Which packing materials are suitable for fragile items?

For fragile items , we recommend bubble wrap, packing paper and special crockery boxes with compartment inserts. These materials cushion glasses, crockery and decorations optimally and prevent scratches or breakage during transport , whether on a local move or a long-distance move.

Where can I get sturdy moving boxes?

New moving boxes are available at DIY stores and online, used ones from friends or via classified ads. Look for sturdy, dry boxes without torn bases. Whether we provide boxes for your move can be clarified at the survey.

How do I pack clothes most efficiently?

For clothes, wardrobe boxes with an integrated clothes rail are particularly suitable. Your clothes stay crease-free and you save a lot of time packing and unpacking. These boxes are especially practical for larger private moves with a lot of wardrobe contents.

When should I start packing?

Ideally, start packing rarely used items two to three weeks before the moving date. Get important packing materials such as boxes and tape early, so that you can pack calmly and without time pressure.

How do I label moving boxes properly?

Label each box with the destination room and rough contents, for example 'Kitchen – crockery'. This makes putting things away later much easier. On a professionally organised move , clear labelling makes for a much faster process on the day of arrival.

Do I need special materials for furniture?

Yes, for furniture, sturdy furniture blankets and edge protectors against scratches and knocks are advisable. For delicate surfaces or antique pieces, additional protection is worthwhile. With a private move , mention special pieces at the survey so that enough blankets and protective material are planned in.

How much do packing materials for a move cost?

The cost of packing materials depends on the size of the household, the number of boxes and special boxes; used boxes save a lot. If you book materials or the packing service with us, they are included in the fixed-price quote after the survey, so you know what to expect.

Are packing materials included in the moving price?

That depends on the quote: you can add packing materials and the packing service , and they are then explicitly listed in the fixed-price quote. Ask at the survey or by phone on 01625978461.

Which packing materials are suitable for a long-distance move?

With a long-distance move , particularly robust packing materials are important, as the transport route is longer. We recommend double-walled boxes, extra padding and strong tape. You can find more information about our long-distance moves on our website.

Can I use second-hand packing materials?

Yes, used moving boxes are a good choice if they are sturdy, dry and undamaged. Reinforce the base with tape and sort out soft or torn boxes – they cannot hold heavy packing material and books.

What happens to the packing materials after the move?

Fold boxes flat and pass on sturdy ones, to friends or via classified ads. Damaged boxes belong in the waste paper, plastic film in the recycling collection. That keeps the move straightforward even after the last box and saves packing materials next time.

PACKING PROPERLY

Packing materials: what you need

Boxes, padding, tape and blankets: which packing materials you need and why they matter for liability.

Request a Quote

Our Services

Customer Service01625978461

Google · 119 reviews

(5,0/5)

Monday – Friday09:00 – 17:00 Uhr

Red van with a box body on a paved square in front of trees

FROM BERLIN-MOABIT

Packing materials

Packing materials for your move: what you really need

The shopping list

Unsere Firma is based in Berlin-Moabit (Stromstraße 21) and packs fragile items on request with its packing service.

For a smooth move, the right packing materials count: sturdy moving boxes, strong tape, packing paper and padding. If you pack yourself, you also take on responsibility: if damage is due to inadequate packing by the customer, the moving company is released from liability under § 451d HGB. For a private move, it therefore pays not to skimp on materials.

Besides normal boxes, small book boxes help for heavy items, wardrobe boxes with a rail for hanging clothes and crockery boxes with inserts for glasses. For furniture you need blankets and edge protectors, for electronics ideally the original packaging or thick padding. How much you need depends on the household; we estimate the volume at the survey. Clarify then whether boxes are provided.

Sofa wrapped in stretch film, cushions and stacked moving boxes in an empty flat

€50DISCOUNT

FIXED PRICE AFTER A SURVEY

PERSONAL CONSULTATION

Pack yourself or have it packed?

Fixed price after a survey, packing service on request

Call us without obligation on 01625978461. At the survey we estimate the volume and discuss whether you pack yourself or book our packing service. We then quote a fixed price; we are liable for your household goods under § 451e HGB, and additional insurance is available.

Quotes available individually based on workload, scheduling and the desired scope of services.

Two movers in red T-shirts lifting a film-wrapped piece of furniture into a lorry

PACKING AND LIABILITY

Why packing materials are also a question of liability

§ 451d HGB in simple terms

Packing materials are not just about keeping things tidy but also about liability: damage due to inadequate packing by the customer does not have to be compensated by the moving company under § 451d HGB. If you pack yourself, you should therefore use sturdy moving boxes, strong tape and enough padding. We are based in Berlin-Moabit (Stromstraße 21), quote the fixed price after the survey and pack fragile items ourselves on request.

Sturdy boxes

Better a few sturdy moving boxes than lots of thin ones from the supermarket; reinforce the base with tape in a cross pattern as well.

Enough padding

Packing paper, bubble wrap or towels fill gaps; nothing should rattle in the box. Poor padding is the most common cause of breakage.

Label clearly

Destination room, rough contents and “This way up”/“Fragile” on two sides; this helps when carrying and is part of proper labelling.

Have it packed

If you have no time or own very fragile items, book the packing service; the moving team then packs, and the exception for packing by the customer does not apply.

THE SHOPPING LIST

Six things you need

Good packing materials do not have to be expensive, but they do have to be right: sturdy boxes in two sizes, enough padding and clear labelling. These six points cover most of it.

Boxes in two sizes

Small book boxes for heavy items such as books and supplies, normal moving boxes for light items; as a rough rule of thumb, many people reckon on 10 to 15 per room.

Tape and dispenser

Strong packing tape with a dispenser saves time; tape box bases in a cross pattern rather than just folding the flaps in.

Packing paper

Unprinted packing paper for crockery and glasses – newspaper rubs off. Wrap each item individually and stand plates on edge.

Padding and blankets

Bubble wrap for electronics and pictures, furniture blankets and edge protectors for furniture; towels and bed linen fill gaps.

Special boxes

Wardrobe boxes with a rail, crockery boxes with compartment inserts, picture boxes for frames – worthwhile if you have a lot of clothes or glass.

Pen and labels

A thick marker pen or coloured labels for each room; plus an “Open first” box with tools, charging cables and toilet paper.

FOR SMALL LOADS

Shared load: travelling well packed

Several consignments, one lorry

With a shared load you only pay for the cargo space your boxes and furniture need. Because several consignments travel together, boxes should be sturdy, fully packed and labelled with your name and destination address. Half-empty boxes buckle when stacked – fill gaps with padding.

Open cargo area of a red lorry with packed furniture, panels and boxes

PACKING WITH A SYSTEM

Get,
pack, label

From materials to labels

Whether it is a long-distance move or a move within the city – the right packing materials decide whether crockery and pictures arrive intact. How to fill boxes in a space-saving way is explained in our guide Filling moving boxes efficiently; for glass and porcelain there is Packing fragile items safely. Long routes from Berlin can be found under Long-distance moves.

Get materials early

Get boxes, tape and padding two to three weeks before the move, so that you can start with rarely used items. Used, sturdy boxes from friends and acquaintances are a good and inexpensive alternative.

Pack properly

Heavy items at the bottom and in small boxes, light items on top and in large ones. Fill boxes completely so they do not buckle when stacked, and so that one person can still carry them. During furniture transport, blankets protect the surfaces.

Label and check

Destination room and contents on two sides, and mark fragile boxes clearly. Check for visible damage immediately when unloading; it must be reported no later than the day after delivery, hidden damage within 14 days.

Mover in red workwear pushing a sack truck with a box towards a stack of boxes

MoabitLocation: Stromstraße 21

Google 5.0 (119 reviews)

Two movers in dungarees carrying moving boxes through a bright flat

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about packing materials

Boxes, padding, costs, liability and disposal – answered briefly.

That depends on your household goods. As a rough rule of thumb, many people reckon on 10 to 15 moving boxes per room, rather more for the kitchen, cellar and bookshelves. At the survey we estimate the volume; this also gives a rough idea of how much packing material you need.

Moving boxes: choosing the right size and quantity

The most common question about packing materials is: how many moving boxes do I need? As a rough rule of thumb, many people reckon on around 10 to 15 boxes per room, often more for the kitchen and cellar – depending on your household goods. Small, sturdy boxes are suitable for heavy items such as books, larger ones for light items such as cushions or blankets.

Combine different sizes so that no box becomes too heavy. With a private move, we estimate the volume at the survey; you will then also know roughly how many boxes are needed. Better to get a few extra – unused sturdy boxes can be passed on.

Additional materials for fragile items

For fragile items you need more than boxes: packing paper, bubble wrap and crockery boxes with compartment inserts prevent breakage. Furniture blankets and edge protectors protect large pieces of furniture from scratches. Fill each box so that nothing rattles.

For clothes, wardrobe boxes with a rail are suitable, because shirts and coats stay hanging. Bear in mind: damage caused by inadequate packing that you did yourself does not have to be compensated by the moving company (§ 451d (1) no. 2 HGB). For very fragile items, the packing service may be the better choice.

How much does my move cost?

A frequently asked question – here is the answer in brief: 1-room flat from €365, 2-room flat from €594, 3-room flat from €899, 4-room flat from €1,329. Larger properties such as houses and villas always receive an individual quote, as scope and effort vary greatly. For long-distance moves, a price per kilometre from €3.80 applies. Your price is determined most reliably after a free survey.

These factors determine your moving price

Besides the pure volume, the distance travelled plays a major role – here we calculate from €3.80/km. The floor of the flat and a missing lift also increase the effort. If a parking restriction zone has to be set up, additional costs arise, as they do for booked furniture assembly or a shared load.

This is how we support your move

How we support your move

You can book these services individually or in combination.

Service	Description
Private move	The private move for flats and houses of any size.
Office move	The office move for offices, practices and businesses.
Furniture transport	Furniture transport for individual pieces or entire flats.
Shared load	The shared load for smaller transport volumes at a lower price.
Move with assembly	The move with assembly including furniture assembly and dismantling.
House clearance	House clearance for household liquidations and cellars.

Well packed on long routes too

We are based in Berlin-Moabit (Stromstraße 21) and also handle long-distance moves; on long routes, sturdy packing materials matter all the more. Destinations with their own pages can be found in the locations overview, routes from Berlin under Long-distance moves.

Packing & Packaging

Beste Umzug Redaktion

August 30, 2026

Back to Blog

Packing & Packaging Packing Moving Tips