If you are moving a smaller home or just a few key pieces of furniture to Portugal, you likely don’t need a massive 40-foot lorry all to yourself. This is where our part-load service, often called groupage, comes in.
At Movers International, we’ve been running these routes for 30 years, and we know that the secret to a smooth move lies in the technical details.
Here are five technical facts about how we handle your removals to Portugal to ensure your belongings arrive safely and affordably.
1. We Use a Numbered Tagging System for Every Item
When you share a truck with other families, the biggest worry is usually: Will my boxes get mixed up? To prevent this, we use a strict technical tagging system. Every single item, from a large wardrobe to a small box of kitchenware, is given a unique number and a color-coded label at our Preston depot. This matches a detailed inventory list that we cross-reference when we load the truck and again when we offload at your new home in Lisbon or Porto.
It’s a simple but foolproof way to ensure everything that goes on the truck comes off at the right destination.
2. We Factor in Load Density for Fair Pricing
Most people believe that a move is based on weight; however, in international moving, volume and density are what actually matter. Our quote is based on how much space your goods will take up in our vehicle. If you have furniture items that can be flat-packed without damaging them, we highly recommend doing so in order to save you money on your move. This is because you will essentially be paying for a smaller slice of the truck.
3. Export Wrapping is Mandatory for Long Hauls
A journey from Preston to Porto is roughly 1,300 miles. That’s a lot of vibration and movement on the road!
For our part-load service, we don't just use standard bubble wrap. We use a technical export wrap, which is a heavy-duty, multi-layered material designed to protect furniture from both physical impact and the humidity changes as the truck moves from the damp UK to the warmer Portuguese climate. This ensures your polished wood surfaces don't sweat or warp during transit.
4. Our Trucks Depart Every Two Weeks
Logistics is all about timing. Unlike some removal companies to Portugal that wait months to fill up a truck, we have a regular, fortnightly schedule. Our vehicles usually depart our Lancashire base on a Friday, heading for the ferry at Portsmouth. This technical consistency means you aren't left in limbo. You can plan your flights and your NIF appointments knowing that our next scheduled run is just around the corner.
5. We Use Shuttle Vehicles for Tight City Access
Lisbon and Porto are famous for their beautiful, narrow, winding streets. Our large international lorries are great for the long motorway stretches, but they often can't reach the front door of a city-center apartment. Technically, we solve this by using shuttle vans. We transload your part-load from the big truck into a smaller, more agile vehicle at a local depot. This ensures we can deliver your furniture right to your doorstep, even in the heart of the Alfama or Ribeira districts, without blocking the entire street.
At Movers International, we believe that when the technical side of the move is handled correctly, the emotional side becomes much easier for you. If you’re ready to start your Portuguese adventure, get in touch for a quote today. Our friendly team will walk you through the process.
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