres in the trailer |
| Floor and lift access | no lift means extra crew and extra hours |
| Dedicated vehicle or groupage | groupage is cheaper but waits for the load to fill |
| Dismantling and reassembly by the company | a separate line in the quote |
| Destination | routes into major conurbations cost less, a return load is easier to find |
Three questions worth asking
- How the quote is built - per cubic metre, per route, or a flat fee. A figure given off the cuff on the phone tends to grow on loading day.
- The limit of liability for damage. On international carriage the CMR convention caps it at 8.33 SDR per kilogram, roughly EUR 10/kg. Furniture is light and expensive, so that is often not enough and a separate policy is needed. See our piece on cargo insurance.
- Whether carrying is included. “Delivery to the address” and “delivery with carrying in” are two different services at two different prices.
Formalities when moving abroad
Inside the EU there is no customs clearance. You need an inventory and a transport document. Outside it, a declaration applies, and for a change of residence there may be relief for personal effects. Antique furniture above a certain age can need an export licence, which is worth checking early rather than on loading day.
Related services: cargo types and our guide to moving abroad.
Frequently asked
How long does furniture take to another EU country?
Two to four days on a dedicated vehicle, five to ten on groupage depending on the route.
Will the company pack the furniture?
Yes, as a separate item. On valuable pieces it usually pays for itself: damage to badly packed goods falls outside the carrier’s liability.
Can I send a single wardrobe?
Yes, on groupage. The per-item price is far lower than chartering a vehicle.