Moving is hard and you won’t get through this process without breaking a sweat. Especially if you must pack your book collection for shipping and moving. Firstly, you must organize the whole deal, pack accordingly, and search for the best overseas shipping companies. The whole process is exhausting, time-consuming, and costly. But do not worry, we will help you with the most important part. Let us pack your precious book collection the right way.

Where to begin?

Ok, the very first step is to inspect your possessions. Whether you are moving your entire home or simply moving the book collection, the process is the same. You must know what you are packing, how many copies, and which ones are rare and valuable. Sort your books into categories and use the appropriate packing materials to keep them safe. You can sort them by rarity, value, weight, or in whichever way you like. And because you will use project cargo for this occasion, you should consult with the shipping company beforehand. Once you have all the details, give them a call and let them explain what the best way would be to pack your books.

As you already know, books are heavy and hard to handle in bulk. Obviously, if you have a huge collection, it is the only way to do it. But if your collection numbers in hundreds or even thousands of copies, then you’ll surely need heavy lift cargo to complete this project. Let the professionals handle the hard part instead of you. Remember, do not overstuff your boxes because it will endanger the content inside. Pack lightly and let your movers do the heavy lifting.

Prepare materials needed to pack your book collection

Now when you communicated the details with your moving and shipping company, you should start obtaining packing supplies. Maybe your movers already advised which kind you need and where to obtain it. If not, we will. Start with your local hardware store or purchase everything online. Or you can obtain all the packing materials from your shipping company. Compare prices and the quality and choose what is most convenient. So, you’ll need cardboard moving boxes of all shapes and sizes. Usually, people use shoe boxes they already have at home, but that won’t work if you have a huge book collection. Therefore, purchase the amount you need and ensure you have at least 10 of the smaller ones as well as a few medium-sized boxes.

Some books are oddly shaped and you do not want for one book to take all the place inside the box. But remember to stay within the weight limits. Books are heavy and they can easily break your box apart. Then, you’ll need packing tape, blister packs, and labels. Use higher-quality packing tape to strengthen the box. Apply a few layers from all sides to be sure it is nicely tucked in and safe. Blister packs are good to wrap valuable and rare copies individually. And labels, of course, to have an easier way when unpacking and sorting your books out.

Clean your precious books before packing them

Surely, you’ll clean before you pack your books. While inspecting the whole cargo and before you pack, take each piece and clean it thoroughly. A simple duster and a kitchen cloth will do the trick. Although, if you possess valuable pieces, you might want to use leather gloves and a cleaning kit. If you do not know how to do it right you should consult with your local artwork dealer who will point you in the right direction. But for the most part, you should simply remove the dust and clean your books as much as possible before packing. Once your books arrive at the destination, you will have more time cleaning and sorting things out before finding them a place on your shelves.

Declutter before you pack your book collection

Maybe you are moving into a smaller apartment and there is no room for all your books? Or you simply want to get rid of a few copies that are cluttering the space. People do it all the time, especially with books that are widely available all over the place. So, decide on what to ship and what to leave behind. You will use moving service Japan to transport your prized possessions but what to do with the leftovers? Don’t worry, you won’t throw anything away. There is always a good solution.

A book is the greatest gift!

Good, now when you have the pile of books you want to get rid of, let us provide a few examples on how to do it right:

• Yard/garage sale – You can organize a successful garage sale and put up a symbolic price. It will yield a few bucks but more importantly, the book will find the new home.
• Donation – Give your books to the local charity organization. They will find those who need it the most.
• Sell online – If you have books in a good condition, you can always sell them online. If you have the time and patient, this is the way to go.
• Give away – You can always give your books to your neighbors, friends, relatives, coworkers, etc. It is the best parting gift and they will highly appreciate the gesture.

Moving insurance

Surely such a precious cargo will ask for moving insurance. You want to ensure that your books are safe and in case of unfortunate events, you’ll be compensated accordingly. Therefore, check with your moving company if they sell moving insurance and what kind. Or your shipping company in this case. Your provider can offer partial or full coverage depending on the kinds of business they run. Although, if you want to be 100% sure you are covered, it would be best to purchase insurance from the insurance company. This cargo you are shipping is far too valuable to be left without some kind of insurance. So, we recommend purchasing some form of insurance to add another layer of protection.

Ok, now you know how to pack your book collection and how to protect your precious collection. Remember, using the right packing materials is equally important as a reliable shipping company. Now you know how to find both, and to prepare your cargo adequately. We wish you the best of luck and a safe journey ahead.