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Shipping (next stages)

Shipping (next stages)

Old May 3rd 2012, 3:52 pm
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Post Shipping (next stages)

Hello!

First off, I've found this forum great for me in terms of what I need to do etc and how fellow Brits are settling in over the pond! Give you a little bit of background. Wife is USC and I'm UKC (24 & 23 respectively). We met in 2008 at an American University (I studied abroad for a year), she came here to study in 2010 and we got married in Scotland last June. After many "UK or US" discussions we settled on the US and I'm moving out next month after my interview

I'm leaving next month to head to Virginia (from bonny Glasgow). I've got my items together for what I want to ship. Depending on whether I take a few extra boxes, my calculations come out to be 126 or 135 cubic feet.

I've narrowed my companies down to: Pickfords, Doree Bonner, Crown Relo, and GB Liners. Doree Bonner and Crown are coming out next week to survey my items and quote etc. Pickfords were reluctant to send anyone and quoted me $1255 and $1335 for the two volumes. We haven't discussed insurance etc yet. GB Liners haven't responded yet...

First off, does Pickfords quote sound about right for the volume that's given? Obviously I am waiting to see what the other companies quote me, but to just give me a ballpark idea.

Secondly, I have scoured the forums to find recommendations and ideas of what I should be asking. Does this sound about right?

Ask about:

- Trucking from UK home to docks
- Export Documentation
- Ocean Freight
- US Customs Clearance
- Trucking to US home

Miscellaneous notes:

- Use FIDI certified company
- Don't have items stored in container ($$$)
- Sharing container can run into problems?
- Get a list of ways to avoid additional US customs fees. Companies will provide??
- Ask for total cost from UK door to US Door
- Ask what storage they will offer if held up by US customs/Customs invoices
- Compare boxes to packing excess baggage
- Do customs costs get shared amongst shippers?
- Port shipment will arrive at. How the trucking works

Are there any questions that I am missing? Feel free to give me more questions etc!

Slowly I will get there!

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Old May 3rd 2012, 4:38 pm
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Default Re: Shipping (next stages)

Do you mean 1255 / 1335 Sterling? that sounds about right, but bear in mind the shipper is likely to add on costs for insurance (ours was 2.8% of the value of the goods - you provide this info to the shipper) and admin fees (1% ish)

With that volume, you are looking at a part container and you are likely to have additional customs costs when your goods arrive in the US as most shared containers are opened. The total cost was split proportionately across each consignment - we had to pay about $200 because of this (our volume was 170 cu ft).

Your shipper will likely charge for additional storage time, but this will only be if you don't provide a prompt payment (usually within 2 weeks)

You appear to have a good handle on what you need to know - in my experience the shipping agents are very knowledgable

We were quoted by Doree Bonner and GB Liners, both of which we liked a lot but went with Doree Bonner as they were a little cheaper. Our goods were collected mid-Jan and are due to arrive end of May (London to Denver). As you are a part-container it can take a long time between being collected from your home to actually getting on a ship due to the way they assign the remaining space in each container - our goods were sat in a warehouse for a month and a half before getting on a ship!!

We discounted Pickfords due to the experience of a friend at work - he was moving from Hertfordshire to Devon and they totally screwed it up. I'm sure there are good and bad reviews for all shippers but that put me off.

Good luck!
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Old May 3rd 2012, 5:00 pm
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Default Re: Shipping (next stages)

PCs (as in computers) attract attention apparently, so don't ship that in a container. X-ray fees are split between users of the container, according to Pickfords - but you're at the mercy of whatever the other users pack. Having said that, good packers will know what not to pack. They rejected a couple of things of mine, more my mistake than an intention to send.

$1255 for 126 cu ft sounds ok as long as that really is in $$$ and not GBP - I was quoted £1305 for 252 cu ft from Pickfords - but that's to the west coast, not the east coast like you. To be honest I'm surprised they even gave you a different price for 126 vs 135 cu ft as they seemed to go in bands, e.g. 50 cu ft increments. Plus they allow a certain amount of variation so if you're slightly over when they've finished packing then you won't be charged any more; likewise if you're under you won't get a refund unless it's significantly less.

Pickfords are the same company both ends. If you use a company that isn't in the US then find out who the US end will be and Google them. Imagine if something happened and both the UK and US company deny responsibility... at least with the same company at both ends it is theoretically easier to deal with.

Don't forget you won't have your stuff for a good month or even three after you arrive in the US. So consider what you will need upon arrival and see whether you can airfreight it or even take it as checked baggage on the plane. I used some BA miles and cash to get an upgrade which also included more baggage allowance, which worked out cheaper than any other airfreight. Still ended up spending loads after arriving though!
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Old May 3rd 2012, 5:33 pm
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Default Re: Shipping (next stages)

Thanks for the replies!

Sorry, I DID mean Sterling. The £/$ keys are next to each other. *stupid me*

Yeah, I was awaiting the insurance and admin fees. My plan is to see what the companies quote me in terms of price and cubic feet and then compare them to my own calculations. Then I'll ask about insurance, custom fees, what port of entry, and US agents they use etc.

Yeah, I'm selling my computer prior to leaving. Works out that what I will get for it will allow me to buy the upgraded model due to the £/$ conversion

My dad wants me to take non-electrical tool parts (he's a builder and they have been sitting for years). They are specialised tools so it will work out cheaper shipping them than buying new in the States. That's really the only part of the shipment I'm worried customs may be a bit nosey about.

I did the airline idea! I'm flying out with BA too. I'm taking highly personal/sentimental items (incl. a coin collection!) with me on the plane and a total of 6 suitcases! I upgraded too, but I couldn't use airmiles/avios to upgrade to the next cabin since there was no availability. However, they did "offer me" the chance to upgrade for £943 which includes a £100 change fee! I politely declined...

So far I've found Doree Bonner the best. I've had no issues with them so far. Pickfords and Crown were a bit of a tough nut to crack. I've had to chase both up after an initial enquiry (where they said they would get back to me ASAP). Crown stonewalled over sending someone out to survey the contents. However, I contacted my local office directly and they are sending out someone next week after changing the agent's schedule for me.

Pickfords played pass the ball. I called the number, got transferred to my local branch who then said HQ dealt with it. Phoned HQ back, they said the local office should deal with it and that shouldn't have happened. They then took my details and I got a call from the London office who asked me to send them a list of items/measurements. She also gave me tips to make the volume lower (dismantling tables, and to do it ourselves since it will be a lot cheaper). The agent told me she was on leave until next Tuesday, and that I would get an auto reply, but that she would get back to me the next day (which she did! I liked that). So, as mentioned, she got back to me with the quote and if I need to ask anything then to e-mail her back and she'll reply asap.

My only quibble is over the apparent reluctance to send an agent out to survey the contents. I'm aware my shipment isn't an entire house, however, I don't want to get any nasty surprises come packing day and I've read stories where company volume quotes turn out to be drastically different.

Just as well I started all of this early! My wife laughs since I've arranged our pet bird's moving way before my own!
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Old May 3rd 2012, 5:47 pm
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Default Re: Shipping (next stages)

Every company we spoke to wanted to send someone out, seems a bit odd that they wouldn't.

With Doree Bonner, we were not charged until everything was packed, so we literally paid for the volume we shipped - not sure if other companies work this way so may be something to ask about. We also found that the agents we spoke to over-estimated our volume by a fair amount so the final cost was actually less than originally quoted.

We were told by Doree and GB Liners not to dismantle anything as the packers will do it as they see appropriate, and pack accordingly. the packers were very professional and quick, especially considering we were in a second floor flat.
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Old May 3rd 2012, 5:55 pm
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Default Re: Shipping (next stages)

Definitely ask who they use on the US end of things.

Check out the scam moving website, plonk the name in and see if there's anything bad sad about the company.
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Old May 3rd 2012, 11:43 pm
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Default Re: Shipping (next stages)

Yeah, it struck me as a bit odd that some were reluctant to send someone out too. However, I found if you phoned the branch directly, or pestered them, they would do it.

I've got a bookmark of the movingscam website Bob, thanks! It was one of the sites that kept popping up in threads I was looking through. Handy wee site!
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Old May 4th 2012, 12:09 am
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Default Re: Shipping (next stages)

Ask about tracking the container, the number is on side and the details of the vessel and voyage plus tracking in the US warehouse. It should be available online.
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Old May 10th 2012, 7:12 pm
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Default Re: Shipping (next stages)

Ok, a little (make it long!) update:

Pickfords- No change. I got an e-mail about additional services but nothing else. I guess they're off the list. Quite surprised at them truth be told.

GB Liners- First of the 3 companies to come out to survey the contents. It was the branch manager for the Edinburgh store that came out. Arrived a good 20 minutes early. He was pleasant, straight to the point. Eyed the stuff up, asked questions about the contents, answered my questions and then left. He was here, 15 mins max. Brief, to the point, but too brief? (that was my overall summation in my head). He told which port it would be leaving from, didn't know which one it would arrive at, or who would handle it over there. He said the total time it would take would be 4 weeks (door to door) since their containers fill quickly. He said he would furnish me with a quote today, but guess it will be tomorrow now.

Doree Bonner- Second of the companies to survey the contents. Representative arrived 10 mins. early and was very pleasant. Way more talkative than the other guy. Had the salesperson feel about him, but he did address my concerns without me having to ask. He told me the shipment would take approx. 12-16 weeks depending on how the part containers load up. He said they only use 40ft containers. The arrival port would be Philadelphia and handled on the US side by Contour Logistics. He gave me a booklet with information about packing, customs forms etc. The packing would be done here and transported to Kent awaiting shipment. He told me to pester him with questions if needs be. Since he's been in the business 30 years he said he has had every type of question possible. He laid out possible custom charges (if they happened) and was upfront in saying that since the apartment is on the 1st floor (US second floor) it would incur a small surcharge. He said all my contact would be through him until it reached the US wherein the new contact would be Contour.

His original measurements were within 5 cbft of mine. He stated he would furnish a quote today, which he duly did. He said on re-evaluating the quote it was an extra 20 cbft and that the total charge would be £1,267. This included:

"a full packing and wrapping service,UK haulage, ocean freight, terminal handling charges, normal customs clearance , delivery to a normal residence not above first floor, placing furniture as required, unpacking, unwrapping and removal of debris at the time of delivery"

but NOT:

"The price does not include insurance, Lloyd's Survey Fees. Consular fees, Custom Duties, Municipal Dues or any other fees, duties or dues paid to Government Departments, nor the expenses caused by special treatment of articles liable to such payments."/"Excludes:- Taxes, Duties, Demurrage and Storage, Customs & Quarantine inspection fee (if applicable)."

and he stated in his e-mail that customs charges could be between $75 and $250 but that it all depends on US customs- which is fair enough. He told me that the charge for the extra flight of stairs would be $28.

Insurance:

"Marine Insurance Package @ 3% of value. Minimum premium £30.00, all risks cover, nil excess.
(Excludes insurance premium tax @ 6% of premium)"

Overall, I liked how he addressed my questions by giving me a lot of information. I was just somehwt niggled with the additional 20cbft and little charges, but I guess that's to be expected?

Crown- Last appointment. Arrived on time, pleasant woman. Transpires some of the staff at their office are children/grandchildren of one of our neighbours around the corner. Felt stilted at first, she asked if I had talked to the internet department since they had confusion. I mentioned that I had but that I felt I was getting nowhere with them. She scribbled a small note at that point. She measured up the contents and went through some of the stuff like the others. She put the volume at 220cbft. Transit time for her was 8-10 weeks. She mentioned that the nearest crown office is DC for me. She mentioned how they would pack the items and how it would be Crown throughout the whole process. Customs etc didn't come up. She e-mailed to get a quote, but it was late by this point. She said she would phone tonight if she heard (which she did 30 mins ago). Her quote was £1662 door to door not incl. insurance. The contents would travel down to London and then be shipped but wasn't sure which port yet. Also received a booklet with a LOT of information and even a DC office booklet.

My main issues (which I ask your help!) are:

1- Does the extra premium from Crown come down to the fact they operate on both sides?

2- I can't find much of anything about Contour logistics on the movingscam website or any other for that matter! I've trawled the net, but does anyone have better eyes than me and know anything of them?

3- One thing I remembered about Doree Bonner stories on here is that the transit time quoted ended up being too short. My main worry is that it overshoots 16 weeks. GB liners 4 week timeframe seemed far too short to me on the flip side. Yet, Crown was slap bang in the middle. Any general opinions about what seems closer to the mark?

4- Do people generally haggle once they are armed with quotes? Do you have much success? I'm not necessarily going for the cheapest option. Most of the items I'm shipping are sentimental so I'd rather pay a bit more for them to get there safe and sound. Yet, I'm not paying over the odds. Tightwire act here!

If you reached here in the post- thank you I like to make sure I've detailed all the relevant facts to get better opinions.

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Old May 10th 2012, 9:51 pm
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Default Re: Shipping (next stages)

We used Doree Bonner when we moved from Glasgow to Connecticut a couple of years ago. Contour Logistics were the people who brought the shipment to our home in Connecticut and they were fine. Arrived on the date they stated, if I remember, there were 3 or 4 guys who put the boxes in the rooms that i wanted. They also offered to make up any of the large furniture, but I only requested that they put together the bed. We only had one breakage and claimed the insurance and it was straightforward, no problems that I can recall. Good luck with the move, it must be at the exciting/apprehensive/stressed stage by now!!! Let me know if you need any further info on Doree Bonner, I'm sure I commented on a thread not long after we used them, but my memory is so bad, I could be talking rubbish
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Old May 11th 2012, 8:43 am
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Default Re: Shipping (next stages)

Thanks Brat1,

I notice that you were from Bishopbriggs- I live out in Lennoxtown! I was in Bishopbriggs only yesterday. Talk about small world... Do you remember who you dealt with on the UK side from Doree Bonner? Was there shipping time to the US in line with what they estimated?

I heard back from GB Liners today. They quoted just over £2,250.

So 3 quotes came out to be:

DB- £1,267
Crown: £1,662
GB Liners: £2,256

Quite a variation. If anyone can help with my previous post then please do!
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Old May 11th 2012, 11:00 am
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Default Re: Shipping (next stages)

Originally Posted by princemuggin
Thanks Brat1,

I notice that you were from Bishopbriggs- I live out in Lennoxtown! I was in Bishopbriggs only yesterday. Talk about small world... Do you remember who you dealt with on the UK side from Doree Bonner? Was there shipping time to the US in line with what they estimated?

I heard back from GB Liners today. They quoted just over £2,250.

So 3 quotes came out to be:

DB- £1,267
Crown: £1,662
GB Liners: £2,256

Quite a variation. If anyone can help with my previous post then please do!
OMG!! I lived in Lennoxtown for a few years a while back. Loved the place and the only reason we moved, was because we needed the kids in a school in Bishopbriggs, so that my mum could take them and pick them up. A small world indeed.

The guys name was Gordon Clark if I remember correctly. Our shipment seemed to take forever to get here and then got held up at customs and we had to pay extra customs charges to get our stuff delivered. Is the 1267 including the insurance??
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Old May 11th 2012, 12:38 pm
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Default Re: Shipping (next stages)

4 weeks is not out of the question but 16 weeks is very long, the last shipment I did was around 4 weeks and was unloaded in Newark and trucked under bond to Norfolk where it cleared customs. I am about 30 miles from you in Buckingham.
Customs clearance should be no more than $200 plus any duties.
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Old May 11th 2012, 1:08 pm
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Default Re: Shipping (next stages)

I think ours was 13 weeks from pick up to drop off, there or thereabouts. I'm sure our customs charges were over $400, but I'd need to look back and check
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Old May 11th 2012, 3:22 pm
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Default Re: Shipping (next stages)

Originally Posted by Brat1
I think ours was 13 weeks from pick up to drop off, there or thereabouts. I'm sure our customs charges were over $400, but I'd need to look back and check
I just looked at an invoice from last month and I paid $125 for submission to customs, then $100 for the ISF bond, $75 for the ISF set up and $25 for the ISF filing. So if all the charges were put together $400 would be about right. (ISF is Importer Security Filing which is done before the boat sails).
As we load and unload our own shipments that maybe speeds things up transit wise.
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