Hellopaul

Hello

I was wondering how long it took people to ship their stuff from UK to USA. I'm looking at shipping a 20ft. container (I've moved from overseas before and I know that I have just under a 20ft container's worth of stuff) to Charleston, SC. Maybe. I've read some pretty scary posts about people's stuff taking a couple of months to move ! (Yes, I've already searched the forums but there doesn't seem to be much info on time taken for a transatlantic container shipment).


If anyone wants to share how much they paid, that would be welcome too!
Thanks!!

Teremok

I ship gear from Charleston to Felixstowe. Door to door three weeks if it isnt held up by customs, so you would assume it would be the same in reverse.

Hellopaul

Thanks Teremok, that's very helpful to know. Which shipping line do you use? I'm near Southampton so would love to find a co. shipping from there - if such a thing exists. (Grew up near felixstowe - ate many an ice-cream at the seaside there!)

Teremok

I guess about the same, use www.oceanschedules.com. Find a Shipping Agent, it can be a real hassle doing it yourself directly with the shipping company.

avanutria

It took us eleven weeks from pickup to arrival but it was four weeks before it left England and there were some customs delays at the other end too. It took about five weeks for it to get from England to California.

MsElui

in 2007 - ours took about 4 weeks door to door with no hassle or troubles at all. However- my husbands colleague who were packed by the same people (pickfords) were unlucky as the shipping agent used to ship that particular container on that day went bust and they has a 2 month delay getting their container from the docks. then to top it off when the pickford people arrived this end to unload it - it had some kind of insect infestation and had to be sprayed, sealed for 48 before they could open it and get their stuff out

kirstyp

Hi!

To East Coast USA actual time on the water is around 13 days, but if you look at door to door without customs issues you're looking at 4-6 weeks, however, having just had a chat with our Exports team they are saying that they are finding US customs are really stepped up at the moment so that's causing a few delays and realistically be prepared for 6-8 weeks door-to-door.

Hope that helps!

TimberHut

At the end of 2007 it took 10 weeks door-to-door from Southampton, England to Indiana, USA.

This is what they said it would take. The most important thing is that everything arrived safe 'n' sound.

This was via a boat. If you are in a rush you can pay more and have your stuff flown over.

Hellopaul

Thanks for all these replies.

Another thing...I've just spoken to a shipping/moving company and they think that if we pack the container ourselves, then we could be letting ourselves in for a load of hassle from the US homeland security bods on arrival - they'll presumably suspect we're smuggling in a container-load of PG Tips or something equally un-American.

Anyone experienced this?

By the way, he reckoned about 3 to 4 weeks door to door. In theory.

taffie77

Our shipping company have quoted actual transit time of 15 days (to Minneapolis, presumably from Avonmouth). As it happens, we don't want our stuff delivered for 3 months, so they will be storing in the UK for a couple of months before shipping
They are also doing the packing, and from what I've read, it's definitely the better option. Everything needs to be inventoried, so they're welcome to that job

mikehope

Ours took about 5 weeks, (6 years ago) doing the inventory was a royal pain.
I forget who we used now.

Lazzza

I am in the middle of this at the moment. My container will be going UK - Houston. I have no idea where it leaves the UK from. Aberdeen is our nearest large port but I doubt the container gets loaded there. I expect that it will take around 6-10 weeks for the container to arrive in Houston.

The guy from the removers is coming Monday to price. Company is paying, so not worried about this, so we are fortunate in that!

dottypotty

We moved in 2005 and choose the worst company ever. They promised 3 weeks and after numerous phone call it took over 3 months. The shippment was sent to Charlotte and they won't realease it until we paid them $250 because the UK company didn't make the payment. One of our boxes was missing. And yes we got the insurance, but the contained box our wedding album and some of my moms' things that had a lot of sentimental value and were irreplaceable. We made very sure that the company we used had been accredited with whatever they needed for overseas shipping. Ask around and make sure that you go with companys that have personal recommendations.

Lazzza

Oh god, that sounds like a nightmare! I would be able to deal with 'losing' other things but not my photos. I hope this does not happen to us!

Removers came round today to cost up the move. They tell us it will take 4 days to pack up! Hells bells!

taffie77

4 days! Blimey. Our lot reckon 2, but it's just 2 of us.