Sue

Bournes Removals have partnered with BE to answer questions about international removals, as well as share tips and advice.

kirstyp has been a member on BE for over 5 years and will be happy to advise you. So post your questions in this forum.

kirstyp

Thanks Sue and Happy New Year everyone! Looking forward to being of assistance so let us know if you've got any questions!

laurawebber

Hi
We are hoping to move from Watford to Aliso Viejo, California in February next year. We do not need to move our furtiture, but we will need to move our personal effects and clothes etc. Can you tell me how big the boxed are with the pole that you hang clothes on, and how much you can usually fit into them? Also, is there a weight limit? We are trying to work out whether we would be better off just putting all of our clothes into boxes or whether we should use the specific clothes boxes. Thanks

kirstyp

Hi Laura, thanks for getting in touch. There is a box guide in our resources library that should help with this.... however, we don't typically use wardrobe cartons on international moves because a ship moves quite considerably when at sea in 7 different directions and the hangars are prone to falling off the rail and clothes ending up crumpled in the box, so we would typically fold them and use one of the large or lay flat cartons to pack them. Hope that helps?

ukthesis

I hope to move in the autumn to the Republic of Moldova from the UK. What's your advice on removals of my items from my UK home? I want to rent it out later this year. Any useful tips?

Pickfords gave me a quote of £2,900 for the removal to Moldova of the rather large books collection in my house here. Are there, for example, online price comparison sites I can go to in order to find out what other removal companies will charge? Or do I have to go through them one at a time?

kirstyp

Hi,

There are no comparison sites for international removals at this time, mostly because it's not a simple process that can really be compared on price alone. Each company might provide different options for you, different services and differing levels of quality, so the algorithm to run such a site would have to be very complex to allow you to make a true apples with apples comparison! Check out this e-book though which should help with some tips on finding and selecting your short list and how to compare your quotes which should make the process of doing this manually a whole lot easier for you.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/overs...ompany-851592/

In terms of other tips you're already doing well by starting thinking about it early! Start to think about what you might want to take, what you might like to sell or get rid of or any items that you might like to put into long term storage. This will help you get a more accurate quote when you see the removal companies as shipping costs are driven in some part by volume of goods. Here's some tips on making the most of your budget...3 tips for stretching your removals budget

This useful checklist in preparing for your international move might also help you get organised ~ http://britishexpats.com/forum/overs...cklist-820121/

Hope it helps?

sarahincos

Hi there,

I'm running into an issue with international moving companies not wanting to give me quotes because I only need one item shipped (a flat screen 51 inch TV). With it boxed and crated properly, I can imagine it would be at least 1.5 to 2 meters long. What would your opinion be on our best (and cheapest) option to ship an object that large. We are looking to move from Manchester, UK to South Carolina, USA in October 2015.

Thank you,
Sarah

kirstyp

Hi Sarah,

That's possibly because most of us have a minimum volume for groupage and so are unlikely to be cost effective for you (happy to provide you a guide price if you want to PM me?). The cheapest option for you would likely be an excess baggage type company, some of which send by sea and some by air.

Hope that helps!

cormaclynch

Hi there,

I am just wondering if you could give me an indication, in your opinion, about customs clearance times. We shipped 7m3 via groupage from Australia. Its now in the UK en route to Ireland. Its in clearance and the import agent wont give us a rough idea of when our belongings will clear customs.

All items are used household stuff like a bed, bike, cot, tv, chair, golf clubs, pram etc. No alcohol was shipped.

If you could give us an indication in your experience id be much obliged.

Thanks,

Cormac

kirstyp

hi Cormac,

is the shipment clearing customs in the UK and then being transported to Ireland or is the final port in Ireland but vessel just calling at a port in the UK?

Kirsty

cormaclynch

Kirsty,

I believe that the final port is the UK, Felixstowe, and then it is clearing customs there.

Cormac

kirstyp

Ok, The turnaround times do vary from one shipment to another, which is why they are probably reluctant to give you a timescale - whilst there may be 'typical' timescales they'd hope for, exceptions can happen and this really is out of their hands so they will likely want to have more definitive information before setting your expectations.

However, in our experience, the customs clearance in the UK takes place soon after the container’s arrival and usually takes a minimum of 48 hours. Occasionally, the container is selected for further examination at the port once it has arrived and therefore this could cause a further delay of minimum 48 hours.

You will only find out if your container is picked once the container has arrived at the port.

Hope that helps?

cormaclynch

Thanks for that.

I have been told it is still in customs since last sunday, so over 8 days now.

I don't believe them to be honest. I think they are telling me it is still in customs while they sort out delivery to me. All a bit frustrating as I have no proof that it passed through customs.

mrsbright

You said in another thread -

"The key areas to consider are:
the cost of buying new vs. the cost of shipping"

How do we know the cost of shipping if there are not prices online? I also do not have my exact amount of items I am taking since our move is still far away. I do know that I am taking a 55" tv, a 40" tv, a double bed frame, a wardrobe with drawers, a dressing table & chair and a chest of drawers. Along with a few boxes of clothes and personal items. No one would give quotes.

kirstyp

hi Mrs Bright, thanks for getting in touch.

It's really hard to get online prices for shipping as there are so many variables that go into the cost... http://britishexpats.com/forum/overs...erseas-872073/

That being said, if you call or send an email to prospective removal companies they should be willing to give you a ball park based on that list and a few other details they'll want to ask about your circumstances. Bear in mind they probably won't be able to give you a fixed quote if your move is a long way off but it should give you a good idea to help you assess. Happy to arrange for one of our team to get in touch if you want to private message me your details?

Hope that helps?