Advice with overseas shipping

[emmett_the_sane]

I have a number of boxes (not yet packed) containing most of my worldly possessions that I need to ship to London. Obviously, shipping via normal couriers is unreasonably expensive for this. This is the best deal I've seen yet ($235 for up to 2000lbs/25 cubic feet

Comments

[eejitalmuppet]

I did something like this (on a slightly smaller scale) about 13 years ago. The obvious question is: will your (presumed) new employer cover the costs?

[emmett_the_sane]

Nope, going over on a marriage visa, so no employer lined up yet.

[eejitalmuppet]

Oh, good luck.

The company I dealt with delivered (IIRC, they subcontracted that bit out), but it seems like a good idea to ask the companies themselves and see what they have to say on the subject. After 13 years, and having been shippig from a different place, I'm obviously not in a position to make any specific recommendations. One obvious point, though (which I'm sure you're aware of): don't use this method to send anything that you'll need in your first 2 weeks of life in the UK.

[geminigirl]

I hate to push my own communities, but I suspect someone inimmigration_wed may have useful input.

[missk]

Obviously, you will want to purge as much as possible and keep only what is truly irreplaceable. That price seems REALLY reasonable to me, as I have heard of it costing several thousand dollars to move across the pond. Even if you need 2-3 of these "units" that's a pretty inexpensive move, overall.

I haven't been keeping up on my friends list in detail, so I don't know if I missed an announcement, but CONGRATS on your engagement and emigration.

[emmett_the_sane]

Yup, that's what I've been doing. Although the next step is to fill up boxes and see if I have leftover space for stuff I still want but which IS replaceable. I should only need one of these units, fortunately.

I found out some more details about it: looks like I'll have to ship locally from here to their warehouse in the Long Beach area first, then pay a port fee of €80 in London (yes, Euros, oddly enough).

And thanks! Not just engagement, however: we married in June! :)

[missk]

That's wonderful. I am very happy for you. I wish you both a lifetime of joy.

[plymouth]

I knew I knew! Facebook told me :)

So when are you departing for foreign lands and do you have time to meet for dinner before you go? (er, that would have to be at least a week from now and I'm leaving tomorrow to visit my sister in Utah for six days).