Packing Tips and Instructions – Campus Carriers Help Center

These Packing Tips and Instructions are part of the Terms and Conditions and the Campus Carriers Reservation Process, to which all three are collectively, the "Agreement". These Tips and Instructions must be understood and adhered to to avoid fees/penalties and/or refusal of service/forced cancellation and/or denial of damage or lost item claims.

Corrugated Cardboard Boxes Provided by Campus Carriers

Any corrugated cardboard boxes used for packing must be provided by Campus Carriers and be paid for as an item on your Reservation. Third-party corrugated cardboard boxes for general packing that are not specific containers for the items in the Campus Carriers Oversized Item List and Reservation Process are not permitted.
Corrugated cardboard boxes provided by Campus Carriers are 24 inches x 18 inches by 16 inches, and the maximum weight when packed shall not exceed 50 lbs.
Campus Carriers DOES NOT provide boxes for the items you select from the Oversized Item List for your Reservation, such as boxes for Mini-fridges, Televisions, Microwaves, etc. It is recommended that customers who wish to box these types of Oversized Items for their Reservation use the original box for such items or that they procure boxes specifically designed for packing these items from retailers such as UHaul, Amazon.com, The UPS Store, etc.

Constructing Boxes

High-quality packing tape must be used when sealing and constructing boxes. Please use packing tape ONLY. DO NOT use masking tape, duct tape, electrical tape, etc. Tape that is used, other than packing tape, may result in refusal of service or denial of damage or lost item claims.
The two small flaps of the box must be folded in first, and then the two large flaps.
DO NOT weave box bottoms or tops. Weaving makes the box much less stable during transport and storage.
Three strips of tape must be spread long-ways across the bottom of the box to keep the bottom sturdy.
Once packed, the top of your box must be taped with at least three strips of tape spread long-ways to seal the box and its contents.
Improperly constructed boxes or other containers, or overflowing or overweight boxes or containers, may be denied services and/or claims of loss or damage.

Protecting What You Pack

Eliminate the amount of empty space in your boxes to prevent items from shifting during transport, thus limiting the chance of damage.
The use of bubble wrap and other fillers helps limit the risk of damage to the items that you pack.
Garments and clothes can be used to wrap fragile items and help protect them during moving and storage.
Wrap any furniture, Televisions, Mini-fridges, etc., sufficiently. Remember that Campus Carries is not liable for minor scratches, scuffs, or dents due to typical handling.
Customers who store items, namely clothes and fabrics, are often very satisfied when space-saving bags are used as they allow for additional storage within boxes and protect items while in storage.
Items must be clean, dry, and free of dirt and dust, as these factors can promote mildew growth while in storage.
Be careful when choosing to store gym shoes, hiking boots, etc., as these items are often heavily soiled and may promote mildew growth while in storage if they are not very.

What NOT to Pack

Hazardous materials, explosives, firearms, flammable items, cash, high-value items, expensive jewelry, contraband, food, perishable items, soiled items, and liquids cannot be stored with Campus Carriers.
Customers who pack any of the items mentioned above will have such items subject to disposal without notice or refund of service fees or reimbursement/replacement of disposed items.
Remember that if what you pack causes any damage to another customer’s belongings, you will be held responsible for the damages.

Weight Distribution

To prevent boxes from breaking, avoid packing all of your heavy items in one single box. Spread these items across several boxes and add additional boxes to your Reservation if necessary.
Store heavier items towards the center of the box.
Boxes shall not weigh over 50 lbs. To avoid additional fees, limit your box weight to approximately 50 lbs. Add additional boxes to your Reservation if necessary.
Boxes, Plastic Bins, Safes, etc., that are deemed overweight by Campus Carriers are subject to a 50% surcharge per box, plastic bin, safe, or other such items discussed below.
Evenly distributing items will help prevent damage to the box and items within the box.
Boxes and other containers that are not evenly distributed or exceed the maximum allowed weight shall be denied any damage claims and may be denied service or portions of service.

Labeling Your Boxes and Other Items

All boxes must have the Student’s First and Last Name and Reservation ID written on the outside of the box. You can find your Reservation ID in previous confirmation e-mails or by logging into your account at CampusCarriers.com.
You must affix your labels to boxes and other items that are a part of your Reservation. For more details regarding labeling your items, please review Instructions for Labeling Your Items.
You must place labels on each item in a place where Campus Carriers staff will easily see and can clearly read them.
You must print and adhere your labels according to our Instructions for Labeling Your Items

Hanging Wires, Area Rugs and Mini-Fridges

Wrap all cables from TVs, Lamps, etc., so they do not hang. Please tape or rubberband these cables.
Area rugs MUST be bundled/rolled tightly and securely and be ready for Campus Carriers staff upon their arrival. Please note that any non-bundled area rugs will be refused service. – See Oversized Items Packing Instructions below for additional information.
Mini-Fridges must be unplugged at least TWO DAYS in advance and dried completely before Campus Carriers staff arrives. Please note that any wet or dirty fridges will be refused service. – See Oversized Items Packing Instructions below for additional information.

Accessories, Removable Parts, and Hardware

Accessories, including but not limited to television remotes, removable bicycle baskets or lights, and any other items that may fall off of Oversized Items when transported or while in storage, must be removed and packed separately or not stored at all with Campus Carriers.
Hardware, such as bolts, screws, etc., must be stored separately in a box or other container or not stored at all with Campus Carriers.
Campus Carriers is not responsible for reimbursement or claims of loss or damage due to Accessories, Hardware, or other Removable Parts that are not stored separately.

Particle Board Furniture

Due to the design and nature of particle board furniture, Campus Carriers is held harmless for any damage caused during the moving and storage of these items. Unfortunately, particle board furniture is not designed to move once built. Since particle board furniture is popular among college students, Campus Carriers will accept these items and do everything possible to avoid damage. Customers should wrap and protect particle board furniture to their best ability.

BE READY

If you do not have a specific Pickup Date/Time scheduled and are instead participating in items being picked up from your residence hall after you’ve checked out, you must adhere to all Post-Pickup Instructions.
Although it is likely your items will be picked up after you have checked out of your residence hall, it is important that you have done everything necessary to prepare and stage your items for Campus Carriers.
Alternatively, if you have scheduled a live pick up, please be aware of your scheduled Pick Up Date and Time, and have your items ready. Campus Carriers staff will not be able to wait for you to finish packing or disassembling any of your items.
Be certain that the items you intend to have picked up and stored by Campus Carriers can fit out of your residence hall room, through hallways, in elevators, and down stairwells.
IF YOU CONSTRUCTED AN ITEM INSIDE YOUR RESIDENCE HALL ROOM, IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO GET OUT OF YOUR ROOM EASILY AND MAY BE DENIED SERVICE.
Failure to have your items ready, and according to these Packing Tips and Instructions, prior to checking out of your residence hall or at your scheduled Pick Up Date and Time may result in a Missed Pick Up Fee of $100 and/or denial of service.

Oversized Items Packing Instructions and Requirements

Important: Not all Oversized Items are permitted at every university. You must add the items you plan to store to your Reservation before your Pick Up Date or check out of your residence hall to be sure that the item is permitted for pick up, storage, and delivery.

Mini-Fridges

Be sure to unplug your Mini-Fridge at least TWO DAYS in advance and dry it completely. Any wet units will be refused service.
Be sure that the interior and exterior of the unit are completely clean of any food particles. Campus Carriers is not responsible for any reimbursements or damage that may occur during storage due to unclean items. Any dirty units will be refused service.
Wrap the cord and tape or rubber band it together so it does not hang/drag when transported. If possible, place the cord behind the unit’s coils to prevent the cord from dragging during moving.
Storing items within a Mini-Fridge is not permitted. Any items stored within a Mini-Fridge will be removed and disposed of before pick up can occur. Campus Carriers is not liable for any loss or damage to items stored within a Mini-Fridge.
Remember that if your fridge is leaking and such leaking causes damage to any other customer’s belongings, you will be held responsible for the damages.

Microwave

Be sure that the interior and exterior of the unit are completely clean of any food particles. Campus Carriers is not responsible for any reimbursements or damages that may occur during storage due to unclean items. Any dirty units will be refused service.
Please be aware of the glass tray inside the microwave. This tray MUST BE packed separately or taped securely in the microwave so that it does not move around and risk breakage. Campus Carriers is not responsible for breakage that may occur to this plate if it is not packed separately or secured sufficiently within the unit.
Wrap the cord and tape or rubberband it together so it does not hang/drag when transported.

Mirrors

Must be sufficiently wrapped and protected from breakage.
Mirrors not sufficiently wrapped and protected will NOT qualify for loss or damage coverage as determined at the sole discretion of Campus Carriers.
Ensure that any protective material is securely affixed with tape to the mirror so it does not fall off.

Fans

Clean the fan blades from all dirt and dust.
Wrap the cord and tape or rubberband it together so it does not hang/drag when transported.
Fans that have a long pole that is flimsy may be best served by breaking the Fan down and placing it within one of our boxes instead. If this were what you decided to do, you’d remove the Fan from your Reservation and instead add a Box. The advantage of doing this is that the Fan will be better protected, and additional miscellaneous items could be added to the same box if there is room left after placing the Fan inside it.

Drafting Boards/Corkboards/Whiteboards

Wrap these items reasonably in a garbage bag or other plastic to avoid exposure in the event of rain, etc.
Wrap/protect the face and corners of these items to avoid bent corners. Campus Carries is not liable for minor scratches, scuffs, or dents due to typical handling
Maximum dimensions are 5 ft x 5ft.

Lamps

All light bulbs must be removed from the unit before Campus Carriers will pick up any lamps.
Wrap the cord and tape or rubberband it together so it does not hang/drag when transported.
Lamps that have a long pole that is flimsy are best served by breaking them down and placing them within one of our boxes instead. If this were what you decided to do, you’d remove the Lamp from your Reservation and instead add a Box. The advantage of doing this is that the Lamp will be better protected, and additional miscellaneous items could be added to the same box if there is room left after placing the Lamp inside it.

Area Rugs

Must be rolled and bound/taped together before Campus Carriers will pick up any Area Rug.
Any label affixed to an Area Rug must be secured to the rug by wrapping a piece of tape on top of the label and around the entire rug to prevent the label from falling off.
Area Rugs must be bound sufficiently before Campus Carriers staff arrives to pick them up. Items that are not ready for pick up will be refused service.
Be sure that Area Rugs have been vacuumed thoroughly and cleaned and are worth storing since heavily soiled rugs can promote mildew while in storage. Overly soiled rugs may be refused service.
The maximum rug size that can be stored is 8 ft. by 10 ft or 80 sq. ft.

Bean Bags

The maximum diameter for a standard bean bag or fuf chair is not to exceed 3 ft. in diameter or a total weight of 25 lbs.
Bean bags must be wrapped in a garbage bag or plastic wrap to avoid dust while being transported or in storage.
Campus Carriers is not responsible for any damage caused to unwrapped Bean Bags.

Bikes

Remove your bike from any outdoor bike racks or other storage area
Have your bike ready with the rest of your belongings in your residence hall room
Campus Carriers will not be able to pick up bikes locked onto bike racks

Bookcases

All shelves must be removed and taped together, then placed within the unit for moving as one piece. If your Reservation also includes boxes, we recommend storing loose shelves in one of these boxes. Customers who do not follow this instruction risk losing shelves for which Campus Carriers will not be responsible.
Bookcases made of particle board are often unsatisfactory for transport and do not qualify for damage coverage. It is recommended that particle board furniture be broken down and bound together as one piece with rope or tape to transport them more easily and to avoid damage.
The maximum bookcase height or width eligible for storage is 5 ft.

Metal Shelves

Must be completely disassembled, and all parts must be securely bound together with zip ties, which work best, high-quality packing tape, or rope. Campus Carriers will not be responsible for pieces lost or damaged that were not correctly bound.
Small pieces/hardware must be packed separately in a Box, Plastic Bin or similar vessel, or not with Campus Carriers.

Televisions/Computer Monitors

If the original box for this item is available, it is suggested that you place the TV in this box for more protection during moving and storage.
If you do not have the original box, boxes designed specifically for packing televisions and monitors are available from retailers such as Amazon.com, UHaul, and The UPS Store.
Televisions and Computer Monitors that are not boxed DO NOT QUALIFY FOR DAMAGE COVERAGE.
If you choose not to box your Television or Computer Monitor (disqualifying it from damage coverage), it is still HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you protect it with suitable packing material such as bubble wrap or a similar material found at popular retailers.
Wrap the cord and tape or rubberband it together so it does not hang or drag when transported.
The maximum Television/Computer Monitor that can be stored must have a diagonal screen size of less than or equal to 50 inches.

Mattress Pads

Must be rolled tightly, tied, and placed in a plastic bag to protect it from dirt and dust during transport and while in storage.
Must be clean. Soiled mattress pads may be denied service.

Pillows/Stuffed Animals etc.

Pillows and similar items are difficult to label effectively for future identification by Campus Carriers staff. Therefore, all loose pillows must be stored separately in Boxes and/or Plastic Bins and wrapped in plastic bags for further protection. It is also possible to wrap these items in plastic bags and add them to your Reservation as a Mattress Pad.

Desks

Desks acceptable for storage must not consist of anything more than four legs and a solid flat top. Anything larger must receive a custom quote and may not be acceptable for pick up and storage services.
Desks must be capable of moving through room and apartment doors reasonably.

Plastic Bins/Footlockers/Trunks

All bins must have a suitable lid that is secured properly and tightly.
You should further tape the lid down or secure/lock the container.
The weight limit for all Plastic Bins or Footlockers/Trunks is 50 lbs
Campus Carriers is not responsible for any wear and tear or other damages to the outside of Plastic Bins or Footlockers/Trunks, seeing as they are designed to withstand wear and tear to protect the contents within them.

Plastic Drawers

These units can have items stored within them but must be reasonably packed. Over-packing items in these units often results in damage to the structure of the Plastic Drawers themselves. Be aware of the weight and that these drawers come apart easily.
All drawers must be taped shut to prevent them from sliding open during transport.
Please also be sure to tape/bind the entire set of Plastic Drawers together if any section comes apart when lifted.
To prevent loss, remove any wheels/casters and store them within the Plastic Drawers, in a Box or Plastic Bin, or not with Campus Carriers.
The weight limit for any one set of Plastic Drawers is 25 lbs, but could be less if you feel that amount of weight will make them unstable when picked up.

Golf Clubs

All golf clubs must be moved within their own golf bag. Any clubs not in a bag must be taped or tied together for moving as one piece.

Instruments

All instruments must be in a hardshell case.
Maximum weight is not to exceed 50 lbs.
Maximum length for a keyboard shall not exceed 4 ft.

Safes

All contents must be removed from the safe before being picked up.
Maximum dimensions are 19 inches x 14 inches x 10 inches.
The maximum weight of any safe is limited to 50 lbs.

All Other Items

It is your responsibility to prepare and properly pack all of your belongings and the Items you selected as part of your Reservation
If you feel that a certain Item from your Reservation is fragile and could be damaged during normal handling, stacking on a moving vehicle, etc., we recommend that you take further action to wrap and protect it.
Campus Carriers will pick up each item from your Reservation as you have prepared them and will make every effort to ensure safe transport and storage. However, Campus Carriers Staff does no additional wrapping or boxing of your belongings.

Inventory Check

The Inventory Check is designed to ensure that Campus Carriers has all the necessary information to successfully pick up your belongings for storage and that you have followed all necessary details of these Packing Tips and Instructions.
The Inventory Check will be made available to you through your account at the Campus Carriers website no later than a week before the university’s deadline for move-out.
It is your responsibility to accurately complete all aspects of the Inventory Check, which will include, but is not limited to, 1) confirmation of each of the items that you have prepared for pick up by Campus Carriers, 2) photos of all items prepared, staged, and ready for pick up by Campus Carriers, 3) confirmation of properly labeled items