Faqs Full Containers

At Freightworld, we pride ourselves on the customer Service, we offer our clients throughout transit time of their goods. Below are the most frequently asked questions.
How do I book my shipment?
After paying your refundable £100.00 deposit (increased to £200 if the value of your free packaging exceeds £100 plus the cost of any specialised cartons and bags, we post or email to you, our Booking Confirmation. This document confirms payment of deposit, required packaging details, collection requirements (if known), documentation requirements and destination service details.
How do I order the free packaging materials?
After discussing your requirements with one of our moving specialists and payment of the required deposit, cartons, tape and sufficient bubble wrap are sent out to you for delivery usually on the next working day. Specialised cartons and bags can be ordered at this time. You may keep the cartons as long as you wish. You may make further orders for which a delivery charge of £10 will be made. You may upgrade your delivery to next day before noon for just £5 before 10.30am for £10 or a Saturday delivery for £15. Unused packaging not returned to Freightworld will be charged at the RRP price. Failed delivery of cartons are charged at £10 per failed delivery, The cartons are protected in a plastic bag, therefore please advise us a dry place the cartons can be left if you are not at home when the cartons arrive. This also avoids you waiting in all day for the delivery of your cartons. Please see the packaging section.
Is the deposit refundable?
The deposit is fully refundable, if cancellation is made 3 working days prior to the collection date. Supplied packaging must be returned to Freightworld in good condition before the deposit is returned.
Does the price include collection from my house?
Yes, unless notified differently, all our prices include collection from inside your property. Your price includes the provision of at least 2 of our professional porters to collect your goods from In-House and load the container. With very good access, we normally load a 20ft in 3 hours, after this time a charge of £39 per hour or part thereof is charged. Our price includes the collection of Sofas and washing machines, Larger or heavier items than this normally require lifting equipment which must be pre booked at extra cost.
When do I pay the final balance?
Payment of all charges is to be made the day prior to loading or at the time of collection, unless you are notified otherwise.
What documentation do I have to supply?
For all shipments we require an originally signed Freightworld supplied Packing List and a copy of the photo part of the Sender’s Passport. These documents must be completed prior to collection and given to the driver. We normally require you to post, fax or email these documents 48 hours prior to the collection date. A surcharge of £25 will be made for shipments collected without the paperwork and fines maybe imposed by UK customs for non conformity of paperwork.
Do I require professional packing?
About 80% of our customers shipping full containers have their goods professionally packed. The benefits are that you can a) Insure your goods against breakage. b) Relax, while our porter(s) pack your goods to the standards required for shipping overseas. c) Less time for packing as our porters can even pack a full house in less than a day. d) Often overlooked, our porters will generally pack your shipment in a suitable manor for loading the container. At £225 for a 20ft container and £355 for a 40ft container, this service is highly recommended.
Storage In The UK Prior To Shipment!
We can provide clean, secure storage for your shipment in our brand new storage, packing and distribution centre (built 2005). There will be extra charges for collection and storage charges are payable at £12 per 7m3 (250cft) storage container per week. Normally 3 storage containers are equivalent to a 20ft container. Payable in advance and subject to prepayment of other ancillary charges. Freight Charges are payable at the time of shipment. If you do not want to pay for the freight charges in advance, your other charges now become subject to Vat @ 17.5%.
Should I have my shipment palletised?
It is not necessary to palletise shipments when shipping in a dedicated container.
Should I have my shipment insured?
Most of our customers insure their shipments. Lloyds Marine Insurance is one of the most popular types of insurance covers available in the world today. Although not compulsory, if you do not insure your goods, they are not insured at all. Freightworld are proud of the fact that few insurance claims are made, less than 3% per year over the last 10 years. However, in the unfortunate event that you have to make a claim, be assured that the world’s largest insurer with settlement agents in just about every city in the world will be processing your claim. Insurance: If you wish to insure your shipment please complete the Insurance rate request form or contact this office. The Government Regulated Insurance Broker will contact you with premiums and details of the insurance cover you require. Alternatively, please call Peter or Mark directly on 01772 780380 quoting Freightworld. The general rate for insurance is approximately 2.2% of the insured value + charges, for accurate rates pertaining to your shipment please enquire.
How do I calculate how much will go into a 20ft container?
Our most frequently asked question. The easiest way is to phone our central shipping office, we are trained in estimating volumes, just by asking a few questions. To estimate the volume yourself, we provide the following information:
A 20ft container holds about 24m3 and a 40ft about 48m3. Items such as non cased sofas, iron and steel products and non square goods can reduce the capacity down to about 18m3 and 40m3 respectfully.
If you are living in a 3 bedroom semi-detached house with fitted bedroom furniture you should only need a 20ft container, If you have a large amount of furniture, wardrobes, a large collection of large items a lot of garden machinery and apparatus then you will probably need a 40ft container.
The following are approximate:
28” TV 0.45m3 Hi-Fi 0.14m3 Washer 0.4m3 Tall Fridge 0.8m3 Chest of Drawers 0.7m3 6 Dining Chairs 1.5m3 3 Seater Sofas 2m3 Double Divan Bed 2m3 Pedal Bicycle 0.355m3 2 Door Wardrobe 2m3
Other estimated volumes are listed in the packaging section of this website.
To calculate the volume of an individual piece, eg; A chest of drawers, multiply the length (1.2mtes) x the width (0.6mtes) x the height (0.9mtes). Your answer should be (0.648m3), You may pack light items in removable drawers cabinets etc. However, this will increase the loading time. Please see the packaging section for more information.
When will my goods be shipped?
The vast majority of our services are weekly and in general your shipment will be loaded into the container just a few days before sailing. Therefore, once collection is made and we are in receipt of your documentation and payment, the container is sent to the port for the next available vessel. You may be notified of the information a few days after the collection, however, it is normal practice to inform you of the actual details once the vessel has sailed by email, fax or post.
Door to destination port or door to door?
Over 80% of our customers choose the door to port service. Generally, destination charges are normally lower when paid locally at destination. And some shipping lines and destination authorities only allow you to prepay the shipment upto the destination port. The physical customs clearance handling and delivery of the container is no different. However, there are exceptions to this rule. Please contact Freightworld to discuss this matter further.
What happens after my shipment has sailed?
Shortly after the vessel has sailed, we receive from the shipping line a ‘Bill of Lading’. Freightworld will email, fax or courier this document to you, together with a copy of your packing list. Also attached will be our shipping confirmation. These documents contain all the information you require, the estimated time of arrival at the destination port and the name and contact details of our destination agent. We ask you to make contact with the agent about 3 days before the estimated time of arrival, so enabling the agent to put everything in place for when your shipment arrives, enabling a speedier clearance. Normally you are allowed 5 days free storage time at destination.
Why Is Security an important issue?
The world’s customs authorities including the UK, are constantly updating their regulations on the export and import of personal and household effects. Previously, an area of shipping not monitored closely. Regular checks are made, it is important that shipments do not include prohibited goods and your documentation complies with their regulations. Personal and household effects are goods classed as being your own personal goods, shipped by you and received at the destination by you. Most countries require that you are in the destination country before your goods arrive. If you are unsure of your requirements, please contact us. Furthermore, contact the relevant Embassy, Customs or Government body, who will give you accurate up to date information pertaining to your individual requirements.
What goods are prohibited by Seafreight?
Alcohol, Explosives, High Value Precious Metals and Stones, Certain Knives, Swords, living matter of any kind, Gas, Fuel and any goods not allowed by the country your goods are destined to. The Freightworld web-site has links to most of the world’s customs organisations, so if you are unsure, please check beforehand.
Will I pay destination duties and taxes?
If you are emigrating, it is rare to be charged duties and taxes in most countries. If you are a returning citizen or asking another person to send your goods or just unsure of your status, please contact the appropriate customs authorities.
Does the weight matter?
Apart from the requirement of special lifting gear for very large and items weighing more than 70 kilos there is a very generous weight restriction of about 18000 kilos. The average weight of a 20ft container of Household Effects is only 4000 kilos. If packing the cartons yourselves please try to keep the weight to 30kilos to avoid crushing and to comply with health and safety operations. Book cartons hold about 50 books, so please use these facilities. To avoid crushing, ensure you cartons are filled to the maximum. For further tips on packing, please call us or visit the packaging part of the website.
Will I pay destination quarantine or fumigation charges?
Most countries do not charge for these services, To counties such as Australia you can prepay the fumigation costs in the UK, these cost in the region of £135.00 however, be prepared to pay these charges, especially if you have wooden products or/and an inspection is made.
Are transit times guaranteed?
The simple answer is no. Transit times quoted are those given by the shipping line. No company in the world can guarantee transit times by sea. Due to the logistics and more recently tightened security, transit times can only be used as a guide. The vast majority of shipments arrive within a week either side of the estimated time of arrival. Please be assured that Freightworld do their utmost to ensure your goods are shipped as quickly as possible. Please ensure, especially when shipping to a holiday home that you are visiting for a limited period of time, you have made arrangements to accommodate unforeseen delays. Also, consider airfreight instead of, or as well as, seafreight.

Please feel free to contact us concerning any of these or other related matters.