You Pack, We Ship – How You Can Save Money on Your Overseas Move

Last Updated: 29th May 2025 by Martha Lott

Moving abroad doesn’t have to cost a fortune. One of the easiest ways to slash your overseas relocation costs is by taking packing into your own hands. With a bit of extra time and effort, you can dramatically reduce expenses without sacrificing the security or efficiency of a professional international move.

Let’s face it, hiring full-service packers can drive up your moving budget fast. But with a self-pack solution, you stay in control of your packing process while still benefiting from our expert international shipping, customs clearance, and door-to-door logistics support.

And here’s an even better deal: Book your move with us and we’ll give you a £50 discount on any moving supplies you’ve purchased. It’s our way of rewarding proactive movers who are willing to roll up their sleeves to save.

The Self-Pack Overseas Moving Process Explained

With self-pack international relocation services, you take charge of packing up your household goods while the 1^st Move handles all the other logistics. This can often help save you money and time if the removal company are fully booked. Here is how our Self-Pack Overseas Moving Service works:

• You pack your belongings using your own materials or you can buy boxes through us.
• Once you’ve packed your items, our team of professionals come and collect them straight from your door.
• We handle all Export and Import customs clearance and documentation.
• We will arrange weekly international shipping via sea freight or air freight, so no need to wait around for a departure date.
• We can unload and offer final delivery to your new home abroad!

How Does Self-packing Work?

We’ve put together a step by step on how to best pack your items:

1. Determine Inventory: Decide which possessions to bring overseas versus selling/discarding. We will send you an inventory so you can tell us what and how you’ve packed. Alternatively, you can use our AI Removals Volume Calculator to generate an inventory for your move.
2. Use Professional Supplies: Get top-quality boxes, tape, and packing materials from 1^st Move.
3. Pack Items Securely: Carefully pack and label boxes room-by-room at your own pace.
4. Schedule Pickup: When finished, simply book your move online here and we will collect your packed goods for shipping.
5. We Secure Your Items: After collection we will secure your packed goods using our palletised packing systems.
6. Shipping Arrangements: 1^st Move then takes over shipping overseas and getting items through customs.
7. Overseas Delivery: Your belongings are then delivered right to your door at your new home or you can save even more money by collecting from our many overseas customs depots!

Benefits of DIY Packing for Overseas Moves

Why consider self-pack when moving abroad? Here are the prime advantages:

• Cost Savings: Avoid professional packing costs at your home, for small moves this is around £300 and for full house moves can be £800 to £1,500.
• Customisation: Pack specialty and fragile items exactly how you want.
• Less Stress: Pack leisurely versus watching our packers on moving day.
• Flexible Timeline: No packing deadline to work around.
• Downsizing: Only pack what you want to bring overseas.
• Hands-On Control: Only you touch every item that goes into boxes.
• Free Moving Boxes: Free boxes offer, delivered to your door.

Tips for Stress-Free DIY Overseas Moving Packing

Follow these tips to make self-pack international moving smooth sailing:

• Use lots of protective wrapping like bubble wrap on fragile goods.
• Tape boxes securely closed on top and bottom.
• Label contents clearly on all sides of boxes.
• Segregate boxes room-by-room for easy unloading.
• Don’t overpack boxes – leave some room for cushioning.
• Double-box valuable electronics and delicate items.
• Pack heavy items like books at the bottom.
• Fill extra space with socks, towels, or clothing.
• Keep documents and essentials separate for easy access.
• It’s important to remember that shipment protection cover will only cover loss and theft, as our insurers will not know the condition of any goods you have packed.

Why Use 1st Move International For Moving Overseas?

Here are just a few of the many reasons you can trust 1st Move International with your overseas move.

1. Safer Packing with Our Unique Palletised System

Unlike most movers, we don’t just throw your belongings into a shared container. Our shrink-fast packing method secures your goods on individual pallets, providing maximum protection and faster customs clearance.

2. Weekly Shipping Guaranteed to Over 100 Countries

We ship every week to popular destinations including the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UAE. You won’t be left waiting for your container to fill up, our fast, regular sailings keep your move on schedule.

3. Flexible Self-Pack Option to Save You Money

Want to save on packing costs? Use our self-pack option and we’ll still handle the shipping, customs, and logistics, plus give you £50 off your packing materials when you book.

4. Full Customs Support

We handle all the paperwork and guide you through customs regulations specific to your destination. You focus on the move, we’ll handle the red tape.

5. Transparent Pricing – No Hidden Costs

With 1st Move, what you see is what you get. Our quotes are clear and itemised, with no hidden fees and no surprise charges down the line.

6. Trusted by Thousands – 5-Star Reputation

With decades of experience and glowing reviews from satisfied customers, we’ve earned a reputation for reliability, transparency, and care.

7. Fastest Door-to-Door Transit Times

Thanks to our streamlined logistics and pallet system, we often deliver faster than traditional movers, getting your belongings to your new home sooner.

8. Friendly UK-Based Support Team

Our relocation experts are just a phone call away, ready to guide you through every step of your international move.

Book Your Removals With Us To Save Now!

Ready to save big on your next overseas move? Contact us today to learn more about self-pack international relocation services! You can buy up to £50.00 of moving supplies from Amazon and we will discount these costs from your overseas move when you book your move with us. Get your free tailored quote today and begin your new adventure.