Shipping Household Goods from the Philippines to the US - How long?

[angeljolie 188]

We're shipping all our household goods and packing will end on 30 January, the latest. However, we were told there's a lack of empty containers in Asia. Wondering if anyone has any idea how much time this will delay our shipment.

[Boiler 45,525]

Best to ask your shipping company.

[angeljolie 188]

12 hours ago, Boiler said:

Best to ask your shipping company.

They said they can't give an estimate, which is really upsetting. They did say there's a 2-week backlog at the Baltimore port, but that didn't give us anything. 

[payxibka 10,045]

2 hours ago, angeljolie said:

They said they can't give an estimate, which is really upsetting. They did say there's a 2-week backlog at the Baltimore port, but that didn't give us anything. 

Yeah, I am not sure what a backlog in Baltimore have to do with a shortage of shipping containers in Asia?  Certainly doesn't answer your question. 

 

Unfortunately there is always a shortage of containers in Asia.  

[Allovertheworld 355]

21 hours ago, angeljolie said:

We're shipping all our household goods and packing will end on 30 January, the latest. However, we were told there's a lack of empty containers in Asia. Wondering if anyone has any idea how much time this will delay our shipment.

Is it worth it to ship them?

 

Are you getting a container?

 

The few people I know who moved to Philppines only shipped personal items.

[angeljolie 188]

On 1/10/2021 at 1:29 PM, payxibka said:

Unfortunately there is always a shortage of containers in Asia.  

Even pre-COVID? If so, then the origin movers should be able to give an estimate based on past shipments (?).

 

20 hours ago, Allovertheworld said:

Is it worth it to ship them?

 

Are you getting a container?

Yes we are getting a container. There will be no out of pocket for us under a resettlement benefit from my husband's former employer, so I guess it's worth it.

[Allovertheworld 355]

5 hours ago, angeljolie said:

Yes we are getting a container. There will be no out of pocket for us under a resettlement benefit from my husband's former employer, so I guess it's worth it.

Sweet deal

[flicks1998 1,044]

8 hours ago, angeljolie said:

Even pre-COVID? If so, then the origin movers should be able to give an estimate based on past shipments (?).

 

Yes we are getting a container. There will be no out of pocket for us under a resettlement benefit from my husband's former employer, so I guess it's worth it.

If the company your using has locations around the world, they may be able to talk internally and give you a better idea on when there is a container.  COVID has created complete chaos in the international shipping industry.  The last two times the industry was in a mess was 1998-99 during the Asian Financial crisis when many containers were stuck in NA and Europe and in 2009 when many containers were stuck in Asia due to the recession in Europe and the US.  Anyone living or staying around Subic during that time would have seen 30-40 container ships docked in the bay with no where to go.  Many of those were carrying cars but with the US auto industry entering bankruptcy, there were no buyers for a while.

 

Your best bet is to push the company to find an approx date.  They should be giving you updates every 24-48 hours.  Worst case scenario if you need to leave at the end of the month will be they come in and pack, load into trucks and take to a warehouse and then reload it in the container when one is found.  The problem with this method is it increases the chances of breakage, damage, etc.  Sea shipments from the Philippines will take about 4-6 weeks depending on which coast it will come to in the US, plus weather, customs, and inland transportation within the US.  

 

 

Edited January 11, 2021 by flicks1998

[John & Rose 7,239]

My experience with household goods in the Philippines is that they are all very cheap and poorly made.  Are you sure you want to spend thousands shipping that stuff?  Maybe sell it there and buy better quality stuff here.  Just a thought.  We were looking for beds, tables and chairs there and the highest quality and most expensive stuff there was equal to the low end cheap stuff here.  Even my wife was amazed at the quality build here on the low end stuff.  

Edited January 11, 2021 by John & Rose

[Allovertheworld 355]

5 minutes ago, John & Rose said:

My experience with household goods in the Philippines is that they are all very cheap and poorly made.  Are you sure you want to spend thousands shipping that stuff?  Maybe sell it there and buy better quality stuff here.  Just a thought.  We were looking for beds, tables and chairs there and the highest quality and most expensive stuff there was equal to the low end cheap stuff here.  Even my wife was amazed at the quality build here on the low end stuff.  

It's on the company dime, why not ship it.

 

Yes, many things in Philippines is cheap/poorly made

[John & Rose 7,239]

2 minutes ago, Allovertheworld said:

It's on the company dime, why not ship it.

 

Yes, many things in Philippines is cheap/poorly made

I was just thinking out loud.  I like the small refrigerators but they are 220 only.  Couches, chairs, beds, tables...nah.  Just not worth the effort for something that will end up in the trash.  I would ask for money to replace what I leave there.

 

 

[seekingthetruth 1,246]

9 minutes ago, John & Rose said:

My experience with household goods in the Philippines is that they are all very cheap and poorly made.  Are you sure you want to spend thousands shipping that stuff?  Maybe sell it there and buy better quality stuff here.  Just a thought.  We were looking for beds, tables and chairs there and the highest quality and most expensive stuff there was equal to the low end cheap stuff here.  Even my wife was amazed at the quality build here on the low end stuff.  

I agree on the quality, for the most part, but sometimes people have imported furniture they want to keep.  A Korean friend of mine here in Subic is selling his parents house and they are selling a lot of really high quality Korean hardwood furniture.

 

She said the shipping was free, so it is a no brainer.  I wish I was in her shoes!  Even if they fill the container with low quality furniture, at least they will have something to start with.  In my case we are only shipping small things so when we arrive, we will have to buy everything.

[Allovertheworld 355]

17 minutes ago, John & Rose said:

I was just thinking out loud.  I like the small refrigerators but they are 220 only.  Couches, chairs, beds, tables...nah.  Just not worth the effort for something that will end up in the trash.  I would ask for money to replace what I leave there.

 

 

I am about 6' 2" I weigh about 235 and I am large framed,  I break about 2 plastics chairs per trip each time I visit the Philippines.  I usually have to stack a chair on a chair to get the right support for me.

 

They may of shipped their US furnture to PI back when they went there originally, so it may be good stuff they want to ship back.

[John & Rose 7,239]

2 hours ago, Allovertheworld said:

I am about 6' 2" I weigh about 235 and I am large framed,  I break about 2 plastics chairs per trip each time I visit the Philippines.  I usually have to stack a chair on a chair to get the right support for me.

 

They may of shipped their US furnture to PI back when they went there originally, so it may be good stuff they want to ship back.

I'm 6' pushing 300...LOL  maybe that is why I am more vocal on this. 

 

[Allovertheworld 355]

1 hour ago, John & Rose said:

I'm 6' pushing 300...LOL  maybe that is why I am more vocal on this. 

 

How many chairs have broken do date? Just sitting there and they explode on you.