LCL Sea Freight shipping advice sought

[sellingmystuff]

Hi,

I'm trying to arrange LCL Sea Freight shipping for approximately 275kgs, 1.25 square metres of books from Bangkok to Cardiff, UK. These are used books, my personal collection, so I'm hoping to avoid having to pay customs.

I've been back and forth with various companies, getting various quotes. I've been having a lot of problems with companies giving me quotes that appear reasonable, but then when I pursue a particular quote, suddenly countless additional charges arrive, doubling or even tripling the price.

Now, I'm an absolute beginner at using Sea Freight, so I was hoping someone would have advice on what I should be looking for: what forms are absolutely essential, what extra costs should I be expecting to pay, is it reasonable for me to expect to be given a full total or will there always be unexpected costs? are there any ways to guard against unexpected costs? etc.

The quotes I've received have varied so widely, it is very hard to pin down what I'm actually paying for.

Anyway, if anyone has advice or tips, or can point me to a link that would help, I'll be extremely grateful.

Many thanks in advance.

[Jay Sata]

The service you need is door to door. Freight forwarders normally give you an all in quote.

As your goods will be shipped in a sea container they will most likely enter the UK at Felixstowe.

I'm sure you appreciate there is a cost to clear and move them from there to Cardiff.

I've used Pickfords in the past and indeed they moved me from Cardiff to Australia some years ago.

There is is Pickfords in Bangkok. Have you tried them?

[sellingmystuff]

Hi Jay,

Thanks for all your contributions on this and the previous post. They're very much appreciated.

Yes, the trip from Felixstowe to Cardiff is clearly a large part of the cost. A big concern for me is, if I pay a Thai company for delivery all the way to Cardiff, how likely is it that that is what I'll actually get? I fear a Thai company is only going to be concerned about getting the shipment onto the ship, and then it's no longer their concern. I'm worried that even if the shipment makes it to the UK, the Thai company won't have properly arranged full delivery and I'll end up having to pay a UK company to deliver it from Felixstowe to Cardiff. Hence, I'll end up paying twice.

To try and bypass this worry, I was attempting to go through a UK company, but this seems to have doubled the price as I'd be paying a UK company to pay a Thai company to do everything at this end. By the time they've all worked out their cut, my previous quote of 15,000 THB became 30,000 THB.

Are there particular documents/payments I need to complete in order to ensure I get all the services I'm paying for?

I should also add that the value of my shipment is only going to be around 50,000 THB, so if costs of sending it start to get up over 30,000, it starts to defy the object of even sending it.

Very confused here...

[Jay Sata]

Pick fords are at the top end but there are lot's of reputable agents and freight forwarders in Bangkok.

Try http://www.axium-shipping.com

If you pack all your own stuff securely they will collect, do all the documents for dispatch as part of a full load in a container and include customs paperwork for the UK. The price will also include delivery in the UK once again as part of a consolidated load from Felixstowe to Cardiff.

I'd expect to pay 10 to 15,000 baht max for your books.

Good Luck

Edited March 8, 2014 by Jay Sata

[sellingmystuff]

Thanks, Jay.

I have got a quote from the link you provided. It was okay, though not the best. Just under 16,000 before any add-ons, eg. pick-up, destination charges, etc.

The best I've received from local Thai companies have been from Inno Cargo, KPS Thailand, SME Shipping and Sea Fly. Though all have been at least a little vague when it comes to finer details.

If anyone has any knowledge or feedback on those companies, I'd be very keen to hear it.

[thomasteve]

Thanks, Jay.

I have got a quote from the link you provided. It was okay, though not the best. Just under 16,000 before any add-ons, eg. pick-up, destination charges, etc.

The best I've received from local Thai companies have been from Inno Cargo, KPS Thailand, SME Shipping and Sea Fly. Though all have been at least a little vague when it comes to finer details.

If anyone has any knowledge or feedback on those companies, I'd be very keen to hear it.

SevenSeasWorldwide may be another option for small shipments

[sellingmystuff]

I'm being overwhelmed by shipping jargon - FOB, C&F, Freehand Shipment, CIF, etc. - if anyone can advise me what is the best option for me that would be great. Just to reiterate, I'm sending 'personal effects', so I don't need a business option.

As much as possible I want to know any costs upfront. I don't want the shipment to get to the UK and then be faced with a host of other charges that I wasn't told of before.

I realise there are costs upon arrival, but as long as I'm told them before, then that's fine.

THANKS FOR ANY HELP!! ;-)

[Merlindxb]

I really do feel for you. I am totally confused by all the jargon, involved in freight.

I moved a 12 meter boat from UK to Singapore. Got quote’s from everyone I could.

There was the Road move to UK port, embarking dock cost, sea freight, off loading, Dis embarking port cost, local customs, local freight handling company to do paperwork.

The up front quote doubled, in actual payments. Every agent. along the way denounced the other. It was a nightmare.

Yes! I know it was my fault. Rich shit bringing a boat to Asia.

Then, I needed to bring 3 box’s out from UK to Thailand. They sent a normal UK courier to pick up box’s, delivered straight to airline, airline flew to Thailand, (2 days) informed me, that they were ready to pick up. Went to airport freight airline terminal, paid 7% of declared worth, custom’s raked thru boxes, looked up in their book and charged me 15% on 4 items. Exit with packages 2hr later.

I am now going to do it again. 1. Get quote direct from airline (PS that is NOT a easy do) deliver to Airline freight terminal. All Packages to have FULL packing list. Customs declaration. Get cost of UK airport to home. Advise UK courier of ALL details. They will pick up, (As you are going into UK then personal effects 2^nd hand books ? x 50p) no vat, 15% import IF , you get a customs on a bad day.

I hope this helps.

[sellingmystuff]

Thanks, Merlindxb.

I eventually went with Allied Pickfords. They had a relatively reasonable deal where you pay for part of a container and then have to wait till the container is full when it is then shipped. They said it will likely be eight weeks before the container even leaves BKK, so not a valid option f you need things quickly, but fine for me.

It's door to door and the BKK pick up was surprisingly efficient.

They weren't the cheapest, but the key thing was that I've heard of them and they have offices in the UK (where I am now), so hopefully if there are any problems this end it will be easier to sort out than if I was dealing with a Thai based company.

I hope to update TV if/when my stuff eventually arrives!

[thomasteve]

What do they charge approx. for the 1.25 cubic metres door to door ?

[Jay Sata]

Thanks, Merlindxb.

I eventually went with Allied Pickfords. They had a relatively reasonable deal where you pay for part of a container and then have to wait till the container is full when it is then shipped. They said it will likely be eight weeks before the container even leaves BKK, so not a valid option f you need things quickly, but fine for me.

It's door to door and the BKK pick up was surprisingly efficient.

They weren't the cheapest, but the key thing was that I've heard of them and they have offices in the UK (where I am now), so hopefully if there are any problems this end it will be easier to sort out than if I was dealing with a Thai based company.

I hope to update TV if/when my stuff eventually arrives!

As you say not the cheapest but having used them in the past I have to say they are excellent. Moved me to Australia some years ago and later back to the UK.

[sellingmystuff]

Hi Thomasteve,

I paid around 27,000 THB for 1.25 cubic metres. They told me it was a seasonal promotional rate. I was quite pleased with that rate as I'd been quoted over 40k by some of the other well known companies. I did have a lower quote from a Scandinavian Thai company (the name escapes me) that was based in BKK. Their price was about 23k, I think.

The standard insurance rate from most companies seemed to be 3.5% of declared value. The insurance wasn't very good to be honest as the minimum article value was way above anything I was shipping, so it'll only be useful if the entire shipment is lost.

If you need more specific info I can try and dig it out. Just let me know on here.

[thomasteve]

Hi Thomasteve,

I paid around 27,000 THB for 1.25 cubic metres. They told me it was a seasonal promotional rate. I was quite pleased with that rate as I'd been quoted over 40k by some of the other well known companies. I did have a lower quote from a Scandinavian Thai company (the name escapes me) that was based in BKK. Their price was about 23k, I think.

The standard insurance rate from most companies seemed to be 3.5% of declared value. The insurance wasn't very good to be honest as the minimum article value was way above anything I was shipping, so it'll only be useful if the entire shipment is lost.

If you need more specific info I can try and dig it out. Just let me know on here.

Thanks that seems reasonable.

[Jay Sata]

Hi Thomasteve,

I paid around 27,000 THB for 1.25 cubic metres. They told me it was a seasonal promotional rate. I was quite pleased with that rate as I'd been quoted over 40k by some of the other well known companies. I did have a lower quote from a Scandinavian Thai company (the name escapes me) that was based in BKK. Their price was about 23k, I think.

The standard insurance rate from most companies seemed to be 3.5% of declared value. The insurance wasn't very good to be honest as the minimum article value was way above anything I was shipping, so it'll only be useful if the entire shipment is lost.

If you need more specific info I can try and dig it out. Just let me know on here.

The sum you paid was fair given the weight. Only you can decide if the books or possessions were worth it.

Seems like a good result.