shipping self packed container from Toronto to Bath?

[en1gma]

Hi all (and be nice to the newbie! ;) )

I wonder if anyone has any recent experience with shipping a self packed container (20') from Toronto to the UK?

We have a couple of quotes which are between $2000 and $4000 (lower just to Southampton, higher door to door) and are looking to get some advice and possibly some references for shipping/logisitcs companies.

We want to limit ourselves to a 20' container since there is no way we will have as much space in Bath as we do in Toronto and it is a good chance to unload/filter things. (we considered getting rid of just about everything but with two kids that's just not practical... although even a full 20' container is probably still overkill... we figured as long as it is over half full it makes financial sense to have the whole thing)

We intend to unload the container into storage in Bath.

Has anyone tried this?
Who did you use?
Would you do it again
Did you arrange your own ground transport on the UK side?
Did the UK autorities inspect the container (seemingly one of the bigger unkown risks as it involves a smallish fee but more expensive port storage time)

any and all advice greatly appreciated!

[tununiq]

I can not answer your question, but could you tell me the name of the company that agreed to ship your self-packed container.

I plan to move to Norway in a few months, and a couple of moving companies have told me that ship lines refuse to accept self-packed containers since 911. I own a 20-ft container and don't want to waste the investment.

Thanks for any info. If I obtain any info that might help you, I will pass it on.

Mike

[en1gma]

the ones I got quotes from are

AMFREIGHT
and
CAN-SHIP

sorry I don't have enough posts to put the links in directly apparently.. but google will sort you out quickly enough

[Steven]

I wonder if anyone has any recent experience with shipping a self packed container (20') from Toronto to the UK?

Having done it I don't recommend it because it makes insurance more difficult as the guy with his own container above mentions. I used P&O (who are owned by someone else these days) and some of my stuff was stolen. It's better to use a big moving company like Allied.

It's also more of a hassle because you have to arrange freight from the POE to the final destination.

[en1gma]

thanks Steve

I managed to get a quote with the UK delivery included (door to door).
the only part not included was the customs clearance.

I contacted a customs broker in the uk and they will do the clearance docs for 35 pounds.

since most of our stuff is already packed (or not very breakable or valuable) the moving companies won't insure that for breakage anyway.
we can, however, insure the shipment for complete loss or theft which is the biggest issue for us (the container overboard thing!)

Other than theft (which seems to happen whoever you use), did you have other issues? how was the customs clearance?