Mandy Smith

Hi we have been in WA for three weeks now and are eagerly awaiting our container, including our car. Now we knew there would be additional costs at this end (import duty, GST, potential cleaning) but our shipping agent here has just listed moreincluding the cost of a broker to handle our car! Paying for a broker is news to us and an additional cost we can't really afford.... can any advise do you have to use a broker? I've done lots of searching on line and see what has to be done and it looks like we need a valuation, quaratine clearance and a safety test (sort of mot) but I can't see anything about how/who can do these things. So can't we sort these things out for ourselves and cut out the cost of a broker? Anyone been through this who can advise please. We came prepared for a certain amount of layout on arrival down under but everything is so expensive our money isn't going as far as we expected. Grateful for any advice/experiences, thanks Mandy

Think we using the same company.... The packers in the UK were two nice enough blokes but we soon found out they don't actually work for the shipper, they are sub-contractors who actually do work for many of the big shipping companies. So the personal service you think you are getting with the chosen shipper isn't necessarily what you get. We have some concerns about the way some of our belongings were packed and have raised this with the shipper, who are being suitably vague at this point. Our consignment is yet to arrive in Perth so guess we will know in a few weeks time. We too had the free storage offer and having spoke to the agent here have now realised there are handling fees if we take it up. We did take the offer of the "free" air freight but we agreed to pay the £80 option for door to door delivery. As we weren't entitled to the 40 kilo baggage allowance with our airline this worked out a good option. The airline were charging something like £30 a kilo where as we got 25kilo for £80 delivered to our door, and it arrived only a few days after we did. Like you say, check everything out as best you can in advance as there seems to be hidden costs at every turn. We are just finding out now about the possible additional costs for importing our car, what a minefield!!! Good luck with your consignment, where in Perth / WA are you?

Hi, think it depends if you have already entered Australia on your visa. We just experienced this dilemma. Because we had already entered Australia to activate our visas we missed the boat on the double luggage allowance on this permanent entry. However, I told Singapore air that I preferred to fly with them but was considering flying with Emirates as they offered 30 kilo as standard, Singapore air agreed to give me the 30 kilo per person. Give it a try they may offer you a bit more. good luck Mandy

So glad you wrote this post, our shippers arrive in three days and we fly at the end of the month. It feels like stress and panic are taking over at the mo and the unknown at the other end doesn't help. I found your post to be a honest view of what we should expect, we know it won't be easy and we need to give things time before we get settled but leaving your loved ones and taking our 5 year old to the other side of the world, where we have no family, no jobs, no home feels so risky, but we think it is worth the risk. Good luck to you and your family and hope your permanent contract and new home come soon. Mandy

Hi, of course I realise I can buy them when we arrive but I have a years supply already in a cupboard here.... Didn't want to just bin them and so far no one I've asked wants them. I know it's not really a big issue but was just one of the hundreds of probably daft questions rattling around my head at the mo :wub:

Daft question but can't find an answer.... can you ship cod liver oil capsuals? You know, the health suppliment. Our shippers are due next week, the final prep and packing started, panic has set in, it feels like my head is going to burst with the lists of lists I seem to have then I find myself up at daft o'clock trying to see if we can bring our stock of cod liver oil tablets.... I am either going mad or am very very sad! Any one able to advise? Thanks Mandy Flying out in 2 weeks... terrified or excited? Tough one!

Many thanks, I will investigate migration insurance.... you don't remember who you used by any chance? Mandy

Hi, so we are now just a few weeks away from the final move and all those daft questions are starting to surface.... along with a bit of panic! So I maybe in touch a few times in the next couple of weeks. Anyway, the shipping company is now asking us to pay a container indemnity fee, just in case our container gets pulled for exterior cleaning. Does anyone know how likely this is to happen? Did anyone get caught out with the cleaning costs and no indemnity cover, if so how much did it cost you? I'm just not sure if this is another way for the shippers to make money or if it is worth while taking the indemnity. We seem to be spending money like there is no tomorrow at the moment so anything we can save is a bonus. Any advice / personal experiences would be helpful. Mandy

Hi, I am interested in any action you took on this query. We are due to fly out at the end of this month but have been told we can't buy travel insurance in the UK unless you have a return date to the UK (as a migrant we don't intend to return... fingers crossed) but we are concerned about baggage, flight delays, security of personal items (laptops etc) whilst in a two month temporary rental property etc. etc. but are not sure how to get some sort of insurance cover. Any update on your progress would be helpful. thanks Mandy

We are flying out at the end of the month and these reports are making me very nervous about securing work. My husband is a welder and the last years plus preparation has been on the basis that work and prospects are good. Guess we will just have to wait and see how things pan out but I am feeling quite worried along with the general stress of dismantling your life and putting it on a ship! Mandy /PHP] aw

Hi, we are due to migrate at the end of August. We currently own our own UK home and intend to rent it out when we migrate (safety net / income). However, having seen how expensive everything is out in Perth we wondered if it was worth getting a buy to let mortgage on our home so we get some of the equity out of it to take with us. The minefield of mortgages and tax implications is not something I have ever got my head around so just wondered if you thought this was viable and if you know any companies that would consider it. Rang my bank and it was not an option as they would only offer a mortgage to a UK tax earner! It is all too hard and there still so much to do! thanks Mandy:nah:

Hi, bit of a long shot but guess nothing to loose by asking.... I spent most of the last few nights looking for a sort term let but now loosing the will! Anyway we due to fly out end of August and we looking for work around Rockingham and a rental within a commute. Secret Harbour seems expensive so its likely to be out of our price range but can you give anymore info? Fairly new to Poms in Oz so not sure if you email me or just reply with another post, thanks Mandy

Hi, sounds really positive, we are hoping to get to Perth in August but with no jobs, no family, no home lined up I am feeling very very nervous, but we decided nothing ventured nothing gained so we're committed to giving it a go. I hope our experience will be as positive as yours, it what we been working towards for what seems like years now..... fingers crossed eh!

Done this a few times....... sounds interesting, got any tips? Having had five visits/ quotes and we felt much happier with the ******** quote, the guy that came was really helpful, straight talking and laid out the facts where the others felt more like a sales pitch. But it is final service that is key I guess and the other companies seem to be much more well known, guess the lack of responses to my query may show this too.

Hi, here goes on my first posting.... I've been a member for a while and taken lots of advice from the many discussions and issues posted. We have been planning our migration for what seems like years but now a final date is looming eeek! probably early August and we are trying to decide on which shipping company to use. I've read lots of posts and now have had a number of quotes/visits and the one that we were really taken with was a company called Move Corp based in the Midlands. However, it's one that I haven't seen mentioned against the likes of PSS, Anglo Pacific, John Mason etc. Just wondered if anyone had used them / recommendations? Guess I am just nervous of committing to final move. Sure in the panic of the next six weeks I will be posting again with some daft queries.... thanks Mandy