Don’t have a full container load worth of stuff? Only taking the bare essentials? Don’t want to pay for space you’re not using? A shared shipping container could be the solution you’re looking for.
Our shipping containers are designed to get your stuff where it needs to go, while also saving you money. Overseas Packers & Shippers are here to provide the cost-effective option for your overseas move!
What is a Shared Shipping Container?
If you don’t have enough belongings to fill an entire shipping container, Groupage (shared container shipping) can be a cost-effective way to move your belongings overseas.
Instead of paying for sole use of a 20ft or 40ft container, your belongings share container space with other Overseas Packers & Shippers customers moving to the same destination. You only pay for the space your shipment requires, making Groupage ideal for smaller household moves, a few pieces of furniture, boxes and personal belongings.
How Does Shared Container Shipping Work?
Our experienced team professionally wraps and packs your belongings before transporting them to our warehouse, where they’re safely held while awaiting the next available Groupage service.
One of the benefits of our Groupage service is that we can uplift your belongings at a time that suits your move, rather than requiring you to keep them at home until the container is ready to depart. Your shipment is then held at our warehouse at no additional storage charge from the agreed uplift date until it’s loaded into the next available Overseas Packers & Shippers Groupage container.
Your belongings are consolidated with shipments from other Overseas Packers & Shippers customers moving to the same destination. Once the container is full and ready to depart, it’s transported to the port and loaded onto the scheduled vessel.
When the container arrives at its destination, our trusted international moving partner will arrange customs clearance and coordinate delivery of your belongings to your new home.
Because Groupage containers need to be consolidated before departure, shipping timeframes can be longer than a Full Container Load (FCL) or LCL service. We’ll provide an estimated timeframe when planning your move and keep you updated as your shipment progresses.
What Are the Benefits of a Shared Container?
The main advantage of Groupage is that you only pay for the container space you need. If your belongings don’t fill an entire container, you don’t need to pay for unused space.
It’s particularly useful for:
- Smaller household moves
- A few boxes and personal belongings
- Furniture and other selected items
- Customers who don’t require a full 20ft or 40ft container
- Customers who have some flexibility around their shipping timeframe
Your belongings are also professionally packed for international transportation by our experienced team. We use appropriate packing materials and techniques for everything from furniture and household goods to china, glassware, artwork and fragile items.
For customers who would like additional financial protection for their belongings, transit insurance is also available. We can provide you with the relevant insurance information and documentation so you can consider whether the available cover is appropriate for your circumstances.
Where Do We Offer Shared Container Services?
Overseas Packers & Shippers operates regular Groupage services to New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Europe, making shared-container shipping a particularly practical option for smaller moves to these destinations.
We also offer Groupage services to Canada and the USA at selected times based on demand.
If Groupage isn’t available for your destination or doesn’t suit your timeframe, don’t worry. Depending on the size of your shipment and where you’re moving, we can also offer Less than Container Load (LCL), Full Container Load (FCL) or air freight.
Our Moving Consultants can explain the options available for your destination and help you find the most suitable solution for your move.
Groupage or LCL – What’s the Difference?
Both Groupage and LCL allow you to ship belongings without paying for an entire container, but they work differently.
With Groupage, we consolidate your belongings with other Overseas Packers & Shippers customers moving to the same destination. This can be a very cost-effective option, but the container needs to fill before it can depart.
With LCL (Less than Container Load), your belongings travel as an individual consignment through the shipping line’s LCL network and share container space with other cargo. This means you don’t need to wait for one of our Groupage containers to fill, making LCL useful when you have a smaller shipment but would like an earlier departure.
We’ll explain the differences in cost and expected timing so you can decide which option works best for your move.
Get a Quote for Your Shared Container Move
Not sure whether Groupage is right for you? Our Moving Consultants can look at how much you’re taking, your destination, timeframe and budget and explain the shipping options available.
You can call us for an initial quote, complete our online Quick Quote form, or request an obligation-free pre-move survey.
Surveys can be completed in your home or virtually via FaceTime or WhatsApp, making it easy for us to assess the volume of your belongings and provide you with a detailed quote.
Talk to our team today and find out how much space you really need for your overseas move.
We take over the complicated process of moving…
Helping our clients pack, organise insurance, liaise with shipping officials on their behalf and unpack at the end of the move.
Learn more about our process
