Container being shipped from UK to Vancouver
Apr 1st 2013, 1:24 am
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 4
Container being shipped from UK to Vancouver
Hello there and Happy Easter!
I am in the process of arranging for my worldly possessions to be shipped via container from the UK (Felixstowe) to Vancouver. Has anyone recently undergone the same process who could give me some sound advice on:
(1) how I go about getting the container cleared with Customs;
(2) making warehouse arrangements for the container to be moved to for unloading; and
(3) recommending a decent (reliable and affordable) local removal company who deal with this type of situation on a regular basis?
Thanks so much. Any help would be very greatly appreciated.
I am in the process of arranging for my worldly possessions to be shipped via container from the UK (Felixstowe) to Vancouver. Has anyone recently undergone the same process who could give me some sound advice on:
(1) how I go about getting the container cleared with Customs;
(2) making warehouse arrangements for the container to be moved to for unloading; and
(3) recommending a decent (reliable and affordable) local removal company who deal with this type of situation on a regular basis?
Thanks so much. Any help would be very greatly appreciated.
Apr 2nd 2013, 12:05 am
#2
Island life at last
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: BC
Posts: 2,715
Re: Container being shipped from UK to Vancouver
Why don't you just get a company to do it for you?
We recommend White and Co.
They were fab price for a 20 ft container door to door Derbyshire to Lower Mainland with excellent service, no breakages or issues of any sort and they were quicker than expected.
Insured through a third party insurance was cheaper to do ourselves but everything else they handled.
Clearance through customs was a breeze - 10 minutes in and out.
D.I.Y in this regard sounds like a whole can of worms to me and probably not worth the savings to be had (if there are any!).
We recommend White and Co.
They were fab price for a 20 ft container door to door Derbyshire to Lower Mainland with excellent service, no breakages or issues of any sort and they were quicker than expected.
Insured through a third party insurance was cheaper to do ourselves but everything else they handled.
Clearance through customs was a breeze - 10 minutes in and out.
D.I.Y in this regard sounds like a whole can of worms to me and probably not worth the savings to be had (if there are any!).
Apr 2nd 2013, 8:48 am
#3
Removals Specialist
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Sussex, England
Posts: 726
Re: Container being shipped from UK to Vancouver
Hi Alison,
A removal company will handle points 1 & 2 for you (here's a thread on how to select shipping companies to get quotes from http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=783099) or are you also looking at DIY services?
A removal company will handle points 1 & 2 for you (here's a thread on how to select shipping companies to get quotes from http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=783099) or are you also looking at DIY services?
Apr 2nd 2013, 9:08 am
#4
forever blowing bubbles
Joined: Feb 2011
Location: cambridge ontario
Posts: 343
Re: Container being shipped from UK to Vancouver
Why don't you just get a company to do it for you?
We recommend White and Co.
They were fab price for a 20 ft container door to door Derbyshire to Lower Mainland with excellent service, no breakages or issues of any sort and they were quicker than expected.
Insured through a third party insurance was cheaper to do ourselves but everything else they handled.
Clearance through customs was a breeze - 10 minutes in and out.
D.I.Y in this regard sounds like a whole can of worms to me and probably not worth the savings to be had (if there are any!).
We recommend White and Co.
They were fab price for a 20 ft container door to door Derbyshire to Lower Mainland with excellent service, no breakages or issues of any sort and they were quicker than expected.
Insured through a third party insurance was cheaper to do ourselves but everything else they handled.
Clearance through customs was a breeze - 10 minutes in and out.
D.I.Y in this regard sounds like a whole can of worms to me and probably not worth the savings to be had (if there are any!).
Apr 3rd 2013, 2:43 am
#5
Island life at last
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: BC
Posts: 2,715
Re: Container being shipped from UK to Vancouver
Apr 4th 2013, 2:55 am
#6
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 4
Re: Container being shipped from UK to Vancouver
Thank you all so much for taking the time to respond with such helpful advice. I have sent off for a couple of quotes and am now just waiting to hear back. Thanks again!
Apr 4th 2013, 9:14 am
#7
forever blowing bubbles
Joined: Feb 2011
Location: cambridge ontario
Posts: 343
Jun 12th 2013, 9:01 pm
#8
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2013
Location: Coquitlam
Posts: 888
Re: Container being shipped from UK to Vancouver
Why don't you just get a company to do it for you?
We recommend White and Co.
They were fab price for a 20 ft container door to door Derbyshire to Lower Mainland with excellent service, no breakages or issues of any sort and they were quicker than expected.
Insured through a third party insurance was cheaper to do ourselves but everything else they handled.
Clearance through customs was a breeze - 10 minutes in and out.
D.I.Y in this regard sounds like a whole can of worms to me and probably not worth the savings to be had (if there are any!).
We recommend White and Co.
They were fab price for a 20 ft container door to door Derbyshire to Lower Mainland with excellent service, no breakages or issues of any sort and they were quicker than expected.
Insured through a third party insurance was cheaper to do ourselves but everything else they handled.
Clearance through customs was a breeze - 10 minutes in and out.
D.I.Y in this regard sounds like a whole can of worms to me and probably not worth the savings to be had (if there are any!).
Jun 13th 2013, 5:00 pm
#9
All Sooked up!
Joined: Dec 2010
Location: Sooke, BC.
Posts: 1,894
Re: Container being shipped from UK to Vancouver
You don't have to use a removals company and may save on expenses if you DIY, as long as you don't get stiffed on delivery charges and the delivery city is correct on the BOL.
Feb of this year we shipped our stuff ( and a Jeep) in a 20ft container from Portugal to Vancouver and picked up a few tips along the way.
Feb of this year we shipped our stuff ( and a Jeep) in a 20ft container from Portugal to Vancouver and picked up a few tips along the way.
Hello there and Happy Easter!
I am in the process of arranging for my worldly possessions to be shipped via container from the UK (Felixstowe) to Vancouver. Has anyone recently undergone the same process who could give me some sound advice on:
(1) how I go about getting the container cleared with Customs;
You go to the local CBSA office that covers the port of entry your container is arriving through. Take you goods to follow list. It's that simple. The container will have a few free days at the port or arrival before you will start incurring storage charges.
(2) making warehouse arrangements for the container to be moved to for unloading; and
Many local trucking companies will collect from port and deliver to where you wish. You can have delivery added into the price at the UK end. In which case make sure the Bill of Lading (BOL) has the Name of your city and 'To Door' written on it and not just 'To Door' at the port of unloading unless you happen to live in that city anyway.
Most trucking co's will include free unloading period on delivery. The container will remain on the trucks trailer during unloading. You can request a truck that will drop the container to the ground but this will cost quite a bit extra. We hire a local removals firm to unload the container and take all the stuff into the house. They did our 20ft container in about 90 minutes.
(3) recommending a decent (reliable and affordable) local removal company who deal with this type of situation on a regular basis?
Thanks so much. Any help would be very greatly appreciated.
I am in the process of arranging for my worldly possessions to be shipped via container from the UK (Felixstowe) to Vancouver. Has anyone recently undergone the same process who could give me some sound advice on:
(1) how I go about getting the container cleared with Customs;
You go to the local CBSA office that covers the port of entry your container is arriving through. Take you goods to follow list. It's that simple. The container will have a few free days at the port or arrival before you will start incurring storage charges.
(2) making warehouse arrangements for the container to be moved to for unloading; and
Many local trucking companies will collect from port and deliver to where you wish. You can have delivery added into the price at the UK end. In which case make sure the Bill of Lading (BOL) has the Name of your city and 'To Door' written on it and not just 'To Door' at the port of unloading unless you happen to live in that city anyway.
Most trucking co's will include free unloading period on delivery. The container will remain on the trucks trailer during unloading. You can request a truck that will drop the container to the ground but this will cost quite a bit extra. We hire a local removals firm to unload the container and take all the stuff into the house. They did our 20ft container in about 90 minutes.
(3) recommending a decent (reliable and affordable) local removal company who deal with this type of situation on a regular basis?
Thanks so much. Any help would be very greatly appreciated.
Last edited by james.mc; Jun 13th 2013 at 5:07 pm.
Jun 14th 2013, 12:44 am
#10
Island life at last
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: BC
Posts: 2,715
Re: Container being shipped from UK to Vancouver
I hope I have got this right 
, but I think it was an insurer called Lenton Percival, who are based in Liverpool.
They were great to deal with and a bargain compared to the amount quoted by any of the removal companies.
, but I think it was an insurer called Lenton Percival, who are based in Liverpool.They were great to deal with and a bargain compared to the amount quoted by any of the removal companies.
Jun 14th 2013, 6:23 pm
#11
Fancy a Cuppa?
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 438
Re: Container being shipped from UK to Vancouver
I wouldn't bother with DIY. You'll have plenty already to deal with, and the savings just don't justify it! The company you use should deal with all the questions you brought up, and keep you informed of progress. They will provide you with the goods to follow list and tell you when to go and get your stuff through customs. (This is simple, you just go to offices downtown when called, and get your documentation stamped).
Get quotations from at least 3 company's, be clear on what you want to take and take the opportunity to ask lots of questions.
We used Pickfords, but I don't know that I would recommend!
Good Luck
Get quotations from at least 3 company's, be clear on what you want to take and take the opportunity to ask lots of questions.
We used Pickfords, but I don't know that I would recommend!
Good Luck
Jun 16th 2013, 1:43 am
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 232
Re: Container being shipped from UK to Vancouver
We have just shipped our stuff from UK to Vancouver with GB Liners. I have to say the packers were fantastic and I got a call last week to say our stuff is due to arrive in Vancouver the end of next week. Slightly disappointed that it's so much earlier than expected so we have to pay for storage for a couple of weeks till we can take delivery. I found the whole process pretty stressful and we've moved abroad a few times so I personally wouldn't try and do it myself, I don't think you end up doing it much cheaper either.
