Shipping Agent from the UK to Thailand

[chopsticks]

I would agree about the freezer - a fridge-freezer combo is around 8-10 000 Baht but frozen convenience foods are not as popular or as readily available as in UK. Also more expensive.You would be better advised to get a larger single door fridge for all the drinks and fresh foods which has a small freezer compartment inside.

[Siani]

When you get your things here invariably there will be some things you wished you had brought and some things you'll wonder why you bothered.
On the freezer note, I cannot comment on how expensive they are here but do you really need it? with fresh stuff available 12 hours a day 7 days a week, it may be a big thing to bring over and find it half empty most of the time.
Also consider the time lag between leaving UK and your things arriving - sleeping, sitting etc.
I personally found it advantageous to stay in a hotel for a 2 weeks to give time to sort out things like getting electricity, phone, water, internet etc connected up.
On the removal not I did have to pay a small amount of 'tea money' (5,000 baht) to the customs people. I got a phone call from the Thai agent here that Simpsons use (Big Move) to say that the stuff had arrived and needed this to clear the stufff quickly, this prevented them from opening an checking everything and charging me for storage while they did it. A small price to pay as I paid it in the evening, 7 am next morning the stuff arrived.
Don't forget that plugs are different here, adaptors are readily available though.

I do like to buy fresh items, even daily as you do. I also like to freeze certain things, leftover etc as I hate waste. I like to store ice cream too! I suppose I have been used to freezing certain things. It depends really on how many people you have to cater for.
I plan to stay in a hotel for a least 3 weeks as I have to look for a place to rent. Then I will look for a place to buy later on when semi settled. Thanks for all the tips!

[Siani]

I would agree about the freezer - a fridge-freezer combo is around 8-10 000 Baht but frozen convenience foods are not as popular or as readily available as in UK. Also more expensive.You would be better advised to get a larger single door fridge for all the drinks and fresh foods which has a small freezer compartment inside.

Yes I agree it is a good idea. We have a separate drinks fridge here in the UK. I will have to buy new as I sold the fridges etc with the house. Thanks for that.

[Siani]

I used a company called 7 seas excellent service from beginning to end about 3 years ago

Thanks for that, will get a quote from them

[migrant]

I'm glad you mentioned this.

At the risk of going off topic, how do the adaptors work for long term? Being from the states our electric is different, but I've always wondered how the adaptors would be on, say a freezer, for a long period of time.

Just so no confusion, a plug adaptor is different than a transformer to be able to use 100-110 volt appliance in a 220-240 electrical system. I wouldn't want to use a transformer long term, if at all, on a heavy duty appliance such as a fridge or freezer. The adaptor plug simply changes the blade configuration/shape to fit the sockets in a particular country. Pete

Thanks Pete That's what I meant. I didn't think it a good idea especially, like you said, on a heavy appliance.

[Tam]

A Quick update.

I have had a quote from Simpsons of 2,768 Pounds for a 20 ft (1,000 Cu. Ft.) sole container, self packing, Door to Door from Coventry UK to Hua Hin, excludes insurance (2.45% of stated value of contents) and also excludes any duties/charges at the Thai end.

Anyone had a recent quote for shipment from the UK to Thailand? Please include details of the storage area for your goods.

[ipods]

We have moved a few times with shipping companies . A few words Re getting stuff into Thailand.
Funny because we have been recommended R of Oxford.???? so interested what problems others have experienced.

A 20ft container circa 25 m cube from the UK will be somewhere between £4-5,000. Interested as to your quotes when you receive them.
Generally companies seem to be ok at the UK end the problem when arrive in Thailand.

Delays and more delays.

Only seen one mention of sweetie money in the above posts.

We know a few people who shipped 20ft container including me. Import tax/release fee/sweetie money call it what you will, costs between 25,000-50,000bhts.???? lot of cash ! You will be offered with or without a receipt. With, costs 20-30% more.
Personal possessions ok but container of household goods etc seem to get caught. We can only assume that the payment they demand is based on the insurance value that you declare.

Hope you let us know how you get on

Good luck

[Tam]

Ipods, Thanks. I'll update when I confirm my shipment.

As my wife is Thai and the shipment will be in her name and most of the items will be personal for her, I am hoping any "sweetie money" will be minimum.

[Siani]

Anglo Pacific have just quoted me £443 for 70 cubic feet. (This is 14 tea chests apparently. It seems quite good) 100 cubic feet is £593 20 cartons. I am still getting quotes and will keep you all posted.
Thanks Siani

[Big Boy]

Very much appreciated - thank you. Does that price include the tea chests, or do you provide your own boxes?

[Siani]

Very much appreciated - thank you. Does that price include the tea chests, or do you provide your own boxes?

Yes it does include packing materials which are delivered next day by parcelforce. Also it says "Our door to door service includes Customs clearance and delivery to residence" The cartons must not exceed 30 kilos per carton 5 cubic feet per carton. George spoke to Blake Seath http://www.anglopacific.co.uk
Does not seem too bad. They also collect at quite a small fee, and free in London. I am quite impressed so far

[poosmate]

Couple of points. Some freezers sold in the UK do not have the insulation required to keep them cold enough here in the tropics. They will struggle in non air conditioned rooms and will be expensive to run.
I have three children and yes I agree everything can be bought daily I do not want to shop everyday! I have two side by side fridge freezers ( 35k each) and a chest freezer ( Makro now around 7-9k ). I like to buy meat and fish in bulk and store it, I also as I live 15km from a large convenience store I buy bread.bacon,sausage,ice cream along with kids stuff for quick unhealthy meals like frozen chips ( try making fresh and they moan they are not as good) chicken nuggets and other frozen ready Thai meals.I also make pate and burgers and freeze them. I think it depends on what you have become used to at home. I like to shop around once or twice a month at Tesco Villa And Makro. I use the local daily markets for fruit and veg.

[poosmate]

Tried to edit this in but the annoying editing timer allowed me to edit but then told me I could not submit it. So:
Another advantage is with a freezer I can buy for instance sausage and bacon in wholesale packs from hotel suppliers from Bangkok.I also when in Bangkok sometimes buy chilled and frozen foods and bring them back to Hua Hin in the car.
I brought two electric cool boxes from the UK ( not seen them here) and plug them into the car. I would recommend bringing one or more of these with you ( the ones I bough were only around 25 pounds each) fill them with other goodies to make them cost effective to ship.

[Siani]

Tried to edit this in but the annoying editing timer allowed me to edit but then told me I could not submit it. So:
Another advantage is with a freezer I can buy for instance sausage and bacon in wholesale packs from hotel suppliers from Bangkok.I also when in Bangkok sometimes buy chilled and frozen foods and bring them back to Hua Hin in the car.
I brought two electric cool boxes from the UK ( not seen them here) and plug them into the car. I would recommend bringing one or more of these with you ( the ones I bough were only around 25 pounds each) fill them with other goodies to make them cost effective to ship.

What a good idea! I have one! I bought it in Halfords, I did not think of bringing it with me, but will certainly do so now! I will look into the freezer bit, find out which are the best models. I lived in Australia and now would only buy a frost free freezer as the one I bought there was fabulous. I just fancy the ice machine on a freezer, so useful. Anyway great thanks!

[Big Boy]

Tried to edit this in but the annoying editing timer allowed me to edit but then told me I could not submit it. So:
Another advantage is with a freezer I can buy for instance sausage and bacon in wholesale packs from hotel suppliers from Bangkok.I also when in Bangkok sometimes buy chilled and frozen foods and bring them back to Hua Hin in the car.
I brought two electric cool boxes from the UK ( not seen them here) and plug them into the car. I would recommend bringing one or more of these with you ( the ones I bough were only around 25 pounds each) fill them with other goodies to make them cost effective to ship.

What a good idea! I have one! I bought it in Halfords, I did not think of bringing it with me, but will certainly do so now! I will look into the freezer bit, find out which are the best models. I lived in Australia and now would only buy a frost free freezer as the one I bought there was fabulous. I just fancy the ice machine on a freezer, so useful. Anyway great thanks!

I'm still following this thread with great personal interest. I agree about the excellent information from poosmate - I'd assumed a freezer was a freezer, and didn't realise there were differing levels of insulation. I'll be very interest in your evaluation of which fridges and freezers are most suited to Thailand. When you report your evaluation, can you please explain what you were looking for/how you made your choice?