Sending belongings to the US

[CharliePrice 0]

Hi all,

 

I'm moving to the US on the 20th July and am in the process of packing up my belongings.

 

I was under the impression that I could just send all my stuff to my Fiance's parents and then collect when I'm over there. Now i'm starting to see that the companies need my visa and also I need to be the one collecting the delivery?

 

Can anyone who has recently gone through this process please help out and point me in the direction for the best service?

 

Cheers guys

[Wuozopo 4,285]

How many boxes are you taking?

Also inventory each box as you pack. Helpful for shipping and customs clearance. You might forget what you’ve packed if you wait or have a lot.

[CharliePrice 0]

3 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

How many boxes are you taking?

Also inventory each box as you pack. Helpful for shipping and customs clearance. You might forget what you’ve packed if you wait or have a lot.

 

Im currently in the process of putting stuff into boxes -  going to be about 6/7 I think. Yeah I will be doing an inventory, not sure where needing my visa will come into it, any ideas?

[Wuozopo 4,285]

2 hours ago, CharliePrice said:

 

Im currently in the process of putting stuff into boxes -  going to be about 6/7 I think. Yeah I will be doing an inventory, not sure where needing my visa will come into it, any ideas?

If your are arriving on a visa, then you get unlimited amount of stuff that is considered your household goods. No customs fees charged.

 

There’s also “unaccompanied goods” meaning they are not on the plane with you but traveling separately. There is a customs form for that. https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2019-Nov/CBP Form 3299.pdf

 

Some basics about shipping cost calculation—

By air goes by weight. How much weight is it adding to the plane? Fastest way to get your stuff.

By ship goes by dimensions. A 12x12x12 box filled with rocks would be the same cost as the  box filled with feathers. It’s about how much volume is taken up in the container. I shipped 2.1 cubic meters which was 20 something boxes plus a specially crated antique clock. 

That should help you understand why they are asking weight or size of boxes when you start getting quotes. 

Edited July 1, 2021 by Wuozopo

[ArkansasExile 5]

My parents culled their stuff down to make sure they could do a twenty foot container and labelled it household goods, sent southampton to Virginia, then rail inland to Kansas city then trucked to Arkansas. 

They sent it after they sold their flat in channel islands in December, interviews were expedited in March but visas weren't issued till late may and they flew last weekend. Container arrived in late March after being picked up December 18th, left southampton in early January 

[Aaron&Clari 1]

On 7/1/2021 at 11:52 PM, Wuozopo said:

If your are arriving on a visa, then you get unlimited amount of stuff that is considered your household goods. No customs fees charged.

 

There’s also “unaccompanied goods” meaning they are not on the plane with you but traveling separately. There is a customs form for that. https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2019-Nov/CBP Form 3299.pdf

 

Some basics about shipping cost calculation—

By air goes by weight. How much weight is it adding to the plane? Fastest way to get your stuff.

By ship goes by dimensions. A 12x12x12 box filled with rocks would be the same cost as the  box filled with feathers. It’s about how much volume is taken up in the container. I shipped 2.1 cubic meters which was 20 something boxes plus a specially crated antique clock. 

That should help you understand why they are asking weight or size of boxes when you start getting quotes. 

This is interesting. I do not know why I hadn’t thought of shipping stuff by ship! I suppose this would also be cheaper, though not as quick? May I please ask which courier or service you used?

 

[Wuozopo 4,285]

9 hours ago, Aaron&Clari said:

This is interesting. I do not know why I hadn’t thought of shipping stuff by ship! I suppose this would also be cheaper, though not as quick? May I please ask which courier or service you used?

 

I think it depends on how much you are bringing. My fiancé’s mindset was bring everything that means something to you. It will make you feel more comfortable in a new country if you don’t bin your whole life. I’m older so had a lot of life to bring. 😝 I don’t regret it.

I used 1st Move International https://www.shipit.co.uk/safer-packing.htm

Nothing was damaged or pilfered. Their packing system is super. 

I was bringing a lot of stuff so sent by container ship. You don’t have to fill a whole container.

Things I needed immediately like my computer (insides only), laptop, and some clothing were checked luggage. Airlines  were much more liberal with free checked bags back then.