International shipping services do not only include automobile shipping and construction equipment transport overseas, even though these items are commonly shipped. You can also transport various personal effects and household goods overseas in a container with the help of a reliable and experienced freight forwarding company like K International Transport. Clients transport goods overseas for a variety of reasons, including for business purposes, to move abroad, or to send items to family and friends overseas. No matter what the reason for your international shipping, there are a few commonly asked questions about shipping personal effects overseas and container shipping in general that you should know the answers to.

What are Personal Effects in Shipping?

Personal effects are just privately-owned items or possessions including but not limited to:

• Clothing
• Furniture
• Jewelry
• Household appliances
• And more!

Most often, clients transport personal effects and household goods overseas either because they are traveling to that country or moving there, or they have contacts there that they want to send goods to.

How much does it cost to ship a container overseas?

International shipping is not cheap, but luckily there are great deals for container shipping services, and there are ways to lower the cost of international container shipping services. The cost of transporting a container overseas depends on a number of factors. First, whether you are shipping the full-container load (FCL) or the less-than-container load (LCL). FCL is when one client uses one whole container for their goods alone. This is the most expensive option because the cost of the shipping container is entirely charged to one customer. With LCL, a client can share a container with another shipper, which can substantially cut costs because the client will only be responsible for a portion of the price of the container.

Second, the distance the shipment is traveling is also a big factor. Shipping from the east coast of the United States to Western Europe, for example, will likely be cheaper than shipping from the same port to Australia or East Asia, just because of the distanced traveled. However, sometimes ports offer good deals, and shipping to them can be more affordable even if they are far away. For example, Transporting a 20-foot container from the United States to the UK is about $1,000, but only about $800 to South Korea. In addition to these approximate prices, clients may also have to deal with additional tariffs, customs regulations, and fees.

Finally, the container that is used can also affect the price. Containers can be larger or smaller, and can also be specialized for the type of personal effect being shipped. Below some of the different types of containers are described.

What are the Different Types of Containers?

There are many different types of containers for different container shipping needs. Reliable international shipping companies can relay this information to their customers to ensure that they get the exact service they need.

A client can elect to get their cargo transported in a bulk container, which is 20-feet long and preferable for cargo shipped in bulk. However, most clients end up selecting the 20-foot or 40-foot dry freight container, which is the standard general-purpose container. There is also the 40 or 45-foot high cube container. With its 9’6 height, the high cube container is ideal for large, voluminous cargo.

Other types of containers include the open-top container, the flat rack, and the platform, all of which are acceptable for heavy or over-sized cargo. Generally, the open-top container is meant to make loading easier for taller cargo, the flat rack is for over-width and heavy cargo, and the platform is ideal for extra-length and heavy cargo.

How to Ship a Container with Personal Effects Overseas?

Transporting a container overseas is very similar to shipping an automobile or construction equipment to a port outside the United States. The first step to transporting the container is sending the international shipping company the necessary payments and documents, including payment in full, your identification information, your contact information, the consignee’s information, and an accurate packing list. After this point, you will be able to choose the most cost-effective container for your shipment, decide whether you want to ship FCL or LCL, and get an international shipping quote.

Then, the freight forwarder will schedule the shipment and you will need to load the container and transport it with the personal effects to the port of origin in the United States. This is what distinguishes transporting cargo with a freight forwarder rather than a moving company. Although you will have to pack and load the container on your own, the services of a freight forwarding company like K International Transport are typically convenient and offered for a lower price than services from a moving company.

What Can’t you Ship?

Although international container shipping encompasses many different types of cargo, there are certain prohibitions, especially when shipping from the United States. Typically, United States customs does not allow certain goods to be transported in or out of the country. These include perishable food items, plants, medicines and drugs, goods of very high value, liquids, hazardous goods like weapons and flammable items, live animals, and more.

It isn’t always easy to determine whether the cargo can be legally shipped, or it breaks United States guidelines. However, K International Transport has years of experience transporting goods overseas and can help clients demystify the process.

Where Can I Get the Best Services for the Most Affordable Price?

            For the most convenient, affordable, and reliable international shipping services, contact K International Transport today! As a leading international shipping company, K International Transport can provide cost-effective and reliable services from the United States to virtually any part of the world. For more information, call us at 212-267-6400, or send us an email at inquiries@kinternational.com. You can also reach out to us on Skype at kinternationalny. For an international shipping rate, visit our rate request page for a preliminary shipping quote.