Trade Shipping FAQ's

Simply click on Quote Request (or telephone us if you prefer). You will need to advise us the volume in cubic feet for sea or road freight or the chargeable weight in kilos for airfreight. Please also indicate whether you require a door-to-port service or a door-to-door service.

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Door-to-port includes:

• Continuous receiving at our London, Manchester or Glasgow depots
• Removal to port or airport of departure
• Export customs formalities
• UK and destination port charges
• Shipment to arrival destination port or airport

Door-to-door also includes:

• Destination customs and quarantine clearance
• Delivery to residence of normal access up to first floor level
• Full unpacking of furniture and removal of unwanted packing materials

NB: Baggage shipments up to 72 cubic feet are delivered by one man to the doorstep of the residence with no unpacking.

The quotation excludes storage at origin or destination, import duties, taxes or any other sums due to government departments. For example, Goods and Services Tax where applicable, quarantine examination or steam cleaning fees, if ordered in Australia and New Zealand and Cargo Dues (a port charge) in South Africa, which are to the consignee's account.

The quotation also excludes professional services by tradesmen, assembly of modular furniture requiring specialist tools, delivery to abnormal access or above first floor level, delivery of pianos, safes and other large items of furniture requiring heavy lifting equipment. Rates for the above services are available on request.

For information on destination customs formalities please click on Customs Guides . Alternatively contact the relevant embassy or consular office.

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Removal costs are exempt from VAT if the ultimate destination is outside the EU. VAT applies at the current UK rate if the ultimate destination is within the EU.

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Our terms are 30 days net for account customers, or payment in full prior to arrival at destination port, whichever the sooner. All business is undertaken subject to British Association of Removers contract terms and conditions. For further information please click on terms & conditions .

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We receive freight at our London, Manchester and Glasgow depots Monday to Friday between 0730-1700hrs and Saturday morning by prior arrangement. We would appreciate 24 hours notice of delivery wherever possible to avoid delays in unloading your transport; please click on Documentation to advise us of your pending delivery.

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To download area maps indicating the location of our London, Manchester and Glasgow depots please click on maps . Visitors are always welcome.

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As a major importer of personal and household effects for onward delivery throughout the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe we will endeavour to back-load your transport wherever possible, allowing you to coordinate your transport movements more cost-effectively. Please liaise with our import department for the availability of back-loads Tel: +44 (0)20 8838 8089.

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Anglo Pacific can arrange export packing, casing and collection from anywhere in Europe for onward shipment worldwide. In addition we will position exclusive containers at residence and can assist with motor vehicles shipments, airfreight and importation into the EU from all points worldwide.

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As one of the largest overseas movers in Europe, Anglo Pacific obtains preferential rates and service from shipping lines and airlines to virtually any destination. We utilise our buying power carefully to negotiate the best possible prices and service for our customers and monitor all shipments from door-to-door.

SEA FREIGHT

This is generally the most cost-effective method to destinations beyond the EU and can be combined with inland haulage and/or intermodal rail services. Household goods are export packed and stowed in steel water-resistant containers. Containerisation of cargo is the key to safety. Containers travel secured in an upright position on modern purpose-built vessels and are virtually pilferage-free. With an internal height of 8ft even the tallest items of furniture remain upright and contents rarely shift.

Containers are generally available in 20ft and 40ft configurations on all major routes. Smaller 20ft insulated (or reefer) containers are also available to Australasia and South Africa and larger 45ft containers are available to the USA and South East Asian ports, with the exception of Japan. Whilst internal container dimensions can vary marginally from one shipping line to another the following configurations are generally accepted as industry standard:

There are various container services to choose between:

EXCLUSIVE CONTAINER (FCL) - If you are shipping sufficient quantities we will recommend a container for your exclusive use. This is the ideal solution as the container can be positioned and loaded on site and sealed in your customer's presence, delivered directly to the port of departure and shipped on board the first available vessel.

Most shipping lines permit three hours free time for loading or unloading a 20ft container and four hours for a 40ft container; thereafter container 'detention charges' apply at an hourly rate.

Upon disembarkation at the destination port most shipping lines permit up to 5 days free storage; thereafter 'demurrage' (container rent) and 'quay rent' (storage) apply at daily rate. Please note that any charges incurred as a result of inadequate or incomplete paperwork will be passed on to your consignee.

Containers can often be delivered direct from the destination terminal to your customer's new home, subject to local customs and quarantine formalities, thereby avoiding any unnecessary handling throughout the journey.

This method can also apply if you are shipping a motor vehicle with household goods where the combined volume amounts to a full container load. Using specialist equipment the car can be loaded and over-cased at your customer's home with their household goods.

Transit by exclusive container varies typically from 2 to 4 weeks to North America to 5 to 7 weeks to Australasia.

GROUPAGE CONTAINER - The alternative to the exclusive container is the groupage container, whereby your customer's possessions share container space with other consignments bound for the same destination, as soon as sufficient volumes are available. Groupage is a cost-effective solution for smaller shipments as you pay only for the container space utilised. As one of the largest groupage container operators in the UK we are able to guarantee frequent sailings on all major routes worldwide. Transit by groupage container varies typically from 8 to 12 weeks.

LESS THAN CONTAINER (LCL) - Consignments destined for countries not served by regular groupage container services are packed into sturdy timber lift vans and delivered to the container terminal for containerisation by the shipping line. As bookings can be made for a specific sailing, transit times are similar to the exclusive container option.

AIR FREIGHT

Airfreight can be cost-effective, even for larger consignments, particularly those to inland destinations many miles from a container port. Consignments are delivered to London Airport, secured in netted or enclosed airline pallets (igloos) and transported in the cargo hold of passenger or freight aircraft. Transit time by air is typically between 7 and 14 days.

Airfreight charges are calculated on either the actual gross weight of the consignment or the volume weight, whichever is the greater. To calculate the volume weight of an item multiply the length, breadth and height in centimetres and divide by 6000 to obtain the volume weight in kilos.

As a general rule furniture should not exceed the pallet dimensions of a Type 5 10 ft pallet for wide bodied passenger aircraft on most major routes: 318 (L) x 243 (W) x 160 (H) cms.

Upon arrival most airlines permit 24 hours free time for customs clearance and collection, thereafter prohibitive airline storage charges may apply, calculated on the chargeable weight on the airway-bill. Any storage charges arising will be passed on to your consignee.

EUROPEAN REMOVALS

Sea freight services are available to many European destinations; nevertheless, certain landlocked countries may be costly to service and transit times may be poor. In this event we recommend our European road trailer service, on an exclusive or part load basis, depending on the quantity of goods, preferred delivery date and budget. Transit time by road is typically between 7 and 14 days.

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Certain items cannot be accepted for storage or transportation under general conditions of carriage or insurance. For example: food, cash, bonds, jewellery, alcohol, fireworks or other explosives, flammable gases, liquids or solids, poisons and toxins, corrosives, radioactive materials, ammunition or firearms, scuba tanks, gas cylinders, aerosol cans, butane lighters and other pressurised vessels and pornography of any description. It is also inadvisable to include perishables or liquids, which could leak in transit causing untold damage.

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For a country by country guide on Customs regulations please click on Customs Guides . For a full list of prohibited items it is advisable to apply to the Customs authority for a ruling in the importing country or their overseas representative such as the embassy or consular office. Most countries prohibit or restrict importation of the following items:

• Firearms, ammunition and explosives
• Hazardous items such as fireworks, toxic or poisonous substances
• Swords, sabres, daggers, spears, switchblades, hatchets
• Items made from animals on the endangered species list (eg ivory)
• Foodstuffs, plants, herbs & spices
• Dried flowers, bulbs, seeds, pine cones, pot pourri
• Soil, sand, straw & hay
• Unprocessed furs, skins and hunting trophies
• Alcohol
• Medicines & narcotic drugs
• Pornographic materials

Please note that the importation of goods packed in solid wood packing materials, for example timber cases, is prohibited in the USA.

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Your customers are entitled to a full VAT refund on most new household purchases if they are:

1. Either an EU resident and have been in the EU for more than 365 days in the two years before they buy the goods and are going to a final destination outside of the EU for at least 12 consecutive months.

2. Or an overseas visitor and have not been in the EU for more than 365 days in the two years before they buy the goods and intend to leave within three months of the date they buy them for a final destination outside the EU.

If you wish to reclaim VAT please ask our consultants for further information on the Retail Export Scheme.

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Many countries will require the presence of your customer to clear their goods through customs. You may therefore wish to store their household goods at our security-protected facilities prior to shipment, following which we will arrange delivery to coincide with their arrival at destination. Alternatively, we can arrange storage at destination if required.

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Following shipment we will immediately courier your shipping details to our accredited destination representative and forward our Certificate of Shipment to you with our invoice.

To assist with your move we have developed a sea freight tracking system that will enable you to monitor the progress of your customer's shipment. Using your invoice number and consignee surname, you can access our computer system 24 hours a day; simply click on Shipment Tracking.

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When the goods arrive at the destination port or airport, our appointed representative will contact your customer to arrange customs and quarantine clearance, storage (if required), and a suitable date for delivery, unpacking and reinstatement of furniture and effects in their new home. Following unpacking, used materials and any debris will be removed from your customer's home.

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Through our affiliation to the prestigious International Furniture Movers Association (FIDI) and the annual vetting by Ernst & Young auditors of its' members worldwide, you are assured that our appointed destination colleagues conduct their business to exacting standards. Our representatives are all carefully selected to ensure continuity in service levels and in most instances our directors have visited their facilities to ensure they meet our demands. By constantly monitoring the performance of our representatives we are able to maintain a global network of the finest companies in the overseas moving industry.

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