Liftvan / Container (how to move from Europe to the US)

If you are planning to move from Europe to America please take a look at the following list of options I put together when I was planning my move. Excel Google Docs


The list includes the following:

• shipping company 
• type of service 
• size of container/liftvan 
• service level 
• price 
• currency 
• volume in cubic meters (cbm) 
• cost in USD 
• liftvan 
• loading 
• comment 
• advantage 
• disadvantage 

I ended up getting the following with Active Moving + Shipping:

• 2 x 5.8 cbm Liftvans for €1,390 (~$1,575) each, €2,775 (~ $3,150) total 
• 1 x 2.1 cbm Liftvan for €685 (~$780) 
• Express delivery of liftvans for €150 (~$170) 
• Insurance coverage for 15,000 Euro for €275.00 (~$315) 

The price included the following:

• liftvans (wooden box) 
• delivery of the disassembled liftvan 
• pickup at my European residence 
• export paper work 
• port fees 
• space in a shared container (including fuel surcharges) 

It didn't include the customs fees nor delivery to my residence in America.

I got lucky and the inspection by customs ended up only being $25. Transporting the liftvans from the warehouse to my place cost me $250 via uShip.


Combined the 3 liftvans had a volume of 14.55 cubic meters (515 cubic feet) and weighed 1,436 kg (3,166 lbs) loaded. All set and done it cost me around $4,700.



Here is the timeline:

• 03/18/2016 received quote
• 04/06/2016 received invoice
• 04/07/2016 made payment 
• 04/08/2016 received empty liftvans 
• 04/09/2016 assembled liftvans and started loading 
• 04/14/2016 finished loading 
• 04/11/2016 pickup of loaded liftvans by trucking company 
• 04/23/2016 container ship left port in Bremen, Germany 
• 05/19/2016 container ship arrived at the port in Long Beach, CA 
• 06/03/2016 cleared customs 
• 06/06/2016 arrived at warehouse 
• 06/08/2016 picked up liftvans in Los Angeles using uShip 

Here are some pictures: Facebook Google+ Flickr




Hopefully this makes someone else's life easier.