SHIPMENT PLANNING GUIDE
Furniture export packing checklist for overseas buyers
Review packaging before cargo is collected. Furniture may need protection for finishes, protruding parts, glass, and repeated handling; the right design depends on the product and route.
Check the finished package
Ask for photos of the item and its proposed packaging. Confirm the external packed size, gross weight, number of pieces, and whether items can be stacked. Note detachable legs, glass panels, and hardware packs so components remain identifiable at delivery.
Specify protection and handling
Discuss edge protection, cushioning, bracing, and separation between finished surfaces. Identify suitable lifting or forklift access. Mark orientation and handling restrictions where appropriate. Moisture protection must suit the material and journey; a generic wrapping instruction is not a packing specification.
Review wooden packaging requirements
Where raw-wood packaging is used, check the destination’s applicable phytosanitary requirements and whether compliant treatment and marking are needed. ISPM 15 addresses pest risk in wood packaging; it is not a certificate that a crate is structurally suitable for your furniture.
Agree evidence before dispatch
Request packing photos and a final packing list before release. Ask who approves any change in package dimensions, since larger crates can affect space and freight charges. For valuable or sensitive pieces, obtain a cargo-specific packing assessment.
Buyer checklist
Supply product photos, quantities, finish details, fragile components, packed dimensions, weights, stackability, destination, and delivery access restrictions. Agree the scope of insurance separately; protective packaging does not establish insurance coverage.