Shipping from Scotland

[HappyD 1]

Hello All,

I arrived in the US during late January (2013) from Scotland. I know what a stressful time it can be getting everything together from the UK - including shipping! If you are shipping from Scotland, I totally recommend the following company:

Meadows International (part of International Shipping - http://www.internationalshippingscotland.com/)

The contact is David Anderson and his UK number is: 0131 555 0000.

On intially looking into an appropriate shipper I found the process a bit confusing, and pressured - given that my research time was limited! In amongst my research I contacted David Anderson (of Meadows, part of International Shipping Scotland). David was exceptionally helpful and talked me through the whole process, during several telephone conversations... David's quote came in amongst one of the cheapest (and in fact possibly the cheapest overall). In addition, the reassurance he gave me during our telephone conversations was invaluable. Furthermore, whenever I had any questions, David was contactable during office hours and always willing to assist me. Meadows stood out from other companies for a number of reasons. To name a few: Exceptional customer service, good value for money and also because they would collect boxes from my second level flat, others would not, which would have meant I'd have had to carry all the boxes down the stairs myself.

On the day that my boxes were collected, I was further impressed by Meadows. I was under alot of pressure trying to get everything boxed up and completing the necessary paperwork in time for the allocated time slot of collection, and Meadows came 30 minutes earlier than the allocated time slot. Instead of being frustrated with me for not being quite ready (I still had to mark-up boxes and complete paperwork), David's colleague asssisted me with what I still had to do and talked me through the paperwork.

During late February (after I had been in the US for approx a month), I received an email from David to report an ETA for my boxes. It was great to know they were on their way and that everything was going to plan. A very reassuring email!

Approximately 6 to 8 weeks after I arrived in the US, we received a call and emails from the company dealing with our shipment in the US. They were very efficient and advised us of the additional requirements (these being a small amount of paperwork and a small additional fee)in order that my shipment could pass through New York efficiently. We had to pay an additional fee at this stage - David had advised me that I may be subject to a "VASIC", which is a customs inspection (this came in at $128.50 - our portion of the container my boes were in). The shipping company also advised us that because we live on the second floor, there would be an additional $60 fee. We were happy to pay this as we did not want to carry all the boxes ourselves. In total, this additional fee (for the VASIC and carrying our boxes from the pavement to the second floor) came to: $188.50.

Around the time that the New York shipping company contacted us, David (of Meadows) also contacted us with the shipment paperwork and to recommend that we contacted the New York shipping company to ensure my boxes were not delayed at New York etc (as this could lead to additional storage charges). At this point the New York shipping company had already contacted me, however, if they had not, David's email would have saved me a further fee (for storage).

The boxes arrived at our second floor apartment during early 2013. All my boxes were accounted for and I have no complaints!

In total, I shipped 12 boxes (all up to 30kg max)and one package - 4 larger boxes (for clothes and lighter items), 8 smaller boxes (for books and paperwork etc - essentially heavier items) and one package coontaining two pictures. The quote I received from David is below. I should add that the first box cost of £180 covers the fee for clearing customs, and regardless of how many boxes you ship, the first box would always be charged at a higher fee such as this.

"Our price to ship tea chest cartons to residence Raleigh is £180.00 for the first carton 40 50 60cms and £40.00 for each additional one.

This price includes collection, ocean freight via NY, port & agents charges, customs clearance and delivery to residence North Carolina.

Daily collection/packing in Glasgow - fast sea freight consolidation service - by Scotlands leading low cost shippers.

Insurance costs £3.00% of your declared value of the goods.

Please confirm that you require delivery of packaging on pm Friday."

I do not personally know of anyone else who has used Meadows, however, my own experience was an excellent one! It was such a reassurance to have a person at the other end of the phone to answer any questions I may have in a friendly and knowledgeable manner. The service was exceptional and the shipping cost very competitive!!

[cstark_67 1]

Thanks,

good to know I've had several email conversations with this company in preparing to get my fiancé's stuff shipped over.

[bonzaigirl 13]

Hi, does anybody know of its counterpart for England? I am trying to ship my things to the US too, and was hoping to find a company with reasonable prices