Anybody done this? We would like to pack our own boxes (partly due to cost, partly to have control).
Any thoughts on shipping companies? We'd rather be dealing with the end company in China, than the company in Cairo.
We only have 1 or 2 CBM.
Cheapest Way to ship from Cairo to Shanghai
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Cheery Littlebottom
- Posts: 207
- Joined: Sat May 11, 2013 8:32 am
Re: Cheapest Way to ship from Cairo to Shanghai
My guess would be to use a fairly big and reliable company, like Allied Pickfords or similar. Although I have packed my own stuff a few times, some destination countries are easier to ship into if you've had a "full service" pack. i.e someone else who is a specialist has seen every bit of your stuff and is unlikely to have allowed anything dodgy into the shipment!
I do not think China is that picky.
The other reason for using a big company is that they will have partners, or even their own offices in both departure and destination cities, therefore timing and communication might work out better.
The third reason I can think of is just general security and reliability. Having had our shipment broken into at the departure end once, as I have aged (and got more stuff and more money in the bank!) I have tended to stump up a little extra for a big name.
One other consideration is hidden costs. Sometimes, you just get hit up for stuff that may or may not be "official" but big name companies with good reputations are more likely to forewarn you about various taxes and other expenses. In my experience of visiting both countries quite a bit (although not living there), bribes are definitely a fact of life.
Finally, you may end up paying for storage, and storage with a third company can be very expensive - surprisingly. Big names tend to have their own facilities.
If you only have 1 or 2Cbm, you might benefit from getting your shippers to quote you air AND freight. Depending on your summer travel plans and the benefits of your old and new schools, excess baggage might even work well.
Happy travels!
I do not think China is that picky.
The other reason for using a big company is that they will have partners, or even their own offices in both departure and destination cities, therefore timing and communication might work out better.
The third reason I can think of is just general security and reliability. Having had our shipment broken into at the departure end once, as I have aged (and got more stuff and more money in the bank!) I have tended to stump up a little extra for a big name.
One other consideration is hidden costs. Sometimes, you just get hit up for stuff that may or may not be "official" but big name companies with good reputations are more likely to forewarn you about various taxes and other expenses. In my experience of visiting both countries quite a bit (although not living there), bribes are definitely a fact of life.
Finally, you may end up paying for storage, and storage with a third company can be very expensive - surprisingly. Big names tend to have their own facilities.
If you only have 1 or 2Cbm, you might benefit from getting your shippers to quote you air AND freight. Depending on your summer travel plans and the benefits of your old and new schools, excess baggage might even work well.
Happy travels!
Re: Cheapest Way to ship from Cairo to Shanghai
There are many different ways to ship (air and sea options). A good company is paramount. Also having a detailed packing list (which the company should provide).
Ultimately you need someone who can do everything for you and this provide several options. I do not know who that is in Egypt but I will tell you how I have found them before. (The company I am using came by today to provide my solution).
I was lucky this time as I had a friend of my wife who happened to be moving back to Britain and when I called them they can do my move as well. So unless you know other teachers making big moves, I would scour your expat forums, or hit up google until you can find what you need. The forums worked for me in the past, much like this one...
Good luck.
Ps if it is only a few boxes, try seven seas...
Ultimately you need someone who can do everything for you and this provide several options. I do not know who that is in Egypt but I will tell you how I have found them before. (The company I am using came by today to provide my solution).
I was lucky this time as I had a friend of my wife who happened to be moving back to Britain and when I called them they can do my move as well. So unless you know other teachers making big moves, I would scour your expat forums, or hit up google until you can find what you need. The forums worked for me in the past, much like this one...
Good luck.
Ps if it is only a few boxes, try seven seas...
Re: Cheapest Way to ship from Cairo to Shanghai
I have two options:
For such a small amount of goods it may be best to simply mail boxes to your school in Shanghai. This is what we did. My school kept the boxes in a storage area until my arrival. It cost me about 300 $ US to ship about the same amount of stuff from the US to Shanghai.
The other option would be to carry it as excess baggage on your flight. But if you are returning to your home country for the summer, that may not be cost effective.
For such a small amount of goods it may be best to simply mail boxes to your school in Shanghai. This is what we did. My school kept the boxes in a storage area until my arrival. It cost me about 300 $ US to ship about the same amount of stuff from the US to Shanghai.
The other option would be to carry it as excess baggage on your flight. But if you are returning to your home country for the summer, that may not be cost effective.
Re: Cheapest Way to ship from Cairo to Shanghai
I have always used the post office. On one occasion I sent back more than 2 cubic metres via the post office. It can take up to 3 months, but is usually there much sooner. On one occasion, my boxes arrived a week before I did, taking only 8 days to get to its destination.
There are risks obviously, such as theft, and being held up in customs, but thankfully neither of these have happened to me yet. I always mark the customs declaration as personal items for relocation, and have so far not had any boxes opened by customs.
The problem with this approach is that you have to pack your boxes yourself, being careful not to exceed both local and destination country limits in terms of weight and size.
It is much cheaper this way. The post office charges by weight, and not volume. Posting 30kg half way around the world cost me $90.
There are risks obviously, such as theft, and being held up in customs, but thankfully neither of these have happened to me yet. I always mark the customs declaration as personal items for relocation, and have so far not had any boxes opened by customs.
The problem with this approach is that you have to pack your boxes yourself, being careful not to exceed both local and destination country limits in terms of weight and size.
It is much cheaper this way. The post office charges by weight, and not volume. Posting 30kg half way around the world cost me $90.