Shipping Companies - recommendations
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 47
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!
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!
#2
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.
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.
#3
Removals Specialist
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Sussex, England
Posts: 726
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.
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.
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2015
Location: BC
Posts: 45
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.
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.
#5
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,746
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!
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!
#6
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 47
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.
I will check out the other thread now.
So much to sort before we go but getting there bit by bit.
#7
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,746
Re: Shipping Companies - recommendations
So many bad reviews of so many of the companies but only minor things reported with GB liners...
#8
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 47
Re: Shipping Companies - recommendations
True! Have taken your advice and emailed GB Liners requesting a survey and also contacts Bournes (and downloaded the checklist).
#9
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
#10
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Maple Ridge, Super Natural British Columbia
Posts: 2,071
Re: Shipping Companies - recommendations
The drivers rent people by the day. For cash....
#11
Removals Specialist
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Sussex, England
Posts: 726
Re: Shipping Companies - recommendations
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.