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Answers to some frequently asked questions and more information on shipping,
plus packing tips!
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What is the measurement
of one cubic foot (CuFt.)?
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How
many cubic feet (CuFt.) are in one cubic meter?
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How do I know if
I'll need a 20' or a 40' container?
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Does Shipping International
provide storage services?
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What
items should NOT be shipped?
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Can
we put household/personal goods in our vehicle that is
to be shipped?
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What
is our next step and what information is needed once
we have decided to ship?
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How
much advance notice is needed prior to shipping?
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What
should my packing list for insurance and customs overseas look
like?
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Questions
about payment.
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Information
about customs.
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Packing
tips.
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What
is the measurement of one cubic foot (CuFt.)?
One cubic foot (CuFt.) is the measurement of 1 foot by
1 foot by 1 foot or 12" (inches) by 12" by 12".
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How
many cubic feet (CuFt.) are in one cubic meter?
There are 35.2 CuFt. in one cubic meter.
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How
do I know if I'll need a 20' or a 40' container?
20' containers can hold about 850 to 1050 CuFt. and are
usually enough space for a 1 to 2 bedroom household
or 1 vehicle with a few, small-sized household goods.
While 40' containers can hold about 1850 to 2200 CuFt. and are
usually reserved for 3 to 5 bedroom households or
1 vehicle and a 2 bedroom household.
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Does
Shipping International provide storage services?
We can provide storage services for a couple of weeks with
less than container loads only, and only in certain areas
and locations. Mostly, however, once your goods are delivered
or picked up, they will be shipped right away. When you
are notified by the agent overeseas that your shipment has arrived,
you will get about 5 days thereafter to clear customs and collect
your shipment, or make other necessary arrangements. The
time alloted after being notified varies, so make sure to ask
the agent overseas how much time you get. For more
detailed information or questions about storage, please
feel free to ask one of our shipping customer service experts.
What
items should NOT be shipped?
- Jewelry
- Pressurized spray cans
- Alcohol (in hand luggage only)
- Any flammable, hazardous, or toxic substances
- Perishable goods such as food
- Open bottles containing any liquids or other contents
- Fire arms (license required in some countries)
- Live plants or seeds (license required in some countries)
- Valuable and important papers such as family records, birth
certificates, marriage documents, financial information and
other such documents.
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Can
we put household/personal goods in our vehicle that is
to be shipped?
If
your vehicle is shipped in a personal 20' or 40' container,
then you may put some boxes of household/personal goods in the vehicle
and the trunk of the vehicle. However, if your vehicle
is being shipped by RO/RO service, then the car has to be completely
empty.
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What
is our next step and what information is needed once
we have decided to ship?
Shipping Full Container Loads
When you are ready to ship a 20' or 40' container load, we need
your complete name, address, and phone number for you here in
the U.S. and overseas. We also need your passport number
or social security number, plus the date you want the container
delivered to your door. If the container being delivered
is by live load method, we can deliver the container
to your door Monday through Friday only, excluding holidays. However,
if the container is delivered by drop off method, the
container can be delivered on Friday to be picked
up on Monday. You can e-mail or fax us this required information
at 415-626-7443. As soon as we get this needed information,
we can start processing your shipment.
Shipping Less than Container Loads
When you are ready to ship less than a container load, we
need your complete name, address, and phone number for you here
in the U.S. and overseas. We also need your fax number
for you here in the U.S. (either work or home or a friend's
fax #) in order to fax you dock-receipt with all the necessary
information, including delivery address and instructions.
You can e-mail or fax us this required information at 415-626-7443.
Also, indicate the number of boxes (pieces) you want to
ship and the date you want to deliver them to the receiving
warehouse. You can deliver your goods to any of the receiving
& loading warehouses/terminals listed on the Home
Page Monday through Friday only,
excluding holidays. As soon as we get this needed information,
we can start processing your shipment.
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How
much advance notice is needed prior to shipping?
For shipping full 20' or 40' container loads please notify us,
with all the necessary information, at least 7 to 10 days
in advance to when you want the container delivered to you.
For shipping less than container loads, we need a 3 to 4 day
notice with all the necessary information (see answer to question
7).
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What
should my packing list for insurance and customs overseas look
like?
For insurance you need to make two packing lists. One
list with the replacement values listed for the insurance company,
and the other one without any values listed for customs overseas
(you keep the list for customs and send us the one for insurance).
You can make your packing list in general, with estimated replacement
values, like -
5 Boxes of Books ........... $200.00
3 Boxes of Clothes ......... $150.00
1 Couch (Sofa) ............... $345.00
2 Boxes of Dishes ........... $240.00
and so on.
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Questions
about payment.
You can pay by cash, check (cashier or personal),
money order, Visa, or Mastercard. Payment is prepaid
in full before shipping. All payments are made through
or sent to our office location, not to the truck drivers
who deliver the containers or at the warehouses.
When you book a container, we require at least a $500.00
deposit and when you are finished loading the container, the
balance is due. For less than container load shipments,
we cannot determine the exact amount until you deliver
your goods to the receiving warehouse. Once delivered,
your goods will be palletized or crated, and then the whole
pallet or crate will be measured. According to those measurements
and the rate we've previously quoted you, the amount is calculated
and payable to us through our office (see link About
Us for office location and contact
information).
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Information
about customs.
Shipping Full Container Loads
Upon arrival of your container, the agent there overseas will
notify you that your shipment has arrived. You will have to
clear customs, pay a port fee, and either pickup your shipment
or make arrangements to have your goods delivered
to your residence or final destination there overseas.
You have options in custom clearance and arranging for delivery
of your goods to its final destination. You can clear
customs yourself, hire a custom broker to do so for you, or
go through the agent. This also applies for the arranging
of your shipment to its final destination. When your container
arrives, you will be charged a port fee. In general,
the port fee for a 20' container can cost up to $250.00
US dollars and for a 40' container it can
cost up to about $350.00 US dollars (this amount will vary
depending on the port regulations of each country). Plus
the extra cost of trucking to your residence (by the
door) or final destination there overseas can be arranged
independently (self pickup) or, depending on country destination
and regulations, through the agent who will contact you.
The approximation for the port fee is given in general,
to give you an idea of how much things might cost, because
services and charges can differ depending on
the regulations of each country. If you require any of
these services, the agent there will be able to assist you when
they notify you of your shipment arrival.
Shipping Less than Container Loads
Upon arrival of your less than container load shipment, the
agent there overseas will notify you. You will have to
clear customs, pay a destination charge, and pickup your shipment.
Or you can make arrangements through the agent, or on your own,
to have your shipment delivered to your residence or final destination
there overseas. When the agent calls you to notify you,
just ask them about these services, and they will be able to
assist you. Also, these services are payable to the agent
there. Of course, you can clear customs and pay the destination
charge on your own and just have the agent help you with the
delivery of your goods to its final destination. The destination
charge is based on the weight and size of your shipment.
This charge usually costs around at least $100.00
US dollars.
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Packing
tips.
Contrary to popular
belief, you don't need to be or hire a packing expert to
have your goods arrive safely and undamaged to its destination.
What you will need is some good, common sense, a little advice, and
a few basic packing materials. Believe it or not,
packing your belongings yourself will actually save you time
and money, and the hassle of making sure your
valuable and personal goods are packed efficiently by complete
strangers. Here are some tips on packing:
Basic Materials You'll Need
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You will need any
good, clean, strong boxes, suitcases, trunks, and/or plastic
or metal bins. You will also need some type
of protective wrap or padding (for example: bubble
wrap, styrafoam peanuts, packing paper, newspaper,
moving blankets, plastic wrap, etc.), some sealing tape,
and a marking pen.
How
To Pack -
Wrap all small, loose items individually in packing paper, then crumple
newspaper to use as padding (use at least 3 inches
of crumpled newspaper or packing paper on the bottom and top
of each box, bin, trunk, etc.), and then pack your wrapped
items in them. You can also use blankets, towels,
sheets, and even clothes for padding when packing your
goods. Also, try to pack similar items in one box so everything
is better organized and easily found (for example: pack
books in one box, dishes in another, etc.). When packing
books, keep in mind that books and magazines can be really heavy.
So try to pack them in boxes, trunks, or bins no larger
than 1.5 cubic feet, which can, believe it or not, end
up weighing anywhere from 40 to 60 pounds. Use a sealing
tape at least 1.5 inches wide and of good quality (strapping
tape is the strongest choice), to seal your boxes, suitcases,
trunks, and bins. Then use a permanent marker
to label the contents of each box on the lid, side, etc.
For fragile pieces it is best to use even greater cushioning
and protection by wrapping each item in bubble wrap and
packing them in boxes full of styrafoam peanuts.
In addition to labeling your fragile item boxes with
the contents, it is suggested to write "FRAGILE" on all
sides as well. Also, for all goods, fragile or not, pack
the larger, heavier items on the bottom and smaller, lighter
items on top. For big items or furniture, you can
buy moving blankets or use plastic (saran wrap) to cover
and wrap the limbs of your furniture. Then use tape
or rope to keep the moving blankets and plastic in
place. This protects your big items and furniture from
scratches and dirt.
Where to buy Supplies and get them
for Free! -
You can purchase moving blankets (about $7 or $8.00) at stores
like Home Depot, and buy plastic (saran wrap) in bulk from
places like Costco Wholesaler or Price Club. You can also
buy moving boxes and packing materials from storage or
moving centers like U-Haul Rent-A-Center locations, Public
Storage, Office Max, The Packaging Store, or Office
Depot. You can buy bins and trunks from Target or Orchard
Supply Hardware (OSH) stores.
Or, you can go to your local department and grocery stores
to get good, clean, strong boxes for free.
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