hanbullet

Hi All,

My family just relocated from London to San Francisco and are awaiting our 40ft container. We used Flat Rate, who told us that it would arrive on July 5th, but have now told us it will be July 15th. Has anyone got any recent experience of how long it takes to clear customs once it arrives in port? I've searched the forums and online, and can't seem to find anything conclusive. Any experience you guys have would be really helpful. I'm *really* hoping we get it in less than 5 days - is that realistic??

Thanks!

GeoffM

Depends on the level of customs inspection I'm afraid. If you're very lucky the container gets through without even being seen by officials; if you're very unlucky they open it up and x-ray everything inside, piece by piece, maybe opening boxes as well. Obviously the latter takes far longer than the former.

Michael

Customs also charges the customer if they do that.

ottotheboar

I would ask the reason why the date is the now the 15th, vessels can be a day or so early or late but ten days would indicate it missed the voyage.
Even an intensive exam will only add on a couple of days unless something is found where clarification is needed from another agency at which point the container is placed in "detention" and a daily storage rate is charged.
A simple "tailgate" inspection costs around $300 going up to around $1400 for an intensive one.
You are quite likely to be given the external X-ray which costs around $330

thereisnotasound

We moved from Edinburgh to San Francisco mid April this year. We shipped our stuff on 09/04 and we are still waiting on our stuff:/ the removal is quote timing wise was way off! But the again we only filled 1/4 of a container so I guess there was a delay at the port in UK while it fills up. However, our stuff arrived in LA port on around 15/07, shortly after that we were informed our container has been selected for a random inspection. And only this week (07/08) we got the email that the customs inspection has been done and we are clear. Now we need to pay the inspection fee and then it'll be probably another week:/

Just wondering have you received your stuff by now and how long did it take after it had arrived at the port?

Zez

We got picked for an x ray and our contained sat in Oakland for over a week while it waited in the x ray queue. We got stung for demuage (sp?) charges as well as the x ray.

MMcD

Just an x ray? Count yourself lucky.

They could have subjected you to a CAT scan or an MRI

TransnationalElite

In terms of time scales, our relocation company is quoting us 6-8 weeks. We're moving from Czer Republic to Massachusetts/east coast.

The company is paying for a full container.

We're using Unigroup Relocation. Rather, that's who we have got from the company.

Is time scale realistic?