Moving/Shipping belongings from UK to US

[Kristin&David 0]

Hi Everyone!

I was just wondering if anyone had any advice or recommendations for moving from the UK to the US (specifically the Washington D.C. area). My fiance doesn't really have that much stuff, no furniture or anything, just things like bicycle, desktop computer, lots of clothes, artwork. Is it possible to just mail that stuff? Or are there any companies that are helpful and we should know about?

Thanks for your help!

[doghandler 2]

Hi Everyone!

I was just wondering if anyone had any advice or recommendations for moving from the UK to the US (specifically the Washington D.C. area). My fiance doesn't really have that much stuff, no furniture or anything, just things like bicycle, desktop computer, lots of clothes, artwork. Is it possible to just mail that stuff? Or are there any companies that are helpful and we should know about?

Thanks for your help!

Hi

Below are two links to previous threads on shipping. Enough information to bore your brains out on the subject! The second one on Parcel Monkey is the one everyone is saying is the cheapest is for the sort of thing you want to do (non furniture).

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=128548

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...l=parcel+monkey

[Kristin&David 0]

Thanks doghandler! Great links with exactly the information I needed!

[SunDrop 59]

Thanks doghandler! Great links with exactly the information I needed!

Will his desktop work in the US? Usually all things electrical are no-takes since the voltage is different. He might be better off investing in a portable HD and simply taking the contents of his computer, rather than the unit itself.

Bicycles he can take on the plane with him, probably easier than trying to package for shipping. Same with clothes and worth contacting the airline to get a price on an additional piece of luggage to see if it's cheaper than shipping. Remember he'll probably have at least 50lbs worth with that one bag, so price it by the equivalence of shipping 50lbs worth of personal effects.

Can the artwork be de-framed and rolled, or it is canvas type stuff? Glass is heavy so often not worth shipping compared to the replacement cost of having it framed again once in the US.

[HeatDeath 430]

Way back in the early 80's, some friends of my parents moved a whole household, including a car, from Canada to the UK by renting a whole multi-modal shipping container. Cost them a few thousand to do it, but that was way cheaper than any of the alternatives. Might be worth looking in to. The nice thing is they essentially charge by volume - it is virtually impossible to max out the weight limit on a shipping container with any kind of normal personal possessions.

Edited March 8, 2010 by HeatDeath

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

you can also buy a transformer box for the desktop to convert the voltage. We have one for our stereo (didn't feel like buying new) and it only cost $30.

[Kristin&David 0]

you can also buy a transformer box for the desktop to convert the voltage. We have one for our stereo (didn't feel like buying new) and it only cost $30.

Yeah I think my fiance is planning on getting a transformer just so we don't have to buy him a new computer when he gets here.

You said he might be able to take his bike on the plane? Would he need a special container for it you think?

Thanks!

[Brit Abroad 166]

Unless his computer was made when Noah was a boy, it should work just fine out here. I sent my computer and software via Interlink Direct at the end of October 2008. It cost about £120+ duty this end. Check the back of the box, if it has a dual voltage switch then you're good. If not, read up on his PSU and just confirm that it will work on reduced voltage. Mine's never had any problems.

It's the 2nd time I've brought a pc from the UK to the US. Last one bounced across the Atlantic 4 times, with just a few loosened cables to show for it.

[LT.Nora 7]

It is probably cheaper to buy new stuff here in the US. I didn't know much about shipping and all that, so i shipped a 15lb box from London to California, and it cost me £160 via UPS. It also came late and it was all beaten and half of the stuff inside was broken.

[Created 6]

Will his desktop work in the US?

The desktop may have a switch on the back of the CPU to switch the voltage. I had one like that in the UK once. If you have a laptop, you can often purchase a US power plug that will connect to the battery pack, that will automatically convert to US voltage.

Hope this helps.