There’s plenty of information out there on how to send a small parcel internationally, but what do you do if you have something very large or bulky that needs to be sent abroad? Anything you send overseas from the UK to locations other than Europe will be sent either via ship or plane, your budget and timescale for delivery will determine which method you end up using. But larger items are sent in or on something to make moving them easier, and are usually sent by sea if excessively large. Sending to Europe opens the door for sending items via road or rail, but the principles remain the same.
Depending on the actual size, your large item will be sent on a pallet or in a container or truck depending on its destination. Pallets are better for anything tall or stackable, and the pallet allows carriers to move your item without actually touching it as forklift trucks simply slot in to the pallet itself. Pallets can generally carry up to 1000kg, and different sized pallets (measured vertically) are available allow you to send bulky items without paying for a full sized pallet.
Your item needs to be securely attached to the pallet before collection, using the correct packing materials to ensure it meets internationally defined standards. Your pallet service will send a driver to collect your pallet, who will then transport it to their depot for sorting and relocation for its onwards journey overseas.
Alternatively, if your item is heavier, taller or bigger than a pallet can cope with, sending your item via container or truck will be the way to go. Containers are sent by ship, trucks are better for European destinations, but the principle remains the same for both. Both can either be entirely used by you, or shared with other people depending on the size of the item or items you want to send abroad. Full containers, usually around 20 feet long, can take the entire contents of a one/two bedroom house, so there’s plenty of space inside!
If you’re going to be using the entire container, a driver will bring it to your location for packing on the back of a truck. They will either wait whilst you pack, or drop it off and collect later. Part containers require you to take your item to the container terminal for loading, either on pallets or packaged securely, but are more cost efficient. Trucks work exactly the same way, but LTL freight (Less than Truckload) will collect from your location.