to ship or not to ship?

[Keith]

The best way to do it is share the container. Companies have 40' containers and ship from places in Canada to Australia door to door. Cost is roughly under 2000K. That is roughly 30-40 boxes plus.

[G'bye Rain]

What are the more affordable alternatives for shipping smaller items? I know to ship things to the Phillippines there are these cardboard boxes that people send where there is a set cost per size of box they fill. They are called Balikbayan boxes. Some sites quote <$100 per box regardless of weight however, this is only to the Phillippines.


One company I contacted quoted $155/cubic metre box or 1000kg and $240 for a 1.5 cubic metre box. They send off ships every 2 weeks with your box arriving 24 days after setting sail. Then there's taxes (21%), BAS? and OHC?, whatever they are.

Has anyone else heard of similar alternatives?

[jacquie b]

I've moved my belongings around the world a couple of times and in the end I regretted it. I am all for sell sell sell and buy new. Heirlooms/non-replacable items-store with accommodating family. A blanket is a blanket & if you are moving to a country that doesn't sell blankets - then odds are you won't need one.

[Allyssa]

I quite agree with Jacquie B. Take what the airlines will allow and buy the rest. Or get famliy and friends to visit you in the first year and bring more of your belongings that are very important.
Blessings on your move!
Allyssa

[cultuslakenurse]

I shipped a trunk with Global from BC to Cairns by air. It was reasonable and very good service. There are so many totally furnished apartments for rent here, it is not worth bringing all your stuff. Like someone else said, get your friends to bring anything special to you, or like myself, I am going home for Christmas and will have another look at the things I put in storage. Jo