Shipping Furniture from Newark to Manzanillo via Ocean Freight

Transporting furniture sets and decorative items necessitates multi-step packing. Shippers should take apart removable legs, shelves, and hardware, then cushion each component separately. Use foam corners on table tops, cabinets, and wall decor panels, then place items in custom crates with secure internal cushioning. Finally, clearly mark all packages as “Glass – Do Not Stack” and indicate the this side up orientation.

Large or heavy glass wall decor are usually safer with freight services than standard parcel, because freight permits palletization and stable handling. For small, well-padded home decor items under parcel size limits, shippers can use parcel carriers, but shippers 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 home accessories, shippers should use poly sheeting around each boxed or crated item, then add silica gel inside the packaging. In ocean containers, do not allow pallets directly against steel walls; instead, maintain a small air gap and use dry packs hung from lashing points. Choose sheltered loading bays so home decor cartons are not exposed to rain during loading.

International shipments of high-value furnishings and decorative items typically need a full commercial invoice, packing list, and tariff codes for each product type. Shippers should clearly describe items (for example, “wooden furniture,” “glass mirrors,” “metal wall decor”) and state materials to avoid customs delays. For designer or branded home decor, verify if any IP documentation or origin statements are required by the destination country.

Standard carrier liability for household furniture and decorative items is usually based on weight, which often understates the actual value of designer pieces, artistic decorative items, or premium home furnishings. Most brokers recommend purchasing all-risk coverage for high-value or fragile shipments, and confirming that the policy includes breakage and moisture damage. This better ensures you can claim the full replacement cost if items are damaged in transit.

Furniture and home décor items should be securely packaged to withstand ocean transport, considering potential moisture exposure. Items may need to be disassembled for shipping to optimize space and reduce the risk of damage.

Required documentation includes a commercial invoice, packing list, and any necessary certificates of origin or compliance with Mexican regulations. Proper documentation is essential for smooth customs clearance in both the United States and Mexico.

DNA Supply Chain offers ocean freight (FCL and LCL), air freight, ground transportation (domestic and cross-border trucking), customs brokerage, and warehousing & distribution, all supported by our SAMMIE visibility platform and dedicated Client Success Officers.

DNA provides secure, strategically located warehousing for scalable storage and just-in-time fulfillment, with real-time inventory control and integrated distribution powered by SAMMIE’s insight and our responsive Client Success Officers.

DNA supports seamless EDI/API connectivity tailored to your systems—including ERP, WMS, finance, and more—while many other forwarders depend on third-party platforms with limited integration and manual data entry.