Size matters more than you'd think. A box that's too big and full of books becomes impossible to lift; one that's too small for clothes multiplies the number of pieces, and badly filled pieces take up more warehouse space than you actually need.
40 × 30 × 30 cm — Books, notebooks, shoes, small heavy items.
60 × 40 × 40 cm — Clothes, linens, sheets, comforters, bulky but light items.
50 × 50 × 120 cm — Jackets, coats and suits: they travel on their hangers, no folding.
💡 Quick tip
No boxes? You order them while you book, when you choose the pickup day, and we bring them to your door before the pickup, for €29 VAT included. If instead you don't have time to pack, we do it on pickup day, with our own materials: you pay for the working time, and we estimate it up front.
Get everything before you start: stopping halfway to look for the tape is the fastest way to get tired and postpone.
Smoves materials, Smoves packing or DIY
When you book you choose: you pack, with materials we bring you or with your own, or we pack for you.
You can mix: take from us only the materials you're missing and use your own for the rest, or pack what you can yourself and leave us the more delicate or bulky items.
Double-wall cardboard if you need to pack heavy items. Avoid folded or dented boxes.
You'll need at least 2-3 rolls. Regular scotch tape doesn't hold for months of storage.
For lamps, small appliances and delicate items. Towels and old t-shirts also make great filler.
For labelling. Black on brown cardboard is always readable, even in the dark of the warehouse.
If you want a tidier system: one label per box with number and contents.
To photograph the contents before sealing each box. In September it will be the only inventory you have.
Group by type, not by chance. In September you'll just open one box at a time knowing exactly what's inside.
Some things simply don't belong in storage. It seems obvious, but every year we find everything. Save yourself the surprise in September.
Even if sealed: in the summer heat something always breaks. Attracts insects and contaminates other boxes.
Not accepted in storage, in any quantity: keep them with you. If you're unsure about an item, write to us before pickup.
They are among the items the Terms exclude. Take them to your town's recycling center.
The Terms exclude them: live ones don't survive indoors in the dark, dried ones attract humidity and pests.
Keep them with you or leave them at your parents'. Not worth risking for months even though our facilities are secure.
Same logic: they can't be stored — they're among the items excluded by the Terms. Keep them with you.
A lithium battery that isn't intact is a fire risk and can't be stored. Devices with an intact battery can, switched off (see Step 3): drop old batteries you're getting rid of at proper WEEE collection points.
Not even the goldfish, not even for a weekend.
In May you know exactly what you packed in each box. In September you don't. Investing 30 seconds now to label saves you 30 minutes of "wait, where is it?" when you come back.
Minimum system (recommended)
Pro system (if you have 20+ boxes)
📦 Already booked with Smoves?
You don't need to print anything: we put the coded label on every box at pickup.
Added Smoves packing? It arrives already labeled: you don't need to write anything. On the boxes you pack yourself, write your name and a number by hand (e.g. "Mario Rossi, 3/10"): we apply the coded label at pickup.
Last step before pickup. Five minutes that avoid problems later.
Keep every box under 20 kg: one person lifts it, and above that the bottom may give way. For books use small boxes: they reach the weight limit before they're full.
Yes, if they're in good shape: no torn cardboard, intact corners, no damp or mold stains. Avoid fruit or food boxes — the smell stays and attracts insects during months of storage.
Yes, ideally with a progressive number and a brief content list. When you open the first box in September looking for that favorite hoodie, you'll thank yourself. A phone photo of the contents before sealing is even better.
You or someone you delegated, for example the concierge or a roommate: whoever is there signs the pickup report. The Smoves operator counts the boxes and puts a label with its own code on each one.
Yes: if you have more or fewer things than expected, write to us before pickup and we'll check together whether the size you booked still fits. The monthly rate depends on the size, not on the number of boxes.
Verified reviews on Trustpilot.
“Excellent service. Whenever I had doubts or questions, they responded very quickly, within a day or two max. The redelivery service is as quick and convenient as it possibly can be, made my life as a student very easy.”
Adrian G. · Reviewed on
Read on Trustpilot“Everything was super easy, very fast response from the company, the boxes were kept properly, any additional requests were granted. Would recommend!”
Viktor N. · Reviewed on
Read on Trustpilot“Thank you very much for your support while we moved out of the student residence. The service was very professional and communication very clear and fast. We will be using your service again soon.”
Mafalda · Reviewed on
Read on TrustpilotBook the pickup from here: if you need them, add boxes and tape and we bring them to your door first; if you prefer, we do the packing. The online quote takes 2 minutes: you know the total before paying.
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