How to ship a mattress

How to ship a mattress 

To ship a mattress, choose a trusted overseas shipping company that best suits your needs and affordability. Go with a well-reviewed company with experience moving furniture and household belongings that offers online tracking, customs clearance, and door-to-door delivery. Before deciding, compare costs, delivery times, and insurance options (especially for high-value mattresses). 

Choosing a pod-style solution like the MoveCube® adds extra peace of mind, as you pack your mattress and other belongings inside your own secure container. Not only does this protect your goods against damage during transit, but it also makes the moving process simpler and more convenient and affordable.

Most carriers have size and weight limits. Measure and weigh your boxed mattress to avoid extra charges. Print and attach all required shipping labels, clearly showing your name, contact number, and full destination and return addresses. 
 
If shipping your mattress abroad, complete all customs paperwork requested by your shipper, including a packing list of your entire shipment, passport and visa copies, and country-specific customs forms. Finally, arrange a suitable collection date and keep hold of your tracking number so you can monitor your mattress's journey globally. 

How to pack a mattress for moving 

To pack a mattress for moving, start by removing all bedding, such as toppers, pillows, duvets and fitted sheets. Then, thoroughly clean the mattress to remove dirt and dust and prevent mould and odours during transit. Plus, many nations, including Australia, New Zealand and the US, have strict rules on importing organic matter. Vacuum the mattress thoroughly and spot clean any stains by blotting with a damp cloth with mild detergent before letting it air dry completely. 
 
Then, if possible, recompress the mattress using a vacuum bag or compression kit* secured with Velcro straps (remember to check with your mattress manufacturer to ensure compression does not void the warranty). This reduces its size for easier handling and may lower shipping costs. 
 
Next, wrap the mattress in plenty of bubble wrap, polyethene sheeting* or a mattress bag*, then seal it tightly with strong parcel tape. To further reduce damage from transit impact, consider adding corner protectors made from cardboard or cuttable foam*. 
 
Buy a strong, durable cardboard box that's big enough to hold the fully wrapped mattress and place it inside. Fill any extra space in the box with packing peanuts or bubble wrap. Then, seal the base and lid with three layers of overlapping parcel tape. 
 
Finally, clearly label the boxed mattress with "Fragile", "This way up", and "Do not bend" stickers to inform the shipper to handle the mattress with care. Stacking mattresses upright is essential to avoid warping, pressure damage, or permanent distortion during transit.

How to pack a mattress topper

To pack a mattress topper, vacuum it and remove any stains. Once dry, roll it tightly from one end and secure it in place with sheet straps* or strong twine. Next, put it in a large plastic bag or vacuum seal to save space and protect it from dust and moisture. Consider adding silica gel packs* to further absorb moisture. Then, place it inside a double-walled cardboard box, sealed with plenty of packing tape.

*Seven Seas Worldwide does not endorse these products.