Shippers in the UK

Hi Steve,

We had looked at the Martyn Vizzani pictures earlier. Did he ship in a reefer? It looks like an BMW M3 - expensive problem. Did he get a payout from the shippers or insurers?

Ansqwers to your questions:


Q. Do you pack straight to container at our residence or into wooden boxes that later go into a container?

A. For a full container our packers go in first thing in the morning to pack and wrap. The container comes in the afternoon where it is loaded direct. For groupage ( part load) the items are removed and packed in wooden boxes.

Q. Do you do a self-packing option?
A. Yes, but we cannot insure if goods are not professionally packed.

Q. What type of storage can you do (container or wooden storage containers)?
A. Both.

Q. How much is it to ship a 20' container?
A. Depends on where you are in the U.K. and where it is going in NZ. Any shipment includes an element of U.K. inland haulage so you cannot just quote a standard rate. If you give us the two locations we can quote precisely.

Q. How much is it to ship a 40' container?
A. Same answer as for a 20'.

Q. How much is air freight for things we want quickly.
A. Rates depend on weights or volume, whichever is the greater and also from where in the U.K. they are loaded.

Q. What's the cost of storage in the U.K.?
Q. What's the cost of storage in NZ?
A. Both depend on size of shipment.

[u:3b20e53cea]Cost of Insurance[/u:3b20e53cea]

Q. For shipping where removal company packs?
A. Depends on value.

Q. For shipping where self-packed?
A. Not applicable.

Q. For storage in UK?
Q. For storage in NZ?
A. Both covered in storage cost.

Q. Do you use only insultaed containers?
A. No.

Q. For self-packing:
How long do you allow us per container?
A. 4 hours.

Q. How much are packing materials?
A. Depends on exactly what you need. Boxes (vary in size), bubble wrap, paper etc.

Q. Can you offload/load the container from the ground at our residence?
A. Yes

Q. Is there any problem with customs clearance or anything else with self-packing?
A. No.

Q. How often and how long is the shipping by sea?
A. 4-5 weeks.

Q. How long from residence to shipping?
A. Approx one week either end.

[u:3b20e53cea]Q. Are you a member of:[/u:3b20e53cea]
British Association of Removers (BAR)?
Federation of International Furniture Removers (Fidi)?
A. We are not but our packers and storage are.

[u:3b20e53cea]On what things can/can't be shipped:[/u:3b20e53cea]

Q. Can you ship opened/unopened paint?
A. Opened no. Unopenned only if non hazardous.

Q. Can you ship wood ( treated or untreated) ( furniture is wood!)?
A. Must be fumigated either in U.K. or NZ

Q. Can we use cardboard banana boxes for packing?
A. Not advised.

As you can see some questions cannot be answered simply, especially on rates. That is why we have a enquiry form on our web site in order to get details of both locations. It is surprising how many people give little information on what they are shipping or where they are going and still want prices.

If you have any more questions please do not hesitate to ask? That goes for anyone else who may be interested.

Regards
Peter :icon_biggrin:

Hi Peter,
If you want Martyn's full story, visit my website.
Click on 'New Zealand Emigration'.
Then 'New Zealand Links'.
Finally, in the table of contents, click on 'Sea Freight'.
You'll see a warning section at the top !
You'll also see your own company in the list now (edit: I don't mean in the warning section :icon_lol: , but below in the list of companies)

I think the summary is: Difficult time with AP, trying to get money from insurers. I'm sure you can appreciate how people reading this feel !

Thank you for your answers.

I've got just a couple of questions:

1) When offloading a container, can you give me some idea of what room is needed ? We have fairly resticted access, but a big drive. So, is it offloaded off the back of the lorry, or craned to the side ?

2) The paint - is the restriction because of your insurance, or an NZ customs restriction ? We have a lot of paint ! Obviously with self-packing the insurance question wouldn't arise, and we'd put each paint tub in multiple sealed bags to prevent loss.

3) The question of wood seems to give a lot of people grief ! I've got different information from different people.

4) Why don't you advise using banana boxes. Is it the previous use ? Or the strength ? I've used them before for packing, and they are very strong, although they are quite small.

I suppose I've got to give you the opportunity to give us a price.
So, from Andover in Hampshire to Christchurch in NZ.
For 2x or maybe 3x 20ft containers.
Lets say self-packed.

Total price ?
Price of storage in UK ?
Price of storage in NZ ?

Just to make things really different, how about this as an option.
You drop off the 1st container for 1 week.
We pack it.
Then you deliver the 2nd empty one, and pick up the full one.
We pack it.
Then you deliver the 3rd empty one, and pick up the full one.
We pack it.
Then you pick it up 1 week later

You'd only have one extra journey for the 3 containers.
That gives us time to do a good job of packing ourselves.
What do you think ?

I hope others on here find this useful.
I know most will not want self-packing, but I know some are thinking about it, and 4 hours is a bit limiting.

Cheers

Steve

Hello

Well I had Curtiss and Sons over this week, and they quoted ?2500 Plus insurance (3% of the value of the goods). This was for a 20ft Container which should be enough for a 3/4 bedroom house. Curtiss have been recommended on another forum, and seem to have good reviews and we will defo be using them. They are based in Portsmouth and their phone number is 0239 265 0576.

Hope this helps
:icon_biggrin: