Shipping Your Household Goods Overseas: By Boat or Plane?

When it's time to ship your household goods overseas there are two main options available, either shipping by boater shipping by plane. Both international shipping options have their pros and cons, with the final decision coming down to which one is best suited for your circumstances. Here's an in-depth look at the advantages and disadvantages of Specialist Packing for Shipping Overseas by boat or plane.

There are a few different options to ship your household goods overseas, however shipping by boats by far the most popular option due to its low cost and environmental impact. Due to the fact that boats have the ability to carry a large amount of containers at once, they are a cheaper alternative to being shipped by plane. When shipping by boat there are a number of container usage options available; a Full Container Load (FCL), Group age and Less than Container Load (LCL) depending on the size of your shipment. Overall, shipping by boat is a great option for those looking to send household goods overseas in a cost-effective manner.

One of the slight disadvantages of shipping by boat is that it can take a longer time for goods to reach their final overseas destination. This is because boats travel more slowly than other modes of transportation, such as planes or trains due to the distance and manner of shipping. If you are looking for your household goods to arrive by a specific date, then shipping by plane may be a more suitable alternative. Due to the nature of shipping by boat your goods are vulnerable to poor weather conditions, if an unlikely storm is to hit while the ship is out at sea, the safety of your goods may be at risk. OSS World Wide Movers offer insurance when shipping overseas, with the small cost of insurance giving you complete peace of mind. Ask your move consultant today about OSS Move Cover Insurance Packages which duly compensate any unforeseen loss or damage that may occur.

One of the main benefits of shipping by plane is its speed, with moves generally taking 7 to 10 days on a full door to door move basis. If you are looking to get your goods shipped by a certain date, shipping by plane is the best option. Planes can cover a lot of ground in a relatively short amount of time, meaning your shipment will arrive at its destination much more quickly than if it were sent by other forms of transportation. Shipping by plane can also be a more reliable option than other methods, as delays due to personnel or mechanical issues are less common.

A few things to consider when shipping your household goods overseas by plane are the cost and environmental impact when compared to shipping by boat. The cost of shipping by plane is often a little more than other forms of transportation, due to the speed of its arrival. Secondly, it's not very environmentally friendly, as planes produce a lot of greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, there are weight restrictions that can make it difficult to ship certain items by plane. Airlines charge on weight basis calculated from either the actual weight of the shipment, or a minimum weight calculated on a set weight to volume scale (which is 167kgs per cubic meter). Moving by airfreight is also ideal if you have a low volume or light weight shipment, with items that are important to your daily life and are needed pretty much as soon as you arrive at your destination. So, while shipping by plane has its benefits, it's important to weigh the overall costs and understand if your goods fit the size requirements to fit on a plane.

So, what’s the verdict? Is shipping by plane better than shipping by boat? The answer to that question really depends on what you’re shipping and where it needs to go. Though, shipping by plane is often quicker and more convenient. That said, if you’re looking for a cheap and environmentally friendly option, then shipping by boat is a good choice. Consult an OSS Move Consultant today to start the process of shipping your household goods overseas!