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How do I arrange a quotation?
What does a quotation include?
Is VAT payable?
When is payment required?
What times do Simpsons receive goods?
Where are the receiving depositories?
Can Simpsons Removals back-load our transport?
Do you undertake full origin services?
What method of shipment does Simpsons recommend?
What items are prohibited from shipment?
What items are prohibited from importation?
Can you reclaim VAT on your customer’s new goods?
Can Simpsons arrange storage?
Can Simpsons offer marine/transit insurance?
What happens following shipment?
What happens on arrival at destination?
Can the destination agent be relied upon?
If you have a question that has not been answered here please contact us and we will be happy to help.
How do I arrange a quotation?
Simply click on quote request. You will need to advise us the volume in cubic feet for sea or road freight or the chargeable weight in kilos for air-freight. Please also indicate whether you require a door-to-port service or a door-to-door service.
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What does a quotation include?
Door-to-port includes:
• Continuous receiving at our London or Glasgow depots
• Removal to port or airport of departure
• Export customs formalities
• UK and destination port charges
• Shipment to arrival destination port or airport
Door-to-door also includes:
• Destination customs and quarantine clearance
• Delivery to residence of normal access up to first floor level
• Full unpacking of furniture and removal of unwanted packing materials
• NB: Baggage shipments up to 72 cubic feet are delivered by one man to the doorstep of the residence with no unpacking.
The quotation excludes storage at origin or destination, import duties, taxes or any other sums due to government departments. For example, Goods and Services Tax where applicable, quarantine examination or steam cleaning fees, if ordered in Australia and New Zealand and Advarolem Wharfage charges in South Africa, which are assessed on the declared value of shipment.
The quotation also excludes professional services by tradesmen, assembly of modular furniture requiring specialist tools, delivery to abnormal access or above first floor level, delivery of pianos, safes and other large items of furniture requiring heavy lifting equipment. Rates for the above services are available on request.
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Is VAT payable?
Removal costs are exempt from VAT if the ultimate destination is outside the EU. VAT applies at the current UK rate if the ultimate destination is within the EU.
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When is payment required?
Our terms are 30 days net for account customers, or payment in full prior to arrival at destination port, whichever the sooner. All business is subject to our terms and conditions, which are available on request or from our download documents page.
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What times do Simpsons receive goods?
We receive freight at our Dartford depot Monday to Friday between 0730—1700hrs and Saturday morning by prior arrangement. Leeds and Birmingham receive freight by booking only. We would appreciate 24 hours notice of delivery wherever possible to avoid delays in unloading your transport; please click on download documents to advise us of your pending delivery.
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Where are the receiving depositories?
To view and print area maps indicating the location of our London depot please see how to find us. Visitors are always welcome.
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Can Simpsons Removals back-load our transport?
As a major importer of personal and household effects for onward delivery throughout the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe we will endeavour to back-load your transport wherever possible, allowing you to coordinate your transport movements more cost-effectively. Please liase with our import department for the availability of back-loads Tel: +44 (0)1322 386969 (extension 212)
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Do you undertake full origin services?
Simpsons can arrange export packing, casing and collection from anywhere in Europe for onward shipment worldwide. In addition we will position exclusive containers at residence and can assist with motor vehicles shipments, airfreight and importation into the EU from all points worldwide.
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What method of shipment does Simpsons recommend?
As one of the largest overseas movers in Europe, Simpsons obtains preferential rates and service from shipping lines and airlines to virtually any destination. We utilise our buying power carefully to negotiate the best possible prices and service for our customers and monitor all shipments from door-to-door.
SEA FREIGHT
This is generally the most cost-effective method to destinations beyond the EU and can be combined with inland haulage and/or intermodal rail services. Household goods are export packed and stowed in steel water-resistant containers. Containerisation of cargo is the key to safety. Containers travel secured in an upright position on modern purpose-built vessels and are virtually pilferage-free. With an internal height of 8ft even the tallest items of furniture remain upright and contents rarely shift.
Containers are generally available in 20ft and 40ft configurations on all major routes. Smaller 20ft insulated (or reefer) containers are also available to Australasia and South Africa and larger 45ft containers are also available to the USA and South East Asian ports, with the exception of Japan. Whilst internal container dimensions can vary marginally from one shipping line to another the following configurations are generally accepted as industry standard:
| Container Type |
Internal dim. |
Door aperture dim. |
Capacity |
Tare weight |
| Dimensions in cms |
L W H
|
W H
|
cu ft
|
Kilos
|
| 20ft NOR (insulated) |
543x228x215
|
228x218
|
900
|
2900
|
| 20ft General Purpose |
589x235x238
|
234x227
|
1150
|
2200
|
| 40ft General Purpose |
1205x234x234
|
234x227
|
2350
|
3700
|
| 40ft High Cube |
1205x234x268
|
234x258
|
2650
|
3000
|
| 45ft Super Cube |
1358x234x269
|
234x258
|
3000
|
3900
|
There are various container services to choose between:
EXCLUSIVE CONTAINER (FCL) — If you are shipping sufficient quantities we will recommend a container for your exclusive use. This is the ideal solution as the container can be positioned and loaded on site and sealed in your customer’s presence, delivered directly to the port of departure and shipped on board the first available vessel.
Most shipping lines permit three hours free time for loading or unloading a 20ft container and four hours for a 40ft container; thereafter container 'detention charges' apply at an hourly rate.
Upon disembarkation at the destination port most shipping lines permit up to 5 days free storage; thereafter 'demurrage' (container rent) and 'quay rent' (storage) apply at daily rate.
Please note that any charges incurred as a result of inadequate or incomplete paperwork will be passed on to your consignee.
Containers can often be delivered direct from the destination terminal to your customer’s new home, subject to local customs and quarantine formalities, thereby avoiding any unnecessary handling throughout the journey.
This method can also apply if you are shipping a motor vehicle with household goods where the combined volume amounts to a full container load. Using specialist equipment the car can be loaded and over-cased at your customer’s home with their household goods.
Transit by exclusive container varies typically from 2 to 4 weeks to North America to 5 to 7 weeks to Australasia.
GROUPAGE CONTAINER — The alternative to the exclusive container is the groupage container, whereby your customer’s possessions share container space with other consignments bound for the same destination, as soon as sufficient volumes are available. Groupage is a cost-effective solution for smaller shipments as you pay only for the container space utilised. As one of the largest groupage container operators in the UK we are able to guarantee frequent sailings on all major routes worldwide. Transit by groupage container varies typically from 8 to 12 weeks.
LESS THAN CONTAINER (LCL) — Consignments destined for countries not served by regular groupage container services are packed into sturdy timber lift vans and delivered to the container terminal for containerisation by the shipping line. As bookings can be made for a specific sailing, transit times are similar to the exclusive container option.
AIR FREIGHT
Air freight can be cost-effective, even for larger consignments, particularly those to inland destinations many miles from a container port. Consignments are delivered to London Airport, secured in netted or enclosed airline pallets (igloos) and transported in the cargo hold of passenger or freight aircraft. Transit time by air is typically between 7 and 14 days.
Air freight charges are calculated on either the actual gross weight of the consignment or the volume weight, whichever is the greater. To calculate the volume weight of an item multiply the length, breadth and height in centimetres and divide by 6000 to obtain the volume weight in kilos.
As a general rule furniture should not exceed the pallet dimensions of a Type 5 10 ft pallet for wide bodied passenger aircraft on most major routes: 318 (L) x 243 (W) x 160 (H) cms.
Upon arrival most airlines permit 24 hours free time for customs clearance and collection, thereafter prohibitive airline storage charges may apply, calculated on the chargeable weight on the airway-bill. Any storage charges arising will be passed on to your consignee.
EUROPEAN REMOVALS
Sea freight services are available to many European destinations; nevertheless, certain landlocked countries may be costly to service and transit times may be poor. In this event we recommend our European road trailer service, on an exclusive or part load basis, depending on the quantity of goods, preferred delivery date and budget. Transit time by road is typically between 7 and 14 days.
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What items are prohibited from shipment?
Certain items cannot be accepted for storage or transportation under general conditions of carriage or insurance. For example: food, cash, bonds, jewellery, alcohol, fireworks or other explosives, flammable gases, liquids or solids, poisons and toxins, corrosives, radioactive materials, ammunition or firearms, scuba tanks, gas cylinders, aerosol cans, butane lighters and other pressurised vessels and pornography of any description. It is also inadvisable to include perishables or liquids, which could leak in transit causing extensive damage.
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What items are prohibited from importation?
For a country-by-country guide on Customs regulations please click on download documents. For a full list of prohibited items it is advisable to apply to the Customs authority for a ruling in the importing country or their overseas representative such as the embassy or consular office. Most countries prohibit or restrict importation of the following items:
• Firearms, ammunition and explosives
• Hazardous items such as fireworks or poisonous substances
• Swords, sabres, daggers, spears, switch blades, hatchets
• Items made from animals on the endangered species list
• Foodstuffs, plants, herbs & spices
• Dried flowers, bulbs, seeds, pine cones, pot pourri
• Soil, sand, straw & hay
• Unprocessed furs, skins and hunting trophies
• Alcohol
• Medicines & narcotic drugs
• Pornographic materials
PLEASE NOTE – This is not a complete and definitive list.
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Can you reclaim VAT on your customer’s new goods?
Your customers are entitled to a full VAT refund on most new household purchases if they are:
1. Either an EU resident and have been in the EU for more than 365 days in the two years before they buy the goods and are going to a final destination outside of the EU for at least 12 consecutive months.
2. Or an overseas visitor and have not been in the EU for more than 365 days in the two years before they buy the goods and intend to leave within three months of the date they buy them for a final destination outside the EU.
If you wish to reclaim VAT please ask our sales consultants for further information on the Retail Export Scheme.
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Can Simpsons arrange storage?
Many countries will require the presence of your customer to clear their goods through customs. You may therefore wish to store their household goods at our security-protected facilities prior to shipment, following which we will arrange delivery to coincide with their arrival at destination. Alternatively, we can arrange storage at destination if required.
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Can Simpsons offer marine/transit insurance?
All due care is taken to ensure safe delivery of your customers’ possessions. Nevertheless, it is advisable to effect insurance to full destination replacement value, including the removal costs, import duties and other taxes that could result in the event of re-shipment.
We therefore highly recommend that you insure your customers' effects to full replacement value for All Risks and will be pleased to put you in touch with our brokers for a competitive quotation, should you require. Please note that Simpsons do not accept liability for loss and or damage to Trade shipments and you should therefore rely upon your own marine/transit insurance policy.
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What happens following shipment?
Following shipment we will immediately courier your shipping details to our accredited destination representative and forward our Certificate of Shipment to you with our invoice.
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What happens on arrival at destination?
When the goods arrive at the destination port or airport, our appointed representative will contact your customer to arrange customs and quarantine clearance, storage (if required), and a suitable date for delivery, unpacking and reinstatement of furniture and effects in their new home. Following unpacking, used materials and any debris will be removed from your customer's home.
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Can the destination agent be relied upon?
Our representatives are all carefully selected to ensure continuity in service levels and in most instances our directors have visited their facilities to ensure they meet our demands. By constantly monitoring the performance of our representatives we are able to maintain a global network of the finest companies in the overseas moving industry.
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