Question on Moving Personal Belongings

[grapeeyes 0]

I hope someone can help, we are having a bit of trouble with this. What is the best way for my husband to have his belongings moved from the UK to the US. What we have found so far is that all the places we contacted make you wait until you have your AIN or SSN before you can make an appointment to ship your items, and then it takes 3-6 weeks to get an appointment. We would like for him to be able to leave as soon as he gets his little visa in his hands, not wait another 3-6 weeks after.

Does anyone have any advice? Thanks!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Long thread with lots of info http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=128548

You don't have to have a SSN to ship stuff.

[imaisha 1]

also, is the AIN different from the A number on our NOA2s?

[grapeeyes 0]

Long thread with lots of info http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=128548

You don't have to have a SSN to ship stuff.

Thank you so much. We were told by relocation companies (supposedly the most cost efficient means) that he had to. That he couldn't have personal belongings sent to me. SOmething about customs. I really appreciate you providing the link.

also, is the AIN different from the A number on our NOA2s?

I have no clue on that. Just know that is what he said he had to have. AIN is Alien registration number.

[TayRivers 4]

I used Fedex to send all my stuff to the US. I did not need a SSN or any other number. I had to complete a International waybill declaring that the suff was mine and I was not going to sell it.

I sent 4 25kg boxes.

[imaisha 1]

then that's just the A number which you've already got, in case you decide you want to use a company that requires it. there should be a box on your NOA2 for the I-130 that lists it (starts with an A) and i think the I-864 asked for it too. just in case you get a better quote from one of the first few you've found, you can give them that!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thank you so much. We were told by relocation companies (supposedly the most cost efficient means) that he had to. That he couldn't have personal belongings sent to me. SOmething about customs. I really appreciate you providing the link.

Ah, that's a different story. He's supposed to be in the country to accept his shipment. No custom charges for shipping one's personal household items. So shipping to you, not to himself, is different if you following the logic. I know others have done it differently but I think that's the "rule" on the books that the shipping companies may be giving you.

Just to get you started---in general air freight goes by weight and things on a boat go by the size they take up in the container. So a big box of feathers could be cheaper by air, because on a ship a big box is a big box no matter the weight. And there is a weight limit on shipped boxes because it has to be light enough to be handled by men loading and unloading.

And in general anything that plugs in (TV, appliances) are cheaper to buy new in the US than paying to ship, insure, and get to work in the US. People have done creative things and it could bring up all sorts of discussion, but that's just our opinion. A laptop and mobile phone are okay. A desktop computer can be taken apart leaving the case behind (too big) and purchasing a new case with US power supply is pretty cheap.

[TayRivers 4]

Yes you may be right about it being shipped to someone else I had mine shipped tp myself. They collected my boxes 2 days before my flight out and delivered it to me the next week at my new address in the US.

[grapeeyes 0]

then that's just the A number which you've already got, in case you decide you want to use a company that requires it. there should be a box on your NOA2 for the I-130 that lists it (starts with an A) and i think the I-864 asked for it too. just in case you get a better quote from one of the first few you've found, you can give them that!

Ok, now I am really confused. The I-864 didn't ask for it and in the NOA there was a WAC number. Now we have an LND number. Things might be a bit different because I live in the States and applied here for his embassy processing.

[rocks 494]

then that's just the A number which you've already got, in case you decide you want to use a company that requires it. there should be a box on your NOA2 for the I-130 that lists it (starts with an A) and i think the I-864 asked for it too. just in case you get a better quote from one of the first few you've found, you can give them that!

Ok, now I am really confused. The I-864 didn't ask for it and in the NOA there was a WAC number. Now we have an LND number. Things might be a bit different because I live in the States and applied here for his embassy processing.

all i needed to ship my items was a copy of my visa from my passport, that has your alien number on it which is what they need.

[imaisha 1]

Ok, now I am really confused. The I-864 didn't ask for it and in the NOA there was a WAC number. Now we have an LND number. Things might be a bit different because I live in the States and applied here for his embassy processing.

does here mean the U.K.? so you did DCF? if that's the case then yeah it might be very different you're right. maybe you haven't gotten an A number. eek- sorry! i think i've confused myself now too.

there are still plenty of companies that would be willing to help you without it though.

Edited May 27, 2009 by imaisha

[imaisha 1]

oh i see! your WAC number is your recipt number. i filed in vermont so i had an EAC number. are you sure there isn't an A number on your NOA2 (the approval notice)? i think it was on the right side of the page.

Edited May 27, 2009 by imaisha

[grapeeyes 0]

oh i see! your WAC number is your recipt number. i filed in vermont so i had an EAC number. are you sure there isn't an A number on your NOA2 (the approval notice)? i think it was on the right side of the page.

Looked it over a few times. No number other then the WAC. I did find a company that might work, http://www.sevenseasworldwide.com . I hope, fingers are crossed. The companies he had found wanted the number when he booked and needed a3-6 weeks advanced notice. Not sure how long it will take for his visa after the interview. My guess from reading the forums is only a few days. But this Seven Seas only needs a few days notice.

[blue123 0]

oh i see! your WAC number is your recipt number. i filed in vermont so i had an EAC number. are you sure there isn't an A number on your NOA2 (the approval notice)? i think it was on the right side of the page.

Looked it over a few times. No number other then the WAC. I did find a company that might work, http://www.sevenseasworldwide.com . I hope, fingers are crossed. The companies he had found wanted the number when he booked and needed a3-6 weeks advanced notice. Not sure how long it will take for his visa after the interview. My guess from reading the forums is only a few days. But this Seven Seas only needs a few days notice.

Have you checked out regular parcel post? I've looked at so many different ways and finally decided on regular mail it worked out much cheaper.

[grapeeyes 0]

oh i see! your WAC number is your recipt number. i filed in vermont so i had an EAC number. are you sure there isn't an A number on your NOA2 (the approval notice)? i think it was on the right side of the page.

Looked it over a few times. No number other then the WAC. I did find a company that might work, http://www.sevenseasworldwide.com . I hope, fingers are crossed. The companies he had found wanted the number when he booked and needed a3-6 weeks advanced notice. Not sure how long it will take for his visa after the interview. My guess from reading the forums is only a few days. But this Seven Seas only needs a few days notice.

Have you checked out regular parcel post? I've looked at so many different ways and finally decided on regular mail it worked out much cheaper.

That was a thought, but he wants to send things that are heavy. They don't take a lot of room, so cheaper to use export company.