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40 foot container shipments - charged for extra weight?

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Wanderlustspirit
  6/22/2015 21:32 EST

Wondering if anyone paid any additional fees for "extra weight" as determined from their shipping company?

We had a company pack us & move us, door-to-door, & they insinuated that the extra fees were coming from the Uruguay movers. Well this turned out to not be the case, the extra fees were charged by them. They did pack us so I have no idea if this was part of the extra fees (I.e. More people for a longer period of time & more packing supplies).

I'd appreciate hearing other people's experiences. I have never done an international move before so not sure that this isn't a way to insert additional profit at our expense.

kimbo47
  6/22/2015 22:31 EST

Did you not sign a contract where they clearly stated what they would do and the charges?
If you find that you were overcharged please post the name of the company so others following will not fall under the same shipper tricks.

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Wanderlustspirit
  6/22/2015 23:21 EST

Here are different fees being communicated by the local UY mover.

ss-line fees (U$S 450 approx.) - ? This costs are administrative charges and charges of THC ?at destination

storage at port U$S 340 approx., This is the time (days) that the container is in the port floor until the customs process is done (takes 5 - 7 days approx. if we have all documents before the shipment arrives at port)?
?The storage start when the container arrives at port and finish when the container is picked up and is out of the port.?

port charges (U$S 120 x ton) U$S 960 approx., ? This charge depends on the weight of the container.?

foreigners fee (U$S 150 approx.). This charge is in reference on the guarantee deposit on behalf the customs ( is only for the foreign customers)?

Customs inspection U$S 185 approx.

Our mover indicated they were responsible for THC charges but have tried to pass these along to us. Additionally they said they were responsible for customs clearance but are trying to get us to pay this $?185 fee along with all the fees.

Lastly, we were charged extra weight for our container so I am pushing back on the international mover to pay these fees as well.

We believe we are responsible for the foreigners fee if this is a real charge (has anyone heard of this b/c this is not mentioned on Autogiro's fees from a quote they sent me) & storage at the port.

Would like to hear other people's experiences.

Wanderlustspirit
  6/22/2015 23:21 EST

Here are different fees being communicated by the local UY mover.

ss-line fees (U$S 450 approx.) - ? This costs are administrative charges and charges of THC ?at destination

storage at port U$S 340 approx., This is the time (days) that the container is in the port floor until the customs process is done (takes 5 - 7 days approx. if we have all documents before the shipment arrives at port)?
?The storage start when the container arrives at port and finish when the container is picked up and is out of the port.?

port charges (U$S 120 x ton) U$S 960 approx., ? This charge depends on the weight of the container.?

foreigners fee (U$S 150 approx.). This charge is in reference on the guarantee deposit on behalf the customs ( is only for the foreign customers)?

Customs inspection U$S 185 approx.

Our mover indicated they were responsible for THC charges but have tried to pass these along to us. Additionally they said they were responsible for customs clearance but are trying to get us to pay this $?185 fee along with all the fees.

Lastly, we were charged extra weight for our container so I am pushing back on the international mover to pay these fees as well.

We believe we are responsible for the foreigners fee if this is a real charge (has anyone heard of this b/c this is not mentioned on Autogiro's fees from a quote they sent me) & storage at the port.

Would like to hear other people's experiences.

letsmove
  6/23/2015 05:38 EST

My international shipper sent a local moving company to my house. They made a visual inspection and declared the approx. weight. However, they were short but the international mover did contact me immediately and told me the weight was more and therefore, I would have to pay for the extra weight but that was up front before the container was shipped. I did pay more with the UY movers because I was outside their delivery area. But I knew all this up front. The only surprise was US customs ransacking my container and removing about 1/4 of my stuff. Charging me $2005 to have me pay for the privilege or they would refuse to send my container onward.

Morell
  6/23/2015 07:31 EST

The final charge for our container was slightly higher than the original estimate which had been made was sight unseen by the Canadian company.

The only charge at this end was a $300 US port fee which we had been told about but they did not know the amount until the container arrived.

There was also a $250 US charge to refund our deposit one we got our permanent residency.

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Allwewantispeace
  6/28/2015 05:54 EST

So how much does it cost to ship a 40' container to Uruguay? Does US customs go through everyone's container? What did they take? How can that be legal?

Peace

letsmove
  6/28/2015 07:14 EST

They do not go through everyones container. It appears to be random. Per my shipper, it used to be much worse as they did so much damage, the insurance companies complained about all the claims for loss and damages. They toned down the thief and destruction but it still happens.

edykizaki
  6/28/2015 09:34 EST

A friend told horror stories passed on by HER friends which convinced her not to go the container route... US customs just randomly can decide to do so then "charge you $2,000 for repacking" but according to her friend they don't always do it. If they do it, of course the shipment timetable is also impacted. The container people I talked to said it's by size, not weight... however, I'd check with your provider. There may be some overweight thing I wasn't told about since my plans were just furniture & boxes. Someone else told me she had some seed packets in her suitcase (not container but dealing with customs) and they were gone when she got to UY and one of those "your luggage has been inspected" streamers was inside. I guess that was legal because bringing seeds to UY is illegal. When my daughter visited she had a nice tupperware set in her luggage (as a gift to me) which was empty and was missing when she got here. Whereas that can't be legal, it's hard to know where to start in trying to fix it.

crazyfarmer
  6/28/2015 11:45 EST

3.5 years ago, we paid about $15,000 for a 40 foot high cube container sent here from Chicago. That included a $3000 fleecing once it got here because our container arrived during carneval. So it was stuck in the port incurring a daily charge while there was no one to take it out. But still, it shouldn't have been $3000. I blame Uruvan.

This is separate from the deposit for the import duties. This is money you would have to pay if you were not in the residency process. The idea is that you bring your container in after starting the residency process, but before you finish it. They hold your money hostage, then give it back to you when you get your permanent cedula, or if you leave taking your stuff with you.

The amount of this deposit varies widely depending on the phases of the moon and various forms of black magic. Everyone you ask will give you a different answer as to how much it is or how it's "calculated". Ours was $14,000, but I've seen it higher recently and as low as maybe $5000 for a 40 foot container.

If you buy property here, you can use that as collateral by getting a bond or something at the state insurance bank, assuming the property has a high enough value, again based on magic incantations. After coughing up $14,000, we switched to the bond and got our money back before our residency was done. The bond for us was about $350 a year which you don't get back. We only paid for one year before our residency was done.

We brought ours in before US customs was robbing people so we dodged it. We know two separate people who were hit. Things of significant value were stolen, broken, etc., then they were charged $2000 and some cents for the pleasure. They even give you an itemized list of things that add up to the $2000. It includes, iirc, a $150 charge for washing the truck. When this happens, it breaks the chain of custody for the insurance, so insurance claims become difficult to impossible. Consider it a going away present from the forth reich.

brian

crazyfarmer
  6/28/2015 12:08 EST

> How can that be legal?

The rule of law no longer exists up there. It's step #10.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8u-5gsZdgc

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letsmove
  6/28/2015 13:48 EST

And when they repack what they don't want, they can mix up stuff from other containers. I don't know who got my missing furniture and wonder who has my bed frame parts. I got someone else's bed frame parts which didn't work with my bed, but did get some particle board shelving I have no idea who they belong to or what they are for.

Morell
  6/28/2015 13:55 EST

Just curious as we shipped from Canada without any problems.


Did the company up north do all the packing and loading?
Our container was sealed by the packers and the seal was broken in front of us at our front door.
Uruvan made sure we checked it before cutting it off.
Just curious if things are different if you pack your own stuff or if it is all done by a licensed shipper.

LD
  6/28/2015 14:12 EST

As someone who plans to move to UY and use a container, it would be most helpful to share the names of these container transporters so that we may learn from your experiences;.At this point, I have no clue who to use. Most thankful, Lori

kimbo47
  6/28/2015 15:42 EST

I'm also curious since I have always heard, as Morrell says, and personally experienced with a car that the van is sealed and it is open in front of you at delivery point. This only happens when you use a licensed mover ( which will not load any illegal items and are aware of customs regulations and are held responsible).

I'm also curious of how everyone is so sure this happens at US customs and not at the country of arrival?

As far as suitcase items everyone is aware that items are stolen daily as you fly and I would guess it happens less in US and Canadian airports than in foreign 3rd world countries.

Here is a real life example:

My friend just shipped (6/23/15) 30 large boxes to Dominican Republic from Miami and the shipper took out many items not allowed and he had to fill out papers listing EVERY ITEM in boxes including clothing and if it was new or used and the price of each ( preferably with cost receipts) before the boxes were sealed ( by shipper in front of him) and shipped.

Once there the shipper has a licensed receiving agent that contacted him in DR informing his shipment had arrived and to present himself at customs with the papers to open the boxes and pay the required taxes.

He did and each box was opened in front of him and agent by customs and the taxes assessed as they checked that each item on the list was there in the boxes not anything extra. After he paid (by the way it was exactly the cost of the merchandise times the import tax rate since he had actual receipts the merchandise was released to him so he could haul it home.

I can't imagine any shipment would not be done in some similar form with a licensed shipper accepted by the receiving and shipping country and with the proper paperwork with all the cost explained up front! My friend paid exactly the shipping cost, one day of storage, receiving agent fees and the taxes not a penny more. They were all exact amounts paid before the shipping with the exception of the taxes but he knew the % rate and he had prepared documents with their cost (receipts) so he knew what they would be.

The other thing I don't understand is the overweight charge. The shipping company charges you based on weight size and volume so the merchandise is weighted and sized so they can charge you before shipping so there is no overweight charge! I suspect there may be some non reputable shippers in UY as well as port receiving agents and customs.

As another example last year I shipped a car from Miami to Puerto Rico and took advantage of the space in the car and loaded it with other merchandise. Because it had merchandise I had to fill out papers declaring every item and its cost as well as the papers for the car.
They took my ID and I signed some docs stating that everything was accurate to the best of my knowledge and I would be responsible for any variations both financially and legally. After that the car was loaded in a container with other cars and sealed. Knowing there is items lost at the PR end I hired my own receiving agent there and made sure he tracked the merchandise on its arrival and contacted me immediately to be present at the unloading and opening of the container. The shipping company was licensed, insured and very reputable as well as the agent I hired which got me trough customs quickly and charged fairly because the cars are taxed heavily there and if you declare a lower value they will tax you on the market value unless you have the bill of sale from a dealer.

kimbo47
  6/28/2015 16:27 EST

LD,
besides any input from this site I recommend you contact a reputable Shipping Agent in the US and discuss with him the companies he recommends to ship to UY and why. They keep Data on these companies and can inform you of any negative incident with them as well as the ratings by customers.

I noticed in one of your past postings you posted a link to a company that provided information on shipping using containers which is pertinent to this thread.

Here is a paragraph from that information provided:

>Exclusive container; mainly for shipping by sea, packed and loaded at your residence, which is security sealed and taken immediately to the port for shipment. This avoids any undue delays and will meet a pre-determined schedule (subject to weather / port strikes etc). The average customer will need a 20ft long metal container. The next size is 40ft long and some locations allow 45ft. There are even supercube containers which have additional height. Freight costs are fixed based upon the actual size of container used

Many countries, the UK included, will allow normal customs clearance to be done without a physical inspection so the container goes intact to the final residence before being unloaded. Heightened security, however, like to the USA, means more containers are being ‘pulled’ for either x-ray or physical inspection. Australia and New Zealand have strict quarantine restrictions so will always have the containers unloaded for full inspection normally at an agents Customs bonded warehouse. If special inspections, fumigation, or cleaning, is required, expect an additional charge to be made.<

This info provided by the site you provided a link for agrees with Morell's experience in UY.

It also seems from that information that if you use a reputable shipper licensed and insured the container will be sealed at your home and the only other people that can place their hands in it is the receiving country when they open it for customs! So I doubt these stories that some shippers are circulating by US customs raiding the shipment.

Common sense would indicate that the exporter country could care less about the contents of your shipment since there is no tax to impose unless you are drug dealing or trying to export illegal items (and only to protect the country of import) Now if you are importing to the US from another country that is a different matter altogether and you may very well be checked. But again if you have a reputable shipper and a licensed receiving agent the merchandise would be unsealed and inspected in the agents or shipper warehouse and they would be responsible for it.

I doubt they would allow robbery in front of their eyes knowing they are responsible and what would happen to their insurance rates if claims were instituted.

I believe bottom line the important thing is TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK and make sure you know the import/export laws and process and then MAKE SURE you use a reputable, licensed, insured and well rated shipper and hire a reputable receiving agent to receive your merchandise and make sure it follows the legal process and its only open in front of you or in his warehouse under his supervision and care and that he is responsible for it and insured until its delivered to your home. THIS WILL AVOID MANY OF PROBLEMS LISTED ON THIS THREAD!

The link is:
http://www.atlanticinternationalmovers.com/removals-guidance/shipping-options/default.htm

letsmove
  6/28/2015 19:21 EST

Kimbo47:
"I'm also curious of how everyone is so sure this happens at US customs and not at the country of arrival?"

When the shipping agent contacts you telling you your container was seized for search and then presents you with the bill from US customs, you can believe it is true. As for thief, they open at least 70% of boxes then seal the box up with their green tape, Boxes that were full when loaded in the container but were 1/2 empty and taped by customs means they did take or did not return all the contents.
I doubt UY customs has the docks to unload multiple containers thus getting things mixed up with other containers.

As far as weight, the movers do come to the house and estimate the weight. The weight on my container was higher than the estimate and I got a bill for the extra weight. So it goes by weight, at least in my case.

What I would like to know is how many containers these days are pulled for US Customs and which ports have the highest percentage of seizure and searches. It would be beneficial to know what ports to avoid. I think that would be good information for those considering moving their households.

LD
  6/28/2015 19:43 EST

Kimbo47,

Yes, totally agree. Thank you so much for your suggestions.. Yes, I will continue to research, investigate and sleuth for more information. It appears to be never ending. I think I'll feel better once I visit near the end of July.. Thanks again. Lori

letsmove
  6/28/2015 19:45 EST

Here is a link that might help people know how to decide on a mover.

http://www.movingscam.com/articles/a-guide-to-international-shipping

LD
  6/28/2015 19:47 EST

Kimbo47,

Yes, totally agree. Thank you so much for your suggestions.. Yes, I will continue to research, investigate and sleuth for more information. It appears to be never ending. I think I'll feel better once I visit near the end of July.. Thanks again. Lori

letsmove
  6/28/2015 19:57 EST

Lori, once you find a shipper ask them about US Customs seizing and search outgoing containers. Don't have to believe anyone on this forum, but you should put that question on your list of things to inquire about.

wengin
  6/29/2015 11:20 EST

Hello,
I apologize I did not have the time to read all the postings. Just would lilke to share my own experience.
I got a a 40ft container to Aduana. The price was sent with the Shipment company. On the other hand, I had arranged here with a Despachante de Aduana that took the Container to a Hardware Station. From there I paid a crew to Unload everything inside of the container and everything was replaced in a huge truck and trailer, from there it was moved to my property. It's very expensive and difficult to move a container directly to your residence because the equipment required to move these monsters are very expensive to rent and move. The farther you live the more expensive it becomes.
On the other hand, and as I haven't paid insurance, I lost my beautiful Lazy Boy Couch (please pay insurance). As soon as you know the container is in Aduana, take it out as fast as you can since you have like 12 days for free of storage but after that I will cost you an arm and a leg to pay it because it goes by the day.... Hope it helps...

wengin
  6/29/2015 11:20 EST

Hello,
I apologize I did not have the time to read all the postings. Just would lilke to share my own experience.
I got a a 40ft container to Aduana. The price was sent with the Shipment company. On the other hand, I had arranged here with a Despachante de Aduana that took the Container to a Hardware Station. From there I paid a crew to Unload everything inside of the container and everything was replaced in a huge truck and trailer, from there it was moved to my property. It's very expensive and difficult to move a container directly to your residence because the equipment required to move these monsters are very expensive to rent and move. The farther you live the more expensive it becomes.
On the other hand, and as I haven't paid insurance, I lost my beautiful Lazy Boy Couch (please pay insurance). As soon as you know the container is in Aduana, take it out as fast as you can since you have like 12 days for free of storage but after that I will cost you an arm and a leg to pay it because it goes by the day.... Hope it helps...

kimbo47
  6/29/2015 15:51 EST

Letsmove,
with that good link you provide I'm surprised you had such a major problem.

kimbo47
  6/29/2015 15:59 EST

Lori,
there has been good postings and a great link recommended by Letsmove but it all comes down to what I recommended: YOU MUST DO YOUR HOMEWORK THOROUGHLY until you feel comfortable with the process and the documentation as well as the answer to your questions which should be many.

When you say "its never ending" I interpret that to mean you are not yet ready or have a full grasp of the international shipping process. Make it a point when you visit to talk to a receiving agent.

There has been some great input on this forum so use it to avoid falling on the same trap.
Good luck.

Wanderlustspirit
  6/29/2015 22:57 EST

Kimbo - I did my HW & still am in a nightmarish move with Rainier. Luckily I have good attention to detail & have caught them engaged in a few efforts to rip us off while we are distracted with relocation.

1) I caught a "miscalculation" error on the weight which was resulting in $1500 more in weight charges (subtract the pre-load & post-load weights). Very dirty & the idiots tried to convince me it was in my favor...uh no!

2) when I went to buy insurance, they kept putting down the wrong weight for my shipment. This can hurt you I believe because there is often a maximum value based on weight for the insurance liability

3) the original quote said THC was included in the fee but later contradicted this & said it was not included. My mover suggested we split the cost but since it was specifically called out as being covered, I am having a lawyer review it.

Read as much as you can & realize there are some shifty & unethical people in the moving industry that your lack of experience & general outlook towards others can easily be taken advantage of.

My container went out of Savannah & was not bothered by customs.

I plan to make sure all documents are In order with the local mover before our container arrives. I also will have my lawyer send the moving company a letter to put them on notice that my patience with their "let's cheat the person who has never done an international move" has expired.

Choose the local movers you want, not necessarily the ones that the international shipping company has a relationship with.

kimbo47
  6/29/2015 23:55 EST

Wander,
glad to see you seem to have things under control. As you say make sure you check your papers and have a good receiving agent.
Good Luck and keep us informed on your experience in the receiving end.

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