At a glance
- ⏱️ Production Time: Standard items take 3-4 weeks; bespoke joinery (contract furniture) typically takes 5-7 weeks.
- 📦 Packaging is Key: Unlike bricks, furniture needs "export grade" packaging (corner protectors, bubble wrap, crates) to survive the journey.
- 🚛 Transport Mode: Loose-loaded transport is risky. Palletized or dedicated "furniture transport" trucks are safer for high-value items.
- 🏗️ Offloading: Furniture is bulky. Ensure your site has the manpower or equipment to unload safely.
It’s not just a box
Importing a pallet of cement is easy—it’s durable. Importing a custom velvet sofa or a high-gloss reception desk is a different ball game. One scratch during transport can ruin the entire piece.
At Actitrade, we manage the entire lifecycle of furniture import. Here is a behind-the-scenes look at how we ensure your Polish furniture arrives in Ireland in showroom condition.
1. The Production Phase
Once you sign off on the technical drawings, the factory begins production.
- Materials Sourcing: The factory orders the specific wood, laminates (e.g., Egger, Pfleiderer), and fabrics.
- CNC Machining: Automated cutting ensures precision.
- Assembly vs. Flat-pack: For hotels and offices, we often recommend pre-assembled carcasses to save installation time on site in Ireland. For large wardrobes, flat-pack is safer and cheaper to ship.
Tip: Always ask for a photo update when the product is "in the white" (assembled but unfinished) to catch any design errors before painting/upholstery.
2. Export-Grade Packaging
This is where 90% of shipping damages are prevented. Domestic packaging isn't enough for a 2,000 km journey involving a ferry crossing. We insist on Export Packaging Standards:
- Corners: Hard cardboard or foam protectors on all edges.
- Surfaces: Foam sheets between stacked panels to prevent friction scratches.
- Fragile Items: Glass and stone tops must be crated in wood (A-frames).
3. Loading and Consolidation
How the truck is loaded matters.
- No "Double Stacking": We ensure heavy pallets are never placed on top of fragile furniture packaging.
- Strapping: Goods must be secured so they don't shift during the ferry crossing (which can be rough in the Irish Sea).
- Consolidation: If you are buying chairs from Factory A and tables from Factory B, we bring them to our warehouse first to load them onto a single truck, saving you shipping costs.
4. The Journey & Delivery
The truck travels from Poland via Germany, Netherlands/France, and then takes the ferry to Ireland.
- Transit Time: Usually 4-6 days.
- The "Last Mile": A 16m articulated truck cannot deliver to a city center boutique or a residential lane. We check site access beforehand. If needed, we arrange a "cross-dock" to a smaller van for the final delivery.
Why use an agent?
You can order directly from a factory, but who checks the packaging before it leaves? Who organizes the cross-docking in Dublin? Actitrade acts as your logistics safety net. We ensure the factory packs it right, and the transport company handles it with care.
Planning a fit-out? Contact us to discuss the logistics of your furniture order.