If you’re a proud owner of a wine collection, it’s only natural to want to enjoy it over time – especially those pieces that get better with more bottle age. However, preserving glass bottles in the midst of relocation can be a challenging endeavor. How to pack wine bottles for moving so they arrive at your new destination unharmed? We will provide you with an extensive guide to answer all of the questions you may have.
The Basics of Packing Wine Bottles
When relocating abroad and bringing your collection, the first thing on your to-do list should be studying customs regulations and possible alcohol bans. When you make sure bringing this beverage to a new country is not prohibited, you can start with preparations, such as getting the right materials and cleaning the glass.
Once the packaging starts, wrap each bottle separately, cushion them, and then seal and label the box accordingly. To maximize the safety of your precious collection, you can also consider hiring professional packers who know all the ins and outs of wine bottle packaging.
Step 1 – Explore Custom Regulations
The first thing to keep in mind when moving internationally is that you’re crossing your country’s border. It is necessary to set some time aside to study what you can and cannot bring to your new destination. According to US Customs and Border Protection, for example, you can enter the US with only one liter of alcohol per person. Those who decide to bring more are allowed to do so, but they need to pay duties and taxes. Many countries have similar rules and restrictions, so make sure to learn them all on time.
If you plan to move to India, for example, know that alcohol is banned in some of their states as well. Moreover, did you know there are countries where alcohol is even illegal? Those are:
- United Arab Emirates,
- Sudan,
- Pakistan,
- Saudi Arabia,
- Libya,
- Mauritania,
- Iran,
- The Maldives,
- Brunei
- Kuwait,
- Bangladesh.
If you’ve chosen some of these places when relocating to a new country, don’t despair. Many of them are willing to accommodate tourists and foreigners and allow them to bring alcohol and consume it in private. However, it’s up to you to learn the specific country’s customs and laws before you start living overseas.
Packing Wine Bottles – Do You Need to Downsize Your Collection?
Before you start with the packaging process, it’s wise to take a long look at all the pieces that are in your collection. Assess which ones are worthy of all the extra work you’ll place into packaging them, and see if there are some you can live without. Remember – fewer glass items to pack means not only less work but also less money spent on packing materials. It’s a great way to reduce costs for those relocating on a low budget.
When assessing what to get rid of and what to keep, you should consider both the monetary and sentimental value of each collection piece. The higher their value, the more deserving they are of keeping. On the other hand, those pieces you decide to leave behind can help you earn extra money if you decide to sell them. They can also serve as a wonderful parting gift for your family and dear friends.
Step 2 – Get All the Essential Materials
How to pack wine bottles for moving? A significant part of successful bottle packaging is choosing the right materials. After all, if the supplies you use are not fit for the task, it will lead to breaking. This will not only endanger your collection but the rest of your moving inventory, too.
So, what type of material do you need? First of all, get packing paper or, even better, bubble wrap, which will serve as both wrapping and cushioning. On the other hand, when choosing the best-sized boxes for this type of goods, it’s better to go with small, sturdy boxes with double-layered cardboard.
They will help you avoid the common relocation mistake of overloading and will reduce the risk of breakage, even if some of the boxes happen to fall or roll over.
Other relocation essentials needed to secure fragile objects include box tape and markers. You’ll need them to ensure the boxes are sealed and labeled appropriately so those carrying them know they are handling breakables.
Ease Your Experience With Wine Moving Boxes
As you probably already know, there are boxes specially designed for carrying wines – and you can use them to your advantage. They come with dividers that will prevent bottles from touching and, therefore, minimize glass movement and the breakage risk.
Go with smaller options in this case as well, and choose a box that can fit up to six pieces. You can buy them in-store or online, but there is a cheaper option. Before relocating to a new home, simply visit your local liquor stores and ask workers to give you wine boxes they no longer need.
Don’t Forget to Clean Each Bottle You Decide to Bring
Cleaning should be one of the first steps on your relocation checklist for most of your belongings, inducing your wines. These bottles are probably safely stored in your pantry or basement since they are not used daily.
Therefore, you’ll need to clean the dust from their surface before you wrap and pack them. Dusting them off is not something you want to leave for the period after moving abroad when there would be numerous other important tasks.
Step 3 – Start Packing
If you don’t decide to get packing services and let professionals deal with these types of household goods, you must be prepared to spend a lot of additional work and time on them. When packing fragile items for shipping overseas, here is what you’ll need to do so your precious bottle collection stays intact:
Some may think they’ll save money and time by wrapping multiple bottles together, but that is just a recipe for disaster. Use your chosen wrapping material, such as packing paper or bubble wrap, and prepare a sheet for each bottle. Place a bottle in the middle of the sheet and roll it until you’re positive they are completely covered. For added protection, you can add another layer of wrapping material and then place them in the box.
Cushioning materials serve as additional protection – they cushion the bottles, as the name suggests, and immobilize the glass so it does not shift in transit. Make sure there is enough cushioning on each side of the box, as well as on the top and on the bottom.
Use quality packing tape that will keep all of the boxes sealed. Keep in mind that tape can be used as an insulator. It can protect your items from extreme weather conditions or even moisture. It can be crucial for some international moves. You don’t want to travel all the way to a new country only to discover all of your wines have deteriorated due to temperature changes.
Whether you move by yourself or plan to get international moving services, all of your boxes should be labeled, especially those intended for wines. It’s the best way to point out that the box in question contains fragile objects. That way, those carrying them will know they need to be handled with the utmost care. You can also write the contents of the box on the cardboard to facilitate the unpacking process.
Step 4 – Learn How to Transport Wine
When relocating overseas, it’s likely that your collection will be transported with the rest of the cargo. However, as a wine connoisseur, you probably already know that red and white wines are best preserved when bottles are stored on their sides. It allows the cork to stay moist, which is why the glass can stay sealed, and oxidation can be prevented.
Sparkling wines, on the other hand, need to be transported upright – it’s the best way to prevent the cork from popping due to the change in pressure. When labeling boxes, it would be wise to write down the optimal position for each of the boxes so the workers from an overseas shipping company know the right way to handle them.
Step 5 – Get Relocation Insurance
You can organize your move to the fullest and still stumble upon some unexpected occurrences that can spoil your entire relocation experience. Luckily, reputable companies like Sunset International Shipping offer multiple moving insurance options.
When it comes to monetary and sentimentally valuable objects such as wine collections, getting a suitable insurance policy is a smart option. It can make moving easier and save you many unnecessary headaches down the road.
Is There a Way to Make the Packing Process More Bearable?
As you can see, a lot of effort needs to be put into packaging your precious collection. It is especially true when you’re relocating across the world and need your items to be packed to perfection. However, if you have a last-minute move or simply find you lack the will to deal with all the tiresome parts of this process, there is another solution.
All you have to do is find an international moving company that can provide both moving and packing services. Trustworthy companies will have a team of professional packers ready to deal with all of your household goods, including breakables. With years of experience in boxing up entire homes, they will know all about how to pack wine for shipping. Ultimately, getting professional help will allow you to move efficiently and worry-free – a truly worthy investment.
Make Your Move Less Stressful With Sunset International Shipping
When relocating to a new city abroad, hiring an overseas moving company can be considered a necessity rather than a luxury. Each international move demands a lot of logistical planning and organizing, so it is a task better left to experienced professionals, such as Sunset International Shipping. Our movers are capable of handling all parts of your move, from scheduling and packing to transporting and unloading. Therefore, when you finally set up a date for your move, make sure to contact us – and be prepared for the best relocation experience.
