Cost of Packing & Unpacking Service
across the UK

# Packing and Unpacking Service Trade Body Accreditation

The main UK trade bodies overseeing packing and unpacking services are the British Association of Removers (BAR), the National Guild of Removers and Storers (NGRS), and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). BAR and NGRS are the most relevant, as they specifically regulate the removals industry and set standards for customer protection, professional conduct, and service quality. Accreditation with these bodies means a company has undergone vetting, maintains insurance and bonding requirements, and agrees to follow a code of conduct. The scheme operated by BAR and NGRS includes access to a consumer dispute resolution procedure, which is particularly valuable if something goes wrong during your move. Additionally, some providers may hold BS EN 16001 certification, which is a European standard for quality and safety in the removals sector, or operate under the Advertising Standards Authority's remit for truthful marketing practices.

To verify a provider's credentials, you should check their membership directly on the BAR or NGRS website using the official search tool, rather than relying solely on claims made on their own website. Legitimate accredited firms will display their membership number prominently and invite you to verify it independently. You can also request evidence of public liability insurance (typically £6 million minimum for removals) and employer's liability insurance if they employ staff. This verification matters because accreditation provides legal recourse and assurance that the business meets baseline professional standards; it also indicates they're less likely to go uninsured or disappear mid-job. Unaccredited providers may be perfectly competent, but you have fewer protections if disputes arise.

Accredited packing and unpacking providers typically charge 15 to 25 percent more than non-accredited competitors, depending on the complexity of the job