How to relocate internationally from Australia affordably | Self Pack Containers For Your Household Goods
If you are relocating internationally from Australia, the cost of packing up your house and taking all of your personal and family possessions may not be as expensive as you think.
But you do need to think outside the box and maybe do a bit of the work yourself.
If you are moving for work and they are paying for the move – then allow them to handle the entire process for you. It is stress free and easy for you.
But if you are paying for the relocation – then here are three ways to part do it yourself and make some substantial savings.
And of course here is a brief summary of how it all happens.
√ We provide the container
√ You pack the container
√ We ship the container
Option 1 – save the most money when moving overseas
Hire a container from a freight forwarder, and pack it yourself. If you have room at your home for the container to be dropped onto your property – then you can take your time and pack the container yourself.
This is a fairly easy process, but it can be time consuming.
Pack everything you have in boxes or wrap securely – remember bubble wrap is your friend.
Pack the container so the weight is evenly distributed – ships at see can encounter 20 metre swells – so there will be some movement within unless your goods are well packed and secured inside the container.
This is why we ask you to pack your container securely and why you need insurance…
List all of your packed goods
Make a manifest or packing list of everything within your container – you will need this for insurance and at the port of destination.
Insure your goods for the transit – most important.
With regard to the container being left at your property – you must have room to leave the container on your property.
Dealing with council regulations
Councils take a dim view of containers being left on the pavement or nature strip and will fine the company who dropped the container.
So check and see if it is allowed and if you need a permit – get the permit.
Trucking companies will not leave the container unless they cite a permit.
If they leave without dropping the container – they will still charge you for the delivery. So beware – this is not a step to ignore.
Security of your container – the seal
Once you have packed the container – you can close it and use the provided seal. Once the seal is on, 
take a photograph of the seal or record the number on your packing sheet.A Ship
This seal cannot be tampered with – when you take delivery of the container at the other end – the seal should be intact.
It may surprise you to know that this small seal is the mainstay of security within the shipping world.
The only way a seal can be broken is if customs wish to inspect your container and this is also one reason why you may need your packing list.
Sound too hard? We can Advise you!
We can guide you through the process and help you plan for the journey – you must provide the muscle to pack the container.
And remember at the port of destination – you must unpack and return the container to the shipping line.
Using this method to relocate is the most cost effective and the most work for you – but well worth it for the savings.
Option 2 – less time and effort and still save
If you do not have a bunch of friends to help you pack or load the container then this is a great option and you can still make great savings.
- Firstly, pack up your own bits and pieces as before in boxes and use lots of bubble wrap and so on.
- Secondly, hire a local removalist to pack up your goods and transport them to our bonded warehouse and pack your container for you.
Ask them to note the seal number or take a picture of the seal in place on the container.
Make sure you have taken out insurance and created a packing list as before.
Then, at the port of destination, arrange for the container to be taken to a local bonded warehouse, have a local removalist unpack the container and transport the goods to your new address.
Arrange for the container to be returned to the shipping line as in option 1.
Option 3 – for those who want storage at their destination and still save
Buy your own container.
The cost of a new or a good quality second hand container can be an excellent option for those who have the space to store a container at the end destination.
It allows for time and ease. More time to pack the container this end and unlimited time to unpack at the other end.
Our port of destination recommendation.
We recommend that you engage a customs agent at your port of destination.
They can assist with customs clearance and help to arrange any transport or unpacking and of course the return of the container to the shipping line if you have chosen option 1 or 2.
Depending upon the country you are relocating to, you may want to do the customs clearance and arrange unpacking and delivery yourself.
We suggest you visit the government immigration section of the country to which you are relocating.
Here you will find valuable information about what you can and can’t bring into the country.
Also, when engaging a customs agent, which we recommend as they have local knowledge. Email or phone several to gauge what their charges are.
In most countries you will be charged port charges at your port of destination – we can let you know what these charges are and if you like you can prepay these charges this end.
This entire process is fairly simple and straight forward – however it does take some time.
But you can save anywhere from 20 percent to 50 percent of costs with these DIY options.
Contact us for advice
If you have any questions or wish to engage our services to hire or buy a container and ship the container to your port of destination then contact us on 02 9706 5996 or email us at info@spls.com.au
Some useful reading for you.
Moving your household goods overseas – the DIY approach
