Ocean Sky

The Cheapest Way to Ship Excess Baggage and Small Shipments

Excess Baggage Comments Off

Mar 132012

More and more the international labour market is getting smaller and people are considering living and working abroad as a viable short term or long term option. We are finding that people often don’t find it economical to send their furniture and only want to send a smaller amount of goods that will fit into boxes. If you can rationalise your goods in this way you can access big savings on freight but a few tips will help you get the price right down.

Keep the weight down to 22 kg per standard carton.
I know this sounds like a made up number but it is actually both the Air freight and courier weight allowed for a standard shipping (tea chest size) carton and will mean that your options are wide open for the cheapest options in all directions. This is for overseas services as well. Often we receive containers from England packed with cartons for delivery throughout Australia where they have been sold no weight restrictions. This not only means the goods are often in poor condition due to the boxes splitting with the weight, it also means that the best value couriers are not an option for quick delivery. Most courier companies, removal companies and airlines have workplace health and safety guidelines for lifting. If you have books you should pack them in smaller “book cartons”.

Use good quality shipping boxes.
At Ocean Sky we use the best quality double fluted specially engineered cartons that are both light weight and strong. This means that we have not had an insurance claim due to the box crushing for more years than we can remember. This also means that anything that will fit in a carton will be safe in transit. This also means that when you access the cheaper avenues of freight transport you can feel secure that you goods are protected. We all know that especially Air freight baggage handlers may not always be as careful as a removalist, but we have found with our cartons air freight gets their not only quickly but safely.

Try to avoid shipping anything large or odd shaped.
At Ocean Sky we are very flexible and can secure and ship things of great value and of the strangest form, but when you are looking for the “cheap seats” in shipping conforming to a box is the way to access all the cheapest local and international courier lanes. No one likes to be ‘put in a box’ but for people as for freight it is just convenient. But by all means if your goods will not conform, talk to our consultants we can get anything anywhere.

Ship with a personal effects specialist
When you can access a personal contact to help with your tracking not just a computer program you will be at less risk of losing track of your goods and having them go into storage. Being in freight we can assure you that these tracking systems can sometimes be out and there is no substitute for a human to trouble shoot a problem. We use dozens of different courier, removal, shipping line, airline and general transport carriers and can look across solutions to get you not only great rates but know where exactly where everything is at any one time.

With these tips in mind you are on your way to getting your goods anywhere in the world, safely, quickly and with money spare to enjoy your new adventure.

Transit Insurance in light of the New Zealand Shipping Disaster

Transit Insurance, Uncategorized No Responses »

Feb 102012

Looking at the news of the impending environmental disaster in the Bay of Plenty, we all think about the wildlife and the soiling of the beautiful environment. Being in shipping for so many years my mind turns to insurance. Luckily Ocean Sky didn’t have any containers on that vessel because we use a different service into New Zealand, but I can picture that some of those containers may contain someone’s most prized possession. Not only beds and tables and electrical goods, but photo albums and clothes all headed for the bottom of the ocean. When Ocean Sky International advise clients who are moving on transit insurance we are carful to distribute Product Disclosure Statements and Policy Wording and we try not to be too pushy with the sale of insurance because we do make a margin from the policy. However over all the years I have been in the business I have seen some perils at sea (well from my desk) and there is no way I would hand my worldly possessions over to an ocean liner without Marine Transit Insurance. The money does not help with the photographs and many of the sentimental things, but to have to face the rebuilding of your home without financial compensation is a daunting thing. Many people ask me whether in such a circumstance they could claim from the shipping line, and probably they would have a case. However they would need to engage a lawyer and effectively sue the shipping line for the losses. If you have your own Marine Transit Insurance policy, your insurance pays out and then the insurer will sue the line for the recovery of the funds. In short Ocean Sky International strongly recommends Marine Transit Insurance when you are shipping your goods overseas via shipping container.

Because not all boxes are created equal…

Shipping Boxes No Responses »

Jan 252012

Here at Ocean Sky, we’re certainly able to assist you with shipping boxes overseas. However we will always recommend our own cartons, and with good reason.

We have invested significant amounts of time and money in developing a box that is lightweight, yet super strong. Our shipping box is made from two corrugated flutes joined at their tips, with liners on both sides, which keeps your belongings safe without adding unnecessary weight and cost.

Our boxes are sturdy and intentionally designed for international shipping. They won’t sag or tear during shipping and have been designed with stability in mind, to keep your goods secure.

We recently had a client who rightly wished to use her own cartons. This is what her cartons looked like when they arrived at our depot:

They are saggy, broken open and tearing. There is no way the contents of these cartons would have arrived safety in the United Kingdom!

This is what Ocean Sky cartons look like when they arrive in our depot. They’re still strong, sturdy and ready for international travel.

Shipping your excess baggage or small shipments in Ocean Sky boxes make sense – because ours are simply better! Contact Ocean Sky to compare sending your shipment overseas using our boxes – it’s not only cost effective, but safer for your shipment.

Moving from the USA to Australia

Moving from USA to Australia No Responses »

Jan 172012

Moving from the USA to Australia is a big move, and Ocean Sky can help in a variety of ways. Whether you’re looking for an international removalist who can handle the entire shipment from the USA to Australia, or just assisting you with clearing your goods with Australian Customs and Quarantine, we can assist.
Like any large move, there are a few things you need to be aware of when you’re shipping from USA to Australia:

BB Guns are considered weapons here and will most likely be confiscated by Australian Customs.

Kangaroos rarely jump down the street.

Furniture from the USA tends to be larger in size and sometimes won’t fit through Aussie doors! It might be best if you check out sizes before shipping your large lounge suite as it may not make it into your new home.

In Queensland we have the Big Pineapple instead of the Big Apple.

Australian homes rarely have basements for storage. This is something to consider when deciding what to bring.

In Australia, thongs go on your feet. They are never to be confused with the other type!

Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) will inspect all Personal Effects shipments coming into Australia. This is regardless of the city you come from or what kind of passport you hold – it’s mandatory.

Generally Australian’s are a pretty laid back bunch (just don’t mention the word convict!), however our Customs laws and Quarantine laws are pretty strict. This means that Ocean Sky will ask you to complete paperwork in advance of your move and Customs may require additional information. Generally though our clients who are shipping from US to Australia find that they’re soon settled in their new home enjoying shrimp on the Barbie. Except we call them prawns!

Moving to the UK

Shipping to the UK Comments Off

Dec 212011

Moving to the UK can be daunting. Whether you’re moving there for the first time or returning home, it’s a long distance and relocating can be overwhelming. The UK is one of our most frequent shipping destinations and over the years, we’ve become experts in the process. Ocean Sky are able to assist you from helping you determine what services you need and what shipping option would suit, right through to providing assistance during the clearance and delivery process in the UK.

What will it cost?

This question is so difficult to answer as there is no set cost. We individualise every quote for your needs. Some of the questions we will ask is what are you taking? How many boxes? Will you pack the cartons yourself? Where are you moving from? Where in the UK are you moving to? All of these answers will impact on the cost of moving your items. Our Ocean Sky Consultants can discuss this with you and determine the scope of services that you need, that will best suit your needs and your budget.

What should I send?

There are so many options available for moving your items to the UK. We can assist you in moving anything from a single box or suitcase, right up to a large home, vehicles, boats, and we’ve even shipped an army truck! If you love it and want to move it, we can assist.

Will I have to pay duty in the UK?

Generally if you are shipping personal items and household goods that you have owned for longer than 12 months, customs duties will not apply. However it’s always best to check with the experts – in this case, the government charging the duty! You can contact UK Customs at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/index.htm

How long will it take?

If you’re shipping your items in a Groupage sea service, then the wait between containers is usually between 1 week to 2 months, depending on what freight we have accumulated from clients who are moving to the UK. Once the container is on it’s way, then the vessel will take around 6 weeks to arrive in port, and then a week or so to be cleared through the UK Customs system. You can get a general estimation of when the next Groupage container will be loaded at any time by contacting our office.

If your items are being shipped in a sole use container, then generally we would suggest you allow around 8 to 10 weeks. The actual shipping time is around 6 weeks however the export clearance and vessel loading procedures, as well as the UK Customs clearance procedures and delivery scheduling might push out the time a little.

If you’re wanting to send a small shipment by air, then delivery is usually within 7-10 days. This is an excellent option for excess baggage or small shipments with daily flights to the UK.

Shipping from Brisbane to New Zealand (Shipping guide for the Briwi)

Shipping to New Zealand Comments Off

Nov 152011

When I was growing up in Brisbane I was referred to by my Sunshine Coast cousins as a “Briso”. Although definitely a derogatory term, Brisbane or Brisvegas as it is also known, has moved on a little. The latest resident to be nicknamed is a NewZealander living in Brisbane, who is now referred to as a Briwi (Brisbane Kiwi). If you are one such person and looking to move back across the ditch I have compiled a little guide to shipping for the Briwi.

What will it cost to ship your stuff to New Zealand?

Usually when a Briwi first contacts us they are looking to do a cost benefit analysis. Will it cost more to ship than it’s worth? Well of course it depends what your goods are worth and how much you want to ship, but it can be very cheap to ship to New Zealand. Many of our clients ship quite old furniture or Ikea furniture, (which apparently is not available in New Zealand) and find it more economical than replacement.

There are two main ways really to ship, the first is to take your own container. A 20 ft container will hold a small 3 bedroom house. By small we mean, just one lounge room, dining room, outdoor setting and an average amount of furniture and effects. If you have more than one living room, 3 large bedrooms, a study and media room, you would probably need a 40 ft container. A 20 ft container door to door Brisbane to Auckland can be under $5,000 or it can be up to $7,000 depending on the packing services needed. A 40 ft container can be up to twice this. You really need to get a custom quote from one of our sales consultants.

If this is too scary, good international movers like Ocean Sky will have shared container options through the ports of Auckland and Christchurch. This means that the container is shared amongst a variety of consignees, goes into the main port and the consignments are delivered to the various places on the island. This gives you price options from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

What should I not pack?

When packing for your goods when moving to New Zealand you need to be aware of MAF (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry). New Zealand is serious about its bio-security and you need to be very aware of any dirt or biological products on your goods. MAF look at every shipment and take special interest in items such as mowers, ladders, camping gear.

How long will moving to New Zealand take?

Shipping to New Zealand is quite quick if it is a direct sailing. We have moved people door to door from Brisbane to Auckland within a week if it is a full container, and the sailing is timed well. However there are contingencies and a more realistic time-frame for a full container to Auckland is about 2 weeks and up to 3 or 4 weeks to the South Island if the sailings do not line up with packing dates. Your shipping consultant at Ocean Sky will be able to advise you on this issue.

Importing a Car into Australia

Vehicle Shipping No Responses »

Oct 042011

When you’re importing any vehicle or trailer into Australia, it’s important that you’re aware in advance of the documents that are required to have the vehicle cleared by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (‘Customs’) and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS).

Any vehicle being shipped to Australia needs to be listed on a separate entry with Customs. In order to complete this efficiently, Ocean Sky requests the following documents and information in advance of the vehicle’s arrival:

A clear copy of the photo page of your passport
A copy of the Bill of Lading (BOL).
A copy of the Vehicle Import Approval
A copy of the last registration for the vehicle.
A copy of your Proof of Purchase
The amount you paid in freight to have the vehicle shipped to Australia.
A list of any personal items packed in the vehicle

What is a Vehlicle Import Approval?

This is absolutely crucial and should be obtained, or at the very least applied for) well before your arrival in Australia. The Vehicle Import Approval is necessary for all vehicles and trailers being imported into Australia. You can obtain details about applying for an approval at http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/importing_vehicles/general/Application.aspx

If you import a vehicle without the approval, or if the approval contains incorrect information (such as an incorrect VIN number) then lengthy delays in clearance will occur. Ultimately this can cost thousands in storage charges which is why we always suggest that you obtain the approval before you move to Australia.

Will GST or Taxes be applicable?

As part of the clearance on your vehicle, GST and Duty may be payable. This is based on a value that Customs places on the vehicle which takes into account the purchase price, and the date you purchased the vehicle, as well as other information Customs requests.

Without the Proof of Purchase, your vehicle may be required to be valued by an approved Customs Vehicle Valuer at our Bonded depot. This can also occur if the vehicle has been owned for some time, or if the purchase price differs greatly to the usual price here in Australia. The valuation is then provided directly to Customs.

Why is the freight price relavant?

The amount you paid in freight is used by Customs in the calculation the value of the vehicle. If you have had your vehicle shipped to Australia with your Personal Effects, we generally ask for the total amount, and apportion a percentage to the vehicle, based on the volume the vehicle takes up in the container, when compared to the Personal Effects. Alternatively you can ask your agent at your origin to provide a figure for the vehicle only.

For further information about shipping cars into Australia or if you’re unsure about any documents or information required, please feel free to contact Ocean Sky on +61 7 3890 6800.