Shipping Household Furniture from Tampa to Montreal via Ocean Freight

Moving furniture sets and decorative items necessitates careful preparation. You should knock down removable legs, shelves, and hardware, then protect each component separately. Use foam corners on table tops, cabinets, and wall decor panels, then place items in custom crates with Tight internal cushioning. Finally, conspicuously label all packages as “Glass – Do Not Stack” and indicate the Upright orientation.

Large or heavy framed decorative items are usually safer with freight services than standard parcel, because freight permits palletization and stable handling. For small, well-padded decorative items under parcel size limits, You can use parcel carriers, but exporters should add double-boxing and insure for full value. Oversized glass furnishings Should be crated and shipped on pallets to reduce conveyor and drop risks.

For moisture-sensitive household furniture and home accessories, shippers should use poly sheeting around each boxed or crated item, then add moisture absorbers inside the packaging. In ocean containers, Avoid pallets directly against steel walls; instead, create a small air gap and use humidity absorbers hung from lashing points. Choose sheltered loading bays so home decor cartons are not exposed to rain during loading.

International shipments of high-value household furniture and decorative items typically need a full commercial invoice, packing list, and customs classification for each product type. You 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, confirm if any IP documentation or origin statements are required by the destination country.

Standard carrier liability for furnishings and decorative items is usually based on weight, which often understates the actual value of designer pieces, artistic decorative items, or premium home decoration items. We recommend purchasing supplemental freight insurance for high-value or fragile shipments, and confirming that the policy protects against breakage and moisture damage. This better ensures you can claim the full replacement cost if items are damaged in transit.

When shipping Furniture & Home Décor via ocean, it is important to ensure that items are securely packaged and protected from moisture during transit. Additionally, oversized or heavy items may require special handling equipment and should be loaded in a way that prevents shifting during transport.

Required documentation includes a commercial invoice detailing the description and value of the items, a bill of lading, and any necessary import permits. It is essential to ensure compliance with Canadian customs regulations, including tariffs and duties applicable to Furniture & Home Décor imports.

Our ocean freight solutions include port-to-door service that covers customs and final-mile delivery.

Our ground transportation solutions include U.S. and Mexico cross-border coverage.

Our brokerage team supports ISF, AMS, and ACE filings for your shipments.