mizkittcat

Hi All,

My hubby is going to be shipping all of his machinery for starting up his business in the USA when he comes over. It would all fit in a standard 20 ft container.

Does anyone have any tips or references for a shipping company that does the shipping affordably?

Thanks

crosscountryrider

Go to anglo-pacific. They are reliable and more important deliver without damage.

Kind Regrads
CCR

YouWantFriesWithThat

If it looks like a full container load as opposed to groupage (where multiple consignments share a container) then it is highly likely that you could get the container to come to where the machinery is and get it loaded there. That wil save on costs and as your are the sole user of the container it will also speed up the time it takes to get on the ship as the shipping company won't be waiting to find other customers to fill the conainer.

A complete ball park figure for a 20ft container full load would be around £6k - £8k - but that is just a reasoned guesstimate . Put it this way - you should definitely be looking for change out of £10k. Remember, that in shipping, it's all about volume - shipping a feather that weighs 5lbs would cost the same as shipping a car weighing 3 tonnes if they are the same volume.

If it were me in your position, I wouild get out the yellow pages or whatever your local pages are and start getting some quotes. Go for the larger shipping companies who are members of the various trade associations, you can research those institutions online.

Remember to ask specificaly what the costs will cover - remember things like loading costs, insurance, overseas customs clearance and possible customs duty, will the conatiner be delivered to your premises in the USA or will you have to collect your goods from the port of arrival, etc.

Get all quotes in writing and make sure someone actually comes to see the stuff to be shipped before accepting a final qoute. Take photos or video of all the machinery before shipping so that the condition of the goods is not in dispute.

Good luck and haggle hard for a good price

ian-mstm

You might want to PM SecretGarden. Her husband moved his business equipment (heavy stuff... printing presses) over a few years ago... she might have a suggestion.

Ian