Packing Materials

• Use heavy cardboard cartons with lids.
• Boxes thrown away by your local grocery store are fine, but remember that by using them, you risk the possibility of carrying roaches or other insects to your new location.
• Have plenty of Styrofoam peanuts or pellets available.
• Use a black marker to mark your boxes.
• Use newspaper or tissue paper to wrap your valuables. NOTE: newspaper ink can stain clothing and other items.
  

General Packing Tips

• Begin packing your home long before your move.
• Pack one room at a time.
• Mark all boxes with the name of the room where you want the items to go at your new location.
• Seal all boxes with heavy-duty packing tape.
• Pack heavy items at the bottom of the box.
• Pack boxes at a weight of less than 50 pounds.
• Heavy items should be packed in small boxes
• Use Styrofoam peanuts or other filling material to keep your breakables safe.

Other Packing Pointers

• Power tools — drain the gas, wrap in newspaper, and place in small, strong carton.
• Computers and other valuable electronics — pack in original cartons if available. Otherwise, wrap in old blanket or other material and pack in sturdy waterproof cartons.
• Medicine — seal cap with masking tape and pack upright (have copies of prescriptions available for Customs).
• Gas grills — wrap grates and briquets separately. Propane tanks are not transportable.
• Lamps — remove bulbs, harps, and shades. Do not wrap shades in newspaper.
• Clocks — remove or secure pendulum.
• Dresser drawers — it is fine to leave clothing and other items in your dresser drawers, but be sure not to overload them.
• Read this page about items you can’t move.