Submit your requirements into our Online Quote form to calculate your shipping costs and we will confirm our quotation by return email OR contact one of our 1st Contact Shipping consultants on 0808 141 5520.

What method of shipment is right for me?

There are a number of considerations when selecting the most appropriate service for you: Urgency of delivery, ultimate destination and budget all play a part in choosing the service that is right.

By Sea - 1st Contact Shipping is one of the largest container operators in the UK and offers frequent sailings to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa , North America and South East Asia. Transit time is around 8 to 12 weeks. Your belongings will share container space with other consignments bound for the same destination.

By Air - Most airlines will permit only one piece of carry-on cabin luggage and around 20kgs of accompanied luggage in the cargo hold. Exorbitant extra baggage charges apply if you exceed your allowance. Unaccompanied Airfreight with 1st Contact Shipping is a more cost effective alternative. Transit is around 10 to 14 days. We also offer a fast Courier service which is often cost effective for smaller consignments. Transit is around 5 to 7 days door to door.

By Road - Consignments bound for European destinations are delivered by road trailer service to kerbside at your European residence. Transit time is around 10 to 14 days.

How should I pack my goods?

1st Contact Shipping offers an extensive range of export strength cartons designed to withstand the rigours of transit. We also supply bubble wrap and tissue paper free of charge for packing of your fragile items, if requested.

You should ensure that breakables are placed in the centre of the box and packed tightly to prevent movement in transit. Heavy items such as books should be evenly distributed throughout your consignment to limit the risk of damage. Also, avoid packing clothing in plastic bags, as condensation will occur.

1st Contact Shipping will professionally pack your effects for a small extra cost.

Call 1st Contact expert consultants for advice: 0808 141 5520

What sizes are your cartons?

Our 1st Contact Shipping cartons cater for most owner packing needs. We can also construct ply cases to your specific dimensions for the transportation of electrical and fragile items.

Stock Cartons	INCHES L x B x H	CMS L x B x H
1.0 cu ft picture carton	32 x 22 x 3	81 x 56 x 8
2.0 cu ft book carton	19 x 14 x 13	48 x 37 x 32
3.0 cu ft export carton	19 x 17 x 16	48 x 44 x 41
3.0 cu ft golf carton	13 x 9 x 47	33 x 23 x 119
4.0 cu ft china carton	19 x 17 x 22	48 x 44 x 54
5.0 cu ft clothes carton	35 x 19 x 13	87 x 48 x 32
5.0 cu ft tea carton	19 x 17 x 24	48 x 44 x 61
6.0 cu ft linen carton	19 x 17 x 32	48 x 44 x 81
11.0 cu ft bike carton	60 x 10 x 31	152 x 25 x 79

Our tea cartons and export cartons are recommended unless you have a special requirement. Cartons are free so we suggest you order surplus to your initial requirement, as a return trip will incur an extra delivery fee. We also ship suitcases, bags, guitars, skis, surfboards, snowboards, bikes etc.

How do I get my boxes delivered and collected?

1st Contact Shipping offers a free next day delivery/collection service within Greater London. We will require a £50 deposit prior to delivery and you may then keep the cartons for as long as you wish.

If you live outside Greater London we employ the services of a next day national courier who will deliver and collect at 48 hours notice. A credit card deposit will be required prior to delivery.

Nationwide delivery/collection charges are as follows:
Delivery of empty cartons for owner packing is free of charge. Collection costs £12 for one item plus £6 for each additional item.

Courier services are limited to what one man can lift from kerbside. You should therefore limit your consignment to a maximum of 5 cubic feet/30Kgs per item.

How do you calculate the shipping price?

Sea and road freight charges are based on the overall volume of goods for shipment.
To calculate the volume of an item multiply the length, breadth and height in feet, e.g. a trunk measuring 3ft x 2.5ft x 2 ft = 15 cubic feet.

Airfreight charges are based on the chargeable weight of your consignment in kilos. This is the greater of actual gross or volumetric weight.
To calculate the volumetric weight multiply the length x breadth x height in centimetres, divided by 6000 = volumetric kilos.

Courier Charges are based on the chargeable weight of your consignment in kilos. This is the greater of actual gross or volumetric weight. To calculate the volumetric weight multiply the length x breadth x height in centimetres, divided by 5000 = volumetric kilos.

What do your prices include?

Our Excess Baggage Shipping door-to-port service includes supply and delivery of cartons and packing materials, one free collection in London, UK customs formalities, all port handling charges and shipment to arrival destination port or airport. Please see above for nationwide collection charges.

Our Excess Baggage Shipping door-to-door service also includes destination customs clearance, handling and de-consolidation charges, delivery to kerbside at residence and GST (if applicable)

Please note that VAT does not apply to consignments shipped outside of the EU.

What do your prices exclude?

Destination import duties, taxes or other sums due to government departments, e.g. Goods and Services Tax (GST) where applicable, quarantine examination or steam cleaning fees, if ordered.

Consignments paid to port only will incur additional charges for customs clearance, handling, de-consolidation fees and GST, if applicable.

For information on destination customs formalities please refer to Customs Guides or contact your embassy or consular office.

Is anything prohibited from excess baggage shipping?

Certain items cannot be accepted under general conditions of carriage and storage, e.g. food, cash, bonds, jewellery, alcohol, explosives, flammable gases/liquids/solids, poisons and toxins, scuba tanks, gas cylinders, aerosol cans. If in doubt, speak to one of our qualified consultants.

What cover is available?

We take every precaution to protect your possessions while they are in our care. Nevertheless, we recommend you cover your goods for a sum equivalent to replacement value at destination. Our Marine Transit Insurance covers All Risks of loss or damage in transit and is available at a premium of 5% of the value you declare on our Insurance Proposal form. Alternatively we can offer protection against Total Loss only at a premium of 3.5% of the value you declare. Insurance premiums are subject to IPT at the current rate. Please note that should you decline our Marine Transit insurance, we will rely upon our terms and conditions (clause 8) in the unforeseen event of loss or damage, however caused.

Is Excess Baggage storage available?

If you are travelling en route we can arrange to store your goods and defer shipment to coincide with your estimated arrival date. Our storage facilities are modern, customs approved and security protected. Storage is available at a rate of £10 per item per month, following one month free of charge. Alternatively, our destination representative can arrange to store your goods upon arrival. Marine Transit Insurance may be extended to cover additional periods in store, at a rate of 0.50% + VAT of the declared value per month or part.

What happens following shipment?

Immediately following shipment you will receive an automated shipping confirmation email from 1st Contact Shipping with details of vessel/airline, container identification number, estimated date of arrival at the destination port/airport and details of our local representative. Sea freight consignments can be monitored in transit via our unique website shipment tracking system at Track my Shipping.

What happens at the destination?

When your consignment arrives at the destination port or airport our appointed agent will contact you to arrange customs and quarantine formalities and a suitable date for delivery to kerbside at residence (if prepaid).

Each representative has been carefully selected for their local knowledge and the quality of their destination services; they will handle everything at destination with the same care and attention to detail as will 1st Contact Shipping at origin.

What payment types are offered?

We will require a non refundable deposit of £50 prior to delivery of empty cartons. If you live in London payment can be made direct to our driver. We accept Cash, Cheques, Debit Cards (e.g. Switch, Delta etc), and Credit Cards (Visa, American Express or Master Card, 2.5% surcharge applicable).

If you live elsewhere payment should be made by debit/credit card or by cheque. Please do not pay the driver or send cash through the post.

Our terms require payment in full prior to shipment. All business is undertaken subject to our 1st Contact Excess Baggage Shipping Terms and Conditions.

What financial protection is available?

1st Contact Shipping is a member of the British Association of Removers (BAR) and you benefit from our participation in the International Movers Mutual Insurance (IMMI) advance payment guarantee scheme.

In the unlikely event of failure of a member, BAR will appoint another member to complete your contract at no additional expense and with minimal delay. IMMI is the only authentic bonding scheme of its kind offering total protection against insolvency.