Is there anywhere to download a packing list?

I am starting to pack our belongings into containers and since our move is probably still about a year away, I know I will forget what is packed in what. So a shipping/packing list would be great.  Is there one somewhere online I can download? or what did you do when you moved? packing everything ourselves including the container.

Thanks

Mal

we packed and loaded our own container last year. Our person at M&S Shipping in Norfolk sent us their packing list forms. We had already packed a LOT, and what I did was keep a running packing list in Excel.

Each box was numbered, and I had a worksheet listing box number and contents, and a column for value.

At the time, I copied and pasted the excel sheet onto the form for M&S. That worked fine for us.

thank you for responding. I was thinking that numbering the boxes might be a great idea thanks for confirmation. How did you price things? that seems really kind of a arbitrary thing to do on used items like sheets and towels. I am using tubs and was thinking maybe for a 44 qt tub of towels or linens about $10 does that seem low or about right?
any other tips you could share having done the packing yourself would be awesome.

You absolutely MUST number the boxes....as much for your own sanity when unpacking as anything else.

We've packed containers 3 times now. The key is having a plan, not just for the boxes, but for your furniture etc and the order in which you load. We also built a bulkhead about 1/2 way along a 40' container, which stabilized the load.

Anyway. For value of used goods, think 'yard sale', especially if it's stuff you've had for years. Use sheets, towels etc to pack around other things. Rolls of paper towels and toilet paper also work well to stuff in boxes to stabilize the contents. Keep boxes as small as possible, and as uniform as possible. All that helps when you are loading. DH is a UKC, and had been out of the UK for >10 years. We had to fill out customs forms, but paid NO duty on anything as all came under the category of personal/household goods. Do NOT bring any alcohol or any type. That could initiate an inspection, and hold you up on the other end.

Make sure you work with a good shipper. Ours was fantastic, and was also the cheapest quote. The clearing agent on this side was a person that M&S worked with, and he was great as well. PM if I can answer anything, and will help as best I can.

I'm kind of surprised to hear people pack so far in advance. Kind of scares me thinking that we are going to save too much for the last minute.  

But I'm curious, if you're packing so far ahead of time how do you manage without those items for a whole year?

How do you decide what to take?

Vadio, would you be able to comment on who you used as a shipper and clearing agent?

Editing to add: sorry for the hijacking. I also wanted to say I think numbering and having some sort of list and maybe color code by room is very helpful too.

I thought you had to create a list. My shipper had me number the boxes and provide a list of contents for customs. It also helped in the unpacking.

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@ Beccarose: When we moved to the US in 2000, we arranged our own container with ACL, and used the container line's clearing agent in the US. From the US to the UK last year, it was M&S Shipping in Norfolk VA, and the agent on this side was their regular guy in Liverpool, but I can't remember his name. We had direct quotes from the same container line, but M&S gave us a CHEAPER quote for the same service. And, they were fantastic folks, and knew their stuff.

As for packing early, you might be amazed how long packing takes. And how many more boxes you need. You will also be surprised what you can do without. We stated packing about 5 months ahead of the move, beginning with knickknacks, books, out-of season clothes, shoes, etc. We pared it down as much as possible to basic kitchen stuff, but planned the packing for that, clothes and linens. I was working, so computers were active until the last minute because I had a home office.

We numbered boxes as K-1 to K-xx for kitchen, B-1 to B-xx for books, and so forth. A lot were 'miscellaneous' because they had bits of this and that. Numbering and having a detailed list minimizes your chance of a random custom check. The shipment needs to be in the name of the person who is a citizen; this minimizes exposure to duty.

We had a 40' container, so we took almost everything, but gave away and sold furniture, some electrical items etc that we knew we no longer wanted, wouldn't use etc. Then, after we got here, the British Heart Association got a VAN LOAD of stuff that we should have dumped in the US. But - a container is a container, and it didn't cost more to ship the stuff we dumped on this side.

Hope that helps.

I am starting to pack our belongings into containers

I am using tubs

Ahh, I get it now, I was thinking you were talking about packing shipping containers now, a year in advance!

As for packing early, you might be amazed how long packing takes.

Oh yes, you're very right! I've also started sorting and figuring out what needs to happen to what. And if I were not quite so lazy I would also be starting to pack and get on the ball with getting rid of stuff...
Thanks for the ideas on movers.