Shipping Recommendations
 

Does anyone have any recommendations for companies to ship my personal effects over to the US? I've already spoken to a couple of shipping agents but it's always better to hear from people who've had direct experience with carriers...

I'd say I can get everything onto a single pallet, but I guess I won't know for sure until I start packing it all up. Am moving out of my house soon and I may as well start packing stuff now with the long term plan in mind as opposed to packing it all twice.

Thanks in advance!

Re: Shipping Recommendations
 

Honestly, I don't think it makes a lot of difference, especially if you are doing your own packing. I would get quotes from local "freight forwarders" (Google <your town freight forwarders>).

Be sure everything is snug in each box, wrap anything fragile in ample bubble wrap, and put a generous layer (4"-6") of packing peanuts or airbags in the bottom of any box containing anything fragile. Use a "barrel" for glass and pottery - it's an extra-tough, double thickness cardboard box.

That said you may have issues trying to claim on insurance for breakages if you did your own packing. Take pictures of anything of value that you ship, as you pack it, in case you need to claim for loss.

Re: Shipping Recommendations
 

Thanks Pulaski!

I'm actually a depot manager for a freight company, so the packing side of it won't be a problem at all; I'm completely sorted for that! Typically, I don't have any contacts for shipping to the US as all of my business is UK, Ireland and Europe... none of the guys I use do US but have given me contacts that I've approached. I was just wondering if anyone had any good / bad experiences with anyone in particular.

No matter, I'll crack on with the companies I'm already speaking to and take it from there :)

Re: Shipping Recommendations
 

We used Allfreight International which covers London and the South East, and possibly more now, per their facebook page. They did some packing for us, and took the contents of our home, totalling about 90% of a 20ft container. They also handled the airfreight shipping of two trunks of things to tide us over until our surface shipment arrived. They were entirely satisfactory for us - nothing was broken among our glassware or pottery.

Re: Shipping Recommendations
 

As mentioned in a previous post I have been using DHL air freight for single pallets.
They are door to door and the price includes customs clearance and there are no bond charges.
It also saves me driving to Charleston SC as we have no LTL into Norfolk our nearest port.
Also a lot quicker than ocean freight.

Re: Shipping Recommendations
 

I used these folks to ship around 14 boxes of stuff to the US and it went door to door just fine. I think the prices were reasonable.

https://www.transglobalexpress.co.uk/parcel-delivery/

Re: Shipping Recommendations
 

For heaven's sake, don't use Eagle.

Password Required : British Expat Photo Gallery

Re: Shipping Recommendations
 

Hi Grapes,

I used PSS Shipping to ship about half a 40ft container last year. Paid around $5k to ship from Manchester (UK) to TN. This included storage at the depot in London while coordinating a container share, transport to my door in the US and everything in between. They collected in July and delivered in October. Some glassware breakage - nothing more. My favourite Waterford glasses arrived intact :D

I'd read a few reviews here and online elsewhere - there seem to be some companies to stay away from for sure; the ones with highest ratings are often hugely expensive. I opted for something in the middle and hoped for the best. I wasn't disappointed - PSS were better than ok.

Good luck shipping your stuff.

Re: Shipping Recommendations
 

:blink: Long time, no see!

Welcome back. :)

Re: Shipping Recommendations
 

Cheers Pulaski! My job has been relocated and I don't want to go with it so now I have some free time :thumbup: