packing, do you need to list contents on box?

We are probably packing our own stuff and wondered if we need to have some sort of details on each box about the contents for customs on the UK side?  If so, how detailed does it need to be?  We are about to start packing and don't want to have to open everything back up once it is packed. 

yes, you need an inventory of what is inside each and every box.

We used recipe cards and listed the things as we packed them and then each box was assigned a number and the contents were put on a database.  We gave the print out of the data base to the moving company. 

Very good idea!  I'll have to try something like that!  I was afraid of having to list everything in the box, but that shouldn't be too hard.  How far in depth do I need to go.  Say, if I pack miscellaneous office stuff, do I need to put pens, pencils, scissors??  Or can I just put office supplies?  Kind of a dumb question, but I don't know how much they need to know.

I packed most of my own stuff, just to get it out of the way while I work on the house. I had a man come bid on shipping last week (the first one to come in person) and I asked him if he would need to repack it and how much of an inventory I needed to keep.

He said in theory he would repack it (but in practice I got the impression, not) and that I wouldn't need a detailed inventory. That sounded wrong per everything I'd heard, but he does do a lot of international shipping so...umm...not sure what to make of it.

My boxes just say "kitchen" or "desk" and that's as inventory as they get.

(Frankly, after working away at this for all these months, I'd just as soon they drop the whole container in the sea. Which also happens more often than they admit).

Everytime I've moved internationally, I have needed a detailed inventory.

I do say "office supplies" as opposed to pens, pencils etc.. 

we just moved back to the US. we used an international company to pack and deliver door to door.  they used very general terms for inventory list (kitchen items, toys, linens, office supplies, etc) also just put down what the majority of the box contents was, not every category. Our house full of stuff came through and was delivered to our home a mere 10 days after leaving the UK, by sea container, so there were no questions with customs. maybe it depends on the company you use...

I was definitely bracing for a very detailed inventory, based on everything I'd read (and not just on UK-Y). We'll see what the contract looks like, but this estimate is for door-to-door...so I would guess Customs problems are on his head.

Seriously, when you get to that stage in a move when turning the corner on your way home after work and finding your house and everything you own a pile of smoking rubble would make you happy, that's when you become Zen about material possessions.

What worries me is a couple of years from now, when I become unZen and start screaming about the freaking sideboard that's been in my family for a hundred and fifty years.

I made a detailed inventory of every box, as much for my own sake as for customs. I didn't go to the point of describing, for instance, every piece of clothing. I should think that "office supplies" would be adequate. Each box was numbered and the number corresponded to the list of items that I kept on my laptop and updated while I was packing.

I will say, though, part of the reason I did this is that I'm here on a three-year contract and most of our stuff is in storage back in the US. I didn't have any confidence that I would remember what was in those boxes three years on!

Seriously, when you get to that stage in a move when turning the corner on your way home after work and finding your house and everything you own a pile of smoking rubble would make you happy, that's when you become Zen about material possessions.

What worries me is a couple of years from now, when I become unZen and start screaming about the freaking sideboard that's been in my family for a hundred and fifty years.

I can absolutely relate to this, on both counts! (Well, except the 150-year-old sideboard, you lucky thing!)

It might depend on the shipper, too.  Ours counted the spoons.  Probably the socks, too.  Thankfully, that was their job...

I was definitely bracing for a very detailed inventory, based on everything I'd read (and not just on UK-Y). We'll see what the contract looks like, but this estimate is for door-to-door...so I would guess Customs problems are on his head.

No it's not.  We had a problem with Canada customs (granted they're the dumbest customs on the planet) and it was totally my problem.  The shipper removed himself totally.  We had packed everything ourselves so it was definitely our problem. 

Seriously, when you get to that stage in a move when turning the corner on your way home after work and finding your house and everything you own a pile of smoking rubble would make you happy, that's when you become Zen about material possessions.

What worries me is a couple of years from now, when I become unZen and start screaming about the freaking sideboard that's been in my family for a hundred and fifty years.

I am so with you on this!   I just moved house and I'm looking around at all the crap we own and think "what are we doing with all this stuff?  and Why?"   I know it's time to purge and big time.  I want rid of it all!

Thanks for all your help.  I guess I'll try to be on the safe side a list a bit of detail, but not every item.  It would be good for my sake to know what exactly is in the box too I suppose.  Like which ones have the toys in them to keep the toddler happy, but other than that, most of our stuff will wait until we have our own house as well!  Thanks all!

I am so with you on this!   I just moved house and I'm looking around at all the crap we own and think "what are we doing with all this stuff?  and Why?"   

Some days I think like that... but heck, I'm still bringing my rock and seashell collection.

Some days I think like that... but heck, I'm still bringing my rock and seashell collection.

Heh Heh!!  We've moved DS's frickin' rock collection all over kingdom come!  And my seashells get individually wrapped in kleenex every time we move.  I haven't had a broken one yet! 

It's all the OTHER crap I hate. 

Heh Heh!!  We've moved DS's frickin' rock collection all over kingdom come!  And my seashells get individually wrapped in kleenex every time we move.  I haven't had a broken one yet! 

It's all the OTHER crap I hate. 

Rock and seashell collections are Important!

My motto is that I don't mind moving stuff I actually like. Before we moved here I worked really hard at getting rid of all the crap so that when I open those boxes again they will only contain stuff that I want to see!

Rock and seashell collections are Important!

My motto is that I don't mind moving stuff I actually like. Before we moved here I worked really hard at getting rid of all the crap so that when I open those boxes again they will only contain stuff that I want to see!

That's a GREAT motto.  I remember unpacking after our move over here and being so disapointed with what i found.  I want to start purging!!!!