Moving house is the only time in your life when you are forced to touch every single thing you own.
It is also the moment you realize exactly how much “stuff” you have accumulated during your time in Dubai. From that impulse-buy treadmill to the box of cables for phones you no longer own, we all have clutter.
When you are shipping your life overseas, clutter isn’t just annoying—it’s expensive. International shipping costs are calculated based on volume (Cubic Meters). Every box of “junk” you ship costs you real money.
Here is your guide to ruthless decluttering before the Chevron Sea Shipping crew knocks on your door.
1. The “Volume vs. Value” Rule
Before you pack an item, ask yourself: “Does the cost of shipping this exceed its value?”
- Example: That IKEA bookshelf might have cost you AED 200. Shipping it to Canada might cost AED 300 in crate space. It makes more economic sense to sell it here and buy a new one there.
- Heavy/Bulky Items: Old mattresses, worn-out sofas, and cheap outdoor furniture are usually better left behind.
2. The Three-Pile Strategy
Go through every room and divide items into three zones:
Zone A: Sell (The “Dubizzle” Pile)
Dubai has a very active second-hand market. Start this process 4-6 weeks before your move.
- Furniture & Electronics: List these on Dubizzle or Facebook Marketplace.
- Community Groups: WhatsApp groups in communities like The Springs, Arabian Ranches, or JLT are goldmines for selling items quickly to neighbors.
Zone B: Donate (The “Good Karma” Pile)
If it’s in good condition but not worth selling, give it a second life.
- Clothes & Toys: Organizations like Take My Junk or local charity bins (often found in mall parking lots) will collect usable items.
- Books: Consider donating them to your local library or a “Little Free Library” in your community.
Zone C: Recycle/Trash
- E-Waste: Old batteries, broken laptops, and cables should be appropriately recycled, not thrown in the bin. Look for e-waste recycling centers in Dubai.
3. The Pantry Purge
We often see clients trying to ship half-empty bottles of olive oil or bags of flour.
- Rule of Thumb: Do not ship food. It can spill, attract pests, and cause issues with customs inspections.
- Action: Stop buying bulk groceries 3 weeks before the move. Eat what you have (“The Freezer Challenge”), and give unopened non-perishables to your building security or cleaning staff before you leave.
4. Digitise Your Life
The paper is surprisingly heavy.
- Do you really need 5 years of DEWA bills or old bank statements?
- Action: Scan important documents into the cloud. Shred the originals. Only keep the original “hard copies” of vital documents (Birth certificates, Marriage certificates, and Degrees).
5. The “Maybe” Box
You will inevitably find things you aren’t sure about.
- The Strategy: Pack one box labeled “Maybe.” If you haven’t opened it or missed the items inside within 6 months of arriving in your new country, don’t even unpack it—donate it there.
Ready for the Survey?
Once you have decluttered, you are ready for your Pre-Move Survey. Because you have cleared out the junk, our surveyor can give you a much more accurate (and likely cheaper!) quote. You will arrive in your new home with a lighter load and a fresh start.
Book your pre-move survey with Chevron Sea Shipping today.
Schedule your appointment now by visiting our website https://chevron-shipping.com/ and take the first step towards your move.
📞 Call us: +971 4 2888700 📧 Email: [email protected]