Sofa delivery from China to a UK home
Book the final home delivery explicitly: agree where the sofa will be left, who unloads and carries it, and whether stairs, unpacking and assembly are included. Send packed dimensions, weights and access photographs before accepting the booking. Discuss the factory packing and delivery brief with Cambridge China Bridge.
Choose where the delivery ends
For a personal purchase going to a home, ask the carrier to define its service in writing. Kerbside delivery generally leaves goods outside at an agreed accessible point; confirm that exact location. Room delivery should identify the room and floor. A promise of delivery to your address does not explain whether the crew will cross the threshold or carry a sofa upstairs.
Ask separately about unloading, indoor carrying, unpacking, assembly and packaging removal. If the freight provider only delivers to a depot or offers kerbside service, arrange a furniture delivery crew for the remaining journey. Use our road delivery comparison for the transport choice; specify the home service separately.
Check the whole route into the room
Get the factory's packed dimensions and weight for each piece, including any crate or pallet. Also request the dimensions after unpacking and details of removable legs, arms or modular sections. Measure clear door openings, hallways, stair turns, landings and lift doors. Check overhead clearance and space to turn the item, rather than comparing sofa width with the front door alone.
Send photographs or a walkthrough video from the vehicle stopping point to the intended room. Show steps, slopes, gravel, narrow gates, parking restrictions and lift access. Ask the delivery company to confirm whether it can accept the route and whether a survey is needed. Agree who removes detachable parts and where unpacking can happen without leaving the furniture exposed.
Name who unloads and carries
HSE guidance says companies involved should agree loading and unloading arrangements in advance. Ask the carrier to name who moves the load off the vehicle, who removes the pallet or crate, and who carries the sofa indoors. A tail lift lowers goods from the vehicle; do not treat it as confirmation of stair carrying or room delivery.
Ask the provider to confirm crew size and equipment against the actual load and access route. Do not assume the resident will help lift. If you choose kerbside delivery, arrange suitable onward handling before the vehicle arrives. Where goods need unpacking at a depot before home delivery, use our container handoff guide to plan that transfer.
Send a written booking brief
Send the booking party a brief covering the address, postcode, recipient contact, intended room and floor, packed dimensions and weights, access photographs, stairs, lift availability, stopping point and unloading method. State whether carrying, unpacking, assembly and packaging removal are requested. Ask for written acceptance from the company performing the final delivery, including any subcontractor.
Suggested instruction: “Delivery is requested to the named room via the access route shown in the attached photographs. Please confirm unloading, crew, equipment, stair carrying, unpacking, assembly and packaging removal. Identify exclusions and the agreed fallback if access fails. Please do not substitute kerbside delivery without contacting the booking party.”
Ask what triggers waiting, storage, cancellation or redelivery charges and how each is calculated. Agree the appointment process, who contacts the resident and who can authorise a change. Keep the accepted quote and instructions together. Reconfirm the booking if the factory changes the packing, dimensions or weight.
Prepare for arrival and failed access
Clear the agreed route and arrange any building access or lift booking before arrival. Agree floor and wall protection with the delivery crew. Inspect and photograph the packaging and visible furniture condition during the agreed handover. Record damage or a service exception on the delivery record and notify the booking contact promptly, following the agreed reporting procedure.
If access proves unsuitable, contact the agreed decision-maker before authorising unpacking, leaving goods outside or returning them to storage. Ask where the goods will be held and who approves further charges. For protection through freight, depot handling and unpacking, use our packaging route guide. Keep transit packing decisions separate from the crew's access assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Does door delivery include carrying a sofa upstairs?
Ask for written confirmation of the room, floor and stair route. An address or door delivery label alone does not establish upstairs carrying, unpacking or assembly.
Who unloads a sofa delivered from China?
Agree this before booking. Name the party unloading the vehicle and the party moving the sofa indoors. Confirm the crew and equipment; do not assume the driver or resident will lift.
How do I check whether a sofa will fit through my door?
Compare packed and unpacked dimensions with clear openings, turns, stairs and lift access. Send measurements and photographs to the delivery company and ask it to confirm the proposed route.
What happens if the sofa cannot get into my home?
Use the agreed fallback: contact the booking decision-maker, confirm a suitable holding location and obtain approval for further handling or charges. Agree this process before dispatch.