Guides

Packing Tips from the Professionals at North American Van Lines

To help organize your packing, print this page and keep it handy.

Packing can be a tedious, time-consuming chore that takes skill and the right materials to prepare household articles for your move.

North American Van Lines recommends that you have our professionals pack for you. We're trained in proper procedures, have the right materials, and can do it in about a quarter of the time. We strongly recommend that we crate or pack and prepare these items for shipment:

  • Marble, glass tabletops, heavy wall ornaments and mirrors 40" x 60" or larger
  • Pool table slates
  • Bulky, fragile items like large trophies, statuary, chandeliers and other items that require crating
  • Antiques

Some things should stay with you as you move, such as:

  • Cash
  • Securities
  • Jewelry and Furs
  • Firearms (consult local laws)
  • Personal Papers and documents (like birth certificates, insurance policies and deeds)
  • Prescriptions
  • Coin and Stamp Collections
  • Special Family Photographs and Videos
  • Moving-Related Documents

Hazardous Materials

We believe we must be vigilant to ensure that we are operating in a safe manner at all times. It makes good business sense (i.e. fewer claims and associated expenses) and more importantly it is the right thing to do in order to ensure happy customers as well as to ensure the safety of the general public and our service providers.

With these things in mind, please remember that it is illegal and/or unsafe for us to transport items that are flammable, corrosive, chemical or explosive. A list of such items includes, but is not limited to the following:

  • Acids of any kind
  • Adhesives of any kind
  • Aerosol cans
  • Alcohol/Wine
  • Ammonia
  • Ammunition
  • Antifreeze
  • Batteries
  • Bleach
  • Butane Tanks
  • Charcoal Briquettes
  • Chemicals
  • Cleaners
  • Disinfectants
  • Fire Extinguishers
  • Firewood
  • Gasoline
  • Kerosene
  • Lighters
  • Liquid Cleaners
  • Matches
  • Paints
  • Polishes
  • Propane Tanks
  • Petroleum Fuels
  • Shellac & Varnishes
  • Solvents
  • Scuba Tanks
  • Wood Stains
  • Welding Gases

Please note that effective January 1, 2001, due to a tariff change, propane, butane and scuba tanks will be banned from transport even if they have been certified as being empty. Although some of our employees/customers may be unhappy with our stance on this issue, if explained properly, we are sure that most, if not all, will agree that the associated risk of transport far outweighs the relatively inexpensive cost of a new tank.

Remember that transporting hazardous items is never worth the risk so do not do it. Following this admonition will ensure a safe and prosperous future for all of us.

If you decide to do the packing yourself, we want to help all we can. Here are some trade secrets we'd like to share with you.

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