Sea Shipping - From NZ to Europe

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PetAT

239 posts

Master Geek

#253054 23-Jul-2019 12:25

Been a while, not sure if this will be the right forum as I am looking for shipping suggestions related to my shift. But its good to be back, I always come back here to ask my fellow geekzoners as usual.

I am looking for a sea fright company whom I can use to ship some 30-60Kg's of belongings from NZ to Germany. Just some books, small equipment, cloths, tools. Nothing fancy. So I can easily re arrange my new apartment there.

Wonder if any of you can help me find something that is affordable and wont charge me an arm or a leg.

PeterReader

6018 posts

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Geekzone

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#2282134 23-Jul-2019 12:25

Allow me to introduce you folks to our new travel community: TravelTalk NZ.

We hope to see you there!

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MichaelNZ

1388 posts

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Integrity Tech Solutions

#2282145 23-Jul-2019 12:36

At that level sea freight doesn't exist any more.

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PetAT

239 posts

Master Geek

#2282147 23-Jul-2019 12:43

I wouldn't be too quick to take that as a definite since I see one offering flat rate weight and boxes (seven seas) however anyone who may know something that may help me in the long run please leave me some suggestions. Thanks!

qwertee

709 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2282148 23-Jul-2019 12:46

I used Allied Pickfords 2-3 years back to send similar items by sea freight to the UK

I didnt opt for their packing service. Took about 3 months for the journey as they were not time critical.

Now using a company called xsbaggage.co.nz but to send via air freight. Very competitive rates.

cheers

PetAT

239 posts

Master Geek

#2282159 23-Jul-2019 13:03

Called Allied, for sea fright they were quoting me 3K for some stuff around 40-50kg's max, 1 cubic meter is min. Tried the xs baggage, comes around $600. Not bad. I will keep looking.

qwertee

709 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#2282169 23-Jul-2019 13:18

PetAT:

Called Allied, for sea fright they were quoting me 3K for some stuff around 40-50kg's max, 1 cubic meter is min. Tried the xs baggage, comes around $600. Not bad. I will keep looking.

Where are you located?

I am in CHCH and though I am using XSbaggage based in AKL, the airfreight stuff was picked up by their agent Expertise Worldwide Cargo. Try them !

With sea freight, I had the same issue and had to share a container, but no way near the 3K mark.

I did try PacknSend but they were expensive.

Subway

45 posts

Geek

#2282721 24-Jul-2019 10:52

$600 for 60kg airfreight is cheap, i paid 100 quid for 20kg airfreight from London to Auckland, so its about the right price (I used parcel monkey which is similar to xsbaggage)

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PetAT

239 posts

Master Geek

#2282731 24-Jul-2019 11:03

I got some great news guys :D and this is why I just dont give up once someone says its not possible. haha!

So I knew parcel monkey as I have used them and did look it up their site but then I also went and I discussed yesterday with xsbaggage or however they are called, this was over the phone. And apparently you can do a 1 cubic meter box via ship to Germany (and I am thinking EU as well) for around $600 NZD or so.

I just need to work it out with them if the crate/box is something I have to build or they can provide. Anybody got any ideas on where to get these boxes or do I build one?

Thanks guys and specially Qwertee for the suggestion. I will be packing up next month!

Subway

45 posts

Geek

#2282732 24-Jul-2019 11:06

Is Germany like the UK where even personal effects can incur VAT?

PetAT

239 posts

Master Geek

#2282735 24-Jul-2019 11:12

No, I got told as long as its labeled as personal items as they are going to be bunch of cloths, bedding, some weights, basic stuff then its not an issue. Basically if you put something like "Übersiedlungsgut" on large letters and the paper on the packages; which is basically used/personal goods for private use or something like that then its tax-exempt, also helps to show some paper work or have some folks there with right connections that can say you are moving. :)

Also some more news after calling, is you can use multiple boxes, it can even be 1.5 or any odd number of cubic meters, and they will still ship it and get you a new quote, Xsbaggage rocks. So It dont all have to be one big wooden crate or box, it can be many small cardboard boxes and what not and it will all be added up. So fantastic, I can take with me more than I thought I could!

rpopovici

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2282761 24-Jul-2019 12:08

you might want to check with your airline as well. they might charge only around 100-200$ for additional/excess luggage for 30-40kg. and you take it with you no need to worry about tracking them, picking them up etc...

qwertee

709 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2282780 24-Jul-2019 12:36

PetAT:

Also some more news after calling, is you can use multiple boxes, it can even be 1.5 or any odd number of cubic meters, and they will still ship it and get you a new quote, Xsbaggage rocks. So It dont all have to be one big wooden crate or box, it can be many small cardboard boxes and what not and it will all be added up. So fantastic, I can take with me more than I thought I could!

The recent stuff I shipped with XSBaggage was a mixed assortment. Guitar in hardcase, suitcase, very large drawings on cardboard and 2 boxes

I bought the boxes from Mitre10. Buy the heavy duty ones, not the normal packing cases good for a house move locally

There is a very strict requirement - no batteries - full stop You need to fill a declaration form. If they discover anything in the X-ray screening, then there is a payment you need to make for the handlers to remove it.

Edit: Do keep an itemised list for each box for your own benefit. For the listing for XSBaggage you can keep a generic list eg: Box 1 used clothing, books, folders total value $280

I used their insurance that costs either 4% of the values of the goods or NZ$80 (whatever is greater) with an excess fee of $500 if making a claim.
They send you all forms to fill and packing labels. Do ask them if they need a copy of your passport - not required in my case as they were being cleared by someone else at the other end.

Write 1 of 5 2 of 5 etc on the labels (depends on how many items) so handlers know the total count and keep them all together.

cheers and good luck.

PetAT

239 posts

Master Geek

#2282784 24-Jul-2019 12:42

Yea I figured for a few hundred dollars more I just ship pretty much all my main belongings and gear over there with books and cloths and what creature comforts, since costs about the same as air mail, but takes months which is fine I will send it off in advance.

Wonder if the battery thing is only for the airmail or sea too, I got some battery chargers and stuff I would like to send over in the box.

qwertee

709 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2282788 24-Jul-2019 12:52

PetAT:

Yea I figured for a few hundred dollars more I just ship pretty much all my main belongings and gear over there with books and cloths and what creature comforts, since costs about the same as air mail, but takes months which is fine I will send it off in advance.

Wonder if the battery thing is only for the airmail or sea too, I got some battery chargers and stuff I would like to send over in the box.

Sorry I dont know as I used the air freight service You better clarify . Ask them to send the forms now so you have a rough idea of the paper work you need to sort out.

PetAT

239 posts

Master Geek

#2282798 24-Jul-2019 13:07

qwertee:

PetAT:

Yea I figured for a few hundred dollars more I just ship pretty much all my main belongings and gear over there with books and cloths and what creature comforts, since costs about the same as air mail, but takes months which is fine I will send it off in advance.

Wonder if the battery thing is only for the airmail or sea too, I got some battery chargers and stuff I would like to send over in the box.

Sorry I dont know as I used the air freight service You better clarify . Ask them to send the forms now so you have a rough idea of the paper work you need to sort out.

Thanks a lot, you've been a great help =)