[Jo_b]

Hello, I am moving out to Wellington in November, and having trawled the internet for decent removals or shipping companies I found an old thread on another site about shipping stuff by negotiating direct with a shipper rather than a forwarder.

So, after a very rude man at Anglo Pacific basically told me it couldn't be done (or rather I wouldn't be able to do it) I thought sod yer, and got on the phone and called Maersk, the big shipping firm. They did indeed say that I couldn't deal direct with them, but put me in touch with a company called MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A).

I've been communicating with them, and they have offered me what seem to be extraordinary value - 20ft container for £1600 and cm3 rates of around £70. Basically, this includes them bringing me the container for 3 hours to load, taking it away, and shipping it. I'd have to do the MAF / customs paperwork, and negotiate delivery at the other end, and organise insurance. I talked to customs in Wellington, and they basically talked me through what is really quite a straightforward process, involving a visit to MAF and Customs downtown, a few forms, an admin fee or two (MAF - $30 or so plus inspection), and that's it.

So, has anyone else done this? Surely I can't be the only one who would rather save the money and understand the whole process first hand?!

I'm sure I'm missing something - anyone able to stop my naive optimism? And failing that, anyone want to share a 20ft container? I only need half that!

[GeordieLass]

I'm looking into just shipping a sofa and possibly a few boxes and have been emailing for quotes this morning. Going by suggestions on other threads I have contacted the following:

allfreight.co.uk
pss.uk.com
cargobookers.co.uk

They all seem to do smaller loads and while I'm not yet sure how much of the procedural stuff they do for you it might be less of a hassle for you. Have a look anyway.

I'll post more info as I get it.

[PaulJ]

I contacted MSC who have a massive set up and Office in Felixstowe, a couple of miles from where I live. I spoke with them earlier this year and they told me they would not do domestic shipments directly, but gave me numbers of a couple of agents who might be able to help.

I phoned the agents(forwarders), and only one would handle domestic shipment. Their price was incredible low, about £1200 for 20foot container, which would have to pack myself. This is only to port, so would need to add costs to deliver from port, plus all the customs bits and peices.

For a full container it is cheaper, but as I am only fill half of one container. The quotes for full service range from £2000 to £2400. By the time you had added all the other costs, was getting close to £1800, so decided its not worth it for half a container.

The other things that concerned me is that insurance may not be coverred for items not professionally packed, and customs are more likely to want to inspect items you have packed yourself.

Would be interested to know contact details you used for MSC so you could deal with them direct.

Regards,
Paul.

[katandbob]

see below

The other things that concerned me is that insurance may not be coverred for items not professionally packed, and customs are more likely to want to inspect items you have packed yourself.Yes, technically , this is true, they insure it only for Total Loss...ie if the lorry crashed the ship sunk or the container fell over board got crushed etc.....my stuff was fine, no mould or anything, just one ornament got broke but that was to my hurried packing as it was a last minute addition, as to MAF & Customs, its not who packed it but whats on the shipping lists, I stated everything that was on my lists, ie Clothes bathroom toiletries etc, because I had not brought any Pescription drugs, Carved untreated wooden items or rattan etc I only paid $28 dollars and Customs is free anyway, The MAF office were very friendly and answered all my questions and If I want to bring in my Wooden ornaments that I left behind, she just said Pack all the items that you think we may want to look at in the same box then it costs you less as it takes less time inspecting one box instead of half a dozen............Hope that Helps, regards Kat

[Jo_b]

....I got the impression from Customs that it would make no difference if I dealt direct with them over getting a forwarder to do it (they will inspect based on what I declare, which would be the same direct or via a third party), and I have nothing to hide so inspection doesn't worry me. Reading between the lines I think they know that the companies make it sound more expensive, and costly than it is to clear customs and MAF. There is plenty of anecdotal info about companies hiking the MAF inspection fees.

[Jo_b]

I should have added, one part of MSC (when I phoned) said they didn't deal direct, but I also emailed from the website and LCL & Forwarding Division got back to me, so I'm not exactly dealing direct with the shipping arm, but they do seem happy to let you pick and mix what services you require.

[Jo_b]

And I'm happy to pass on the details of the helpful guy I've dealt with at MSC is anyone wants to PM me.

[veronica]

the company we used was called crayford Freight at thurrock so would be good for the southeast of England and they are super helpful. we took our stuff there in hired van and they loaded the container. don't know if they are as cheap as the quote above but from experience 3 hours suggested above to load a container aint much time. For your own sake everything has to be packed in boxes tightly so there isn't much movement or any empty spaces. this will minimise breakages as will using bedding etc to line the boxes for fragile stuff. bubble wrap furniture. again if you are in the southeast I could give details of a recycled box company on the 127 near Basildon. PM me if you want info on that.

[jess]

Jo_B I don't know about this since I used door to door service (with which I had linflated MAF fees like you mentioned), but having dealt with the Wellington port while my container was held hostage there (by MSC and one of the middlemen who were disagreeing on whether MSC received payment) I wondered... Will you be able to enter the port area to collect your things if that's your intention, or do you have to go through specific companies allowed to make pick-ups there? You may well be able to just go to the port and get your own things, but I would check with the Wellington port authority (http://www.centreport.co.nz/) to find out the details on this end, if you haven't already.

Good on ya for researching this route!

[Smiler]

Jo_B I don't know about this since I used door to door service (with which I had linflated MAF fees like you mentioned), but having dealt with the Wellington port while my container was held hostage there (by MSC and one of the middlemen who were disagreeing on whether MSC received payment) I wondered... Will you be able to enter the port area to collect your things if that's your intention, or do you have to go through specific companies allowed to make pick-ups there? You may well be able to just go to the port and get your own things, but I would check with the Wellington port authority (http://www.centreport.co.nz/) to find out the details on this end, if you haven't already.

Good on ya for researching this route!

Jess (and Jo)

Last December I was stopped from collecting our car or bikes from Centre port. The rules changed around that time to stop collection by private individuals. (That's the rules according to New Zealand Van Lines and MAF who I was dealing with :mad: but hey I'm not bitter)

After I threw my toys out of the pram big time, having gone to MAF HQ at Saturn House to collect them because NZVL said I could. I was standing within spitting distance of the car with the keys, proof of ownership, regn docs and proof of an appt booked for WOF and rego. NZVL arranged for a trailer to bring the car to our house. They wanted to charge me $50 for that.

So check carefully because what MAF and the Shippers say you can do, as it may differ from what the port authority or Centre Port actually allow you to do (and vice versa) Get anything in writing too.

Hope that makes sense

D x

[veronica]

if its a container it will more than likely be delivered to your address. although we packed for ourselves we used a shipping agent at this end to arrange clearance and delivery. wasnt a big issue and no overcharges, in fact as we brought a business out and have since brought in more stock from the UK they have helped us heaps.

[Hannah]

I've been conversing with MSC regarding this and mentioned the haulage at the other end to get goods from port to our house. They have found an agent and quoted for this, however from what you guys say it may be worth checking whether there could be any problems once the stuff arrives at the port. I'll get back to you when i find out more.
I agree that the 3 hour to load is a bit slim - all that lifting an no time for a cup of tea!!!! If you go over the 3 hours they charge you per hour, about £30 apparently.
Seems a good deal, esp to someone like me who hates spending money and would rather muck in and save a few squid!!!

[Helen & John]

Hi,

We used John Mason shippers, they packed the container and organised the delivery at the other end. We only had a quarter of a 20ft container and although this meant waiting 16 weeks in total from them packing to it been delivered to our door here in Palmy, the total cost was only £1700 and that included insurance for our listed items - including damage or breaks (we only insured the big stuff that was worth anything - computer, sofas, fridge freezer, drier etc). We had to pay MAF fees this end which were $150, but all in all, it is a lot less hassle, and I thought worked out fairly cheaply cos we didnt need the full 20ft container.

I have the number somewhere of a lady who works in customs here in Wellington, I was given her number by a friend here in New Zealand and she was great, I spoke to her and she told me that basically if you go with an agent for it all (packed, shipped and organised delivery here) they have the responsibility for your goods here in Wellington, i wasnt able to go and do the MAF inspection myself, i could go and watch, but they had the right to my things cos they had all the paperwork. To be honest, as I live 2 hours drive from Wellington, this was probably best, and New Zealand Van Liners were really good, they sorted the inspection and delivery of our stuff within 2 weeks of the container arriving, and we had 2 bank holidays in that time.

Hope this helps a little, but it may be worth contacting John Mason and asking them for a quote for only half a container, and they can usually tell you if there is anyone else with a part load waiting to go around the same time as you, so you know if your stuff is going to be going straight away or waiting for someone else to fill the container.

Cheers
Helen

[Jo_b]

Hello,

I thought I'd bring everyone up to date on what I have found out.

I am going with MSC this end. They are charging me:

- £55 documents fee (which includes the bill of lading - more on that later)
- £160 to collect up to 10m3 from my house - a guy in a lorry; we put the stuff in there ourselves
- Freight at $115 US per m3 (about £62 per m3)

We are going to arrange insurance via BJP Insurance Brokers (0118 9792121), who will charge us around 2% of the value. This covers us if the whole lot goes over the side or the container turns up with a whopping hole in the roof - not if the crockery gets chipped. We are self packing - they'd cover for loss/damage if we paid packers to do it, and this is basically because if we made a claim having paid a packing firm they'd have someone to chase for a payout, but they can't sue us for it if we've done it ourselves!

Customs in NZ say we need to go to their office with an inventory, the bill of lading and ID and also documents from MAF.

MAF say we just turn up at their office with a few bits of info and ID (seems reasonably straightforward).

So, I am just chasing around after Centre Pac to find out exactly what I need to do to get my stuff released from the Port. They've told me that there are no fees to pay them unless the goods need to be stored for more than 4 days, but I get the impression they think I'm getting a forwarder in, so have emailed them for more clarification.

As a back up, I contacted evil NZ Van Lines, who want $700 plus MAF fees/Port fees (Port fees, ha! beer, wine and sherry fees more like) to get the stuff from the port to Island Bay. Hmmm, I think there is a scam going on there!

Will let you know what I find out from Centre Pac. Chances are I may have to get a forwarder, but it sure as hell won't be NZVL - too many horror stories!

Any suggestions?

[jess]

Sounds good! I am assuming only certain companies can come to the port due to safety and security?? You might ask Centre Port what companies they allow to come on site and remove goods. I have heard some nice things about The Moving Company - but then some people on the forum had a bad time with them. (We had World Wide Movers aka NZ Vanlines - and they were terrible!). If you were moving this way (Kapiti) I'd say King Transport based in Paraparaumu - they have been great for our domestic move - but I sincerely doubt they go down into Welly.

I'm impressed that you researched and saved paying the middle man. I hope it all goes smoothly!

[Jo_b]

My correspondence with CentrePac so far (CentrePac are the unpacking/packing/warehouseing arm of CentrePort by the look of things):

Me:

Hello,

I am sending approx. 8m3 household goods to Wellington via MSC shipping in
the UK.

MSC are dealing with the UK end, but I need to find out how I can reclaim my
goods at the other end.

Could you tell me how much it would cost to retrieve my stuff from it's
group hire container and collect it from you?

I have spoken to MAF and Customs and am happy to do the paperwork with them
myself.

Thanks for your help.

Them
Hello Jo

If your goods are arriving in a groupage container there wont be any charges
payable to us unless the goods incurr storage, which is applicable 4 days after unpacking.

You would need to find the name of the forwarding company in NZ to check if
any charges were payable.


Me
Thanks for your help. If I want to turn up with a van and collect my goods
direct from you, is that possible?

I don't want to pay for a company to collect it from you when I have access
to a van and can do it myself!

Thank you.

Them
Hello Jo

Yes you can uplift the goods yourself.

Regards
Linsay

Me
Thank you very much for that - I was hoping that would be the case.

Apart from the Customs clearance, MAF clearance, and obviously ID to prove
who we are, is there anything else we need paperwork wise to claim our goods from you? And any costs we need to consider other than the standard
customs/MAF fees?

I was going to use a forwarder, but frankly I couldn't see what they were
going to be charging for - they wanted $700 to get our good from the port to
Island Bay!

Thank you for your help.

Best wishes,

Them
Jo

You will also need a delivery order from the shipping
company/freightforwarding company.

Regards



I thought I'd pretty much spelled out what I wanted to know - can I pick the goods up from them myself and what do I need to do so paperwork wise - but they don't seem to want to tell me in a very straightforward manner!

It's all a bit drawn-out as I'm doing this on email (time difference, and I'd rather have it in writing), but I feel like I'm inching towards the answer!

My as yet unanswered follow-up is:

Thanks for that.

So what exactly is a delivery order? Is it a standard form or just a letter? I was hoping not to use a forwarder or mover in Wellington at all so is a delivery order issued from my UK shipping firm valid?

If I do need to have paperwork issued by an NZ firm, could you please give me the names of delivery firms that you commonly work with?

Thank you again,

Jo.


In other news, only three weeks until my boyfriend flies out, and I go on the 29th November! It's getting close now.

Will keep you posted on the DIY shipping saga.

[Jo_b]

Just a quick update. MSC's van man collected 7m3 from me today - all selfpacked. We loaded the van together - no time limit and I think we got our moneys worth in labour - some heavy lifting involved! Really nice chap so no complaints there.

We organised insurance via Letton Percival, who charge 1.53% of value (though you have limited cover for damage if you self pack) plus 5% of total premium as insurance tax. The stuff will go in a container via Singapore - estimated 52 days. MSC have charged us $115 USD per m3, plus £160 collection, and £55 documents. So far, so cheap.

I must say it has been quite stressful, but on the whole, I'm happy that I know everything is well packed and we have a very detailed shipping contents list as we did it ourselves on Excel. We could do a bit at a time which is good as it spreads the tedium, but also meant we lived with 38 large boxes in the house for a couple of weeks.

Will update about the other end in a couple of months when I know if the DIY route was worth it!

[jess]

Thanks for updating! It will be very helpful to hear how it goes on the other end since you saved so much money this way. I hope it all goes very smoothly!

[Jo_b]

Still waiting for the stuff - scheduled to arrive 16th January so I will post to update then. On the plus side, as I landed in Welly I saw an MSC ship going into port, which I took as a good sign! At least they actually exist and have ships!

[Smiler]

Still waiting for the stuff - scheduled to arrive 16th January so I will post to update then. On the plus side, as I landed in Welly I saw an MSC ship going into port, which I took as a good sign! At least they actually exist and have ships!


*anorak on*

Jo_b

If you are really keen to see when yours arrives and you know what ship it's on, you can track the movements here: http://www.centreportoperations.co.nz/webenq.php?query=ShippingMovements

They've even got webcams for the totally anoraked. ;)


*anorak off*

Good luck for the 16th, bet you can't wait to get your stuff. :nice1