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One of the first questions people ask when planning an international move is: How much space will my shipment take up? This matters because the volume and weight of a shipment affect the organisation of the move, the packing materials required, the transport method and the quotation.
But how can you estimate how many cubic metres of furniture and personal belongings will need to be transported from a house or apartment?
The floor area of a property alone does not provide the answer. The shipment volume depends on the items being transported, their dimensions and the packing method. There are several ways to estimate the expected volume, depending on the nature and complexity of the move.
In international moving, shipment volume is measured in cubic metres (m³).
It is not simply a matter of adding up the dimensions of your furniture. The shipment volume can include:
The packing method and the way items are arranged also affect the final volume.
As a result, two homes with the same floor area can generate shipments of significantly different sizes.
The floor area of a property provides only limited information about the volume of a shipment.
A 100 m² apartment may contain relatively little furniture and few personal belongings, while another apartment of the same size may have a library, a large amount of clothing, numerous decorations, sports equipment or other bulky items.
It also matters whether the owner plans to take everything or sort through their belongings before moving.
The most important question is therefore not simply, “How large is my home?” but “Exactly what do I want to take with me to my new home?”
In addition to volume, the weight of a shipment is an important factor in planning a move.
For road transport, it is not only the space available in the truck that matters. The weight of the load must also be taken into account when selecting the vehicle and arranging the cargo, in accordance with the vehicle's permitted payload.
A large but lightweight shipment may require different vehicle capacity from a smaller but heavier load. Heavy furniture, machinery and other weighty items may therefore require particular consideration when planning the transport.
For overseas moves, volume is relevant when determining container capacity, while weight must also remain within the applicable weight limits.
Several methods can be used to estimate the expected volume. The most suitable option depends on how much is already known about the belongings being moved and how complex the move is.
The 3-minute online quotation form is suitable for people who already have an estimate of their shipment volume.
In this form, the customer enters the estimated volume in cubic metres (m³). This may be based on a previous survey or an initial assessment of the items to be transported.
The 10-minute online quotation form is designed for people who do not know the volume of their shipment in advance.
The customer selects the items to be transported and enters the quantity of each item. The system then calculates the estimated total volume in cubic metres, using the average volume assigned to each item.
This option is useful when the customer can list the furniture and personal belongings but cannot estimate the total volume themselves.
The main difference between the two forms is that the 3-minute form requires the customer to enter the estimated volume, whereas the 10-minute form calculates the estimated volume from the selected items.
The calculated volume is an estimate. The actual shipment volume may vary depending on the dimensions of the items, their composition and the packing method.
For larger, more complex moves or shipments containing specialist items, the belongings can also be assessed in person.
During the survey, a moving specialist reviews the items room by room, taking into account larger, heavy, unusual or fragile items that may require special packing.
A video survey can be particularly useful when the customer is already living abroad and an in-person meeting is difficult to arrange.
The survey can provide information not only about shipment volume but also about weight-related considerations, loading conditions and any need for specialist equipment.
Further information is available in these articles:
Why Is a Survey Essential for a Move?
An international move is often a good opportunity to consider which belongings are worth transporting to the new country.
It can be useful to divide items into three categories:
Items you will definitely take – for example, personal belongings, essential furniture, clothing and books.
Items you are still considering – for example, larger pieces of furniture, decorations or belongings you may no longer need in your new home.
Items you will leave behind – for example, old, rarely used or easily replaceable belongings.
The more clearly you identify what will be included in the shipment, the more reliably its expected volume can be estimated and the move planned.
The cost of an international move depends on several factors. In addition to shipment volume and weight, the following may affect the quotation:
Shipment volume affects the amount of loading space required, while weight matters because of vehicle payload limits and cargo distribution requirements. The other circumstances must also be understood to determine the overall logistical requirements and cost of the move.
An accurate quotation is based on an assessment of the shipment and the circumstances of the move.
The volume and weight of the shipment, the route and the timing all influence the choice of transport method.
In some cases, a move can be arranged as a dedicated shipment. In others, groupage transport may be an option.
The most suitable solution depends on the specific circumstances of the move, the characteristics of the shipment and the customer's requirements. The same transport method is not necessarily appropriate for every international move.
If the aim is to reduce the amount being transported and potentially the cost of the move, it is worth sorting through furniture and personal belongings in advance.
A few questions can help:
Large, heavy or rarely used items are particularly worth considering carefully.
However, reducing shipment volume is not always the best option in every case. Transporting a well-maintained, valuable or sentimental piece of furniture may be entirely worthwhile.
The goal is not to take as little as possible, but to take the things that genuinely have a place and value in your new life.
Estimating the volume and weight of a shipment helps determine the required vehicle capacity, packing needs and suitable transport method.
The appropriate estimation method depends on the complexity of the move. With the 3-minute online quotation form, the customer enters the estimated volume. With the 10-minute form, the system calculates the expected volume from the selected items. For more complex moves, a detailed in-person or video survey can provide additional information about the shipment and the logistical circumstances.
Together, these details help ensure that the move can be planned and quoted according to its actual requirements.