How I shipped my personal belongings from UK to US

[PBabz 137]

13 hours ago, Bug&Bug said:

Yeah transglobal express, the same company as OP. The quote was half the price than sendmybag and similar.

 

Their info is a bit confusing though, like one email they say print one thing in another they say its not required, in one part of the website they say you have to provide X forms but then the booking process doesnt say anything. So im going to call them on monday to make sure about the paperwork.

 

Thing about connecting flights is I dont even know how much time buffer to allow for the POE and customs before the domestic flight....

Guess at least there are flights yet.

Transglobal, really? That has surprised me - I'm sure I checked with them and they were dreadfully expensive too. I will absolutely be checking again though, hopefully I can get some quotes like yours! 

 

Annoying that they can't give some straightforward information. Good luck with the call on Monday, do come back and update if you can bear, would be good if you get some clarity from them. 

 

Believe me, I know what you mean about the flights. That was my overwhelming concern too. I wanted to avoid JFK where possible and wanted an early-ish arrival (before 11pm). Saw a great flight but it only had a little over 60 minute layover and I knew that wouldn't be enough. Alternatively, didn't want a 6 hour layover so I've opted for 2 hours 43 mins (that's the only other option) I'm just hoping there's enough time there in between (leaving from Heathrow and connecting in Atlanta) 

 

Goodness.. all the packing and flight talk is starting to make it feel more real. I've still got two months of my notice at work to do but it is seeming more real by the minute! 😆

[Bug&Bug 147]

7 hours ago, PBabz said:

Transglobal, really? That has surprised me - I'm sure I checked with them and they were dreadfully expensive too. I will absolutely be checking again though, hopefully I can get some quotes like yours! 

 

Annoying that they can't give some straightforward information. Good luck with the call on Monday, do come back and update if you can bear, would be good if you get some clarity from them. 

 

Believe me, I know what you mean about the flights. That was my overwhelming concern too. I wanted to avoid JFK where possible and wanted an early-ish arrival (before 11pm). Saw a great flight but it only had a little over 60 minute layover and I knew that wouldn't be enough. Alternatively, didn't want a 6 hour layover so I've opted for 2 hours 43 mins (that's the only other option) I'm just hoping there's enough time there in between (leaving from Heathrow and connecting in Atlanta) 

 

Goodness.. all the packing and flight talk is starting to make it feel more real. I've still got two months of my notice at work to do but it is seeming more real by the minute! 😆

Im giving my notice on monday and im not sleeping!!!

[PBabz 137]

2 hours ago, Bug&Bug said:

Im giving my notice on monday and im not sleeping!!!

I felt the same before I did..

Another VJ member mentioned he was taking a break from work and it encouraged me to look into a career break at work and that’s what I’ve done. 
My husband is USAF so we’re likely to be moving around a bit, the hope to come back to Europe and perhaps the UK so I’ve asked for a 5 year break to help buy some time until we figure out the plan. 
 

If it’s something that may work for you and your spouse, might be worth a look into before you hand in your notice? 
 

Keep breathing and try to sleep where and when you can. Always here to talk and share some of the anxieties 🤦🏾‍♀️😊

[Bug&Bug 147]

30 minutes ago, PBabz said:

I felt the same before I did..

Another VJ member mentioned he was taking a break from work and it encouraged me to look into a career break at work and that’s what I’ve done. 
My husband is USAF so we’re likely to be moving around a bit, the hope to come back to Europe and perhaps the UK so I’ve asked for a 5 year break to help buy some time until we figure out the plan. 
 

If it’s something that may work for you and your spouse, might be worth a look into before you hand in your notice? 
 

Keep breathing and try to sleep where and when you can. Always here to talk and share some of the anxieties 🤦🏾‍♀️😊

I looked into getting a 2 year sabatical but its just too short notice for my company. Although I think they would happily take me back if everything went to....

 

Still stressful. 

 

Thanks for the kind words

[PBabz 137]

22 minutes ago, Bug&Bug said:

I looked into getting a 2 year sabatical but its just too short notice for my company. Although I think they would happily take me back if everything went to....

 

Still stressful. 

 

Thanks for the kind words

Glad you looked into it - while it helped my stresses somewhat, it’s starting to sink in now 37 working days before I’m off 😳
 

All will be well and no need for a return but good to know you’d likely be able to come back should it be needed (it won’t!)

 

Very stressful, very much empathising with you, just one day at a time where you can. 

[Bug&Bug 147]

On 1/2/2021 at 11:10 AM, PBabz said:

Transglobal, really? That has surprised me - I'm sure I checked with them and they were dreadfully expensive too. I will absolutely be checking again though, hopefully I can get some quotes like yours! 

 

Annoying that they can't give some straightforward information. Good luck with the call on Monday, do come back and update if you can bear, would be good if you get some clarity from them. 

 

Believe me, I know what you mean about the flights. That was my overwhelming concern too. I wanted to avoid JFK where possible and wanted an early-ish arrival (before 11pm). Saw a great flight but it only had a little over 60 minute layover and I knew that wouldn't be enough. Alternatively, didn't want a 6 hour layover so I've opted for 2 hours 43 mins (that's the only other option) I'm just hoping there's enough time there in between (leaving from Heathrow and connecting in Atlanta) 

 

Goodness.. all the packing and flight talk is starting to make it feel more real. I've still got two months of my notice at work to do but it is seeming more real by the minute! 😆

So Transglobal just picked up my boxes, hope they make it...

 

I never got any clear info from them.

I have two communications saying they would put the labels in the warehouse and two saying I should. To be safe I put the labels.

I also have a couple of communications saying there was no need to attach the packing list and one saying I had to attach 4 copies. To be safe I attached 4 copies.

 

They never told me I had to produce the customs declaration and if it wasnt for this thread I would not have known about it. Tge example that OP attached was extremely useful to fill it up. When I asked they said it should be fine if i put a forward date of entry in the customs declaration even if their instructions say the opposite, so I hope they clear. I will get back with any info.

 

Im sending 6 boxes, under 60kg total, insured to £2500 and I paid £230 so far. Its probably a bit more expensive than extra checked baggage but much less hassle than hauling 3 x20kg bags on my own while sorting covid tests at the airport.

 

[Bug&Bug 147]

Just to say boxes arrived fine yesterday, just under a week since they collected them. 

[S&R2019 6]

On 1/7/2021 at 4:20 AM, Bug&Bug said:

So Transglobal just picked up my boxes, hope they make it...

 

I never got any clear info from them.

I have two communications saying they would put the labels in the warehouse and two saying I should. To be safe I put the labels.

I also have a couple of communications saying there was no need to attach the packing list and one saying I had to attach 4 copies. To be safe I attached 4 copies.

 

They never told me I had to produce the customs declaration and if it wasnt for this thread I would not have known about it. Tge example that OP attached was extremely useful to fill it up. When I asked they said it should be fine if i put a forward date of entry in the customs declaration even if their instructions say the opposite, so I hope they clear. I will get back with any info.

 

Im sending 6 boxes, under 60kg total, insured to £2500 and I paid £230 so far. Its probably a bit more expensive than extra checked baggage but much less hassle than hauling 3 x20kg bags on my own while sorting covid tests at the airport.

 

 

We are using transglobal as well and exactly the same issue; they have not let us know anything at all about what is required for customs. Who did you end up sending all the customs forms to and when? Transglobal didn't know anything about them and just suggested we upload them in their portal. Is that what you did? Also, which customs declaration form did you use? The one in OP says expiration date was 2013.

 

Thanks!

[Anonymous101 1]

hi can anyone please respond,

My boxes are being held up at customs and they're asking for a social security number. I entered the US 3 days ago and dont yet have a SSN. I called DHL and they said i may need to use my husbands SSN and generate a new commercial invoice with his details. I wouldnt know how to generate a commercial invoice. Has anyone faced this issue before? I'd really appreciate some insight into this.

 

P.S: I went with TransGlobal express who then appointed DHL. TransGlobal Express has been a complete and utter nightmare. They seem to know nothing about customs forms and when I ask they say ' we're not customs trained.' When I upload forms via my transglobal account, DHL still doesn't get them, so I have to send them over to DHL myself a second time. Also transglobal sent off one of my boxes with someone else's shipment ahead of time, accidentally , so now im dealing with 2 seperate shipments....it's just a complete nightmare with transglobal express. WOULD NEVER USE THEM AGAIN.

Edited September 20, 2021 by Anonymous101

[Wuozopo 4,293]

8 minutes ago, Anonymous101 said:

My boxes are being held up at customs and they're asking for a social security number. I entered the US 3 days ago and dont yet have a SSN. I called DHL and they said i may need to use my husbands SSN and generate a new commercial invoice with his details. I wouldnt know how to generate a commercial invoice. Has anyone faced this issue before? I'd really appreciate some insight into this.

A commercial invoice with your husband’s SSN would make your shipment subject to import duty I think. You as an immigrant get no duty imposed on your household goods. A company like Transglobal should have provided a copy of your visa, packing list, the customs form, and arranged for an agent to clear customs for you. Are they not a big removals company? 
 

We cleared customs ourselves but I am not remembering much of the process. Maybe I will think of it later. We were near the town of the port and not across the country and went to an office building where the US Customs bloke was. What port has your shipment? 

 

[Anonymous101 1]

 

31 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

A commercial invoice with your husband’s SSN would make your shipment subject to import duty I think. You as an immigrant get no duty imposed on your household goods. A company like Transglobal should have provided a copy of your visa, packing list, the customs form, and arranged for an agent to clear customs for you. Are they not a big removals company? 
 

We cleared customs ourselves but I am not remembering much of the process. Maybe I will think of it later. We were near the town of the port and not across the country and went to an office building where the US Customs bloke was. What port has your shipment? 

 

Cincinnati hub, ohio has my shipment. 

As for TransGlobal Express. I can honestly say they've made the entire process so stressful- to the point the CR-1 visa process was a holiday in comparison. I'd rather pay twice as much or just leave my stuff behind entirely than ever use TG Express again. This is the series of unfortunate events with TG:

1. The day my boxes were collected I called TG to double check everything was on track. I also made them aware that I had attached all customs forms 3299, packinglists etc on one of my boxes and uploaded it  online on their portal.Later that evening I noticed according to the shipping information that one of my boxes was on the move while the rest were at the warehouse- they had accidentally shipped one of my boxes with another shipment.

 

2. I called and told them what I had noticed about one of my boxes & admitted they had made a mistake (the first of several).  They said they put in a request to have the box stopped at London, but were worried it was too late. They then asked to provide the packing information specific to this one box again which I did. The one box cleared customs and was ready to be delivered to my US address, but because TG had requested it to be stopped at heathrow, DHL were now returning the box back to the UK and by the time it would get back to the UK, I would've been on a plane to the US. I got a text saying my box was being sent back when I was literally out getting my pre departure covid test a day before my flight- I nearly had a panic attack.

 

3. The one box is now on its way back to the UK still where TG will pick it up and send it back to the US. Meanwhile they have shipped the rest of my boxes via DHL. DHL is now contacting me telling me they have not received anything from TG in terms of packing lists, form 3299, etc and need it from for the rest of the boxes. I have sent DHL everything again, but additionally they are asking for a SSN which I do not have yet.

Edited September 20, 2021 by Anonymous101

[Mon453 7]

This is super useful, thank you.

[Pat2021 43]

Very helpful, thank you.

 

I have a question regarding shipping:

My wife is a US citizen, currently living with me in the UK, moving back at the same time as I am flying into the US.

 

Does this make the moving process easier? I was thinking pre-shipping a few boxes of stuff we don't need right now, like board games, LEGO, etc.

On all the documents can we just use her name and her US passport, and her parents would receive the boxes?
This way I wouldn't need to send any immigration documents, A-number, etc. right? As it would just be a US citizen moving back to the US?

 

What's the best way to go about this?

 

Thank you in advance.

 

Also, I have 3 unopened bottles of wine that are of sentimental value to me - is there any way I can bring / ship these with me? I'd rather not drink them (yet)

Edited July 25, 2022 by Pat2021

[Wuozopo 4,293]

4 hours ago, Pat2021 said:

Does this make the moving process easier? I was thinking pre-shipping a few boxes of stuff we don't need right now, like board games, LEGO, etc.

On all the documents can we just use her name and her US passport, and her parents would receive the boxes?
This way I wouldn't need to send any immigration documents, A-number, etc. right? As it would just be a US citizen moving back to the US?

Anybody entering the US or mailing to the US, citizen or not, has to complete customs forms. They vary depending if the goods are accompanied, unaccompanied, gifts, a returning resident, a citizen, etc. This document (35 pages) covers just about everything in simple language and may be helpful to you. https://www.hsdl.org/?view&did=29059

 

The alcohol section states:

Liquor, Tobacco
You may bring in one liter of alcoholic beverages, free of duty and internal revenue tax, if you are at least 21 years of age, it is for your own use or for a gift, and it is not in violation of the laws of the state in which you arrive. Alcoholic beverages beyond the one-liter limitation are subject to duty and Internal Revenue tax.

[Pat2021 43]

25 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

Anybody entering the US or mailing to the US, citizen or not, has to complete customs forms. They vary depending if the goods are accompanied, unaccompanied, gifts, a returning resident, a citizen, etc. This document (35 pages) covers just about everything in simple language and may be helpful to you. https://www.hsdl.org/?view&did=29059

Thank you for the link! That's helpful.

 

I did not mean to insinuate not filling out a customs form - of course we would. I am just wondering how much easier it is to get items through customs as US citizen - I imagine easier, and less paperwork to fill out?

I am also wondering, as BBGG wrote:

 

On 12/10/2019 at 8:49 PM, BBGG said:

• Note that “personal effects” cannot arrive earlier than the owner crosses the US border, or the shipment won’t clear customs. My travel date was Nov 16, 2019, and the shipping by air via DHL would just take 1-2 work days so I had to arrange the pickup on Nov 15, 2019 to make sure the boxes do not arrive earlier than myself. At the same time, there was only me who could hand them over to the carrier, so I had to have them picked up right before I leave for the US. It was a bit of a quest. Shipping by sea takes longer so it may be easier to arrange the arrival of boxes after you get to the US yourself.

If this applies to US citizens, or even more to my wife sending her / our personal belongings to her parents? As mentioned, I'd like to pre-ship some boxes to make moving easier later on.

 

25 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

The alcohol section states:

Liquor, Tobacco
You may bring in one liter of alcoholic beverages, free of duty and internal revenue tax, if you are at least 21 years of age, it is for your own use or for a gift, and it is not in violation of the laws of the state in which you arrive. Alcoholic beverages beyond the one-liter limitation are subject to duty and Internal Revenue tax.

Regarding this - is it per person or for the entire group?

Thank you.

Edited July 25, 2022 by Pat2021