Re: cost of shipping etc?
 

We got the whole house in...

20 boxes of stuff in packed boxes, 2 double beds etc, wardrobes, a 20ft container has enough room in it to fit just so much stuff you wouldnt believe, we barely used 20% of it -seriously - we're a family of 4 with bikes and all sorts.

Bought packing materials and boxes from local removal company (they're all selling it now) rented the container with shipping from shipper , using a company here to get it through customs etc.

It does seem very easy and if you think about it they do it for companies all the itme shipping bits and bobs and goods etc- it really isnt hard.

If you get the chance to see a 20ft container in an industrial estate or something you'll see just how big they are. They are truly cavernous. We could've put our 4wd in too if we wanted.

Re: cost of shipping etc?
 

Here are a couple of sites which may be of use to you:

Excess Baggage Shipping
Click on Baggage Shipping, then Air Freight Prices to get an estimate. You can arrange the air freight prioro to your flight.

SE QLD Rentals
This site gives you listings of furnished and unfurnished accomodations in and around Brisbane, also tells you what's included if furnished.

Good luck,
Mrs JTL

Re: cost of shipping etc?
 

The quote we had was for 1050' cubic feet, in a general purpose 20 ' container.

Re: cost of shipping etc?
 

Spalen,hope you don't mind me asking lots more questions as this sounds very interesting!
Who did you hire it from and did they deliver it to your home and collect it?
Did you have to detail every single item in each box on the inventory for customs?
Did the shipping company put you in touch with the customs company in Brissie?
Is insurance an option?
Who will transport the container from the port to your home.
And is all the above included in you £1500+/- or was that just the container?

We only have a 1 bed flat, and I feel a bit conned paying up to £3000 incl insurance...I think I'd rather do it my self and pay much less, especially with everything else we're paying out for at the mo!

Re: cost of shipping etc?
 

We used OOCL orient overseas container lines. Just out of friend-of-friend but they all do it.

It was circa £1500 Southampton->Brisbane which included
- container hire
- container to my house on a lorry parked outside for 3 hrs for loading
- container sealed, customs papers filed, and put on a ship to leave UK
- Arrival in brisbane & clearance of customs by a local agent (Global Logistics Mgt)

If you cant load in 3 hrs you pay something like £40 /hr extra but you can also say to lorry driver - you wanna bugger off and come back - ? they invariably do ...

In Brisbane Ive got to pay a few quid for a removal co to pick up my contents (all personal effects containers are unloaded apparently by customs) and drive them to my house.

Ring around start with Shipping companies, OOCL, is a biggie , there are others. If they wont do it ring shipping agents - dont look under removals you're looking for cargo and freight.

The inventory I gave to customs in Aus was "21 boxes of assorted personal items" then listed for example Box1 DVD Player, cuddly toys. Box2 Books, DVDs. Etc.

I think its a rip off too at £3,500 we werent going to bring anything then realised you can DIY without too much hassle - you just dont get any insurance ..... We did have someone in the family in the shipping company - but that was just for a discount it had nothing to do with them actually doing it it was all straight forward.

www.yahoo.co.uk throws up a stack of people including OOCL when you search for 'containerised freight shipping' which is what you want - with these you should also be able to rent part containers etc. Its all business as usual for these guys.

Re: cost of shipping etc?
 

THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your detailed reply!

I'm going to have a thorough investigation!! :p :)

Re: cost of shipping etc?
 

Hi Spalen

Your news about doing the shipping yourself has been very interesting and I am currently doing loads of research on this.
Can you let me know how you get on with customs, removal companies etc in Aus? Just wondering whether they are stricter as it's not going through a removal company.
Best of luck.

Re: cost of shipping etc?
 

Hi, Where did you hire the container from and what size was it. We would like to pack it ourselves as we do not have a large amount to take and we are going near Brisbane.
Mark :)

Re: cost of shipping etc?
 

Sorry did not realise there was two pages and you have already answered our questions.
Mark :)