Shipping Companies - recommendations
 

Hi,

So we leave the UK on 12th Aug and need to get a company booked to ship our things asap. Does anyone have any recommendations?

We've had a quote from 1st Move International which seems quite competitive for a 20ft container.

Also they say 41 days to arrive. Does that seem about right?

We have temp furnished accommodation sorted to end September so those dates would tie in with when we hope to have an unfurnished rental from.

Thanks in advance!

Re: Shipping Companies - recommendations
 

FYI.
We arrived two years ago and used Pickfords. Cost was 5K for packing and shipping of 20ft container to Vancouver. On arrival house wasn't ready and agent at this end unloaded and stored goods at additional cost requiring further transportation and storage. 41 days sounds about right, it took ours about 6 weeks.
Don't forget to complete the goods to follow/inventory etc documentation on your arrival. We managed to get it right and system dealt with us very smoothly. Shipper will advise on what documents need completion. You'll need to visit CBSA when goods arrive to clear the container but this was merely a formality but they do check documentation.

Re: Shipping Companies - recommendations
 

hi! Welcome to BE :)

Sailing time can vary depending on which ship is used and speed is usually reflected in the price. Don't forget to add on a few days at the beginning for packing/loading and delivery into port and then again at the end to allow for customs clearance and scheduling of delivery date. Make sure to ask if that was 41 days on the water or door to door.

Please do have a look at our Vendor Forum (Overseas Removals, Shipping & Storage Advice and Information from Bournes International Moves - British Expats) I am on hand there to personally help and we have a guide that has lots of tips & several other online tools and articles that may help with evaluating which company to go with.

Re: Shipping Companies - recommendations
 

I used GB liners recently, for about a third of a container. A lot of glass, none broken, the packing was excellent. The shipment was held up for a week because the container was picked for inspection by CBSA, that cost $200! They did not appear to open anything, however.
Cost about £4,5000, but that included two pick ups as I had to store it in UK for 6 months.
I would recommend them.

Re: Shipping Companies - recommendations
 

There was a thread on here before we left and it was about 40 pages about shipping companies. I read it all and the best of the bunch seemed to be GB liners.

We used them and the service was pretty good. It would have gotten an excellent from me but the guy that did the packing upstairs in our house was rubbish compared to the guy that did the downstairs. Careless... so keep an eye on how they are packing. I was so happy with the way the guy did the downstairs that I didn't check up on the guy upstairs.

It took less than 3 weeks door to door. Only a couple of things broken.

One thing tho - you can totally get them down on price. Play a couple of each other and I got my marine insurance for about a third of what they quoted.

Good luck!

Re: Shipping Companies - recommendations
 

Thank you all so much for your advice, links and recommendations.

I will check out the other thread now.

So much to sort before we go but getting there bit by bit.

Re: Shipping Companies - recommendations
 

Lol. I told you about the other thread so you wouldn't have to trawl through it like I did...

So many bad reviews of so many of the companies but only minor things reported with GB liners... ;)

Re: Shipping Companies - recommendations
 

:lol: True! Have taken your advice and emailed GB Liners requesting a survey and also contacts Bournes (and downloaded the checklist).

Re: Shipping Companies - recommendations
 

WE used Whites and were very happy with the UK crew, the Vancouver crew had one very dopey guy who was a bit of a liability though. Stuff came through in just over a month

Re: Shipping Companies - recommendations
 

A lot of the shipping companies at this end leave it to the truck driver.

The drivers rent people by the day. For cash....

Re: Shipping Companies - recommendations
 

This is a really good tip...

When you speak to the moving companies ask who they use at destination and if they are a credible, reputable company too. Your contract is with the company you book with and they will be responsible for the whole process, making sure you get a good service, that everything runs smoothly and will be accountable for any complaints, but you still have a destination crew in your home and handling your belongings at delivery. Even if the rest of the process has run perfectly a poor partner for delivery can take away from an otherwise great experience if they aren't of the same standard.