FAQ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

At Freightworld, we pride ourselves on the customer Service, we offer our clients throughout transit time of their goods. Below are the most frequently asked questions.
How do I book my shipment?
After paying your refundable £50.00 deposit (increased to £100 if you require more than 15 free cartons) plus the cost of any specialised cartons and bags, we post or email to you, our Booking Confirmation. This document confirms payment of deposit, required packaging details, collection requirements (if known), documentation requirements and destination service details.
How do I order the free packaging materials?
After discussing your requirements with one of our moving specialists and payment of the required deposit, cartons, tape and bubble wrap are sent out for delivery free of charge. Specialised cartons and bags can be ordered at this time. You may keep the cartons as long as you wish. You may make further orders for which a delivery charge of £10 will be made. You may upgrade your delivery to next day for £7.95, (FREE when shipping over 2m3) Next Day before 1pm for just £9.95 or a Saturday delivery for £15.95. Unused packaging not returned to Freightworld will be charged at the RRP price. Failed delivery of cartons are charged at £10 per failed delivery, The cartons are protected in a plastic bag, therefore please advise us a dry place the cartons can be left if you are not at home when the cartons arrive. This also avoids you waiting in all day for the delivery of your cartons. Please see the packaging section.
Is the deposit refundable?
The deposit is fully refundable, if cancellation is made 3 working days prior to the collection date. Supplied packaging must be returned to Freightworld in good condition before the deposit is returned.
Does the price include collection from my house?
Yes, all our prices include collection from inside your property. For shipments under 2m3 your price includes collection by 1 driver from the ground floor with normal vehicle access. We reserve the right to charge extra for heavy or large items and goods not at ground floor level. For shipments over 2.5m3 we normally supply 2 or more porters and more specific arrangements are made with you to ensure a smooth operation. Your booking confirmation will highlight which type of collection you have.
When do I pay the final balance?
Payment of all charges is to be made at the time of collection, unless you are notified otherwise.
What documentation do I have to supply?
For all shipments we require an originally signed Freightworld supplied Packing List and a copy of the photo part of the Sender’s Passport. These documents must be completed prior to collection and given to the driver. Occasionally, we require you to post, fax or email these documents 48 hours prior to the collection date. A surcharge of £25 will be made for shipments collected without the paperwork,
Do I require professional packing?
About 30% of customers have their goods professionally packed. The benefits are that you can a) Insure your goods against breakage. b) Relax, while our porter(s) pack your goods to the standards required for shipping overseas. c) Less time for packing as our porters can even pack a full house in less than a day. d) Often overlooked, our porters will generally pack your shipment into less volume than a self packed shipment. At £35 per m3 with a maximum of £225, this service is highly recommended.
Storage In The UK Prior To Shipment!
We can provide clean, secure storage for your shipment in our brand new storage, packing and distribution centre (built 2005). Your collection charge is already included in your shipping charges so all you have to pay is £6 per m3 per week with a maximum of £12 per 7m3 (250cft) storage container per week. Payable in advance and subject to prepayment of Freight Charges. If you do not want to pay for the freight charges in advance, then collection, process and ancillary charges are payable together with storage charges, which now become subject to Vat @ 17.5%.
Should I have my shipment palletised?
The vast majority of our customers have their seafreight shipments palletised. For just £25.00, your shipment becomes one piece instead of a number of pieces. It will be black shrink wrapped for protection and security, tension banded, clearly labeled and marked fragile. Moved by mechanical machinery instead of hands. This will increase your shipment size by about 20% It is not as important to have your shipment palletised on the door to door service as this service is more specialised for the handling of Furniture and white goods.
Should I have my shipment insured?
Most of our customers insure their shipments. Lloyds Marine Insurance is one of the most popular types of insurance covers available in the world today. Although not compulsory, if you do not insure your goods, they are not insured at all. Freightworld are proud of the fact that few insurance claims are made, less than 3% per year over the last 10 years. However, in the unfortunate event that you have to make a claim, be assured that the world’s largest insurer with settlement agents in just about every city in the world will be processing your claim. Insurance: If you wish to insure your shipment please complete the Insurance rate request form or contact this office. The Government Regulated Insurance Broker will contact you with premiums and details of the insurance cover you require. Alternatively, please call Peter or Mark directly on 01772 780380 quoting Freightworld. The general rate for insurance is approximately 2.2% of the insured value + charges, for accurate rates pertaining to your shipment please enquire.
How do I calculate the volume?
Our most frequently asked question. The easiest way is to phone our central shipping office, we are trained in estimating volumes, just by asking a few questions. To estimate the volume yourself, we provide the following information:
7 medium cartons = 1m3 (6 if palletised). Each, about the size of a large computer monitor box or a wooden t-chest.. Book boxes are half the size of the medium cartons.
The following are approximate:
28” TV 0.45m3 Hi-Fi 0.14m3 Washer 0.4m3 Tall Fridge 0.8m3 Chest of Drawers 0.7m3 6 Dining Chairs 1.5m3 3 Seater Sofas 2m3 Double Divan Bed 2m3 Pedal Bicycle 0.355m3 2 Door Wardrobe 2m3
Other estimated volumes are listed in the packaging section of this website.
To calculate the volume of an individual piece, eg; A chest of drawers, multiply the length (1.2mtes) x the width (0.6mtes) x the height (0.9mtes). Your answer should be (0.648m3), Add 8 of our medium cartons and a cycle and you have (2.15m3) or palletised 2.58m3. You may pack light items in removable drawers. Please see the packaging section for more information.
When will my goods be shipped?
Unlike the fast port service the transit times we quote are door to door (not port to port). The vast majority of our services are twice monthly or monthly and in general your shipment must be delivered to the container ship about 5 days before the vessel sails. Therefore, once collection is made and we are in receipt of your documentation and payment, your shipment is forwarded for the next vessel. You may be notified of the information a few days after the collection, however, it is normal practice to inform you of the actual details once the vessel has sailed by email, fax or post.
Door to destination port or door to door?
Over 80% of our customers choose the door to port service. Generally, this service is twice as fast and costs up to 100% less than the door to door service. The physical customs clearance is no different. However, there are exceptions to this rule. If your shipment is not time sensitive, certain areas of Australasia, the Far East, America, Canada and South Africa, are a similar price overall. Please see the Faq’s for Seafreight Door to Port shipments. The term ‘port’ can be misleading, your shipment is not left on the quayside, your shipment is taken into a customs bonded warehouse where our agent will arrange for customs clearance. With a few exceptions, these prices are similar the world over, equivalent to £40 / £60 for customs clearance, and about £28 to £35 per m3 for port handling charges. Some countries charge other charges, such as, port service charge, handover fee, quarantine, fumigation and government taxes. Our agent can also arrange delivery or you may collect from their warehouse. If you require accurate charges, please contact the agent prior to shipping the consignment. In most cases you will pay less overall on a port only service than you will prepaying your shipment door to door.
What happens after my shipment has sailed?
Shortly after the vessel has sailed, we receive from the shipping line a ‘Bill of Lading’ or Certificate of Shipment. Freightworld will email, fax or post this document to you, together with a copy of your packing list. Also attached will be our shipping confirmation. These documents contain all the information you require, the estimated time of arrival at the destination port and the name and contact details of our destination agent. We ask you to make contact with the agent about 3 days before the estimated time of arrival, so enabling the agent to put everything in place for when your shipment arrives, enabling a speedier clearance. Normally you are allowed 5 days free storage time at destination. The destination agent will deliver your goods, usually upto the 1st floor and take any unwanted packaging away.
Why Is Security an important issue?
The world’s customs authorities including the UK, are constantly updating their regulations on the export and import of personal and household effects. Previously, an area of shipping not monitored closely. Regular checks are made, it is important that shipments do not include prohibited goods and your documentation complies with their regulations. Personal and household effects are goods classed as being your own personal goods, shipped by you and received at the destination by you. Most countries require that you are in the destination country before your goods arrive. If you are unsure of your requirements, please contact us. Furthermore, contact the relevant Embassy, Customs or Government body, who will give you accurate up to date information pertaining to your individual requirements.
What goods are prohibited by Seafreight?
Alcohol, Explosives, High Value Precious Metals and Stones, Certain Knives, Swords, living matter of any kind, Gas, Fuel and any goods not allowed by the country your goods are destined to. The Freightworld web-site has links to most of the world’s customs organisations, so if you are unsure, please check beforehand.
Will I pay destination duties and taxes?
If you are emigrating, it is rare to be charged duties and taxes in most countries. If you are a returning citizen or asking another person to send your goods or just unsure of your status, please contact the appropriate customs authorities.
Does the weight matter?
For the safety of your shipment and to comply with health and safety regulations, each package should not exceed 40 kilos in weight and we do reserve the right to charge for heavy items. Our cartons are designed to reduce in height, Freightworld’s book cartons hold about 50 books, so please use these facilities. To avoid crushing, ensure you cartons are filled to the maximum. For further tips on packing, please call us or visit the packaging part of the website.
Will I pay destination quarantine or fumigation charges?
Most countries do not charge for these services, When shipping to Australia, New Zealand, China, Canada be prepared to pay these charges, especially if you have wooden products or/and an inspection is made.
Are transit times guaranteed?
The simple answer is no. Transit times quoted are those given by the shipping line. No company in the world can guarantee transit times by sea. Due to the logistics and more recently tightened security, transit times can only be used as a guide. The vast majority of shipments arrive within a week either side of the estimated time of arrival. Please be assured that Freightworld do their utmost to ensure your goods are shipped as quickly as possible. Please ensure, especially when shipping to a holiday home that you are visiting for a limited period of time, you have made arrangements to accommodate unforeseen delays. Also, consider airfreight instead of, or as well as, seafreight to port service. The Seafreight Door to Door service is not a time critical service.

Please feel free to contact us concerning any of these or other related matters.