Shipping Furniture Internationally
Large dimensions mean pallet shipping is usually more cost-effective than parcel couriers for furniture.
Shipping furniture internationally — whether a designer chair, a handcrafted table, antique cabinet or flat-pack shelving — requires choosing the right service type for the dimensions. Small furniture pieces (lamps, cushions, picture frames, small stools) can ship as standard parcels. Medium pieces (dining chairs, small shelving) may fit within parcel courier limits. Large or heavy furniture (sofas, dining tables, wardrobes) requires pallet shipping or specialist freight. The biggest mistake is under-estimating volumetric weight — a flat-pack box for a dining table can be 180×80×15cm (volumetric weight: 43kg), making parcel courier pricing uncompetitive versus a pallet service. Fragile edges and corners, assembly hardware, and accurate customs declarations are the main operational considerations.
Carrier Acceptance
| Carrier | Accepted? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DHL Express | Conditions apply | Accepts furniture within parcel size limits (max 300cm total dimensions, 70kg). Volumetric weight applies. Not suitable for large furniture — pallet freight recommended. |
| FedEx | Conditions apply | Accepts furniture items within max 274cm combined girth + length. Very large or fragile pieces may be declined. Volumetric weight billing. |
| UPS | Conditions apply | Accepts furniture up to 70kg actual weight and 274cm combined girth. Large/awkward furniture (sofas, wardrobes) not accepted as standard parcel. |
| DPD | Conditions apply | DPD road service is often cost-effective for flat-pack furniture within EU. Size limits are more restrictive than express carriers. Check per-country limits. |
| GLS | Conditions apply | GLS accepts smaller furniture items. Size limits vary by country network. Check GLS country-specific limits before booking large pieces. |
How to Pack Furniture for Shipping
Disassemble to smallest possible size
Remove all legs, shelves, drawers and detachable parts. Flat-pack furniture should be kept in its original flat format. Document the disassembly with photos to help recipient reassemble. Bundle screws/bolts in a clearly labelled ziplock bag taped inside the box.
Protect corners and edges with foam
Furniture corners are the most commonly damaged part in transit. Use L-shaped foam corner protectors (available at packaging suppliers) on all corners and edges. For antique or solid wood pieces, use 10cm foam padding on all sides.
Wrap glass and mirror elements separately
Any glass or mirror component must be separately wrapped in bubble wrap (minimum 3 layers) with 'GLASS — FRAGILE' labels. Consider specialist glass transit boxes for large mirrors or glass tabletops. Mark 'THIS SIDE UP' with arrows.
Choose the right outer packaging
Use double-wall corrugated cardboard (not single-wall) for furniture. For pieces over 30kg, use a wooden crate or plywood overlay on the cardboard for additional rigidity. Palletised shipments should have the item secured to the pallet with strapping and stretch wrap.
Label clearly for freight handling
Furniture pallets are handled by forklift — label must be visible on the side, not the top. Mark 'FRAGILE', 'TOP LOAD ONLY — DO NOT STACK', and indicate the maximum stack weight if applicable. Include a packing list for customs.
Customs & Declarations
Furniture HS codes: 9401 (seats/chairs), 9403 (other furniture — tables, storage, shelving, beds), 9404 (mattresses and bedding), 9405 (lamps and lighting). Be specific — customs authorities distinguish between wooden furniture (9403.30–9403.60), metal furniture (9403.10–9403.20) and plastic furniture (9403.70). Antique furniture over 100 years old: 9705.00 (antiques) — may have different duty rates and cultural property export rules. UK: 0% import duty on most furniture from Portugal under UK-EU TCA. USA: furniture duty ranges from 0–5% depending on material. Brazil: import duty on furniture can reach 35%. For personal effects (household move), customs declaration process differs — goods for personal use are generally duty-exempt under a household goods declaration with proof of relocation.
Pro Tips
Calculate pallet freight vs parcel courier costs for anything over 60×60×60cm — pallet freight is almost always cheaper for large furniture despite seeming like a bigger service.
For antique furniture exports from Portugal: check if the piece requires an export licence from the Portuguese Directorate-General of Cultural Heritage (DGPC) for items over 50 years old.
Always insure furniture for its declared value — standard carrier liability (€20/kg) rarely covers the value of quality furniture pieces.
For flat-pack furniture: keep it flat during shipping. Storing flat-pack boxes on end or at angles can stress joints and cause warping.
For solid wood furniture: humidity changes during international shipping can cause wood to expand or contract. Apply a thin coat of wax to exposed wood surfaces before wrapping to reduce moisture sensitivity.
For sofa or large upholstered furniture: use a specialist furniture courier or freight forwarder rather than standard parcel couriers — they have furniture-rated vehicles and trained handlers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ship furniture internationally by courier?
Small and medium furniture pieces (chairs, small tables, lamps, flat-pack shelving) can ship by standard parcel courier (DHL, UPS, FedEx, DPD) if they are within size limits (typically 270–300cm combined dimensions, 70kg). Large furniture (sofas, wardrobes, dining tables) exceeds standard parcel limits and requires pallet freight or specialist furniture courier service.
What is the cheapest way to ship furniture internationally?
For pieces fitting within parcel dimensions: compare DPD road (EU) or UPS Standard (EU/UK) — road services are typically 40–60% cheaper than express. For large furniture: pallet freight is almost always cheaper than converting to parcel rates. Get pallet freight quotes alongside parcel quotes on Cargosender to compare.
How do I ship a sofa internationally?
Sofas and large upholstered furniture typically cannot ship as standard parcels — they exceed courier size limits. Options: (1) specialist furniture courier (white-glove service with assembly at destination), (2) groupage freight (your sofa shares a container with other shipments — cost-effective but slower), (3) full container load for large moves. Contact Cargosender support for freight quotes for large items.
Do I need customs documents for furniture?
Within the EU: no customs documents needed. For non-EU destinations (UK post-Brexit, USA, Brazil): yes. You need a commercial invoice stating the furniture type, material (wood/metal/plastic), HS code, dimensions, declared value and country of origin. For personal household goods (you're moving country): use a household goods customs declaration instead — different rules, often duty-free.
What is the HS code for furniture?
Chairs and seats: 9401. Other furniture (tables, storage units, wardrobes, shelving, beds): 9403. Mattresses: 9404. Lamps and lighting fixtures: 9405. Be specific about material: solid wood furniture uses 9403.30–9403.60, metal furniture 9403.10–9403.20. Antiques (over 100 years) use 9705. The correct HS code affects import duty rates — an incorrect code can cause customs delays.
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