Groupage shipment - how are tables packed?

Hello all,

We are shipping a few items of furniture to Australia, one of which is a metal-framed smallish kitchen table. According to a couple of online estimators this is estimated to consume something like 30 cu.ft. The legs don't collapse so it'll take up a fair volume but presumably several boxes could be packed within that space.

In other people's experience will it really take 30 cu.ft of space? In which case it's not worth taking (at about £5.70 / cu.ft according to my calculations), or do they actually pack more efficiently than that?

Thanks, Dave.

The shippers completely wrap all bits of furniture so it becomes like a large parcel. If the legs don't come off the table then it's possible with wrapping that it will take up that much room. That said the packers are very experienced and know how best to pack things in to the container to make the best use of space. The question is probably more how much do you want to take the table with you? Is it a special table that you love or is it one from somewhere like Ikea that is easily replaced? If it's special take it, if it's easily replaced then maybe you would want to consider leaving it behind and buying new in Australia.

It's a seventies-era formica topped table that my wife found in a second hand shop. I think it's replaceable. She thinks it's unique. Seems likely we'll be taking it :-)

Will the legs screw off?

Lefty loosy, righty tighty :wink:

No. They're metal tubular legs that are welded together. The table-top does come off though though which might help a bit.

No. They're metal tubular legs that are welded together. The table-top does come off though though which might help a bit.

Id take the top off myself and lean it against the wall in the 'to take' pile. The packers probably would wrap some cardboard around the exposed metal frame and put it in sideways first. Other boxes would then stack around and between the legs. Just ask when they come. Our packers also packed the container when they got our boxes back to their depot.