Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rok_the-boat]

I am thinking of moving overseas in the near future. Can anyone recommend a good company to transport stuff? Or even better, does anyone know how to side-track the company and get more 'direct' access to a container - like, cheaper. My wife called one 'company' and they charge way too much - it would be cheaper to just chuck all my stuff out and start again.

Also, does anyone know about sending a motorcycle overseas?

[plattwaz]

Not sure how much help this is, but a few years ago (about 5 I think) a friend of mine moved overseas -- family of 5 (2 adults 3 young children) from central Canada to northern Europe. The container cost, which included ground transport to the container location, and ground transport to their home in Europe, was about $10,000 Canadian.

Although you likely won't have as much "stuff" as they did -- furniture for a kitchen, living room, bedrooms, and all of their personal effects, and thus need a smaller container, I would also suspect that fuel costs have risen significantly in 5 years, and it might balance out -- or at least give you some very rough idea of what a container costs.

As for where to contact I have no idea. International moving companies would be the best bet - if you have only a small shipment, and have no time constraints the costs might be negotiable.

[ejmlab]

International moving companies will provide you with comprehensive door to door service but the cost is very high. If you want to ship inexpensively look for a shipping agent that handles LCL (less than a container load) shipments. Just phone around and ask about LCL they'll know what you're talking about and may point you in the right direction if they don't handle it themselves. With LCL you will be quoted a price based on a cubic meter. The agent should be able to pro-rate your charges for odd sizes. Be sure that the shipping cost includes customs documentation as well as fumigation etc. You can pack everything yourself and prepare a packing list for customs clearance or hire the shipping agent to do it for you. Be sure to get a quote for packing because it will be in addition to the shipping cost. You may want to ask the shipping agent if they have inland shipping services...if so then a truck will come to your apartment and pick up your goods and transport them to the shipping agent's warehouse for load consolidation and customs clearance. Be sure to declare your shipment as household goods to avoid paying import taxes.

On the other end (in your home country) you can submit all of the documents (including the bill of lading/packing list and fumigation certificates -- you may also have to fill out and sign a declaration stating that the goods are household goods) and pickup your shipment.

Hope this helps.

Cheers