Shipping Household Furniture from Memphis to Detroit via Ocean Freight

Transporting household furniture and home accessories Requires careful preparation. Exporters should knock down removable legs, shelves, and hardware, then cushion each component separately. Use foam corners on table tops, cabinets, and glass decorative items, then place items in custom crates with secure internal cushioning. Finally, conspicuously label all packages as “Fragile” and indicate the top orientation.

Large or heavy glass wall decor are usually more appropriate for freight services than standard parcel, because freight supports palletization and Upright handling. For small, well-padded decorative items under parcel size limits, it is possible to use parcel carriers, but exporters should add reinforced packaging and insure for full value. Oversized glass furnishings are best crated and shipped on pallets to reduce conveyor and drop risks.

For moisture-sensitive furnishings and decorative items, exporters should use Sealed inner bags around each boxed or crated item, then add moisture absorbers inside the packaging. In ocean containers, never place pallets directly against steel walls; instead, create a small air gap and use dry packs hung from lashing points. Choose sheltered loading bays so decorative item boxes are not exposed to rain during loading.

International shipments of high-value furnishings and home accessories typically call for a Commercial invoice, packing list, and customs classification for each product type. Exporters should clearly describe items (for example, “wooden furniture,” “glass mirrors,” “metal wall decor”) and state materials to avoid customs delays. For designer or branded decorative items, verify if any IP documentation or COO documents are required by the destination country.

Standard carrier liability for household furniture and home accessories is usually based on weight, which often is lower than the actual value of designer pieces, Mirrors, or premium home decoration items. Insurance providers typically recommend purchasing supplemental freight insurance for high-value or fragile shipments, and confirming that the policy includes breakage and moisture damage. This better ensures you can be compensated for the full replacement cost if items are damaged in transit.

Yes, DNA Supply Chain is fully licensed (FMC #019344), bonded, insured, and C-TPAT compliant, with a digital-first customs process that uses automation to reduce delays, cut risk, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Yes, customers get a dedicated Client Success Officer who oversees your freight, solves problems proactively, and keeps you informed throughout each shipment.

DNA states this because a single shipment is enough for shippers to experience our AI-powered visibility, proactive issue management, and partner-level support, and to see how we differ from larger, less responsive forwarders.

Yes, we work well high-volume and enterprise shippers by offering scalable services, custom EDI/API integrations, and expert client support for complex operations.