Olibeneli

Hi gang

We just had my worldly belongings taken away yesterday and I thought I'd let you know how it went.

We used Britannia Beckwith...........going from Sussex to Wollongong, NSW...........20ft container cost was £4,175 (ouch).

Anyway.......I have a large 4 bed house and was really concerned if we needed a 40ft container.....some people who quoted said "yep 40ft you need mate".

Anyway, considered it and thought bugger, I'll see what I can get in a 20ft one, what is left can be binned, sold or we have to pay extra....

So, on tenterhooks, the packing started Monday with 2 guys wrapping everything in sight............even my mums knitting (who was over to help and oversee things) got wrapped up in the sofa.........next time she sees it will be in Australia when she visits......

We had already packed a lot ourselves (DVDs, CDs, toys, books, etc) so that helped.......the packing continued on Tuesday and we ended up with circa 232 individual boxes or packages......crapping ourselves now if it will all fit in this 20ft container, which was arriving at 1.30pm.

(list removed because too personal)

So, at the end of the wrapping session we are all thinking there is NO FxxxxING WAY ON EARTH this lot will fit in. The Britannia boys are saying "it's going to be tight but we reckon we'll do it"............

1.30pm comes and the smallest container I have ever seen draws up and the man reverses up the drive.........

The loading commences in earnest............I give the guy in the container a step ladder so he can pack to the roof..........which they always do anyway but at least he ain't got to stand on the boxes.

So.............about 2 hours later, we sit down and guess what?

THEY PACKED THE LOT..........EVERYTHING WENT IN.....BLOODY MIRACLE

All I can say is, if you need a 40ft container you must have either a heck of a lot of stuff or you are happy for a container to ship "air".

Believe me, we have a lot of stuff and it all went in a 20ft container (1165 cubic feet)..........you'd have struggled to get a couple of After Eight mints and a Jacobs cracker in the little space there was as the doors swung shut to hold it all in.

The guys from Britannia were really good.....could not fault them. I just hope it all arrives with nothing too valuable broken.

These guys did a great job.........hope the Aussie end holds up similarly.

Cheers

Luma

thanks, that is very useful to know.

Rachee

will you have to pay anything extra , like import duty when you get to oz, or is the four thousand ish all in now ??

We will need a 40 ft, we have your list plus a car too !!!!

Good luck xx

Cheetah7

We wont even need a 20ft container,

How does this container share work out, does the shipping firm help you find someone to share or do you just ask around?

Olibeneli

Is it a special car?
Not too sure on import duty...........don't think so 'cos all our stuff is old.

Maybe some issues if they have to "treat" and woodwork stuff.......

Anyone else know what is involved to clear customs in Oz ?

Mick-12

Wow thats amazing. :scared:
Really great post thankyou. Hope it all arrives safely!

Georgina

iPom

Holy cow!
Thanks for the GREAT post.

We are taking a double bed, a sofa, a dining table, several boxes of books, some toys...one box of kitchen stuff and that's it.

Maybe I could fit it all in my suitcase at this rate?

LOL!

electricbaby

Thanks
WOW
Thats a brilliiant thread!!! really reasuring, going to save it to my favourites so when OH starts wanting to de-clutter again I can show him your list
Thanks for taking the time to write the list

Carruss

I agree.......good post!

You sure they never put some of it the van around the corner. I guess you will find out when its all unpacked eh ! ! !

Less chance of anything falling and breaking to if its packed to its maximum.

R.

toon williams

Fantastic Idea, will do the same, I think all men are like it!!

Constantly de-cluttering drives me bloody mental!! Me and the kids are always saying "Wheres XYZ" (no smart comments like at the end of the alphabet please!! ) and he says "Oh I threw it away last week didnt think you wanted it anymore!!"

debbiemc

fab post oli, thanks so much, definately a 20ft for us then!!

noticed youd put in conservatory furniture, was it anr, wicker, banan leaf etc?? dont know whether to sell mine or not due to possible fumigation costs!

well done and good luck

herrchook

Excellent post. Really useful info. BTW - 3 hoovers????

Scotty123

thanks... good info..

manxfamily

Wot a great post, we had a survey done here in the "sunny" isle of man, we have a bed frame one single bed some duvets, clothes few toys etc, nothing compared to your list and the cheeky git tried to parm us off with a 40ft!!

The problem being we don't have the joy of the container rolling up to the house to be packed like you lucky guys, so we've given up the idea of being ripped off, so we are selling up and bringing our suitcases! Thanks again for sharing all of your day, just an added note, are you intending on doing much skiing

iPom

Australia gets more snow than the whole of Europe. I intend to do lots of skiing.