Shipping boxes
 

We are looking at shipping a few boxes, we fly next Monday. We have about 8 boxes to ship, does anyone have any recommendations?
TIA

Re: Shipping boxes
 

If you're in the London area, PSS International are a good company, we used them to ship boxes about 7 years ago..

A local company picked them up in Toronto about a week later and delivered to us next day.

Re: Shipping boxes
 

Don't forget your Goods accompanying / goods to follow lists have to be stamped and signed if you want to bring anything in without paying duties or taxes. https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Goods_To_Follow-Canada
Air Transat cargo if you are able to collect the items yourself.

Re: Shipping boxes
 

You can use DHL express service, 40x40x40 cm box up to 30kg, its roughly about £120-150 per box (depending on postcodes) but the boxes will be there in 3 (ish) days.

Obviously other services are available and probably cheaper, just depends on your needs.

Re: Shipping boxes
 

Thanks I contacted pss today and they were reasonably priced and offer air freight so will go with them.
On the goods to follow list Siouxie does it need to be specific for example:
1 spotty plate
1 striped plate
or can I just put 10 plates priced at $xxxx

I wasn’t sure with air freight how that would work with quarentine, whether they hold it for a certain amount of time, plus it’s getting it to the airport to ship this end we are about 3 hours away from Heathrow.

Re: Shipping boxes
 

If I can make a recommendation, if you're having them collected before you leave then it might be wise to have them collected later from a relative or request temporary storage from the shipping company. If you have things collected and then fail a pre-flight covid test then it could be quite awkward if your things arrive and you're not there already.

Good luck with everything. I hope it works out ok for you.

Re: Shipping boxes
 

You don't even need to put the number or list plates. Just say 'kitchenware' and then put a reasonably high figure to cover your plates, bowls, pots, pans etc. When they processed my goods to follow list, the only thing they really paid any attention to was jewellery. I'd included serial numbers for my games consoles and laptop and stuff like that but the customs guy said the it wasn't needed.

I think they're mostly interested in people who might try to abuse the system to import high value items or precious materials that could then be resold on the Canadian market.

Re: Shipping boxes
 

Agreed to a point - but what you want to put down is the 2nd hand value not "a high figure" ...... for everything!
It's a requirement to list serial numbers and descriptions etc., regardless of what the customs officer said. Better to have it and not need it, than to not have it and get into grief :)
You need to put down the serial numbers, make and model for any electrical items (despite what DG was told, it's a requirement.)
Full descriptions of any jewellery or high value items. You don't have to use the forms, you can make your own lists - but make sure you have 2 copies with you. :)
Everything else can be generic - see the post below and info in the wiki (open the images in the post in a separate tab) - 2nd hand value for other goods.. :D
https://britishexpats.com/forum/immi.../#post11202796
https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Goods...nclude_in_list
https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Categ...gistics-Canada

Re: Shipping boxes
 

Just out of curiosity on this post, has anyone shipped with pallets?

Re: Shipping boxes
 

Pallets are usually sent via a shipping company.. or using a shared container. :)
You may be able to air freight and contract with the air cargo department directly. Try Air Transat :)

Re: Shipping boxes
 

Does anyone know the best option for insurance these days? I've been talking with Anglo Pacific regarding shipping a few boxes and was surprised to find out that even with custom crates for some items, they don't insure a damn thing by default. I also found out what IPT is for the first time today. I didn't much care for it.

A few old threads on here seem to say good things about Letton Percival. Is that still a good way to go?

Re: Shipping boxes
 

I'm surprised they haven't tried to push their insurance on you - usually they insist you insure through them because there's often a 40% mark up on insurance. Interestingly, they say on their website "for more information please see our insurance page" - but don't give a link to it. It's never included in the quote, it's something that is added once they see the itemised documents of the contents and you give information about any high value items etc.

As you won't be able to attend customs etc., if the lockdown is still in place, you should ask for 'door to door' service (where they clear your items from the customs warehouse) - they will probably use a broker, but you may not have much choice. You will likely need to give them a copy of your 'goods to follow' stamped document, for them to be able to have the items released.
Letton Percival were always excellent, I can't see them having changed due to Covid.

Re: Shipping boxes
 

Tbh the guy I've been dealing with so far seems very relaxed but responsive. They have been quoting me for the door to door service and I would need that really because I don't drive. I've already offered them a copy of the personal effects document and they said that should be fine.

They've also said they would match any insurance quote I found elsewhere as long as it was from an accredited insurer. From my experience, should I try to keep it simple and get the whole thing through the shipping company or is keeping the two separate not too much of a hassle?

I only have a few items to ship which are worth a significant amount of money, and one in particular which they would be building a custom crate for. It just amazes me that even though they're offering a custom made box to ship it in safely, they don't actually insure it by default.

Re: Shipping boxes
 

I found it better to have separate insurance - for instance, the shippers I used managed to smash the legs on an antique table, smash half of the antique lead crystal glasses because they had neglected to pack them sufficiently - and some smaller bits and pieces. I contacted the insurance company (who were in Canada) and they sent an assessor over that week; I was able to converse with them easily and negotiate a settlement of my claim which I received within a week. There was no going through the shippers who often argue that it wasn't their company that broke the items - it must have been the company delivering the items (usually a different company) - or something similar... leading to protracted negotiations and a lower settlement.
I used Unirisc (Richmond Hill) for insurance..

You might want to read their summary of insurance for Anglo Pacific - particularly the part below - 'and unpacked' (only available on a web cache) http://webcache.googleusercontent.co...nt=firefox-b-d
and in light of your 'crated item'
https://britishexpats.com/forum/cana...urance-926812/
https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Shipping-Canada

Re: Shipping boxes
 

Thanks, that's definitely something to keep in mind. The main concern is my desktop PC which is a high end custom machine. PC components are ridiculously expensive to replace atm which is why I wanted a decent amount of coverage on it if it did become damaged in transit.

Re: Shipping boxes
 

Welcome!
If you are comfortable with doing so, I'd suggest removing your HD's /SSD's, graphic cards etc., (with a note of any licenses you might need) placing them in anti-static bags and carrying them in your hand luggage (my son did this for his high end custom built machine). It's permitted >
Generally speaking PC components are cheaper here than Europe.. but I've noticed prices have increased too :( https://www.newegg.ca/Components/Store/ID-1

Re: Shipping boxes
 

I am definitely comfortable doing that since I built the machine in the first place. :D

I was originally going to ship it that way and then just buy a new case on arrival from NewEgg or something but the shipping companies told me it wouldn't cost too much to ship it as it is.

Re: Shipping boxes
 

Siouxie we just landed got issued work permits etc I asked about our goods to follow and they told me I didn’t need to do this as we are coming in on a work permit.
I have paid for a door to door service, pss said to get the paperwork stamped but the guy at the airport wouldn’t even look at my paperwork just said nope don’t need to stamp it 🤷🏼‍♀️
didn’t know if this is correct?!

Re: Shipping boxes
 

Congrats on your arrival - woohooo!! :thumbsup:
Did you tell him that you are a Provincial Nominee and have an application for PR in place? He should have stamped your GTF list as you are counted as 'settlers'
As you are now in quarantine for 14 days, you won't be able to attend any of the offices to get it stamped until it's finished. Where in Ontario have you ended up - there are some local offices.. you could give them a call and ask where you should go.. :) https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/contact/bis-sif-eng.html

also: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publicat...2-2-1-eng.html

Re: Shipping boxes
 

Thank you so much, everyone on expats especially you and christmasoompa have helped so much along the way.

So it was probably a bit of my fault too then as the man at the desk processing our work permits knew we had OINP but I didn’t tell that to the other guy.

I definitely think our pr application has got lost and will be re submitting in the next few weeks once quarantine is over, is there anyway we could ship them over on the work permit status before re submitting our pr? They are still in the uk at. The moment and we only have 8 boxes most of which are general household items, the only thing of real expense are my husbands work tools.

thanks again

Re: Shipping boxes
 

Most welcome! :)

The information you need about importing your items is in the links I gave plus this one :) https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publicat...2-2-1-eng.html Regardless of whether you try to bring them in as 'temporary workers' now, you will need to submit the GTF forms as 'settlers' once you have submitted the full application - you have Ontario PNP, so the officer should have picked up on it. You may as well do it once and leave it at that.
Regarding the tools - if they are physical tools such as mechanic / electrician / plumber / gas fitter / carpenter etc., would use on a worksite - you would have to pay duty and taxes on them regardless of whether you are 'settlers' or not if they were listed as work tools by mistake.. they must be for personal use to qualify. If they are tools that he will use for personal use, i.e.household repairs or for a hobby - and they are listed as such - there shouldn't be duty and taxes. :D
Unless they are Canadian Safety Standards stamped he may not be allowed to use them on work sites anyway,

Re: Shipping boxes
 

That's exactly what I plan on doing if the move ver happens, I'm going to ditch the PSU/Case, everything else going back in its original boxes (aside from CPU and NVME HDD which can stay on the motherboard) and it'll go in hand luggage - its amazing how small it all packs down now (mini ATX, NVME etc), its literally like shipping a couple of magazines, or an A4 textbook.

Is the ultimate decision on "personal" use down to the immigration officer? I'm a jack of all trades (and absolute master of none) but trade was a mechanic so have a few thousands worth in mechanics tools (which will come sans toolbox) - have no concrete plans on going back into the trade being honest (I'm attached to the trade in the UK still, but don't swing spanners for a living anymore) . On top of this have renovated a couple of properties so have amassed a lot of tools - granted cement mixer will be staying home, unlikely I will ship things like chainsaws etc unless there is spare space in the pallet. but all my cordless tools, framing hammer, fancy trowels, laser levels etc will be coming with me if I go for the pallet option. But aside from the pieces I likely wont bring, all tools are sort of pro-grade.

I'd likely throw everything in aluminium locker I have and put it on a pallet - second hand value for me to sell everything in the UK is maybe £4000, price to replace it all new for new - probably going the wrong side of 5 figures! Can honestly say apart from cakes and a bottle of a whisky or 2 from mates, none of the tools have earned me a £ (they've saved me tens of thousands in not paying professionals), but it looks far from a hobby set up.

Re: Shipping boxes
 

It's down to the official who inspects your shipment, together with the GTF list, and your status. :)

Re: Shipping boxes
 

You might not need to chuck the PSU, especially if it's a decent one. Most them will switch between 100-240v these days and can be more expensive to replace than to send. If you've got anything higher than a decent bronze rated one then I'd recommend looking up the specs on it before throwing it away.

Re: Shipping boxes
 

Siouxie I drove upto the CBSA yesterday at Toronto to get my goods to follow stamped and the officer said they do not do it until the goods arrive in the country. She said once they arrive they will contact us and then we have to go to the office get our documents stamped and then they forward the boxes to us.
Im now confused as everything I read here and everything the shipping company told me is that I should get the paperwork stamped upon arrival, Id rather not ship it at all than ship it and it all gets lost.

Re: Shipping boxes
 

The way it is supposed to happen is you present the goods to follow list at the POE where you land at. CBSA stamp it and give it you back. You are then supposed to be notified by the shipper when the goods have arrived in Canada and then you take the stamped GTF list to the nearest CBSA office and then clear them.

Re: Shipping boxes
 

+1 :goodpost:

Re: Shipping boxes
 

Thanks.
when we came through the airport at Toronto the 2 officers on duty refused to stamp or even look at my paperwork, they barely wanted a conversation with us after hearing we had come from the U.K. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Re: Shipping boxes
 

When was this? When I came through there just less than a week ago they were nothing but polite, relaxed, and friendly. They even helped me with my luggage because I was using a baggage cart and put too much weight on one side so it nearly fell over.

Re: Shipping boxes
 

Welcome to Canada..