Post: #1

It's looking like my work is going to help me relocate to the UK. Have any of you guys ever had the experience of shipping your personal goods from the US to Europe?

I don't have any numbers on how much they're going to expense out, but it's more research at this point.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what companies I should look into?

Post: #2

As far as shipping goes, the West Coast to Europe is going to be a completely different cost proposition than the East Coast.

How much stuff do you have? (e.g. Studio, 1bdr etc.)

and what part of America are you moving from?

If you can, get some help with vehicle expenses as things like vehicle registration, licensing, insurance and the coast of fuel is very expensive in the UK at least double the cost of the US.

Post: #3

The journey of life is best travelled light.

Is there anything you can't liquidate in the US and buy in the UK once you've settled?

You don't get a lot of m² per £ in the UK especially in London.

Post: #4

(06-16-2015 01:46 PM)CodyB Wrote:  As far as shipping goes, the West Coast to Europe is going to be a completely different cost proposition than the East Coast.

How much stuff do you have? (e.g. Studio, 1bdr etc.)

and what part of America are you moving from?

If you can, get some help with vehicle expenses as things like vehicle registration, licensing, insurance and the coast of fuel is very expensive in the UK at least double the cost of the US.

I'm moving from Boston to London England. I don't have a car so that won't be shipped. Basically i'm moving a 1 bedroom sized apartment. That includes a queen sized bed, two dressers, a book shelf, cooking supplies, a small table, and an assortment of boxes.

@N6, my work is paying for the relocation so consider it all expense paid I was planning on getting rid of all of my belongings but they insisted on paying to ship it all over.

Post: #5

(06-16-2015 02:25 PM)The Beast1 Wrote:  @N6, my work is paying for the relocation so consider it all expense paid I was planning on getting rid of all of my belongings but they insisted on paying to ship it all over.

That's good, do you know where they your company will rent/ buy for you?

If you've never been to the UK before, you will be shocked at how cramped and crowded life is. I spent 2 weeks in NC then returned to London and the difference in space shocked me.

Even if your work is kind enough to pay for shipment, you should make sure your London apartment can accommodate your belongings.

Post: #6

The amount you should ask for is some between US$7-10,000.

You might get it cheaper then that, but that price would cover a '20 container from Boston to London and trucks on both sides.

Unless you're really balling, you will likely be setting for a far humbler Square Metreage in London. You might find that you won't have enough room for all of your stuff. Is it really that valuable?

Post: #7

(06-16-2015 02:38 PM)CodyB Wrote:  The amount you should ask for is some between US$7-10,000.

You might get it cheaper then that, but that price would cover a '20 container from Boston to London and trucks on both sides.

Unless you're really balling, you will likely be setting for a far humbler Square Metreage in London. You might find that you won't have enough room for all of your stuff. Is it really that valuable?

That's what I need to know. Looking at rents, my upper bound is 800 pounds. If worse comes to worse I can get rid of stuff over there especially if my work is paying my way.

A lot of the furniture is home made so I don't want to part with it quite yet.

@N6, finding housing is my responsibility but they'll be hooking me up with temporary housing if i'm unable to find anything prior to moving out there.

Post: #8

I used Continental Van Lines. They also shipped my car over and handled all the paper work. I would really think twice about shipping over something like a bed. It would be cheaper to buy it there. You could put all your personal things in 3 big suitcases and bring them on the airplane.

Post: #9

(06-16-2015 02:52 PM)The Beast1 Wrote:  

(06-16-2015 02:38 PM)CodyB Wrote:  The amount you should ask for is some between US$7-10,000.

You might get it cheaper then that, but that price would cover a '20 container from Boston to London and trucks on both sides.

Unless you're really balling, you will likely be setting for a far humbler Square Metreage in London. You might find that you won't have enough room for all of your stuff. Is it really that valuable?

That's what I need to know. Looking at rents, my upper bound is 800 pounds. If worse comes to worse I can get rid of stuff over there especially if my work is paying my way.

A lot of the furniture is home made so I don't want to part with it quite yet.

@N6, finding housing is my responsibility but they'll be hooking me up with temporary housing if i'm unable to find anything prior to moving out there.

Do your homework on rightmove.co.uk and zoopla.co.uk and search for properties near your work unless you love long and expensive commuting times.

The average London residential rent has exceeded £1100 per calendar month.

i know a lot of people who love London so much that they think it great to pay most of their salary just to live there. I know others who have decided to not work there and take a lower salary elsewhere and have a bit of a life.

Do your homework, if your rent is going to be more than 40% of your net earnings.

Post: #10

£800 really isn't a lot in London; in my second tier city that would only get you a good 1 bed apartment near the action.

If I were you I'd try and get the company to switch that moving fee to a relocation bonus and put your US stuff in storage, sell it or leave with a relative/friend etc. It won't cost a lot to kit out a £800pcm place in london...it will be tiny.

Post: #11

To confirm what the other posters have stated, £800 in London will get you a bedsit, or a room in a shared house. Unless you are planning on living outside the city and commuting in / out each day it might be worth liquidating your belongings and asking your employer to give you the cost of shipping to buy household goods once you arrive.

Don't forget to consider the difference in voltage for electrical goods too.

Post: #12

I was also moving to UK, precisely to London. And I also had really a lot of stuff to take with me (2 PC's, 3 monitors, few smaller furniture's, clothes etc. ) and i used http://clicktrans.com/ . I got all of it here quite quickly. And the price was significantly lower then i expected. I think i will order next shipping soon, as it looks like i will stay here for a longer time that i supposed.

Post: #13

Does the company you work for have a carrier they already use?

Are you sure you need a whole container?

I ship stuff from Hawaii to Europe all the time. I use ups supply chain. No matter how I look at it, they are always the cheapest. Even with ocean.

Aloha!

Post: #14

I just got a quote back. They're quick.

A 20 from wahiawa hi to 10 downing st London sw1a 2aa (that's all I could think of) is $3130 out the door. I have a decent multiplier so that's an OK rate, but somebody with more volume might get less. With my rate a container (40 only) would be 2200 from Boston to London.

You would need to be a known shipper but there's people that will be that for you.

Maybe you get get the company to pay you for the shipping, then keep whatever you don't spend. Get somebody that'll give you a real high quote. Just use a moving company in the fancy part of town.

Aloha!