Shipping furniture is not as simple as moving boxes. Whether you’re relocating an entire home, transporting antique furniture, or shipping large office furnishings, choosing the right shipping method is crucial.
For bulk shipments or long-distance moves, container shipping is a popular choice due to its security, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. However, for delicate or high-value furniture, blanket wrap first-to-final mile delivery is often the best option to prevent damage.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about shipping furniture in containers, plus why uShip is the best place to compare shipping options and find the right service for your needs.
How To Ship Furniture in Containers
Shipping containers provide a secure, structured, and weather-resistant transport solution for furniture. They are commonly used for:
- Full-home moves
- Large furniture shipments
- International or long-distance transport
- Business or bulk furniture deliveries
Step 1: Choosing the Right Container Size
Shipping containers come in various sizes, but the two most common for furniture shipments are:
1. 20-Foot Container
- Ideal for small home or apartment moves
- Fits a combination of furniture and household goods
- Holds up to 1,170 cubic feet of space
2. 40-Foot Container
- Best for full-home or office moves
- Can fit large furniture, appliances, and boxed items
- Holds up to 2,385 cubic feet of space
💡 Tip: If you’re shipping only a few pieces of furniture, consider sharing container space (Less Than Container Load – LCL) to reduce costs.
Step 2: Packing and Securing Furniture for Container Shipping
Unlike traditional moving trucks, shipping containers require careful packing and securing to prevent damage during transport. Here’s how:
1. Disassemble Large Furniture
- Remove legs from tables and sofas to save space.
- Take apart bed frames, shelves, and cabinets to prevent damage.
- Keep screws and small parts in labeled bags for easy reassembly.
2. Wrap and Protect Each Item
- Use moving blankets to cover wood or glass surfaces.
- Apply shrink wrap to protect upholstered furniture from dirt.
- Place corner protectors on sharp edges.
3. Load Strategically for Stability
- Heavy furniture goes on the bottom, lighter items on top.
- Secure everything with straps to prevent shifting during transit.
- Leave a small air gap around furniture to prevent compression damage.
Step 3: Transporting the Container
Once your furniture is securely packed, the container is transported via:
🚛 Trucking: Best for domestic moves.
🚂 Rail Freight: Ideal for cross-country transport.
🚢 Sea Freight: Best for international shipping.
💡 Tip: If you need door-to-door service, choose an intermodal transport solution that seamlessly moves the container between trucks, trains, and ships without additional handling.
Step 4: Unloading & Delivery Options
Once the container arrives at its destination, you can choose between:
1. Port-to-Port Shipping
- You pick up the container from the shipping terminal and arrange final delivery.
- More affordable but requires additional transportation.
2. Door-to-Door Delivery
- The container is delivered directly to your home or business.
- Carriers handle unloading and final placement.
💡 Tip: If you don’t want to deal with container unloading, consider blanket wrap delivery for a smoother experience.
Why Blanket Wrap Delivery is the Best Option for Furniture Shipping
While container shipping works well for bulk moves, it isn’t always the best choice for furniture, especially single pieces, fragile items, or antique furniture. Blanket wrap, first-to-final mile delivery offers several advantages over container shipping:
1. Maximum Protection from Damage
🚫 No risk of furniture shifting inside a container
🚫 No exposure to humidity, dust, or extreme temperatures
🚫 No need for crating, disassembly, or excessive packing
Blanket wrap delivery ensures each item is wrapped, loaded by hand, and transported safely.
2. First-to-Final Mile, Door-to-Door Service
Unlike container shipping, which requires additional transport to get the furniture to your home, blanket wrap carriers deliver furniture directly to its final destination.
- No terminals, no repacking, no delays
- No forklifts, no warehouses—less risk of damage
- Best for oversized, fragile, or valuable furniture
3. No Packing Hassles
Blanket wrap shipping eliminates the need for crating or pallets, saving:
✅ Time – No need to prepare your furniture for shipping.
✅ Money – Avoid expensive packing materials.
✅ Effort – Professional movers handle the entire process.
4. More Cost-Effective for Individual Furniture Pieces
Container shipping is only cost-effective for full-home moves. If you’re shipping one or a few pieces of furniture, blanket wrap delivery is cheaper and safer.
Other Furniture Shipping Options Available on uShip
uShip offers multiple furniture shipping options, so you can choose the right service:
1. White Glove Delivery
✅ Best for luxury, antique, or fragile furniture
✅ Includes professional in-home placement
✅ Movers assemble and remove packing materials
2. Freight Shipping
✅ Ideal for bulk furniture shipments
✅ LTL (Less Than Truckload) or FTL (Full Truckload) options
✅ Great for business-to-business furniture transport
3. Container Shipping
✅ Best for large-scale, long-distance moves
✅ Weather-resistant and secure
✅ Can be combined with trucking for seamless transport
How to Book the Best Furniture Shipping Option on uShip
uShip makes booking a reliable furniture shipping service easy:
1️⃣ List Your Shipment – Provide details on furniture size, weight, and destination.
2️⃣ Compare Carrier Quotes – Get multiple offers from top-rated transporters.
3️⃣ Book with Confidence – Choose the best option based on price, service level, and customer reviews.
4️⃣ Track Your Shipment – Stay updated on pickup, transit, and delivery status.
With uShip, you can compare all shipping options—including container shipping, blanket wrap, and white glove service—in one place.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Best Way to Ship Furniture
Container Shipping is Best For:
✔ Full-home or office moves
✔ Large, heavy furniture shipments
✔ International or long-distance transport
Blanket Wrap Delivery is Best For:
✔ Antiques, luxury furniture, or fragile items
✔ Door-to-door, damage-free shipping
✔ Cost-effective transport for single pieces
For most furniture shipments, blanket wrap delivery is the safest and most efficient choice. However, for bulk moves or international relocations, container shipping may be the right fit.
📦 Ready to ship furniture? Get instant quotes on uShip today!
TL;DR: What’s the Best Way to Ship Furniture?
✅ Shipping containers are great for bulk moves, long distances, and international shipments, offering weather-resistant protection and cost savings for full-home relocations.
✅ Blanket wrap, first-to-final mile delivery is the best option for most furniture, providing damage-free, door-to-door transport without disassembly or extra packing.
✅ White glove service is perfect for high-end, antique, or delicate furniture, offering professional in-home setup and assembly.
✅ Freight shipping (LTL/FTL) works well for business furniture shipments, allowing for palletized transport with structured handling.
🚛 Bottom Line: If you’re moving an entire home’s worth of furniture, container shipping can be cost-effective. But for individual pieces, fragile items, or furniture needing extra care, blanket wrap delivery is the safest, most hassle-free option.
🔎 Want the best price for your furniture shipment? Compare all options and book a trusted carrier on uShip today!
