What Can You Pack in a U-Box® Container?

Once you reserve your U-Box® container, the next step is deciding what to pack. As you sort through your belongings, it can help to separate items into what you’ll take with you, what you’ll donate or sell and what can safely go into your container.

In general, your belongings fall into three groups: everyday household goods that can be packed, valuable or essential items that are better kept with you and prohibited items that cannot be placed in a U-Box container.

Use this guide to understand what can go in your U-Box container, which items may need extra preparation and what should stay with you during your move.

What Can I Pack in a U-Box Container?

Whether you’re shipping your container to another state or country or storing it at a local U-Haul® facility, you can pack most common household belongings in a U-Box container. Just remember that each container has a maximum loaded weight of 2,000 lbs.

Common items you can pack include:

• Furniture: Disassemble furniture when possible, such as removing table legs or taking apart bed frames.
• Mattresses: A standard king mattress can fit in a U-Box container.
• Appliances: Washers, dryers and refrigerators are all acceptable. Make sure they’re completely drained and cleaned before loading.
• Clothing: Use our Grand Wardrobe Box to keep clothes organized and protected.
• Moving boxes: Books, dishes, houseware, linens and décor can all be packed in your container.

Before loading your belongings, wipe down or vacuum items as needed and make sure everything is completely dry to help prevent mold or mildew growth.

Which Items Need Extra Prep Before Packing?

Some items can be packed in a U-Box container only after they’ve been properly prepared.

Motorized equipment: Motorcycles, ATVs, riding lawnmowers and similar equipment can be packed only after all oil, fuel and other liquids have been completely drained.

Motorized vehicles may also be excluded from available protection coverage, so review the applicable coverage terms before loading.

Battery-powered equipment: Before packing an e-bike, electric scooter, electric wheelchair or other lithium-ion battery-powered equipment, review your rental agreement and any shipping requirements that apply to your move.

Do not pack a battery that is damaged, swollen, leaking or subject to a safety recall. Follow the equipment manufacturer’s instructions for transportation and storage.

What Items Should I Keep With Me?

Some items are best kept with you instead of packed in your U-Box container, especially if they are valuable, irreplaceable or needed during your move. If you’re making a one-way move, keep anything you may need before your container arrives in an easily accessible place.

Certain valuables are excluded from Safestor® and Safehaul® protection coverage. Review your coverage terms for the complete list of exclusions before deciding what to pack.

Consider keeping these items with you:

• Legal and financial documents, including deeds, passports, visas, birth certificates and securities
• Medications
• Currency, photographs and electronic data
• Watches, jewelry, precious stones and precious metals
• Artwork, stamps, collectibles and antiques
• Fur or garments trimmed with fur

If you’re using your U-Box container for storage, consider keeping these items in a safe place at home instead.