| By :
Alison Withers
Copyright (c) 2010 Alison Withers The self-pack route can be the answer for a family moving abroad and looking for cheap container shipping, as long as you realise how much effort you will have to put into the organisation and loading yourself. The first step you should take is to decide what you will get rid of and what you will take with you from your home. Some items, such as electrical equipment like TVs or kitchen white goods like fridges may not be compatible with the power supply in the country to which you are moving and it therefore makes more sense not to take them, but to replace them on arrival. Bringing along enough furniture and household items to set up house upon arrival, however, helps minimize shopping trips for basic necessities in a new country, and might save money as well. Also consider whether shipping your car abroad or buying one on arrival is more practical and affordable. It's important to have a list of everything being shipped as you may be asked for it at the destination port by the customs authorities, each of which will have their own rules and regulations. It helps to have the guidance of a shipping consultant so that you know what to expect, but also because they can often save you money by accessing commercial rates that shipping companies may not offer to a one-off customer. They will also be able to guide you through getting all the correct paperwork in order, which must be done before you leave. Using the self-pack option, however, you will do the bulk of the packing and container loading yourself - remember not to pack any important family or shipping documents in the container. You need to carry them with you at all times while you are in transit. Being fully packed and have reliable people to help with the loading at the scheduled time is crucial. Normally the container is only left outside your home for a few hours, although they can be booked for longer - at a price. It is sensible also to check whether equipment like ramps and restraining straps are supplied with the container. Hopefully you have all the important documents with you and your consultant will have put you in touch with a local agent at the destination port to help you through the formalities. You should also have arrangements in place for getting the container from the port to your new home and for unloading it. However, you should be prepared for delays and you should try to be available to go to the port as soon as you have notificatio of the cargo's arrival. You should expect to be asked to show proof that the shipping fee has been paid and to have to pay the shipping company a receiving fee and deposit. Once released, the cargo will need to be moved. If the shipping company has not arranged ground transport you should also have organised for a truck to be at the port and able to to take the container to your final destination, where you will need again to unload in a specified time as you did on the outward journey.
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