10 Frequently Asked Questions About International Container Shipping From Europe You Need To Know

Whether it’s been your master plan all along or part of a sudden exciting adventure, there are more than a few things that you should be aware of. Many great explorers before you have heard the call and moved abroad to start a new life, and international container shipping is the most efficient and reliable means to do so.

With offices in the UK, the US, and Europe, UPakWeShip EU ships worldwide with experienced, knowledgeable, and friendly staff readily available at each touchpoint of your journey.

Naturally, this expertise extends to shipping your valuables to thousands of locations across the globe, even if you’re not moving there.

Thousands of happy clients have asked us a lot of good questions regarding EU international shipping, so we’ve decided to put them into this handy list for you. Let’s have a look at some of the things you’ll need to know about European shipping services.

1. Any Do’s And Don’ts For Shipping?

There are a few golden rules to follow when you decide to do any kind of international shipping. Firstly, don’t pack guns, ammunition, or potentially hazardous materials, including cleaning products. Secondly, never use an unlicensed company or one claiming to be able to do things on the cheap. It won’t end well.

Our reputation is based on our clients’ reviews and experiences, and we are fully licensed to move your belongings almost anywhere in the world. Lastly, make sure your boxes are packed and taped tightly and use lots of bubble wrap. 

2. What Is The Safest Way To Ship Overseas?

We have two international container shipping solutions depending on the number of things you want to move. Our U-CRATE 50 and U-CRATE 100 containers are recommended for smaller quantities, while we also offer a 20ft container for bigger loads usually associated with moving house. Both of them are extremely safe and part of our door-to-door service to get you into your new home.

3. Do I Need Insurance?

Yes, you do. Just as you need insurance for your house, car, or health, you’ll need to get some insurance on your valuables. But these days, it’s quick and easy to arrange, and you might even find you’re covered in one of your existing plans. We fully believe we offer some of the most competitive rates around, but we won’t take it personally if you’d like to make a different plan. 

4. How Should I Pack My Stuff?

We highly recommend using new moving boxes if possible as they are far less likely to get damaged by other boxes. Tape them up top to bottom, put anything breakable in bubble wrap (wrap it twice just to be safe), and make sure your name and destination are written on every box. Pack them full and pack them tight with a few empty spaces as possible to prevent them from collapsing in on each other. Our U-CRATE series is always available to give you that added peace of mind, and you can even check out our Pack Like A Pro tutorial for some extra help. 

5. What Are The Customs Regulations?

This is something you’re going to have to do a bit of homework on yourself as the customs legislation changes from country to country. That said, countries mostly have no issue with allowing personal items in as long as you’ve had them for six months or longer. International container shipping laws are easily obtainable from your own embassy and that of the country you’d like to send your stuff to. For more information on these types of regulations, click here.

6. Is My Quote Fully Inclusive? 

Our standard door-to-door rates are all-inclusive and show all definite deductions. Those might be altered should it be problematic to get to your home or your items require inspection by customs. If we need to obtain parking permits upon pickup, or your items are less than six months old and include either wine, spirits, or tobacco, you can expect to see some additional charges. 

7. Why Are You Cheaper Than Others?

We’ve been fortunate enough to have built up contacts and clients across the world since we started up in 1988, which allows us to provide international shipping services year-round. This means we always operate at full capacity and can make the most of discounted rates, keeping our overheads low and your wallet a bit heavier. 

8. Do You Do Packing?

In short. No. One of the ways European shipping services like ours save you money is by leaving the packing up to you. If you feel like the job is too big to do on your own, local moving companies are always ready to help. But if you want us to arrange packing and loading, we will do that with pleasure, too. 

9. When Do I Pay?

We’ll invoice you either before loading or once we’ve received your shipment. We might need to do a few measurements in some cases, which might delay your invoice. Every shipment requires an upfront payment of €750, and we can’t send them away until that payment is received. Overseas shipping requires us to move quickly and make our own payments to ensure your valuables get there safely and on time. 

10. How Do I Book?

All you need to do is complete a form on our website and submit it to us. Once we’ve received that, we’ll get back to you with further details about your booking confirmation, labels, customs paperwork, and everything else you need. If you have any queries after your booking, our team will be available to answer them once we get the process started. All correspondence happens over email, as we pride ourselves on being a paperless organisation. 

We know there will always be some questions surrounding EU international shipping, and we’ll always do our best to answer them. As a leader in international container shipping services, UPakWeShip EU is dedicated to making your big move as smooth, affordable, and stress-free as possible. Please check out our website for more information about us and what we do.