Shipping: is there an option between half container and a few tea chests?

**BuddysMum** · 15-08-2009, 02:23 PM

The question is: Is there any shipping option which is smaller than half a container but larger than a few tea-chests?

We recently organised for three quotes on a full-house move from UK to Oz. We knew it would come to about £3,000 for a full container and none of the companies disappointed us on that!

We have always had a bit of doubt about the wisdom of shipping it all. Much of our furniture is mis-matched and not great quality. But then you think about practically giving all of it away here and the cost of replacing it. I so wish the shippers could give us some sort of indication of cost per item to help us think about whether to take individual things or not.

Anyway, we have just (about 8 hours ago) come back from our reccie/validation trip and have been able to check out the prices over there, and get some advice from friends who have made the move. we are now seriously thinking about leaving most of our stuff here. But there still is quite a lot I am very attached to and would want to bring over.

Some friends ditched everything and just brought 6 "tea-chests", but I know we couldn't get away with that. Anyway we have one huge mirror to bring, and the flat screen tv which is quite new (and they are very expensive over there).

I still don't think we will need a half container though. So is there any other option we could look at? Or would it be best to go with a part load on a container and just hope everything arrives as it should?

**keily** · 16-08-2009, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by BuddysMum

The question is: Is there any shipping option which is smaller than half a container but larger than a few tea-chests?

We recently organised for three quotes on a full-house move from UK to Oz. We knew it would come to about £3,000 for a full container and none of the companies disappointed us on that!

We have always had a bit of doubt about the wisdom of shipping it all. Much of our furniture is mis-matched and not great quality. But then you think about practically giving all of it away here and the cost of replacing it. I so wish the shippers could give us some sort of indication of cost per item to help us think about whether to take individual things or not.

Anyway, we have just (about 8 hours ago) come back from our reccie/validation trip and have been able to check out the prices over there, and get some advice from friends who have made the move. we are now seriously thinking about leaving most of our stuff here. But there still is quite a lot I am very attached to and would want to bring over.

Some friends ditched everything and just brought 6 "tea-chests", but I know we couldn't get away with that. Anyway we have one huge mirror to bring, and the flat screen tv which is quite new (and they are very expensive over there).

I still don't think we will need a half container though. So is there any other option we could look at? Or would it be best to go with a part load on a container and just hope everything arrives as it should?

hi we had what equated to quarter of a container ....37 boxes in total ....which actually included large picture ,massage table , small chair,which are counted as 1 item ...we used whites international ...and it cost £1100 door to door ....everything was wrapped well [overwrapped in fact ] lol and it was all delivered in perfect condition 9 weeks later
mrs keily

**Lanky Lad** · 16-08-2009, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by BuddysMum

The question is: Is there any shipping option which is smaller than half a container but larger than a few tea-chests?

We recently organised for three quotes on a full-house move from UK to Oz. We knew it would come to about £3,000 for a full container and none of the companies disappointed us on that!

We have always had a bit of doubt about the wisdom of shipping it all. Much of our furniture is mis-matched and not great quality. But then you think about practically giving all of it away here and the cost of replacing it. I so wish the shippers could give us some sort of indication of cost per item to help us think about whether to take individual things or not.

Anyway, we have just (about 8 hours ago) come back from our reccie/validation trip and have been able to check out the prices over there, and get some advice from friends who have made the move. we are now seriously thinking about leaving most of our stuff here. But there still is quite a lot I am very attached to and would want to bring over.

Some friends ditched everything and just brought 6 "tea-chests", but I know we couldn't get away with that. Anyway we have one huge mirror to bring, and the flat screen tv which is quite new (and they are very expensive over there).

I still don't think we will need a half container though. So is there any other option we could look at? Or would it be best to go with a part load on a container and just hope everything arrives as it should?

I think the post above gives you the right idea. Basically if you approach any shipping company with a "small" amount of items, they will give you a quote.

Part container is known to shippers as "Groupage" basically they collect stuff going to the same arrival port until enough to fill a container. Which i sthen loaded and shipped.

It can sit waiting until they have enough to make a full load.

We used 600 cu ft and our gear was packed at our home. What we had alrready packed into boxes...was opened and re-packed into thier boxes.

There are wagon loads of posts declaring items "missing in transit" - virtually every complaint is from those using "groupage". If you want more info..search my posts on the subject.

I suggest whoever you decide to use, that you also get insurance cover. Itemise or group your things so that if they go missing , you can claim from the "group".
We listed "Craft material and equipment" - so any item..even a single paint brush going missing is covered.
Expensive pro digital camera arrived safly, yet pictures frames and related items went missing!
Crown tend to get a 100% recommend but can appear dearer...check the full coverage of whats in their quote against the others and "extra's".

Good lucj with your move.

L.L.