Who Are Container Movers Near Me?

International and cross-border moves are probably the most stressful and hectic since they involve so many processes. For one, these types of moves usually involve the use of shipping containers as it is the most convenient, compact, and cost-effective way of transporting household items and vehicles. 

Nonetheless, international and cross-border moves don’t have to be complicated – with the right container movers such as Nellions, the process can be a breeze.

When clients approach us for international moves by sea shipping, we usually present them with THREE options:

• Full Container Load (FCL) shipping

We usually give this option to clients who have many household goods that need to be shipped to the destination country. Likewise, getting a full container is usually the best option if a client has a car or vehicle that needs to be moved internationally or crossborder. Shipping containers are standardized and come into 2 sizes. One is 20 feet long (short name is 20’) and the other is 40’long (short name is 40’)

• Groupage shipping

Our clients can choose this more cost-effective option if they don’t have many items to ship. One container is shared between two or three individuals with the same destination country in such a situation.

• Less than Container Load (LCL) shipping

This option is taken when the two above can’t apply since it is the least cost effective. After the wrapping and packing goods are put inside wooden crates.

Crating is a suitable alternative to consolidating the goods with other consignments in a single container, which would require de-consolidation at ports along the way and re-consolidation before reaching destination country.

What is the cost of container shipping in Kenya?

This is a very broad question. The short answer is that it depends. 

Let’s take a look at the things that will determine the cost of shipping your container:

Factors that determine the cost of container shipping 

• The volume of your container

Unlike air freight, where the weight determines the cost of shipping, the cost of shipping via sea is determined by the volume of your container. A 20-foot container is sufficient to hold the belongings of most three-bedroom houses while the 40-foot one can hold the items of a four-bedroom house or more. Shipping costs for 40’ containers are on average about 75% higher than for 20’containers.

• The time of the year 

The peak season for container shipping is between January and February and August and September. During these periods, the cost of shipping is sometimes higher than during off-peak times. Other dynamics come into play as well, such as longer shipping time and port congestion surcharges in some cases.

• The distance of your move

If you’re shipping your container halfway across the world, it will cost more than a shorter trip. Additionally, whether your move is port-to-port or door-to-door will also affect costs. If you ask us to transport the container with your household items from your old house to your brand new one and unpack, this will bump up the price.

• Port of Clearance

For household goods customs clearance is normally done at the ports, either sea ports or dry/inland ports. Port charges differ from one port to another. Land rocked countries will incur further costs of surface transport (road or rail), transit bond fees and border crossing charges.  Container sometime incur port storage fees 20’containers are in most cases charged less than 40’containers

What is the process of clearing a container at Kenyan Customs?

The process of clearing a container differs depending on the mode of transport used: land, sea, or air. We created these blog articles to address this very question:

• Importing your used household goods to Kenya via air
• Importing your used household goods to Kenya via sea
• Importing your used household goods to Kenya via land

Are you looking for the best container movers in Kenya and East Africa? Give us a call today on +254 700 000 002, and we’ll give you a FREE quote.