Shipping Methods

In general, the shipping process is very complex and involves much logistical planning.
There are several shipping methods available for transporting your personal items, depending on your timeline, budget, and destination.

By Road

This method is wildly used within North America for shipments originating from Canada with the US or Mexico as the final destination.

By Air Cargo

Air shipments are fast but also costly. You may want to consider air freight shipping for a small portion of your goods, particularly items you’ll need immediately upon arrival.

By Ocean Freight

Ocean freight (also known as sea freight) is a slower method but often more economical. Planning ahead is crucial when shipping by sea, as overseas shipment timelines can take longer.

We will review all available shipping methods and provide guidance on selecting the most appropriate method for your needs. Normally we can estimate the arrival time. However, please keep in mind that unforeseen logistics issues, such as port strikes, may lead to delays.

Less than Full Container Loads – LCL shipments. LCL shipments are not an exclusive use of a container. Imagine a large container that contains your goods as well as the goods of other families and individuals. LCL shipments are normally shipped in crates or pallets. This method is ideal for international freight shipping when your volume doesn’t justify a full container.

Advantages

• You can ship any size shipment, even if you only have a few items.
• Relatively cost-effective shipping method for small to medium size shipments.
• Typically slower than full container shipment. This might be an advantage or a disadvantage depending on your needs.

Disadvantages:

• Relatively expensive for large shipments compared to full container loads.
• You lose some space due to the fact that these shipments are normally crated or palletized, and you are billed by the total total volume of the crate.
• Your LCL shipment is handled more times during the shipping process.
• It takes more time, since the moving company needs to consolidate your small shipment with other shipments.

Similar to LCL shipments (Less than Container Load), however, the consolidation is managed directly by the moving company that you are dealing with. This shipping method involves combining multiple less than container load shipments into one container.

Advantages

• Relatively cost-effective shipping method for small to medium size shipments.

Disadvantages

• Relatively expensive for larger shipments, compared to full container loads.
• ITakes more time, as the moving company must gather and consolidate smaller shipments until a container is full. The faster they accumulate grouped shipments, the sooner the overseas shipment will depart.

Full Container Load – This type of shipping arrangement is typically used for larger shipments or when you need your goods to arrive faster than with LCL shipments or groupage. With FCL shipments, you are renting the exclusive use of a full shipping container to transport your personal items.

3 types of containers are available:

Type	Internal Length	Internal Width	Internal Height	Volume
20’ Container	19′ 4 5.9 Meter	7′ 8 2.35 Meter	7′ 10 2.39 Meter	1172 Cubic feet Gross 950-1050 Net33.2CBM Gross 28-30 CBM Net
40’ Container	39′ 5 12 Meter	7′ 82.35 Meter	7′ 102.39 Meter	2387 Cubic feet Gross 1900-2200 Net67.6 CBM Gross 58-62 CBM Net
40’HC Container (High Cube)	39′ 5 12 Meter	7′ 82.35 Meter	8′ 52.58 Meter	2690 Cubic feet Gross 2300-2500 Net76.4 CBM Gross 68-72 CBM Net

Gross volume: The actual volume of the container – if filled up with water.

Net volume: The actual usable space when fitting personal effects into the container. The difference between the net and the gross volume is the lost space due to the fact that not all items fit perfectly. It is the moving company’s job to try and utilize the space as best as possible. There is normally a 15-20% difference between gross and net volumes.

Advantages

• Normally we will load and seal the container at your house (if access permits). The next time the doors of the container are opened will be at your new residence. If access does not permit direct loading, we will use a shuttle truck to transport your goods to our warehouse and then into the container.
• It is easier to time the arrival of the container, which makes FCL ideal for time-sensitive shipments.
• The container doors are sealed with a high security numbered lock. It makes easier for customs to verify the seal is intact and to report any irregularity. The seal should not be broken until the container arrives at your residence unless there is a customs exam. In this event, we recommend that you insist on receiving a customs exam report.

Disadvantages

• Once the container arrives at the destination port, you typically have limited free storage time, and additional port storage fees can become costly quickly. The port will charge a progressively higher storage rate. In addition to port storage, the steamship line will start charging rental fees for the container after approximately 1 week.
• If you need storage after the container arrives, it is best to coordinate this in advance and to plan with the moving company in order to minimize the cost. There are other alternatives.

Delay factors:

• High volume of container loads arriving at destination ports during summer.
• Port congestion, port strikes, or other sea freight disruptions.
• Security issues, war, or emergencies may affect port operations.
• Shortage of labour, trucks, or containers, especially in the summer.
• Overbooking or lack of space on shipping vessels.

Once your FCL shipment arrives at the destination, allow some time for delivering full containers, and about 2 weeks for less than container load (LCL) shipments. It is best to coordinate your preferred delivery date with your moving consultant. During the summer, it may be difficult to secure exact dates, so flexibility is key.