shipping personal effects UK to US
Hi everyone,
I spent one morning calling several shipping companies in the UK for rates to ship 3 boxes to the U.S. and had a very wide range of responses. 1) Is it true that it actually costs less to ship by air when you have few things (3 boxes about 50x50x50 cm) because the port charges at sea ports are outrageous? Also, on the receiving end, there is an option to have it delivered door to door versus door to port. With the door to port option is cheaper, but you have to take care of the customs clearance and pay the gov't fees. 2) Can some one recommend a shipper they have used and which method (air or sea)? 3) So far, the cheapest shipper we found is Seven Seas from the UK to US to ship. -shaun |
Have you priced what it would cost to send them via the Post Office?
|
Re: shipping personal effects UK to US
I used Britannia. They were excellent and even sent professional packers to make sure my belongings were packed securely. They provided a full door-to-door service (London to Connecticut) and it cost us about $1,200 for 200 cubic feet. I also got a quote of $400 for 50 cubic. Everything arrived here safely and in full about three weeks later. They also took care of customs clearance. From bitter experience, I recommend that you only go with a reputable, bonded shipping company if you want your stuff to arrive safely and intact. My advice would be to contact Britannia and get a free quote from them, and see how that compares to the Post Office.
Hope this helps. Originally posted by Shaun Su Hi everyone, I spent one morning calling several shipping companies in the UK for rates to ship 3 boxes to the U.S. and had a very wide range of responses. 1) Is it true that it actually costs less to ship by air when you have few things (3 boxes about 50x50x50 cm) because the port charges at sea ports are outrageous? Also, on the receiving end, there is an option to have it delivered door to door versus door to port. With the door to port option is cheaper, but you have to take care of the customs clearance and pay the gov't fees. 2) Can some one recommend a shipper they have used and which method (air or sea)? 3) So far, the cheapest shipper we found is Seven Seas from the UK to US to ship. -shaun |
Re: shipping personal effects UK to US
Hi Shaun,
We shipped 15 boxes using Fox Movers, We were very pleased, they shipped door to door, and there were no gov fees due when they arrived. it took about 12 weeks, but, if you plan it right your things will be almost there by the time you are. shipping by air we found to be quite expensive. we shipped from Aby, in Lincolnshire to Houston Texas and it cost us IRO 550.00 pounds. Fox has a 0800 listing in yellow pages, sorry i don't have it in front of me at the moment. Hope that helps Regards Keith and Debbie Hyatt Originally posted by Shaun Su Hi everyone, I spent one morning calling several shipping companies in the UK for rates to ship 3 boxes to the U.S. and had a very wide range of responses. 1) Is it true that it actually costs less to ship by air when you have few things (3 boxes about 50x50x50 cm) because the port charges at sea ports are outrageous? Also, on the receiving end, there is an option to have it delivered door to door versus door to port. With the door to port option is cheaper, but you have to take care of the customs clearance and pay the gov't fees. 2) Can some one recommend a shipper they have used and which method (air or sea)? 3) So far, the cheapest shipper we found is Seven Seas from the UK to US to ship. -shaun |
Re: shipping personal effects UK to US
Shaun,
It is true that in most cases shipping small quantities by ship more expensive than flying them. There are different weight to dimension ratios used when calculating how much space you use, especially when your stuff ends up with other's in a container. If you have only a few small and ideally heavy pieces you are better of to use the (faster) air service. Also I would always have everything shipped in door/door service and fill in the US customs forms from where you ship to prevent any problems like that at destination of your stuff. Unless you are going to live right next to the air port or don't mind driving there and know how to fill in all the paper work yourself and pick your boxes up yourself. If you did that I would advise you to do this asap, as there will be warehouse charges if it takes you too long to get there. A good experienced company will be able to provide you with a "power of attorney" that enables them to clear US customs on your behalf as soon as the shipment is released. There are normally no fees to pay when you send your used stuff. I would type up a content list that includes the number of pieces/boxes and their dimensions, approximate weight and then of course what is in those boxes. You should do this no matter what kind of shipping you do. You should also make a copy of your visa and your passport and give it to the shipping company, as it will help whoever will be clearing the goods through US customs. If you use door/door services you won't have anything to do with US customs service ( unless they decide to open your boxes and find something they don't like ... I had a customer once who had to appear in person because he was stupid enough to enclose Cuban cigars for one of his clients in his personal effects ... but who would do something like that especially after 9-11???) I have done customs clearance on other occasions before I got to know my husband and I would prefer not to have the trouble if I can keep form it. If you need more info let me know. I can name the company I used and actually worked for before I came to the US. They did a great job and it took only 5 days from shipping till receiving and was cheap too. Isa |
Re: shipping personal effects UK to US
Originally posted by Isa M. If you need more info let me know. I can name the company I used and actually worked for before I came to the US. They did a great job and it took only 5 days from shipping till receiving and was cheap too. Isa I really appreciate it! Thanks-T. |
Re: shipping personal effects UK to US
Isa,
Could you please post the contact info for this company? -shaun "ISA M." wrote in message news:[email protected]... > If you need more info let me know. I can name the company I used and > actually worked for before I came to the US. They did a great job and it > took only 5 days from shipping till receiving and was cheap too. > Isa |
Re: shipping personal effects UK to US
Hey,
Just go to www.baxglobal.com pick your country click go and locate your closest airport. You will find the contact info on the bottom of the page if you live in the UK. Other countries have their info on their country specific webpage. Hope this helps, Isa |
I had a similar question...when my fiance moves here on the K-1 visa (he's a Canadian cit.), how does he move his personal belongings without being subject to U.S. Customs duties? I thought if one was immigrating into the US, everything was supposed to be duty-free...is that just done by providing a copy of the K-1 as you described, or are there other processes?
Thanks :D Juliet |
moving companies
how long did the companies take to come around with an estimate? were they usually pretty quick, did they usually come in a day or two?
Do you check for estimates about how many weeks before your stuff was due to be sent, 3 or 4? Just trying to get the best I can with the timing, did you leave for the US *after* the stuff was collected from your UK residence? If so how long did you wait and what did you 'live off' of in the meantime? |
Re: moving companies
Originally posted by Jo Brayne <<snip>> Do you check for estimates about how many weeks before your stuff was due to be sent, 3 or 4? Just trying to get the best I can with the timing, did you leave for the US *after* the stuff was collected from your UK residence? If so how long did you wait and what did you 'live off' of in the meantime? An estimator came over about four weeks before the date of the date we planned to fly to the US. We informed the shipping company of the date we wished to move at least two months before we intended to move so we could ensure we would get movers on the date of our preference. The movers came, packed and removed all our personal effects (73 boxes for a one bedroom flat. They said this was a record) three days before we flew out of the UK to the US. As mentioned previously, the shipment was sent by air. It was a door to door shipment with the shipping company handling all the paperwork and customs. My husband provided the shipping company with a copy of his passport to assist in the smooth processing of the shipment. Fortunately, we found a flat on the first working day after we arrived in the US. The shipment was delivered to the new flat ten days after we arrived in the US. The shipment did in fact arrive early and was kept in storage for one day. For those interested, the shipment travelled this route: London Heathrow- New York- Raleigh- storage- delivery to the flat. On arriving in the US, we had already made a booking to stay in a nearby hotel. I would recommend a Residence Inn kind of place where you have a kitchenette. This can cut down on costs of eating out all the time (plus it gives your palate a break). NC Penguin |
Sarah, I bet you are glad that you weren't paying for that move as it would have cost an arm and a leg to airfreight that amount. We sent our 63 boxes via sea and it was 1750 pounds plus insurance.
|
Originally posted by Vicky88 Sarah, I bet you are glad that you weren't paying for that move as it would have cost an arm and a leg to airfreight that amount. We sent our 63 boxes via sea and it was 1750 pounds plus insurance. You don't have to tell me :-) ! All that didn't even include any furniture except for a utltily type desk for the computer. NC Penguin |
All times are GMT. The time now is 3:54 am. |
Powered by vBulletin: ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.