When moving overseas, it can sometimes be difficult to decide on the best way to move your items overseas. Most overseas shipping companies will offer to ship your items either via air freight or shipping, with both options being suitable depending on your situation. Within these two options, specifically in sending your items via shipping container, there are several ways you can choose to pack and ship your items, with two of the most popular being full container load and shared shipping. But what’s the difference between the two? Continue reading below to find out.
A Breakdown on Shipping Containers
Shipping is one of the safest and most affordable ways to ship your goods overseas. Shipping containers come in both 40ft and 20ft options, with 20ft containers holding the contents of your average three-bedroom home, whereas a 40ft container is more suitable for larger households or even for people who want to ship their vehicle. Of course, if you need more than just 20ft or 40ft worth of space, you can hire several shipping containers to accommodate for the space that you need. In the same way, there are options for people who require less than 20ft of space, which we will expand on below.
Full Container Load
Full Container Load (FCL) is the perfect option for those who have enough goods to fit in either a 20ft or 40ft shipping container. When hiring a full container load, your goods will be the only goods inside the container, meaning you won’t need to share the space with anyone else. Because of the amount of space in these containers, a full container load is perfect for large families or those who want to ship their vehicle along with other goods. Combinations of full container loads can also be used, with the option to hire a 20ft and a 40ft container, or two 40ft containers for those who need an extra-large amount of space.
Shared Shipping (Groupage)
Whether you’re moving overseas as a single person, a couple or as someone who has discarded most of their items before a move, shared shipping can be a great option. Some of the time, people aren’t aware that air freight isn’t the only option when shipping a small amount of goods, which often turns people off because of the price. A shared container option allows you to share the space of a 20ft or 40ft shipping container with those who are shipping items to the same destination. The great thing about using shared shipping is that you only pay for the space you use, meaning that if you’re only taking up ¼ of the container, and someone else is using the other ¾, you only pay for that space instead of simply splitting the cost.
When packing your goods using this method, the shipping company you’re working with will bring your boxes of packed belongings to the warehouse at the port, before loading them onto the next available vessel with enough space for your items. Once the shipping container arrives at the destination, your goods will be unpacked safely and delivered to your new home. For those worried about safety and security, all boxes are sufficiently labelled so that nothing gets mixed up and taken to the wrong destination.
Overall, both shared shipping and full container load are safe and reliable ways to ship your goods overseas, with each option being more suitable depending on your situation. As always, it’s important to work with an experienced international moving company with a great reputation to ensure your belongings are transported to your new home safely.