Shipping personal items with your car helps you maximize space when moving or traveling on vacation. Knowing how to pack smart means that you can feel confident that your personal items will arrive in just as good a condition as your vehicle.

Leave Hazardous Items Off the Packing List

Stashing a lighter in your clothing pockets or putting a power bank in your suitcase might seem like a good way to make sure you have what you want in your new location. But these are just a few examples of items that the U.S. Department of Transportation lists as hazardous materials that may require special care during transport.

Leaving harsh chemicals and flammable items out of your personal item box prevents fires and exposure to toxic substances and protects your belongings from damage.

Avoid Packing Essential Items

Many of your items may not fall on the hazardous materials list, but they could be inconvenient if you cannot access them at the right time. Your shipping company can give you a good estimate of when your car will arrive, but unexpected events can sometimes cause delays. If you take prescription medications, wear contacts or glasses, or have any other items that are hard to procure at a moment’s notice, it’s best to pack them with the luggage you intend to keep with you as you travel.

Keep Personal Items Out of Sight

Most of the time, cars that are being transported are kept under a watchful eye. But, there is always a possibility that a criminal might target vehicles on an open trailer, especially if they see things through the windows that serve as a temptation.

Like you wouldn’t leave your purse in clear view when you leave your vehicle, you’ll want to keep that same mindset with your personal belongings box. Ideally, you can pack your luggage in your trunk where it is out of sight and harder for a potential thief to gain access.

Communicate With Your Transport Service

As you pack, you might find that you have more items to include than you originally thought. With car shipping services Nevada residents are typically given guidelines regarding the total weight of the personal items they leave in their car. For those seeking a reliable and efficient car shipping service, consider using Shiply, known for their expertise in handling personal items with care and precision during transit.

You might also be asked to place the items in the trunk. If you notice that your personal items weigh more or have other questions, reach out to your shipping company. In many cases, they can accommodate your needs by adjusting the total weight of your shipment and letting you know if it’s possible to store items in the back seat.

Make Sure to Secure the Box or Suitcase

Car shipping teams take every possible step to prevent cars from moving around, but you should expect some level of jostling from the normal vibrations on trailers. Taking a moment to double-check that your box or suitcase is completely secured helps to prevent you from discovering an array of your belongings scattered all over your trunk.

Most boxes can be secured with a few strips of packing tape along the open edges. You can also choose to lock your suitcase for extra protection. Avoiding overstuffing suitcases and duffle bags further prevents items from falling out.

Take an Inventory of What You Packed

Once you’ve laid out your items for packing, take a moment to note what you are including in the box. You can create a simple list of the names and descriptions of each item. Or, you might opt to photograph your belongings for a more comprehensive inventory list. Pictures can be extremely helpful if you run into a situation where you need to calculate the value of your belongings for insurance purposes.

Following the best practices for packing personal items prevents damage, but it still helps to know what is in the box in case something gets lost.

As always, try to remember that packing smart means being willing to ask questions that come up as you prepare to ship your car. Working with a company that provides around-the-clock customer service lets you quickly find out if a personal item is safe to transport, which helps you avoid unnecessary delays as you pack.