Pack n Send Blog

Moving Your Home or Business Out of Town?

Posted on Thu, Mar 07, 2019

There are so many choices when you are planning to move from one city to another. Before the stress of moving starts to get you down, consider these questions that you will need to think through. 

Questions to Ask When You Begin Your Move

  • Who will you hire as a moving company?
  • Is there door to door service available?
  • What if I don't have all the packing materials I need?
  • How will you transport your items?
  • Who will pack for you?
  • How much will you try to move on your own?

With so many shipping and moving options available to you when you are planning your move, you'll need to consider exactly how you want to transport your things. First, you'll need to choose between small load moving or freighting your belongings if you are moving from one city to another city. These options can vary depending on the amount of things you need transported from your home or business. 

 

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Small Load Moving

This type of moving process is for moving just a small amount of furniture. When moving this way, your items are delivered right inside your new building for your convenience. This option is excellent when you are moving a few things from one city to another city. A blanket wrap mover will come take your belongings or your companies items from one location to another. Everything will be delivered inside of the building.

Freighting Your Furniture

Freighting furniture involves loading  furniture, fixtures and boxes onto large wooden pallets and having them delivered via freight truck. Your items should be protected on the pallet with both one by fours and cardboard. The one by fours prevent your belongings from moving during freight transport.\. This method can be delivered either  curbside or to a loading dock. For a small extra charge, freighted materials can  be delivered inside a business or residence as well. 

Contact us to request your free moving quote today! 

Tags: Shipping Packing Houston, Moving a Small Amount of Furniture, Freight shipping furniture, Relocating an Office, relocation

Shipping Artwork? Have it Properly Packaged

Posted on Fri, Mar 17, 2017

So you want to a pack a painting and ship it somewhere?  Get a box, add a little newsprint, ship it and hope it gets there safely? Shipping artwork requires packing expertise.


   Wrong. Look at your other options. How about packing it correctly and making sure that it arrives at its destination undamaged.

When you are packing a high value piece of artwork, we recommend using a professional packing company. Depending on the value of the painting, they may recommend a custom built box. For high value artwork, they should give you the option of having a custom built crate made.  Even if it is a large painting that does not carry a high value, it may ship better in a crate.

 So how do you locate a  professional packing or a professional crating company. Call local art dealers. Call a custom framer. Ask a friend for a recommendation. Call local shipping companies and ask them for their recommendations. Ask how long the  company has been in business. Ask if they have experience packing and shipping art work. No, two pieces of artwork during the last six months does not qualify as experience.

Can the company show you examples of pieces of artwork that they have crated? Do they have pictures of crates or boxes that they have built for other customers?

Do they let you know about protecting the painting with one inch of Styrofoam inside of the crate or inside of the box?  Do they offer both curbside and inside delivery for your painting. Have they mentioned to you that the painting will need to be signed for at the receiving end. 

If you have multiple paintings, have the offered to crate them inside or one crate?  Have they offered a blanket wrap move price for the paintings.

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For smaller or less valuable paintings, you can have a custom built box made.  The box is usually delivered to your front door.

There are  even options for your small, less valuable paintings. You can ask to have a custom box built that will specifically fit your painting. You can ask for the painting to be dropped off at a delivery address, or you can ask for the painting to be signed for by the recipient.

All of the above are basic questions that will need to be answered before you locate the right company to pack and send your artwork.

 In Houston, feel free to contact pack n send to answer your questions. A privately owned company in business since 1981.

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Shipping Marble - Building a Custom Crate

Posted on Sat, Mar 11, 2017

Do you want to ship a single piece of marble, or a piece of furniture that has marble on it?

shipping marble.jpgHere are a few packing suggestions. For a single piece of marble, find a company that can build a custom crate. A custom crater will line the crate with  at least one inch of Styrofoam on each side. They may use up three inches of Styrofoam on the bottom of the crate, and up to two inches on the sides and top. A lot of this depends on the thickness  and the value of the marble. 

For a piece of furniture that has marble on it, you will need to make sure that the crater knows how to remove the marble from the furniture. The crating of the marble will then follow the same rules as if it was a single piece of marble.

Make sure that the crate is closed properly and reinforced with metal banding that is applied securely around the crate. So whether you are packing an estate in Houston, are looking for a Houston furniture shipper, or trying to find international shippers, you can follow the same steps when  looking for a custom crater.

When moving marble within same city, look for a mover that can build the custom moving crate for you. They will need the exact dimensions.  Length times width times height. You do not want the movers to arrive with the wrong size crate. We recommend measuring the marble two times to make sure that you give the mover the correct dimensions. They will add space for the Styrofoam lining that they add inside the crate to protect your marble.

When you are looking for custom crate builders in Houston TX, or throughout the United States, be sure to ask questions about crate building experience.

For more information about building a custom crate to ship marble a are looking for a crate builder, feel free to contact pack n send in Houston.  We are one of the premier packing companies Houston, and have offered packing service in Houston since 1981.

Need a Crate? Get a Fast Quote

 

 

Time to rodeo! Buy Souvenirs?Need packing companies in Houston?

Posted on Tue, Mar 07, 2017

 

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It is that time of year again.  The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo runs from March 7- March 26  2017. Some of the most popular events  are: bull riding, bareback bronc riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, roping, and more.  

Even if traditional rodeo sports aren't for you, there is plenty to do.  There is a new Ferris Wheel at the carnival this year and  lots of food, including fried food on a stick. On a hot day, try the frozen lemonade. Turkey legs are always a favorite, with the outdoor tents having lots of tasty treats.

There is plenty of shopping. You can purchase items that are small in size, like jewelry, t shirts, belts and cowboy hats all the way up to larger pieces of furniture.

For those of you purchasing larger items, please feel free to contact us. We can ship the saddles, furniture that you just have to have. We can ship it either domestically or internationally for you.

We can even pick up from local hotels. So those of you who have purchased too many t shirts to fit inside your suitcase, we can pack and ship your precious purchases.

So, if you are looking for packing companies in Houston, please call us at 713 266 1450.  Pack n send is ready to help you out with all of your rodeo shipping needs.

www.pack-n-send.com

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Tips for Planning a Summer Move- Pack and Ship Moving Service

Posted on Wed, Mar 01, 2017

 

Spring moving season is beginning. Homeowners are listing their  homes, and families are planning ahead for their move. Whether you are moving to purchase a larger home, or move to a new school district, it is time to plan you move. You may be packing an estate of a deceased relative to move with you when you relocate.

Whether you are planning a move within the city, a cross country move. or an international move, now is the time to look at your moving options. Here are a few moving tips that will serve all types of household moves.

  • Start to plan your local move six weeks ahead of time.
  • Start to plan you cross country move nine to twelve weeks ahead of time.
  • Start to plan you international move two months ahead of time. 

Start to sort out the items that you want to move. Consider donating belongings that you have not used during the past year. Do this ahead of time so that you do not move things that you are not using.

Make a list of the items that you will need the first few days after your move. Medicine, sheets, towels, toiletries and changes of clothing should be on the top of your list.

 When you contact your movers, remember to let them know about items in an attic, basement or storage unit that you will need moved. This will be a good time to go through your storage unit to see if you want to move items that you do not plan to move in the future. You may need to move something in a custom crate.

Obtain a floor plan of your new residence. Make sure that everything that you are moving will fit inside your new residence.

Measure some of the items that you plan to move before you purchase your moving boxes.

As a Houston packing company and mover, pack n send can assist you with                   shipping furniture across country, provide international shipping company assistance, or give you a quote for your local Houston move. A pack and ship moving company that offers alternative ways to make your household move run smoothly.

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Out of Town Wedding. Use a Shipping Company to Pack and Send the Gifts

Posted on Mon, Feb 27, 2017

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As families are planning destination weddings and local weddings with out of town guests, shipping the last minutes gifts can often cause headaches for the bride and groom.

Pack n send in Houston recommends lining up a shipping company in advance. The boxes that your china, glassware and blender are boxed in were most likely shipped to the store via freight. These boxes will not hold up when  shipping via a common carrier.


When you want to pack and send wedding gifts, consider shipping the shower gifts at the same time.

The delicate and fragile wedding gifts will need to be professionally packed so that they can be sent on to the couples new residence.

Look for a company that can ship a few gifts or many gifts. If the newly wedded couple is moving out of town, you may want to have a freight or moving company move all their gifts along with furniture from mom and dad's home. If you do this all at the same time, you can save on both moving and shipping costs.

Make sure to value everything for full value. The moving or shipping company should be able to do this for you. If you have just a few small boxes, it may be less expensive to send it to a business address.

As a result of more than 35 years of experience, pack n send can answer any of your wedding gift shipping questions.

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Estate Moving & Estate Furniture Shipping

Posted on Fri, Feb 24, 2017

After a love one passes away, there is usually furniture and household goods to take out of the home or apartment. Instead of donating the furniture and mementos, why not ship them to relatives and friends throughout the United States. Estate moving of small items and estate furniture shipping require that specific questions are asked of the packing, moving and shipping company.

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You can deliver something as small as a piece of silverware up to a car.  You can have artwork packed in boxes for shipping or shipped inside a custom built crate.

Check with the shipping company that you use that they can move  small boxes, or even place furniture on a pallet for shipping. See if they can ship a single piece of furniture overseas or anywhere in the United States.

The company that you choose should be able to pick up, pack and deliver to multiple locations. A small package to Oregon, and household furniture to Maine should be able to be handled by the same company.

Make sure that the company can supply shipping and packing boxes. They should offer to either pack for you, or offer guidance so that you can pack on your own if you would like to do that.

They should ask you for the value of the estate items that you are shipping. You want to be covered in case of loss or damage during the shipping process.

When looking for a company to pack and send or pack and ship for you, try to locate a one stop shop, so that you have less work to do at a stressful time in your life.

For more information about moving an estate feel free to contact pack n send in Houston. In business since 1981.

 

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International Shipping Companies Alternatives

Posted on Wed, Feb 22, 2017

 

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When you are looking at international shipping companies, there a myriad of considerations.

Has the company shipped internationally before?

Do they offer both container shipping, air shipping and cubic meter shipping?

Come prepared with a list and the value of the items that you are shipping. That way the freight preparation company can look at the least expensive way to send your items. Time may be of a factor so air shipping may the best shipping alternative.  If time is not of the essence, ocean shipping may be the way to  pack and send your items. International shipping is easy when you use a shipping company that has experience.

Once you have prepared your list, and have located the packing and shipping services, you need to make sure that the country you are shipping to will accept the item or items that you are sending. There are specific lists for each country of items that are not allowed into their country. Both USPS and DHL websites contain lists of the prohibited items for each country.

Look for a company that will price each of your shipments individually.  The best shipping method for your first shipment may change when you transport other items the second or third time that you are shipping internationally. Sometimes you can ship in a custom built crate. Other times, shipping on a pallet is recommended.  A 20 foot container may work for your first shipment. Maybe a 40 foot container or a 40 foot high cube is needed for your next two shipments.

When you are researching for an international moving companies feel free to contact  pack n send in Houston.  We have been in business since 1981 and are here to answer your international moving questions.

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Houston moving company helps you find the right local mover

Posted on Wed, Feb 15, 2017

 

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When you plan a household move,  you need to plan ahead of time. Finding the right moving company should be on the top of your list.

Here are a few of the questions that that a moving company should ask you.

 

Do you plan to pack your boxes yourself?

Do you need help packing some of your boxes?

Do  you have the proper  packing materials to pack boxes on your own?

Will you need stand up wardrobe boxes for your hanging clothes?

Do you want the mover to move all of your items, or will you move some of the items on your own?

Do you have an attic, garage or storage unit that will also be moved?

Have you signed a lease on your new home or apartment?

Do you plan to forward your mail to your new address.

While these are some very basic questions,  Houston moving companies try to help their customers have well planned out moves.

For Houston houston packing, moving, unpacking and estate packing and estate shipping  in Houston feel free to contact pack n send, a Houston moving company.

 
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Custom Boxing

Posted on Mon, Feb 13, 2017

 

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Custom made boxes can be made for shipping artwork. Once a boxing company knows the dimensions of  a painting i.e., the length, width and height, they can build your custom made box.  If it is a high value painting that you would like to ship, then  a custom built crate may be  your best option.

When you are shipping inside  a crate, different types of wood may need to be used .  Shipping International freight from Houston, requires that heat treated wood is used to build the crate. If you want to pack and send a painting to New York, then you do not need to use this stamped heat treated  wood.

So if you need custom boxing in Houston, or a custom wood crate built in Biloxi, look for a company that specializes in using appropriate packing materials that will take into account both the size of the painting, as well as the value of the painting that is being shipped.

Feel free to contact pack n send in Houston, if you have questions about the right type of packing material to use when you are shipping a painting.

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Do interior decorators & interior designers need a moving company?

Posted on Thu, Feb 09, 2017

 

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In order to rearrange furniture, you need to hire a moving company.   If furniture needs to be  donated or disposed of, you need a professional company to move furniture for you.  If your are simply moving furniture into a garage so that the walls can be painted, you need movers with experience.

So what else can  a mover help out with? 

Taking down and hanging art work

Moving out old appliances

Moving furniture into a storage unit, or into the garage so that new flooring can be put down

Packing up the kitchen before a kitchen remodel.

Unpacking the kitchen after a kitchen remodel.

Packing the linen closet and bathroom items before a bathroom remodel.

Unpacking the linen closet and bathroom items before a bathroom remodel.

Bedroom furniture may need to be moved into another bedroom, or into a storage unit.

In Houston, pack n send has been assisting interior decorators   and  interior designers since 1981 with all of their moving needs. Please feel free to contact us if you have a remodeling need, or are moving your business or if you are moving you home. We are able to provide both packing , moving and unpacking services.

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Unloading Cargo Containers

Posted on Tue, Jan 31, 2017

 

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So now you have imported merchandise from another country into Houston. You have picked up the  container at the Port of Houston and had it delivered to your warehouse.

 Now what?  Hire a professional company to unload your container. Unloading cargo containers should be done by experienced workers. Hire a company that has the personnel and forklift. Let them unload the pallets and stack the merchandise on your shelves.  With their expertise, they can do this quickly so that the container can be returned to the port without incurring extra charges.

 

Considering international shipping? If you are loading cargo containers for shipment to another country,  hire the same team to load your container in under two hours. They can stage the shipment in the warehouse, so that the container can be loaded quickly and efficiently.

For information about container loading and container unloading in Houston, please feel free to contact us.

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Freight Receiving Warehouse for Small to Midsize Companies

Posted on Wed, Jan 25, 2017

 

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Retailers  often use freight receiving warehouses. For companies that are  purchasing  multiple lots of items, the freight receiving warehouse can unload the pallets, inspect the merchandise, and deliver the items to multiple locations for or the purchaser.

 

For companies that are receiving large loads that the intend to repackage,  the freight receiver can inspect the packages for defects or missing items, and then deliver them to the purchasers place of business.

 Interior decorators often have the furniture that they are staging, sent to a freight receiving warehouse, inspected and then delivered to the home that they will be showing.

When companies use a freight receiving warehouse to receive their freight, it frees up their personnel to handle other tasks.  Companies do not need to have extra storage space, as the deliveries  are processed as needed.

For more information about freight receiving,  fell free to contact pack and send in Houston.

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Cargo Shipping to Slovenia- Restricted and Prohibited Items and Facts

Posted on Tue, Jan 24, 2017

 

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When pack and send looked for items that are prohibited or restricted for shipment into Slovenia three years ago, we could not locate a list of these items. Since that time, some of the following items have been restricted or prohibited.

 

Here is a partial list of some of the items that are now prohibited from importing into Slovenia:

  • Playing cards
  • Chain letter items
  • Radioactive materials

 

There are many more restricted items that can only be imported with authorization by the State Bank. They include money, both paper and coins, as well as papers that have values.

Medicine may be imported only if there is an import permit that has been obtained by the health authorities. 

Pack n send is providing the link below to see if  more updates are made in the future.

 

http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/ps_030.htm

 We have listed facts about Slovenia so that you can get to know more about Slovenia.

We found that they have more than twenty eight thousand wineries and more than 500 castles. Only about seven per cent of the wine is exported. The rest is consumed domestically.

There are twenty four thousand different types of animal species including birds, deer and bears.

Potatoes, sugar beets and wheat are grown in Slovenia.

Slovenia is known for ski resorts and lakes. It is also had beautiful mountains.

If you  are shipping containers you should consider shipping  into the Port of Koper. Cargo shipping will go smoothly when you  prepare the proper documentation.

For information about container loading and   container shipping contact pack n send in Houston.

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Moving a senior adult into an assisted living center.  Part four

Posted on Sat, Jan 21, 2017

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 Here is a list of  some things to take into account when you are moving a senior adult into a new residence.

Find out if the location they are moving from or moving to needs a Certificate of Insurance. If needed, have it ready a week before the move.  Some facilities require this Certificate before the movers can move anything in or out of the building.

See if you need to reserve a freight elevator. Are there specific times when you can move in or out of a building? Is there a specific door to use that is closer to the residents living space.  If the movers can park close to the residents room, you may be able to save on move time.

Can you pack non essential items such as extra linens  before the move day. That way, all you need to be concerned about on the move in date is getting the resident over to the new location. Whether a  senior is moving one piece of furniture or an entire house load of furniture you will need to plan ahead. Consider moving a single piece of furniture to a family member.

Can you arrange to have the old apartment or home cleaned after the resident has moved out. That way all the senior needs to do is  go from one location to another on move day.

Have you let the new location know your move in time ahead of time. That way, they can have someone greet the new resident when they arrive.  Have you shown the senior their way around the new building ahead of time. If they are familiar where the dining room, exercise room and coffee room are, it will make them feel more comfortable when you leave for the day.

For more information on moving senior adults feel free to contact pack n send. We pack up the seniors apartment or home. We also ship the items that will not fit into their new living space to relatives throughout the country.

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Moving a senior adult into an assisted living center. Part three

Posted on Wed, Jan 18, 2017

 

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  • This is a list of things to consider when you are moving a senior adult into a new residence.
  •  Ask for a floor plan for the new residence.
  • Find out what  pieces of furniture the person you are moving would like to take with them Check to see if it will all fit into their new living space.
  • Is there anything that they would like to donate.
  • Do they want to ship any china, silverware or mementos to family members.
  • Make them a part of the move.
  • Do they have a preference as far as the floor that they are on.
  • Do they want a patio or a porch?
  • Do they want to face an garden, or the street.
  • Check if the new space will be noisy or quiet based on the  outside traffic or noises.
  • Will their rooms face the sun in the heat of the day if they are in a warm climate.

These are all things that can be checked out before the move, to make the senior adults move go smoothly.

Feel  free to ask pack n send questions about the move. We specialize in moving seniors into assisted living facilitiesPacking companies, like pack n send  can pack, move and offer to  help sell and or ship their excess belongings to family members throughout the United States.

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Part two-Recommendations to follow when moving senior adults

Posted on Sun, Jan 15, 2017

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  • Ask for their input.
  • Do they want to bring all of their own furniture from their current home, or do they want to shop for new furniture?
  • Do they want a interior designer or an interior decorator to decorate their new home?
  • Do they want to order custom made furniture, or are they happy to order something that is premade.
  • Do they want to purchase new clothes so that they can shine a their new residence?
  • Do they want to eat all of their meals in the dining hall, or are they planning on having family members take them out to eat a few times a week.

If  you check out these questions as you are researching a new residence for a senior adult, the move and adjustment to a new residence will go smoothly.

In Houston,  feel  free to contact pack and send. We specialize in moving senior adults  into assisted living facilities.  We help sell and or ship their excess belongings to family members throughout the United States.

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Recommendations for moving senior adults into assisted living centers

Posted on Thu, Jan 12, 2017

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When moving a senior adult into an Assisted Living Center, there are a few questions that you should ask.

  1. Ask for their input.

Do they prefer  to live on an upper or lower floor.?

Do they want to live close to an elevator?

 Do they want an enclosed property, or is it OK with them if they need to walk outside in order to eat in the dining room?

  1. Do they have a budget that they are trying to stick to?
  2. Are there any special meal considerations?

 Do the need a no sugar diet, a low salt diet, or do they prefer all fried foods?

Different facilities offer different meal plans.

  1. Will all of the furniture fit inside their new residence, or will some of the furniture need to be shipped or blanket wrap moved to relatives in another city? Do they prefer inside white glove delivery, or  curbside delivery for the furniture that they are giving away to their relatives?

These are a few general questions to ask when you begin looking for an assisted living facility.

In Houston, pack and send moves senior adults into assisted living. We can pack, move and unpack. Please contact us for more suggestions to make the move go smoothly.

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Shipping Auto Parts for Restored Cars

Posted on Sun, Jan 08, 2017

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With the restoration of older cars, shipping auto parts has become a necessity throughout the United States. A car hood that is in Houston, Texas can easily be shipped to  Ames, Iowa to help with the restoration.

A car door located in Buffalo, New York, can easily be shipped to Oakland California.  With the internet, it is easy to find car parts in any part of the country and have them shipped to their final destination. Large car parts can like the door and car hood can easily be strapped to a pallet and shipped via freight. Car engines can also be shipped on a pallet.  If the pallet is  picked up from a business with a loading dock or a fork lift, and delivered to a business with a loading dock or a fork lift, a lift gate fee can be saved. A professional packing  company can protect the car part from damage and strap it to a pallet.

Say you need to purchase a Catalytic converter. Because of some of the precious metals contained in the converter, you want to have the Catalytic Converter packed well.  The metals may include rhodium and platinum.  Palladium may also be inside of the converter.  You may want to use a custom built box that will fit the Catalytic Converter snuggly inside of the box. An expensive engine, such as the engine for a Porsche shown above, may need to be crated. A custom built crate will protect the engine during shipping.

For packing and shipping car parts in Houston, call pack n send. at 713 266 1450.

 

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Ways to stay warm in winter from a Texas moving company

Posted on Fri, Jan 06, 2017

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Since we rarely have cold weather in Houston, we have looked up ways to stay warm to send to our Houston customers as well as our clients throughout the United States.  Here are a few suggestions.

  • Add a layer or two to your clothing. This applies when you are inside or outside.
  • Wear a hat. Yes, a hat worn  inside will help keep your body warm.
  • Wear socks. 
  • Run your ceiling fan clockwise.  Since hot air rises, this will help push the hot air down. Run the fan on low.
  • Use hand warmers in the pockets of your jacket.
  •  Block any drafts coming in from the bottom of doors.  A rolled up towel  will do the trick. You can even make a long thin pillow out of fabric and stuffing.
  • Attach one inch plastic strips over the space where the door meets the wall. This will help to keep out drafts.
  • Cook and bake all day long. The heat from the oven will help heat up the house.  Cookies help the house smell good too.
  • Hot cocoa, hot coffee, hot tea or even hot water will  help warm your insides.

Stay warm and remember  enjoy playing board games or working on puzzles to pass the time.

Since pack n send ships freight and moves furniture across country, our customers are sending  us pictures of the snow in their area.  We have a cold rain, but none of the beautiful snow.  Feel free to email us pictures of your patio, street or porch so that we can share them with our customers.  Shipping companies have weather delays, and as a Texas moving company, we are dealing with cold weather today.

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Insurance Co.& Shipping for  Product Liability Lawsuits- Custom Crates

Posted on Tue, Jan 03, 2017

 

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When shipping exhibits for product liability lawsuits, insurance companies often need to use professional shipping companies to pack and send exhibits.

It can be anything from a water heater that leaked, to something that is totally burnt out when it exploded. The items that are being shipped may not look like much in their current state, but they are valuable assets  when used in a trial.

Insurance companies use professional packing companies to pick up, pack and               freight their exhibits. If an item can be placed on a pallet, protected and shipped, this is a good option to use. If  a custom crates need to be built, the insurance company will use a professional packing company to pack and ship the exhibit.  We recommend using a packing company that has experience packing and shipping high value items.

For more information about shipping items for product liability lawsuits, feel free to contact pack n send in Houston.

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Packing an Estate and Delivering Property for Estate Bankers

Posted on Fri, Dec 30, 2016

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When bankers handle estates for their clients, they often need a shipping company to pick up, and help with packing an estate  and deliver the decedents property.

Sometimes is it can  be something simple like a small family photograph that needs to be shipped.  Other times, it can be expensive jewelry that needs to be delivered to a family member.  Insurance coverage must be obtained before the jewelry can be picked up and shipped. There can be high value art work that needs to be properly delivered. A custom crate may need to be built for the picture to be sent safely to the new recipient. There may be a few pieces of furniture that need to go to family members. You can freight furniture, use a small load mover or use a white glove mover to deliver the furniture. 

While this all appears to be simple, bankers have a fiduciary  responsibility to handle estates with the utmost care. We recommend looking for a shipping company with experience handling high value items. Bankers need to be sure that the estate property will be valued from the time it leaves their office, until it is delivered to the correct recipient.

Pack n send in Houston has been shipping  for over 35 years. We can answer questions for you if you need to pack and send estate items. Please feel free to contact us.

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A few planning and moving tips from a moving services company.

Posted on Thu, Dec 22, 2016

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A few planning and moving tips from pack and send Houston.

Start the new year off right. Shred old tax documents. Get rid of magazines and papers that you no longer need.

Weed through your winter clothes that you have not used in years, and donate them to a charity.

Look at your household goods that you do not use. You can donate them, or hold a garage sale.

Start off the New Year in an organized way.  Hire a moving company that provides moving services to move furniture around your home.  Ship excess belongings to family members. You can freight your excess furniture to family members living in other cities. 

Hire an organizer to re arrange your shelves, and help you sort through your belongings.  These are just a  few  yearend tips from pack and send in Houston, Texas.  Pack n send  is your moving specialist. 713 266 1450

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Packing a painting for shipping or moving

Posted on Wed, Dec 14, 2016

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When packing a painting for shipping or moving, you have a few options. 

For a high value or large painting, you can have a custom built crate made. The crate will need to be lined with Styrofoam. This prevents the painting from moving around inside the crate during shipping.  The crate will be delivered either  with  curbside delivery or inside delivery.

For smaller or less valuable paintings, you can have a custom built box made. In this case, you will also need to line the inside of the box with Styrofoam. The box is usually delivered to your front door.

There is one more option. You can send  a painting on a blanket wrap move truck.  With this option, you will have your painting delivered inside.

When shipping paintings you need to look at value, the dimensions of the painting, and the destination location.

There is not one preferable method of packing and delivery. Each painting is treated for its own unique qualities when you are deciding  how to  pack and ship your painting.

For more detailed information about packing and or crating your painting, please contact pack n send in Houston.

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Moving and Shipping Taxidermy Mounts

Posted on Sun, Dec 11, 2016

 

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Are you moving or shipping a taxidermy animal?  Taxidermy is an art form.  It includes the preparation, stuffing and mounting of the skins of animals. With winter upon us and hunting season in session, hunters want to display their trophies.

Take for example a deer head.  It makes a wonderful gift to a family member or you can ship it to your winter home in Colorado or Montana.

Here are a few easy steps to get the deer head ready for shipping.

Be prepared to build a custom wood crate to fit the deer head, antlers and all.  You will need to block and brace the deer head so that it does not move during shipping. We recommend using a professional crate builder to build the crate for you.  If you are building the  crate on your own, add one inch of Styrofoam anywhere where an antler or the head could hit the sides of the wood crate. Use  1" x 4" wood for the blocking and bracing. In many ways,shipping a taxidermy mount is like shipping a sculpture. Proper packing and protection of delicate parts are needed when the crate is built.

For more questions about building and moving a custom crate, feel free to contact us. We are a Houston moving packing service for custom built wood crates as well as custom built boxes.

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Packing and Shipping Machinery

Posted on Thu, Dec 08, 2016

 

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Shipping  machinery from  one location to another requires both packing and shipping expertise.

Here are a few questions to ask when you are moving machinery.

  • Does the pick up location offer a loading dock?
  • Does the delivery location have a loading dock?
  • What is the value of the machinery?
  • What are the dimensions of the machinery?
  • Is the machinery oilfield or medical machinery? Different types of machinery require different packing specifications.
  • Can them machinery be boxed?
  • Does the machinery need a custom built crate?
  • If you are shipping the machinery overseas, will it ship by the cubic meter, or will it ship inside a container?
  • Is the company packing your machinery able to load a container for you?
  • If the machinery was assembled inside of a building, does it need to be disassembled to fit it through the door?

These are a few of the basic questions to ask when you are researching a company to pack and send your machinery.

For more information about packing and shipping machinery,  please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston. 713 266 1450

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Moving a Senior Adult? Empower them First!

Posted on Tue, Dec 06, 2016

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Over the years, we have found that by delivering the precious mementos of seniors to loved ones, they do not feel like they are downsizing, but are contributing to their families’ well-being.  Seniors who are able to gift belongings to other family members, as we are moving  the seniors into their new residence, they feel empowered. Remember, moving a senior adult can be a positive experience for all family members.

Feel free to contact pack n send in Houston for more moving advice.

 

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International Shipping to Maldives

Posted on Tue, Nov 29, 2016

 

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Maldives is  tourist nation offering private vacations and beautiful beaches. Below some of the items that are prohibited from shipping into Maldives. Facts about Maldives:

The Maldives is mad up  of 1,190 coral islands. Two hundred and two of these islands are inhabited.

Eighty seven of these islands are private islands offering both tourism and luxury.

Since ninety nine percent of the Maldives is water, the government is purchasing land from other countries due to rising water levels on the Islands.

Following the British educational system, the Maldives boasts a ninety eight per cent literacy rate.

 Due to isolation, the Maldives are one of the safest countries in the world.

When shipping internationally to the Maldives,there are  prohibited items that cannot be sent to the Maldives are:

  • Radioactive materials
  • Gunpowder
  • Weapons of War
  • Poisons
  • Pork
  • Statues used in worship.

For updates for the items that are prohibited from being shipped, here is a link to the United Postal Service website.

 http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/mo_006.htm

For assistance with moving ,international cargo and international shipping, feel free to contact pack n send. If you would like to pack and send packages domestically or internationally, contact us.

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Cargo, Freight and International  Shipping to St. Vincent

Posted on Wed, Nov 23, 2016

 

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There are a few prohibited items that cannot be shipped into St. Viincent and the Grenadines.

They are ammunitions and arms - except under license. You cannot ship currency or radioactive materials.

Since there are no listed restrictions, we have listed a few interesting items about Saint Vincent.  We have also posted a link so that you can check to see if the prohibited and restricted items change over time.

 

  • In 1948 Christopher Columbus ,the famous explorer, first found Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
  •  The French were the first to colonize  in 1719 and settled down as cultivators of coffee, sugar, tobacco, indigo and cotton.
  • In 1763, St. Vincent & the Grenadines were handed over to the British and then returned to French rule in 1779.
  • St. Vincent and the Grenadines became officially independent on October 2, 1979 and adopted their constitution on the same day. They chose to follow a democratic form of government.
  • Plantations are a main employer.  Bananas account for nearly fifty percent of all exports. The banana plantations employ about sixty per cent of the workforce. 

http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/ps_019.htm

For more information about international shipping to  St. Vincent and the Grenadines islands please feel free to contact us at  pack n send in Houston. 

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Need to pack and send holiday gifts?  Look for higher box prices.

Posted on Thu, Nov 17, 2016

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The packing and shipping industry is set to see a price increase for  box prices right before Christmas.

While box prices have not gone up in about three years, there is an increase this year. The overall December price increase is between 6%-10%.

This includes  Kraft paper, corrugated boxes, corrugated roll and  flat sheets of cardboard.  So, if you need boxes for mailing holiday gifts, ordering before December 15 is your best bet to save on box prices.

Boxes are used for packing and shipping.

They are also used for:  

  • Craft Projects
  • Playhouses for Young Children
  • Storage files
  • Jewelry Boxes
  • Garage Sale Signs
  • Picture Frames
  • Laundry Hampers
  • Cardboard Christmas Wreaths
  • Toy Boxes
  • Gardening Knee Pads
  • Compost Bins
  • MovingIf you order your boxes ahead of time, you can save on your holiday shipping.  If you are looking at shipping companies in Houston, please feel free to contact pack and send. Pack n send  can pick up, pack and ship your holiday packages.

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Moving Possessions After the Death of a Family Member

Posted on Mon, Nov 14, 2016

 

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Moving companies that help family members clean out a home need to be ready to dispose of items, donate items, move items and also ship  possessions to family members throughout the United States. International shipping should also be an option that the company offers.

 After someone passes away, it is less stressful if keepsakes, special pictures and special memories are saved.  You can hire a company to pack and ship belongings to family members and friends. Furniture can also be moved to a location in the city or moved across the country.

The moving company can also donate or dispose of unwanted items.  Some companies will go in and take care of the entire moving, donating, shipping process with family members instructing them over the phone, or using Skype.

For moving help in Houston, please feel free to contact us at pack n send,  a Houston moving company.  713 266 1450

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A Positive Experience-Moving Furniture & Belongings for Senior Adults

Posted on Fri, Nov 11, 2016

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Moving senior adults into assisted living residences requires  a different level of service than is offered for a standard  household move.

Downsizing is a large part of the moving experience. While possessions may have been accumulated over numerous years, only a small portion of these items may fit inside an assisted living residence. Moving furniture and belongings can be a positive experience.

There is an answer to this problem. Pack and send excess possessions to family members.  Why not gift the dining room set to a niece. What about the extra bedroom set?  Move it to a family member who has an empty bedroom.

There are ways to make a senior adult feel  like they are doing good for their family when they downsize.  If no one needs the extra furniture, how about donating it to a local charity. Think about furniture banks, churches and  newcomers arriving in the United States with no furniture.

Senior adults can contribute to the happiness of their family and their community as they begin a new adventure in life.

For more information about moving senior adults and shipping furniture, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston.

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Denmark-Rules for International Shipping

Posted on Tue, Nov 08, 2016

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While this blog is about shipping to Denmark, here are some interesting facts about Denmark.

  • The capital city of Copenhagen is situated on the Island of Zealand.
  • The famous Tivoli amusement is located in Copenhagen. Copenhagen is the city that is has the highest tourism of all Nordic cities.
  • The LEGO was invented in Denmark, and the company headquarters and Lego land are located in Denmark.
  • Denmark has seventy inhabited islands of four hundred and forty three islands.
  • Denmark boasts beautiful beaches. Approximately, sixty five per cent of Denmark is farmland.
  • Based on standards of health, education and welfare, survey rank Denmark as one of the happiest places to live in the world.
  • Denmark has one of the highest number of Nobel Prize winners per capita for any country in the world.

Now for some rules to follow when shipping items into Denmark.

In order to import Danish and foreign stocks, Danish stocks , bonds, and coupons the person the package is addressed to must have clearance from the National Bank of Denmark.

Both weapons and cigarettes are prohibited from being sent into Denmark.

Playing cards may not be sent into Denmark.

For more prohibited items, you can look at the link below to the United States Postal Service.

 http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/ce_021.htm

For more informaiton about shipping to Denmark or international shipping, contact pack n send in Houston.  713 266 1450

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See International Shipping Companies at Work

Posted on Wed, Nov 02, 2016

Looking for something fun and free to do this fall in Houston?

Take the Sam Houston Boat Tour and you can see the Port of Houston international cargo vessels and the operations at the Turning Base Terminal.

The free boat tour is located at 7300 Clinton Drive and takes  you on a tour for ninety  minutes.   One hundred passengers can go on each tour. There is air conditioned seated area as well as standing areas on the boat's deck.

Are you a bird watcher? Look for Sea Gulls, Brown pelicans and Cormorants.

Are you wondering about the cargo?  Look for cars, trailers trucks and military vehicles being loaded and unloaded at the Port of Houston.

Look for cargo  ships that have cranes built on their decks. The cranes help with the loading and unloading of the cargo onto the wharfs.

Look for oil tankers and container ships.

In operation since 1958, the public vessel is a great way to see the workings of commercial shipping.  As a free tour open to the public, the reservations are on a first come, first serve basis, with  reservations required 24 hours in advance.  The tour times are  10:00 am and 2:30 pm.

So what are the things that you can see on this tour?  Cargo from all over the world. You can see ships from some of the following countries :  Panama, Singapore, Liberia, Greece, Antigua, Norway, Bahamas and many more.  Look for these countries flags proudly displayed on the ships.

If you are looking for international shipping companies, or a company to pack and sendyour cargo for international shipping, feel free to contact us.

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Moving and Shipping to Ecuador

Posted on Fri, Oct 28, 2016

 

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Before we discuss  shipping to Ecuador, lets look at a few interesting facts about Ecuador.

 

The equator runs through Ecuador. Ecuador is actually named for the equatre.

There are three colors in the Ecuadorian flag. Yellow to represent diversity, blue to represent the sky, and the red is the color of blood and stands for those individuals who fought for independence.

There are many active volcanoes in Ecuador. 

August 10 is independence day.

The majority of balsa wood in the world originates in Ecuador.

In 2008 Ecuador declared that nature has constituitonal rights.

Educador does not share a border with Brazil.  It is only one of two countries that does not share this common border.

 

On to the items that are prohibited from being sent into Ecuador

  1. You cannot ship maps into Ecuador that contain boundaries that are incorrect.
  2. Cigarette paper is only allowed with permission from the government.
  3. Mobile telephones.
  4. Panama hats may not be imported into Ecuador. Just a side note here. The Panama hats that workers wore when the Panama Canal was being built, were acutally made in Ecuador.

A few restricted items.

 

Used clothing may be sent from the owner to the owner of the clothing. It can weigh no more than 44 pounds.

Used clothes may be sent in packages weighing no more than 8.9 pounds.

To review up to day prohibited and restricted items, please click on the link below.

http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/ce_025.htm

For assistance with international shipping, international moving, or packing please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston. 713 266 1450

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International Shipping to Barbados

Posted on Sun, Oct 23, 2016

 

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International Shipping companies look at lists restricted and prohibited items before they send something to a country.

When researching Barbados, there were few items that are prohibited or restricted.

The link  at the end of this blog provides a constant update of changes in the list of items.

At the current time, the only item that is prohibited from entering Barbados via mail are radioactive materials. We could not find any restricted items.

 

Barbados has a friendly reputation.  Thirty nine per cent of visitors return to Barbados after their first visit.

The literacy rate in Barbados is 97 per cent of the population.

Since 1939, Barbados has had uninterrupted parliamentary governance.

The name Barbados is fro, the "Bearded Fig Trees" that were once found in the island.

Barbados is fourteen miles wide, twenty one miles long, and completely surrounded by the Atlantic ocean.

If you need assistance shipping large or small items to Barbados, please feel free to contact us.

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 http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/ab_018.htm

Packing companies with experience.

Posted on Thu, Oct 20, 2016

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Packing companies are easy to find.  Packing companies with experience packing are difficult to find.

So what is the difference?  Knowing the right type of packing materials to use.  And how to place these packing materials inside of a box.  Wait a box?  Well maybe for a piece of high value artwork, a custom built crate would be better. Or for a car engine, maybe strapping it on a pallet would be the safest way to ship an engine.

 

So how do you determine the what company to use when you are packing and shipping something.  Look at the items that they have handled in the past.  Have they been in business a few weeks or a few decades?  Pick up the phone and call them.  Talk to a real person and ask lots of questions.

For example:

Can you pick up  my  valuable items so that I do not have to handle them on my own?

Can you give me a quote up front?

Can you offer packing alternatives?

Can you pack and send my items all over the United States?

Do you offer international shipping?

What if I want to move, can you help pack for  my move and then move me?

What if I want to move myself?  Can you pack my boxes and let me handle the move on my own?

What if I only need a custom built crate for my statute?  Can you build it for me?

For information and help with packing, shipping and moving, please feel free to contact us at 713 266 1450.

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Moving one piece of furniture?

Posted on Fri, Oct 14, 2016

 

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Since most moving companies have a minimum amount of furniture that you can move from city to city, it is wise to look for companies that can freight your furniture. Freight shipping is an alternative to traditional moving services.

You can have your piece of furniture, picked up, wrapped, placed on a pallet and shipped via freight to a new city.  Is this cost effective?  Of course it is.  You are only paying moving one  piece of furniture that you need shipped and not for a minimum shipping amount of furniture. 

With this service, you can request curbside delivery, or you can opt for your furniture to be sent to  freight receiving warehouse. The freight receiver will unload and inspect your piece of furniture. They can then deliver your furniture inside of your home with white glove inside delivery.

You can freight one piece or a few pieces of furniture this way.  What a great to give one piece of furniture to each of your special family members. Seniors can give precious pieces to their grandchildren as they downsize their homes.

For more information about small load moving and shipping a single piece of furniture, please contact us at pack and send in Houston. Pack n send has been in business since 1981 and is happy to answer your questions about freight shipping. 

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International Freight and Cargo to Denmark

Posted on Tue, Oct 11, 2016

 

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Denmark has many of the same shipping restrictions as other countries, but the prohibition against mailing playing cards is probably one of the least known prohibited item.

Some of the more common banned items are: weapons, firearms, switch-blade knives, and clubs.

Medicines are restricted to be imported by laboratories recognized by the State, authorized dealers. or pharmacists,

 When shipping items overseas, it is interesting to learn about the country where  you are shipping freight, cargo and small packages.

The capital city of Denmark is located on the island named Zealand.  Copenhagen, the capital has the Tivoli amusement park as part of its downtown  area.

LEGO , the children's toy was invented in Denmark.  The company headquarters is located in Billund and is called Legoland.

There  are 70 islands that have people living on them  in Denmark, but there are four hundred and forty three named islands in Denmark.  Two of the largest  islands are Funen and Zealand.

One of the most interesting facts about  Denmark, is that it is called the "Kingdom of Denmark and has self governing territories including both the Faroe Islands and Greenland.

Denmark has many beautiful beaches.

Denmark is part of the European Union, but has maintained its own currency.

For assistance with overseas andinternational freightand cargo shipping please feel free to contact pack and send in Houston Texas.

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To view more items that may not be sent to Denmark via USPS or that are restricted items, please look at the following website.

http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/ce_021.htm

 

 

 

Moving and  International Shipping to Trinidad and Tobago

Posted on Thu, Oct 06, 2016

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Before we discuss items that you cannot ship or move  into Trinidad and Tobago, here are a few facts about these islands.  

  1. Tobago only has 6% of the total area and 4% of the total population of this dual-island nation.
  2. Trinidad was named by Christopher Columbus on his third voyage to the New World in 1498.
  3. Trinidad and Tobago is one of the most important leather back nesting sites.
  4. Tobago got its name because it resembles a tobacco pipe (tavaco) used by local natives.
  5. The Pitch Lake in South Trinidad is the largest natural deposit of asphalt in the world.
  6. Trinidad and Tobago Carnival has been consistently ranked as one of the top ten Carnival celebrations in the world.                            

 

Here are a few phrases that describe Trinidad and Tobago:

Islands of the hummingbirds

Birthplace of the limbo!!

Average temperature is 89 degrees Fahrenheit 

Best known for beautiful beaches

Here are few of the items that are prohibited for shipping into Trinidad and Tobago:

Firearms

Lottery tickets and items belonging to a lottery

Radioactive material.

 

 

 For an updated list of restricted and prohibited items please go to the following USPS website.

http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/tz_008.htm

International Shipping - For more information about shipping or moving items to Trinidad and Tobago, please feel free to contact pack n send. Pack and send packs and ships items worldwide.

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Reasons to use a Freight Receiving Company

Posted on Mon, Oct 03, 2016

 

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This is a short blog to answer questions posed by some of our customers. Outsourcing freight receiving will save your company manpower hours.  For every freight shipment received, you must be around to receive your freight.   Freight delivery times may not coincide with the hours that you have your employees available to receive freight.

When you use a freight receiving company, they not only receive the freight, but unload it and inspect it before it is delivered to your place of business.  You can customize your receiving hours based on your  employees ability to receive the freight.

Whether are a retail company that needs retail freight receiving  or are an interior designer, your firm can save time and money by outsourcing freight receiving. 

For more information  on ways to help your firm run smoothly, feel free to contact pack n send in Houston.

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Shipping crates may be necessary for a move. Use custom crating.

Posted on Wed, Sep 28, 2016

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If you have never needed to ship something before inside of shipping crates, you may be wondering where to start when the need presents itself. Maybe you inherited an heirloom like a chandelier or perhaps you created a sculpture that you need to ship to a buyer. There are plenty of reasons why you would need custom crating in Houston. This blog will highlight a few of those reasons and also talk about the process.

When to Get a Custom Crate

  • Shipping valuable art. Both paintings and sculptures can require custom crating depending on the size and value. Unusual shaped items. Some examples from  include parts to amusement park rides, hundreds of pieces of rare china, and a taxidermy polar bear. Breakable furniture. Lamps, chandeliers, and antiques may require custom crating to get to their destination safely.
  • Medical equipment shipping. Medical equipment can be oddly sized and shaped so it often requires custom crating. 
  • Auction house shipping. Auction houses ship some of the most unusual and unique things as well as expensive and valuable items.

When a shipping company crates your belongings, they decide if traditional shipping methods will do or if the item needs a custom crate. For example, a shipping company can make a reusable crate for a work of art that is traveling from places to place for exhibition. Depending on the item, the shipping company will use packing peanuts, Styrofoam and/or bubble wrap.

If you need a custom crate for an item in Houston, contact us today at Pack n Send. 

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International Shipping to Lithuania Made Easy

Posted on Fri, Sep 23, 2016

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Here are some interesting facts about Lithuania. Items that are restricted or prohibited to enter Lithuania by mail are listed later in the blog. When shipping internationally you always want to look at items that the receiving country will not accept.


Fact 1

The climate in Lithuania is transition, between maritime and continental, wet, moderate winters and summers.

Fact 2
Lithuania is divided into 10 countries, 60 municipalities and 500 elderates. The highest point in Lithuania is Juozapines Hill (294m) near Vilnius. The Nemunas is the largest and longest river.

Fact 3
The historically predominant religion is Roman Catholicism. 83.6% of the Lithuanian populations are ethnic.

Fact 4
Lithuania is the only country in the world having national perfume. The ‘Scent of Lithuania’ holds the entire history of the nation.

Fact 5
The official currency is Lithuanian litas.

Fact 6
The official name is ‘The Republic of Lithuania’. The official language is Lithuania though a majority of the people speaks Russian and English.

Fact 7
The capital of Lithuania is Vilnius which is also the largest city. Lithuania joined the European Union on May 1, 2004.

Fact 8
Lithuania exports chemicals, machinery and equipment, mineral products, textiles, plastics and foodstuffs. They import mineral products, machinery and equipment, chemicals, textiles and clothing, metals and transport equipment.

Fact 9
Major industries include biotechnology, wood, processing and tourism. The principal trading partners are Poland, Russia, Germany and Latvia.

Fact 10
Lithuania was the first Soviet republic to declare independence from the USSR on March 11, 1990. The colors of the Lithuanian flag represent the sun (yellow) the land (green) and the blood of the people (red.)

There are some prohibited and some restrictions for the items that can be sent to  Lithuania. We have listed some of these items below. 

Updated mailing information can be found at the following USPS website.

http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/il_027.htm

 

Some of the prohibited items:

Items used in hunting such as guns, fighting weapons, gas pistols and gas bombs.

 

Items that may pose a danger to postal employees.

Jewelry is prohibited to be sent by mail, as are coins and bank notes.

 

Watch bands are prohibited.

 

Some of the restricted items are:

Categories B, C and D firearms.

Items of cultural value, works of art, and antiques must  be sent only with a permit from the Ministry of Culture’s Department of the Protection of Objects of Cultural Value.

When you plan to ship internationally, please feel free to contact us to find out about restricted and prohibited items for the country that you are shipping to.  Remember, you can ship by small package, container shipping or ship by the cubic meter.

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Auction House Shipping? Use a Auction Shipping Company

Posted on Sun, Sep 18, 2016

 


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Auction houses have the unique task of finding buyers for rare and important items, as well as everyday items. Everyone has heard stories about things like Justin Bieber's chewed gum being sold for $30,000 and outlandish things like that. But much more common things sold in auction houses are furniture, art, jewelry, and other household items and personal belongings.

Auction house shippers make sure these purchased items make it from the auction house to the home of the buyer in one piece. Since auction houses sell all kinds of unique and expensive items, it is important they have a trusted auction shipper to take care of crating, packing, and sending these things. Here are some examples of items sold in an auction and how they would need to be shipped.

  • Furniture: Say you buy an antique armoire from an auction house. If you don't have a truck, you want it to be moved carefully by professionals, or live out-of-town, you will need a shipping company to move it for you. Some shipping companies will move even one piece of furniture.  They might blanket wrap it, palletize it and offer freight services depending on your needs.
  • Art: Art shipping needs to be done with special care because it is often not replicable. A shipping company can create custom crating for paintings and sculptures. This way you are assured your purchase will get to your home or workplace safely.

These are only a few ideas of things that need to be shipped from auction houses. If you work at an auction house and are needing auction shipping, a new connection with a reliable shipper, contact us today at Pack n Send.  If you have purchased items at an auction we can help you with the packing and shipping.

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Advantages of Freight Receiving

Posted on Fri, Sep 16, 2016

 

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Freight shipping any item is a complex proposition, and it involves factors such as travel time from origin to destination, weight and size. Shippers measure each piece of a shipment for fit in the shipping space, and it must arrive when the customer is ready to receive it. There are times when shipments arrive early or require crate removal, and this is where freight receiving is the optimum way to receive a shipment. 

 

A Healthy Supply Chain 

 

Companies, both small and large, now keep less inventory on hand for their manufacturing, and they have found the most cost-effective solution is to have a receiving warehouse. This allows the manufacturers to ship when inventory is available, but their customer does not need to store it until they are ready to use it. Rather than working around a large inventory, customers schedule their deliveries when inventory becomes low. This gives them more space to build their product without adding additional warehouse facilities.

 

Interior Design Scheduling

 

During home construction, scheduling projects in the correct order is the only way to keep a project on track. Foundations or slabs are first constructed, and plumbing and electrical work are the next step. Floors, lighting and built-in cabinets are ideally in place before the fixtures arrive. Ordering appliances and custom cabinets at the beginning of the job to ensure timely delivery is standard procedure, but their arrival at the projected end of construction is best. Design firms often have arrangements with a local warehouse to receive their shipments until their desired delivery date. 

 

Interior Design Changes

 

When remodeling a home or office, choosing the new decor before the work begins is necessary for planning the look of the space. Companies that build custom-made furniture may not have excess storage areas, and they ship the product upon order completion. New furniture should not be placed inside an area that is still being remodeled, and interior decorators often have it shipped to a warehouse. The crew at the warehouse unpack the shipment, inspects items for damage and arranges for timely delivery with the decorator. This ensures the customer receives the pieces they chose in excellent condition and at the correct time.

 

Scheduling shipments is not always an easy task, but having a warehouse to receive freight and deliver it when needed takes a burden off the end-use customer. If you would like more information about this topic or other shipping questions, please contact us today.

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How To Ship Deer Taxidermy Using Crate Services

Posted on Tue, Sep 13, 2016

How To Ship Deer Taxidermy Using Crate Services

custom crate shipping a deer head

 

There is nothing like hunting and catching your very own trophy. If you are like most, the excitement in seeing that beautiful deer is gratifying. Whether you need to ship your trophy from the hunting location or are moving cross-country, it is important to use crate services when shipping it to your home. Here are some tips to help you avoid any damage to your taxidermy.

  • Use Well Made Custom Crates: There are no two deer heads that are identical in shape or size. Some are wider and longer than others. They are awkwardly shaped at times. Taxidermy is  delicate and shhipping using the correct size crate is crucial. Because, no two are alike, a custom crate is the best option when shipping
  • Mount The Heads And Secure: To avoid  movement  during the shipping, it is important to attach some sort of mounting to each head. A good example is using high-quality plywood. This provides a sturdy platform for the taxidermy. It is also recommended to support the heads within the crate using   packing peanuts. Extra space can be protected with styrofoam sheet, this prevents rubbing during the move.  

Please feel free to contact us for more tips regarding taxidermy shipping

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Find a Company for Shipping Auto Parts

Posted on Thu, Sep 08, 2016

Find a Company for Shipping Auto Parts


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Car enthusiasts know that working on custom cars, or even working on cars in general, often requires you to buy and sell parts from all over. If you are shipping auto parts to buyers all over the country and internationally, you need a shipping company you can trust to do the job. You need a shipping company you can depend on time after time to get your parts where they need to go with no damage. Here is a testimonial from one junk yard owner and his experience with shipping companies. 

Michael's Story

"My junk yard is well-known in Houston for having any car part that you need. And we don't just serve our local customers. We will ship car parts all over the world and internationally if needed. When we started our business, we knew we would need to work closely with a shipping company to make sure our parts didn't break during shipping. We ship windshields and car doors that can easily break if shipped incorrectly. Also, it's not like we always ship things you can just put into a flat-rate box. Customers buy car seats, engines, and panels as well as smaller items. 

Unfortunately the first shipping company we worked with was not a great experience. Within the first few months, we had several customers that got a windshield that was cracked or damaged. Thankfully, we got a referral for a great local company with a lot of experience shipping all kinds of freight so they take good care of us and our customers."

Pack n Send has been serving the Houston area for all kinds of packing, shipping, and moving needs for over 35 years. For more information on shipping auto partscontact us at Pack n Send.

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Get it There in One Piece: Crating in Houston

Posted on Mon, Sep 05, 2016

 

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Shipping valuable or unusual items is a highly involved and demanding task. The planning needs to be perfect, and the execution needs to follow strict guidelines. The stress of proper packaging and handling can add far too much uncertainty to the shipping process. Here are a few guidelines to ensure that everything gets there in one piece.    

  •  Leave it to professionals

People often under pack valuable and fragile items. This is primarily due to a lack of shipping knowledge. They don’t bother to use bubble wrap, opting for newspaper instead, which does little to insulate the product. Or, they will package valuables together, layering glass on top of glass, or placing easily scratched items on rough, coarse surfaces. Professional shippers know exactly how to pack valuables of various kinds; they have done it before and encountered a variety of unusual and difficult items. 

  •  International shipping

Shipping items internationally opens up a whole new set of restrictions and strict guidelines. Weights and measures, values and contents need to be declared accurately, and will be verified along the way. On top of this, your items likely have a long way to travel, with frequent checkpoints to pass through. Utilizing a shipping crate takes this weight off your shoulders.

Shipping valuable, fragile, or unusual items can be an extremely stressful event as it is. You will likely be facing a deadline or some other time restriction. The last thing you want to worry about is losing your valuables to careless packaging. Consider the advantages of crating your belongings for shipping. Contact us today to learn more.   

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What is Freight Shipping?

Posted on Tue, Aug 30, 2016

 

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If you are new to the shipping world—perhaps you have just started your own retail business or an online store—you probably have a lot of questions. There seems to be insider lingo and you want to make sure you being charged the correct price. You also want to be confident you are getting the merchandise for your store when you need it and that your clients get their orders on time is a must. This blog will help clarify some of your questions about freight shipping and more.

First things first—what is freight? It is a seemingly simple term but how does it apply to you as a business owner. Freight is just synonym for cargo. The definition is, "goods transported by truck, train, ship, or aircraft." So really anything you are buying or selling or sending is considered freight if you move it by one of these methods. A shipping company will help you decide what is the best method to ship your freight.

Depending on the size of the job and the speed at which it needs to arrive, a shipping company may use common delivery methods such as UPS, FedEx, DHL, or USPS. Larger freight can be sent through trucking companies like SAIA and Yellow Freight. If you need to have freight shipped overseas, a shipping company will send it via aircraft or ship.

Freight receiving is also helpful for retailers because a shipping company can hold the freight until a specified receiving date so you don't have a bunch of boxes you weren't ready for cluttering up your store. 

For more information on freight shipping from the experts, contact us today at Pack n Send.

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Small Load Movers and Moving Using Freight

Posted on Thu, Aug 25, 2016

You’re not moving your entire life, just part of it. This is when most individuals, families and businesses alike begin to worry about relocating items that are too few for a huge move but too much (or too large) for their personal or businesses vehicle. You may want to move items in use from one space to another space so they can continue their usefulness. Or you may want to move them to a location for storage. Many people stress about making time and plan to drive back and forth doing it for themselves. Oftentimes, they don’t consider that they can complete their local Houston small move with the aid of a professional moving service, and save their precious time for other matters.

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 What is a small load small load mover mover?

small move can refer to the size of the space (e.g., apartment, office, etc.), the size of the load (e.g., individual, senior or elderly moving, etc.), or the frequency of the relocation event (e.g., estate sale). A small load mover can move one piece of furniture. Small load movers can move personal or business furniture.

  • Those are all personal small moves. What types of businesses can benefit from these services?

This service is useful because furniture stores can move one or many pieces as needed and assisted living centers can require similar services. Auction houses relocate precious items for each event. Interior decorators require access to the furnishings and decorative items they store for various jobs. And antique dealers can move their selection from location to location with ease.

  • What if I need to relocate my office to the other side of the state?

Professional movers can pack, crate, and freight any size office or offices for you. This includes furnishings, electronic equipment, and storage units so that you can get back to business in a timely manner.

  • My relative has two homes and possessions in three locations. We can’t move all of those items ourselves, even with a rental van. How can we have one estate sale at one location soon?

Finding the right mover smoothes out the process of estate sales. They can help any family or executor relocate and place items so that the sale day can go as planned.

Remember, there is no move too big or small that can’t be relocated with care and precision. If you’d like to learn more about how professional moving can help you with your Houston small move, contact us for a quote today.

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Ship Furniture Across Country Easily

Posted on Mon, Aug 22, 2016

 

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There should be no stress or  confusion when it is time to move your home or office furniture. It is easy to ship furniture across country when you use a professional packing, moving and freight company.  Hiring a company experienced for this type of moving is beneficial to both you and your prized furniture.

 By hiring a professional moving company to move bulky or delicate items from one side of the country to another, you will avoid having to load and unload your furniture, as well as eliminating the need for you to drive a large, heavily laden vehicle over crowded streets and highways.

  • Whether you ship your furniture with a small load mover or ship your furniture via freight, make sure that you give a good phone number so that your furniture can be delivered on time. Freight companies and movers will call you in advance to let you know when they plan to deliver your furniture. Ensure that someone is present to meet the driver at this designated time and day.

With a bit of proactive work on your part, you will make the moving process an easier experience. By hiring a professional moving company to help in this monumental journey will be well worth the money spent. 

If you need assistance with a samll load move or if you would like to freight yor furniture cross country, please feel free to contact us at pack n send in Houston.

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Keys to Effective Houston Freight Crating

Posted on Fri, Aug 19, 2016

Keys to Effective Houston Freight Crating

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A well-built customized crate is the key to the secure transport and arrival of fragile valuables and equipment. When evaluating freight companies, you should consider the degree of industry experience possessed by each company. Specifically, you should ensure that a company has the tools and expertise to help you determine when crating is necessary and exactly how crating can help protect your goods.

Determining Which Goods and Valuables Require Crating

While crating is not necessary for the majority of goods that are shipped, crating is the best option for specific products. Below are some examples of goods and valuables that should be packed inside a sturdy crate prior to shipping:

  • Medical devices such as anesthesia machines, X-ray machines and C-arms
  • Valuable antique furnishings
  • Office equipment such as computers and printers
  • Household valuables such as chandeliers, china and stereo equipment

 

All items should be securely wrapped and packed with protective material such as bubble wrap prior to shipment. This is especially critical if multimodal freight services will be employed.

Identifying Shipping Situations that Require Crating

Crating is particularly important when packing mobile items on wheels or goods that will be shipped internationally. Items on wheels should be secured inside a customized crate with plenty of packaging material to prevent any movement or damage during transit. And it is always a good idea to pack items in a protective crate if they will ultimately ship to an overseas destination.

Keys to Effective Freight Crating

Not all Houston freight crating companies are created equal. Effective freight crating requires the right combination of experience and materials. Below are the three keys to effective freight crating:

  • Customization: A crate should be the appropriate size and shape to ensure safe transit
  • Quality: A crate should be constructed of sturdy wood by an experienced builder
  • Packing Materials:The items in the crate should be protected with bubble wrap, foam or other materials 

 

Please contact us if you are interested in learning how customized Houston freight crating can help you ensure that your goods and valuables arrive safely and securely at their destination.

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Different Kinds of Moving in Houston

Posted on Tue, Aug 16, 2016

 

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All kinds of situations demand the services of a moving company. That is why when you are looking for a moving service you look into what kind of services they offer. When you are moving in Houston you have plenty of choices of movers to choose from. But it is important to ask yourself and the movers some of these questions.

  • Do they have a minimum size for a move? Sometime you need to hire a moving company to move just one piece of furniture or a few boxes. Situations that would call for this are moving items to and from an auction house, other private sales of furniture, dorm moves, and assisted living moves. Some movers have a minimum amount they will move so that is an important question to ask.
  • Are they a packing and shipping company as well? Moving companies can really run the gamut as far as services they provide. You can start with as simple as a truck rental, hire movers to actually load and unload your truck, or hire a service that will pack for you. If the latter are the kind of movers you are looking for they can even ship boxes or items from your move to other parts of the country. This happens frequently when people divide up an estate and need to send different belongings to people in the family around the country or world.

Pack n Send in Houston is a packing and shipping company that can do all of these things for you. We can do any move–big or small. And we also can split up an estate, pack it up, and ship it wherever you need. Our services include anything you need to make moving and shipping easier. Contact us today at Pack n Send for more information about moving in Houston.

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Turks and Caicos- International Shipping and Consulate Shipping

Posted on Fri, Aug 12, 2016

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Turks and Caicos are two groups of tropical islands located in the Caribbean Sea. With a population under 50,000, these islands are a popular among tourists looking for a private tropical destination. In addition to tourism-related industries such as hotels, restaurants, and transport, Turks and Caicos has a strong financial services industry; these areas account for more than 50% of the country’s annual gross domestic product.

For people interested in visiting or relocating to Turks and Caicos, here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • While English is commonly spoken, Turks and Caicos residents also speak Creole and Spanish.
  • A low population density may be enticing to some, but it does not account for travelers. More than 350,000 tourists visit the islands annually – that is seven times more people than who actually live there!
  • The US dollar is the official currency, and American traveler’s checks and credit cards are also frequently used.
  • Turks and Caicos has about 350 days of sunshine each year, but also has a lengthy hurricane season throughout summer and early fall.
  • Water conservation is a high priority on Turks and Caicos. There is limited fresh water supply and the water desalination process is costly.

Like most countries, international shipping to Turks and Caicos has specific prohibitions and restrictions. For example, the following are not allowed:

  • Coins and paper currency.
  • Other valuable items, including platinum, gold or silver, jewelry, and precious stones.
  • Perishable infectious or noninfectious biological substances. These include flora or fauna that is not native to the islands and may upset the natural ecology.
  • Importation of firearms is allowed, however, requires a proper permit.

If you are looking to send items to Turks and Caicos, we can assist in adhering to the above prohibitions as well as staying within size and value guidelines established by the country. Whether it is a small package or palletized freight, we have the expertise to get your item shipped safely. Contact us to learn more!

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Finding The Best Crating and Packing

Posted on Sat, Aug 06, 2016

 

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There's a number of companies that offer crating and packing houston texas and in every major city throughout the United States. Finding the right one can not only significantly reduce worries and cost, but can also make your business appear better. It's worth the time to do the research no matter if you own a business, or if you just need to have some things moved.

Look For Experience 

When searching a city for the different packaging and crating companies, try to find out how long each business has been around. It's also a good idea to find out what the employee turn over rate is for each packaging business. Long-term employees and management personnel are much better at what they do. Be sure to ask questions when you call the companies and remember to search their website for more information.

Services Offered

Does the packaging company that you are considering provide the services that you need? Evaluate your current needs and then find out which custom crate building  company can best handle them. Experienced packaging and crating companies will be able to provide a wide range of services such as:

. Shipping for individuals and businesses

. International and domestic shipping 

. Packaging and shipping large and small loads

. Packaging and shipping fragile products

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You can contact us to find out more information.

 

 The Best Crating and Packing Houston Texas 

 

Help With a Small Move or moving a small amount of furniture.

Posted on Tue, Aug 02, 2016



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Just because you don't have that many belongings or aren't moving very far doesn't make the task of moving any less daunting if you are by yourself, don't have the right vehicle, or aren't in good health to do the move by yourself. If you live in Houston, you may want to find a moving company that does small moves in Houston to make your burden lighter—literally and figuratively. If you live in any other city, we recommend following the same suggestions. Moving a small amount of furniture, can be hassle free.

Some moving companies have requirements of the minimum size of a move. So if you are only moving a few pieces of furniture you will need to find a moving company that has no minimum. This may be the case for antique dealers, auction houses, furniture stores, and interior decorators. Another situation that comes up quite a bit that requires small moves are nursing home moves. In this case, the client is elderly and although they may not be moving too many belongings, they aren't able to make the move themselves.

Students also may need help with smaller moves. The greater Houston area is home to 14 major colleges and universities according to visithoustontexas.com. There are more than 315,000 students pursuing high learning in the Houston area. These students move around a lot depending on changing roommate situations, leases, and varying opportunities within their programs like studying abroad. Other areas with high concentrations of college students include: Roanoke Region VA., San Francisco, and Raleigh Durham.

Students looking for help with a small move or any other individual or company that needs help with a small move can contact us at Pack n Send in Houston. We have decades of experience and want to provide excellent service for each of our customers, no matter how large or small the job is. 

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When to Hire Professional Packing and Crating in Houston And the USA

Posted on Tue, Aug 02, 2016

 


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When you have to move something that is extremely fragile, valuable, awkward in shape and size, or all of the above, you need to hire a professional packing and crating company to ensure the move goes well. Moving a sculpture, an heirloom chandelier, or designer lamps are all scenarios that require packing and crating in Houston or throughout the USA before the item gets shipped. 

Chandeliers, for example, require custom crating for shipping. A packing company will hang the chandelier in a crate lined with Styrofoam. Then the chandelier can be braced for shipping or the packing company will fill the space with packing peanuts. This method works for all types of chandeliers—crystal, ceramic, wrought iron, wood, or even antler-shed chandeliers.

Artwork and statues are another example of a valuable that needs to be shipped with the utmost care. The amazing thing about sculpture is there are really no limits to what you can do when you work with 3D space. Sculptures naturally come in unique shapes and sizes. A packing and crating company will create a custom crate for a sculpture to ensure it arrives safely. If a work of art will be traveling from exhibit to exhibit, they can build a reusable crate for easy packing.

Lamps are also a fragile and common household item that need crating for shipping. You may be tempted to try to move these items yourself in your car to prevent them from breaking. But if you don't have the luxury of doing that, do not worry. Crating or custom boxing your lamps will get them to your destination even more safely than if you were to carry them yourself.

For more information on custom packing and crating for fragile and expensive items, contact us at Pack n Send in Houston.

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Consulate Shipping and International Shipping to El Salvador

Posted on Fri, Jul 29, 2016

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El Salvador is the smallest but most densely populated country in Central America. This area has a rich cultural history beginning with early civilizations including Mesoamerican nations such as the Cuzcatlecs and the Mayan civilization, and later, assimilation as part of the Spanish Empire. This history has created a unique culture to flourish in El Salvador. A few interesting cultural facts about El Salvador include:

  • El Salvador is the only Central American country without an Atlantic coast line. However, it is known for its beautiful South Pacific beaches, home to the world surfing competitions.
  • El Salvador gained independenceafter being under Spanish rule for more than three centuries.
  • El Salvador is known as the “Land of Volcanoes” because of the more than 20 volcanoes located throughout the country. Travelers can rest easy – only two are active!
  • Tropical forests have expanded over the last two decades thanks to conservation efforts, making El Salvador one of the few countries to experience reforestation.

Economically, El Salvador relies heavily on agriculture, with indigo and coffee being primary exports. As industrialization continues to develop, El Salvador has diversified its economy by growing the manufacturing sector as well.  Exports coming from El Salvador are bound by the policies of the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) which the country entered into in 2006. Similarly, international shipping to El Salvador follows mailing requirements established by El Salvador. Specifically, the follow items are prohibited from entering the country by mail:

  • Coins, printed currency, traveler’s checks, or other means of currency.
  • Manufactured or naturally-made platinum, gold, silver, or other precious stones and minerals.
  • Gambling equipment.
  • Perishable infectious biological substances, including medical wastes, vaccines, and medicines.
  • Radioactive materials or bi-products.
  • Unstamped cigarette paper. Cigarettes must include a printed or stamped indication of “Importación a El Salvador” (Import to El Salvador).

Contact us to learn more about international shipping to El Salvador or anywhere else worldwide. We can help package and ship your item so that it arrives at its final destination safely!

 

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Shipping Furniture - Freight Furniture or Move Furniture

Posted on Tue, Jul 26, 2016

 

 

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Help With Shipping Furniture Across the Country

When it comes to moving across the country, there are a number of ways to do it. Perhaps you are thinking of the most traditional way which is just packing up a huge moving truck and driving it across the country yourself. But that is not your only option. There are many circumstances that would require shipping furniture across the country. You can freight your furniture as opposed to doing a traditional move.

Some moving and shipping companies require a minimum number of items of furniture before they will consider a job. You want to find a shipping company that will look at you like an individual person with specific needs and not just another customer. That way they can look at your situation and help figure out the most cost-effective way to move your things.

One way a moving company would do it is wrap up your furniture in blankets and send it with a mover in a truck. Another method is wrapping and packing it up by crating or palletizing and moving it with a freight company. If you just need to have a small amount of furniture moved, consider freighting your furniture. It all depends on your situation.

Some scenarios that are common for furniture moves are when businesses move and need their office furniture moved, estate moving, when a family goes through a divorce, military moves, moving for a new job, and moving the elderly to be closer to other family members. 

o matter what the situation, look at your options. Freight furniture or move furniture. For more information about shipping furniture across the country, contact us today.

 

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Consulate and International Shipping to Bahamas

Posted on Thu, Jul 21, 2016

Consulate and International Shipping to Bahamas


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The Bahamas, located 50 miles off the east coast of Florida, consists of about 700 islands. Only about 30 of these islands are inhabited by the approximately 321,000 citizens. The islands of Nassau, Grand Bahama, Abaco, and San Salvador are especially popular resort and cruise ship destinations. While tourism is a prominent component of the economy, the Bahamas also have growing industries, including financial services and international shipping.

As with most international shipping, items sent to the Bahamas are subject to specific restrictions and regulations established and enforced by the country. The following items are prohibiting from entering the country:

  • Obscene materials including articles, books, pictures, and other printed items.
  • Perishable infectious or noninfectious biological substances. This includes foreign flora or fauna that could upset the natural balance of the ecology of the islands.
  • Radioactive materials.
  • Skimmed milk in tins. This restriction intends to prohibit the introduction of potentially disruptive organisms to the Bahamas.

 Compared to many other popular international shipping destinations, the Bahamas have a modest list of restrictions; many of the items are self-explanatory and are generally prohibited in most countries. The Bahamas are more than just a tropical getaway destination. For example, did you know:

  • The Bahamas was under British control until 1973 when it became an independent country, officially known as the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
  • The official currency of the Bahamas is the Bahamian dollar, although US currency is widely accepted. The reason both are easily used together is that the Bahamian dollar has a 1:1 exchange rate with the US dollar.
  • There are no rivers in the Bahamas, but the country includes almost 2,400 uninhabited islets.

If you are interested in shipping to the Bahamas, contact us. Whether your item requires a small box or a 40-foot shipping container, we can assist in making sure it is packaged and shipped safely and properly to its destination.

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Tips for a Business or Household Move Into a Large Urban City

Posted on Sun, Jul 17, 2016

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As the nation experiences an ever-increasing uptick in the economy, more and more people are opting to move to thriving urban areas like Houston.  Whether you need a household move or a business move, there are a few things to consider to make the move go smoothly. Living in the heart of a metropolitan city puts you in close proximity to restaurants, museums, and employers. However, despite the numerous benefits of city life, there are a few things to consider to make the midtown urban move into Houston  or any other large urban area easier. We have used  Houston as our example in this blog.

Parking -- In the midst of the city parking is at a premium. You might have problems finding a parking location close to your apartment building where you can unload your large belongings from a moving truck. In some cases, apartment complex managers make an exception on moving day for their residents and allow them to park in areas that are normally restricted. You will need to check all rules and regulations prior to moving day. Often you need to acquire a parking permit from the cities municipal government'. As an example in Houston, you can contact  Parking Management Division to park on the street and unload. In Houston, you can contact the Parking Management Division at  832-393-8690. In other cities, you can directly contact their packing management districts by looking on the internet for the agencies phone number or email address.

Elevator Access -- Many apartment complexes have a freight elevator that you can request the use of on moving day. 

Timing -- When moving into a loft or high-rise residence, timing is of paramount importance. You will not want to move during rush hour or other times when the traffic is at its worst. Ideally, a weekend or mid-morning move works well. 

Planning -- Prior to your move, you might want to utilize a professional packing company's many available packing and moving services. You can have fragile items crated and shipped prior to your move so they arrive a day or two after you are in your new residence. This takes the fear out of moving the items yourself. You can have them delivered directly to your front door and enjoy the peace of mind of knowing your beloved belongings will be arriving safely. 

Moving into any big city takes a bit of planning, but once you are settled into your new abode you will be able to enjoy everything that a large metropolitan city  has to offer. 

Please contact Pack n Send to learn about custom crating and moving to a large metropolitan area.

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International Shipping? Packing Companies in Houston have the answer!

Posted on Fri, Jul 15, 2016

 

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International shipping follows different rules than domestic transport. In preparing to ship something overseas, it's important to know what kinds of procedures and regulations you will encounter. While these vary based on what is being shipped and the specific destination, here are four things to be prepared to handle when transporting goods overseas.

Customs

All items coming into a country will be required to clear customs. Part of this process is providing appropriate and accurate paperwork. This may include customs forms for the country of departure as well as arrival, manifest information, and any applicable customs fees. This fee varies based on the value of the item being shipped, weight and size of the item, and the country where it is being shipped.

Tariffs

A tariff is a tax or duty charged based on the class of the item being shipped. This is often part of the  fee required by the company and other freight handlers who will be transporting the item. 

Arrival Date

Sending  products internationally can be a slow process, especially when accounting for loading and unloading times, transfers, customs inspections, etc. In preparing for an international shipment, determine first when the item needs to be delivered and then work backward. A professional moving company can assist in estimating the length of time your item will be in transit before arriving.

Packaging

Make sure that your item is  properly packaged. Depending on the size of the item, use of protective shipping materials, double boxing, or custom crating are all possible options. Also, it is crucial that the item be labeled correctly. Again, a professional shipping company can assist in this process. In Houston crating companies  and packing companies in Houston are aware of the proper wood to use for international crating.

These tips will help make your international shipping go smoothly, but if you still need help making sure your items arrival safely and on time, contact us. We have experience shipping countless items from the Houston area to worldwide destinations.

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International Cargo and International Shipping to Romania

Posted on Wed, Jul 13, 2016

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International shipping to Romania requires more attention to detail than shipping within the U.S., but arranging proper packing and transport through a professional shipping company will assure that your items arrive safely.

Romania, like most international shipping destinations, have laws and regulations regarding what may and may not be imported into the country. When shipping international cargo or international packages to Romaina, reference the the USPS website.  Here are some laws and regulations to follow:

  • Weapons, ammunition, or other arms-related items. The exception to this rule are hunting guns, with the approval of the Romanian police or related governing body.
  • Coins, currency, precious metals or stones, jewelry, or other valuables.
  • Explosives, pyrotechnic products such as fireworks, and other combustible products. The purpose for this prohibition is twofold: Romania has regulatory laws regarding who can own, handle, and operate combustible materials; and transport of these items can be dangerous or cause serious hazards to those transporting the items.
  • Perishable infectious or noninfectious biological substances.
  • Tobaccos products or tobacco substitutes. Just like in the United States, these are heavily regulated by the Romanian government.
  • Pharmaceutical products and vitamins unless authorized by the Ministry of Health or Ministry of Agriculture.

Romania is a country full character and unique accolades. For example:

  • Romania is the 9th largest producer of wine. In 2015 it produced around 4.069 million hectolitres of wine!
  • The Scarisoara glacier, is found underneath the Bihor Mountains in Romania. It is more than 3,500 years old!
  • Romania is home to Petrache Poenaru, who invented the world's first fountain pen. Another Romanian, Nicolae Paulescu, discovered insulin. 
  • The Romanian Palace of Parliament in Bucharest is the second largest administrative center in the world. The largest is the Pentagon in the United States.

Packages being shipped overseas may require multiple modes of transportation and loading and unloading before reaching the final destination. Because of this, it's important to pack items carefully to minimize the potential for damage en route. A professional moving company can assist in properly preparing your items for shipment and will also help complete customs forms for entrance into Romania. International shipping can take a long time and poorly or incorrectly completed paperwork will further delay arrival.

If you are in the Houston are and are looking to send items to Romania, we can help. Contact us to learn more about our international shipping options.

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Shipping Furniture from The Port of Houston

Posted on Fri, Jul 08, 2016

 

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With today's constantly changing business world, many companies are seeing benefits in their ability to ship and/or trade between Houston, Texas, and other countries.  This can include shipping furniture across country and beyond!  The Port of Houston has recently expanded services to countries such as West Africa. These changes have provided even more opportunities for trade and business collaborations, along with shipping a vast array of items ranging from personal purchases to corporate exchanges and relocation.  As such, the Port of Houston is well on its way to establishing itself as a definitive presence in business transactions.  The Port further cements this impression by linking diverse cultures such as Mexico and West Africa, with non-stop service between these destinations and more.  It is a true first for this kind of transit, as most previous forms of this transport required stopovers or indirect routes to reach their final stopping locations.  

Because the Port of Houston has grown into such an important focal point for international business, it has a well-deserved reputation for world-class service to all its clients, local and international alike.  As such, the Port is eager to help others develop their own companies through its established international liaisons.  The Port readily seeks both individual and corporate proposals for upcoming partnerships.  Furthermore, the growth of the Port has been a consistent win-win for the local economy, with its impact creating thousands of jobs over the 2015-2016 period and billions of dollars of revenue in the first half of 2016 alone.  These points clearly exemplify Texas' key role as a shipping state (importing and exporting equally) as well as its premier position as a shipping and receiving entity in the economic world.

The Port of Houston shows no signs of slowing down, and is clearly a contender for the fastest growth and positive impact on local and international business combined.  With its continuing development, the Port has a firm eye to the future and enduring success!  While Shipping internationally can pose challenges, help on these areas is just a quick call or email away, so contact us with any questions for packing and shipping expertise, suggestions and tips!  Shipping from Houston is easy when you use The Port of Houston.

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Shipping to Malta - International Shipping Rules

Posted on Tue, Jul 05, 2016

International shipping to Malta might sound like a complicated process, but fortunately with some careful planning and the right knowledge, shipping is as simple as mailing a letter to your neighbor down the street.

 

According to the USPS, Malta prohibits shipment of the following items:

  • Weapons of all kinds
  • Devices used to load weapons such as metal cartridges and firing caps
  • Human remains
  • Graphic and obscene materials and literature
  • Any living plants and animals
  • Lottery tickets and any marketing material of such
  • Radioactive materials
  • Switchblades

Malta's international shipping restrictions are simple—any textiles, foodstuffs, or bags must comply with any and all local health regulations.

When mailing items, also make sure to observe the following rules:

  • When mailing to a street address, Malta suggests you provide a local telephone number for the addressee. When mailing to a post office box, Malta requires it.
  • All commercial shipments must come with an invoice as well as any personal shipments with a value of $300 or more. Place invoices either on the outside of the package or inside with PS Form 2976-E.
  • If you are shipping a prohibited item with a special permit from the Controller of Customers, you must make sure the addressee also have the necessary documents in order.

Whether you are mailing a gift to an old friend or shipping your worldly possessions to Malta to start a new life, here are some fun facts:

  • Malta is in the Mediterranean Sea between Europe and North Africa, Sicily and Tunisia specifically.
  • Speaking of which, Malta used to have a bridge to Sicily.
  • The three islands of Malta are only 316 square kilometers, making it one of the world's smallest countries.
  • Malta has no forest and woodland cover as wells as no mountains or rivers.
  • Homer allegedly wrote about Calypso Cave in The Odyssey. 
  • The British ruled over Malta until they gained their independence in 1964.

If you want any further help with your international shipping needs, contact us today!

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International Moving- Brazil Consulate Example

Posted on Fri, Jul 01, 2016

 

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In the United States and around the world, other countries have consulates. A consulate is the office on the consul—an official from a foreign country serving as an advocate for those from their native country in a foreign land. Consuls have varying responsibilities but some include overseeing visas, legal documentation, and trade. A consul is different from an ambassador. An ambassador has a superior rank. And also there can only be one ambassador from one country to another while there can be a number of consuls in major cities. For example, Brazil has consulates in 10 major cities around the U.S., including one in Houston.

When staff of the consulate moves to Houston or home to Brazil from Houston, they need to find a company that does consulate moving and consulate shipping. Thankfully, shipping freight to Houston is made easy by the presence of the Port of Houston. Consulate staff can have a container of their furniture and other belongings shipped from Brazil to Houston overseas.

A shipping company can even pack a container with these belongings and give a list on the contents to customs. If you are moving to Houston to work at the Brazilian consulate, find a moving company that can pack and crate your things in Brazil and ship them to Houston so you only have to concern yourself with moving yourself and your family. If you need crating and packing  Houston Texas or need international moving, crating companes in Houston can help you pack and send your belongings anywhere in the world.

Pack n Send in Houston makes international shipping easy. We have over 35 years of experience with international shipping and moving. Contact us today for a quote on consulate shipping.

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Houston Shipping for Commercial Shipping

Posted on Tue, Jun 28, 2016

 


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When your company needs to ship equipment, you need to find a shipping company with competitive rates and the expertise to ship fragile, awkwardly sized, and sensitive items. In Houston, shipping is a big industry— especially for equipment— because of the Port of Houston.

The Port of Houston is a 25 mile long port that sees the most tons of foreign goods in the United States. Clearly, many things go in and out of this port, making it a place where mediocre shipping services will not suffice. People expect the best shipping services when their goods are going around the world. 

Here are a few industries that need experienced shippers they can trust when shipping through the Port of Houston.

  • The Oil Field Industry: This industry is especially relevant because the number of refineries built in the Houston Ship Channel. The channel is such a popular spot for refineries because of its protection from the storms in the Gulf of Mexico. The refineries need supplies for their infrastructure including specialized equipment and pipes that are hard to transport. They need professional shipping to make sure the equipment is not damaged.
  • The Medical Industry: Being such an important port, medical technology often comes in and out of the Port of Houston. MRI machines, CT scanners, x-ray technology, and all sorts of other medical technology needs to be shipped with the utmost care because these items are extremely expensive.

When it comes to needing a commercial shipper— especially for an industry with such fragile and expensive equipment— you can trust us at Pack n Send in Houston. Contact us today to get a quote for your shipping needs. 

Commercial Shipping is fast and easy when shipping out of the Port of Houston, or shipping via truck from the city of Houston.

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Shipping Artwork

Posted on Sat, Jun 25, 2016

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Shipping valuable artwork is a challenge. This is because it is susceptible to damage caused by jostling while in transit .Whether you are shipping artwork to a new home or have sold it to another collector, preparing for the transport is a crucial step in the process.

Depending on the size of the art and whether it is framed, shipping may involve corrugated cardboard boxes or custom-made shipping crates. On common mistake that is easily avoided when shipping artwork involves the size of the shipping container. It should be large enough to accommodate the item and necessary packaging such as bubble wrap and packing peanuts, but not big enough to allow the art to shift. In the case of fragile artwork, double-boxing with layers of padding ensures the best protection. A professional shipping company can assist with this if necessary.

Prior to packaging, consider how you intend to ship your artwork. Common package carriers have size and weight restrictions which may cause problems depending on the type of art you are intending to send. If it is very large or heavy, consider working with a shipping company who has experience building custom crates and shipping items as freight.

One of the worst things that can happen to a piece of artwork is damage while in transit. Artwork is not only valuable but each piece is unique and in some cases, one-of-a kind and irreplaceable. If you are looking for a professional to assist in packing and shipping of a piece of artwork, contact us. We have experience shipping everything from porcelain statues to oil paintings for galleries all over the world.

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International shipping to Latvia

Posted on Fri, Jun 24, 2016

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The Republic of Latvia is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe that borders Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, and Belarus. In addition to a thriving economy attributed to the privatization of most industries, Latvia is also known as a prominent exporter of timber, wood products, fish and fish products, metals, and machinery and equipment. International shipping into Latvia is also possible, with the assistance of a professional shipping company. Every country has specific limitations with respect to shipping. The following items are prohibited in Latvia:

  • Live animals or animal products such as skins and pelts
  • Vegetable products
  • Live trees, plats, bulbs, roots, and other flora that could impact the local ecosystem
  • Pharmaceutical products
  • Explosives, including: pyrotechnic products, matches, and combustible preparations
  • Printed books, newspapers, and products of the printing industry such as manuscripts, etc.
  • Natural pearls, precious stones, precious metals, jewelry, and coins
  • Arms and ammunition

In some circumstances, permissions are granted with regard to what can be shipped to Latvia. The following restrictions apply to the above list:

  • A veterinary service certificate should accompany animal products. This reduces the risk of the spread of potentially dangerous bacteria or foreign species.
  • Items subject to customs duty charges may not be shipped in flat rate envelopes, flat rate boxes, or first-class package international service items.
  • The shipment of pharmaceutical products is permissible only if it is mailed to a pharmaceutical manufacturer, wholesalers, or accredited representative of foreign producers of medicine.
  • Any flora or product thereof must be accompanied by a plant health certificate.

Contact us to learn more about international shipping to Latvia. Our full service packing, crating, and shipping services will make sure your items make it to their final destination safe and on schedule.

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Crate Building for Domestic or International Shipping of Artwork

Posted on Wed, Jun 22, 2016

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Domestic shipping and international shipping may seem like similar things, and they are similar, but there are also a few differences worth noting.

One of the major, and obvious differences, is that international travel is much longer time wise, therefore it opens travelers up to more uncertainties, and more vulnerabilities, than domestic travel does

Think about it this way: when you go on short, domestic trips, you probably pack and plan differently than when you travel over international waters. 

Shipping artwork is no different. Often, crate building is used for domestic shipping of artwork, and then the crate will be padded and packed according to the specific item that is being shipped. Sometimes, the piece may be able to fit and packed into a box, but that would have to be determined on a case by case basis. 

Artwork is always important, and fragile, and care is required when handling it; care is also required when shipping it.

If a piece of artwork will be shipped internationally, it should be packed inside a crate made with heat treated wood to ensure safe travels. The purpose for heat treating is mainly to kill bugs and prevent bugs from getting into the crate, thus preventing all kinds of other nasty surprises upon landing.

Contact us for more education, insight, and information about your specific packing and crating needs, whether you have a question about shipping artwork or furniture or anything else. We would love to answer your questions and help you determine what is best for your specific items and situation.

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International Shipping & International Cargo Tips

Posted on Tue, Jun 21, 2016

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International shipping follows different rules than domestic transport. In preparing to ship something overseas, it's important to know what kinds of procedures and regulations you will encounter. While these vary based on what is being shipped and the specific destination, here are four things to be prepared to handle when shipping overseas.

Customs

All items coming into a country will be required to clear customs. Part of this process is providing appropriate and accurate paperwork. This may include customs forms for the country of departure as well as arrival, manifest information, and any applicable customs fees. This fee varies based on the value of the item being shipped, weight and size of the item, and the country where it is being shipped.

Tariffs

A tariff is a tax or duty charged based on the class of the item being shipped. This is often part of the shipping fee required by the company and other freight handlers who will be transporting the item. 

Arrival Date

Shipping products internationally can be a slow process, especially when accounting for loading and unloading times, transfers, customs inspections, etc. In preparing for an international shipment, determine first when the item needs to be delivered and then work backward. A professional moving company can assist in estimating the length of time your item will be in transit before arriving.

Packaging

Make sure that all products are properly packaged. Depending on the size of the item, use of protective shipping materials, double boxing, or custom crating are all possible options. Also, it is crucial that the item be labeled correctly. Again, a professional shipping company can assist in this process.

These tips will help make your international shipping go smoothly, but if you still need help making sure your items arrival safely and on time, contact us. We have experience shipping countless items from the Houston area to worldwide destinations.

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Reasons to Pack and Send

Posted on Thu, Jun 16, 2016

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Moving companies and shipping companies often are two different businesses. So when your move requires both packing and sending, you need a special company to take care of both of your needs. The right pack and send company will custom crate anything that needs custom crating, will handle your belongings with the utmost care, and will compassionately deal with your moving situation if it is a tough circumstance. Here are some people who need a moving and shipping company in one.

  • International Moves: Ever wonder how people moving overseas are able to move their belongings? A shipping company can ship their belongings overseas through international freighting. Pack and send companies get discounts with carriers and are able to pass the savings on to their customers. So going through a moving/shipping company can save you money when compared to going through a carrier like UPS or FedEx. You can get a container for ocean shipping that is either 20 or 40 feet long for your belongings to get overseas.
  • Moves When Dividing Up an Estate: Sometimes when a loved one passes away, their estate needs to be divided up among family members that live in different locations. This is when a pack and send service is needed. Movers can divide up the belongings according to the family's specifications and ship them to wherever they need to go.
  • Moving Art: When art is shipped around the country or the world for various exhibitions, it needs to be professionally—and sometimes custom—crated before it can be shipped to its destination. Artists, collectors, and curators need a shipping company they can trust.

For pack and send services in Houston and beyond, contact us at Pack n Send. We have been helping our customers with international moves, estate moves, art shipping, and more for the last 35 years and we can help you too.

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Packing for a Move

Posted on Thu, Jun 16, 2016

 

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Moving is a hassle. Packing for a move for a move is an even bigger hassle. Here are some tips on making packing less of an ordeal.

1. Give yourself enough time. Packing always takes longer than you expect. It's best to start two or three weeks before moving day. Do not start a day or two before you plan to move. It won't work. Trust us.

2. Prioritize. Items you use least should be packed first. Start with china, kitchen implements you don't use daily, CDs, out of season clothes, and books. (This is a great time to sort through your out of season clothes and donate the ones you no longer wear.)

3. Think ahead when you pack. Some things you'll need almost immediately in your new home. Mark those boxes with a special symbol: a star, your initial, the number 1. Put belongings you will want right away — sheets, towels, toiletries, change of clothes — in a suitcase or clothes hamper for easy access.

4. Chose a little-used part of your house to be the packing station. Maybe a spare bedroom, or just a corner. Assemble boxes of assorted sizes and have them ready and waiting. Keep markers, packing tape, and packing materials such as bubble wrap, popcorn, styrofoam peanuts, or unprinted newsprint there.

5. Don't overstuff your boxes with more than you can carry. It's easy to put more in the box than it can hold without breaking. Resist the temptation. Fill large boxes with light stuff, like comforters or clothing,  and put heavy items, like books, in small boxes. As the bumper sticker says: Friends help friends move. Real friends help friends move books.

6. Don't move empty dressers and chests. Leave dressers full. If a chest is empty, fill it with linens. Tuck breakables inside linens or clothes to cushion them. Don't pack empty suitcases. Put them to work.

7. Trash bags are your friends. Sturdy trash bags squish. Fill large trash bags with soft nonbreakables.  Stuff them into trucks where boxes won't fit.

8. Don't pack hanging clothes. Leave clothes on hangers and put them in the back of your car flat. When you get to the new home, hang them up.

9. Don't pack blankets or beach towels. Don't let them be lazy. Use them as pads; this saves on boxes. Wrap and tape blankets around artwork and lamp bases. Stack and pack lampshades, which can easily be damaged in a move. Remove each shade from the lamps. Stack them by size, small to large, then put them together in one box. That way they'll arrive intact.

10.  Mark every box with its contents (pots) and destination (kitchen) on more than one side. Mark if contents are fragile. 

11. Be ready. Have everything packed before the movers arrive or before you get the truck. If furniture needs to be taken apart, disassemble it in advance. Tape nuts and bolts securely to furniture items so they don't get lost. Roll rugs up tight, then tape them. Both professional movers and rental trucks charge by the hour. Being disorganized costs you money. 

If you have questions on packing or moving, contact Pack n Send. We'll be glad to help.

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Transporting  and Shipping a Great Craigslist Find

Posted on Mon, Jun 13, 2016

 

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  Craigslist is a great place to find quality used items in your area. Sellers use this free online platform to post everything from clothing and household goods to heavy machinery, furniture, and vehicles. In the case of large items, the challenge is not necessarily finding a good deal on Craigslist. Rather, it is transporting it safely and securely back to your home. If you are in the process of purchasing a large or difficult to transport item from a seller on Craigslist, a professional packing and sending company can assist.

A professional  company will be able to provide you with options that best suit the specifics of the move. For local transport, the item can be securely packed using a combination of protective packing materials and cardboard boxes. Items such as car parts or heavy equipment are better suited to be shipped on pallets or in a custom crate. Other items such as boats and personal water crafts require special towing equipment. These are situations where a shipping company can put their expertise and experience to good use.

In some cases, buyers looking for a specific item may search outside of their area on Craigslist. A professional shipping company can also help move that large or irregular-shaped item long distances. Many sellers are accommodating of the time, space, or planning required to properly prepare and transport the item.

Don't let concern over shipping deter you from making a good deal on a Craigslist find. Contact us to discuss your packing and shipping options. Whether it is cross country or right around the corner in the Houston, Texas area, we are ready to assist in all your shipping needs. 

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International Shipping to St. Lucia-What You Need To Know

Posted on Mon, Jun 13, 2016

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Saint Lucia is a fabulous eastern Caribbean island that beckons the winter-weary. It is a part of the Lesser Antilles; for the geographically-challenged this means northwest of Barbados and south of Martinique.

The island is roughly 238 square miles and volcanic in origin; indeed, it is one of the most mountainous of the Caribbean islands. St. Lucia is known for its twin landmarks: two mountains called the Pitons, and also claims a drive-in volcano! The climate is tropical (who'd a thought?) so daytime temperatures tend to be around 84 degrees while nights are typically a pleasant 64 degrees.

You may know someone who resides in St. Lucia, or you may decide you want to move and leave the chaos of life in the States far behind; in either case you will want to research international shipping to St. Lucia.

Obviously, the easiest way to move to the island of your dreams is to have someone else do it for you! International shipping requires a fair amount of expertise and unless you are one who enjoys learning the hard way, gathering information can be time-consuming and frustrating...for example, proper packing is essential for a long-distance move. It can come as a very unpleasant surprise to find out you under-padded your irreplaceable, life-size porcelain monkey. Expert help allows you to avoid delays and mistakes.

Most people have a pretty good idea of prohibited items (going through customs) such as guns, drugs, etc., but there is a lot more to learn; for example, on the leave-at-home list for St. Lucia is: counterfit currency or stamps, food unfit for humans, shaving brushes made in Japan (dating back to an anthrax scare in the early 1900's) and condoms made by Monkok Latix of South Korea. Can't really guess that kind of stuff! Using a professional shipping company will be a blessing due to invaluable knowledge that will save you time and headaches. 

St. Lucia is an ideal destination for most; unlimited recreational opportunities even for those who are horrified at the thought of being in public wearing a swimsuit! There are catamaran cruises, golf, tennis, hiking, bird watching, (the St. Lucia parrot, or Jacquot, is found only on the island) horseback riding, ATV tours and much more. The island's people are known to be warm and friendly as well.

What are you waiting for? Contact us for professional advice!

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Moving Overseas? International Shipping Companies Make Moving a Breeze

Posted on Fri, Jun 10, 2016

moving_services_bookshelves.jpgMoving overseas is always a complicated process. Not only will you have to deal with immigration, you will also have to understand what you can bring with you. Packing your possessions properly for the move can also be time-consuming, especially if you aren't sure what you can bring. Hiring international shipping companies to help you pack and transport your things can have a lot of benefits and make the entire process significantly easier.

 

Obtain a List of Prohibited Items

Different countries will have different things on their banned item list, making it impossible to ship them. Firearms, for example, are banned in several countries or have special shipping laws applied to them. An international shipping company will be able to provide you with a list of prohibited items and be able to advise you on the best ways to ship your items.

 

Save Time Packing Your Things

Packing is one of the most time-consuming parts of a move and one of the most difficult. Items need to be packed extra-carefully in order to survive a long distance travel. This means disassembling items carefully or surrounding them in extra packaging. Moving companies can help save you time with this process and give you peace of mind knowing that your items are secured.

 

More Information and Tips

If you are planning on moving overseas, you will need all of the help you can get. Read more tips on how to move and find county-specific guidelines when you contact us. We would be happy to help you find the most effective ways to move.

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Assisted Living and  Nursing Home Moves

Posted on Sun, Jun 05, 2016

 

assisted_living_and_nursing_home.jpgMoving into a nursing home or an assisted living center can be a hard decision—for both the family making the decision and the person making the move. But when you decide the time is right, you want to find movers to help that are going to be compassionate to your situation and can help you get everything where it needs to go. Here are some things to consider for nursing home moves.

The initial move into an assisted living center or nursing home means downsizing. You can only take a few belongings to the nursing home. You don't need things like dishes, appliances, and very much furniture. When moving, it is important to find movers that can help you divide up your things among family members. If you have family out-of-state that will be receiving some of these items, you need a moving company that can ship those belongings for you.

If there aren't family members around to help a senior pack up their things, you need to find a moving company that you can trust to do all the packing as well. You need one that is going to be compassionate and understanding of the sensitive nature of this decision. Even if a person is ready to be in a new home where they can get more care and have fewer responsibilities, it is still hard to give up that independence. And oftentimes, people moving into a nursing home or assisted living center  have lived in their previous home for a long time and have many memories there.

For a moving and shipping company that will handle a move with care and compassion, contact us at Pack n Send in Houston. 

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Need a small move, large move or an international move? Ask a Houston mover.

Posted on Mon, May 30, 2016

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When you are doing a small move in Houston, there are still a number of things to consider. Just because you are doing a small move doesn't mean it isn't a big job. And sometimes you might need moving assistance, even if it is just one item. Here are some ideas of who could benefit from help with a small move and what kind of moving company to look for.

  • Find a moving company that has no minimum size for a move. The right moving company will move even one sofa across town, or pack and ship just a few items across the country.
  • Keep in mind moving services aren't just for individuals. Businesses can hire moving services if their offices are switching location. An interior decorator may need help moving furniture and decor for staging of a home. Auction houses need help getting items from the auction to the people who purchased them.  Movers with experience can make your moving day an enjoyable day.
  • Just because a move is a local move doesn't mean you don't need help. Don't feel bad if you don't have the resources to do a move on your own. Not everyone knows a few burly guys that have trucks. Let the professionals take care of you. They can do a better job anyways. 
  • Seniors that are moving into an assisted living center or a nursing home need help with small moves even though they may be relatively close.

No matter what the reason, the size of the move, or destination, Pack n Send in Houston can take care of your small move. Contact us today for more information. 

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Crate Building for Domestic or International Shipping of Artwork

Posted on Sun, May 29, 2016

 

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Domestic shipping and international shipping may seem like similar things, and they are similar, but there are also a few differences worth noting.

One of the major, and obvious differences, is that international travel is much longer time wise, therefore it opens travelers up to more uncertainties, and more vulnerabilities, than domestic travel does

Think about it this way: when you go on short, domestic trips, you probably pack and plan differently than when you travel over international waters. 

Shipping artwork is no different. Often, crate building is used for domestic shipping of artwork, and then the crate will be padded and packed according to the specific item that is being shipped. Sometimes, the piece may be able to fit and packed into a box, but that would have to be determined on a case by case basis. 

Artwork is always important, and fragile, and care is required when handling it; care is also required when shipping it.

If a piece of artwork is valuable and  will be shipped internationally, it should be packed inside a crate made with heat treated wood to ensure safe travels. The purpose for heat treating is mainly to kill bugs and prevent bugs from getting into the crate, thus preventing all kinds of other nasty surprises upon landing.

Contact us for more education, insight, and information about your specific packing and crating needs, whether you have a question about shipping artwork or furniture or anything else. We would love to answer your questions and help you determine what is best for your specific items and situation.

 

Contact US

From Sold at Auction to Crate and Freight-Auction House Shipping

Posted on Wed, May 25, 2016

From Sold at Auction to Crate and Freight in Houston, Texas


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Going once. Going twice. Sold.

But then what? What happens after a piece, or an entire collection, is sold at an auction? Well, it's similar to the many times when things are sold in stores: the things need to be moved to homes, to offices, to businesses, or to wherever the buyer desires. 

Auction houses in the Houston area might sell large pieces of antique furniture, military gear and uniforms, authentic record players, European silverware collections in velvet-lined boxes, large ceramic vases, exquisite jewelry, sculptures and paintings, even automobiles. Some of these things can be driven away in your car (or can be driven away as your car), but maybe you stumbled on tons of great finds, the kinds of things you couldn't walk away from, the kinds of things that are going to make your home perfect. And maybe you don't want to have to think about packing these items for transport. No one would blame you for that; these are precious items and you want them to be cared for.

You just need to think outside the box a little; maybe find an auction shipper in Huston who can take all of your new belongings and give them the correct seat for their travel. Whether they are all going to one location, or will be dispersed among several locations, an auction shipper can help you determine what is best. 

Sometimes custom crates will be made to fit your items, and proper padding placed around them to ensure an exact fit. Other times, your items can be boxed and shipped. It just depends on what specific items were purchased. Contact us for more information on exactly what should be done with your new items. Auction shipping is easy when you contact a company that has experience with auction house shipping. They should be able to ship everything from furniture to small delicate items.

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Auction Shipping from Houston and Beyond

Posted on Tue, May 24, 2016

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Have you been to an auction lately? You can find almost anything at an auction. Kitchen knife sets, computers and software, clothing and handbags, diamond rings, antique and modern luggage, furniture, and all kinds of artwork, from paintings to sculpture to pottery and mixed media pieces show up in auction houses.

Among the strangest things ever sold at auction is a lock of Abraham Lincoln's hair, and Brad Pitt and Angelina's breath in a jar. But it's not just celebrity's items that sell at auctions. A skeleton in a tuxedo was once sold for $950 alongside a female skeleton carrying a Bible. We wonder where that is now. Auction shipper Houston notes that everyday and unique items sell well at auctions.

Instruments, especially antique ones that have been well maintained, often sell for large amounts at auctions. Collectors and musicians alike love these on mantels or sometimes to restore for use. Also, unusual artwork is often sold at auction, like this Orange Balloon Dog by Jeff Koons, which fetched (pun intended) $58.4 million in 2013, the highest price ever for a piece of work made by an artist who was still alive.

If you're in Houston, and attending auctions, find an auction shipper that can help you ship your items while maintaining proper care for them. Custom built pallets will can be made in order to ship the delicate, high value pieces that you may have purchased at an auction. If you have purchased several items, and they are all going to the same place, a pallet will allow them all to stay together during shipping. Several pallets can also be used to separate items that are moving to different locations.

Contact us for more information on how the things you purchased at an auction can be shipped. Make your auction shipping go smoothly when you ask the right questions before you send your  purchases. 

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Ecommerce and  the Right Shipping Company

Posted on Tue, May 17, 2016

 

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If you run an ecommerce business, chances are you ship dozens, or even hundreds, of packages to your customers  company to ensure that your products arrive on time without the deliveries costing you a fortune.

When looking for a company to ship out your ecommerce goods, you might want to look for a company with a warehouse that also handles retail freight receiving. Let them inspect and deliver your goods before they are sent to a retail store.

Types of Products

One factor you want to consider is what types of products you plan on selling and sending to your customers. Some shipping companies aren't able to ship items of every size or shape, so you should ensure that the one you choose will be able to ship all of the products you offer. The rate the company will charge for the products you ship should be optimal. Keep in mind that there are  different rates for different types of items. Dimensions, weight, value and destination zip code will help determine the price.

If you choose a reputable  carrier, you can expect your customers to feel greater confidence when it comes to providing their credit card information to pay for your products.

International Shipping

If your ecommerce store caters to customers from all over the globe, it is important that you select a s company that delivers items internationally. While this may seem obvious, most people forget to think about sending items globally when selecting the right company because they sell most of their products domestically. An international shipping company be better suited for your needs.

Without a doubt, selecting the right company for transporting your items can mean the difference between the success and failure of your ecommerce store. Contact us for more business tips when it comes to choosing the right  company for your needs.

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Moving the Estate of a Loved One-Estate Shipping & Estate Moving

Posted on Fri, May 13, 2016

Dealing with the  estate of a loved one is never easy, and that's not because there are more things in a person's house than we think. It's because all the things in a person's house hold value. And they aren't just things; they are memories, heirlooms, extraordinary treasures complete with stories and laughter and warm feelings. An estate comes with emotions. And when someone dies, their emotional, grieving loved ones are often tasked with taking care of all the things left behind. On one hand this makes sense; it is the loved ones who know best what all the belongings are. On the other hand, grieving is hard enough on its own without having to pack up the deceased's house and watch all its memories spread out among the living.

Many times there are specific pieces in a person's home, namely a grandparents' home, that have been designated for a specific person. Maybe it's an ancient grandfather clock that chimes beautifully, provoking mystery (how does it still chime after hundreds of years?) and wonder (every chime is like being at Grandma's table again.) Maybe it's a portrait of ancestors, passed down through every generation. Maybe it is not only significant within a family, but significant historically. A first edition book, an original painting, a relic, or war memorabilia. 

If you are dealing with an estate, perhaps you should consider an estate packing, or estate shipping, service. Using this kind of service can help you tremendously by easing the burden of packing an entire house and sending it to various other homes around the country, and even around the world.Contact us for more information on how you can get help dealing with an estate. When moving an estate after a loved one has passed away will be less stressful if you hire professional movers or a professional shipping company.

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Packing for Shipping Sculptures and Other Delicate Items

Posted on Mon, May 09, 2016

 

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Whether you are moving or just needing to ship items, you need a packaging company that is going to meet your needs. An expert packing and shipping company knows what items can go in a box. But high-dollar, fragile, or uniquely shaped objects may need to go into a custom crate. Crating involves making a crate specifically for the desired object and then the proper padding is added for protection if needed. 

One commonly shipped item that requires crating are sculptures. When shipping sculptures, consider using a custom built crate. Sculptors have the tricky issue of finding a way to get their work to buyers or to a museum or gallery for a showing. Part of being a successful artist is being able to show your work all over the world. That can be scary when you have a meticulously crafted work that needs to be sent overseas or across the country. Fortunately, there are packaging companies that have lots of experience crating sculptures for shipping. 

Consider some of the pieces from this article from artsy.com about the most popular sculptors working today. As you can see from looking at the works, many of the pieces would require some very careful packaging to move from one city from the next. One work by Anthony Gormley titled Field (American)is made up of hundreds of small terracotta figures. You can only imagine the time and attention it would take to move these figures and set them up at the next location.

 A Houston packaging service that can offer advice on packing items for shipping or moving is pack n send. If you have a sculpture that needs to be moved—or anything that needs packaging or crating—contact us at Pack n Send today

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Freight Receiving for Designers, Decorators, and Retailers

Posted on Sun, May 08, 2016

 

interior_decorator_interior_designer_freight_receiving.jpgInterior designers and interior decorators have more to do than just pick out wall colors (and just picking out the perfect wall color sounds a lot easier than it is, but that's another story that we don't have time for right now. Just  know that we respect interior designers and the work that they do to ensure beautiful homes for their clients.)

As professionals, interior designers and interior decorators need to scout out the perfect furniture for their clients' homes. These pieces are "perfect" in terms of size, functionality, style, and overall flow with their forthcoming rooms. They are often one of a kind, and crucial to the final outcome of a room.

So the moving of the furniture should be viewed as important, too. Almost as important as the finding of the piece.

If you are a professional in the furniture industry, whether you are working for individual clients or for retail stores across the country, you want to make sure that your collected furniture is cared for. 

You should predetermine delivery times and dates with a moving company, and make sure that your moving company is aware of these specifics. Labels are so important here, as they are the building blocks for on-time delivery.

A freight receiving company will receive any furniture for you, organize it all, and deliver it to a home or a store, domestically or internationally. This step is a necessary one if you are collecting multiple pieces for one project.

Contact us for more information on how freight receiving can help you ensure an organized, on time delivery of your collected furniture. 

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Moving Home from College made Easy!

Posted on Thu, May 05, 2016

Moving Home from College made Easy!

School's Out - Moving Your College Student Home

 

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Houston is home to the University of Houston, Texas Southern, Strayer, North American, Rice, and many other universities and colleges. As the semester comes to a close, there will be thousands of students transitioning from the dorm or off-campus housing back to their family homes. This move can be especially stressful for students who live in other areas of the country or who attend college as an international student. Regardless of the circumstance, a professional moving company can assist in ending the semester without the anxiety of transporting belongings safely and securely.

A professional moving company can help with common items that typically pose problems when moving a student in or out of college. These include:

  • Furniture
  • Heavy boxes of books, papers, and binders
  • Cinder blocks
  • Clothes
  • Athletic equipment

For many college students, there are only two options at the end of the semester. The first option is to only save the most important items and ditch the rest. Often, furniture, heavy items, and bulky loads are discarded simply because there is no easy way to get them home. The other option is to cram everything to fit into one carload. This is especially the case for students who need to travel long distances to get home. Haphazard packing and transport almost guarantees damage to items.

A professional moving company can assist in providing proper packing materials and then shipping items in a manner that is safe and hassle-free. As the semester nears the end, contact us to learn more about your shipping options around the Houston, Texas area and beyond.

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Shipping Artwork- Use a Box or Custom Built Crate

Posted on Tue, May 03, 2016

 

artwork.pngShipping valuable artwork can be a challenge. This is because it is susceptible to damage caused by jostling while in transit. Whether you are shipping artwork to a new home or have sold it to another collector, preparing for the transport is a crucial step in the process.

Depending on the size of the art and whether it is framed, shipping may involve corrugated cardboard boxes or custom-made shipping crates. On common mistake that is easily avoided when shipping artwork involves the size of the shipping container. It should be large enough to accommodate the item and necessary packaging such as bubble wrap and packing peanuts, but not big enough to allow the art to shift. In the case of fragile artwork, double-boxing with layers of padding ensures the best protection. A professional shipping company can assist with this if necessary. A custom built crate will be made to specifically fit your piece of art.

Prior to packaging, consider how you intend to ship your artwork. Common package carriers have size and weight restrictions which may cause problems depending on the type of art you are intending to send. If it is very large or heavy, consider working with a shipping company who has experience building custom crates and shipping items as freight.

 If you are looking for a professional to assist in packing and shipping of a piece of artwork, contact us. We have experience shipping everything from porcelain statues to oil paintings for galleries all over the world.

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Getting Started with Crating and Packing for Your Big Move!

Posted on Sat, Apr 30, 2016

 


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Most people can recall at least one instance of having to move from one residence to another (or move the contents of one business to another) and all the stress that can entail.  This situation can be even worse when it comes to packing and shipping goods for the move.  With some items, such as furniture, it can truly be a challenge to find the best way to safely pack these objects for them to be moved or shipped without damage. 

As an example, consider moving a  dresser.  It is usually quite heavy and bulky, so the moving company will need to use protective materials such as moving blankets (which can guard against scratches) 

This precaution is particularly important when transporting goods out of state or internationally, as the nature of a long distance relocation can lend itself to many opportunities for possible damage.  Even within state, being cautious is key. Texas is a large state  and there are any chances for problems to arise when transporting items from one location to another location. Packing is very important.You want to use the right packing and moving company Crating and packing in Houston, Texas can be done properly when you choose a company  with experience with custom crating and custom packing.

Moving is a great time for people to pare down on unneeded goods and unwanted items to help create a fresh start in their new home!  While some people try to opt for packing their own items, it is often best to use the services of a professional service.   Contact Pack n Send quickly and see how they can help make the biggest move as smooth as can be!

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How to Best Utilize Houston's Freight Shipping Service

Posted on Thu, Apr 28, 2016

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Moving merchandise over the road or by sea typically applies to objects that are either large, heavy, and unruly or are being sent in large quantities.There are  two popular methods: palletizing and custom crating—each has its own pros and cons. When  looking to move you items over road or sea, look for a company that can pack, crate or palletize your shipment.

Palletized Shipping

Palletized shipping is exactly what it sounds like: shipping items on a pallet. It allows someone to move multiple items at the same time easily. This is best used when shipping objects that are sturdy, durable, and stackable. In order to use pallets efficiently and safely, your shipment must have its weight distributed evenly.

Custom Crating

Custom crating is best used when your shipment is fragile,valuable, or simply has an odd size. Custom crating combines the use of Styrofoam, packing peanuts, and bubble wrap to keep your shipment from bouncing around and getting scratched.

Freight Shipping and Receiving

Shipping is available through common carriers,   but also private shipping corporations  Roadrunner, Hercules Freight and numerous other freight shipping companies. Your quote depends on your shipment's size, your preferred shipping speed (overnight, two-day, three-day, etc.), and method of transportation (ground, air, etc.). Sending items packed on pallets and custom built crates  is typically available for both domestic and international shipments.

Domestic freight receiving requires a little more planning than delivery of small shipments. Because of their size, the receipt of your shipment requires an appointment for the delivery of the shipment. 

Freight services in Houston is a thriving and experienced business practice. For help with your next large shipment, contact us for efficient and quality service.

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Shipping Medical Equipment Internationally Can Help Save Lives

Posted on Sat, Apr 23, 2016

 

medical_equipment_shipping.jpg   Shipping medical equipment internationally from the United States reached $45 billion in 2014 and are continuing to rise. Additionally, it is becoming increasingly common for a surgeon to buy a large collection of medical equipment to furnish an entire clinic overseas. One of the best ways to ensure that overseas clients continue to buy equipment from the United States is to ensure that all medical devices arrive at their overseas destinations safely and securely. Achievement of this goal begins with an understanding of the international freight process.

Lives Depend Upon the Secure Shipment of Medical Equipment

Medical equipment is distinct from many exports because people in other countries require the devices to save the lives of people and animals. Additionally, some medical devices such as C-arms, X-ray machines and anesthesia systems are extremely large and cumbersome, making them more challenging to ship than smaller less complex items. Finally, medical equipment is often more fragile than other goods. Devices are typically manufactured with delicate glass components or complex internal power boards that can become dislodged during the shipping process.

The Key Role of Packaging in the International Freight Process

The cornerstone of a successful international freight experience is secure packaging. In the case of medical devices, secure packaging typically involves the construction of a customized crate by an experienced packaging and shipping company. Failure to securely package and ship a medical device can result in cosmetic damage or the device being rendered useless to the buyer. If a crate is too large for a device, there is an increased risk for damage because the device could move about within the crate.   A crate that is too small could result in breakage or cosmetic damage to the equipment.

The Importance of Enlisting the Help of Trained Professionals

The best way to ensure that life-saving medical devices arrive safely at their overseas destinations is to enlist the help of a trusted international freight packing company. Whether you need to ship one small device or whether you need help packaging and shipping enough equipment to fill a 40 foot container, it is important to enlist the help of professionals who have been trained in international shipping. Contact us today to see how we can help ensure that your life-saving devices arrive safely and securely at their overseas destination. Remember, medical equipment shipping requires experience and expertise.

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After the Loss of A Loved One    Moving Assistance for an Estate

Posted on Fri, Apr 22, 2016

 

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When someone you care about dies, ideally you can give yourself time to reflect on their life and mourn them in your own way. You want to allow yourself to process all of your emotions about your relationship with them, and celebrate the life they lived.

Unfortunately, life never slows down after someone dies, instead it almost seems to speed up, as you are quickly asked to make decisions about funeral arrangements, tie up loose ends involving life insurance policies and even begin to make plans for managing the estate of the deceased.

All of these decisions are stressful on their own, but when you combine them with the psychological and emotional impact of grieving the person who you care about, these tasks can become almost overwhelming.

Take steps to minimize your stress as much as possible while you are still actively mourning. If your loved one lived out-of-town, don't uproot your life to sort through their estate, instead pay professionals for moving assistance and they can move the entire estate for you.  Instead of driving hours away to sort through what items should be sold or throw out and what items should be distributed to loved ones, you can have the estate moved to a local storage area where you can sort through items in your own time, at your convenience.

Work with a shipping company that can provide custom crates and boxes to protect valuables. Ask how they package valuables. Make sure you hire someone who can manage the moving job from start to finish, so you don't find yourself burdened with another task.

If you are looking for a professional and reliable shipping company in the Houston area, please contact us, and we would be happy to answer any questions for you or provide you with an estimate.

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Tips on Crating Marble for Shipping

Posted on Wed, Apr 20, 2016

Tips on Crating Marble for Shipping


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Marble is not only exceptionally heavy, but it is also a porous rock which makes it susceptible to breakage. The larger the piece of marble, the more easily it will fracture.

Crating marble must be done with the utmost care. The weight of the marble makes conventional packaging methods, such as cardboard boxes, obsolete. Different companies use varying crating methods.

To safely ship marble, firm crating is required. Most marble companies recommend building a custom crate from wood to fit each individual marble piece. Within the crate, they frequently line the interior with one inch of Styrofoam and add packing peanuts to fill up any spaces and provide further cushioning. 

Exceptionally large marble pieces, or sculptures, also frequently require metal banding around the wooden crate's exterior to further reinforce the crate's strength. Bubble wrapping the marble piece provides additional protection. The marble piece needs to fit snugly inside the crate so there is no movement that can jar the marble and cause breakage or chipping.

Flat counter and tabletop pieces of marble are frequently shipped in A-frame crates to keep the large, flat pieces from breaking. The A-frame crate holds the marble slab in an upright position for transport. Blocking and bracing the inside of the crate will prevent the marble piece from moving during shipping. In some cases, gluing metal rods to the backside of the marble slab helps to further stabilize and support the marble to prevent fracturing. Epoxy works well to adhere the metal rods to the back of the marble prior to shipping. Your professional crating company will determine the best way to build  custom crate for your particular piece of marble.

At Pack n Send, we take shipping fragile pieces seriously. Please contact us to learn about all of our packaging and shipping methods. 

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eBay Shipping Advice - International Shipping is an Option

Posted on Sun, Apr 17, 2016

 

 

international_freight_shipping_3.jpgSince its launch in 1995, eBay has established itself as the premier online service for consumer-to-consumer and business-to-consumer sales. There are currently more than 112 million active users from 190 countries; this is a dream come true for small business owners who are eager to reach their desired market. Creating a store on eBay is easy and comes with intuitive tools for creating listings, managing orders, and communicating with customers.

While eBay allows an opportunity to reach millions of potential customers, shipping merchandise can be time consuming and difficult, especially in the case of high-volume sales or large, irregularly shaped items. Ebay does not require sellers to offer refunds for broken or damaged items, however, small business owners recognize that an unhappy customer negatively reflects on future business. Ebay is structured around favorable ratings and reviews. For this reason, working with a professional shipping company in the Houston, Texas area is a wise investment for making sure that your eBay items ship quickly and securely, and leave customers satisfied.

Whether you are a small business looking to expand with an eBay store, or you are doing some Spring Cleaning and want to free up some space, we can help ship your items. Contact us for more information regarding our eBay services. We offer pick up locations in the Houston area and offer national and international shipping services.

Your time is valuable and listing and selling on eBay can be complicated. Leave it to us to take care of shipping your items safely and securely.   eBay shipping will be stress free.

International shipping and international freight for eBay items are also valid shipping options.

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Custom Packing and Shipping Wedding Gifts

Posted on Fri, Apr 15, 2016

Custom Packing and Shipping for Wedding Gifts

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For military couples, oftentimes weddings come up quickly before the person in the military gets orders to be shipped overseas. For these weddings, the couple doesn't always get the wedding they envisioned. They can't put on the wedding and reception in that short amount of time, and can't get all their guests their in time. So they might end up with a number of people that want to send them presents, perhaps to their new home overseas. If this is the case, friends and family of the couple need custom packing and shipping to outfit the happy couple with supplies for their new life together. Here are some things newlyweds might want shipped to them.

  • Wine glasses: Every new couple needs a set of wine glasses to be able to enjoy a glass of wine after work, or to entertain a few friends. Wine glasses are a great gift because they get a lot of use and they aren't too expensive. For shipping glass items like wine glasses, a good shipping job requires double bubble wrapping. Then they are put inside a box. That box is put inside another box, and the space between the two boxes if filled with two to three inches of packing peanuts.
  • China: China is another foundational gift for a new couple. It is a gift they can use for their whole lives. Like wine glasses, china needs to be packaged and shipped with a lot of care.  
  • Art: Every couple needs art for the walls of their new home. Art can be shipped in custom crates so that it isn't damaged.

If you are shipping gifts overseas to a newlywed military couple, or for any shipping needs, contact us at Pack n Send. We have over 35 years of experience shipping valuables and exceeding our customer's expectations.

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Have a Auction House Shipper Deliver Your Purchases.

Posted on Wed, Apr 13, 2016

 

 

Get amazind deals at auction houses and have an auction house shipper deliver your purchases.

We live in a golden age of bargains. The internet has made it easier than ever to score unbelievable deals. Right now, some web sites exist for the sole purpose of tracking sales. Digital coupons are available that don't even have to be printed. The internet has created a worldwide marketplace which means that businesses have to compete with not just their neighbors but with businesses from all over the world. If you love getting an amazing deal, you were born in the right decade.

Perhaps one of the most overlooked opportunities for great prices on rare and valuable items is auction houses. If you've ever been to a local auction, you know that there are lots that sell for way under their value. People leave auctions every day looking like the cat that ate the canary.

Now, imagine being able to attend auctions all over the world. The global marketplace that the internet has created for consumers makes this possible. More and more auction houses are putting their auctions online. This means that you can bid on items from all over the country from the comfort of your home, securing deals like never before.

As long as you have an auction house shipper, you can easily transport the items that you have purchased to your home or business. Auction shipping is easy as long as the item you purchase is not a hazardous material, a shipping company can pick it up, pack it and ship it to your door.

You can keep your budget in check by asking the shipper for the shipping price before you ever make a bid. Just give them the items weight, dimensions and value, as well as the locations of the auction house and the delivery spot, and they can provide you with a quote. If you are shopping for fine art at an auction, choose a shipping company that will build you a custom box or custom wood crate to protect your investment during shipping.

For more information on having the items you've purchased at a Houston auction, or even on Houston Craigslist shipped to you, please contact us.

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We live in a golden age of bargains. The internet has made it easier than ever to score unbelievable deals. Right now, some web sites exist for the sole purpose of tracking sales. Digital coupons are available that don't even have to be printed. The internet has created a worldwide marketplace which means that businesses have to compete with not just their neighbors but with businesses from all over the world. If you love getting an amazing deal, you were born in the right decade.

Perhaps one of the most overlooked opportunities for great prices on rare and valuable items is auction houses. If you've ever been to a local auction, you know that there are lots that sell for way under their value. People leave auctions every day looking like the cat that ate the canary.

Now, imagine being able to attend auctions all over the world. The global marketplace that the internet has created for consumers makes this possible. More and more auction houses are putting their auctions online. This means that you can bid on items from all over the country from the comfort of your home, securing deals like never before.

As long as you have an auction house shipper, you can easily transport the items that you have purchased to your home or business. As long as the item you purchase is not a hazardous material, a shipping company can pick it up, pack it and ship it to your door.

You can keep your budget in check by asking the shipper for the shipping price before you ever make a bid. Just give them the items weight, dimensions and value, as well as the locations of the auction house and the delivery spot, and they can provide you with a quote. If you are shopping for fine art at an auction, choose a shipping company that will build you a custom box or custom wood crate to protect your investment during shipping.

For more information on having the items you've purchased at a Houston auction, or even on Houston Craigslist shipped to you, please contact us.

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Pack and Ship Moving for All Situations

Posted on Wed, Apr 06, 2016

 Moving is easy if you hire a company to pack and unpack your belongings.


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Moving is very rarely simple. As time goes on, and your family grows, you only accumulate more things to move when you find yourself in that situation. Some moves just require packing up a truck with all your possessions and driving it to a new location. But some moves require more than that. If you are moving internationally, or are in a situation where no one is there to pack up the home you are moving, you will need to hiring a moving and shipping company that does pack and ship moving.

These kinds of movers are not the guys you just rent a truck from. You need a company that is going to provide you will all the service you need, down to the last detail. When choosing a moving company, it is important to consider what needs you have, and if your moving company can meet them. Here are a list of some moving services to get you thinking.

  • Packing and unpacking: If you don't have the time or ability, you will need a packing service that can box up all of your belongings, and potentially unpack your boxes at the new destination.
  • Crating: Fragile and expensive items may require special crating. If you have valuables you need shipped, find a moving company that does custom crating to make sure your belongings are handled properly.
  • Shipping: Depending on your move, your shipping needs will vary. Do you need overseas shipping? Do you need to ship a car? What about your furniture?

To make sure all your shipping needs are addressed, contact us at Pack n Send. No move is too small for us, and no object is too unusual to ship. We are happy to discuss your pack and ship moving with you today.

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Shipping Internationally to Grenada-Just a few rules to follow

Posted on Sun, Apr 03, 2016

 Shipping internationally to Grenada?  Read on.

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Grenada is an island country consisting of one primary island and six smaller surrounding islands. It is one of the world’s largest exporters of nutmeg and mace, which not only contributes to the economic livelihoods of its 110,000 citizens, but also explains why Grenada is known as the “Island of Spice.”

In addition to spice export, tourism is one of Grenada’s main economic forces. Located between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada’s tropical climate lends itself to beach resort and water-sports tourism as well as a destination for cruise ships.

International shipping to Grenada follows most standard international shipping regulations. Specifically, the following items are prohibited:

  • Ammunition
  • Firing-caps
  • Charged metal cartridges

Shipping international freight requires additional planning and extra attention to detail, especially with regard to how your items will be properly packed, crated, and transported. Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning a shipment to Grenada:

  • Determine the method of shipping and handling – Once your shipment arrives on the island, how will it be transported to its final destination. This is a consideration that is often overlooked.
  • Proper packing – A professional packing company can help you protect against common shipping problems such as breakage, moisture, pilferage, and excess weight.
  • Labeling – All countries – Grenada included – require specific information to be included on labels or in manifest records. Again, an experience shipping company can assist in this process.
  • Insurance – Since your shipment will be traveling  a long distance, as an example it is more than 2,500 miles from Houston to Grenada, it is important to take proper precautions in the event of inclement weather, accidents, or other incidents that could damage your shipment.

Contact us for more information on shipping to Grenada. We are expert shippers with experience packing, transporting, and shipping around the world.

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4 Gift Packages You can Pack and Send to Your College Student

Posted on Thu, Mar 31, 2016

 


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Finals weeks is fast approaching for college students. Whether your child is attending nearby University of Houston or Texas Southern University, or an out-of-state institution, a care package from home is always a welcome surprise. Here are four packages you can ship from the Houston area that your college student will appreciate receiving in the mail. You can make up your own care package from any city.

Toiletries Survival Kit

Sending a package with all the necessities is a practical gift, yet much welcomed by any college student. Assemble a kit of all the most important hygiene basics including soaps, shaving cream, toothbrush, and mouth wash. In addition, your student will appreciate laundry detergent, fabric softener, dry sheets, and other incident supplies for when it is time to do laundry. These are items that often go overlooked until there is none left.

Home-cooked Treats

Nothing connects a student back to his or her home like the smell of homemade treats. Baking cookies, pies, or other desserts are a great way to encourage students with a sweet tooth. Shipping perishable items may require special packaging and/or unique shipping arrangements, but anything is possible, especially when working with a professional shipping company.

Job Hunting Package

If your child is nearing the end of their college career, the desire to find professional employment is probably quite strong. Surprise him/her with a gift package for the big interview. This can include a new outfit or business suit, resume writing reference materials, or a new leather-bound portfolio to carry in to the interview. These items will help you prepare your child for success, even if you live far away.

Transportation

Student parking is notoriously bad at campuses across the country, so many students rely on alternative means of transportation. Consider surprising your child with a new bike, long board, or other trendy means of travel. For larger items, a professional shipping company can assist you in properly packing and shipping so that it arrives safely.

If you want to pack and send your college students something special while they are away at school, we can help. Contact us or follow our blog for more helpful packing and shipping advice!

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International Shipping to Luxembourg? Read Here First

Posted on Mon, Mar 28, 2016

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International shipping can be tricky. Each country has its own list of dos and don'ts. The last thing you want is for you package to not make it to its destination because you weren't aware of the shipping restrictions. That is why we recommend reading this blog post if you have some international shipping to Luxembourg on your to-do list.

Luxembourg is a country in western Europe, surrounded by Germany, France, and Belgium. Although it is small (about the size of Rhode Island), it has a population of over half a million people. Interestingly enough, Luxembourg has just as many tourists visit each year, or more, than the current population. So perhaps if your travels to Luxembourg left you with a pen pal, or if your company does business in the European Union, you will find yourself shipping to Luxembourg.

Luxembourg does have a list of items it does not allow to be shipped into the country, many of them hopefully obvious. But just to clarify, they do not allow the shipment of firearms, daggers, loaded canes, or other hidden defensive weapons. The also do not allow human remains, live plants and animals, or radioactive material. 

Perhaps a less obvious restriction has to do with embellished postcards. They do not allow postcards with fabrics, embroidery, metal, spangles, or similar materials, unless they are packaged in a sealed envelope. Also, Luxembourg is famous for their banks. But they do not allow the shipping of lottery tickets or even printed advertisements or posters for lotteries or sweepstakes.

For further clarification on international shipping to Luxembourg, you can always verify with the USPS website, and contact us at Pack n Send for you international shipping needs.

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International Moving Made Easy      Pack and Move

Posted on Fri, Mar 25, 2016

 

international_freight_shipping_3.jpgMoving to a new home is an exciting life event but it is also one that comes with what sometimes feels to be insurmountable anxiety. There are many moving pieces that need to be coordinated in order for the move to go smoothly. This is even more so the case when it involves an international move. Relocating abroad takes much planning and organization. This is especially the case when it comes to handling internationally shipped cargo.

Your options

When moving out of the United States, there are several shipping options for your belongings. One option is to ship via a  10x 20  or a 10X40 shipping container. This is a good option for moving many large items such as an entire home’s worth of furniture or an entire business office. The other option is to have items professional packed on pallets. Your professional shipping company will assist will pack your pallets for you. Planning an international move is easy if you have an international moving company pack and move everything for you.

 

Be Prepared

There are a few elements of international shipping that do not apply to regular domestic moves across the country. When planning an international move, recognize that the time it takes to process and transport your items will take longer. This is due to the physical distance, but also because it is likely your goods will be transferred several times during the move. Think of it like a layover at an airport. Also, depending on the new country of residence and the items included in the manifest, you will likely be required to complete additional paperwork that can be time consuming.

Whether it is for a career advancement or just a fresh start, an international move requires the assistance of an experience professional moving company. For assistance packing, shipping, or any other part of the internal move process, contact us.

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Crate Your Treasured Paintings in Houston

Posted on Wed, Mar 23, 2016

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When museums or private collectors send their pieces around the country or the world to be in exhibitions, the paintings need custom crates to ensure the art gets to where it is going safely. Sure, if a collector never let a painting out of their private collection, nothing could happen to it. But no one would ever get to see it either. For example, if a collector in Houston had a famous Marcel Duchamp work, and someone asked if it could be in a Duchamp retrospective in New York, the collector could find a shipping company that crates paintings in Houston and have the piece shipped to New York. The proper shipping company will build a custom crate to fit the painting exactly so there is no shifting.

Marcel Duchamp was an extremely influential artist, and any private collector would be lucky to have his work. His famous works reside in museums around the world. For example, his painting, Nude Descending a Staircase is at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The title is misleading however. The painting, created in 1912, was heavily influenced by Cubism, and shows a form moving down a staircase, almost like many still frames placed on top of one another. The form is also abstracted into shapes.

Duchamp also did many sculptures. He coined the term "readymades" to describe his works that were made from existing objects. One of his famous readymades, Fountain, is in fact just a urinal turned on its side, with a tongue in cheek commentary about the wealthy.

Whether you are shipping a urinal sculpture, a famous Duchamp painting, or even just a painting your grandmother made, contact us at Pack n Send in Houston. We do custom crating for any art. 

If you are in any city in the United States  contact  us for assistance in locating a crate builder for your precious art work.

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Know Your Options When Shipping Small Amounts of Furniture

Posted on Sun, Mar 20, 2016

 

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Much has been written about the challenges of packing up and moving the contents of an entire house from one location to another. However, many people do not focus as much on the challenges of moving a smaller amount of furniture. This is unfortunate, because there are many occasions where consumers face a quandary of how to ship a small amount of furniture.

For instance, many people have to move teens to college out-of-state into dorm rooms that can only accommodate a limited amount of furniture. Parents are then faced with the dilemma of whether it is more cost-effective to move the items themselves with a rental truck or just purchase new items locally. Others wish to downsize and just want to keep a few cherished heirlooms. Still others may have found a great deal on a piece of used furniture in a far away location, but are debating whether the shipping costs will negate any savings.

Consumers need to know that there are many shipping options for shipping small amounts of furniture. Gone are the days when all shipping companies had minimum weight requirements. Today, many companies not only ship small amounts of furniture, but customize their services to fit your needs.

Maybe you just need a company that can ship one heavy piece of furniture without damaging it. Or maybe you need a company can disassemble a bedroom set, pack and ship it. Whatever your needs may be, you can certainly find a company that can fill them. Smaller loads can be shipped as freight or transported in a moving truck. We can look at  both freighting furniture and moving furniture. If you find yourself stuck and confused about how you're going to ship a small amount of furniture, stop stressing and contact us. We can help you decide what to do when you are shipping small amounts of furniture.

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Shipping to the British Virgin Islands

Posted on Fri, Mar 18, 2016

 

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If you have ever been to the British Virgin Islands, you know it is nothing short of paradise. Consisting of about 60 islands in the Caribbean, the British Virgin Islands are a colony of England. About 15 of the inlands are inhabited, with a population of about 28,000 people.

If one of your friends or family is lucky enough to be one of those 28,000 people, you may find yourself shipping to the British Virgin Islands. Or if you have a vacation home on one of their gorgeous beaches, you may be needing to send some of your belongings to your home down there that you couldn't otherwise travel with. You will be pleased to know there are very few restrictions on shipping other than no shipping radioactive materials. Many countries have long lists of dos and don'ts when it comes to shipping, but you don't have to worry about any of that when you are packing your care package to the British Virgin Islands. If you do have any questions about shipping restrictions, you can always double-check on the USPS website

Just a word of clarification. The United States does have their own set of Virgin Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, consisting of St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John. Shipping to these islands are subject to domestic shipping rates and regulations. Shipping to the British Virgin Islands, however, is considered international shipping and is subject to international shipping rates. 

And another warning, if you look up the British Virgin Islands on the Internet, you will want to travel there! These pristine beaches, beautiful rock formations, and crystal blue waters might just be calling your name.

If you have a package or other shipping needs when it comes to shipping to the British Virgin Islands, contact us at Pack n Send today. We make your international shipping easy.

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Furniture Shipping and Furniture Moving

Posted on Wed, Mar 16, 2016

 

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Moving is always a bigger task than it seems, and it is always riddled with emotion: excitement and happiness, uncertainty and all the other emotions we can’t name because they are all jumbled up with the physical task of moving. It’s a confusing time; moving is a physical act, but it means change is coming and change brings all kinds of abstract emotions.

Do you know what you need? It’s likely that you don’t because, as we began this blog, moving is always a bigger task than it seems. Always. Here, we will speak practically to you about moving your biggest items  (i.e., the things you don’t have boxes for), your furniture, so that you can at least have some professional advice for the physical act of moving, leaving you free to handle the change that is coming your way, hopefully, ultimately finding excitement and happiness amongst the chaos.

Let’s start with traditional moving services. These types of companies offer full load moves for out-of-town shipping. If you have a small amount of furniture, a traditional moving company will blanket wrap it for you and take it to your destination. Blanket wrapping is often cheaper than crating, yet still a safe way to move your furniture. Blanket wrapping is also a great way to move large, heavy, pieces of furniture.

Moving your furniture on a freight truck means that your furniture will be secured to  pallets and taken on a freight truck to your destination. Pallets give a firm foundation to the pieces they hold, and are a good tool to use for lots of small pieces of furniture.

Wherever you're moving, we hope you find the perfect furniture shipping services in Houston to help. Contact us for more information on your specific shipping and packing needs.

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Look for a Custom Crate Builder  for Your Special Work of Art

Posted on Mon, Mar 14, 2016

 

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If you had a collection of paintings, or even one painting from the Abstract Expressionist painter, Mark Rothko, you would want to be extremely careful if you ever had to move it. Hiring a professional shipping company that does custom crate building is essential to moving valuable art. A custom crate will be built to the exact specifications for your valuable painting. You do not want your painting to move around inside the crate during shipping. You can ask that a reusable crate be built, so that you can ship the same painting more than one time for the same crate building charges. Shipping crates that are will built will protect your artwork.

 

Mark Rothko was born in current day Latvia in 1903. His family moved to Portland, Oregon in 1913 when they feared he and his brothers would be drafted into the Russian Imperial Army. Although Rothko attended Yale for a few years, he dropped out and began taking art classes at Parsons New School for Design. It was there he brushed shoulders with painters Arshile Gorky and Max Weber.

As a Russian Jew, painting became an important religious expression for Rothko. At the beginning of his career, Rothko painted representational pieces. However, his style developed into his more well-known color field paintings.

A Mark Rothko painting titled, Orange, Red, and Yellow, sold in an auction at Christie's for $87 million in 2014. Surely, a painting like this would need to be moved with the most care and precision possible.

When looking for a custom crate builder in Houston or throughout the United States, search for a company that  has crated and shipped valuable artwork.Each type of artwork will need to be individually analyzed to determine the most efficient way to crate it. Statues may need to be blocked and braced. Oil paintngs will need to be measured to their exact dimensions. Even though you do not own a  Rothko, you need to make sure that your artwork is crated correctly.

 Contact us to get a quote on crate shipping your art collection, and check out the other interesting and valuable works of art we have moved in the past.

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Shipping artwork for Chuck Hipsher delivers results!

Posted on Sat, Mar 12, 2016

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 After  we sent our first Chuck Hipsher  picture back east for a customer, we received a special treat. The customer sent Chuck & pack n send a photograph of the picture hanging in the clients  home. Our customer could not say enough nice things about the artist.  We were happy to have packed and delivered the picture to Chuck Hipsters' customer. 

When the  Fort Bend Lifestyles & Homes published an article about Chuck we could not wait to share it with our clients.  Chuck lives in Katy, Texas and had his works displayed during February at the Katy Contemporary Arts Museum. This was his first Museum show. He had also had exhibitions in art galleries in Chicago, Miami and New York City.

While crating and shipping artwork is always fun, we really enjoy shipping for a local artist whose work is so  very well appreciated by his clients!!

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Tips on Moving Senior Adults

Posted on Wed, Mar 09, 2016

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 Undertaking a huge move is never easy, even when you are young and in the prime of your life. However, elderly people face even more difficulties moving because of physical limitations. Seniors have often also accumulated a lifetime supply of beloved trinkets, household goods and collectables that they are unwilling to sacrifice, so each item must be packed and transported safely to the new home.  

Here are five tips on moving senior adults.

  1.  Pack Non-Essentials -- Pack non-essentials first. Focus on a spare room that contains items that are not frequently used. All non-essentials in the home should be packed before you move on to priority items. Just remember to pack a separate bag with important items such as medications, toiletries and clothing so the senior has everything they need handy when they reach their new home and don't have to immediately start unpacking and searching boxes to find day to day items. 
  2.  Hire Professionals -- Hiring professionals is sometimes the least stressful way to handle a senior's move. Professionals will safely pack and move items  -- large to small. You can also have the professionals unpack the items at their new location so the senior is not faced with the often insurmountable task of identifying, opening and unpacking a stack of boxes. 
  3.  Time -- Give the senior adequate time to adjust to the transition. Don't rush the move. No matter what your age, moving is a stressful time and allowing adequate time to move helps make the process easier on everyone involved.

When moving senior adults, remember to always remain patient. Often the senior has lived in the same house for years or decades, so the move might be emotionally upsetting. However, with a bit of planning and care moving can also be a rewarding experience with numerous hopes and dreams for tomorrow.

At Pack n Send we specialize in packing and moving items across the country or internationally. Please contact us to learn about our services. 

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The Ins and Outs of International Shipping to Aruba

Posted on Tue, Mar 08, 2016

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International shipping to Aruba may sound intimidating at first. Like many other countries, Aruba has a variety of very specific restrictions concerning what can and can not be moved into the country through the postal system. You want your package to arrive smoothly, safely, and quickly--so how do you expedite that process?

It starts with a visit to the USPS website, which describes in detail the restrictions associated with shipping to Aruba. These include: 

Prohibited and Restricted Items:

  • Currency--this includes not only paper money, but also coins and banknotes; coins are not limited to those currently in circulation. 
  • Extremely valuable items, including but not limited to jewelry and precious stones. Note: these items can be sent registered First Class International or First Class Package International.
  • "Perishable infectious or noninfectious biological substances." Medical samples, therefore, should not be moved into Aruba through the mail.
  • Radioactive materials
  • Shipping arms and ammunition into Aruba can not be done without special permission, and the recipient will need to have the appropriate paperwork in order before the shipment goes out. 

If you're struggling to understand the ins and outs of international shipping in general or shipping to Aruba in particular, contact us! There's no reason to fumble around in the dark when you can work with a reputable shipping company with experience in international shipping. With an international shipping company, you can rest assured that your shipment will get the attention and help it needs. 

Facts About Aruba: Did You Know?

  1. Aruba doesn't have its own administrative subdivisions. It's part of the Kingdom of Netherlands. 
  2. Aruba has several major industries and exports. Live animals, animal products, art, and machinery are common exports. Profitable industries in Aruba include tourism, transhipment facilities, and oil refining. 
  3. Items that must be imported into Aruba include food, machinery, chemicals, and crude oil. 
  4. 82% of the population of Aruba identifies as Roman Catholic. Protestants make up another 8% of the population. Others are Hindu, Muslim, or Confucian. 
  5. The Aruban floran, which has 100 cents, is the primary currency of Aruba. 
  6. Tourists in Aruba will be pleased to note that English and Spanish are spoken widely, making communication easy. The official spoken languages, however, are Papiamento and Dutch. 
  7. Aruba's temperature year-round is approximately 82 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a prime vacation destination. 
  8. Tourists also love to visit the Arikok Natural Wildlife Park, which makes up more than 20% of the island. 
  9. March 18 is the National Day of Aruba. Celebrations include the anniversary of the flag and the national anthem. 
  10. Aruba also has a wide variety of wildlife, including marine life and a rich selection of birds that fascinate bird watchers all over the island. Contact US

Tips for Your Move to Katy, Texas -Moving Company Offers Moving Tips.

Posted on Thu, Mar 03, 2016

Tips for Making Your Move to Katy as Painless as Possible

Congratulations on your move to Katy, Texas. Katy is a sought-after community, prized for its low-cost of living, excellent schools and mild winters. Just minutes away from Houston, Katy residents are able to enjoy the amenities of the big city and the benefits of a family oriented, close-knit community. Now that you've decided to move to Katy, here are some tips to make your move as painless and stress-free as possible:

  1. Take the Time to Plan

The key to a successful move is proper planning. Begin preparing for your move several weeks in advance. During this time you should determine your moving budget and set a timetable for packing and turning off utilities. The weeks before a move is also a good time to throw out or donate items you no longer need. The less stuff you have to move, the less stress you will have on moving day.

  1. Pay Attention to Details

It's the small things that make the difference between a smooth move and a hectic one. Be sure that you have all the packing materials you need to minimize damage to your possessions. Items such as packing tape  and boxes are a necessity. Also, take the time to clearly label boxes so that you can find essential items fast when it's time to unpack. Place small items, such as a screws, in plastic bags and label them so you don't have to scramble when it's time to assemble furniture.

  1. Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help

Moving can be an overwhelming prospect when you're handling everything yourself. However, there is no reason you have to shoulder the burden alone. Ask friends and family for help, or you can find a moving company in Katy, Texas to assist you with the details. Whether you want a full-service moving company, help with moving large appliances or just need packing supplies, you can find the help you need. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you with your move.

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Moving to and Around Sugar Land, Texas

Posted on Sun, Feb 28, 2016

 

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As anyone who's lived in, or visited, Sugar Land will know, it's one of America's greatest suburbs. The Houston suburb is home to numerous activities and events, and the metropolitan area continues to grow. New development will add over 250,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space by 2017. The 91 year-old Charhouse, which for the past decade has been an abandoned space, will become the Aloft Hotel.

Sugar Land is one of the fastest growing cities in Texas, and inasmuch, its real estate market is growing to meet demand. The master planned community is hospitable and surprisingly affordable, with many different areas fitting many different needs to choose from.  

An important place to visit in Sugar Land it the Sugar Land Town Square. It plays host to city hall,  The Marriott, numerous restaurants, retail shopping and has entertainment most weekend nights for free. You can learn to dance, sample international food or watch country music bands.

It  hosts the annual Snow Drop  Foundation fundraiser and has free family movie nights throughout the year.

So, if you're interested in moving to, or relocating within, Sugar Land, Texas here's a few things you should know.

First off, you probably want to decide what can be shipped through mail, what you can toss in your car, what needs to be moved by a professional moving company. You can opt to have just your furniture packed and moved, or you can request packing, moving and unpacking. It is all up to you. 

Be sure to  take an inventory of everything that needs to be moved. Of course you'll remember that grand piano and love-seat, but what about things long forgotten in your attic? Or garage? Now can also be an ideal time for some spring cleaning. A chance to throw away that antique Elvis statue you were convinced you needed, but now realize is just tacky. 

Moving can be a daunting task, but making it out to Sugar Land is worth it. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to visit our website or contact us. We're always happy to help.

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What You Need to Know About International Shipping to France

Posted on Fri, Feb 26, 2016

When shipping a package overseas, you want to make sure you have all the details just right. International shipping to France can be expensive, as with all overseas shipping. So you need all of the information ahead of time so you don't end up shipping something that is prohibited, or have something else go wrong that makes it so your package does not get to where you need it to go.

Whether you are sending a care package to friends or family in France, or sending something for your business, here is what you need to know. You can always double-check with the USPS website.

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Some of these first restrictions could probably go without saying, but we will mention them anyways for good measure. No sending firearms, ammunition, human remains, urns, live plants and animals, radioactive material, or cigarette lighters that use butane gas. These are obvious things to leave out due to safety and health reasons.

Some of the following restrictions are a little less obvious. France does not allow you to send imitation pearls made with lead salts. So if you are splitting up your grandmother's estate and sending some jewelry over to your family in France, you may want to do a little research first, before sending any jewelry with pearls. Also, if you are sending books written in French but not printed in France, make sure that the publisher is clearly printed in the books.

Other restrictions have to do with food. Often foods can be sent if they have the appropriate certifications or are under certain weights. For more details, check out the USPS website

And, for your international shipping needs, contact us at Pack n Send. We are experts in shipping to France, and around the world.

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Small Load Moving vx. Freight Shipping to Move Your Furniture

Posted on Wed, Feb 24, 2016

 

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Shipping furniture can be a terrible headache if you take it on alone. Admittedly, it is difficult enough to get our furniture from one corner of the room to another, not to mention trying to take it to a new home or office or move it across the country or international waters. Yet among the things in our homes and offices, furniture can carry immense weight, literally and metaphorically speaking, since furniture is not only often heavy and bulky, but the tangibility of relaxation (couches, love seats, mattresses), the reliability of organization (desks, filing cabinets, bookshelves), and the visual reminder of refinement (chandeliers, dining tables and chair sets).

Shipping furniture  to another city?  Small load moving  verses  freighting your furniture.

How should one go about moving furniture from one place to another? First, we must discuss the decision to use a traditional moving company (small load moving) versus freight shipping. Either way, the furniture will be moved. Yet there are some differences worth noting. A traditional moving company will blanket wrap your furniture for protection during a move. A freight company will wrap your furniture and protect it during shipping on a freight truck.  Consider both options when you are moving furniture to a new city.

To ship overseas, special handling is required, as the furniture has a much greater distance to travel. Twenty or 40 foot containers are used for this type of moving. Shipping furniture by the cubic meter is also an option.

When American settlers brought furniture from England, perhaps they used sheets and ropes and barricades to ensure safe travel. No longer must we succumb to using whatever we can get our hands on. Today, many options are available including that of hiring an expert to freight and ship our furniture for us.

If you would like more information about how to move furniture, please contact us.

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Considerations When Giving Moving Assistance To Seniors

Posted on Mon, Feb 22, 2016

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Many senior citizens face their decision to downsize to an apartment or assisted living facility with much trepidation. That's understandable, as it's an extremely difficult transition to make when you consider that they may have spent several decades in their current home. It's hard to leave a familiar place for somewhere new, but there are ways that you can help when providing moving assistance to the senior citizen in your life.

Take The Time To Make Them Comfortable

Remain patient and talk openly about the process. By discussing the plan from start to finish and reassuring them that you'll be there throughout, you'll help to ease some of the apprehension they may experience. If possible, visit their new living arrangements before the move actually takes place. Try to build some excitement by helping them plan the layout of their new living space. Maybe their favorite couch would look lovely beneath the living room window, and there's plenty of room for their china cabinet in the new dining space if it's laid out a certain way. The more they realize that they will keep some of their favorite things with them, the easier their transition will go.

Consult A Professional

A professional mover who has experience with relocating senior citizens can offer valuable advice whether you're packing everything yourself or hiring them to do it for you. They may share some ideas on how to make the move easier, ways to maximize the living space, and methods to streamline the packing process. Packing and crating in Houston, Texas or any other are should help the senior have less work to do on their own

Pack Small

Particularly if your senior citizen is the type of person who's used to doing everything themselves, packing items in small boxes will help them to maintain some of their independence. In a way, they'll still feel in control of the situation by being able to help you during the moving process, and the packing and unpacking of smaller boxes won't exhaust them.

Relocation is quite stressful for senior citizens, especially in the beginning, so it's important to remember that patience is paramount to a successful and smooth transition. Even after the move is complete, it's important to maintain regular contact with your loved one. For more information or advice about moving assistance for senior citizens, contact us. We're happy to help you through the process.

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Shipping Auto Parts for Auto Restoration Projects

Posted on Sat, Feb 20, 2016

 

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If you enjoy taking a vintage beat up automobile and restoring it to a like-new appearance with a purring motor then you aren't alone. Auto restoration has become a fast-growing, leading hobby in the United States. However, auto restoration is about more than purchasing and assembling parts. You usually have to hunt for the coveted vintage parts that you need to bring back your vehicle to its former glory days. 

In most auto restoration cases you will need to locate a bevy of auto parts to revive your dream to its once youthful appearance.  Sometimes the engine, door, chassis, steering wheel or hub caps are located across the country from you or even on the other side of the globe. No matter where in the world the part is found, don't despair because it can be easily shipped. 

Shipping auto parts -- small or large -- is a common practice that is done by commercial parts warehouses and private sellers. Small auto parts are easily shipped via common carrier. Larger auto parts can be shipped using freight services. You can opt for overnight services if time is important and you need the crucial part quickly or you can use 2 or 3-day air or ground transportation for domestic freight. If the auto part you want is located overseas, you can choose to use air and ocean shipping services. You can also utilize container shipping for extremely large shipments. 

At pack and send freight shipping is part of our daily routine. We are happy to ship and receive all sizes of auto parts.  Auto parts can be placed on pallets, put in boxes or shipping inside custom built wood crates. Please contact us to learn more about our many services. 

Shipping companies Houston  Texas and shipping companies throughout the United  States should offer you options when you are shipping auto parts.

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Common Items for Shipping

Posted on Tue, Feb 16, 2016

 

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Moving items both domestically and internationally is becoming increasingly popular as the world continues to advance. Houston, Texas is a very populated area that is responsible for both domestic and international shipping. Responsible for shipping an array of items on a daily basis, this area of the country ships everything from basic household items to equipment for big corporations. The most commonly shipped items are as followed:

  • Antiques:Dressers, chests, benches, and more.
  • Art:Sculptures, paintings, and statues.
  • China and crystal:Stemware, silverware, plates, etc.
  • Household goods:Vacuums, stoves, beds, and other furniture.
  • Light fixtures:Lamps and chandeliers. 
  • Medical equipment:Tongue depressors, machinery, and surgical equipment.
  • Electronics:Televisions, stereos, computers, printers, and gaming devices.
  • Signs:Digital and traditional signs.

Basically if you can order it, they can ship it—especially in Houston, Texas. Different packaging styles are offered for all items, as well.

Customized packaging options are available for all products that are due to be shipped. For example, the packaging of fine China includes wrapping the items and then packing them in boxes. Crates are used when packaging certain medical objects. Other medical supplies are packaged in boxes or shipped on pallets. Specific medical equipment such as examination tables can be transported by a small load mover. They can also be freighted to their final destinations. Certain objects are wrapped in blankets, as well. Essentially, the item itself dictates which manner it is to be wrapped in. The packaging options ensure the overall proper transport of all items and eliminate excess movement of an object during travel. You can crate and freight Houston Texas, or crate and freight just about anywhere in the world.  Consider the value of the item that you are shipping, and look for the best shipping alternative.

Shipping companies in Houston TX and throughout the world can decide to ship the largest thing ever shipped, which may be a whale or have a small shipment, you can ask for a quote ahead of time.

 

For more information on commonly shipped items or for a packaging service, contact us todday.

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Crating and Packing in Houston, Texas: Today and Yesterday

Posted on Fri, Feb 12, 2016

 

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Imagine, mail being carried by a man on the back of a horse. The man carries a big, heavy bag filled with letters intended to allow people to communicate from Saint Joseph, MO and Sacramento, CA and everywhere in between.

The Pony Express was only necessary for a short time (about a year and a half), until the Pacific Telegraph line created a safer, easier way for people to communicate with each other.

Yet how quixotic, this time in American history: men facing the dangers of weather exposure and wildlife, not to mention trying to meet their basic human need for nourishment. All this simply to carry mail. Yet communication is never simple, even (especially) when done face to face.

We can take our hats off to The Pony Express, though, for the great fact that in all its days and all its obstacles, only one letter was ever reported lost.

Would we rebuild this system in America again, if needed? In this age of ingenuity and technological advances, it is hard to imagine the need to carry mail by horse.

Not only has the way we communicate with each other improved vastly over the centuries, but the things we care to ship. When crating and packing in Houston, Texas today, we can be thankful that we don’t have to have our artwork and our computers shipped via a galloping horse and a man riding a saddle. Though horse rides and cowboy boots are available like desert heat in Huston, so are several better ways to ship valuables.

Today, fragile items should be packed with care in individual boxes that were created unique, just like the items they carry. Crates can be built in order to provide a hard, protective surface.

Contact us for more information regarding modern shipping techniques.

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Shipping an Engine

Posted on Wed, Feb 10, 2016

 

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Shipping an engine by freight is a great way to move large, heavy, or fragile items. Most engines can be strapped to a pallet and shipped by freight. If the engine has a high value, then a crate may be warranted, but usually palletized shipping works best. If you are planning to ship a vehicle engine, then this is the best approach to make sure that it arrives safely to its destination.

Preparation

Your engine will likely be considered LTL, or less than truckload shipping. This means that other crates or pallets will be included in the truck along with yours. Prior to shipping, drain all fluids out of the engine. Not only with this protect your engine while it is in transit, but it will also protect other freight around it. Engine shipping goes smoothly when you follow this advice.

Determine Freight Class

The National Motor Freight Traffic Association defines freight class as “a standard that provides a comparison of commodities moving in commerce.” This means your engine will ship with other items that are seen as having comparable characteristics. The four characteristics used to determine class are:

  • Density (Weight in pounds per cubic foot)
  • Stowability (Ease of transport)
  • Handling (Type of packaging and the fragility of the item)
  • Liability (Probability that the item may be damaged or stolen during shipping)

Vehicle engines are generally rated as Class 70 freight, but a shipping professional can help confirm this prior to crating.

Packing and Labeling

Consult with your shipping company to determine the best method of shipping your vehicle engine. Engines typically ship on a pallet, but if necessary, a custom crate can be built to better suit the engine. The shipping company will also be able to assist in properly completing the Bill of Landing (BOL) documentation. This tells the carrier what is being shipped, and where it is going. A thoroughly completed BOL can prevent delays such as re-weighs and lost items.

If you are shipping a vehicle engine and need assistance, we can help. Contact us to learn about our freighting services. We can pack, crate and ship from almost anywhere in the United States to almost anywhere in the world!

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Five Things to Remember When You are Moving Your Furniture

Posted on Sun, Feb 07, 2016

moving_services_kitchen.jpgWhen you need a mover in Houston, Texas or anywhere else, there are a few things you will want to keep in mind.

Moving is stressful. From finding your new home to actually moving into it, the entire process can be daunting. Here are a few things to be sure to put on your to-do list. (And remember, a full-service moving company can mark a few of these things off your list for you -- they can pack, move, and unpack everything so you don't have to!)

  1. Gather your supplies- Start asking friends and family for extra boxes and old newspapers. You can ask around some of your local stores for boxes they were going to throw out, too. Make sure you have makers, packing tape, and extra sheets that you can use to wrap larger items with. If you pick up used boxes from grocery stores, stay away from the boxes that were used to transport fruits and vegetables.
  2. Make reservations- If you're going to be renting a moving truck, make sure to call or go online and request a reservation. Having your vehicle ready and waiting can seem like a small thing, but it can reduce a large amount of stress.
  3. Make a clean sweep- As you pack up a room, clean that room. This will help you to not have a houseful of cleaning to do after everything is boxed. Before you move any boxes or furniture into your new home, go in and give it a deep cleaning. It's so much easier when you don't have to move anything in order to clean.
  4. Update your info- Once you are officially at your new address, fill out a "Change of Address" card at for the post office. Also update your address on your driver's license, with your bank and credit card companies, and your doctor's office. You will also want to update everything at work for your tax info, too. (To pet owners: If your animal is micro chipped or tagged, don't forget to update your contact information with your vet's office.)
  5. Out with the old- As you go through your house packing up, make a donation pile for all the items you no longer need, use, or wear. Scaling down on what you take with you can help you avoid unwanted clutter in your new place. Don't forget to shred old papers.

If you have any questions or need any help with moving in the Houston area, please feel free to contact us. Happy moving!

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Shipping Furniture as Freight Houston Company Offers Advice

Posted on Fri, Feb 05, 2016

 

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Whether it be for a residential move or relocating a commercial office, shipping furniture can pose significant challenges. Furniture such as chairs, sofas, or other irregular-shaped pieces do go into a moving truck efficiently in a moving truck. Shipping these items as freight in the Houston, Texas area may be a  more efficient and practical way of transporting goods – especially if it is a long distance move.

Furniture shipped as freight is typically palletized for convenient loading and unloading and then transported via freight carrier. This includes two types of service: full truckload (FTL) service and less than truckload (LTL). In most cases, a single residence or commercial office will fall into the LTL category. This means that it will be transported along with other items from different customers all on the same truck. This is a cost-effective way to transport large items.

LTL freight costs are determined by class, weight, and pick-up and drop-off destinations. If you are considering moving furniture by freight, a professional shipping company can assist you in properly packing your goods and preparing them to be shipped in this manner. This includes arranging or disassembling (if necessary) furniture in a secure, custom crate, and securing it on a wooden pallet using metal bands. LTL cargo may need to be moved on and off of vehicles several times while in transit, so it is essential that the crate is well-constructed and its contents secure.

If you are interesting in shipping items via freight, you can contact us for information. You always want to find a company that provides  packing, crating, and shipping services. They will provide you with an easy, safe, and affordable solution to transport your goods. We can assist in finding the packaging materials you need to make sure your freight arrives safely at their destination. Contact us to learn more about our crating and palletizing services.

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What to Do if You Are Estate Moving in Houston

Posted on Wed, Feb 03, 2016

moving_services_for_mom.jpgMost everyone reaches the stage of life when they have to consider what to do with a loved ones estate. If you are estate moving in Houston here are some things you need to know.

Deciding what to do when your are moving an estate, or the estate of a loved one who has passed on is a delicate process.  An estate includes one's home, cars, and possessions that are of value in the eyes of the law. Things included in an estate are furniture, artwork, china, and antiques.

People may decide to split up an estate and ship it to different family members around the country. Sometimes it is difficult to get all the family members in the same place to split up an estate. And then there is still the matter of getting heavy, large, or fragile items delivered  to their new homes. It may be helpful to hire a company to help with shipping these important items. Large items can be shipped by freight or on a small load moving truck, and smaller items are shipped by common carriers like UPS or FedEx. A household of furniture can even be sent overseas in a 20 or 40 foot shipping container.

Often, if someone is planning on moving into a retirement home, they need to split up their estate among different family members and chose what to bring with them to the retirement home. For example, a person moving into a retirement home in Houston may decide to send their piano to their son in Austin, their dining room table to their daughter in Albuquerque, and bring their couches and dishes with them. An estate mover can help them separate out the items if necessary and get them where they need to go.

If you have questions about estate moving, including shipping, moving, and liquidating, please contact us at pack n send. We have all the experience and expertise to help you through this transition. 

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Shipping with International Freight

Posted on Mon, Feb 01, 2016

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The thought of using international freight shipping might seem a little daunting considering the longer delivery time, the considerable cost involved with moving anything that far, and the extra forms involved, but using international freight to ship your home or office furniture is a great way to carry your life with you, even to the other side of the world.

The first step to take after you've decided that international freight is the best way to go about shipping your things is to decide on the company you'll be using. There's a long list of them, including Fed Ex and UPS, and all with different restrictions and requirements so it's best to spend some time checking around before you commit to one.

Another consideration is how the things you need shipped are best packed up (containers, pallets, boxes), and how best to get them where the need to be (air travel or ocean). There are pros and cons to every combination of these things, but a little research should tell you what your best option is likely to be. Ways of shipping, cost, and time frames are all subject to change based on several different factors, such as whether you've moving a few boxes of residential things or several containers of office furniture.

Once you know who you'll be working with and how you'll be packing/shipping things, look into the forms you'll need to fill out to avoid any potential legal snarls. These usually include things like the total weight of the items being shipped, a packing list, a certificate of origin, a commercial invoice, and any export information required.

Contact us to discuss your options for international freight shipping.

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4 things you need to know when you need a mover in Houston, Texas

Posted on Sun, Jan 31, 2016

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With all the information out there regarding how you need a mover in Houston, Texas when you are ready to relocate in or around the area, there are a few things you should be aware of that may not have crossed your mind before. 

  • First thing

The first thing you need to determine is the date you plan to move. You will need this information when speaking with the moving company to arrange their moving service.

  • Second thing

It might sound like a no brainer, but make sure to provide the movers with the exact address of your new home before they show up to pick everything up. This will not only ensure that your belongings arrive at the right location, but the distance between your old and new address is factored into the cost of the move.

  • Third thing

Before arranging for movers to load your things into a truck and haul them to a new location, make sure there is adequate room for a large vehicle to maneuver around the neighborhoods. It would be a shame for you to incur additional expenses due to additional unloading time while your household goods are carried down the street to your new residence.

  • Fourth thing

Give the movers lots of details about your new home's configuration. Let them know in advance if they will be working with tight corners, stairs and other obstructions that make it more difficult to get furniture and appliances in and out. This helps them prepare by bringing along the appropriate equipment, tools and extra muscle power for the job.

To talk more about this, or anything else, please contact us. Thanks.

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Packing - Shipping Medical Equipment

Posted on Fri, Jan 29, 2016

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Packing and crating medical supplies is a lengthy task, but it is absolutely essential. The two, biggest things that packing and crating medical supplies takes into consideration are the cost if an item were to be damaged and the excess germs the items could be exposed to. 

Cost

Medical supplies are not only tongue depressors, gauze pads, and sponges. While those are even costly, much bigger supplies take the win in the expensive competition. A cardiac ultra sound system is roughly $142,725. Other machines and their parts can even cost over a million dollars. It is no secret that these are not cheap items, and taking the extra measure to not only pack them, but crate them, ensures their safety during transport. It is absolutely crucial. You have many alternatives when you are shipping medical equipment.

Exposure to Germs and the Elements

Medical supplies are sterilized countless times before use. While the supplies are surely not ready to use upon arrival at a medical facility, packing and crating these items can reduce exposure to any additional germs encountered during travel time. Additionally, medical supplies are not always shipped to medical facilities within a few mile radius. They sometimes travel internationally—being exposed to different elements along the way. Packing and crating these important tools decrease the likelihood for environmental damage to the items. Avoiding the additional pitfalls of transporting items is beneficial to all parties involved.

 

If your medical supplies or medical equipment does not need a custom built crate, you can consider using a small load mover or shipping the equipment on a pallet via freight.

In conclusion, packing and crating an item is an essential procedure for many things—especially medical supplies. Next time you are sitting in your doctor's office with a stethoscope against your chest, ponder just what that tool underwent to arrive where it is.

For more information on packing and crating items, contact us today.

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Reasons for moving to Texas and  Reasons for Moving to Houston

Posted on Tue, Jan 26, 2016

map_of_texas.jpgZillow Porchlight has reported the following moving trends for 2015.

 

For this blog, we will concentrate on Texas, since it was listed as the second most moved to state. It also ranked third for the most moves that take place within the state.  People that move to Texas tend to stay in Texas once they have arrived. A common bumper sticker says :  "I may not have been born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could."

Out of the top ten states, Texas also has the three of the top moved to cities, with Houston, Dallas and Austin leading the way.

Reasons to move to Texas may include housing that is less expensive than properties listed on both the east and west coasts.

It may have to do with the sunny climate, air conditioning and the general lack of snow.

It may have to do with a lack of state income tax.

Maybe it is the fact that Texas is promoting manufacturing facilities that are located within the state of Texas.

It may have to do with Texas's entrepreneurial spirit.

Texas has fewer rules and regulations than many other states.

Families can enjoy outdoor activities most of the year.

Whatever the reasons that people may give for moving to Texas all we can say after hearing about all the people moving to Texas is "Welcome to Texas!" 

If you are moving to Houston, Texas, please contact us for information about moving, packing and  unpacking and storing your household goods while you look for housing. We  opened our doors in 1981 and love Houston and love Texas!

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When Freight Shipping is a Best Option for Transporting Your Goods

Posted on Sun, Jan 24, 2016

 

auction_shipper_houston.jpg, freight shippingWhen deciding whether to use freight shipping versus over-the-road transportation, there are times when transporting certain goods that freight shipping is a better decision. For instance, many parcel services have size and weight limits such as packages over 150 pounds or greater than 108" in length cannot be shipped by a parcel carrier. Consideration must be given to delicate items, whereby parcel carriers, even though your items may be marked "fragile" can't guarantee all handlers throughout the shipping process will treat your goods as such.  Find a reputable freight shipper that has established professional and reliable resources, and know how to coordinate delivery anywhere in the U.S.

What Types of Items can be Freight Shipped

Moving large and bulky items are also good candidates for shipping by freight. Custom crates and pallets can be created to properly secure any items against damage, such as:

  • antiques
  • artwork
  • furniture
  • medical equipment
  • office equipment
  • appliances
  • oil field supplies

Freight shipping can get your goods to their destination faster and your items, because they are secured in shipping crates or onto shipping pallets are better protected.

How Does freight shipping Work?

Research to find a company that will pack your goods into crates or boxes loaded onto pallets for domestic or international shipment. By using an extensive relationship with large trucking companies such as Roadway, Central and Yellow Freight, along with the common carriers such as UPS and FedEx, a good freight shipper can set up the logistics to get your goods to their destination safely.

The goal is to get your goods to their destination, securely.  Contact us today to discuss how freight shipping may be the best option for you.

 

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Freight Receiving: Retailers, Artists, Interior Designers & Decorators

Posted on Fri, Jan 22, 2016

interior_decorator,_interior_designer_freight_receiving.jpgAll retailers in the country, big or small, place orders for things that their businesses need to have in stock. Ultimately, the first and last destination of these good is not the store-front. Merchandise needs to not only travel from the factory they are manufactured in, but also stop at shipping and receiving companies. 

Upon arrival, merchandise undergoes the entire freight receiving process. This process includes signing for the merchandise, taking count of how many boxes or containers there are supposed to be of a given product, inspecting the packaging for any signs of damage, and finally, comparing a customer's invoice with the freight received. This process benefits not only all retailers, but even artists, contractors, and interior designers.

Take, for example, an interior designer. Their job is to not only decorate your home to your liking, but to ensure that certain things are a custom fit for your needs. More often than not, this means that the designer cannot simply walk into a furniture store, and find something perfect for their client. Most of the time, these designers need to go online to place orders for furniture, artwork, and more. They then perform their own freight receiving process, and inspect the merchandise, to ensure that the products are not damaged, and worthy to be placed in their clients' homes.

Finally, it is safe to conclude that the next time you go to a store, or hire an interior designer, you will think twice about the process your merchandise undergoes. It is, without a doubt, an essential process, and it is one that everyone can appreciate. For more information about freight receiving, contact us today.

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International Shipping from Houston. Rules when shipping  to Tunisia

Posted on Wed, Jan 20, 2016

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International shipping is often confusing. There are so many different requirements depending on where you're shipping your goods that it can become overwhelming for an individual working on their own, which is why having a great shipping company is a critical part of the process. International shipping to Tunisia, like any other country, has a unique set of rules and regulations that will need to be observed in order to ensure that your shipment reaches its destination in a timely manner. 

Prohibited Items

There are several items that can not be packaged for shipment into Tunisia, including an extensive list of things that you might not consider before preparing your shipment. According to the USPS website, these include:

  • Any kinds of guns or arms--no weapons should go through the Tunisian postal system
  • A variety of medications and drugs, including aspirin, vitamin compounds, and sulfa drugs
  • Chalk and pencils
  • Soap and detergents that contain soap
  • Leather, including leather products like shoes, jackets, and purses
  • Jewelry made of gold, silver, or any other precious metal
  • Women's hosiery
  • Cooking appliances that don't require electricity
  • Any type of paper money or coins
  • Playing cards
  • Lottery tickets or items that advertise the lottery in any way

If you're planning to ship items into Tunisia, it's important to consult the USPS website for a more detailed list of everything that is forbidden within the country or to work with a shipping company who is more familiar with these restrictions. You will have to exercise care to ensure that your package reaches its destination as smoothly as possible. 

Did You Know? Facts About Tunisia

  1. There are two languages that are spoken commonly throughout Tunisia: Arabic, which is the official language, and French, which is fairly common throughout most areas.
  2. Evidence of Stone Age settlements has been found in Kebili, a Tunisian oasis.
  3. One of the most important cities in the Islamic faith, Kairouan, can be found in Tunisia. It ranks fourth, behind Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem.
  4. The largest tourist resort in Tunisia is the city Hammamet. Visitors have flocked to this popular vacation destination since the 1960s. 
  5. Tunisia has been derived from the word Tunis, which is the capital of Tunisia. More than 25% of the population of Tunisia can be found in this city.
  6. Individuals who live in Tunisia can expect to live for around 75 years.
  7. Most of the Tunisian population practices the Muslim religion: around 98% of the population professes to be Muslim.

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Downsizing in Preparation for a Move- Houston mover offers advice

Posted on Sun, Jan 17, 2016

 

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Whether it is seniors looking to enjoy the benefits of retirement or patio home living or empty nesters who are eager to move into something smaller to cut back on maintenance, downsizing a home can be stressful. The best approach is coming up with a plan to accommodate a smaller living space before deciding to move. Here are four tips for organizing and prioritizing your life to make it make the move into a smaller space.

Plan Long-Term

The trouble with downsizing is that many of your belongings live in the grey area where they are good to have but not essential. These items will require some serious decision making. Do you sell them? Donate? Give away to friends or family? This process takes time, patience, and focus. It’s best to start working through items before committing to a move as both require significant time to do well.

Think about what works in the new home

Furniture, wall hangings, and knick-knacks are not all created equal. Just because they look good in your current home does not necessarily mean they will be ideal for your new space. Consider ditching oversized furniture or décor that does not match the architecture or character of your new home. There is no sense moving these items if they aren’t going to fit the needs of your new home.

Maximize Space

If your new home, try to make every square foot count. Consider replacing a clunky entertainment center for a wall mount kit for the TV. Invest in storage systems to maximize closets and seldom-used spaces such as under beds.

Think Multipurpose

When downsizing, rooms often need to serve multiple purposes. Invest in furniture with dual purposes such as a fold-down couch or a rolling kitchen cart that can serve as an island or be pushed into an unused space for additional storage. These little additions will replace multiple items, providing for you the same luxuries without cramped and cluttered rooms.

A Houston mover says tha once you’ve downsized, you’re ready to find the new home of your dreams. Regardless of whether this is an apartment, retirement community, or smaller house, a professional full-service packing and shipping company can make sure your belongings arrive safe. If you need a mover in Houston, Texas area, we can help. Contact us to request a moving or packing quote today!

 

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Considering International Shipping to Ireland?

Posted on Fri, Jan 15, 2016

 

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If you are considering doing international shipping to Ireland, there are some regulations you must know and follow. There are a number of prohibited items. A few are mentioned here, but you should check the  USPS website for a complete list.

Some of the items are common sense. Do not send any arms, weapons, human remains, plants, animals, fireworks, or coins minted in a foreign country. They do, however, allow gold and silver. There are some interesting oddities as to what is allowed. Typewriter carbon paper must be declared on customs declarations as “Typewriter carbon paper coated with wax and containing no oxidizable or fatty substances.” Certain items such as fruits, vegetables, and pharmaceuticals are subject to special regulations. For example, "Circulars or advertisements relating to the prevention or treatment of venereal disease must be addressed to physicians or pharmacists."  This, of course, is not the complete list.

Not only do you have to send the correct items, you have to address the packages correctly as well. A parcel may be sent to a street address or a post office. A phone number is optional with the street address, but required when sending the parcel to a post office. The name of the Irish county must be part of the address. While you might be familiar with Cork or Dublin, there are many other counties with interesting names like Sligo, Offaly, or Tipperary.  And then there is the longest name in Ireland: Muckanaghederdauhaulia. Take a deep breath and be sure to get your spelling correct if you are shipping there.

If you are considering international shipping  to Ireland, contact us. We specialize in packing, crating and shipping fragile, valuable, and unusual items, large or small.

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How Do I Go About Shipping? White Glove Delivery, Freight Shipping?

Posted on Wed, Jan 13, 2016

 

furniture-shipping-companies-antique-furniture.jpgSo--you're tooling around Houston or another city that you are visiting, having a grand old time playing tourist and, of course, shopping! Or maybe you live here and that money from selling your 8 track collection on craigslist is crying out to be spent--now!! After careful consideration you're ready to start plunking your money down for the fabulous objects' d'art you have found, and nothing is going to be small. 

Houston shipping options abound, same as in most major cities. Do you really want the headache of trying to figure out if the case of hot sauce for Aunt Ethel should go UPS, USPS, Fed Ex or ?? Ground or air?  How about freight shipping, or white glove inside delivery for furniture that you purchased while you are visiting another city? What would be the best way to pack it? Being as the object is for glass and other fragile items to arrive intact, not shattered, packing is of utmost importance; if you aren't a pro you could wind up being sorry you didn't know how to wrap it properly. And do you really want to go stand in line at the post office? You may love your smart phone but it isn't that entertaining. Your best choice is going to be a reputable, experienced packing and shipping company.

There are many ways to find a reputable shipping company; online is easiest, as we all know. A little research will tell you who does a good job with freight items like artwork and large, heavy glass items, as these need to be crated and packed professionally. Anything really heavy or extremely bulky can go by freight, or even a blanket wrap moving truck. White glove inside delivery is always an excellent option for furniture. 

For stress-free ideas for shipping options contact us.

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Packing for a move and moving made easy!

Posted on Mon, Jan 11, 2016

Three tips to help your move go smoother! 


moving_services-1.jpgWhen packing for a move, here are three tips to help things go smoothly!

  • Start early and stay organized. Packing boxes takes more time than you expect, so start a few weeks early. Keep your boxes organized. Pack the least used items first, and most used items last. Mark your boxes on each side, and on the top too, and make a note on the box where each box is to go; kitchen, bedroom, etc. Use small boxes for heavy items like books, and larger boxes for light items. The more organized you are, the smoother the move will be!
  • Make the most of your containers! You can save on the cost of  boxes  if you follow this simple tip. Instead of emptying dresser drawers, stuff them full. Why empty a dresser, put its contents into a box, then put both box and dresser into the moving truck? Fill up any container you can find; suitcases, laundry baskets, etc.
  • Consider hiring a professional moving company to do the packing and transporting  for you. They know what they're doing, and this will really help your moving process go much smoother. A professional moving company can provide custom-built crates for things like glass table tops or china, and other delicate and fragile items, as well as boxes for large, heavy items such as sculptures and furniture which are bulky or difficult to package.

For more moving tips, feel free to contact us.

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Crating and Packing, or How to Send It Once You Buy It

Posted on Sat, Jan 09, 2016

Crating and Packing in Houston, Texas, or How to Send It Once You Buy It (hassle and worry free, of course)!

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This blog applies to shopping, packing and shipping all across the country!

Aah yes, browsing and buying in the big city can be so exciting, especially when you find bargains to resell at an incredible mark-up, aesthetically pleasing under-priced treasures for your castle, or gifts for the gaggle of friends and relatives back home.

Houston is an amazing place; full of life, entertainment, and SHOPPING! There are more than 600 art galleries, 700 antique stores, 50 auction houses, plus all the other retail options you can imagine in a city of over 2 million (wow).

Once you have completed your shopping spree(s) you are going to have the unsettling task of figuring out how to get all your goodies to their various destinations, preferably intact and without major time and effort on your part. So, you need to find out about packing and crating in Houston.

If you have the knowledge, or the time and patience to research shipping methods, you can embark on your next adventure: standing in line to buy packing materials (don't ya love the queue, heels being rammed by the cart behind you or listening to a screaming baby?) You will also need to calculate the proper amount of shipping materials to buy, and then hope you know how to properly pack fragile items. Large, valuable pieces (artwork, statues) need to be crated with ample padding, not just placed loose in a cardboard box, and smaller fragile items require peanuts and bubble wrap. And of course, there can also be the challenges of figuring out international shipping: first class packages can be up to 4 pounds (as opposed to 13 ounces in the US); there are many restricted (forbidden) items, and heavier packages require triplicate forms.

A quick search online will find you a reputable shipping company, with reviews confirming its ability to pack properly and knowledge of all things legal.

So, shop on! And when you are ready to ship your goodies with minimal fuss and effort contact us.

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Hello Houston Mover!  Master Moving Day in 4 Easy Steps

Posted on Thu, Jan 07, 2016

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Hello, Houston mover! Do you want a safe and smooth moving experience? Here are a few tips for moving day to make sure you aren't disappointed.

 

  1. Check the moving company's delivery windows!

Make sure you're going to get your items  when you need them. If the company is moving  one piece of furniture move out of town or just moving a few pieces of furniture to another state for you they may consolidates your possessions with other moving jobs.  You may have a longer timeframe but a less expensive price tag. 

  1. Check the logistics:
  • How many movers will they bring?
  • How long will the job take? 
  • Do they have any necessary specialty experience?  Moving into high rises or through elevators/stairs can make the move more complicated.
  • Have they asked you if you need a Certificate of Insurance in order for the move to proceed.                                                                                                                                                           
  •  3.  Personal precautions:
  • Pack a personal suitcase: Take a personal bag with a few article of clothing and hygiene necessities. Even if perfectly planned, a move can still be affected by outside, unavoidable delays.
  • Plan out where everything goes in advance: This saves you time and will cut down on the hours the movers spend working. (This also saves you some cash!) Make a scaled sketch of your new living space and where you want the furniture placed.
  1. Does the company have any questions for you? Work out any potential concerns of either party to ensure a smooth and easy moving day. 

Let the moving company know ahead of time if you have any delicate or antique wood pieces and especially for glass tables or other fragile decorations.  The movers will need to take special care of these items. They may need to build custom boxes or custom crates to protect these items during you  move.

Contact us for more information or to ask us all about everything above! We would love to hear from you or help you with your next move! Whether you are moving in Houston, or sending one piece or a few pieces of furniture out of town, we can help you out. 

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Houston Area Auctions and Auction Shipping

Posted on Tue, Jan 05, 2016

 

auction_shipper_houston_3.jpgWeekly Houston area auctions abound. Area auctions and auction houses sell everything that you might ever want to collect or buy for a gift. You can frequently find bargains on antiques, jewelry, vintage clothing, fine china, silverware and glassware. You can also bid on large auction items such as furniture, beds, mattresses, tools. lamps and rugs at auctions. 

There is very little doubt that auctions are addictive and they have become a popular modern-day hobby pastime. The thrill of not only bidding on a coveted item but winning it is titillating. Most people who attend one auction quickly start counting the weeks until the next auction date. 

Auctioneers may require that you pay for and take the item home as soon as the auction ends. This might present a dilemma for you if you have bought an item as a gift and have very little room to store it at your home. The chances are good that you will be shipping your auction treasure. Shipping companies frequently provide pick up service for all of your auction treasures. They can also carefully pack and/or crate the items that you won at the auction.

If you bought large auction items such as furniture, rugs, mattresses, beds, or large tools, you can also opt to use freight shipping. Shipping companies that specialize in shipping auction merchandise and other items usually offer both domestic and international freight shipping to get all of your auction goods safely to their destinations.

Please contact us for all of your auctions shipping  packing and shipping needs. 

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Packing Up an Estate in Houston or Anywhere

Posted on Sat, Jan 02, 2016

 

Estate_Shipping_and_Estate_Moving_2-1.jpgWhen a loved one dies, family members need to decide how to distribute their loved ones assets. Oftentimes this involves sending items out of town.  Items must be divided according to the terms of the will and shipped to their new homes. In many cases, these items have not only physical value, but also sentimental value to their recipients. That means that if you're the one responsible for the packing and shipping, you want to make sure you do it to the best of your ability. Not sure where to start? Try some of these tips.

Choose an estate shipping company that has experience packing and shipping a wide variety of items. When you're packing up an estate, you  want to have to work with an estate packing company that have experience shipping both large and small items, and delicate and non delicate items. Seek out a packing and shipping company that has shipped a wide variety of items successfully to make your estate packing easier. It's important to package the item according to what you're shipping, rather than a one-size-fits-all mentality. For example, your artwork may need to be carefully protected in a custom crate, or a custom built box may be all that it needs to get  it on its way to its destination safely..

Start with an inventory or list. That list can be arranged by item or by recipient--whatever works for you. You can save on shipping by packing items that need to be shipped to the same person together. 

Keep a spreadsheet. When you're dealing with an estate, it can be difficult to keep track of all the items, all the time. To ensure that you know where everything has ended up, work with a professional shipping company that will provide you with tracking numbers and other vital information to keep track of every item as it leaves your hands.

If you need help packing up an estate in Houston or anywhere else in the United States,  please contact us. We'll make sure that every item in your loved one's estate receives all the care it needs to reach its destination safely and securely. Better yet, we have experience in shipping a wide variety of items, so you can be sure that all of your items are receiving the best care possible.

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Shipping Medical Equipment: Medical Equipment Shipping Made Easy

Posted on Mon, Dec 28, 2015

 

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Frequently doctors' offices, veterinarians, dentists, universities, hospitals and medical centers need to ship medical equipment. Small or large, all items can be efficiently packed, crated and shipped with the utmost care. Medical equipment shipping requires proper packaging -- both inside the package/crate and on the exterior -- to help ensure that the items withstand the rigors of  shipping transportation.

It is not uncommon for items such as MRI machines, CT scanners, x-ray devices, diagnostic equipment, medical examination tables, lab equipment, lasers, surgical equipment, and hospital/medical furniture to be shipped across the country or around the world. Even temperature-sensitive medical equipment is frequently shipped with ease to the furthest reaches of the globe. In the modern world, shipping medical equipment has never been easier, faster or safer. Medical items are safely shipped both domestically and internationally with ease. 

Look for a company that has trained personal who will look over your medical equipment to evaluate the best way to pack, crate and ship the items so they reach their ultimate destination safely. You need to find a company whose  personnel  will give you an assessment on packaging and shipping your medical items. Ultimately, how your equipment is packed and shipped will be your choice, however, trained staff will need  to work with you to help ensure that the transaction is smooth. At pack n send we deal with the most trusted freight and shipping companies in the industry. Please contact us for a free assessment and quote on shipping your medical equipment or other items. 

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International Shipping Tips If You Are Moving to Another Country

Posted on Sat, Dec 26, 2015

Valuable Tips on Shipping You Need to Know If You Are Moving to Another Country

 

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So you are moving out of the United States, you are finally doing it. It's exciting, really scary and totally overwhelming, all at the same time. From dreams of the near-future, to fears of the unknown and tearful goodbyes; thinking clearly to organize the necessary details of actually getting you and all your stuff to your destination seems a bit surreal. So, where do you start?

You may think that the first thing on the list should be packing, but it isn't. In fact, it's nearly the last. 

Checklist-style advice 

  1. Start by researching the international shipping company that is going to deliver your personal items such as furniture and other household or business necessities. It is imperative that you know what the method and options are, before you start the inevitable task of packing. Typical options include air shipping, shipping goods by pallets based on the number of cubic meters, or shipping via 20 foot and 40 foot containers. 
  2. Make sure you use an international shipper that not only ships to the country you are moving to, but is experienced and knowledgeable with the government shipping requirements as well as the culture. This will reduce stress when you arrive and help to prevent any embarrassing mistakes. 
  3. In most countries, the list of what you can't ship is the shortest and the most important anyway. Make sure you have a complete understanding of this list and give those items away (or store them) immediately. 
  4. Complete and submit all necessary paperwork upfront. That way, if there are any questions, concerns, or mistakes; there is time to correct them before you leave.

Conclusion

Knowing where to start when it comes to moving out of the U.S. will save a lot of time and stress, and prevent potential difficulties. Having an experienced professional during the process is invaluable.

Taking care of what seems like small details up front, is the key to a smooth long-distance move.

If you are ready to take the first step in your international move, contact us today to learn more about how our experience can benefit you.

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Freight Company for You in Houston, Texas and around the World

Posted on Wed, Dec 23, 2015

  freight_shipping_services.jpgWhen you decide to hire a freight company in Houston, Texas, you want to hire a company that will work for all your freight needs. One freight  preparation company is not exactly the same as all the others! To that end, there are several questions you should ask before settling on a freight company. Some, you can answer on the company's website. Others, you'll need to ask when you call. And here's a surprise: how much it's going to cost to take care of your freight needs probably isn't one of them.

1. "How much experience do you have with this type of freight?" Take a look at what the company is offering. If they aren't experienced in moving the items that you're shipping out, don't take the chance! Choose a freight company that has shipped items just like yours before and will know exactly what you need.

2. "What services do you offer?" Depending on what you're shipping, there are several different types of services that you might require. You might need a custom crate built just for your item, whether a skeleton crate or a full wooden crate. You might need a pallet specially designed for just your item. Your best bet is to look for a company that lists the service you need. 

3. "How would you ship this item?" Chances are, you already know how you want your shipment to be sent. If you need a custom crate for artwork, for example, you want to know that your crate is reusable, so that the artwork can be packed in it again if you need to transport it in the future. If you need to move a chandelier, you want to know that it's hung from a beam in the top of the crate, with packing material around the bottom to keep everything from moving around. Ask your freight company how they would ship your item and see if it lines up with your vision. 

If you're looking for the perfect freight company in Houston, contact us today! We'll work with you to get your items the protection they need to reach their destination safely, figure out any international shipping needs, and take care of anything you need throughout the freighting process.

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Crate Building for Shipping Artwork

Posted on Fri, Dec 18, 2015

 

shipping artwork and packing artworkTexas is known for oil wells, but also for oil paintings. Texas has a rich artistic history and a culture that encourages contemporary artists. When shipping artwork, it's important to consider the sort of crate that will protect the art in transit. Crate building properly determines whether your artwork will be shipped across country safely, or whether you'll find a torn canvas with paint smears when it arrives. Custom built crates protect artwork during shipping.

For shipping something as valuable and delicate as artwork, it is best to use international caliber crates rather than crates intended for domestic shipping, even if the artwork is only going from Dallas to Detroit or from Galveston to Gettysburg. Heat-treated wood is used when building crates intended for international shipping, and that is what Pack n Send recommends when shipping works of art. Crates can easily be custom-built to fit the art, for greater protection.

Kay Wyne is a Texas painter whose work is displayed at the Dutch Art Gallery in Dallas. Mrs. Wyne works in oil on canvas pottery and cotton panels, in a Contemporary Impressionist style. Mrs. Wyne is best known for her landscapes and still lifes, such as "Wildflower Vista," "Windswept," and "Blue Vase." She also does pictures of animals, such as her "Big Guy" and "Hen Session." Originally from the Midwest, Mrs. Wyne attended Western Illinois University. She now resides in Dallas and considers herself a true Texan. She often paints with a wide brush, but she sometimes uses a palette knife to create a thicker texture in her works. 

 

If you need to pack and send  your artwork or other valuables, contact  Pack n Send

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Pack and Ship Your Christmas Gifts

Posted on Thu, Dec 17, 2015

Reasons to Consider Shipping and Crating Christmas Gifts

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When choosing gifts for friends and family members, you’ve no doubt went to a great deal of effort to find them just the right one. In order to ensure your gift arrives safely, here are occasions when it might be best to consider shipping and crating them to your loved ones rather than delivering them yourself.

If you’re traveling by plane or bus, getting through the terminal with a large number of packages could be quite cumbersome to do. Not only that, but you could be subject to extra baggage fees, and clearing security checkpoints could be a virtual nightmare. When you ship your gifts ahead of time, you can focus on making your connection rather than worrying about handling packages.

You could want to ship packages even if you are traveling by car. Depending upon the size of your gifts, you might just find there is no room left over for your own luggage, or that you are unable to fit everyone in the car after all your packages are loaded. Even if you do have room for everything, you risk damaging your gifts if you experience a flat tire and need to unload your trunk in order to change it. You do not want to leave the gifts on the back seat of your car as you make a stop for gas or food. Unsavory individuals may consider this a time to to for their “free” gift shopping.

If you’re giving someone an especially large gift, you may find that handling it yourself is too awkward to do. Having a professional moving company take care of this task for you will ensure that you don’t strain your back and wind up spending your Christmas holiday feeling miserable.  

Here at Pack N Send, we can advise you how to ship gifts of any size, and can ensure your Christmas packages get safely to their destination. To find out more, contact us in Houston at 713 266 1450

If you are planning on shipping gifts internationally, it is best to ship as early as possible. There may be customs to consider in the country that you are shipping the gifts to. We have listed below  the countries that we ship to.  Please call ahead to make sure that you can ship the item that you have purchased to the country of your choice.

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International Shipping to Kosovo: Everything You Need to Know

Posted on Wed, Dec 16, 2015

 

International shipping and international cargo to Kosovo 

Your goal: international shipping to Kosovo. Your problem: each country has its own unique restrictions concerning what can and can't be shipped, and you aren't sure where to begin. Start with a look at the USPS website, which will give you a good idea of how to go about handling your shipment.  

Restricted Items

When you're creating a package for shipment into Kosovo, you need to be aware of the country's restricted items so you can be sure not to include any of them in your shipment. According to the USPS, these include:

  • Paper money and other extremely valuable articles, including traveler's checks, gold and silver, and precious stones. Items of great wealth or that are intended as currency should not be shipped into Kosovo.
  • Private individuals are not permitted to ship weapons or ammunition.
  • Lottery tickets or advertisements promoting lotteries are prohibited.
  • Cigarette papers are a restricted item that should not be shipped into Kosovo.
  • Radioactive materials should never be shipped into the country.

It should also be noted that some shipments into Kosovo may require a license from the United States Commerce Department. Be sure that you understand these requirements before preparing your shipment.

Confused about these requirements or worried that you might have gotten something wrong? Try using a shipping company to help prepare your shipment and ensure that you've covered all the necessary paperwork. If you need to ship your package out of the Houston area, contact us for more information.

Did You Know?

1. 90% of the population of Kosovo is made up of primarily Muslim Albanians. Orthodox Christian Serbs make up the other 10%.

2. Albanian and Serbian are the primary languages of Kosovo. Other languages that are common in the area include Bosnian, Turkish, Romani and Croatian.

3. Kosovo has a high incidence of waterborne illness. Deaths that occur due to these diseases are higher in Kosovo than anywhere else in Europe.

4. Kosovo has a rich agricultural industry and mining industry. Micro-enterprises are also common in the country. Natural resources include lead, zinc, copper, silver, gold, brown coal, bauxite, lignite, and nickel.

5. Popular sports in Kosovo include basketball, canoeing, boxing, chess, soccer, gymnastics, swimming, and table tennis.

6. Like many European nations, Kosovo uses the Euro as its primary currency.

7. The highest peak in Kosovo, a mountainous region, is Gjeravica, which rises 8,714 feet above sea level.

8. Prishtinna is the capital of Kosovo. 

9. When Kosovo declared independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008, it became the youngest nation of the 21st century.

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Where to go for senior moving

Posted on Tue, Dec 15, 2015

 


Senior movingMoving is a lot of hard work and so much needs to be done in a limited amount of time. Adding a senior to the mix can make things a little more challenging. There are a few things to keep in mind that may make your move go a little smoother.

A few assisted living homes already have furniture. Most centers let you bring your own furniture. Moving companies that specialize in moving seniors can help you decide what furniture would fit in each room. Important items and keepsakes are a must to give the space a homey touch.

When it comes to decorating have a strong distinction between colors, walls,and furniture. It would also be helpful to choose a place that is well lit and if you are using their furniture that it is rounded to prevent accidents.

Another thing to keep in mind when checking out assisted living and nursing homes, is the kind of social life opportunities available. A key in being happy and well-balanced is being active and having something to do.

Look for a  great moving company for senior citizens that  get involved and do much more than just pick up boxes and move them from one place to another. They can pack and unpack and will assist whoever they are helping on what fits and where it fits.

Check out companies that can move belongings anywhere in the US, but does international shipping as well. If you or a loved one is in need of assistance in Senior moving contact us. We will be more to happy to assist you in your move and provide much more that just the muscle. We will help you make any decisions to turn your move into a happy one.

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Houston Crating: Signs You May Need a Custom Crate

Posted on Sun, Dec 13, 2015

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When you're packing up items for shipment, it can be difficult to tell what supplies you'll need most. In Houston, crating is done for a variety of items that require extra protection before being shipped to their destination. With a custom crate, you can rest assured that your item has all the protection it will need during the shipping process. For example:

Chandeliers are very difficult to ship because of their many small, dangling pieces. Packing them in a crate, however, takes this easily into account. The chandelier is hung on a wooden 1 x 4 in the top of the crate, suspended just like it would be in a home or business. Then, packing peanuts and other materials are added to cushion the other pieces of the chandelier. 

Medical equipment often requires specialty crates because of the size and delicacy of the equipment. If necessary, medical equipment is braced within the crate to ensure that it is stable before packing material is added to keep it in place throughout the shipping process. Custom crates are one of the best ways to transport medical equipment, which is often awkwardly sized or shaped.

Paintings, pictures, and other flat artwork are typically protected by placing a one-inch layer of Styrofoam all around the picture. Crates for these items are best custom constructed when the picture is an odd size, but it works for any type of artwork. Crating is also useful for large museum, gallery, or show displays of artwork that may need to be packed up and moved again.

Other artwork, like statues and sculptures, can be placed in a custom crate for ease transportation or shipment. These crates are constructed exactly to the specifications of the item.

Things to Note About Using Crates

  • Custom crates require that the measurements of the item are taken before the crate is built. 
  • Custom crates are reusable. This is particularly useful for artwork and other items that will be shipped or transported back and forth several times. Simply remove the item at your destination and store the crate until it's needed again. Then, when you're ready to move the item again, pull the crate back out.
  • Crates can be made for both international and domestic shipments. It is important, however, to note your crate's destination: international shipments are placed in crates made of heat-treated wood to meet international shipping standards.

Ready to begin putting together a custom crated shipment in the Houston area? Contact us today to learn how we can help.

 

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Choosing the Right Vehicle For Pack And Ship Moving

Posted on Fri, Dec 11, 2015

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What to Know Before the Move- Moving out of Town

Preparing for a cross-country move with fragile cargo in the Houston area? With so many moving services available in and around the Houston area. When choosing a company to work with, it's a good idea to have some pre-requisite knowledge of the two main ways in which your belongings can be transported.

 

Blanket Wrap Move

Blanket wrap moving is common both for moves within a city and moves to other cities. Furniture and household goods are loaded, blanket wrapped and secured inside of the truck. This is a cost-effective way in which you can get your old home, moved into you new one. Your household good are delivered inside of your new home.

Freight Trucks

Unlike blanket wrap moves, freight trucks go back and forth across the country every day, delivering furniture and appliances. When using this method you will need to place and categorize your belongings on pallets before they get shipped. You can also choose whether to have your belongings dropped off on the curb or delivered and placed into your new home.

 Whatever you end up choosing, make sure that you're well-informed before doing so. We hope this brief explanation assists you in making the right choice.

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A Guide to International Shipping to the Slovak Republic

Posted on Thu, Dec 10, 2015

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You need to send some items via international shipping to the Slovak Republic but want to be sure that what you are sending will arrive at its destination without incident. The restrictions for mailing vary widely from country to country, making it impossible to know every little detail. Some things are obvious that you should not send them, such as radioactive materials; but what about the rest? Surely there are more restricted items, so what exactly are they? 

In a country that is about a third of the size of Minnesota, and home to 300 castles, the rules on international shipping to the Slovak Republic are as fascinating and unique as the historical land itself. With the highest percentage of gypsy genes and the origin of inspiration for Dracula, here are Slovakia's prohibitions, restrictions, and instructions for shipping to their country. 

Prohibited (do not send) 

Any publication that contradicts State public order. Publications are considered drawings, music (written or audio), images, and any written document.  

Apparently, Americans aren't the only ones annoyed by chain letters. A chain letter is one in a series and often requires the recipient to forward the letter on to a specific number of people. The Slovak Republic wants nothing to do with them as they are strictly prohibited with no exceptions. 

Perishable substances, whether the be infectious or not, are never accepted. Infectious perishable substances contain viable microorganism and toxins; non-infectious perishable substances do not contain via microorganisms and toxins, but are not accepted, nonetheless. 

Though radioactive materials (alpha, beta, and gamma rays) are actually natural, they can most definitely cause harm to humans and animals. This is another item that will never be accepted via international shipping in the Slovak Republic. 

And finally, the last prohibited item is an interesting one: playing cards. It is unclear if it is related to the coating of the cards, or if this is something that actually dates back to World War ll when playing cards were used to send secret information. Either way, do not send them! 

Restricted (review before you send) 

If you are sending a gift, be sure that you are sending as an individual and not a commercial firm; otherwise it will be rejected. Additionally, if you send more than three gifts to one person inside of a year, or if the gift is valued at more than 3,000 Slovak Republic crowns, you will need an import permit.  

You can send medicine as long as the addressee has an import permit granted by the Slovak Republic health authorities. 

Stamps and philatelic articles (related to the study and history of stamps) can be sent so long as they do not exceed 1,000 Slovak Republic crowns inside of a year; and do not exceed 100 stamps or philatelic articles. NOTE: gift packages containing philatelic articles may not exceed three per year or 100 Slovak Republic crowns in value. 

The last restriction is similar to that of many countries. Only the State Bank is authorized to send paper money, coins, securities of any kind, unmanufactured precious metals such as silver, gold, and platinum, and savings booklets. 

Instructions to send 

You may address your package to either a street address or a post office box. The addressee phone number must be provided when using a post office box. 

Several articles sent to the Slovak Republic require import licenses and quantity restrictions. Be sure to confirm with the addressee that the items are permitted and they hold the necessary documents. 

Slovak Republic customs determine the value of gift contents based on internal prices of the same articles. So long as the contents do not exceed 5,000 Slovak Republic crowns, no import permit is required. Should the value of the gift exceed 2,000 Slovak Republic crowns, the addressee must provide a gift certificate authenticated by an authorized agent in that country. 

Articles imported in postal items are exempt from customs duties as long as the total value does not exceed 300 Slovak Republic crowns.  

Conclusion

Now that you have a complete understanding of parcels that are completed prohibited, the details of what is restricted, and easy to understand instructions on how to send; you are now ready for international shipping to the Slovak Republic. 

Do you need more information with regards to international shipping?  

Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you.

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Pack and Send- Using Different Packing Materials

Posted on Tue, Dec 08, 2015

 


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Here are a few of the packing materials that are used when packing fragile or delicate items. Custom crates and custom boxes are discussed in other blogs. If you need to pack and ship items, be sure to use sturdy shipping boxes. Pack and send just about anything if you use the proper packing materials.

Bubble Wrap

Perhaps the greatest invention of the 20th century, bubble wrap is the absolute standard in packing. You can use it to protect most  fragile items and, for items with recesses or curvatures like bowls and cups, use it to fill any gaps in items that may need extra support.

Styrofoam

Styrofoam packing peanuts are a time-honored packing material that are most commonly used to create protective linings around goods that are being shipped -- even items that are, themselves, wrapped in bubble wrap. 

Pallets

When shipping larger items or large stacks of items, pallets are the way to go. Though the items must be properly secured to the pallet, it allows cargo handlers to easily move and store your items without them up-ending, and keeps them stationary on the truck. When shipping internationally, however, it is important that you use heat treated wood for your pallets, as international law requires, due to the possible spread of termites and other pests which can sometimes be found on untreated wood.

When packing in Houston in preparation for a shipment, you need to be sure you are using the proper materials for the items you are packing and the distance you are sending them. You can have your delicate items professionally packed, or you can purchase the packing materials and pack your boxes on your own.

Please contact us to learn more about the proper use of different packing materials.

 

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Small Load Moving - Look at Houston Moving Companies

Posted on Sun, Dec 06, 2015

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Small-Load Moving

Small load moving trucks are not, themselves, small. These trucks instead offer a service to multiple families from the same general area who are moving to the same general area. They pack up the small loads from each family onto the same truck and then provide drop-off one by one.

While this may make you worry that you will have to find other families to move with, fear not: small load moving companies do all of the organizing for you. They generally set rates according to the distance of moves,the amount of space that your belongings will take up in the truck, and how many others are moving from your area to your new area at the same time.

Freight trucks are different insofar as they often ship with additional items, and are not exclusively used by families who are moving. Indeed, freight truck moving is usually a service offered by freight trucking companies that do lots of other business. Furniture will  be placed on pallets in order to fit properly. Drop off can be  often curbside, butthey should  also offer to do inside drop-off for another additional charge.

If you are looking for houston moving companies to help with your next move, you are probably overwhelmed by the number of different options available to you, from renting a U-Haul to differentiating between the different types of moving services. Knowing the differences between them is important for getting the most out of your money.

Please contact us to learn more about what moving options would best benefit you.

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The Unique Challenges of Senior Moving

Posted on Thu, Dec 03, 2015

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Many senior adults would prefer to age peacefully right where they are, never finding it necessary to move. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work out that way. Senior moving often becomes necessary for a variety of reasons. You might need help moving a senior into a nursing home, an assisted living facility, or a senior living community where they are able to live independently, but have help available as needed. They might need to move in with a relative for extra help, or decide to downsize and check out RV living to allow them to travel. Whatever the case, however, moving a senior adult can present unique challenges that aren't necessary to consider in other cases of moving.

Decide whether or not storage is going to be necessary. Do you have an elderly loved one who has always decked out the house for the holidays? What about one who has more clothes for each season than they could ever possibly wear? If downsizing is necessary as a result of the move, consider selecting a storage facility to make things a little easier. Clearly label every box, and make sure that decorations, mementos, and other important items are packed and stored in a way that will protect them. 

Hire a packing company. Many senior adults  don't have the energy to deal with complex packing arrangements. Instead, try bringing in the professionals! They'll pack up everything in the house and make sure that it will be safe throughout the moving process.

Let your senior loved one choose what items can be given up. It can be tempting to just have the family over and spend a few days packing up the house. You all decide if there are any mementos that you would like to hold on to, while the important items for daily living go with your senior loved one. If possible, however, you should allow your loved one to participate in this process and even lead it. They will know better than even their closest child which items are truly important and which ones can be donated, sold, or stored.

Take it one step at a time. Your senior loved one might not have the energy to go through the entire house in a day. Instead, break up the moving process so that you're able to dedicate a couple of hours to it at a time, then return to deal with the rest at a later date. 

Ready to start moving your loved one? Need an experienced packing company to help? Contact us today to learn how we can make the moving process easier for you and your senior loved one.

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International Shipping to Taiwan-What you need to know.

Posted on Thu, Nov 26, 2015

 

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Any time you prepare an international shipment, you want to be sure that you've taken the time to do it right. That starts with ensuring that you know everything you need to know about restricted or prohibited items when you shipping to each country. Shipping to Taiwan might be intimidating at first, but with a minimal amount of effort and a little help from a reputable shipping company, you can be sure that your shipment has everything it needs to get to its destination safelyerything it needs to get to its destination safely. 

Taiwan's Restrictions

Like most countries, Taiwan has several items that should not be shipped within its borders because they are prohibited by the government. According to the USPS website, these include:

  • Prepared tobacco products, including cigarettes and cigars
  • Certain currency items, specifically coins that are more than 100 years old and banknotes known as "new Taiwan dollars"
  • Sweeteners, including but not limited to sugar, molasses, and saccharine
  • Tea concentrates, essences, or extracts
  • Radioactive materials

Other Restrictions

All imported items are required to have a license. The only exceptions are gifts for personal or family use that cost less than $1,000 and books that cost less than $1,000. Mail that contains items that could have a duty assessed must be clearly labeled. Taiwan also prefers that, when possible, shipments bear mailing labels with complete addresses in Chinese as well as English. The Taiwanese government also recommends the addition of "Via Tiawan" on items that are being shipped to the Quemoy and Matsu Islands.

Facts About Taiwan

  1. Taiwan produced the first woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize: Lu Hsui-lein.
  2. Taiwan is a great place to live: it has the lowest poverty rate in the world. It also has the world's highest recycling rate.
  3. The highest peak in Taiwan is the Jade Mountain, also known as Mount Yu. It is 3950m above sea level.
  4. The national sport of Taiwan is baseball. Basketball, football, cycling, golf, and tennis are also widely popular. Taiwan's most common form of martial arts is Taikwondo. 
  5. 4.9 million people in Taiwan follow Buddhism, the most prevalent religion. Other common religions include Islam, Taoism, Bahaism, Catholicism and Protestantism. 
  6. Taiwan is rich in a number of natural resources, including natural gas, coal, marble, asbestos, and limestone. Major industries include petroleum refining, food and textiles, vehicle manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals. 
  7. Taiwan's official name is the ROC: the Republic of China.
  8. The official currency of Taiwan is the new Taiwan Dollar. The country is the third-largest holder of exchange reserves.

Looking for more information about shipping to Taiwan? Contact us today to learn how we can help.

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Packing in Houston: Preparing Your China for Shipping

Posted on Mon, Nov 23, 2015

packing china_1.jpgWhen you are packing in Houston and preparing your china, be it fine china, porcelain, bone china, or terracotta it is of the utmost importance that you pack it correctly. China is known for being rather delicate and brittle, even if it contains kaolin to strengthen it, and so incorrectly packed china can chip, crack or shatter during the shipping process if not properly packed. Importantly, there is a key distinction between packing plates/bowls and cups, so make sure to take note of the instructions below.

 China

  1. After taping the bottom seams of the box securely, place a layer of packing peanuts two or three deep at the bottom of the box. You want enough to make sure that the china never touches the bottom of the box during the shipping process, as that nearly guarantees that it will break.

2a. If you are placing plates and bowls in a box, place them vertically in the box with a layer of bubble wrap or several layers of blank newsprint between them. Plates are stronger standing up than they are laying down, so be sure to use the correct orientation.

2b. If you are shipping cups, you can stuff the inside of the cup with paper and then wrap them with bubble wrap. Cups, unlike plates, should be placed like they would be if they were sitting on a table in use.  You can stack them, but put a piece of cardboard between each cup, in addition to the bubble wrap surrounding them.

  1. Create cardboard dividers to section off different types of items, and then stuff any remaining space with newspaper. If done properly, when you  shake the box you should see no movement at all.
  2. Put another thick layer of packing peanuts at the top, going slightly above the rim of the box so that they will compress once the box is closed. Then fold the flaps down and tape them into position.

Now your china should be ready for safe transit! If you need professional china packers, please contact us for all your packing and shipping needs.

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Shipping Houston Texas Style: Popular Local Gifts, Stress-Free Giving!

Posted on Sat, Nov 21, 2015

shipping.jpg Bringing a traditional Texas Christmas to your friends and relatives long-distance means, of course, your annual exercise in shipping Houston Texas style!

So here are a few thoughtfully selected, sure-to-please holiday gifts you can add to your parcels that will actually make those presents a breeze to pack, and way more worry free! And since the current trend for 2016 is focused on all things artisan, handcrafted and natural, your gifts will be right in line with what's in style this Christmas! These affordable Houston treasures are sure to delight your family and friends and at the same time keep your shopping regional! Plus, they're easy-to-mail gifts that will save you time and money—and minimize that unwanted "shipping stress" you've come to dread each year!

  1. Music, Texas Style! No, wait! This doesn't have to mean steel guitar and twang, though it most certainly can! But there's also Texas music that's sure to please everyone on your holiday list, especially those extra-particular, music-conscious teens! Visit the folks at the locally owned, Texas-only record store Cactus Music in Houston for specific suggestions, and you'll surprise those hard-to-buy-for music lovers in your life with some hand-picked, made-in-Texas music that they will more than likely love! And, of course, nothing's easier to slip into your carefully packed holiday shipping parcel than the gift of Texas music!
  2. For the children on your list, you might try a popular Texas-themed, animal-motif T-shirt from Houston's trendy and artist-friendly boutique Hello-Lucky. The Texasssssssss-hissing-rattlesnake shirt or the Texas-ness armadillo T, among other great designs, are affordable andhand-screened in Houston—and nothing could be easier to ship! They also come in adult sizes and feature plenty of graphics to choose from—so grown-ups, too, can be ultra-cool and support Texas artists to boot!
  3. A super-shippable gift and stocking-stuffer, perfect for virtually anyone on your list—but especially for that gentleman who has everything—is Houston's unique and practical Texas-style version of the traditional snap-on keychain—crafted from authentic cow's hide complete with beautiful fur left intact! Sturdy and functional with brass hardware, this handmade and handy fob comes in an array of natural-color choices! It's an affordable but one-of-a-kind, fun-yet-practical gift that will remind your loved ones every day of the incredible resourcefulness and artistry of Texans! Just like the T-shirts above, these keychains are also from Hello-Lucky, and they're made exclusively by hand in Houston!
  4. For a gift that's, again, perfect for anyone, but is especially likely to please the women and girls you're shopping for this season, there's yet another popular Houston boutique, called Sparrow and the Nest, which offers the ultimate in easy-to-pack gifting: their beautifully crafted and fragrant Peppermint Chunk Soap! Hand-made yet affordable, not only will this exquisite soap be delightfully easy to ship, but it will likely make your entire Christmas parcel smell absolutely divine!
  5. Lastly is a gift idea from Houston’s fine-art one-stop, the highly regarded Village Frame Gallery! What’s interesting is, although these one-of-a-kind keepsakes aren’t actually made in Texas, the designing artist’s name is, quite coincidentally, Houston! We’re talking about Atlanta artist extraordinaire Houston Llew and his gorgeous, quotation-embossed copper panels, hand-painted with exquisitely colored, kiln-fired molten-glass designs—and very-shippably-sized at just over 5 x 8 inches! Village Frame Gallery is an authorized dealer of these very special treasures, aptly and poetically dubbed Spiritiles. A higher-end, lifetime-keepsake gift that’s still affordable, these incredible tiles will be a hit with absolutely everyone on your list! Village Frame Gallery has plenty more to offer, too, plus they frame, of course, and giftwrap!

So you see, these easy-to-pack gifts are every bit as trendy and unique as some of the season's more fragile and unwieldy offerings—and they're also super-affordable and sure to delight that special recipient! There's nothing your family and friends will love more than opening up a big box of Houston at holiday time, no matter where they may be! Your parcel will be the highlight of the season.

For more information on this or any other aspect of Houston, Texas shipping possibilities, please don't hesitate to contact us at your convenience! 

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Moving Senior Adults into Residences

Posted on Fri, Nov 20, 2015

 

moving senior adults, moving

Packing, moving  and unpacking seniors. When packing and moving senior adults, be sure to keep out all medications, food and personal items that a senior will need on the day of the move. Toiletries,  towels and face cloths should also be left out for the senior to use. We suggest a small suitcase or a separate backpack that the movers do not take with them.

Seniors may require a different moving schedule say than  that a younger family. You may need to pack a senior  over a number of days, so as to not overwhelm them. Packing may need to be done when the senior is out of their residence completely.

 

It is sometimes better to have the senior adult move into an apartment that is completely unpacked and set up for the senior. This includes hanging shower curtains and artwork. Cupboards can be loaded with dishes and cups. Keep out their favorite coffee cup so that they can locate it easily the first morning that they are in their new home.

The time of the move will also vary by the seniors schedule. For some individuals, a 10:00 am move will work perfectly well. For other seniors 2 pm may be the earliest that you can begin a move. For an elderly person staying the first time in a new home, it may be wise to have  friend or relative sleep over on a couch the first night the senior is in their new residence.

 

For more information about easing a senior into a new residence, please feel free to contact pack n send.

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Pack and Ship Gifts From Your Wedding - Shipping Advice

Posted on Sat, Nov 07, 2015

shipping wedding gifts

The last you want to worry about after your wedding is how to pack up all the wonderful and expensive gifts you’ve received.  Did you know you can hire a shipping company to take care of it for you?  Here are some possible wedding gifts you might consider having shipped:

Rings

This might be something you would have shipped before the wedding, as hopefully you are wearing yours after the ceremony!  If you have a special heirloom ring, consider having it carefully packed and shipped.  You can have it insured against loss as well.

Kitchen Electronics

You got that amazing juicer you both really wanted!  But how to get it to the new home you are starting together?  Have it shipped!  Although items are usually removed from their original packaging for shipping, they will be well taken care of on their journey to your home.

Kitchen Knives

Knives can be a real hassle to pack.  It is often difficult to package them so they won’t cut through the materials they are packaged in.  Let a shipping company with lots of experience help you out!  They are well prepared to protect that sharp edge as well as your other expensive items you are shipping with the knives.

Fine China

What a delight to receive those beautiful pieces of fine china in that beautiful pattern you love so much.  Not only do they need special care when packing, they take quite a bit of time to wrap and protect each individual piece. But if you hire a good packing company, you need not worry! 

Lamps or other decorative furniture

Not only do you get the joy of receiving your wedding gifts, you also get to open it when it arrives, well packaged in your new home!  Large items can be crated or palletized.  It can also be blanket wrapped for a moving truck.  Have fun arranging everything to your taste and comfort.

If you are looking for a great company you can trust to pack and ship your valuables, please contact us.

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Shipping Services for Fragile Items

Posted on Thu, Nov 05, 2015

 

crating crate shipping fragile

It's easy to understand that some items are a lot easier to ship than others due to how fragile the item may be. So, you should also understand that when you need shipping services for these breakable items selectivity is important. Look for a company that has shipped fragile or delicate items for many years. Have they shipped high value items?  Do they have the capability to build custom boxes or custom crates? Have they packed china, pictures, marble and sculptures?  Are their personnel brand new, or do they have years of experience in the packing and moving industry?

There are lots of different types of breakable items shipped throughout the world today. It's important to take a look at each of them and their special needs before shipping your items. Doing so will allow you to have peace in mind as you shift your items. Some examples include:

  • Heirloom China, crystal, and stemware pieces are delicately wrapped in bubble wrap and double boxed with peanuts so that it arrives safely at its location. 
  • Crystal and ceramic chandeliers are shipped via crates that are specially built for them. Did the moving company ask for a picture of the chandelier ahead of time so that they can determine the safest way to pack the chandelier? Did they discuss that the chandelier will need to be hung during transport. The crates should be lined with Styrofoam and then peanuts are used to fill the rest of the space.

Ready, Set, Ship

The next time you need to ship a fragile item, make sure to contact us. With over 30 years of experience, you can rest assured that we'll help you. Our company can do everything from packing the items to picking them up and shipping them to their end destination. No fragile item is too big or too small for us to package properly and ship to its final destination. So, why not contact us today to receive a price quote? 

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Packing And Tracking In The Modern World-Shipping Made Easy

Posted on Tue, Nov 03, 2015

crate shipping packing

When shipping any item, people want to know the packing procedures and tracking information for their shipment. Advances in technology have changed the way many items are now packed and shipped. Today it is easier than ever to get items from place to place. 

Shipping Begins With Packing 

To get any item to another place it is always best to pack it first. Last century, wood crates were the best way to do this.  The use of Styrofoam and cardboard boxes has changed and updated the shipping industry. Many items ship safely when securely buffered in this convenient and easy-to-use method. Packing peanuts and bubble wrap are two more packing materials that work well with boxes. They cushion the item while the cardboard box provides a tough outer shell. 

Today, you can have a custom crate built by a custom crate builder. This is often the preferred packing method when shipping fragile or valuable items.

Wrap It Up In A Blanket 

One of the ways shippers protect items during the moving process is to blanket wrap them.  This method is mainly used for shipping by truck. 

Tracking Your Shipment 

Modern methods of shipping use tracking software to keep up-to-date on package and shipment locations. UPS, FedEx, DHL and the Post Office now have online tracking. This software allows the person shipping the item to type in the tracking number for the package to see where it is and get an update on delivery. Trucking companies have the same type of software and provide either tracking information on their website or offer a number to call for this information. 

 

Shipping today is safer than ever. There are many methods to choose from when sending any item to another location. For more information, please contact us for the best method of packing and shipping your item.

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Van Gogh and the Art of Crating Pictures

Posted on Thu, Oct 29, 2015

Van Gogh and the Art of Crating Pictures


Today, Vincent van Gogh is widely regarded as one of the great post-impressionist painters because his work inspired so much of the work of later artists, though in his lifetime he was hardly known at all and he only ever sold one painting. He truly lived the life of a starving, unappreciated artist.

Van Gogh used color and texture to his advantage. Because of this, his paintings are fraught with, and also evoke, various emotions. He is certainly worthy of the entire museum in Amsterdam which is dedicated to his work.

Most notably is his painting Starry Night,  which most prominently uses hue variations of primary colors blue and yellow to depict the eerie night of a city. Inspired by the nightly view from the Asylum at Saint-Remy, where van Gogh was staying while he painted it. Interestingly, and more explanation for the emotions prevalent in his work, are the facts of van Gogh’s lifetime mental illness, his distraught yet passionate love life, and his continual religious devotion.

Though most people would argue the greatness of van Gogh’s artwork, beauty is always an opinion. Even intrigue is not a universal reflection. Each of us has our own view on what is beautiful and what is interesting. We each have unique taste and decorating style, and we each have our own ideas about what should hang on our walls.

If you have paintings in your home, large or small, you will want to take them with you when you move. Paintings require special attention, not unlike many other unique and expensive items you may have in your home, and the crating of pictures is somewhat an art of its own.

You may want to move your artwork with a traditional mover.  They can build  shipping crates for you. As an alternative, you may want to find a shipping company who can transport your artwork in a custom crate using freight shipping.

For shipping within the U.S., wooden crates should be used. For shipping internationally, crates should be made from heat-treated wood. Either specification will require a custom-made crate to snugly fit the exact size of your paintings.

Contact us for more information on crating pictures.

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Managing International Shipping to Thailand

Posted on Fri, Oct 23, 2015

 

When the time comes to send a package to Thailand via international shipping, you might be worried that you're going to have trouble getting your package together.  Like most other countries, Thailand has a list of restricted items and other concerns related to the shipping process; and because your package is important to you, you want to make sure that you get it right.  

You can consult with the USPS website, which will give you all of the restricted items that can not be shipped into Thailand. For example, Thailand, like many other countries, prohibits the shipment of paper money and coins as well as gold, platinum, and silver.  It also comes as little surprise that Thailand does not allow the shipment of firearms and air guns, though the USPS website does specifically note that toy guns or those that are intended as part of a collection, not for use, are permitted.  However, Thailand does forbid the import of playing cards--an odd item that might not be considered as you pack your box.  

Concerned that your shipment might need more help?  Seek out help from a  packing company that's familiar with international shipping needs and will help ensure that your package receives all the care it needs to get to its destination.  Shipping out of the Houston area?  Contact us to see how we can help!

Did You Know?  Facts about Thailand

  1.  Around ninety percent of the population of Thailand is Buddhist.
  2.  Thailand contains close to 67 million people.  
  3.  Ever wondered about the friendliest countries in the world?  While, according to the World Economic Forum, Iceland is the friendliest country, Thailand is very welcoming:  it ranks thirteenth on the list.
  4.  The Great Buddha of Thailand, which is located at the Wat Muang Monastary in the Ang Thong province, is the ninth tallest statue in the world.
  5.  Thailand was not colonized by Europeans.  It's the only country in southeast Asia that can make that claim.  
  6.  In Thailand, it is illegal to criticize the monarchy.
  7.  Doi Inthanon in the Thanon Thong Chai mountain range is the highest point in Thailand. It is 8,415 ft above sea level.
  8.  Until 1939, Thailand was known as Siam.
  9.  Plenty of rice in your diet?  There's a good chance that it came from Thailand, which is the world's largest rice exporter.

10.  Eng and Chang Bunker, about whom the term "Siamese twins" was coined, were residents of Siam (which became Thailand).  

If you are looking for an international shipping company you can trust to ship your valuables, please contact us.

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International Shipping to Vatican City

Posted on Wed, Oct 21, 2015

International_Shipping_to_Vatican_city

If you're transporting goods to Vatican City, you're likely already aware that you're dealing with a unique set of circumstances.  As the smallest country in the world, with a population of around 1000, Vatican City is a religious city with laws that are based around this premise.  If you're concerned about international shipping to Vatican city, we can help!  We're familiar with all the rules and regulations associated with sending goods into Vatican City and can help you navigate the process.  If you're sending  out of the Houston area, contact us today!

Prefer to do it yourself?  Start by visiting the USPS website and looking over the list of restricted items.  Like most countries, Vatican City has a number of prohibited items, including, but not limited to:

  • Human remains, including cremated remains
  • Any live plants or animals
  • Weapons
  • Radioactive materials

The USPS website also notes that goods being sent into Vatican City have the same restrictions as Italy, so a visit to that site would also be beneficial.  In addition, a personal telephone number should be added to the outside of the shipment.  It's recommended if the item is going to a personal address, but is required of your shipment is addressed to a post office box.  

Did You Know?

  • Vatican City only covers an area of about 100 acres.
  • Members of the Swiss guard, clergy, the Pope, and cardinals are awarded their own passports from Vatican City.
  • The Vatican mail system, complete with its own stamps and fees, is so much faster than the Italian system that it's often used by Italian citizens in the area if they want their packages to arrive faster.
  • Inside the Vatican Gardens is a radio tower.  The Vatican's radio station broadcasts in 20 languages throughout the world.
  • Italians are allowed to donate 8% of their yearly taxes to the Vatican instead of paying the amount to the Italian government.
  • Vatican City is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site to encompass an entire country.
  • The railway station in Vatican City, which was opened in 1930, is used primarily for freight.
  • For 60 years beginning in 1870, popes refused to leave Vatican City and declared that they did not answer to the Italian government.
  • Vatican City has its own currency, including a €1 coin that bears the portrait of the current pope.

Looking for more information about international shipping to Vatican City?  Feel free to visit our international shipping page for more information.

 

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How to Ship Internationally to Curacao

Posted on Mon, Oct 19, 2015

 

international_shipping_to_Curacao

Do you need advice about how to send goods to Curacao? You’re in the right place. Pack-n-Send has been shipping internationally from Houston for over three decades, and we want to share what we’ve learned with you.

The most important thing about moving goods internationally is to familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations of the destination country. Each country has their own:

  • Prohibitions
  • Regulations
  • Observations
  • General Conditions for Mailing
  • Size Limits
  • Value Limits
  • Custom Forms Requirements

What Should You Know About Transporting ItemsTo Curacao?

The United States Postal Service explains Mailing to Curacao on its website under country conditions for mailing. These conditions also include the destinations of Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius. Let's take a look at some of the basics.

  1. Prohibitions When Sending Goods To Curacao

o   Be aware that prohibited items like banknotes, currency, coins (including copper, bronze, or nickel), traveler's check, and securities made payable to the bearer aren't allowed.

o   Whether manufactured or not, platinum, gold, and silver are prohibited. It follows that all jewelry with other precious stones is also prohibited.

o   Other valuable articles are not allowed unless sent by registered First-Class Mail International or First-Class Package International Service.

o   Perishable non-infectious and infectious biological substances, as well as radioactive materials, aren't permitted.

o   You'll find the full prohibition guidelines in the International Mail Manual.

  1. Restrictions When Sending To Curacao

o    Importation of arms requires special permission.

     3.  Size Limits, Value Limits, & Custom Forms Requirements 

o    These restrictions are greatly reliant on what method of shipment you select. What method of shipment you select is obviously dependent on what you have to go abroad, how quickly it must arrive, and your budget.

o   You might consult a professional to discuss your options. They will identify savings over the varying methods and, their advice in selecting the appropriate method will also reduce the likelihood of items getting delayed in Customs due to packaging mistakes.

o   If you decide that Global Express is right for your project, you may also wish to consult the USPS publication, Global Express Guaranteed Service Guide.

It's All In The Details!

International shipping to Curacao requires that you pay close attention to the details. The prohibitions and regulations are tricky to navigate in some circumstances. It's imperative that you send only allowable goods. All packing materials must be regulation approved. And custom forms are mandatory.

We know it's often confusing, especially if it's your first time transporting  internationally. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We also have several more helpful tips on our Pack-n-Send International Shipping Knowledge Base.

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International Shipping to Serbia

Posted on Fri, Oct 16, 2015

 

international_shipping_to_serbiaDid you know that 95% of the world’s raspberries are grown in Serbia? Serbian red raspberries are a popular summertime addition to fruit dishes and desserts, and few people realize they traveled thousands of miles before being served on your plate. International shipping to Serbia is actually surprisingly straight forward. The United States Postal Service offers the following guidelines when sending items  to Serbia:

  • Postal items shipped to individuals in Serbian can contain items intended for personal use, or the personal use of family members. This includes household items as well, as long as they are not intended for resale. Resale items must be imported through Customs where duties and other fees will be applied.
  • Shipping that results in business conducted between Serbia and the United States can be freely imported.
  • Items addressed to individuals in Serbia are exempted from Customs duties if the items do not exceed $30 USD. This value restriction does not apply if the items are being sent to an individual who is entitled to special rules or conditions with respect to their professional circumstance.
  • Serbian citizens exercising a profession are allowed to import items necessary to serve in their professional capacity. This includes specialized equipment, materials, spare parts, etc. These important may be subject to special conditions with regard to their import. The sender is required to declare this privilege on the Customs declaration.

It’s unlikely that you’re in need of a shipping solution to handle transport of the world’s raspberries. But for everything else, we can help. Contact us to learn more about shipping to Serbia.  

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Use a Freight Shipping Service to Move Art and Furniture

Posted on Wed, Oct 14, 2015

 

freight_shipping_service-1

When you are moving, it is the artwork that might stump you. Artwork is spectacular; you probably wouldn’t have purchased it if you thought otherwise. Art has the power to make your home beautiful and interesting. Artwork: someone else’s heart and soul, someone else’s lifeline. You searched for it, you paid for it. You made an investment of thoughtfulness, and now it is the heart and soul of your home.

Do you remember the day that you first laid eyes on the sculpture that sits in your foyer?  Maybe you were at an auction or at the artists’ own gallery and you saw it, and you knew it would be the perfect thing to greet your visitors. Do you remember how it arrived? Likely, it was shipped to you or brought to you by a reputable c packing and  shipping company. Now, you are moving into a new home and you probably don’t want to think about how to bring this statue with you. You can’t lift it or slide it, and there is no box you can think of that would accommodate it.

Furniture can introduce a similar conundrum when it comes to moving. Furniture is nice, expensive, and part of your home (not only part of your house, which you are leaving behind, but part of the very essence of your life).

When you need to move a large, expensive piece of art or furniture, consider freighting by either by air or land. You should look for a shipper who can care for your favorite things and ensure that your things will be transported well. Custom crates can be created and packed with soft materials to cushion your items on their own trip, or your items can be blanket wrapped and transported on pallets.

Contact us to discuss the exact specifications of the items you have to ship, and discover how our freight shipping service can help you.

 

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Shipping Antiques Correctly: Advice on How to Pack Like a Pro

Posted on Sun, Oct 11, 2015

 

shipping_antiques_correctly

Pack-n-Send has over thirty-four years of experience in Houston moving  priceless antiques around the world. We understand that transporting antiques correctly is an art in and of itself. Let us share some of what we've learned with you so that, should you choose to pack for yourself during the next big move, you'll know how to pack antiques like a professional!

Better Safe Than Sorry

Shipping Antiques Correctly begins long before you break out the bubble wrap or packing peanuts. Play it safe and take these preventative measures before you start packing. If your antiques break in transit, you'll have a head start on reaching a resolution. The information will be invaluable if you have to file an insurance claim.

  • Create An Inventory List 

Before you begin packing, it's always a good idea to create an inventory list of your antiques, especially the high-dollar items. Include as much detail as you can including maker, quantity, age, and any other special qualifying information that will be helpful. 

  • Photograph Antiques 

Photograph your antiques in advance. The photographs make a great accompaniment to your inventory list. Examine the items carefully and take photographs from several different angles. This will also help you notice imperfections that exist.

  • Get an Appraisal

If you have extremely valuable items, you might wish to get your antiques appraised prior to moving them.This will certainly give you an opportunity to make an informed decision as to whether the item is insured properly or if it is advisable to add another rider.

Remember that love alone will not get your antiques to their destination safely.

Almost Ready To Pack

It is a tough decision for some people to hand over their precious antiques for packing, even if it's to a team of experienced professionals. Remember that love alone will not get your antiques to their destination safely. Keep these basics in mind when packing antiques.

  1. Make sure all drawers are empty.
  2. Once you've emptied the drawers, secure them in place with shrink-wrap. This will keep them from sliding open and closed during transit. Not only does this protect the piece of furniture in question but anything else that the drawers might hit.
  3. Remove any loose or detachable pieces from other items and wrap them separately. Use a packing material that is appropriate for the item. Typically, it would be safe to wrap an item in a roll of bubble wrap or padded envelope and secure in a small box with an ample amount of packing peanuts.
  4. If the detached item you are packing is a mirror - or any antique mirror, for that matter - you must take special care.

o   Use additional padding on all sides of the antique mirror.

o   Take care not to place anything on top of the mirror once it's in place.

o   Secure the mirror in such a way that it doesn't shift during transit, especially if the truck makes a sudden stop or has to take a sharp turn.

  1. When placing items in the truck it's a good idea to pad as much as possible to keep items from rubbing against each other during the journey. Use foam pads in between chair railings and wrap tables with old blankets to prevent scratching.
  2. Use the blanket wrapping method for all antiques rather than tape. Avoid tape when shipping antiques. It is very likely to damage your valuable items.

Packing A Box

Everybody knows how to pack a box, right? However, not everybody knows how to pack a box specifically to keep antiques as safe as possible.

What You'll Need

  • Make sure you use high-quality boxes. You may wish to consider purchasing packing material from a company that produces customized boxes, crates, and pallets.
  • Stock up on bubble wrap, packing peanuts, Styrofoam, and multiple-sized boxes. Double boxing will be an important part to keeping your antiques safe, so get boxes that will fit inside each other, leaving room for packing material to go around all sides.
  • Purchase quality tape to secure the outside of the boxes only. Use this tape only to secure the box tops. Make sure that the ends of the tape are securely affixed to the box so they don't roll or come unstuck. If this happens you run the risk of the tape sticking to other antiques and ruining finishes or damaging surfaces. This is another reason to individually wrap all valuable antiques with a blanket once in the truck.

Tips on Packing

  • Wrap each item separately.
  • If you're packing glass, secure each item in bubble wrap, fill the box partially with packing peanuts, put the antique in the box and continue to fill box with packing peanuts until there's no more room. Secure the lid with tape. Partially fill a larger box with packing peanuts and then insert the first box into the larger box. This is called double boxing. Now fill all around the box with packing peanuts, even on top. When the box is full, secure the lid with tape.
  • It's important that you put enough packing peanuts in the box. Overfill the box. Once the lid is closed and secured, make sure there is no 'give' in the lid. In other words, the lid needs to remain strong under pressure.

To Crate or Not to Crate?

If you have an extremely valuable item, you might wish to consult a professional about building a custom crate. It's important to seek expert advice about crate construction and packing because the professionals know exactly how to build, load, and brace antiques in custom crates. This is particularly true if shipping large, expensive antiques internationally.

Happy Packing!

Pack-n-Send hopes that these tips help ease the anxiety of shipping antiques correctly. Aside from the monetary value that antiques retain, they hold precious memories that can never be replaced once damaged or destroyed. If you have any other questions or concerns about how to ship antiques, feel free to contact us. We're here for you when you're ready to make that move.

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Why Retail Freight Receiving Makes Your Business' Life Easier

Posted on Thu, Oct 08, 2015

freight-receiving

 When you receive a new shipment at your business, it oftentimes results in a really busy day of work ahead. This is because you have to unpack and sort everything. While doing so it's also important to inspect your entire order to make sure that your receive only what you ordered and that the shipping process didn't damaged any of it.

 

When all of this leaves you feeling overwhelmed, it is time to look for a retail freight receiving company! You need a retail freight receiving company to  simplify the process for you, and:

   

  • Streamline the process so that your goods are ready to go.Let the retail freight receiving company examine the product for you. So, when they enter your store or warehouse you know you've received exactly what you ordered and it's all in good condition too.
  • Let them deal with disposing of the shipping pallets, crates and packing materials. Oft times they can recycle these materials. If the materials need to be disposed of, they will not take up space in your trash receptacle.
  • Let the freight receiving warehouse  deliver your goods at a time that is convenient for you so you always know when items will arrive.

 

So, when you're ready to simplify your business' receiving process, feel free to  contact us so that we can help you. As you can see, there are a lot of advantages to a retail freight receiving company with this process. We are anxious to help you start enjoying these advantages today! 

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Shipping One Piece of Furniture? Send Pieces Together if Possible

Posted on Thu, Oct 08, 2015

large-furniture

 There are times when you absolutely have to move a single piece of furniture. Maybe you inherited that perfect sideboard that was your great-grandmothers or maybe you commissioned the leather chair you've always dreamed of.

Whatever the circumstances, when shipping one piece of furniture or a house full, you have options. Start by contacting a reputable freight packing company and gathering all the information you need to make an informed decision.

How do you want your furniture packaged?

One of the first questions you will want to consider is how you prefer your furniture packaged. Blanket wrapping a sturdy piece protects it from bumps along the way. The soft wrap of the blanket is perfect for items that just need a little protection as they are taken to their new location. Most furniture is blanket wrapped for moving.

Another option is crating or palletizing your furniture.  

How do you want it to arrive?

Freight preparation companies should give you the option of having your furniture delivered on a pallet curbside at your home or having it unpacked, reassembled if necessary and then delivered to the exact room where you want it. When you are preparing to transport furniture, whether one piece or entire household, be certain to ask the freight preparation company what options you have for deliver and choose the one that best suits your needs.

One reason to consider having the packaging disposed of and the furniture delivered inside your home is that you might not have someone available to help you take  it inside. Especially when you are moving to a new location, assuming that someone will be available to help move that heavy oak sideboard might be a bad assumption. Instead, think about having it unpacked and delivered inside your home.

Where are you sending your furniture?

When sending furniture within the continental United States and some other parts of North America,you can transport  your furniture via traditional moving trucks, or consider freighting your furniture.If you are shipping one piece of furniture to Alaska, Hawaii or internationally, you will need to consider air freight and ocean freight. Air freight can be very expensive, so you should definitely consider all your options.

You may want to determine how your furniture will be moved before determining your packaging preference because ocean freight charges are based on cubic meters while sending via air  is based on size and weight.

When moving within the continental United States, be sure to compare costs between traditional moving trucks and a freight shipper.

Is this everything you need to take to a new location?

After purchasing a piece of furniture or inheriting an antique, it can be tempting to immediately schedule the shipping. After all, most people are very excited to see their new possession. But if there is a chance you will be purchasing additional pieces, it's a good idea to be patient and send them all at once.

Getting all your furniture moved  together can be time-saving and more convenient. Whether your furniture is delivered curbside or into your new home, someone will need to be there to receive the shipment. If all your furniture is sent  together, that means one day off to receive the furniture. If you send each piece individually, you could end up taking several days off work to meet the delivery company.

Receiving all your furniture at once can also help you arrange that furniture in your new space. When you receive just the desk for your new office, and are expecting the cabinets later, you may not be clear where the desk needs to be placed. The same holds true for living rooms, bedrooms and dining rooms. Receiving all your furniture together makes it easier to see exactly what you have and where it goes.

Whether you have one piece to move to a new location or an entire household, contact us for help choosing the packaging and delivery methods that are best for you.

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International Shipping to Aruba and Barbuda

Posted on Tue, Oct 06, 2015

 

large-furniture.

Every country has restrictions on imports, exports, and moving items within the country.  It is a safe bet to assume that sending  things like drugs is frowned upon by nearly every country in the world, but some countries-- and even specific states within a country-- can have strangely specific restrictions that must be followed.  International shipping to Aruba is no exception to this rule. When sending items to Aruba, there are restrictions on transporting  hazardous and perishable materials through the postal system; it is important to use common sense when sending goods overseas, as perishable items and hazardous materials can cause severe disruption to the mail delivery system.

As part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Aruba is a place that relies extensively on tourist capital for revenue.  The people of the country speak Dutch, Papiamento, English, and Spanish quite extensively; this may be important if you need to work with the mail delivery system in Aruba. There are some important restrictions that are in place in Aruba, particularly because the island is home to a large nature preserve that must be protected from invasive species. Any kind of perishable food item, including fruits, nuts, dried, tinned, crystallized preserved fruit has to be certified as originating in the United States to be transported within Aruba and Barbuda.

Another important restriction when sending  coins to Aruba and Barbuda. There is a prohibition that the government has placed on coins.  Coins can only be sent to the region if they are placed in insured Priority Mail International parcels.  There is a complete list  of pricing guidelines and specific rules for the region available from the USPS; these rules provide an excellent overview of the general structure of the   services available to Aruba and Barbuda (including Redonda).

Always feel free to contact us with any questions regarding the process of sending goods  to Aruba, Barbuda, or any of the surrounding islands and regions.  The process can be daunting, but with help from professionals, it can be made much simpler.

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Making International Shipping to Italy Simple

Posted on Sun, Oct 04, 2015

 

italy-shipping-destination Shipping to a country other than your own for the first time is tedious and nerve-wracking. But with some of the information below, international shipping to Italy is a lot simpler than it seems.

According to USPS, here are some of the prohibited items:

  • Any kind of album.
  • Weaponry.
  • Artificial plants.
  • Musical instruments.
  • Cartridges.
  • Clocks.
  • Medication.
  • Leather goods.
  • All perfumery goods except soap.
  • Radioactive materials.
  • Typewriter ribbons.
  • Toys, excluding wooden ones.

For a complete list, visit the USPS website. DHL also lists prohibited items.

The  restrictions when using the USPS for Italy are fairly straightforward.

  • All currency and valuable items must use an insured Priority Mail International parcel.
  • Stamps for philatelic purposes - the study of stamps - must bear the completed Form 2976.

The required observations for shipping are much more lengthy, but see below for a great jumping off point:

  • A parcel must bear a street address of post office box. The sender should also list a local number when sending to a street address, and it is a requirement when sending to a post office box.
  • For Priority Mail International parcels, a copy of an invoice is required for all shipments valued at $300 or more. The PS Form 2976-E must also be taped to the outside of the shipment or enclosed inside.
  • First-Class Mail and Package International Service shipments cannot contain dutiable articles.
  • Books must be accompanied by a PS Form 2976.

Italy's culture and history is rich and storied. See for yourself!

  • Italy has only existed as a country for 153 years.
  • Italy is home to the only active volcanoes in Europe: Etna, Stromboli, and Vesuvius.
  • The Vatican City in Rome is not only its own country but also the world's smallest country.
  • Italy is the setting of multiple Shakespeare plays, including Othello and Merchant of Venice. 
  • Italy's national flower is the lily. 

When shipping internationally, make sure to do your research ahead of time, but if you are looking at this article, you are already a step ahead of the game. For more information or help with any of your shipping needs, contact us today!

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Three Tips to Make Furniture Shipping a Breeze

Posted on Thu, Oct 01, 2015

furniture_shipping-1Any one who has ever gone through the joys of furniture shipping, knows how nerve-wracking it can be.  The trickle of sweat which is constantly present, from packing to unpacking.  An over shadowing worry of whether your items are protected enough to face the journey ahead.  These three tips will help lift the cloud of worry and make your next move a breeze.

Wrap and box your breakables.

Reduce the potential of your breakables ending up broken by placing them in boxes properly padded and broke down.  This includes everything from floor lamps to picture frames. Ensure they are wrapped in protective material such as bubble wrap or moving paper and that they are placed in proper sized and sturdy boxes.  An easy way to check if the items are properly packed, is to gently shake it after wards.  Any rattling or clinking and you know you need some additional padding. Press down on the box to see if  the box moves at al.; If there is any give in the box, then you need to add more peanuts to the box. 

Prepare your furniture for the move.

There is nothing more heartbreaking than to see your prized curio cabinet arrived looking like Freddie Krueger got a hold of it, or that your table isn't going to be holding any more dinners. Avoid these mishaps by properly preparing your furniture for the move. Items should be covered in plenty of protective padding.  Also tape all drawers and secure all loose pieces to any furniture, to reduce the potential of them bumping around or disappearing during the move.

Pick the right company.

If you decide not to move your furniture on your own, then the company you choose is the main determining factor in the outcome of your move.  You want to pick a mover values customer service.  Communication determines a lot of outcomes and moving is no exception.  Choosing a company that you find easy to work with, will make the whole process simpler.

Choosing a mover that is going to treat your possessions like their own is the easiest way to make sure your next move goes smoothly. Contact us and let us show you how moving should go.

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Packing and Crating a Closet in Houston-Make your move easy.

Posted on Tue, Sep 29, 2015

 

packing_and_crating_in_houston_2Moving is always going to be a frustrating process.  Even if you've only been in a home for a few months, the amount of "stuff" you've accumulated will surprise you when the time comes to move again.  The most difficult place in your house to pack?  The closets.  

Most people have at least one closet in their home that is a repository for all the things that they don't know what else to do with.  It's filled to the brim with random items, many of which you don't even know are there until you dive in and start the moving process.  That closet would be an easy place to start packing.  Unfortunately, it's also the last place that you want to deal with packing.

Packing and crating a closet in Houston?  Follow these tips to make the process easier.  

Get out both boxes and garbage bags when you get ready to pack.  The boxes are for the things that are going with you.  The garbage bags are for the things that aren't.  When you're deep into the packing process, it's easy to forget about the part of the process that happens on the other end.  As long as everything is in boxes, you convince yourself, you're ready to go--at least until you get to your destination and have to unpack.  By having both garbage bags and boxes handy, you can easily dispose of items that you don't want to take with you instead of having to move them, then figure out what to do with them on the other end.  Not only will this save you time and effort, it will save on shipping costs.  

Get rid of anything you haven't used in a year.  Some people discover that when they get ready to move, there are still boxes sitting around unopened from the last move.  That means that you're spending time and money moving around items that you don't really even want.  Unless it's a box full of pictures or family heirlooms, if it hasn't been used, don't even open it!  Take it to the nearest donation center or drop it in the trash.  Packing for a move is one of the best opportunities you'll get to dispose of items that you and the members of your family don't want or use anymore.  Remember, anything you can donate or throw away now is one less item that you have to unpack when you reach your new home.

Sort items as you pack.  There are things in that closet that you use.  Some of them, you can't find when you need them.  Others you can find, but have better places to keep.  Sort through those items as you pack so that when you reach your destination, you'll be better able to put them in the place they'll do the most good.  

Fill boxes completely.  Make sure that there's nothing in the box that can rattle around after it's sealed.  If you need to wrap delicate items or use padding to fill in the space around the items in the box, make sure that you do so.  You don't want anything to move around during the shipping process.  Also, make sure that you use proper shipping materials.  It might sound easier to use newspaper and masking tape, but they're often less reliable than materials that are designed specifically for shipping.    

Need a shipping company that will help get the contents of every closet in your house to your new home?  Contact us and we will help you with your move.

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Through History and Design Conception: How to Ship a Kitchen

Posted on Sun, Sep 27, 2015

how_to_ship_a_kitchen_set_2Freight shipping might be the perfect way to get your kitchen set from one place to another because freight shipping involves packing items, placing them on pallets, and delivering those things to a new destination.

The kitchen, specifically is quite a fascinating place, usually filled with everything from family history to brand new shiny appliances,  most of these items are in your kitchen in order to make your life easier, tastier, and more comforting.

The style of the kitchen has changed through history, but the need for its functionality has not. See, This Old House’s articleThe American Kitchen Through the Ages, which recounts a bit of kitchen history from the 1920’s into today.

In the 1920’s, the Hoosier Cabinet was a must-have for every kitchen, since built-in cabinets had not yet been widely established. In the 1930’s, the ice box moved into most kitchens and in the 1950’s, kitchen islands became popular. In the 1970’s, microwave ovens became ever so popular. In the 1980’s, the first celebrity cooks made importance of the kitchen's appearance, and the demand for things like beautiful yet functional shelving and appliances increased.

Your kitchen may have any number of these things, but likely has built-in cabinets in place of a Hoosier Cabinet and a refrigerator/freezer unit in place on an ice box. Maybe you have a breakfast nook with a table and four chairs and a bench under a bay window which lets in perfect light for your Saturday morning coffee. Maybe you have an antique cookbook shelf or a set of bar stools that you searched a century for.

Maybe you are a homemade chef with piles of unique kitchen equipment and the hands to use them properly, but maybe you are moving and you want to take all of your things with you.

“You don't have to be a chef or even a particularly good cook to experience proper kitchen alchemy: the moment when ingredients combine to form something more delectable than the sum of their parts. Fancy ingredients or recipes not required; simple, made-up things are usually even better.” ~Erin Morgenstern

Doesn’t the same hold true for kitchen design? It doesn’t matter if your kitchen meets the requirements stated on magazine pages. The moment when your kitchen belongings combine to make it yours, the fanciful is set aside as merely opinion and your kitchen, made-up of your things, is yours.

Contact us for information on how to ship a kitchen set so you can start a new kitchen with all the things that made your old one completely yours. 

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You Bought What? How to Find an Auction Shipper

Posted on Fri, Sep 25, 2015

 

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In a quick search on online auctions, you can find almost anything for sale. In fact, with the rise in online auctions for delinquent self storage units, you can probably buy anything you want and the kitchen sink.

So what do you do when you buy something perfect or perfectly insane at auction?

You contact an auction shipper in Houston, of course.

The fun part about shopping at auctions is that you never know what you might want to buy until you see it. In the second half of 2015, for example, Auctions America intends to sell a Churchill Toad flail tank. The collector who buys this unique mine sweeper tank is expected to pay close to half a million dollars to own one of only 42 of the tanks ever made. And, then he'll have to find an company to send it to him.

Of course, professional packers and custom crating companies can send more traditional items as well. Whether it's an $850,000 original oil painting or an antique vase, proper shipping of your auction purchases should include a custom-built crate. You invested in this purchase that you love; be sure to invest in the best packaging  options as well.

A custom-built crate, unlike mass-produced crates, is specifically designed to fit your masterpiece. Your professional crating company should take the measurements of the item and then, based on its weight, size, and composition, determine what types of packing materials will best protect it during transport.

The packing materials may include plastic wrap around the item itself and then fitted foam or foam peanuts between the item and the custom-built crate. The crate is designed to minimize the item's movement in transit, preventing damage.

The specifics of the packaging will depend on the item being sent, but your auction shipper should be able to pack  a 10' taxidermy polar bear without breaking a nail, or claw as the case may be. When you investigate a professional packing company  to get your new purchase to its new home, be sure to ask what types of things they have successful delivered  previously and how they will package your item.

Once you know who you can trust to get your new stuff safely to you, it's time to head out to the auction or jump online. One of the newest trends in online auctions are auctions of entire self storage units. Buying one is something like a treasure hunt as the pictures for the auction can never tell you exactly what you might find inside.

From priceless books to funky old jewelry, at a minimum online and in-person auctions offer the chance that you might find a treasure that is priceless to you. Or, an auction might be the perfect way to track down the missing pieces of china or stemware that you need to complete your collection.

The company you choose should bubble wrap the delicate pieces, box them and then box them again to get them safely to your collection. The outer box is filled with foam peanuts to create additional cushioning for your breakables as they move across the country or are transported around the world.

A moving  company  may also be able to help when you find its time to dispose of some of the things you have collected over the years. With the right packing assistance, you can sell your treasures on eBay and be confident that they will arrive to the buyer in pristine condition.

Whether you are the buyer or the seller at an auction delivering  the goods to their final destination is an important part of the process.  Contact us to hear about some of the most interesting things we have shipped in the past and how we can safely pack and ship your goods as well.

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Make International Shipping to Poland

Posted on Wed, Sep 23, 2015

 

international_shipping_to_polandEvery country in the EU has its own rules and regulations, and Poland is no different. All it takes is a little planning, and international shipping to Poland is as simple as mailing a letter across town.

According to the USPS, the following items are prohibited:

  • Arms and ammunition.
  • Documents written with the expressed purpose of contradicting Poland's interests.
  • Currency still in circulation in Poland and any valuable items such as jewelry or precious stones.
  • Perishable biological substances, both infections and noninfectious.
  • Radioactive materials.

The restrictions for Poland are simple and clear-cut:

  • Urns containing human ashes need a permit from the locality's Presidium of the Municipal Council in which you plan to bury them.

Many goods in Poland require various import permits, so to prevent any international trouble, senders should ascertain from the addressee before mailing whether the necessary documents are held.

Poland's land and people are rich with culture and history. Need some proof? Check it out.

  • People of Polish descent have won seventeen Nobel prizes, including four for Peace and five for Literature.
  • Roman Catholicism is so popular that Poland actually has a TV channel dedicated to the Pope.
  • In 1989, Poland held its first free elections in more than forty years.
  • Marzanna is a Polish tradition where people weave straw dolls and then use ribbons to decorate them. These dolls represent winter, so when the snow starts to melt, citizens throw the dolls into a river, symbolizing the end of winter with their "death".
  • The Polish are generally well-educated with ninety percent of Poles having completed at least a secondary education.

With research and preparation, shipping internationally can go smoothly. For more information and help with all your shipping needs, contact us today!

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Help for the Small Business Owner: Retail Freight Receiving

Posted on Mon, Sep 21, 2015

 

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As a small business owner, it can be hard to compete with larger companies with huge shipping and receiving departments. Often, you can afford to buy and have the market to sell an entire pallet of goods from a specific manufacturer, but don't have the staff or facilities to receive a larger shipment.

That's when you need a retail freight receiving service.

What is retail freight receiving?

It is using is a company that operates a warehouse and can accept  shipments on your behalf. These companies will unload your pallet of goods, inspect it to assure you the quality you expect and then deliver the smaller packages of good to your store.

For retail business owners, working with a receiver can help save money in several ways:

First, when your pallets are offloaded at a retail receiver, you don't have to have a forklift and warehouse space for receiving at every store location.

Secondly, because you suddenly have the option of ordering in pallet-sized lots, you can order in larger quantities possibly earning a volume discount on pricing and almost definitely saving on shipping costs.

In essence, when you hire retail freight receiver you are saving yourself money and then can pass those savings on to your customers or enjoy a larger profit margin.

For more information about retail freight receiving options, contact us and we'll talk about receiving freight for you.

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Your International Shipping to Moldavia? We can help.

Posted on Sat, Sep 19, 2015

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The Republic of Moldova is a small country located in Eastern Europe between Romania and Ukraine. Despite a tumultuous recent history since its independence from Soviet Union in 1991, Moldova still enjoys a consistent tourism industry that revolves primarily around the country's beautiful natural landscapes and historical ruins and architecture. The wine industry is also strong in Moldova; the country is home to Cicova, one of the largest wine cellars in the world.

If you are planning a trip to Moldova or you have a need to ship internationally to Moldavia, there are some limitations to be aware of. The United States Postal Service outlines the following prohibited items:

  • Bank notes
  • Explosives and pyrotechnic products
  • Perishable infectious or noninfectious biological substances.
  • Printed materials that are contrary to public order (obscene or immoral).
  • Radioactive materials.
  • Software or technical devices used to intercept information.

The following restrictions are also in place:

  • Medical products used in medical treatment are subject to prior authorization granted by the Ministry of Health or by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

These stipulations are standard for international shipping and should not interfere with your ability to send goods to Moldova. These regulations are designed for safety purposes and hopefully do not discourage you from transporting items internationally. 

Some see international shipping as a potentially daunting task, but this does not need to be the case. If you are looking to deliver items to Moldova, we can help. Contact us to learn about how we make international shipping to Moldavia safe and quick! Whether it is a small or large move, Pack n Send can help.

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More Than Just a Table and Chairs: How to Ship a Dining Room Set

Posted on Fri, Sep 18, 2015

 

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A dining room set is more than just a table with chairs. A dining room set is therapy. It is a lifetime of happy memories. It is an investment in your child’s future.

According to an article in the Washington Post, “…dinnertime conversation boosts vocabulary even more than being read aloud to.… Adolescents who ate family meals five to seven times a week were twice as likely to get A’s in school as those who ate dinner with their families fewer than two times a week.… Family dinners have been found to be a more powerful deterrent against high-risk teen behaviors than church attendance or good grades.”

Norman Rockwell no doubt knew this as he painted Freedom From Want for the Saturday Evening Post in November 1943. Often referred to as a depiction of Thanksgiving or Christmas, in its simplest understanding,it is a family cheerfully sitting down to dinner at a large table.

Your table does not have to be so large or have a tablecloth or matching china, or even a home-cooked meal in order to engage cheerful thoughts. Your dining room table may be a fragile antique or something you whipped up in your wood shop, or the Nornas Drop Leaf Table from Ikea. Whatever form it takes, it is more than just a table and chairs, and if you are moving you probably want to take it with you. Moving a dining set is, for good reason, not an easy task. It's kind of like cooking a whole turkey. It takes time and thought, and if you are distracted by the other millions of things that you probably have to do, you may want some help.

Contact us to help you learn more about how to ship a dining room set. Remember, you can hire movers or you can freight your dining room set.

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International Freight Shipping Houston,Texas: TakeYour Car Overseas

Posted on Wed, Sep 16, 2015

 

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When you are offered a long-term position working overseas, the opportunity can seem like a great time to see the world. But moving your entire household can be a daunting task, especially when you think about moving your car as well.

International freight shipping through the port of Houston, Texas, may be easier than you imagine. Many people worry that they will have to engage in extensive preparations to assure that their vehicles are ready to move. With the roll on, roll off option available at the Houston port, or available door-to-door shipping options, your car can arrive at your destination at the same time your household goods arrive.

For an international move, the first thing you need to do is to verify what you can and can't take to your new home country. For example, you cannot take most forms of food, even in packages, to Australia because of the quarantine the island nation imposes. As seen with the furor over Johnny Depp's dogs, Australia's import laws are very stringent.

The next step is to determine what is best to send to have with you and what is best to replace when you arrive at your new home. Some items may be priceless to you and are absolutely worth the cost of moving. Others may be more disposable and easily replaced.

Once you have a list of what you want to take, it's time to start looking for the best means to transport your good to your new home country. If you are working for a company that has hired Americans to work abroad before, ask your co-workers or human resource department who they have successfully used for international freight shipping in the past.

Make sure that you have a clear title before you arrange to ship your car. Check with the carrier to see if they want the gas tank no more than 1/2 full. If you are looking for freight shipping Houston or would like more information about sending your car or personal goods overseas, contact us.

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I need to ship a pallet to Houston or ship a pallet from Houston

Posted on Mon, Sep 14, 2015

 

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There are probably as many reasons why you need to ship a pallet to Houston as there are things that can be palletized..

For people familiar with palletizing , the decision to pack a pallet rather than a single box or even multiple boxes is often a question of weight and dimensions. Machinery, tools and heavy retail products are among the best candidates for pallet. transportation. Items prone to breakage or otherwise fragile are also good options tobe moved using a  pallet.

How do I decide what should be moved on a pallet?

1. Consider the weight of the individual objects. Some items, like mining tools for example, are very heavy as individual pieces. Putting one or two in a box and moving the box is both expensive and potential problematic. Cardboard boxes without the support of a pallet underneath can rip in transit, causing damage to or even the loss of your product. When your goods are particularly heavy, deciding to pack a pallet makes good sense.

2. Consider the volume of goods to be transported. Packing a pallet for a single item may or may not make sense depending on the size of the item, but packing hundreds or even thousands of smaller products any other way makes little sense.  When you have a large volume of items to send, placing the individual containers on a pallet can help assure that all of your product arrives at its destination at the same time. Your customer can rest assured that his materials or supplies will arrive together and when they are needed.

3. Consider the dimensions of the product to be sent. Many freight haulers will charge premium prices for non-palletized items that are above a certain weight or a certain size. In addition, some objects simply don't fit well in a box because of their dimensions or odd angles. Those objects are perfect choices to wrap in plastic and ship on a pallet.

4. Consider the fragility of the items being transported. Whether it's a pallet of light bulbs or coffee mugs, there's a reason that large manufacturers ship fragile items on pallets. When you palletize your goods you help provide additional structure for the packing material, further protecting you goods.

How do I move a pallet?

Many freight preparation companies can help you arrange to move a pallet whether it is a single pallet or several. Some questions you should ask when preparing  a pallet are:

  • How will my items be loaded on the truck?
  • Do I need a pallet jack or fork truck at the origin site?
  • Will my customer need a forklift to receive the shipment?
  • How soon will my item arrive at its destination?

Choosing a reputable  company to assist when you relocate a pallet is important because your freight preparation company will help you address any concerns you might have. They can create a bill of lading for you, indicating any particular restrictions regarding the care and delivery of the pallet or custom built crate. They can also make sure that those moving your pallet understand the importance of  transport it in the most secure manner.

When you need to send a pallet to Houston, or from Houston, you are helping to insure that your goods arrive safe and sound. The decision to palletize a shipment may also save you money, especially if there are heavy or awkward items.  A reputable freight preparation company can help you determine whether palletizing  is the best option.

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Shipping / Moving a Living Room Set

Posted on Thu, Sep 10, 2015

 

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Though you live in and use your whole house, your living room probably gets more use by more people than the rest of your house. Your living room may consist of large leather couches with cup holders and individual recliners. Your living room may be home to fragile antique furniture passed down from your great-great grandmother. Maybe you and your spouse sat on every single couch at the store, and you continue to sit on the one you purchased, drinking wine and laughing, playing board games and watching TV with your favorite people. Wherever your living room lies on the grand spectrum of style and age, if you are getting ready to move to a new home, you probably want insight on how to ship a living room set.

Often it is easiest to pack belongings in moving boxes using newspaper, plastic bags, or bubble wrap to secure them. However, the large items in your living room require a different method. Below are two basic methods that we use to get your living room from one place to another.

Blanket Wrapping Blanket wrapping is the process of using padded blankets to wrap large items. The use of blankets help to save costs since making a giant crate would be very expensive. You can move your living room set on a truck that you drive, or you can hire a professional moving company to take care of the move for you. If you are going from one city to another city a company with experience may be your best bet. You may be able to load a blanket wrap truck in your origin city, but what experienced individuals will you have to assist you with the unloading.  Have you considered gas prices and hotel stays in your effort to save money?  What is the cost of renting a truck?

Freight Shipping Freight Shipping is almost like sending small packages because your large items are wrapped and then transported either across the country or around the world. You can have your furniture wrapped and palletized and shipped via freight. Consider the cost of curb side delivery versus inside white glove delivery. Are there delicate or valuable items that may need a custom built crate? Look for a company that has experience with crate building and preparing custom built shipping crates.

 

We know you love your furniture. We love it too. Contact us to learn more about how we can care for your belongings. Allow us to assist in getting you safely and securely into your new home.

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What's the Difference Between Crating and Packing?

Posted on Tue, Sep 08, 2015

 

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When you're gaathering items things for shipment, you may notice that there are a couple of different methods you can use to protect your items while they are in transit.  You can pack your items in a cardboard box or you can have a custom crate constructed for your shipment.  There are a number of differences between crating and packing in Houston, so you should carefully consider the method that will work best for you.  

When you have a crate made, it's constructed exactly to the measurements of your shipment.  Any time you're packing delicate items, they should be packed tightly to ensure that there's no movement during shipping.  A custom crate that is constructed exactly to the measurements of your shipment helps ensure that you won't need to come up with extra packing material to fill in the corners that your item doesn't quite reach.  This is particularly crucial for shipping paintings and other works of art, which need to be completely supported to make sure that they arrive in perfect condition at their destination.

A custom constructed crate provides an additional layer of protection.  Since crates are constructed out of wood, they're both heavier and stronger than packing your items in a cardboard box for shipment.  Most crates begin with an outer wooden layer, then they are specially padded with a layer of foam to ensure the best possible protection for your shipment.  That means that your item will be completely prevented from moving during shipment and cushioned during the transportation process, so no matter what happens around the box, your item will be safe.  Different types and degrees of padding should be added depending on the item inside, so you should be sure that your shipping company is familiar with the type of item that you're shipping.

Reusable crates make it easy to pack up your materials and ship them again.  In many cases, a shipment is made to move items temporarily from one location to another.  For example, you might need to construct a special exhibit for a museum or other location, prepare paintings or sculptures for an art show, or prepare for another event.  When your event is over, you'll have to pack those items back up and ship them again.  With custom constructed crates, it's easy to place your items back in their original shipping containers and pack them up to be sent on their way again.

Are you packing your items for shipment in the Houston area?  Contact us to learn if we might be the shipping company for you.

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How to Move Furniture Out of State-Small Load Moving

Posted on Thu, Sep 03, 2015

 

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Are you going to be moving cross-country soon? This can be be very exciting! Before you can settle into your new home, however, you’ll need to do a bit of research and decide how you want to get your belongings from one place to another. There are several different options for how to furniture out of state.

Small Load Moves

If you choose a small load move, your belongings will be placed on a truck that also contains other customers’ belongings. A logical delivery schedule will be created, based on the destinations. For instance, if you are going from Houston to Miami, your truck may also contain loads bound for New Orleans and Orlando. White glove delivery service is included. Small load moves are often cheaper, but may take a bit longer than other methods.

Dedicated Truckload Moving

With dedicated truckload moving, your moving truck will not have anyone else's belongings on it. After the movers finish loading your furniture, they will typically drive directly to the delivery address. This is one of the fastest ways to get your belongings from point A to point B.

Furniture Freighting

With furniture freighting, your belongings are placed on pallets and shipped via freight. As far as delivery, you can choose either inside delivery, or curbside delivery. You can also select the shipping method, such as ground transportation, air, or overnight delivery.

Rental Trucks

While rental trucks may be the cheapest option, they also mean the most work, unless you’re going to hire people to help with loading and unloading. Make sure to do plenty of research before deciding to go the rental truck route. After you’ve figured in gas money, hotel accommodations, you may find that hiring movers isn’t much more expensive, and will save you a lot of work!

Other Options

If you’re traveling light, and only taking a few prized possessions with you, you have some additional options. You can rent a trailer that attaches to your vehicle, or even ship your goods using common carriers.

Tips

Of course, no matter which option you choose, you’ll want to go through your things and get rid of anything you no longer want or need. Be sure to pack your belongings carefully, and make a complete inventory.

Contact us for more information about small load moving.

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Shipping Business Equipment with Houston Commercial Freight

Posted on Tue, Sep 01, 2015

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So you've decided to move your business from Houston to Orlando, however, you have idea how to move the rare collection of Classical art which graces your lobby all the way across the country. While you assume you can send the paintings, you have no idea how you are going to get a rare, fragile, 100lb marble equestrian statue across the country.

You aren't alone. Looking for a solution, many customers turn to a  Houston Commercial Freight preparation company to help move rare, over sized, or otherwise complicated items both across the United States and internationally. It turns out many businesses are looking for a little extra care for their unique inventory.

Companies that prepare commercial items for shipping are capable of shipping a dizzying array of commercial items. Whether you're an interior designer who needs to make sure a vintage armchair ar arrives in pristine condition or an international traveler who wants to ship a Scottish broadsword to your arms store in Des Moines, you need to locate the right freight packing company. Pack n send in Houston can offer advice to make sure that your fragile or delicate item arrives safely to its destination.

You may know you can ship personal items, such as a taxidermy polar bear by freight, but you can also freight any number of business related items, from heavy furniture, to medical equipment, to delicate electronics, to bulky signs. For example, if you wished to move your 1950s Copyflo 24 to your new office in Finland, it's unlikely you'd be able to fit the 2500lb behemoth in your carry on luggage. To give your new office that 50s vibe, freight forwarding will pack, crate, and ship the turn of the century equipment directly to your Helsinki front door.

For help moving your fragile and valuable business equipment, contact us at Pack n Send, Inc. to make sure your items arrive safe and secure.

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Preserving Antiques with Houston Antique Shipping

Posted on Sun, Aug 30, 2015

 

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To many, the word antique simply means old.  Antique experts, however, define the word in a more narrow sense.  To them, a true antique must be over 100 years old with certain desirable characteristics such as beauty, rarity or artistry.  Other indicators include ornamentation, usefulness, place of origin or just personal preference.

The number and kinds of items identified as antiques stagger the mind. Collections involve things from A to Z, such as art to zeppelins (old air ships).  No matter how strange an item seems to anyone else, someone probably collects it!  A museum in St. Augustine, Florida, for instance, displays "flowers" made from human hair, a popular Victorian practice.

Antiques play an important role in today's world by representing a particular place or time in the world's history.  Museums flourish by keeping many valuable historical, antique items for the public to view. Seeing an antique offers an opportunity to reflect on an era or location and realize its impact on the present time.  The original Declaration of Independence, for instance, helps Americans to understand and treasure what their ancestors sacrificed to start the country in which they live today.

The price of an antique depends of many things.  The older and more rare and antique is, the higher the cost.  An item still in its original condition brings a higher price.  Antique jewelry brings some of the highest prices when sold at auction because of its beauty and desirability as well as rarity. Often, however, the value of an antique differs from the price.  A military uniform from World War I, for example, may cost a collector a lot to buy, but its value as a family heirloom is priceless.

In Houston antique shipping companies  understand that whether an antique belongs to a museum or a family, it is special. That's why antiques need special respect and care.  We know your antique is priceless regardless of monetary value. Contact us for the care your belongings deserve.

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A How-to for Shipping to Mexico from Houston

Posted on Thu, Aug 27, 2015

 

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If you are planning to Ship items to Mexico from Houston, there are several things to consider.  Although Houston and Mexico are not far from each other geographically, it is still important to be aware of items that are prohibited from shipping to Mexico.  The USPS website includes these items as prohibited:

-ammunition, firing caps, and loaded metal cartridges for portable firearms.

-coins; banknotes;currency notes (paper money); securities or checks of any kind payable to bearer; traveler's checks; platinum, gold, or silver, manufactured or not; precious stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles.

-electronic cigarettes.

-meat and products derived from pork.

-perishable confectionery, pastries, fruit, and vegetables.

-perishable infectious biological substances.

-perishable noninfectious biological substances.

-pistols and other devices for emitting tear gas.

-radioactive materials.

-tickets for foreign lotteries.

-works infringing copyrights covering Mexico.

The USPS websites also includes items that are "restricted" for shipping to Mexico.  This includes such things as chocolate, medicine, toiletries and cosmetics.  These items require prior approval from the Mexican Secretary of Commerce or their Department of Public Health. There are also permits required for merchandise over $1000.  If you are in the Houston area, please contact us for more information about shipping to Mexico from Houston or other cities.

 

Did you know? Here are a few interesting facts about Mexico:

1. Mexico is slightly smaller than three times the size of the state of Texas.

2. Mexico celebrates its independence day on September 16, 1810 when Miguel Hidalgo made a speech (el Grito de Dolores) to motivate people to revolt against Spain.  Their independence was not achieved until September 28, 1821.

3. Spain ruled Mexico as a viceroyalty for nearly 300 years from the early 1600's until Mexico's war for independence. 

4. The highest point in Mexico is Volcan Pico de Orizaba at 18, 618 ft (5,675m).  It is an active stratovolcano and the highest volcano in North America.  It last erupted in 1687.

5. Nearly 83% of people in Mexico are Roman Catholic.

If you get a chance to travel to Mexico, here are three unique foods to try:

1. Mole - Pronounced "mole-ay", it is a delicious dark sauce made with tomatoes, spices, chilies, and chocolate.  Yes chocolate!  It is often served with chicken, beef, pork or turkey.

2. Esquites - A yummy snack made by boiling mature corn grain in salt water and the sauteing in butter with chilies, onions, and spices (usually epazote).  When it is served on the corn cob it is called Elotes.

3. Ceviche - This is a fresh fish which is prepared by marinating it in lime juice.  It is a delicious appetizer to eat while on a beautiful Mexico beach.

 

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Moving Your College Student with Inside Pick Up and Delivery

Posted on Tue, Aug 25, 2015

 

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The love of your life, that little child you watched grow from a tiny baby is graduating from high school.  You are adjusting to the thought of them being away from you, but adding to that stress is the thought that they have chosen a college that is half a continent away.  How are you going to get all Junior's stuff to the chosen college in one piece with the peace of mind you need to assure yourself that Junior has everything necessary to thrive so far away from home?

A traditional cross-country delivery service depends on you boxing up the essentials, and shipping them to the door for Junior to unpack and then dispose of the packing material.  Doesn't that sound too stressful for Junior's first day on campus?  

There is another option for a delivery service that is perfect for your needs.  Our technicians provide inside pick up and delivery of Junior's college essentials. Inside Pick up and Delivery is a white glove service.  The technicians arrive at your home and you supervise their packaging of Junior's essential College items.  Anything Junior needs: bicycle, dorm fridge, bedding, boxes of clothing, even the entire contents of an apartment, will be carefully packed for shipment.  On the mutually agreed upon arrival date at the destination, the technicians unpack Junior's things inside his room, not simply leave the boxes on the curb or at the dorm door.  The technicians take away the packing material as well, leaving no mess for Junior to deal with.

 

Once your child has started college and realized he or she needs much more than they brought to campus, this is a great way to transport possessions without disturbing your students study time.

What better way for you to feel less stressful about sending your beloved child halfway across the country to college, than knowing that all of the essentials for a great school year made it to the dorm room safely?  If you would like to set up a consultation, contact us.

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Finding the Right Packing Company in Houston or other cities

Posted on Sat, Aug 22, 2015

 

 One of the most difficult parts of moving is packing up everything you own. The good news is that packing companies in Houston or other cities can help make it easier. The bad news is it can sometimes be difficult to choose the right one.

 

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Your search for the perfect company should start with an online search. Use search terms that are specific to your situation such as "moving an antique dining room set" or "shipping crystal glasses." Once your search has given you some options, set aside time to make a list of questions to ask before deciding on a specific company.

Here are some questions to start with:

  1. How long have your been in business? While longevity is not necessarily the only benchmark of quality, a company that has been in business for several years does have an established history that you can verify.
  2. What types of packing materials do they use? The company's representative should be able to offer you specifics regarding the way your items will be packed?
  3. How do they handle specialty items? Whether it’s a high value antique or just something that means a lot to you personally, ask them how specialty items are packaged, including crates for over-sized or odd-sized objects.
  4. Does the company handle unpacking as well?
  5. Does the company move your items or arrange freight services?
  6. What is the most interesting thing they have packed over the years? Companies that take pride in their work often have fun stories about what they have accomplished. This also offers you some insight into their personalities and the pride they take in a job well done.

When you are thinking about hiring a packing company to help with your move, be sure to ask lots of questions. After all, for a short time, they will be handling everything you own. Develop the trust you need by asking questions.  Contact us and we'll be happy to answer all your questions!

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Packing Matters: How to Ship Fragile or Valuable Items

Posted on Thu, Aug 20, 2015

packing_and_crating_houstonShipping fragile or valuable items can be very intimidating for both the sender and the receiver. Sending very delicate objects can be very stressful because you fear what might happen to it.

The good news is that when you know how to ship fragile or valuable items properly, the stress and fear dissipate.

Choosing the Proper Container

The first step in transporting a valuable or fragile object is finding the proper box or crate. Standard  boxes and  crates might work if they have both enough room for the item and the packing materials.  They need to be  small enough that the item will not move around during the transportation process. The box or crate should be snug around your item, to prevent movement.

The second question for your shipping container should be what it is made of. If the item  is fragile, sturdy construction, with plywood can help prevent damage to the item from other items. While you may label items as fragile, not all shipping companies will be able to ensure that no other items are stacked on your shipping container, potentially damaging the contents. A container with rigid sides helps protect your item.

Choose the Right Packing Material

From bubble wrap around fragile vases to packing peanuts, the materials you place around your valuables can be as important as the box or crate that you use. 

Whether you need a custom built crate, help with selecting the right materials to use   or help choosing the perfect form of transit, contact us. We can put our expertise to work for you. 

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Ask us about packing and crating Houston or anywhere in the United States.

Placing bubble, peanuts and Styrofoam around your items can help prevent movement during transport.

 

International Freight Shipping Houston

Posted on Fri, Aug 14, 2015

 

Preparing goods  for international shipment can be difficult if your business is not experienced. The paperwork necessary varies both by the item being shipped and the place it is being shipped to.

Whether all that is required is a simple bill of lading or your shipment needs customs documents in triplicate, when you consider international freight shipping in Houston, it pays to contact an expert.

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For the small manufacturer selling his product overseas for the first time, the paperwork involved for an international shipment can be intimidating. Determining how to send your goods and what documents to send can take hours of time away from your staff.

When you use an experienced freight shipping company, the company will know what types of insurance are needed and what the best shipping methods are. Whether your goods are leaving from the Port of Houston or going air freight, proper packaging and documentation can make the difference between timely delivery and wasted money.

Customs documents can either help your goods flow smoothly through to their intended destination or lead to additional inspections and delays. When you use a professional freight preparation company, the documents get done right the first time and your customers get what they ordered when they need it.

International shipping firms will pick up your goods at your business, package them for shipment and complete the paperwork, leaving you with nothing to do but make the sale and collect the check. For help with your international freight shipping Houston, or international sales, contact us. We'll help you keep your customers happy.

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How to Ship a Kitchen Set

Posted on Fri, Aug 07, 2015

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While some people have the time and energy to pack and transport their own kitchen set to their new home, most people prefer to use professional movers to do the job.  Not only will they do the job much quicker, you will be free of the hassle and mistakes that someone without much experience makes.

Look for a packing and shipping company who has experience packing and transporting household goods.  Make sure they can offer you alternatives. They should know how to move and

  how to ship a kitchen set.  They need to know how to pack, wrap, box and send your household goods and kitchen items effectively.  

To begin the process, call or email and provide an overview of the amount of items you have and the type of material they are made of.  As you prepare, youcan take all of your goods from the drawers and group them with other items that you want to be in the same box. Or, you can ask your mover or packing company to do this for you.  Relaxation should be your prime motivation when you hire a company to assist you. So silverware should be with silverware, dishes with dishes and appliances with appliances.  

If you are sending your kitchen via freight, company should arrive and pack all of the goods, box them up. They will then load your kitchen items in their truck and take them to the warehouse. Inside the warehouse, your kitchen items will be wrapped and strapped to a pallet for transport. You will ultimately be l provided you with a bill of lading and contact number for the logistics providers.  You can track your household goods as they travel to the final destination. You can request either curbs side or inside delivery. 

 

If you use a traditional mover, they will pack your kitchen, load it on the truck and blanket wrap  the furniture to its final destination.

 

In either case, the freight company or the mover should call you a day in advance to arrange a delivery times. 

Customers come from the US, the Middle East, Europe; South America can use freight shipping in order to have their kitchen set arrive safely. Ask for cubic meter or containerized shipping.

For more information and to get a price estimate, please contact us.  We will be happy to provide more details and give you an estimate of how long the shipment will take to reach its final destination as well.

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How to send something overseas to The Netherlands

Posted on Tue, Aug 04, 2015

 

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How to Send Something to The Netherlands is not as common of a question as most, but it is a very important one. There are a lot of regulations in regards to shipping overseas, and each country has its own varied regulations in combination to our own here in the States. Anything being shipped to another country like The Netherlands has to follow both country's customs laws. This may seem a little daunting at first, so here is a little information to help you decide if you can ship your desired item to The Netherlands.

Prohibited Items:

  • Firearms or parts of firearms unless allowed under a permit, arms, and weapons of any kind

  • Lottery tickets or lottery advertisements

  • Human remains, live plants, or live animals

  • Radioactive materials

    Restrictions Requiring Special Permits:

    It is up to the sender and receiver to obtain all the proper documents and permits from the corresponding departments or government agencies to abide by customs.

  • Commercial items required to pass through import laws.

  • Shares of stock, any currencies, securities, instruments of payment, and debt notices.

  • Tobacco products restricted to specific quantities except cigarettes which are completely prohibited.

  • Meat, meat products, milk, and milk products.

    USPS Requirements:

    The United States Postal Service is not the only company that ships to the Netherlands, but they do provide a good indicator of size and dimensions that would affect pricing.

  • Item must be addressed to a street address or P.O. Box and it is strongly recommended to include a contact phone number for the receiving party unless being shipped to a P.O. Box which is required.

  • A duplicate invoice is required for all personal shipments valued at $300 or more and all commercial shipments. It will be affixed on the outside of the package or enclosed with the customs declaration.

  • The container being shipped must conform to the international shipping size requirements which can be found on the USPS website.

    Here are 10 amazing facts about The Netherlands:

    Fact 1: There is almost a bicycle for every citizen which equals over 16 million bicycles.

    Fact 2: In Dutch, the word “Netherlands” means low country which is rather appropriate since the majority of the county is less than 1 meter over sea level and 20% is actually below sea level.

    Fact 3: The Van Gogh Museum holds the largest collection of Vincent van Gogh art in the world.

    Fact 4: The Dutch people hold the title for the tallest average people.

    Fact 5: Rembrandt, Piet Mondrian, Jan Steen, Jan Vermeer, and Vincent van Gogh are all world-famous artists from The Netherlands.

    Fact 6: The Netherlands is known for its windmills with 1,180 windmills.

    Fact 7: The world’s largest flower garden is located at Keukenhof Park.

    Fact 8: There are actually two capitals in The Netherlands; Amsterdam which is listed in the constitution since the 1800’s and The Hague which holds the government seat and was also the first capital starting in 1584.

    Fact 9: The Dutch drive on the right side of the road, the same as here in America.

    Fact 10: Holland is not the same thing as The Netherlands. It is actually a region located inside of The Netherlands which contains The Hague, Amsterdam, Haarlem, Rotterdam, and Leiden near the western coast.

    If you would like to send something overseas or you would like more in-depth information or pricing about overseas shipping to The Netherlands or shipping overseas to other countries, contact us. We can provide customized information for your specific needs.

     

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Use different wood products for domestic vs. international shipping

Posted on Mon, Aug 03, 2015

 Houston commercial crating uses different wood products for domestic v. international shipping 

 

 

Houston_commercial_cratingTransporting products that need to be in wooden crates from a Houston commercial crating company are going to use wood that's treated differently depending on where the shipment is going. Houston_commercial_crating

 

Crates being sent domestically  can use plain wood, sturdy enough to do the job, but not so heavy that it adds unnecessarily to the total weight of the final crate and contents. The same goes for wood pallet materials. 

When it's time to ship something internationally, a different set of rules come into play. The International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures rule 15 (ISPM-15) requires any lumber be either chemically treated or heat-treated to kill any plant diseases that may be in the wood. That's what the words "phytosanitary measures" mean. Again, the same rules apply to pallets. With the choice of chemical treatment or heat treatment, heat is the obvious option. To start with, it's safer for everyone who comes into contact with the wood. There's no need to spray or soak the lumber in herbicides, which would expose the workers in the treatment plant. At each stage of the crate construction, more workers have to handle the wood to assemble the shipping container. That's more exposure. 

Next, the contents of the crate don't need exposure to the chemicals. The product in the crate might not be affected by the treatment. Then again, it might be. With heat treating the wood, there's no worry at all about possible contamination. 

Finally, there's the wood itself. When the crate reaches the end of its life, it can be broken down and used to make compost, if the end recipient likes to go green. The wood can be recycled into other projects, which runs right back to the contamination issue. It can also be burned for fuel or warmth. Burning chemically treated wood could bring people into contact with the chemicals left in the wood.

If you need to know more about domestic and international shipping options, contact us.

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The Best Methods in Houston Art Shipping

Posted on Sat, Aug 01, 2015

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Artists create art but the finished product does not remain static in one place; artists need to show their art outside of the studio. Some artists elect to show in local galleries, some "show" online. But at some point in the life of every professional artist they are going to have to send their art - for traveling exhibits to multiple locations over a period of months or years, to and from art shows in other states or countries, and for national and international sales. Art galleries and art museums will often send featured exhibits to other cities. And the mechanics of shipping are always a challenge.

Although some artists do make their own custom-designed crates to accommodate paintings and small sculptures (e.g., Sarah Jane Gray MFA, of the Grunewald Guild in Leavenworth, WA, who builds crates for the guild's traveling art show), most artists do not. And even Ms. Gray, with her years of curator experience, runs into the continual problem of artists providing art larger than her crates will hold for her particular show, leaving her often scrambling and costing her valuable time to build new crates.

Custom crates built to keep art safe have many requirements; it takes specialized knowledge, experience and skill to make them correctly. Re-usable crates are invaluable for traveling shows. When shipping internationally customs will often need to inspect the artwork, so the crates have to be easily assembled and disassembled and made from heat-treated wood to prevent transfer of insect pests between countries.   Interior crate cushioning protects the artwork from moving during transport.  

Special paper wrapped around paintings and drawings provide excellent additional protection from chips or scratches.  Large paintings and large sculptures require additional consideration - crates and pallets that can handle the weight of the art. Houston art shipping is an art in itself as performed by the experienced art shippers at Pack n Send. We understand all of the needs of trasporting any kind of art to keep it safe. Please contact us for a quote to ship your art.

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Moving Made Easy: How to Ship Furniture Out of State

Posted on Thu, Jul 30, 2015

how_to_ship_furniture_out_of_state_1Relocating out of state can be difficult to organize, but there are services available that can make the move easier.

One option to consider is having your furniture shipped as freight. While many dedicated moving companies charge a premium price to offer to the door to door service, companies who ship furniture via freight can often offer similar or even better service at a competitive price. When looking at how to ship furniture out of state, the first thing to consider is how to pack it.

Companies that offer options can offer blanket-wrapping options similar to a traditional company or can pack your furniture on pallets and shrink wrap it for transport.  

When you choose to use freight shipping for your furniture, you have the choice of simply having the furniture delivered to your curb on the pallets or choose white glove service which includes inside delivery.  The furniture is initially sent to a warehouse and taken off of the pallets. It is then delivered inside your home or business. Either are perfect options when you need to send a single piece or all your furniture out of state.

When you freight your furniture, your furniture will be picked up, wrapped for shipping and then it will be placed it on pallets. It is then transported to its new location. Often, in addition to being cheaper than traditional moving services, this may be faster as well.

For many moving companies, if you have less than a full truckload of items, the moving company may hold your possessions until they have another shipment going the same direction. With a freight shipment, the items can be sent as soon as they are packed and loaded onto pallets. Freight forwarders or freight forwarding companies in your area may be able recommend a company to pack and freight your furniture.

If you are moving out of state in the Houston area, contact us to discuss how freighting your furniture can make sense for you.

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How to Ship a Deer Head: Shipping a deer head made easy

Posted on Tue, Jul 28, 2015

How do I pack and ship my deer head? This isn't a common question although hunting is a common sport. When it's time to move of course you'll want to take your taxidermy with you. Here are a few tips that will help you out. 

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If you need to ship a deer head,First things first, you may want to gently clean your precious trophy. This will also give you time to make sure there are no broken parts and to look for pieces that may need some extra careful attention when packing. You can get a damp rag and very carefully wipe off the antlers, nose, and eyes. To get all of the dust off of the fur and to get it looking nice and fluffy again, you can gently vacuum it with the appropriate tool extension on your vacuum. Remember to go with the grain of the fur and not against it.

Once all of that is done, you'll want to get a crate a little larger than your trophy. A wooden crate would be good for this. This way you'll be able to block and brace the deer head. Remember to leave a few inches of extra space around all sides. Mounting the trophy to the bottom can help prevent any unwanted movement during the shipping journey. Now with the extra space in the crate you can add the padding to keep it nice and safe from any nicks or bumps. Packing it nice and tight will ensure better safety, but you don't want to overload your crate with stuffing. These helpful steps will assist you in making sure your trophy is sent off safely. For other shipping tips contact us.

 

 

 How do I pack and ship my deer head? This isn't a common question although hunting is a common sport. When it's time to move of course you'll want to take your taxidermy with you. Here are a few tips that will help you out. 

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How to Ship a Living Room Set Using Blanket Wrap Moving

Posted on Mon, Jul 27, 2015

 

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oving is stressful, and it's hard to look at the biggest furniture in your living room and see how you'll get it out of your house. Luckily with blanket wrap moving--the process of using blankets to cushion unwieldy items--figuring out how to ship a living room set is as simple as packing your dishes.

  1. Prepare ahead of time. As you prepare your living room set to ship, you will want to keep track of everything. Take note of all of your furniture and any smaller pieces such as end tables and desk chairs. You want to make sure you get everything prepped properly and know where everything is even after it's packed.
  2. Track down what you need.If you are doing this on your own, for blanket wrap moving, you need as many old blankets as it will take to cover your furniture and shrink wrap to hold them in place. Make sure you have more than enough because nothing can disrupt the process like running off for more materials.
  3. Break down whatever furniture you can. Many living room items have removable pieces whether they are chair legs or couch cushions. It is probably common sense, but anything you can pull apart and pack normally in boxes, go ahead and do so. It will make the whole process much smoother.
  4. Cover furniture in blankets. You want to fully wrap every piece of furniture in the blankets you found. Don't leave any corners exposed and bind them around the furniture as tightly as possible. Then take the shrink wrap you have and use it to secure the blankets. This is the safest and most versatile material to use since you aren't limited its shape and size.

Once you have completely wrapped your furniture, you are ready to take it out to the moving truck. This method is best because of its simplicity and how easy it is to unpack once you get where you're going. For help shipping your living room set and all of your other blanket wrap moving needs, contact us today!

 

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Estate Shipping: Safely Pack and Ship a Formal Dining Room

Posted on Fri, Jul 24, 2015

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Settling the estate of a family member can create a lot of work, as you deal with the distribution of his or her possessions. Common items left to heirs after a loved one has passed away include large dining room sets.  Shipping a formal dining room (which often includes not just the table and chairs, but also a china cabinet, antiques, and even a chandelier) can be made easier by working with a company you trust. They will ensure that all items will be packed securely and shipped safely to your destination.

Here are some hints for preparing dining room items for shipping.

To pack a large china cabinet, be sure to secure the doors and drawers with shrink-wrap, and use padding for glass or mirrored parts. If you're also shipping china, crystal, or stemware, you'll want to protect them with separate packaging.

Protect antiques and collectibles you can either have them them blanket wrapped using a traditional moving service or avail yourself of freight shipping  and have them  packed in custom-made crates lined with Styrofoam. You need to chose a furniture mover or a freight preparation company that can give  furniture shipping options include using our own movers or one of our trusted freight carriers. You can also choose to send smaller antique items via DHL, UPS or FedEx.

When you want to safely pack and ship a chandelier, use a custom box or crate with a crossbeam for hanging it.

Carefully wrap it with bubble wrap if needed. Remember to block and brace it for moving or shipping. Lining the box or crate with one inch Styrofoam is usually recommended.

Additional Tips:

  • Document the value of your items by photographing them and having them appraised if you're concerned about potential loss or damage.

  • Hire professionals with experience packing and shipping fragile and valuable items.

    Pack N Send specializes in both domestic and international shipping services, and we can help with all aspects of the packing and shipping process. If you have not finalized the destination for your estate items, we'll ship them to a storage facility for you.

    We offer more than 30 years of experience and top-notch customer service at competitive prices. Contact us to request a quote.

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Your Blog Shipping Medical Equipment

Posted on Wed, Jul 22, 2015

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The question of how to ship medical equipment comes with a wide array of considerations.  These vary from packing considerations to delivery place and time concerns.  When moving equipment internationally the concerns can grow exponentially. This can also vary from device to device and from provider to provider.

Medical equipment tends to be expensive, sensitive, and heavy, making them especially sensitive to the potential impacts and jostling . Use of the proper size of pallets and boxes, as well as the proper packing materials is vital to whether it arrives in one piece and functional. Some medical equipment requires special crating and cushioning making it especially important to work with a service provider well versed in dealing with this type of freight.  

Sending  medical equipment overseas can be especially challenging.  Most overseas shipping is done via ocean.  This includes the hazard of corrosion and increased risk of contaminates such as dust, dirt, or salt water.  Not the type of things you wanting a laser or computed tomography scanner being exposed to.

When researching a logistics company. Whether you are freight shipping form Houston or anywhere in the United States, you should make sure they are certified in International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM-15).  This lets you know they are knowledgeable on the proper shipping standards and how to best ensure your equipment arrives safe and functional. Packing and tracking are important aspects of any medical equipment move. Make sure that the packing company you choose knows how to pack expensive items.

Another important consideration for medical equipment is time requirements.  In many cases the equipment is needed within specific time frames so as not to interfere with care or operations.  Make sure the company you choose has a proven track record of meeting the scheduling expectations of their clients.

Packing and sending medical equipment can be a daunting task, but when working with the right  provider it doesn't have to be.  If you would like to find out more about shipping medical devices or any other shipping questions, please contact us.  We would be happy to help.

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Moving Services: Packing Up the Linen Closet

Posted on Sun, Jul 19, 2015

moving_services-1The linen closet:  for many people, it's one of the hardest areas to keep organized.  If you have children who are in and out of the closet on a regular basis, it's even harder.  That means that when it comes time to pack up your linen closet, you may be looking at a mess that seems impossible to control, much less pack.  

As you're staring into your linen closet, you may be tempted to just scrape everything into a box and sort it out at the other end.  After all, you're going to have to figure out what to do with your new linen closet when you get there, right?  You might as well just wait to sort it out until then.

Actually, there are some serious advantages to cleaning out your linen closet before you move.  For example:

Get rid of towels that are so old no one will use them.  Sure, you're keeping them for rags, or to dry the dog after his bath; but how many towels do you really need for that purpose?  Limit your "rag box" towels to around half a dozen or less and get rid of the ones that you don't need.  This includes those inappropriate beach towels from college that you'd be ashamed for anyone to see.  While you're at it, clean out those decorative towels that you never use--the ones that are scratchy and uncomfortable.  You won't miss them.  

Clean out or donate sheets that are no longer in use.  This includes those oh-so-cute princess sheets that were purchased for a daughter who is now in middle school and the sheets decorated with preschool characters that are no longer appropriate for a child in elementary school.  It also includes that gorgeous white sheet set that you haven't put on your bed in years and the sheets with the uncomfortable braid that you don't actually like.  This also applies to "spare" quilts or comforters that haven't been used in years.  

Put sheet sets together.  Take the time now to locate pillowcases, the fitted sheet, and the flat sheet for each set.  By packing them together now, you make less work for yourself at the other end--and give yourself the chance to weed out sets that don't have all of their pieces.  Consider placing the second pillowcase and both sheets inside a pillowcase to keep all of the pieces together.

Pack one box that contains only one towel, one wash cloth, and one set of sheets for each member of the family.  Label it in big, bold letters.  That way, when you arrive at your destination, you'll be able to easily identify the box that will allow you to start making your house a home.  

Decide what kind of moving service  or moving services you're going to use.  If you're relocating  a short distance, a traditional service will be fine.  If you're moving out of state or out of the country, it might be better to work with a freight shipping service to get all of your items to their destination as inexpensively and efficiently as possible.  Be sure to consult with your packing service to determine what guidelines you need to follow.  

Moving out of the Houston area?  Contact us to see if we're the shipping company for you. We can help with shipping from Houston or anywhere in the United States.

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Pack and send offers packing support can help with packing and tracking and knows how to pack expensive items correctly.  We have experience shipping antiques correctly, both using freight shipping and traditional moving services. If you need advice in order to pack your linen closet correctly, please feel free to contact us.

 

 

 

 

How to Ship a Mattress-Freight Shipping vs. Moving

Posted on Fri, Jul 17, 2015

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Although the thought of transporting a mattress may feel overwhelming, this really isn't a difficult task. In fact, there are only a few steps that you need to take in order to deliver your mattress successfully.

How to Ship a Mattress-If you are doing it by yourself.

To begin with, you need to find a clean workspace. It's also important to gather together the packing materials that you'll need. These include a polyurethane mattress shipping bag and a box that's about 3 inches larger than each side of your mattress once it's wrapped. If you don't want to buy polyurethane mattress   bag, simply wrap your mattress in old sheets, plastic or cardboard. Your goal here is simply to create a protective layer between your mattress and the box you are using. 

Once you've got your materials gathered together, you'll want to wrap your mattress in the professional grade polyurethane mattress  bag. You can then place it inside of the box.   You are not quite ready to send it.  Since a mattress has soft sides, you want to protect the mattress during the moving process.  We suggest that you now place the mattress on a pallet and send it via freight. The pallet and the associated 1x4’s that are placed around the mattress will serve to protect it during freighting.  When sending via freight, you can request curbside delivery. When freight shipping from Houston, pack n send in can offer inside delivery throughout the United States.

There is another option for moving a mattress. Let a small load mover pick up and deliver your mattress inside. This mover can value the mattress during shipping, and they are able to deliver the mattress inside your home

Now you know all the steps that go into shipping a mattress; you may decide that you don't want to do this yourself. If you just need packing support, or would like to know how to pack expensive items, please don't hesitate to contact us  so that we can help you out. With our many years of experience, you can rest assured that your mattress will arrive safely.

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Looking at the Best Option for Your Furniture Shipping Needs

Posted on Tue, Jul 14, 2015

 

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There are many reasons that you might need furniture shipped. It could be that you are planning a move to a new house or out-of-state. Perhaps, you sold your bedroom set to your sister. When it comes to furniture shipping, you have a few options. You just need to decide between having a traditional moving service or sending  it through a freight company. Here’s what you need to know to make the right choice for you. 

 

With a traditional moving company, you get white glove service. Someone from the company will come to your home and prepare your furniture for the move. This can include boxing it and wrapping individual pieces of furniture in blankets. The preparation is to ensure your precious furniture arrives at its destination safely. 

 

Once the furniture is ready, they will remove it from your house and load it on a moving truck. When it arrives at its destination, the movers will unload the pieces, put them in the house, unpack the pieces and inspect them. This is top-notch service that allows you to relax while your furniture is taken care of for you. 

 

When you ship your furniture as freight, the company will come to your location and pick up the pieces. Once they arrive at shipping company's receiving and shipping warehouse, the furniture will be wrapped, palletized and loaded on to a truck.

 

 

When it is delivered, it will be dropped off at your curb. You or the new owner will be responsible for taking it inside and unpacking it. If you prefer you can choose to have white glove service, which includes bringing the items inside the home, unpacking them. Overall,sending via  freight  is a good option to save a little money. 

 

At pack n send, we are ready to help you get your furniture shipped no matter which option you choose. Please feel free to contact us to further explore either option.

More on freighting your furniture. Look for a company that knows how to pack expensive items. If they have experience shipping antiques correctly, or offer packing support, this is a company that you should choose.  Packing and tracking will help you locate your freight shipment.   As an example, when freight shipping from Houston, you should be able to track your shipment from pick up until delivery.  Freight websites can keep you updated on the progress of your freight shipment. The freight company will should call you a day ahead of the delivery to set up a time to deliver that is convenient for you.

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Make International Shipping to Ukraine Simple

Posted on Sun, Jul 12, 2015

 

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It's obvious that shipping internationally is not as simple as mailing a letter in your own country, but the rules are not as clear. International shipping to Ukraine comes with many prohibitions and restrictions, but with careful planning and the information below, it's a breeze!

According to USPS, Ukraine prohibits the shipping of the following items:

  • Agricultural products.
  • Articles of cultural value (works of art, collectors' pieces, and antiques).
  • Any type of currency, precious metal, or valuable item.
  • Medications and other medicinal products.
  • Passports and personal IDs.
  • Prescription narcotics and psychotropic drugs.
  • Software and technical devices manufactured or altered for the purpose of communicating secret information to the recipient.
  • Tobacco products and all its substitutes.

The restrictions are much more lengthy and are found here, but here are some basic guidelines to start with:

  • Make sure any mailed foodstuffs adhere to the proper packaging, sanitary, and sizing requirements.
  • Procure prior authorization from the Ukrainian government before shipping radios and mobile telephones.
  • Prescription medication for individuals is permitted only in necessary quantities for a full course of treatment and the Ukrainian Ministry must approve the dosage.
  • Funerals urns are only allowed with the proper documentation.
  • Used goods such as clothes and shoes are only permitted with proof of fumigation.

Please also make sure you are familiar with all the pricing, insurance, and return options so that you can prepare for any situation. 

Ukraine's history and culture is as deep and detailed as its shipping guidelines. Don't believe me? See for yourself:

  • The entire country of Ukraine is a flat plain.
  • Ukraine contains around 5% of the world's mineral resources.
  • The average life expectancy for a Ukrainian is 65 years.
  • Ukraine has extremely fertile black earth soils.
  • In Europe, the police solve 30-40% of crimes, in Ukraine – 90%. This unnaturally good statistics is the result of the Ukrainian policemen's reluctance to record “hopeless” cases (like thefts of mobile phones) and knock confessions out of suspects.
  • Ukraine has the world’s largest reserves of manganese ore – 2.3 billion tons or about 11% of all deposits of the world.
  • One of Ukraine's delicacies, Chicken Kiev, is named after the country's own capital, Kiev.
  • Animals native to Ukraine include hamsters, otters, beavers, and gophers.

Shipping internationally is not a complicated process if you have all of the right information and follow all of the country's guidelines. For more information and help with all of your shipping needs, contact us today!

 

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International Shipping to Nicaragua: A Few Tips

Posted on Thu, Jul 09, 2015

 

 International_Shipping_to_NicaraguaWhen you're putting together a package for international shipping to Nicaragua, you want to make sure that you're doing it right:  that everything arrives in perfect condition, and that you've filled out all of the paperwork properly so that your package makes it through customs quickly and efficiently.

According to the USPS website, there are a number of things that are prohibited for shipping into Nicaragua.  These items should be carefully avoided when you're planning your package.  They include:

  • Ammunition
  • Coins, banknotes, or currency of any kind
  • Traveler's checks, securities payable to bearer, or platinum, gold, or silver--that is, anything that can be seen as being a shipment of "money"
  • Precious stones, jewelry, or other valuable items, unless they are shipped in an insured Priority Mail International envelope or box
  • Any material or literature related to Communism
  • Lottery tickets from a country other than Nicaragua
  • Lighters
  • Any pharmaceutical composition whose makeup is not known publicly or a remedy that is not registered in Nicaragua
  • Police whistles
  • Telegraph equipment

Nicaragua has also issued a number of restrictions pertaining to shipments into the company.  These include:

  • Receiving firearms requires the permission of the government.
  • Plant and animal based matter require a  phytosanitary export certificate from the originating country.
  • If tape, gummed paper, or adhesive strips are used to seal registered shipments, they should have a stamp or signature displaying the name of the sender.  

Concerned about making sure that your shipment arrives correctly, with all the proper paperwork?  Use a shipping company with experience in international shipping.  Shipping out of the Houston area?  Contact us to see if we might be the shipping company for you.

Did you know?  

  • Nicaragua is bordered by Costa Rica, the Caribbean Sea, Honduras, and the Pacific Ocean.
  • The word "Nicaragua" comes from the Spanish word "agua" (for water) and the word "Nicaro," which is the Indian tribe that resides on the shores of Lake Nicaragua.  
  • The capital city of Nicaragua is Managua.  Other large cities include  Leon, Masaya, Tipitapa, Chinandega, Matagaipa, Esteli, Granada, Ciudad Sandino, and Juigalpa.  
  • Nicaragua's official language is Spanish.  Other languages in use include English, Rama, Miskito, Sumo, Miskito Costal Creole, Garifuna, and Rama Cay Creole.  
  • The Amerrisque Mountains, the Pacific Lowlands, and the Mosquito Coast are protected areas.  They make up around 20% of Nicaragua.
  • The largest freshwater lake in Central America is Lake Nicaragua.  It contains the only freshwater sharks in the world.
  • The Nicaraguan Cordoba, NIO, is the official currency of Nicaragua.  
  • Popular cuisine in Nicaragua includes corn, beans, chili peppers, and cassava.  The national dish is Gallopinto.

Around 1.1 million people travel to Nicaragua every year.  If you are shipping from Houston or anywhere in the United States, please feel free to contact pack n send for packing support, packing and tracking and to learn how to pack expensive items safely.

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Medical Equipment Shipping to a Mission Field

Posted on Wed, Jul 08, 2015

 

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It is exciting being a medical missionary.  You spend your time on the front lines of a country ravaged by natural disaster or abject poverty helping the poorest of the poor.  The work is challenging, and difficult but ultimately rewarding beyond your wildest imagination, until you come up against the realities of practicing medicine in a third world setting.  It would be nice to have the diagnostic and treatment equipment that is available in the US in your mission hospital.

The difficulty is, even if you could get someone in the United States to provide, fund-raise, or find and buy the equipment, you still have to deal with the difficulty getting the equipment to where you are working. There is a company that handles medical equipment shipping to even to hundreds of international locations. Some of the mission field countries that transporting your equipment  is available to include:

  • Botswana
  • Burkina Faso
  • Haiti
  • Honduras
  • India
  • Kiribati
  • Rwanda
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Philippines
  • Sri Lanka
  • Zimbabwe

Think of moving any type of medical equipment you need to wherever you need it. The size of the shipment is not a factor.  If you need a small box of nebulizer masks, or an entire pallet of dialysis machines that you discovered for sale on eBay, getting it there is possible; the only difference will be in the final cost. You can send medical equipment via air, or consider freight shipping from Houston or any other city in the United States. You should look for a company that offers packing support if you decide to pack on your own, and can also offer you packing and tracking. Check out and see if the company is already shipping antiques correctly, and if they know how to pack expensive items. We suggest this since most medical equipment needs special packing attention.

To protect it during the transport  process, the equipment needs to be  carefully packed. It is possible when necessary to design a custom-built  container to provide proper protection of the equipment during transport.  

  The diagnostic and treatment machinery and equipment you have always wished you could bring is more than a dream for your next medical mission trip because now you have a way to have it sent  to your mission field. Think of all the people more effectively served, and all the lives made better by medical equipment sent overseas this way. 

For more information about international transportation of medical equipment or shipping from Houston, contact us.

 

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International Shipping to Hungary

Posted on Mon, Jul 06, 2015

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You need to prepare a package for international shipping to Hungary.  Thanks to your research, you know that the USPS website includes a list of restricted items that Hungary will not allow to be shipped within its borders.  These include:

  • Paper money, traveler's checks, and securities payable to bearer (that is, anything that can be treated as cash money); gold and silver, regardless of whether or not they have been manufactured; precious stones; jewelry; and any other highly valuable items that are not sent through Priority Mail International in insured packages.  This helps to ensure the security of the items.  

  • Radioactive materials

    These are the only items that are restricted when it comes to shipping into Hungary; however, there are several items that require an import license (which is held by the person receiving the item) before they can be released to the intended recipient.  It is best to make sure that your recipient has the necessary licenses prior to shipping.  

    The USPS website also notes that items shipped as gifts are exempt from these requirements as long as they are intended for the personal use of the recipient and his or her family.  Items with a net worth of less than Ft 500 or shipped to the Hungarian Red Cross are exempt from customs fees.  If you're not shipping as a private individual, it is expedient to attach a sales receipt to the package in order to expedite the customs process.  

    Worried about making sure that your shipment has all the necessary paperwork and is ready to go when it needs to be?  Find a shipping company that will help work with you to ensure that you have everything you need.  Sending something out of  the Houston area?  Contact us to see if we might be the  company for you.

    Did You Know?

  • There are a number of fascinating inventions that came out of Hungary.  These include the ballpoint pen, holographic imagery, and the Rubik's cube. 

  • Hungary's natural resources include natural gas, bauxite, coal, and fertile soil.

  • In Hungary, the average life expectancy for women is 74 years.  Men are expected to live around 66 years.  

  • The Hungarian language, which originated from the Finno-Ugric tribe of languages, is considered to be one of the hardest languages to learn.  

  • The two major rivers in Hungary are the Danube and the Tisza.  It also has several other rivers.

  • Hungary's weather, like the United States, is hot in summer and cold in winter.

  • The capital city of Hungary is Budapest.  

  • Hungary's official currency is the Forint.  

  • Hungary has an estimated population of about ten million.  

  • Countries that border Hungary include Slovenia, Ukraine, Slovakia, Serbia, Romania, and Croatia.  

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Freight Shipping Service to Relocate Your Business

Posted on Fri, Jul 03, 2015

 

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When you run a business, you are looking for ways to make the most of the opportunities around you. If you need to move your office or transport products to another town or state, you worry about choosing the best methods. You might not have considered using a freight shipping service to get these items to their destination safely in the past. Here are some things that you can send as freight.

 Office Furniture

Furniture of any kind can be shipped. The shipping company will wrap the pieces, palletize them and load them for shipping. 

 Medical Equipment

If you sell medical equipment or need to relocate a doctor’s office, you will need a safe and secure way of moving this type of equipment. Not only is medical equipment fragile, it can also be large and bulky. In many cases, this type of equipment will need to have custom-built crates to pack the pieces into for shipping, especially on expensive pieces of equipment. Freighting it will allow your equipment to be securely shipped on a pallet, shielding it from damage

 Electronics

Your office is filled with many types of electronics that need to be protected during a move to a new location. When you box up anything from computers to phone equipment, you will want to wrap the pieces individually in bubble wrap and then place them in a box surrounded by packing peanuts. Once that box is sealed, you may need to place it inside another box also filled with peanuts for further protection. With larger pieces of electronic equipment, you might need to have the pieces wrapped and placed on a pallet. Expensive pieces of equipment should have custom-built crates made to protect them during transit.  

When shipping items as freight, they can be delivered to a business or home. When freight arrives at a business, it can be unloaded through the loading dock, while a truck with a lift gate is used for residential deliveries. Lift gate deliveries for residential areas do cost a little more than those made to a business with a loading dock.

 

When your business needs to ship items to a different city or state, Pack n send can get it where it needs to go. Please contact us today to learn more about our services.

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Shipping Fragile or Valuable Items: Packing Your Collection

Posted on Wed, Jul 01, 2015

 

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Your collection is likely as unique as you are.  Perhaps you're a fan of snow globes:  delicate, fragile scenes captured in a ball filled with water and "snow" (which is often glitter).  Maybe your collection leans more toward boxes:  beautiful examples of craftsmanship constructed out of a wide variety of materials, from china to glass to stone.  Or perhaps you're more of a toy collector:  vintage toys, still carefully preserved in packaging that is as pristine as when the items were first acquired from the store.  Whatever you collect, you likely display your collection with pride, placing it on a shelf or in a cabinet so that it will be protected from accidental damage as you go about your day.  If you have small children in the home, you're probably doubly careful to ensure that your collection is protected appropriately.

When you have to move, it can be incredibly difficult to feel that you have adequately packaged your collection.  Shipping fragile or valuable items (or, in many cases, items that are both fragile and valuable) can feel a bit like taking a leap off of a cliff--especially when each item in your collection has sentimental value to you.  Perhaps it's the place where you acquired it, or the person who gave it to you, that really matter; but each item in your collection is a memory, and you want those memories to arrive safely at their destination.

That means that when the time comes to pack up your collection, you want to do it with care.  First, choose a shipping company that has experience working with valuable  items.  They will help ensure that your items receive the maximum possible care, and they know how to do it right.  Next, make sure that you're prepared with the right materials.  Use plenty of bubble wrap!  Make sure that you have enough boxes for your entire collection.  Also, have plenty of bubble wrap  packing peanuts on hand.  Add in some sturdy tape, and you're ready to get started!

Once you have all of your shipping materials, get ready to start packing.  Each item in your collection should be individually wrapped in bubble wrap, then placed in its box.  Once you've put as many items in the box as you can fit without cramming, add packing peanuts to provide additional protection.  Before sealing, shake the box gently from side to side.  If anything moves, you'll need to add more padding before sealing the box.  Once the box has been sealed, shake it again.  Any movement?  Open it back up and add a few more packing peanuts or some more bubble wrap.  Your goal is to prevent your collection from moving any more than necessary.  

If your items are particularly delicate or you are concerned that they might need an extra layer of protection, place your first box in a larger box, add packing peanuts and to fill up the box, and seal.  This should ensure complete protection for all of your delicate items during the moving process.  

  Contact us to see if we might be the shipping company for you.

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Moving Services for Mom: Helping Seniors Transition into a New Home

Posted on Mon, Jun 29, 2015

 

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Let's say your family has found a place that's a good fit for your aging parents - congratulations! Onward to the moving process. Standing among the all the possessions your parents have collected over the years, it may seem like a daunting task. It doesn't have to be. A solid plan and a good moving services company will make a big difference in facilitating a smooth, healthy transition. Here are some guidelines:

First, a conversation

Every senior is different, but proceed with caution when helping them decide how to downsize. Be patient and mindful of their emotional process as they begin to assess their treasures. If it gets to personal, many families hire a consultant to objectively help seniors go through their things. Here are some tips:

  • Let seniors call the shots whenever possible. 

  • Help them visualize the space: Give your loved one a large piece of graph paper that outlines the dimensions of their new home. Measure their furniture, outline the shape on graph paper, and cut it out like puzzle pieces. Using the graph paper and cut-out furniture as a model, help them work through the logistics of how they would like their new space organized. That will help them realize how much they need to downsize.

  • Emphasize the positive: Help them see the perks of their new space. "That sunny window will complement your crystal nicely!" - or try to evoke the familiar - "We can hang your special clock above the bookshelf, just as it is now."

    Enlist family for the sorting process

    This might take a while, as every item has a story. Read AARP's family expert Amy Goyer's account of her parents move for a first-hand account. The key is organization.

  • Set up some basic categories: For the movers, keepsakes for the family, donation items, items to sell and a throw-away pile.

  • Allow your family some time to reminisce as they sort items. 

  • Check the senior's will for guidance on how to pass along keepsakes. That list of heirlooms will probably grow with the big move, but have the major items worked out in advance.

    Find the right moving company

    It's important to pick a flexible company to meet your family's specific needs. Check out the company's website and call ahead to interview the company, get an estimate tailored to your families needs and to learn more about how to prepare for the movers. Here are some questions to consider:

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How to Ship a Single Piece of Furniture

Posted on Fri, Jun 26, 2015

ship_a_single_piece_of_furnitureThere are many reasons why you might need to ship a single piece of furniture.  Perhaps you're moving out furniture after an estate sale, moving a piece of furniture purchased at a thrift shop, or transporting  a piece of furniture to a family member out of state.  No matter what your furniture shipping needs, you want to know that your furniture is packaged properly so that it will be protected throughout the entire process.

Note:  in general, it is recommended that if you are sending multiple pieces of furniture to the same location via freight, you send all of the furniture at once, rather than in several small shipments.  This will save you time, effort, and money in the long run.  However, if you are only dealing with a single piece of furniture, there are several things to keep in mind.

First, choose a  company that is experienced in dealing with furniture.  Many companies may specialize in smaller objects or bulk shipments; you want to be sure that your shipment will receive all the care and attention that it deserves.  Second, ask for the  company's recommendations and what method will be most practical for you.  They may recommend shipping your single piece of furniture via freight or through blanket wrapped moving depending on your situation.

Often, the optimal furniture moving experience is moving your furniture through freight, typically on a pallet.  If you're using a pallet to move your furniture, there are a few recommendations to keep in mind:  

  • Make sure that the pallet is the right size for your furniture.  While you don't want to have a lot of excess space on the pallet, you also don't want to let your furniture hang over the edges of the pallet.  

  • You may need to remove any pieces from your furniture that need to be removed--cushions on the couch, for example--and make sure that they are also packed correctly.  

  • Determine whether you prefer white glove service, where your piece of furniture will go to a warehouse and be unpacked and inspected before its delivery to your home or office, or curbside service, where the item will be delivered to the curb still on the pallet.  This service will help determine your choice of shipping company.

    Shipping out of the Houston area?  Contact us to see if we might be the shipping company for you!

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Moving Services: How to Pack and Move Bookshelves

Posted on Tue, Jun 23, 2015

moving_services_bookshelvesIf you have a family full of readers, books can be one of the hardest things in the house to pack--not because the packing process itself is hard (open boxes, add books, seal when done), but because the books themselves are heavy!  Most of the time, you do your best to pick up smaller boxes for your books and other heavy items, but when you get down to the end of the packing process, sometimes, you pack into what you have.  Not only that, if you have several family members scattering books across the house, you may find that they're located all over the house instead of being in one place--even if that's where they're supposed to be.  Thankfully, there are a few ways that you can make packing up your books a little easier.

Gather all of your books up before you start.  Go through the house and look under beds, under couches, on bedside tables...all the places where books might be languishing after you or one of your kids has finished them.  Get them all in one place before you start so that you don't find yourself cramming them into a box at random later.

Pack your bookshelves first.  These are items that you're unlikely to need during the moving process (you can keep out a few favorites for the kids to read, or for you to read when you get a break), so you can go ahead and pack them up and get them out of the way. In addition, packing your books up first will give you a feeling of accomplishment.  Packing books goes fairly fast, so you'll have a good start on packing for your move while still accomplishing a lot.  Not only that, by packing your books first, you're ensuring that you still have them in boxes that you're able to move easily.  

Use this opportunity to weed through your books.  Even if you're a huge used bookstore fan and pay regular visits, you don't often handle all of your books one by one quite the way you do when you're packing. Instead of dropping them all into boxes without looking at them, take the opportunity to separate out the books that you don't have any interest in going back and reading again.  This is also a great time to sort through your kids' books, which you might not see on a regular basis.  Sort out the books that are no longer age appropriate for your kids--but keep in mind that they might want to keep some of their old favorites.  Get them involved in the process so you don't accidentally put something they want to keep in the "trade" pile.  Taking them to a used bookstore will guarantee you some trade credit, which you can use to purchase books that you'll be able to look forward to reading when you get into your new home.  

Consider shipping your books as freight.  By boxing them on pallets, they'll be moved by machine instead of having to haul all those boxes of books individually.  Work with a shipping service to help make sure that you get the best possible service, and to make sure that your books are packed correctly.

Pack them according to where they'll be shelved at their new destination.  It's easier to unpack books that have already been sorted than it is to unpack books that have been tossed into a box at random.  Try to put all the books in a series together before putting them in a box.  If they're already on the shelf in order, do your best to place them in the box in order, too--it will make the unpacking process much smoother, especially if you prefer for your books to be neatly organized.  

Decide how you're going to ship your books and the shelf itself.  Whether you're using a traditional mover or shipping the shelf and the books by freight, you want to be sure that you're working with a shipping company that knows how to handle your furniture and your books.  

Ready to pack and move? When moving out of the Houston area, our moving services can help make the moving process easier for you.  Contact us today for a quote or for more information.

 

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Packing and Crating Fine China, Crystal and Stemware

Posted on Sat, Jun 20, 2015

packing_and_crating_ni_houston Whether you're moving or shipping fine china, crystal, or stemware for another purpose, you want to know that your fine dining materials are receiving the best possible treatment.  These delicate items are some of the most difficult to pack and ship properly.  You're always worried about making sure that there's enough padding or packing material, especially if your delicate items are part of a bigger shipment.  As you're getting ready to prepare your shipment, there are several things that you should take into consideration:

Use appropriate cushioning  materials.  When you're shipping fine china and other delicate objects, you want to be sure that you're protecting each item with the greatest possible care.  Part of this process is ensuring that you're using the right  materials.  Many sources will advise you to use newspaper or rags to help cushion your items during the shipping process, but they aren't designed to offer the protection that your items need.  Instead, try wrapping the items in your shipment with bubble wrap and adding packing peanuts to fill in the empty spaces between the items.

Each piece of china, crystal, or stemware should be wrapped individually before being placed within the box.  Don't stack plates on top of each other or place glasses one inside the other as you're preparing them for shipment.  It's tempting to wrap items together to save on  materials, but it's very important to ensure that your items don't shake against each other during shipment.  Individually wrapping each item ensures that they each receive the protection that they deserve. 

Make sure that the box is packed tightly.  Don't force items inside when the box is full, but be sure not to leave any room for movement, either.  Add packing peanuts or additional bubble wrap around your items to ensure that they are as secure as possible.  After your box is sealed, pick it up and shake it gently.  If anything rattles inside, you'll need to open it up, add more  materials, and seal it again.  To ensure the greatest possible safety for all of your delicate items during shipment, you need to make sure that nothing is able to move inside your box.

When placing items on a pallet, make sure that they're loaded properly.  That  means that nothing should be hanging over the sides of the pallet; there shouldn't be space between the boxes; and the pallet has been wrapped from bottom to top to ensure maximum stability of every box on it.  

Consider hiring a shipping company that will help package your delicate items.  You want a shipping company that has experience in moving items just like yours.  Whether it's fine china, crystal, or stemware, they should know how to properly package those items so that they don't have any problems during shipment.  With the help of an experienced shipping company, you can rest assured that your items will receive the best possible care.  

Look over your delivery options.  Many shipping companies only provide curbside delivery.  On the other hand, white glove delivery will insure that your items are brought directly into your house.  . These services might be well worth the effort, especially if, in addition to being delicate, your shipment is too heavy for you to move on your own.  

If you're packing and crating your delicate shipment in Houstoncontact us!  We might just be the packing company for you.

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How to Move a Dining Room Set with Care

Posted on Wed, Jun 17, 2015

shipping_a_dining_room_setWhen it comes time to ship your dining room set, you want to know that it's being handled with care.  Your dining room set has seen a lot of great memories.  Whether it's a big, formal set that has been passed down through the family for generations or a casual set chosen just for your home, you want to know that your dining room set is going to be handled the best way possible.

What memories have taken place around your dining room table?  Maybe you remember the first time your children were all old enough to sit around the table with you, or the first meal that you put in front of your whole family.  Maybe your dining room set has seen some formal dinners, or housed your entire family for some meals that will never be forgotten.    How many wonderful discussions have taken place over that table?  How many meals has your family eaten together at it?  Whether it's a formal set that is designed to be treated with care of a casual set that you've used hard over the years, your dining room set isn't just a few pieces of furniture.  It's a set of memories.

That means that when you ship it, you want to take the best possible care.  Place your dining room set in the hands of professionals.  When you move, you have the option of using a traditional moving company; but for longer-distance moves, a shipping company can provide more protection for your items--and your memories.  Your dining room furniture can be palletized. It should be protected with several layers of padding and wrapped to hold it tightly in place during the moving process.  A shipping company will know how to handle all of this for you. 

Concerned about moving your heavy dining room set yourself?  With white glove delivery, you don't have to.  Your items will be brought inside your home, removed from their pallets, and carefully inspected by a team of professionals.  Then, they'll take the packing material with them when they leave--no mess for you to clean up!  Prefer to take care of that part yourself?  Curbside delivery, when the item is delivered to the outside of your home and left with its packing material still protecting it, might be a better option for you.  

If you're going to be shipping a dining room set out of the Houston area, contact us!  Our professionals would be glad to help get your dining room set to its destination.

 

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Moving Services and Packing in a Hurry

Posted on Mon, Jun 15, 2015

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Sometimes, you don't have a lot of warning when the time comes to move.  Maybe it's because your lease has run out unexpectedly, or a change in jobs has made it necessary to move quickly; but whatever the reason, you're finding it necessary to pack in a hurry.  While there are a variety of moving services that can certainly help you with this process, there are a few things that you can do to expedite your move and make it as smooth as possible.

Pack as you go.  Start at one end of a room and work your way across it, placing  posessions in boxes as you go.  Label the boxes with the room and the number in which they were packed so that when you reach your destination, it will be relatively easy to unpack again.  Be sure that you're wrapping any fragile objects and adding plenty of packing material to ensure that nothing shifts around during shipment.  Pack all the boxes until they are completely full.    

Make sorting part of the process.  As you're putting items in boxes, get rid of anything that you haven't used in the last year.  There's no reason to keep it, and if you take it with you, you're just going to have to unpack it at the other end.  In rooms like your bathroom and kitchen, pay special attention to items that are liquids or powders and make sure that they're packaged carefully.  Find a bottle of lotion or body wash in a scent that you don't really like?  Go ahead and toss it.  Now's the time to get rid of clutter that you won't use when you move.

With a little more warning prior to a move, you have the ability to have a yard sale, take items to consignment sales, and choose between selling and donating valuable items.  If you're going to another location in a hurry, weigh the potential added income over the convenience.  It may be that in this case, it's more valuable to you to simply donate items that you won't be using instead of trying to sell them.

Take it a room at a time.  Looking at the house as a whole can make a move feel like a huge proposition, and you might get overwhelmed quickly.  Looking at it a room at a time, on the other hand, feels much more manageable.  

Work with a shipping company.  If you're moving out of your city--especially for moves out of state or out of the country--you'll find that working with a shipping company may be less expensive than using a traditional moving service.  Work with yourshipping company to ensure that you're getting the services that you need most and that all of your possessions are protected as well as possible during shipment.

Enlist help.  It's a lot easier for people to help on the "packing" end than the "unpacking" end.  The "packing" part of the process is mostly just putting things in boxes, and most people can handle that with little direction.  Unpacking, on the other hand, might require a more personal touch, so you'll have to be more involved; but having help can be the difference between a successful move and one that seems to drag on forever.

Decide how you want your items delivered at the other end.  A white glove delivery service will bring all of your boxes inside, take them off of their pallets, and help inspect your furniture and other items, while curbside delivery will leave that part of the process to you.  Some people prefer to take care of inspection and moving things inside themselves, while others like the extra service--it all depends on what you need.

Moving out of the Houston area?  We can help make the process much easier.  Contact us to see if we're the shipping company for you.

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Moving Small Amounts of Furniture

Posted on Fri, Jun 12, 2015

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You would think moving small amounts of furniture would be easier than dealing with a whole long, drawn-out move.  After all, you're only transferring a few pieces of furniture or even just one piece of furniture  from one place to another location.  That has to be easier than packing up an entire house, transporting  it, and unpacking it again when you reach your destination.  

Unfortunately, there are times when taking small amounts of furniture from one city to another city feels even more challenging than transferring  an entire household of furniture.  Maybe it's delicate furniture that you're worried about protecting properly during the shipping process.  Perhaps it's a heavy desk or cabinet that you don't want to have to lift or move yourself.  Or maybe it's the distance involved:  while traditional moves often take place within a relatively small geographic area, you could be moving your small load of furniture anywhere.

Thankfully, there are ways that you can ease into the process and make it easier for everyone.  First, decide what method will be best for taking your furniture from one location ot another location  If you choose freight shipping, your furniture will need to be placed on a pallet, wrapped, and provided with all of the protection necessary to ensure that it reaches its destination in excellent condition.  Freight shipping may be the easiest and least expensive method for getting your furniture to its intended destination, especially if it will be moving a long distance.

To make the process even easier, consider hiring a shipping company with experience transporting furniture just like yours.  You're looking for a company that will help streamline the entire furniture tranporting  process, from packing and wrapping your furniture, to placing it on a pallet, to taking it to its destination.  Moving heavy or delicate furniture?  Your best bet might be to choose a shipping company that will pick up the piece of furniture at your home or office.  That way, you'll know that it's receiving the best possible care.  

You'll need to make decisions about how your furniture will be received at the other end, too.  With white glove delivery service, you don't have to worry about dealing with the packing materials and moving your furniture inside.  The delivery drivers will schedule a time that's convenient for you, move your furniture into your home or office, and leave with the packing materials.  Prefer to take care of that part of the process yourself?  Look for a shipping company that offers curbside delivery.  

Shipping out of the Houston area?  Whether you're looking to move a dining room table and chairs, a huge china cabinet, or a small end table, contact us to see how we can make the shipping process as easy as possible.

 

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Everything You Need to Know About International Shipping to Singapore

Posted on Wed, Jun 10, 2015

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Singapore may not be a well-known destination for travelers and expats, but it's a beautiful country nonetheless. It's one of   Lonely Planet's top 10 tourist destinations in 2015, offering breathtaking attractions like Sentosa Island, the Buddha Tooth temple and a plethora of museums, national parks, zoos and more. 

So if you're looking into international shipping to Singapore, chances are you're doing so because you're planning to visit or move to this beautiful, remote, exotic location. Great choice! But we won't keep you waiting any longer, and get right to it: here's everything you need to know about international shipping to Singapore from the United States.

The Restrictions

The U.S. Postal Service has a comprehensive list of everything you aren't allowed to ship into Singapore. The list includes common-sense items like firearms and gas lighters, but also include some more unusual lines like "advertisements for charms, bracelets and talismans."

That gives you a great idea of the culture difference between Singapore, and certainly raises the curiosity level. Either way, browsing through the lists of restricted and limited items is important before assembling your package.

The Rates & Specs

On the same page we linked above, the USPS also gives users a comprehensive list of rates and restriction when it comes to package size and weight. One piece of great news: for only $24, you can ensure your package for a value of up to $2,499. What exactly you pack depends on the type of item(s) you're looking to ship, but rest assured: you can ship any size and weight imaginable, for the right price.

Coming Back from Singapore

Of course, if you visited Singapore for pleasure, you may want to bring home some souvenirs for friends and family. The island country is especially known for its unique cutlery, which is gorgeous.

For more information on how to ship to Singapore, contact us

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Things to Know About Shipping a Mattress to Protect Against Damage

Posted on Sun, Jun 07, 2015

If you felt a lot like Goldilocks when you picked out your mattress, then there is no doubt you will be shipping it, when the time comes to move to another city. When you went from bed to bed saying one was too soft or too hard, you were not willing to settle for anything other than the right mattress for you. It is time find out how to protect your investment when shipping a mattress.

shipping_a_mattressYou want to protect it from punctures, liquids and other types of damage that might occur during transit. The best way to accomplish this is to bag and box your mattress. 

In many cases, you can purchase a bag made from a thick polyurethane material to put your mattress into for shipping. These bags are designed to be waterproof so nothing seeps inside to damage your mattress during transi 

Boxes for mattresses come in many sizes, and there is one to fit your needs. You will want to measure your mattress. If you use a tradtional mover when moving your mattress, be sure to request a plastic bag to protect your mattress from dirt during the move.

 

Mattress are not particularly heavy, but they can be  awkward to handle alone and even with a helper. When shipping your mattress you can select a white glove service where the shipping company picks up your mattress from inside your home and delivers it to the new room, unpacking it and inspecting it.When you are ready to ship your mattress or have questions, Pack N Send is ready to help. Please feel free Contact US to contact us anytime. 

Shipping Furniture Out of State

Posted on Fri, Jun 05, 2015

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When you're moving, you want to know that your furniture is receiving the best possible care possible--especially if you're traveling out of state, when your furniture will have to be moved over a long distance and you might not be able to make multiple trips back and forth once the moving process begins.  That means that you need to make the entire process as easy as possible.  When shipping furniture out of state, you have several options:  

Small load moving services

Small load moving services place the furniture on a truck with several other customers who have furniture going to similar destinations.  Your items will be delivered into your house and the furniture inspected and packing materials removed before the driver leaves.  White glove delivery service ensures that your items receive the utmost care and that you aren't left with the job of disposing of the packing materials once the furniture has been delivered.

Dedicated truck load moving

When you use dedicated truck load moving services, the entire truck is yours--there is no one else's furniture on the truck.  The truck is loaded up with your furniture and other items, then goes straight to the destination with no other stops in between.  Often, dedicated truck load moving does not provide white glove service.

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How to: Moving or Shipping a Kitchen Set

Posted on Wed, Jun 03, 2015

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Shipping a Kitchen Set

 

It's been said many times that the kitchen is the heart of a home.  It's where some of your best memories will take place:  laughing around the table with your kids; talking to each other over dinner; sharing life together as a family. Your kitchen table will see birthday cakes, celebratory dinners, and celebrations.  It will be there when your children learn to cook for the first time, or the first time your they brings dates home for dinner.  It's there for family game night, when you have three different games stacked on top of it, and for card games that last until the middle of the night.  Your kids will do their homework on top of it, covering it with countless projects throughout the years.

That means that when it comes time to ship your kitchen set, you want to make sure that all of those memories are protected.  Your kitchen set isn't just a table and chairs (or a table and benches, depending on how you prefer your seating).  Its memories that have accumulated over all the years that you've been a family.  

You have several options when it comes to shipping your kitchen set.  You can choose to use a standard mover, ship on a moving truck. The mover will pack your set into a truck along with the rest of your furniture and drive it to its destination.  On the other hand, if you're planning a longer move, it might be more practical to move your items using a shipping company. You can ship via freight.

A shipping company will pick up your kitchen set, place the items on appropriately-sized pallets, and deliver it to your new home.  Whether you prefer curbside delivery (when the items are left outside your home) or white glove delivery (when the items are delivered inside, unpacked, and the packing materials removed for you), you can find a company that will work with you to ensure the best possible results for your kitchen set.  It doesn't matter what it is:  a glass top table and chairs; an antique set that has been in your family for years; or a simple, hand-carved table.  The important thing is that it matters to you--and that means you want to make sure that it's in the hands of a professional shipping company who will move all of your items with the care they deserve.

   Contact us to discuss sending your kitchen set to its new location.

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How to: Shipping a Table the Right Way

Posted on Mon, Jun 01, 2015

 

Whether you're packing up your household for a move or simply moving some furniture that you've acquired, your kitchen table is likely one of the biggest items you'll have to deal with.  It might not be the heaviest (that's usually reserved for china cabinets, wardrobes, and entertainment centers), but it's certainly one of the largest pieces of furniture you'll have to move--and often one of the most difficult.  Shipping a table, in particular, can be difficult, because you're not sure how to appropriately package it to take up as little space as possible. 

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There are a few options to look at when moving a table out of town. Traditional movers may be expensive if all you need to move is a table. Look for movers that can move a single piece of furniture.

One of your best options for shipping bulky items like your kitchen table is to hire a freight packing company.  Whether you're moving a classic dining table or a table big enough for a staff full of ranch hands to eat around, you want to know that it's in the best possible hands; and hiring a shipping company may be  the easiest way to do that.  

A knowledgeable company will pick up your table, pack it on a pallet, and move it to its new location.  The company already knows the best way to pack up your table, so you can be sure it will get to its destination as inexpensively and safely as possible.  You can choose either curbside delivery, where your table will be left outside your home or office for you to unload from the pallet and inspect, and move into its new location; or you can look for a shipping company with white glove delivery.  White glove delivery takes all of the stress off of you:  the table will be delivered into your home or office, inspected, and the shipping materials removed for you.  

If you're moving a table that needs to be shipped intact--chose a company that can offer you options.  Your table will need to be placed on a pallet and shipped as freight or it can be moved.   Run the options and see what works best with your budget and timeframe.  Choose a company that has the experience they need to ensure that your table will reach its destination safely.  

Moving a table?  Contact us to see how our team of professionals can help take care of your table. 

 

 

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Packing Up Kids' Rooms & How to Ship a Bedroom Set

Posted on Sat, May 30, 2015

 

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Packing up your kids' rooms can be one of the most challenging tasks you'll undertake during the moving process.  It's one of the hardest rooms to downsize--after all, no child wants to be told that they won't be able to have all their toys when they move!--and one of the most difficult to pack because of all of the items within it.  How do you decide what to take with you and what to move with the rest of the household goods?  Most importantly, do you move your furniture and other valuable items through a moving company, or should you ship them using a freight company?  

Start with the furniture.  If it's old furniture that your child has almost outgrown or cheap furniture that will be easy to replace at the other end of your move, it might be a better idea to sell the furniture instead of shipping it.  On the other hand, if you have an expensive bedroom set or one that has sentimental value to your child, it's worth the effort to ship it.  

Shipping a bedroom set can be accomplished several ways.  One way is to use a freight company that will pick up your bedroom set, palletize it, and deliver it the way that works best for you:  either through curbside delivery, where it will be delivered to the front of your home; or through white glove delivery, where the shipping company will deliver the furniture inside your home, remove the packing materials, and inspect it for you.  The latter option may be  the easiest option for you:  it removes most of the stress of shipping those items.

 

Another way is to use a traditional moving company.  Many companies today offer both options. Freighting furniture may be less expensive than a traditional move.

Tackle the closet.  It's usually easier for a child to let go of outgrown clothes than it is for them to let go of other possessions.  As you're packing, get rid of any clothing items that no longer fit.  You can donate them, sell them, or pass them on to someone else--whatever gets them out of your house quickly and easily.  Next, choose which clothes are going to travel with you.  You should have enough of your child's clothes to get them through until the rest of your boxes arrive, but not so many that you'll regret dragging them around everywhere.  Make sure you check out the weather at your destination.  If it's going to be hot and sunny, you can go ahead and pack the sweatshirts and boots; on the other hand, if it's going to be cold, you don't need short-sleeve shirts and sandals.  

Pack the clothing that isn't appropriate for the season at the bottom of the clothing boxes.  That way, your child will be able to get to seasonally-appropriate clothing as soon as the boxes arrive.  Don't be tempted to do it the other way just to motivate them to help unpack; that's more likely to result in a mess that you'll have to deal with.

Let your child participate in packing their toys.  This might slow down the process, but it will also help reassure your child that everything will be there when they reach their new home.  Let them help you choose the toys that they don't play with anymore, and donate or sell them.  For the toys that they still use, pack their favorites on top so that they'll be able to access them more quickly.  Don't forget to put a few of their favorites in the luggage that will be traveling with them--and any particularly precious toys should absolutely travel in your luggage.

Ready to look for a shipping company to help move your household?  Contact us to see how we can help.

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How to handle estate sales and estate moving and estate shipping.

Posted on Thu, May 28, 2015

 

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Whether the estate you're responsible for is that of a friend, parent or other relative, or someone else entirely, taking care of all of the items a deceased individual has left behind can feel like an immense challenge.  It's a huge weight on your shoulders as you figure out what to do with everything, where to put it while you're selling or donating it, and how to deal with all of the other responsibilities associated with closing the estate.  What are you supposed to do with all that stuff, anyway?

One easy way to have the estate taken care of is to hire an auction company or another company that specializes in estate sales.  While they will take a  portion of the proceeds from any sales that they make, they will also take the weight of the process off of your shoulders. Not content to let someone else do it?  Consider placing the items for the estate online.  

Whether you're placing those items on Craigslist, eBay, or another online venue, there are a few steps that you'll want to follow.  

  • Be sure of what you have.  Before listing items for auction, have an idea of what you're willing to sell them for.  Sure, you're trying to get everything taken care of as quickly as possible; but you don't want to undervalue the items in the estate, either.  If you don't have the time to devote to looking up each item in the estate, consider hiring someone to come in and appraise the estate as a whole.
  • Take comprehensive pictures of each item from every angle.  That way, you have proof of the condition that the item was in when it left your hands.  
  • Develop a relationship with a shipping company that will help you send out each item.  In a varied estate, you may find yourself needing to package everything from china and other small, delicate items to large, awkward pieces of furniture.  You want to make sure that you're working with a shipping company that knows how to properly care for each item to ensure that the best possible care is taken of each shipment. 
  • Always document the dates and times when you send out items, and make sure that you keep tracking numbers until the items are in the hands of the buyers.  
  • Follow up with buyers shortly after they receive their items to ensure that everything has arrived and that they're happy with the shipment.  

Moving the items from an estate shouldn't be the most stressful part of the process.  Ideally, you'll want to be able to take care of your estate shipping and estate packing in one stop:  a company that has the necessary packing materials and reasonable rates, as well as accepting your items for shipment and sending them on your way. If your need a full or a parial truck for estate moving.  Contact us to see how we can make shipping the easiest part of dealing with an estate.

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How to Ship to Cyprus: International Shipping through Customs

Posted on Tue, May 26, 2015

 

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If you're consideringinternational shipping items into Cyprus, the first thing you should do is check out the country's list of shipping restrictions.  Like many countries, Cyprus has a detailed list of items that are prohibited or restricted, so make sure you take a look at those items before putting your shipment together.  According to the USPS website, those items include:

  • Any material which includes instructions regarding prohibited weapons.  This includes books, magazines, pamphlets, and other materials.  Material pertaining to the construction, operation, maintenance, or care of any prohibited weapon is forbidden.  The only exceptions to this policy are materials imported by the Cyprus Police Force or another department of government.  
  • Daggers
  • Any explosive or flammable substance
  • Leeches
  • Silkworms
  • Postcards that have designs that haven't been approved by the Cyprus Post Office
  • Radioactive materials
  • Rifles
  • Repeating firearms
  • Seditious publications

There are also a number of restrictions involving items that are shipped into Cyprus.  These include:

  • Articles that would be used for manufacturing cigarettes must be approved by the Cyprus customs authorities.
  • Bees, honey, or substances containing uncooked honey require the approval of the Ministry of Agriculture.
  • Rags and used clothing must be approved by the Cyprus Ministry of Health.
  • Coins, bank notes, platinum, gold, silver, precious stones, and other monetary equivalents must have a license from the Cyprus Central Bank.
  • Commercial shipments should be accompanied by their invoices, preferably in an unsealed envelope attached to the outside of the shipment.  

Getting ready to prepare a package for international shipment to Cyprus?  If you're in the Houston area, we can help!  Contact us for assistance packing your shipment or making sure that you have all the correct forms.

Did You Know?  A Few Facts About Cyprus.  

1.  "Cyprus" can also be spelled "Kipros" or "Kypros."  

2.  The capital of Cyprus--Nicosia--is the only capital in the world to be divided by two nations.  The "Green Line" separates Nicosia into the Republic of Cyprus (South Cyprus) and the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus.  

3.  Mount Olympus is the highest peak in the Troodos Mountain Range.  At its highest point, it is 6420 ft above sea level.  

4.  Originally, Cyprus was part of the United Kingdom.  It gained its independence on October 1, 1960. 

5.  Greek is the official language of the Republic of Cyprus.  It is spoken by approximately 82% of the population.  

6.  The Greek Orthodox religion is the principal religion of Cyprus.

7.  Like many member states of the EU, Cyprus uses the Euro as its official currency.

8.  Cyprus has abundant sunshine in the winter months and very little rainfall.  During the summer, temperatures may rise as high as 40 degrees Celsius.  

10.  Natural resources of Cyprus include copper, pyrites, gypsum, asbestos, timber, salt, clay, and marble.  ..

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How to Ship to Bermuda: Know What You Can Ship-International Shipping

Posted on Sun, May 24, 2015

 

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When you're packing up boxes for international shipping to Bermuda, you want to make sure that all of your goods will pass through customs quickly and smoothly.  In order to ensure the best possible treatment of your packages, you need to follow Bermuda's restrictions for items that are shipped into the country.  Like most countries, this begins with a list of prohibited items--but you'll be pleased to know that Bermuda's "prohibited items" list is one of the least restrictive.  According to the USPS website, the few prohibitions include:

  • Perishable infectious biological substances
  • Perishable noninfectious biological substances
  • Radioactive materials

That's it!  Just three simple things that you need to avoid, and your shipment will be good to go!  Bermuda also has no further restrictions on shipping items into the country--no special permits required for specific items; nothing that they require different forms in order to receive.  

Need a little help getting your items ready to ship to Bermuda?  Whether it's making sure that all of the postal forms are filled out correctly or ensuring that your box is packaged properly, if you're shipping out of the Houston area, contact us!  We can help.  

Did You Know?  A Few Facts About Bermuda

1.  Roofs in Bermuda are made from Bermuda slate and timber.  Each one is whitewashed, then collects rainwater into tanks stored under each house.  This is a highly efficient way to ensure that each dwelling has its own water supply!  The water does undergo a filtration process to ensure that it is safe for use.

2.  Bermuda has one of the highest concentrations of limestone caves in the world.

3.  Bermuda's pink sand is created by particles of shells that have mixed with pieces of coral and calcium carbonate.  This combination creates some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

4.  The waters off Bermuda are home to more than 650 species of fish.  This rich ecosystem is due in part to the warmth coming off of the Gulf Stream and the safety of the reefs, where predators don't typically appear.  

5.  Bermuda consists of 181 coral-covered, lava-based islands.  It has about 155 miles of roads.  

6.  It is considered acceptable for residents of Bermuda to wear the aptly named Bermuda shorts with knee socks, a jacket or sports coat, and a tie--even at business functions.  

7.  On Good Friday, most people in Bermuda come out to fly very colorful kites.  It's not the only thing to do on the holiday, but most families participate for at least a little while.

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How to send and ship goods to Kuwait-International Shipping made easy.

Posted on Fri, May 22, 2015

 

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If you regularly package items for international shipment, you already know that each country has its own unique list of items that are prohibited for shipment into the country.  International shipping to Kuwait is no different.  According to the USPS website, prohibited items for shipping into Kuwait include:

  • Butane gas for lighters, or lighters containing butane gas
  • Any printed material (including magazines) that contains pictures of nude or partly nude individuals.  If it has a PG-13 rating, it's probably best not to try to ship it.
  • "Perishable infectious biological substances"
  • Radioactive materials

Also, Kuwait has placed several restrictions on items that are shipped into the country.  These include:

  • Dairy products, preserved meat, drugs, vaccines, and serums require the recipient to be in possession of the proper permits.  
  • Jewels, precious stones, and metals moved into Kuwait to sell must be approved by the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Kuwait.
  • Medications or pills of any kind must be accompanied by a prescription and/or a description of their composition and purpose.
  • Tapes and cassettes can't be sent via Registered Mail; they must be sent through standard mail.
  • Used clothing that is intended for sale must be accompanied by a certificate of sterilization.

Ready to ship your items to Kuwait?  Need a little extra help with the process:  making sure that everything is in order and all the proper forms have been signed?  If you're shipping out of the Houston area, contact us to see how we can help.

Did You Know?  A Few Facts About Kuwait.

1.  Kuwait is made up of nine islands that are primarily oil-rich deserts.  

2.  Kuwait is officially known as the "State of Kuwait."  

3.  Prior to independence, Kuwait was occupied by Great Britain.  It gained its independence on June 19, 1961.  

4.  There are more Muslims in Kuwait than any other religion.  Other common religions include Christianity, Hinduism, and Parsi.  Islam is the country's official religion.

5.  Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy.  They follow the Parliamentary System of government.  

6.  The Kuwaiti dinar is the official currency.  Its name means "fortress built near water."

7.  The falcon is Kuwait's national bird.  It is featured heavily on their currencies and stamps, and can also be spotted in many locations around the country.

8.  Kuwait is the fourth-richest country in the world if you look at per capita income.  It also has the second-most free economy in the Middle East.  

9.  85% of export revenues and 80% of government income in Kuwait consists of petroleum.  Other major industries include construction, shipping, cement, water desalination, construction materials, and financial services.

10.  The United States and Kuwait have shared strong economic ties for quite some time.  The United States is Kuwait's largest supplier of goods and services.

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Estate packing, moving & estate shipping is easy.

Posted on Wed, May 20, 2015

  

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Savvy antiques shoppers know that one of the best places to get their hands on valuable antiques for low prices is at an estate sale.  Most of the time, at an estate sale, everyone is motivated to see the items move.  Family members have already been through all the furniture and other items.  They've selected what they want--so whatever is left over, they want to sell as easily as possible.  That means that there are some real deals to be had at estate sales across the country.  

It also means that the responsibility for transporting most items purchased at private estate sales rests with the new owner.  The hosts of the estate sale already have more than enough on their shoulders; they don't have time to arrange for shipping and delivery.  Checking out estate sales yourself?  You'll be pleased to know that shipping items from estate sales doesn't have to be difficult.

You may need help with estate packing, estate moving & estate shipping.

First, determine what it is that you're going to be shipping.  For example, artwork may need to be specially packaged, ideally in custom-constructed crates that will provide the maximum possible protection.  China, knickknacks, and other delicate items will need to be wrapped individually in packing material that will cushion them appropriately during transport.  The box should have packing material added to fill it completely.  Once the box has been sealed the top of the box should be pressed down on gently to ensure that nothing moves around inside.  If the box top moves when pressure is applied, it will need to be opened and repacked to ensure that every item in the box is protected.  

Shipping larger items?  Large items (or larger shipments of boxes of small items) can be placed on a pallet.  Items should not hang over the edges of the pallet.  Once they've been placed, the pallet should be wrapped from bottom to top with stretch wrap that is specifically designed for shipping purposes. 

Next, you'll want to find a shipping company that is experienced in moving the items that you've purchased.  Choose a company that has a wide range of experience and can move a variety of different items, or one that specializes in the items that you've purchased.  Work with your shipping company to ensure that you're following all of their recommendations for shipping, packaging, and moving materials.  By selecting an experienced company, you know that your items are in the best possible hands.

Shipping out of the Houston area?  Contact us to see how we can help ensure that your items are properly packaged and shipped to their destination.

 

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International Shipping to Morocco: A Few Tips

Posted on Tue, May 19, 2015

 

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Here comes the challenge:  you're packing up items to ship to Morocco.  Of course, you want to make sure that your shipment arrives in the best possible condition--and that it will make it through customs as quickly and smoothly as possible.  In order to avoid trouble, you'll want to pay careful attention to the restrictions on shipping to Monaco.  According to the USPS website, restricted items include:

  • Currency and banknotes; paper money; traveler's checks; gold and silver...basically, you shouldn't ship anything that would be seen as "money."  
  • Lottery tickets or any printed information about lotteries
  • Radioactive materials
  • Weapons and parts of weapons (except for the Ministry of War).  Essentially, if it can be used as a weapon or for a weapon, it's probably best not to ship it to Morocco.  
  • Please note that many items being shipped into Morocco require certain permits in order to be received by the addressee.  Anyone attempting to ship into Morocco should ensure that their recipient has all of the proper permits before shipping items.  Used and secondhand clothes are one item that falls under this restriction.

A Few Facts About Morocco:  Did You Know?

1.  In Arabic, Morocco's name is “Al-Mamlaka-al-Maghribiya."  This translates in English to "The Western Kingdom."

2.  A kiss on the cheek is a common form of greeting.  The better the two people know each other, the more kisses may be exchanged.  

3.  If you're in Morocco, it's not your heart that is the symbol of love--it's your liver.  

4.  Moroccans often extend invitations to their home in casual conversation.  However, the invitation is only seen as being genuine (and therefore should only be accepted) if it is extended three times.

5.  Moroccans must teach their children some unique lessons in manners.  First, refusing to eat meat is considered to be impolite.  Handling food with the left hand?  Extremely impolite.

6.  Morocco contains the oldest continuously operational university in the world:  the University of Al-Karouine in Fez.  It was established in 859 AD.

7.  The Sidi Yaha shrine, which is located in the Morccan city of Oujda, is considered by some to be the tomb of John the Baptist.

8.  Because it was considered to be a source of food for families, there was a time when selling a date tree was illegal in Morocco.   

International shipping to Morocco can feel like a challenge.  Need some help ensuring that all of your goods are packaged correctly, filling out customs forms, or ensuring that you have all the proper paperwork?  Contact us to see how we can help.

 

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How to Ship Furniture: Shipping Gets Furniture To Its Destination

Posted on Sun, May 17, 2015

furniture_shipping_and_freightSometimes, when you move, it's just not practical to load everything into a moving truck and drive it across the country by yourself.  Moving within the same city is comparatively easy compared to a cross-country move, when there are countless things to take into consideration:  like how you're going to get your furniture to its intended destination, and who can help you load and unload the furniture..  Furniture shipping might be your best option for a cross-country or international move.  

Ship Furniture Internationally

For international transport, your furniture will be shipped based on rates charged by the cubic meter; or, you can pack it into a twenty-foot or forty-foot container.  Both methods have their benefits; it all depends on how much furniture you're moving and what method you think will work best for you.

This is where a professional  company comes in handy.  Let them  evaluate the best method for packing up your furniture and getting it to its intended destination.  They should be able to  pick up your furniture (whether it's at your home or office or at a storage facility) and pack it up for you, ensuring that it makes it to its destination in the safest manner possible.  

Domestic shipping

When you're planning a domestic move--especially an out-of-state move--you may already have plenty of stress to deal with.  There are dozens of items to pack, a new place to learn about, and hundreds of little details that you're going to have to take care of along the way.  When it comes to your furniture and other large items, why not hire a company to take care of them for you?  

No matter what you're moving, the company that you choose should know how to package  and prepare your items  for delivery for you.  Mattress and box springs?  Not a problem.  Headboard and footboard?  Wrapped, protected, and ready to go.  Couch and love seat?  Look at having your furniture freighted, with curbside delivery. Or look a freighting furniture with traditional inside white glove delivery. Or look at a small load mover who will pick up inside, blanket wrap your shipment and deliver your furniture inside with white glove delivery.   Lots of options. You bet. The right company should analyze the most cost effective way for you to ship your furniture to its new destination.

They should already know how to handle all of those loose cushions and prepare your item for shipment in the best way possible.  Chandelier?  Yep--your shipping company can handle that, too.  A good shipping company should  provide the supplies you need at a reasonable, competitive price, so that you can put that part of the packing process in their hands and not have to worry about it anymore.

If you're moving, contact us!  We might just be the shipping company for you.

 

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The Benefits of Inside Pickup and Delivery -Freight Shipping

Posted on Fri, May 15, 2015

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If you're moving, you may be stressed just thinking about it.  There are so many things that you have to consider--especially if you're moving from one city to another city and preparing to ship your furniture and other items.  You can use a traditional moving company; but there are also a number of benefits to using a company that will ship your furntiure and house hold goods via freight, especially one that offers inside pickup and delivery.  

You can ship a single piece of furniture or an entire house full of furniture.

 

Inside pickup and delivery is a white glove service. There are multiple options out there. You need to find the option that fits your needs and budget the best.  While shipping companies traditionally   offer curbside service--that is, they drop off your items outside your home at a predetermined time, and you are responsible for moving them inside, unpacking them, and disposing of the shipping materials, this may not be the best transport option for you to use.   Choosing a freight preparation or moving company that offers  inside delivery can save you a lot of headaches--or at least take a little bit of the stress off of your shoulders.  

For example:

  • Large items that are moved through freight shipping can be very heavy, and often, getting them into the house is the hardest part of the move.  By having a freight receiving company provide this service for you, you're removing one more step from your list of things that you have to accomplish.

  • Disposing of packing materials can be a real challenge--especially supplies that include pallets and a great deal bulky packing material.  Why not have the company move the packing supplies right out the door for you?  Not only is it a weight off your mind, but often, the company can reuse materials like pallets, so it's keeping them from being wasted.

  • Your items will be inspected on the spot, once they're already in your house, so that you know that they have arrived safely.

  • You know exactly when your furniture and other important items will be arriving, and they come straight into the house--no worries that they'll be left sitting outside if you miss the delivery or write down the delivery time wrong.  

    Moving can be a real headache; but a good shipping company can make it easier for you.  They'll be able to help you handle packing and freight your furniture so that when it reaches its destination, all you have to do is unpack it again, streamlining the process and making your life just a little bit easier.

    Getting ready to move into or out of the Houston area?  Contact us to see if we might be the right company for you.

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How to Ship Fragile items- How to Ship Valuable items

Posted on Tue, May 12, 2015

 

 

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Shipping fragile or valuable items can be nerve-wracking. In addition to being easily breakable, many delicate items are also of significant sentimental and financial value. This can make many feel hesitant to ship such items. But when a little extra care is taken in the transport process, many fragile items can be shipped safely--even across significant distances.

Fragile items do need to be shipped in heavier-duty packaging than some other items, but as long as the  process proceeds with proper care, there is no need to worry about the safety of your fragile or valuable items. 

When packaged properly, you can safely ship:

  • China, stemware, and silver pieces

  • PCs and servers

  • Paintings

  • Antiques

  • Sculptures

  • Chandeliers

  • Medical Equipment

  • Pictures with glass

  • Office equipment

    Those are just a few examples of the items that arrive safely to their destinations with the proper packing practices. There really is no limit to what can be shipped if the packaging is sturdy and items are treated with care. In the past, proper packaging has enabled safe shipment of everything from a computerized dragon, to an airplane from an amusement park ride. 

    The key to safe shipping is in the packaging. Rather than putting a valuable item in the packaging a manufacturer or standard mail system provides, those who plan to ship more fragile items may want to consider a more customized solution. Using a container sized specially to fit a valuable or fragile item, coupled with extra padding inside the container, will ensure safety during the shipping process. 

    If you need help preparing a fragile or valuable item for shipping, contact us to learn more about customized shipping options. 

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Freight Packing: A Few Tips

Posted on Sun, May 10, 2015

 

 

If you're getting ready to pack up a huge order for freight shipping for the first time, you're probably feeling a little uncertain.  After all, you want to make sure that your items arrive at their destination in excellent shape!  There are a few tips to keep in mind as you're packing everything up:

  • Wrap and protect each delicate item individually.  Even if they're all going in the same box or on the same pallet, protecting each item individually ensures that they're all provided with the padding and wrapping they need.  Sturdier items can be wrapped or packaged together.

  • Label each box with its contents so that you know what is in each one when it arrives at its destination.

  • After you've packed a box, shake it gently to make sure that nothing is rattling around.  If it does, you'll need to repack.

  • Use strong, sturdy boxes or custom-made crates.  

     

  • For items that won't fit in a box, make sure that they are secured on a pallet and that corners are protected.

  • Package items that may be affected by dirt or liquids.

  • If you need extra protection for fragile items, after placing items in one box, place the first box in a second, larger box and fill the extra space with packing peanuts or bubble wrap.

  • If you're using a pallet for freight shipping, try to distribute weight evenly.  Ideally, the top surface of the pallet should be flat.

  • Secure the sides of the pallets using 1 x 4’s.  Protect the outside of your shipment using large sheets of cardboard.  Wrap stretch wrap move the 1 x 4’s and over the cardboard reinforcement.

  • When you wrap your pallet, the goal is for it to feel like one solid item within the wrapping.  Start at the bottom and work your way to the top, wrapping as tightly as possible.

  • Need a little extra help packing your items for shipment?  Contact us to see how we can help!

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Inside Pick Up and Delivery for Your Upcoming Move

Posted on Fri, May 08, 2015

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Moving is one of those life events that ranks right up there with visiting the dentist on a list of things people loathe doing. While you cannot hire someone to visit the dentist for you, you can hire someone to handle your move. Finding someone to handle inside pick up and delivery means you will not have to lift a finger for your move! You can even hire movers to pack and unpack your belongings.

There are companies that can coordinate and complete your move. Whether you are to pack and ship large furniture pieces, such as couches, beds and tables, or smaller items like china and glassware, there are a variety of moving services that can do it for you. By outsourcing packing, shipping and delivering your household, you can focus on tasks that are more difficult to outsource. While your movers pack for you, you can schedule utility services, enroll your children in new schools and setup cable service for your new home.

Hiring a professional also keeps your property from the risk of damage due to the move. Skilled movers are adept at properly packaging your belongings quickly and efficiently. And, they are equally as skilled at getting your belongings to your new home and unpacking them for you. 

Explore your options to determine which level of service is best for your situation. Whether you need help at all stages of your move, from packing, shipping and delivery to setting up your new home, there's an existing service level that fits your needs. Contact us to learn more.

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How to Pack Your Kitchen – Moving Services

Posted on Fri, May 08, 2015

moving_services_kitchenThe kitchen is one of the most challenging rooms of the house to pack up when the time comes to move--and one of the most important rooms to get unpacked.  Until the kitchen boxes have been unpacked, you can't cook in your new kitchen--but you've already spent a lot of money on the moving process, and the last thing you want is to have to order takeout for days or weeks while you get everything sorted.  Hiring a shipping company that provides moving services can make your life a lot easier--but as you're preparing your items for shipment, you might realize that you need a guide to help you find a starting place.  

Start by sorting out all those items you never use.  Moving is a great time to purge those kitchen gadgets that you never actually use.  Did you have dreams of making waffles every Sunday morning, but end up making them once and never using the waffle iron again?  Get rid of it.  Did you become enchanted by a cookie pan that molds your cookies into little bunny shapes, but never actually use it?  You might benefit more from having one less item that you have to unpack when you get to your new home.

This also applies to duplicate items.  It's amazing how fast kitchen items can multiply--but do you really need three bundt pans?  How about those sixteen casserole dishes...none of which actually have lids anymore?  This is the time to get rid of all those things you don't really use and don't have any intention of using in the future.  

Speaking of lids, packing up and getting ready for a move is the perfect opportunity to match up all of your bowls, casserole dishes, and storage containers to their lids.  If the item doesn't have a lid (or the lid doesn't have an item--how does that end up happening, anyway?) it needs to go!  Send it on its way and know that you've made your life much easier when you reach your new kitchen.

Prioritize.  What are the things that you're going to need immediately?  If you like to have smoothies every morning, the blender is likely one of those items.  If you don't, then it can go in the bottom of the box that you won't unpack until sometime about a month after you move in.  The same goes for your toaster, your food processor, and your cake pans:  decide whether or not they're really things that you're going to need as soon as you arrive, then pack them accordingly.  

On the other hand, soon after your arrival, you're going to want access to your dishes, your casserole dishes (casseroles are easy to toss together, throw in the oven, and leave to bake), and your silverware.  Those things need to go in boxes together, so that they're easy to unpack when you get to your new home.  

Be logical.  As you pack up the non-essential items, pack them according to the places where they'll be stored.  For example, all of your pots and pans should be packaged together.  Your baking sheets and cake pans might go in the same box.  Have an impressive spice rack?  All of your spices should be packed in the same place.  You already have a kitchen that's organized in your preferred way, so make your life easy:  pack your boxes up according to the way things already go together.  When the time comes to unpack, you'll be glad you did!  

Feeling overwhelmed?  That's where a good packing and shipping company can help you.  If you're moving out of the Houston area, contact us!  We can help get your items where they need to be.

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Medical Equipment Shipping: How to Ship Medical Equipment

Posted on Wed, May 06, 2015

medical_equipment_shipping-1Medical equipment shipping carries with it a heavy responsibility.  When you're transporting  medical equipment, you usually need it to get to its intended destination quickly, with a minimum of extra expense, and as safely as possible.

   Your needs will vary depending on the contents of the shipment, but there are a few things you might want to think about:

  • If you're importing  into the United States, make sure that your equipment meets all of the necessary regulations.  Even if it's safely marketed in another country, it must meet US quality standards in order to be used within the country.  Other countries have similar regulations, so make sure that your shipment meets all necessary regulations before it's moved.

  • Anticipate what might affect your item during transport.  Sending medical equipment can mean different things to different people.  Some medical supplies need to be protected from excessive jostling. Others need extra padding around specific areas. Think ahead to what could affect your medical equipment during shipment and be prepared for it.

  • Package your item carefully.  Non-fragile items can be shipped in a box cushioned by bubble wrap or packing peanuts.  More fragile items may require you to ship them wrapped carefully and packaged in one box, then placed inside another box with packing material between the two layers.  Larger items will need to be crated or placed on pallets and wrapped.  Take the steps necessary to protect your shipment to the best of your ability.  You can never be too careful!

  • Ask questions about the company you choose to handle your shipment.  Make sure you ask all of the necessary questions ahead of time.  Sit down and make a list before you choose a shipping provider, and make sure that all of your questions are answered to your satisfaction before you make a final decision.

    You can't trust just anyone to handle high-dollar medical equipment. It’s easier to get in touch with a professional packing company than it is to do it yourself.  Sure, you know the unique needs of your device or other equipment; but you also want someone who knows the packing and shipping side of it to help you out.  If you're sending medical equipment and need a bit of extra help, contact us!  We have plenty of experience transporting all different types of medical equipment, so we can streamline the process and make it easier for you.

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Using Heat Treated Wood for International Freight Shipping

Posted on Mon, May 04, 2015

 

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If you're looking into international freight shipping out of Houston, Texas, you may have noticed that you are required to use pallets made out of heat treated wood in order to ship out of the United States.  Insuring that your pallet has been treated correctly is one of the first steps to ensuring that your shipment will arrive at its location in a timely manner.  

How to tell if your pallet has been heat treated:  

If your pallet has been heat treated (that is, heated to at least 56 degrees Celsius for at least thirty minutes), it will bear a symbol indicating that this is the case.  This method must be used on a pallet in order to assure that it is compliant with regulations allowing it to be shipped out of the United States.

Why does the pallet have to be heat treated? 

Pallets used for international transportation must be heat treated in order to comply with standard ISPM 15.  ISPM 15 is designed to help prevent the transfer of plant material and bugs that might disrupt a local ecosystem.  Wood packaging made out of raw materials can cause the spread of unwanted pests--including the Asian long-horn beetle and the Pine Wood Nematode.  Several years ago, there was an incident during which the Asian long-horn beetle was discovered in the United States--which is not only problematic because of the introduction of a new pest, but because of the disruption that pest can cause within local ecosystems.  Adherence to ISPM 15 regulations--including the treatment of wood pallets before they are used for international shipping--helps to ensure that there is no further contamination.  

What does the heat-treated symbol on my pallet mean?

The heat-treated symbol on your pallet indicates that it is ISPM 15 compliant.  It will contain a two letter country code (for example, "US" for the United States, or "AU" for Australia), a mention of which type of treatment was used ("HT" for heat treated); and a unique certification code issued to the company that heat treated the pallet.  This unique certification code makes it possible to track a pallet back to its company of origin in the event that the treatment was completed incorrectly.  

Where do I get a heat-treated pallet?

Many shipping companies will be able to provide for your pallet needs.  If you need to seek out a pallet on your own, do a local search for pallet companies or shipping companies that might be able to provide one for you.  

Shipping freight out of the Houston area?  Contact us to see how we can help.

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Shipping 2D Artwork out of Houston

Posted on Sat, May 02, 2015

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Gallery owners and artists know the difficulty of transporting expensive paintings.  They have to be packaged carefully in order to ensure that they arrive at their destination as intended--and inexperienced packaging, when enough care wasn't taken to protect the paintings and other artwork, can result in disaster.

When sending art, you have three primary goals:  safety ; professionalism; and economy.  Keeping your packing job professional has a number of advantages:

  • It reinforces the impression that the artwork your customer has purchased is worth the price they've paid.

  • It reinforces your status as a professional, whether you're the artist or the dealer.

  • It makes the entire package look neater--and in the end, it can save you money.   

    Of course, you already know the benefits in effective packaging to make sure that your purchase arrives safely--but balancing the concerns of safety and professionalism against economy can be a challenge.  Sure, you can wrap the entire painting in a ball of bubble wrap big enough to fill an entire shipping truck; but that's going to eat significantly into your profit in selling the piece.  Instead, you want to ship economically, so that it arrives safely without costing you a fortune.  

    First, make sure you have the right supplies.  Depending on the value of your piece, you may either be shipping your paintings in a cardboard box, or in a custom-designed crate that has been constructed specifically with your artwork in mind.  Custom-designed crates can be either single-use or reusable--it depends on why you're shipping the artwork, and whether or not it's going to be shipped again in the near future.  

    Make sure that you have plenty of quality packing tape on hand when you're packing your artwork.  This is one of those areas where you shouldn't skimp--better to have quality packing tape, which will hold everything together throughout the shipping process, than tape that's going to fail halfway to its destination.  Buy the good packing tape.  This is one of those areas where economy is outweighed by safety.

    Think all of this is a little too complicated?  If you're shipping out of the Houston area, contact us!  We can make the entire process a little bit easier for you.  

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How to Ship and Receive Furniture as an Interior Decorator

Posted on Thu, Apr 30, 2015

interior_decorator_interior_designer_freight_receivingHow to Ship and Receive Furniture as an Interior Decorator  

As an interior decorator, you put a lot of effort into each room that you design.  Your inspiration can come from anywhere.  You work from the needs of the clients:  do they have something in particular that they want?  Something that they're looking for in the design of their room?  What have they described to you?  Sometimes, they don't have any idea what they want, just a vague idea that what they currently have isn't working--and that's when your creativity really shines through.  

Sometimes, you walk into a room, you get a stroke of inspiration based on one of the features of the room:  a fireplace, or a picture window, or an archway.  Maybe you're working around existing furniture in the room, or designing the room based on a customer's favorite item in the room.

Or maybe you're very, very lucky, and you get to start from scratch:  to design the entire room based on your vision for it.

That's where inspiration comes in.  As an interior decorator, you're always looking for opportunities to put together a room.  You attend auctions, estate sales, and sales of all sorts.  You wander through thrift stores, check out new and interesting mom-and-pop shops, and pay attention to all of the new items in that store in the mall that no one ever actually buys anything in, even though they wander through it all the time.  You're always looking for your next idea; and sometimes, you find an item that you can't pass up.

Great deal?  Check.  Perfect for a room that you're already designing  Check.  Perfect for a room that you're designing in your head, even though you don't actually have the space to put it in yet?  Check, check, and check.  Now...if you just had a way to get that item home.  

As an interior decorator or interior designer, you have some unique freight receiving needs.  Sometimes, you need the item to be delivered directly into the room in question and placed in its spot by a team of competent movers.  Other times, you need to have it delivered curbside so that you can move it in yourself.  

When you're choosing a transportation company, you want someone that you can build a relationship with--someone you can trust with your specific shipping needs.  Look for a company who:

  • Has the experience to unpack your item for you and inspect it.

  • Offers delivery options that include curbside and in-home (or office) delivery.

  • Is reliable.

  • Has experience shipping a wide variety of items.  You never know what specific item will strike your fancy and make you decide to design a room around it, and you'll need a shipping company that can handle whatever the item may be.

  • Has handled both large and small items.

  • Knows how to properly pack and handle artwork.

  • Know how to ship for interior designers

  • Knows how to receive furniture for interior designers

    Sending out of (or into) the Houston area?  Contact us.

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How to Pack Electronics When Shipping

Posted on Tue, Apr 28, 2015

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Equipment shipping is always a challenge--especially when you're packing delicate electronics.  Often, the importance of the item isn't just the electronic equipment itself, it's the data contained within it--and you want to make sure that it arrives at its intended destination with every piece of data still intact.  Your needs will vary based on the items when you need to ship equipment, but there are a few things you should remember:

  • Back up your data on an external drive before packing.  If possible, store information online or in a cloud for easy access.  If something does happen during transit, you want to know that you have a backup on hand.

  • Remove ink cartridges and toner from printers and copiers before packing to prevent the possibility of accidental spillage.  Each cartridge should be packaged in an individual bag before being boxed to include with the rest of the shipment.

  • Package electronic devices in their original packaging if possible.  If you kept all of the original packaging, including the materials used to pack the item in its box, so much the better! Then pack them inside a box that is padded that can be used to protect the items during transit. For high value items, you may need a pallet or a custom built crate.

  • Remove any media (discs, tapes, etc) from the item that you're shipping.  

  • Remove all cords and cables.  Package them individually so they won't become tangled in transit.  Be sure to label them if necessary.  Bundle cords and cables, and use twist ties to keep them together to help save on space.

  • Any items with a screen should be carefully packed.

  • Record the make, model, and serial number of the equipment before packing.  This will help identify it later if necessary.

  • Double check before finishing off your shipment or closing any boxes that all cords, cables, and pieces are present and accounted for.  

  • When boxing your items, put the largest piece of your shipment into your box or crate first.  Fill the box or crate about a third of the way up with packing peanuts, then start adding the other items.  Try to pack them in such a way that they don't touch each other, but rather come into contact with packing peanuts. Bubble wrap comes in handy here.

  • When you've closed your box up, make sure that nothing can move when you place your full weight on the box.

    Need a little extra help on your electronics shipping journey--or just looking for a company with plenty of experience transporting electronics and other delicate items?  Contact us to see how we can make the process of shipping your electronics easier.

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Shipping Auction Items Out of Houston

Posted on Sun, Apr 26, 2015

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The thrill of the auction is on.  There are hundreds of items up for you to bid on--everything from priceless artwork to antiques.  Often, you're up against some serious competition.  Some people know exactly what they're looking at and exactly what each item is worth; others go in with no idea of what they're buying, just the knowledge that they like it and want to take it home with them.  You never know how deep the pockets of your competitors will be, nor do you know when you'll walk away with an amazing deal.  It's all part of the thrill!

From the moment the auctioneer brings up the first item, you're ready to go.  You know that not everything on the auction block will be something that you want, and you've already looked through the goods to make sure you have a good idea of when the items you want most will come up, but you still want to pay attention--you never know when an item that you missed will show up, or when something you thought out of your price range will go for an amazing price.

Finally, your item comes up.  The bidding is heated, but you have your sights on that item, and you're going to get it!  Before you know it, the gavel bangs down, and... "Sold!"  It's yours!  

The auction continues.  There might be several more items that you're interested in along the way.  Perhaps you're looking to furnish a new home, or seeking to purchase the equipment you need for a farm, or increase your art collection.  Auctions can be fascinating places to find things that you never even knew that you needed.  You bid on the items that you want--disappointed when you lose out as the item goes for a higher price than you're willing to pay, but excited when you do win one of the items that you had your eye on.  Before you know it, you have an impressive collection of items.  

Then you have to get them home.

If you're not from the Houston area, you may need to look for a company to ship your items home.  You'll want a company that is experienced in packing each item on your list.  Sending fine china, artwork, or sculptures?  You'll want a packing company that is skilled at wrapping each individual item before packing them together, whether they're moving on pallets or in crates (or some of both).  Purchase larger items?  You'll want to know that your packing company will carefully wrap each individual item, taking care with all of the little details on your piece of furniture or equipment.

Many shipping companies will tell you that they know what they're doing, that they'll get you the best deals, or that they can handle your shipment.  On your search, seek out one that has experience with all sorts of different items--especially the kind you're transporting.  You want a  company that has handled auction items before--no matter what kind of items they might be.  What if you're purchased a carousel horse?  A model plane?  An electric chair prototype?  These unusual items are not seen often, and the opportunity to buy them is even more rare--so you want to be sure that your shipping company knows how to handle them.  

Once you've found your shipping company, you'll have to wait for your items to reach their final destination.  You can choose a shipping company that provides curbside delivery, or one that will help bring your items inside and unpack them for you.  Choose the option that will work best for you!  

At last, your new items are in their intended home.  You can sit back and enjoy them, knowing that you've come home with a great deal on something spectacular--and that it arrived in perfect condition.

Shipping items out of the Houston area?  Contact us to see what services we can provide for you.

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Ten Things You Didn't Know About the Port of Houston Shipping

Posted on Fri, Apr 24, 2015

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If you're packing goods in the Houston area, you've probably encountered information about the Port of Houston.  The Port  is one of the busiest ports in the United States, moving an incredible amount of cargo through the Gulf of Mexico every day.  But there are a few things  you might not have known before.

  1. The Port of Houston introduced the use of the double-stack train in 1981.  Double-stack trains place one container on top of another, a process which has drastically reduced the cost of transportation.
  2. The Port utilizes a mobile container tracking app that allows truckers to check to see whether or not a container has made it into the port and is available for pickup without coming out unnecessarily. This reduces unnecessary traffic in the area and cuts down on the number of trips truckers have to make--a win/win for everyone concerned.
  3. The Port of Houston has won numerous awards for its environmental programs, which include its efforts to sustain or create more than 3,000 acres of marshland.
  4. The Port facilities handle more than 36 million tons of cargo every year.  Of all the ports in the United States, the Port of Houston moves the most water-born cargo.
  5. The Port of Houston was the first port in the United States to conduct emissions testing on off-road equipment, which they began in 2000.  
  6. The Port is the second-largest petrochemical complex in the world.  More than 35% of the United States gas supply is refined there.
  7. The Port provides around 2.1 million jobs to the area--and that's just the jobs that it provides directly.
  8. In spite of its current size, the Port still has plenty of room to grow.  This attracts many shipping companies, particularly since most other US ports are unable to support such an expansion.
  9. The Port makes some incredible recycling efforts each year.  In 2013, it recycled more than 37 tons of cardboard, 3 tons of plastic, and 16,371 tons of concrete, among its other recycling endeavors.
  10. The Port  has always placed environmental concerns high on its list of things to consider.  In 2002, it became the first United States port to meet the internationally recognized ISO 14001 standards for excellence in its Environmental Management system--as its numerous achievements attest.  

Looking into shipping out of the Houston area?  Contact us to see how we can help.

Need help packing? Get a packing quote!

 

International Freight Shipping Out of Houston

Posted on Wed, Apr 22, 2015

 

International shipping can feel like you're wading through a maze of paperwork.  There are different forms to be filled out depending on where you're shipping your item.  Some countries require the forms to be completed in duplicate or triplicate; affixed to the package in a certain way; or accompanying other forms.  

Each country also has its own restrictions on what can be shipped in and out of the country.  Most places don't want you sending seeds or plants that can turn into seeds, because they can disrupt the local ecosystem.  Others have more specific restrictions regarding weapons than you might be used to.  Still others have even more stringent requirements, even down to where the country of origin for a given product can be.  

All of those restrictions make it easy to step wrong without even meaning to--and that means that you might need an international freight shipping company to help keep everything cleared up for you.  Trust your items to the professionals so that you'll know that everything is in order--no long wait to clear customs; no trouble getting the item to its intended destination.  

When you're looking into an international freight shipping company, you want to look for two things:  first, someone who can complete the paperwork; and second, someone who can pack your goods competently.  Having a single company who can do both of these things effectively will streamline the process so that you don't have to spend more time on transporting goods than you really want to.  

Once you've found someone with experience filling out all the paperwork--that is, someone who knows the difference in paperwork for Belgium and  paperwork for India, and who can get it all filled out for you and on its way in a timely manner--then you'll want to ask questions about their packing abilities.  Ideally, you want someone who has experience packing delicate and expensive items:  someone who knows how to ship whatever material you need to make it overseas.  Need to ship medical equipment?  You'll want someone with experience packing medical equipment.  Transporting artwork?  You'll want to know that it's in the hands of someone who has moved artwork before.  Choose an international shipping company with plenty of experience so that you'll know that your items will arrive safely. 

Tansporting something  internationally out of the Houston area?  Contact us to see how we can help.

internatinonal_freight_shipping_houston

 

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Custom Crate Builder Builds Interesting Crate

Posted on Mon, Apr 20, 2015

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This is an example of a custom crate that pack n send in Houston is building.

 

If you have large or small items that you need crated, please be sure to contact us.

If you need to pack and send a pallet, container or a small box, we can help you out.

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4_3_2015_boat_crate_042

Equipment Shipping: The Ins and Outs

Posted on Mon, Apr 20, 2015

equipment_shipping

 

When you start looking into equipment shipping, you know that you'll need to carefully consider your options based on what your needs will be, not only for this particular round of sending, but for the future.  Planning on moving the same items multiple different times?  What is the approximate size and shape of your shipment?  How heavy is it?  All of these things will impact what you need to do with your shipment--both this time and in the future.  

The first thing you'll want to consider is whether or not you're going to be sending your items more than once.  If you're going to be moving them a single time, then you'll only need them packed up once, and you won't need more durable shipping supplies.  On the other hand, if you're looking into transporting the same items multiple times, you might want to consider having reusable crates built that can be used again and again.  Instead of needing to have custom crates built each time, you can have your crates already on hand.  When the time comes to pack everything up, just wrap it back up and put it in the crate it last shipped in.  

On the other hand, you might only be moving something once--and you need to prepare for that, too.  Whether you're shipping office equipment, oil field equipment, tools for car repair, or any other type of equipment, you want to know that your items are protected and in great hands.  They can be shipped in boxes after being packed in appropriate materials to cushion them, or they can be packaged in crates--whatever is appropriate for your shipment.  

Making a larger shipment?  In that case, you'll want to look into pallet shipping, boxing or crating your items individually before stacking them on a larger pallet.  Pallets are often moved by forklift, so packing them appropriately is important.  You'll want to make sure that nothing hangs over the edge of the pallet and that it is wrapped from the bottom to the top once it's on the pallet for maximum security.

If you're shipping out of the Houston area, contact us!  We can help get your items where they need to be.

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Houston Shipping for College Grads

Posted on Sat, Apr 18, 2015

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Are you a college graduate, or soon-to-be graduate, who plans to move cross-country for the next phase of your life? Perhaps you've landed your first job, or you just want to explore a new location. Now's the time to start planning how to handle the big move. It can be overwhelming! You might be torn between wanting to have the essentials with you while also wanting to rid yourself of the unnecessary “stuff” that you have accumulated over the years.

The easiest way to get started is to assign everything to one of the following four categories:

  1. Keep
  2. Sell
  3. Donate
  4. Discard

You should keep items you use regularly, irreplaceable items of sentimental value, and, of course, important documents. Next, you can make some cash when you sell items that you no longer need but that are in good condition. Think textbooks, electronics, movies, and music. Donate clothing and other unwanted items to a charity or thrift store. Finally, you can throw out or recycle the majority of the clutter that you have left.

Ready to move? Here are some tips for adjusting to your new city or state:

  • Research the local businesses and services that you'll need. Some of the basics include banks, stores, libraries, and government offices.

  • Visit in person, if possible, before your relocation. Walk around, take public transportation if available, and just familiarize yourself with the layout of your new neighborhood.

  • Be social, both before and after you arrive. Go online or chat with locals in person to get recommendations for things to do and sites to see.

    It's normal to feel homesick and disoriented when you move to a brand new place. Some things that can help you feel at home right away include games and mementos from your childhood, family heirlooms, special artwork, and even specialty food items that you can't find in your new hometown.

    If you're leaving the Houston area, you'll want to deal with a company that will custom pack and safely ship your belongings, from clothing to furniture to auto parts. Contact us a Houston  shipping company for more tips and to discuss your packing and shipping preferences.

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Packing and Shipping in Houston: The Port of Houston

Posted on Thu, Apr 16, 2015

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Many people refer to Houston as "the town that built the port that built the city," and that's a fantastic description of the Houston area.  While there are a number of fascinating tourist attractions in the Houston area, including Space Center Houston (home of NASA's mission control) and the largest fine arts museum in the Southwest area, one of the greatest draws of business traffic in the Houston area is the Port of Houston.  If you regularly send and receive shipments from overseas, chances are, at one point or another, you've had a package come through the Port of Houston.

The Port of Houston, which is just a few hours by ship from the Gulf of Mexico, is one of the biggest cargo and freight  hubs in the United States.  Each year, it is consistently ranked as one of the highest receivers of foreign waterborn tonnage, export tonnage, and total tonnage.  Sixty-five percent of all US project cargo moves through the Port of Houston each year. By 2012, the Port of Houston was known to have generated more than a million jobs throughout the state of Texas, contributing a $178 billion statewide economic impact.  

The Port of Houston is a valuable and necessary addition to Texas and United States economy.  Houston is richly supplied with plenty of methods for moving packages in and out throughout the state and the rest of the United States, making it an ideal location for such a busy hub.  This strategic gateway has become a center for air, truck, and rail connections, making it one of the busiest economic centers in the United States.  Packing and shipping services in the Houston area have become increasingly common, with many foreign businesses finding it prudent to set up shop in this area in order to help facilitate the transmission of goods from the United States to their home area.  

This vital addition to the Houston economy has helped make Texas the vibrant cultural center that it is today.  Among its many draws are the diversity of its people.  Houston is home to the nation's third largest consular corps, with more than 90 nations represented.  It has 22 foreign banks that represent more than a dozen nations--and it's one of only eight cities in the United States to house a branch of the U.S. Export-Import Bank.  All of this is due to its key shipping location--represented by the Port of Houston.

All of this makes Houston an ideal location for shipping and receiving.  There are numerous companies in the Houston area dedicated to streamlining the process of packing and shipping.  If you're going to be shipping  in Houston, either goods in or out of the Houston area, contact us to see how we can help make that process easier for you.

 

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Packing and Shipping Gifts for Women in Houston

Posted on Tue, Apr 14, 2015

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You may think that  that women are difficult to shop for.  Many of them have a tendency to do their own shopping, so that when they really want something, they already have it before you even think to look for it.  That means that you have to be creative--to come up with something that they haven't even realized that they need yet.  Check out this list of gift ideas for women below, and see what you might be able to use to delight the special woman in your life.

 

  • Personalized jewelry has been a hot market item for the last couple of years. Is she a mother?  Jewelry that includes her children's birthstones is sure to be a hit.  Try a birthstone locket, rings that represent each of her children, or a mother's necklace.  

  • If you know her style and the things that she will find meaningful, an inspirational poster or painting to hang on her wall will help her to think of you each time she looks at it.

  • Is she a cook?  Consider a spice, seasoning, or sauce kit that will let her mix things up in the kitchen in new and exciting ways.  More of a baker?  Pick up a specialty tool that she wouldn't normally justify for herself: a  special cake pan, or silicone liners or tools.  

  • Help her pamper herself with a gift reminiscent of the spa:  pick out some lotions, add in a five-star terry robe, and remind her that she's worth the extra effort.

  • Kick it up a notch with a fancy coffeemaker.  Most people are more likely to purchase a simple version for themselves, but a luxury version will allow her to prepare more complicated coffee drinks with a better flavor from the comfort of her own kitchen.

  • Does she have a signature scent?  If you know what it is, you can pick her up a perfume or body spray that she'll love with little effort.  No idea what her favorite scent might be?  Help her choose a new one with a fragrance sampler kit.

  • Go the technology route:  pick her up a digital picture frame (what better way to see all of her memories at once?), a camera to help capture those memories, or accessories for her smart phone or tablet.  

  • Consider a membership to a red wine club, if she likes to pair wine with her meals.  It will give her the chance to explore some new flavors and possibly find a favorite that she didn't even know she had.

    Are you packing and shipping your gift out of the Houston area?  Contact us for help with all of your packing and shipping needs.  

  • Need help packing? Get a packing quote!

Shipping Gifts for Teenage Boys

Posted on Sun, Apr 12, 2015

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If there are teenage boys on your gift-buying list, you know that they can be incredibly difficult to shop for.  Gift cards and cash are always well-received, but they lack the personal touch that you really want to share with the people you love.  Check out a list of the hottest gifts for teenage boys in 2015, and see if you can come up with something that the teenage boys in your life will love.

  • Awkward Moment card game.  Everyone knows that there are moments in life when things just get awkward--and the young man in your life will love the chance to get silly with his friends and laugh about all of those crazy moments.

  • Giant food.  Whether it's a giant peanut butter-filled chocolate egg or a giant gummy bear, the teenage boy in your life will be fascinated by over-sized food items.  Hey, they over-sized appetites, right?

  • A fancy watch.  Choose the brand of your choice, but the more fun features it has, the more excited he's going to be.  Does he play sports or engage in other fitness activities?  A fitness watch might be your best bet to score a hit.

  • A good wallet.  Teenage guys are having to learn to think about where they're storing their money for the first time.  If he's the type to just shove it in his back pocket and go, then something slim line and easy to organize will be right up his alley.  Choose a wallet that will grow with him, so that he doesn't have to change it up in a few years when his favorite television show is now the least popular one in school...or choose something fun that he'll enjoy immediately, even if it means that he'll have to replace it later.

  • Shakespeare Insult Generator book.  This book is great for hours of laughs with a good friend--especially the kind of friend that he's exchanging regular insults with anyway.  And hey, if he's playing online games and regularly engages in banter, it will give him a whole new list of insults to choose from.  Who knows?  Something Shakespearean might just become the next "your mom!" joke!

  • Games.  If you know the kinds of video games he likes, feel free to go shopping--especially if you're working from a list.  If you don't, then play it safe:  choose a new tabletop or handheld game that will see plenty of use.  Penny hockey or soccer games, card games, or party games are usually a safe bet.  

  • Technology.  There are all sorts of cool gadgets out there that will make the teenage boy in your life feel like he's been spoiled utterly. Check out a pocket DJ mixer for the music fanatic in your life; headphones for almost any teenage guy; or the newest gadget on the market for the tech geek on your shopping list.  Teenage boys are fascinated by technology--even if it's actually the more complicated way to get something done.

Shipping your gift out of the Houston area?  Contact us and let us help arrange for your gift to get to its chosen destination.

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Houston Shipper Packs Auction Items

Posted on Fri, Apr 10, 2015

auction_shipper_houston_2There is nothing like the thrill of an auction.  Your adrenalin pumps as you view that one item that you just can't live without--an airplane from an amusement park ride.  It takes you back to your childhood and it will be a perfect addition to your collection.  And then you find the original Six Flags over Texas! You just have to have them.  Add to these, your other discoveries-- a computerized dragon, and a 10' Alaskan Polar taxidermy bear. Too soon, the afternoon is over.  As you look at you purchases, you realize they could fill a small room!  

Professional packing companies can carefully evaluate your collection and prepares your purchases for shipping.  Some items can be carefully boxed. Some items will require  custom-made crates.  Each container is carefully constructed. Sometimes, a protective layer of bubble wrap, peanuts, Styrofoam, or double boxing is used. Custom crating companies and custom boxing companies can make sure that each item is fully protected and fits exactly into its container for shipping.

 

 

Auction shippers want to ensure that each valuable treasure you so carefully selected arrives at your home perfectly intact. When all the items are safely packed, crating and packing companies work closely with you to determine the most reliable and economical way to ship your purchases safely and efficiently.

In Houston, TX, pack n send is expert at shipping artwork. They have shipped framed posters and paintings from museums with values ranging from $50 to $850,000 for a single piece. If you need artwork packing advice, they are more than willing to share their knowledge with you.

When researching a professional packing company pack and send recommends using a company that has experience sending porcelain statues, oil paintings, photography prints, and 3D media. 

Some artwork will need to be protected with a special paper used specifically for shipping before boxing or crating the pieces. By using this paper you are adding an extra layer of protection, which allows for even safer shipping. 

Perhaps, at your next auction you will find a chandelier.  Look for a shipping company that specializes in shipping crystal, wrought iron, wood and ceramic chandeliers.  Make sure that they are able to build a custom crate for each chandelier. The crates are lined with Styrofoam, and the chandeliers are hung for shipping. Then the chandelier is braced or the space is filled with peanuts for safe travel. Designers and private individuals ship chandeliers all over the country by using professional crating services.  Even deer horn chandeliers are able to be shipped safely.

No job should be too big or too small. Look for a company that can pack delicate pieces of fine china, as well as, automobiles

You read in the paper that there is another big auction this weekend.  There is a possibility that this time, you will want to purchase an entire estate.  You decided to go into business selling items on eBay. You think of the Houston shippers 

You have a talent of discovering unique art, furniture, and other finds. Now you can concentrate on what you know best.  You love to buy and the auction shippers love to pack and send.  It is a perfect match!

 

Need help packing? Get a packing quote!

Shipping Gifts for Teenage Girls in Houston

Posted on Wed, Apr 08, 2015

Teenage girls are impossible to shop for--at least if you want to personalize your gift.  You want to pick out something that you know they'll love, but it often feels like the harder you look, the harder it is to come up with something that they'll really appreciate.  Sure, there are gift cards and cash--sure to be an instant hit--but you want to customize your gift to be something that the teenage girl on your shopping list will really enjoy.

Check out a few of the top gifts for teenage girls in 2015, and choose from the list below or use it to come up with something on your own.  You never know--you might find the perfect gift for the teenage girl in your life.

  • Go the technology route.  Whether it's a set of Beats headphones or a muti-device charging station that will keep her from having things plugged in all over the house, picking up some of the latest and greatest technology for the young lady in your life will make you an instant hit.  Don't forget the technology aids, either:  smart phone stands, tablet charging devices, and phone cases are all among the latest fads.
  • Most teenage girls love taking pictures.  Pick her up a great digital camera that will let her capture all of the important moments in her life.  Bonus points will be given for cameras that are designed to handle being thrown in her bag and carried everywhere--because after all, if it's going to capture her active lifestyle, it needs to stand up to it.
  • Pick up a smart key chain for the young lady in your life, and she'll never have to go hunting for her keys again!  It connects to her smart phone, so it's easy to track it down.  
  • If you're shopping for jewelry, you want it to be something that she'll love.  Think about a necklace that showcases her initials, or a locket that you can personalize just for her.  Making it personal makes her much more likely to fall in love with it--which makes all the difference in how often she'll wear it.
  • Party games are always a hit!  Check out  Apples to Apples (which is appropriate for players of all ages).  
  • Giant chocolate or gummy bears--check out the one-pound Snicker's bar, or look for something in her favorite candy.  She'll be fascinated by the large size, and she can share with her friends!
  • Remember all those pictures that teenage girls love to take?  Pick out a photo printer just for her and watch those memories come to life in full color on a much more regular basis.  Don't forget the ink and photo paper!  
  • Inspirational pillows or throw pillows will be the perfect complement to your favorite teenage girl's personal space.  Pick something that's in a style that she'll love, and she'll think of you every time she lounges on it...or throws it at her siblings. 

Shipping your gift out of the Houston area?  Contact us to help discuss your shipping needs.

 

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Shipping to Belgium A Few Regulations

Posted on Wed, Apr 01, 2015

ShippingtoBelgiumShipping to Belgium doesn't have to be complicated.  Sure, there are a few things that you'll need to keep in mind, but don't worry!  A quick check of the regulations for sending goods to Belgium according to the USPS website, a look over your shipment, and you'll be good to go.  Just remember:  

Things that can not be sent to Belgium include:

  • Weapons or arms of any kind
  • Bronze, copper, and nickel coins that aren't legal tender in Belgium, unless they're being imported for a private collection
  • Commercial shipments containing nicotine.  This includes both tobacco products and electronic or vapor cigarettes
  • Live plants and animals (this is a common restriction when shipping outside the United States--you don't want to upset the local ecosystem)
  • Human remains 
  • "Perishable infectious biological substances"
  • Radioactive materials

Other things to remember when sending items to Belgium:

  • When shipping Priority Mail International, parcels require a street address.  They can't be delivered to a P.O. Box.  
  • An invoice is required for all commercial shipments (no matter what the value) and any personal shipments valued at more than $300.  This invoice, in duplicate, should be attached to the outside of the package or enclosed with the customs declaration.
  • Many items require import licenses.  Before shipping, please check with the individual who will be receiving your shipment to be sure that they hold the necessary permits to be able to receive these items.
  • Gift shipments intended for private individuals rather than commercial use are exempt from the licensing requirement; however, the value of those shipments must be less than 74 EUR.  

Did You Know?

  • Belgium, which is located in western Europe, is officially called the Kingdom of Belgium.
  • The European Union has its headquarters in Belgium.  Belgium is also its founding member.  
  • The area of Belgium is around 11,787 square miles.
  • Many of the political powers in Europe fought a number of wars in Belgium, earning it the nickname "the cockfighting arena of Europe."
  • Germany invaded Belgium in 1914.  Because of the excesses taken by Germany during that occupation, the beginning was known as the "Rape of Belgium."
  • Belgium has three primary languages:  German, Flemish, and French.
  • Belgium is divided into three regions:  the Flemish region, the Walloon region, and the Brussels Capital Region.  The Flemish Region and the Walloon region are each divided into five different provinces.
  • Belgium shares its borders with France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. 
  • The highest point in Belgium is lower than the world's tallest building.
  • There are a number of recognized religions in Belgium, but more than fifty percent of the population does not follow any religion. 
  • Belgium has the highest divorce rate in Western Europe.
  • The inventor of the saxophone, Adolph Sax, made his home in Belgium.
  • George Lemaitre, who originated the Big Bang Theory, was from Belgium.  Lemaitre was both a priest and a physicist.  
  • Belgium has been producing chocolate since 1635.  These days, annual chocolate production averages about 173,000 tons.  

Contact us for more information about sending goods to Belgium.  If you need help navigating the task of international shipping from the Houston area, we're here to provide it.  

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Retail Freight Receving: Taking the Stress Off You

Posted on Mon, Mar 30, 2015

retailfreightreceivingWhen it comes time to receive a shipment, you know that you've got a busy day's work ahead of you.  Not only do you have to unpack and sort all of the materials that you have coming in, but you also need to inspect the products that you've ordered to ensure that they're exactly what you ordered and nothing was damaged during the shipping process.  Feeling a little overwhelmed?  A company that offers retail freight receiving might be the best bet for you.

There are several advantages to hiring a company to receive your shipment and examine the materials for you.  For example...

It helps streamline the process for you.  You want to know that once your items have been received, they're ready to go.  Allowing a freight receiving company to examine them for you will ensure that when the products enter your warehouse, you've received exactly what you expected in exactly the condition you require.  

You don't have to deal with shipping materials.  Properly packing items for shipment can take a lot of materials--most of which you'll probably end up just throwing away.  Using a freight receiving company means that dealing with the shipping supplies is on them, so you don't have to worry about it.

Your goods will be delivered at a time that is convenient for you.  Traditional shipping often means delays in shipments arriving and never quite knowing when they're coming in--or what you're going to get when they do.  With a  receiving company taking care of the paperwork, you'll know what you have coming in and have more confidence that it will arrive at  a pre arranged time and date.  

Your goods will be inspected for you.  Even large companies often have employees who will not inspect their deliveries to the best of their ability--or who may not know what they're looking for.  Having a freight receiving company intercept your goods ahead of time will help ensure that your goods have been inspected correctly, with no question as to who is responsible if something has been missed.  

Contact us to discuss your retail freight receiving needs!

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Packing Fine China in the Houston Area

Posted on Sat, Mar 28, 2015

At first glance, fine china is just very expensive dinnerware.  Sure, it's pretty.  It's also delicate, making it very difficult to get it clean safely--no dishwashers for these plates and cups!  Fine china, while it is certainly used for the same purpose as regular dinnerware, has a number of characteristics that set it apart.  

Fine china is a work of art.  Many times, when a line of fine china is introduced, only a limited number of pieces are produced.  If a piece is broken, it is often very costly to replace--particularly if it has been quite some time since the initial purchase.  China may be decorated with anything you can imagine, but it's most commonly a floral or geometric pattern.  Most often, china has a white, ivory, or off-white base.  It can be trimmed in precious metals (most frequently gold) and accented with bright colors to draw the eye or muted colors for an understated, elegant effect.  

Fine china is typically used for formal occasions.  While there are those who use their china on a regular basis, most commonly, fine china is saved for special occasions.  While a woman might bring out her fine china for an anniversary dinner with her husband, it's probably not the dinnerware that's used on the table every night--especially not if there are children in the house!

Fine china often holds great sentimental value.  Not too long ago, it was very common for a couple to build their set of fine china through wedding gifts, so each and every piece likely has special meaning to the couple.  It is also a common birthday or anniversary present--or, even more commonly, passed down as an inheritance, so that there are pieces of china that have been in a family for generations.  

China's origins:  Fine China began in the country that gave it its name.  Artisans constructed special kilns that could reach extremely high temperatures, creating a nonporous surface that was very hard.  It had these properties prior to glazing, but most frequently, glaze was added to add not only decorative effect, but also protection against aging and staining.  

Initially, this porcelain was produced for common, everyday objects:  dinner plates, cups, and so on.  As the methods became more widespread, china was also produced for decorative objects and other uses.  It took years for Europeans to discover the method used by the Chinese to produce this desirable substance, but with time and practice, they gradually developed the art--and slowly added their own artistic elements and tastes.  Now, china is mass-produced just like any other product--but that doesn't make it any less expensive or desirable.  

Because of its value--both sentimental and monetary--and intrinsic frailty, china is a very difficult item to ship.  If you're packing and shipping china in the Houston area, you might want help from a professional--someone with plenty of experience packing china, whether for estates, moving companies, or private individuals.  

The utmost care should be taken when packing your china pieces.  Each one should be wrapped individually in bubble wrap and double boxing them, adding packing peanuts and other packing materials to ensure the maximum level of protection.  Under the best circumstances, your china should be picked up at your home or office and custom packed to ensure that every piece receives the protection it needs and deserves.  

Contact us to arrange for a quote and to discuss any questions you might have about shipping your fine china.

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Packing and Shipping Electronics

Posted on Thu, Mar 26, 2015

packinghoustonShipping electronics can be a complex task.  Some electronics aren't packaged well to begin with, and getting them to their destination in one piece can feel like a major headache.  Thankfully, if you're packing and shipping electronics in the Houston area, there are a few things you can do to ensure that everything arrives safely at its intended destination.  

Feeling overwhelmed by all of the things that are necessary in order to ship your electronics worry-free?  Anti-static plastic or bubble wrap:  which one is the best choice?  How much Styrofoam is really necessary to properly protect your delicate electronic equipment?  Just packing a single box can feel like a major task--what if you have large quantities of electronic equipment to ship?  

Shipping a smaller quantity of electronics?  Your equipment can be wrapped, then placed in a specially designed box filled with packing peanuts or Styrofoam to cushion your device and prevent it from being jostled around during shipment.  

For larger shipments, the pieces may need to  be boxed individually, then stacked on pallets framed by 1x4s, Styrofoam, and thick cardboard.  Pallets are most often moved by forklifts and other machines, so your delicate electronic equipment should be protected as much as possible before it's shipped out.  Once they're packed, the entire shipment should be  wrapped in protective wrap, starting at the bottom and working up so that the base is very secure.  Under the best circumstances, large electronics shipments are moved by individual moving trucks or by your packing company.  

Care should be ensured when shipping all kinds of electronics:

  • Personal computers
  • Computer accessories
  • Server racks
  • Servers, routers, and switches
  • High value electronics

Ideally, your electronic equipment should be picked up at your home or office and packed by professionals, who know how to make sure that your shipment arrives in the best possible condition.  Contact us to arrange for an estimate and hear more about how we can help you ship your electronic equipment.  

Did you know?  A few facts and figures on computers and other electronics.  

  • The first portable Macintosh computer weighed sixteen pounds.  
  • The Apple III, in 1981, was the first great flop for Apple computers.
  • The first computer mouse, which was made in 1964, was constructed out of wood.
  • The first microprocessor was designed by Intel for a calculator.  At the time, no one had any idea where that invention would lead.
  • If Facebook were a country, with its vast number of users, it would be the third largest country in the world.
  • Apollo 11--which went to the moon--had less processing power than the average cell phone now commands.
  • The first one gigabyte hard drive weighed more than 550 lbs.
  • The first hard drive, which was created in the 1970s, could only hold 5MB of data.
  • The amount of static electricity that it would take to completely destroy a computer's delicate circuits wouldn't even be felt by a human being.
  • Amazon now sells more ebooks than printed books.  
  • When you're using a computer, you often blink seven or less times per minute--less than half of the average twenty blinks per minute while doing other tasks.
  • Around twenty percent of the creators of computer viruses work for organized crime syndicates.
  • The country with the highest percentage of internet users is Sweden, which clocks in at around 75% internet usage.
  • The average 21-year-old has spent around 5,000 hours playing video games.
  • Google's spell checker and "did you mean" feature in their search engine almost instantly doubled their traffic.
  • To keep World of Warcraft, one of the most popular online multiplayer games, running, it costs more than $130,000 per day.

For assistance packing and shipping electronics, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston.

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Houston Packing Services: Shipping Artwork

Posted on Wed, Mar 25, 2015

Shipping Art?

If you're an art collector who shops in the Houston area, it's likely that at some point, you've felt the need to ship some of your valuable collection.  It can be difficult to trust that someone else will treat your artwork with the care that it deserves.  It's tucked away in a box, where its beauty is hidden from view; and in addition to that, many people don't have the eye to recognize that the artwork they're holding is immensely valuable.  Consider, for example, the works of Henri Matisse.  Someone who doesn't know what they're looking at might not recognize the true value of these pieces at a glance, assuming that they are easily replaceable should something happen.

They aren't.

The works of Henri Matisse are fairly well-known in the art world.  He has produced such gems as Still Life With Geraniums, The Conversation, and View of Notre Dame.  Matisse's The Yellow Curtain has a fascinating history of discussion and interpretation surrounding it, but at first glance, it's not much to look at.  These paintings, as well as many others, carry a hefty price tag whenever they are sold, and are insured heavily when they are shipped--but insurance doesn't cover the loss to the art world and to the artist's culture if something should happen in transit.  

Pack-n-Send doesn't just ship your paintings out in a crate that is "close enough" to the right size, either.  We construct custom crates that are specifically designed for the needs of your pieces of art.

  Taking the art to a show?  Pack-n-Send can easily construct crates that can be unpacked upon arrival and repacked at the end of the show so that they can easily be shipped back home again.  

Our Houston packing services are well-known throughout the art world.  Sending a  sculptures?  Not a problem.  Again, Pack-n-Send is able to construct custom crates to protect your sculpture  throughout its shipment, using  the materials necessary to ensure that nothing will move during the shipping process.  We recognize how precious each sculpture is, whether it's the work of a legend like Picasso or the work of a neighborhood artist who is getting ready to open a show for the first time.  No matter what medium was used for the sculpture--marble, plastic, or found objects like bicycle parts and license plates--Pack-n-Send can ship your artwork safely.  It doesn't matter whether it's traditional sculpture, freestanding and attached only to its own base, or a relief sculpture that stands up off of a backdrop.  It doesn't matter if the piece is historic or contemporary.  We have experience with everything from a $50 piece of artwork to the $850,000 piece.  If it's heading out of Houston, Pack-n-Send is the way to get it to its destination.  

Contact us for a shipping quote or with any questions you might have about shipping your valuable items. We can prepare an estimate, give you further information about how your art or sculpture will be protected during shipment, or give you examples of things that we have shipped in the past--a fascinating collection of items that includes everything from paintings to cars and more.  If you need to get it there, Pack-n-Send knows how.  Our shipping services cover both domestic and international, so no matter where you may need to ship your artwork, be assured that Pack-n-Send knows how to do it.

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Packing Services in Houston Texas: Shipping Car Parts

Posted on Tue, Mar 24, 2015

packingservicesinhoustontxIf you're looking to ship heavy car parts like engines and transmissions, you want to make sure that your package is going to get to its destination in great shape.  You don't want car parts that won't work at the other end!  Luckily, there are packing services in Houston, Texas that can help you get your car parts to their destination exactly the way you intend.  No matter what you're shipping, there are a few things that you'll want to take into consideration.

First, make sure that your car parts are drained of any and all liquids.  Yes, that means that they're going to have to be refilled on the other end; but most shipping services prefer that everything be drained before it's sent on.  Unfortunately, failing to do this can hold up your shipment.  If leaks occur during shipping, the fluids in your car parts can damage your packing materials, leading to further expense down the road.  Also, be warned that you can incur fees if damage occurs because you've skipped this step--so it makes much more sense to take care of it up front. 

Your car parts should be packaged properly.  In the case of engines, transmissions, and other large car parts, this likely means placing them on a pallet or in a sturdy crate.  More than likely, your car parts will need to be moved by a forklift, so your shipment will need to be packaged accordingly.  

Always inspect packages for damage before the driver leaves.  Make sure to check your package over carefully.

Contact us for a quote for your auto parts transportation needs.  

Did You Know?

  • The most common cars--most notably Honda Civics and Honda Accords--are also the ones that are stolen the most often.  It's fairly uncommon for thieves to keep cars intact.  Instead, they take them to "chop shops" and take them apart, then use them for their parts.
  • Henry Ford believed that it was reasonable to have one model of car that would work for everyone.  Initially, the Ford line only produced one type of car, and it only came in one color:  black.
  • The first radio wasn't seen in a car until 1929.  
  • Cars are one of the most frequently recycled materials on the market--and these days, car manufacturers are working toward including more and more recycled products in their cars.
  • Over the course of your lifetime, you'll probably spend around two weeks waiting for lights to change.
  • Prior to 1902, there was no such thing as a speeding ticket.  Of course, back then, cars couldn't go much faster than 45 miles per hour.
  • In the United States, there are enough cars for everyone to have one--including children too young to drive.  
  • Most cars have airbags that deploy around forty milliseconds after impact--which isn't enough time for your body to have come into contact with anything yet.  
  • Henry Ford streamlined the assembly line process for his automobiles in 1914.  The process took it down from 12.5 man hours to create a single vehicle to around 1.5.  He also significantly reduced injuries by assigning each worker to a specific area.
  • A driverless car has already been developed.  These innovative vehicles are expected to be available for public purchase sometime around 2020.  These cars could potentially reduce the number of cars that need to be on the road at any given time, as well as significantly improving road safety.

If you are in need of packing in Houston, or Texas Shipping, please feel free to contact us. We are happy to answer your auto parts shipping questions.

 

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Crating and Packing Glass in Houston Texas

Posted on Mon, Mar 23, 2015

cratingandpackinghoustontexasAny time you have to move your glass items, it makes you a little bit nervous.  You hope that everything will come out all right on the other end, and that nothing will happen in transit, but your nerves are a little bit unsteady nonetheless.  That's where Pack N Send comes in.  If you're crating and packing glass in Houston, Texas, come to Pack N Send for all of your shipping needs.  

There are several methods that we can use for packing up your special glass items, all of them with the utmost care to ensure that they arrive at their destination unmarred.  Rest assured that Pack N Send is highly experienced at packing and moving expensive and irreplaceable items.  We are used by a number of galleries, designers, and households for their glass shipping needs.  

All of our glass is packaged with care.  We have doublewall boxes that will help pad your shipments; packing peanuts and Styrofoam cut to shape; and specialized boxes that are constructed individually for your shipment.  

Shipping Murano glass?  Pack N Send is very much aware of the history of Murano glass and how much care must be taken with it.  Murano glass has been around for centuries.  It started way back during the Roman empire, when molded glass fixtures began to appear in bathhouses.  By the 8th century, Venice had emerged as one of the world's leading producers of molded glass, a status that they held on to for centuries.  

Murano glass experienced the peak of its popularity during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.  Around this time, one of the Venetian glassmakers discovered the method that produced clear glass, allowing them to take over as the sole producer of mirrors in Europe.  Because porcelain and china were very popular at this time, glassmakers also discovered the method that would allow them to create white glass that successfully mimicked porcelain.  

Clear and white glass weren't the only methods being learned during this fascinating period of history, however.  Venetian glassmakers also learned how to create enameled and gilded glass, an art form that originated in the Middle East and spread throughout the world.  They created elaborate designs by twisting and swirling different colors of glass, created more shapes and colors of glass than ever before, and created steadily more complex designs and patterns.  

Venice remained a cultural center for glass, but as new trade routes opened and people throughout the world learned to produce glass of their own, their contributions became slightly less prized.  Gradually, the production of glass and all of the techniques used in Venice spread throughout the world--but new, fascinating methods continued to emerge one by one.  This included the process of inserting small flecks of metal into the glass product in order to create a sparkly effect.  

By the twentieth century, many of the old techniques had been forgotten, but Venetian glassmakers were determined to bring back some of the classic styles and techniques.  Gradually, they have rediscovered some of the techniques used by their ancestors, improving the quality of current production.  Murano glassmakers strive to find a balance between technical accomplishment, or proper use of the techniques, and the color and designs appreciated by most buyers.  

Obviously, if you're delving into glass art, you need a shipping service that would take as much care of your glass as you yourself--and that's where Pack N Send comes in. We have the experience to see to it that your glass is packaged with the utmost care so that it will shine as brilliantly in its destination as it did when you made your purchase.  Contact us for a quote concerning your glass shipping needs.  

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Shipping to Guam-Is it International Shipping from the US?

Posted on Sat, Mar 21, 2015

GuamInternationalShippingIf you're in the Houston area, you're in luck!  Everything you need to know about shipping to Guam can be discovered at Pack N Send.  Pack N Send is your best bet for meeting all of your cargo, freight and packing needs.  

The first thing you need to know about Guam is that it's not actual an "international shipping" location from the United States. Inspite of the fact that it is located in the western Pacific Ocean and is not part of the continental United States.  Guam is one of the territories of the United States, so delivering to Guam is considered domestic sending.

That means Guam is governed by the same rules as shipping things within the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii (and to the other territories governed by the United States).  According to the USPS, shipping to Guam is governed by domestic shipping rules, so no special restrictions apply.  

Have further questions?  Contact us with any questions you might have about mailing to Guam.  We can help you wade through that maze and come out on the other side knowing that your package has gotten where you need it to go with all of the paperwork it needs to get there on time.

Did you know? 

  • Guam is the largest island in Micronesia.  
  • Guam has a hot, tropical climate.  It's unusual for the temperature to drop below 70 degrees even on the coolest night--so it's a tropical paradise!
  • The terms used to describe people from Guam--"Guamanians" for the locals, "Chamorros" for the indigenous people--are not recognized by spell check on Google Chrome.  Microsoft Office does recognize "Guamanians."  
  • The beaches of Guam are made up of ground coral, not sand.
  • The major religion of Guam is Roman Catholicism.  Roman Catholics make up around 85% of the population.
  • The official language and currency of Guam are the same as the ones claimed by America--English and the US dollar, respectively.  Guam is an American territory in every sense of the word.  They do recognize a second official language, Chamorro.  
  • For the most part, the citizens of Guam celebrate the same holidays as other American citizens.  They do celebrate two holidays that are unique to the area:  Guam Discovery Day on the first Monday in March and Liberation Day on July 21.
  • Guam boasts the world's largest Kmart.  This is actually a popular tourist location!  The Kmart is so big that there is parking on the roof of the building.
  • The territory of Guam is the largest per capita consumer of Tabasco sauce in the world.  It has been suggested that this appreciation for the spicy sauce begins in the cradle.
  • Guam is also a huge consumer of Spam.  Spam has even made commemorative cans for Guam's Liberation Day celebrations.  
  • One of the most unwanted pests on the island of Guam is the brown tree snake, which was introduced to the island during World War II, when cargo ships allowed a few to escape.  The pests have grown out of control.  At one point, it was estimated that for every citizen of Guam, there were hundreds of snakes.
  • All of the paved roads in Guam are created by mixing cement and ground coral.
  • The people of Guam have a unique musical instrument known as the belembatouyan, which is created from a hollow gourd.  This produces a sound that is fascinating to hear.
  • For 31 months, from December 1941 to July 1944, Guam was under Japanese control.  The United States eventually stepped in and liberated the people of Guam.
  • Over a million people visit Guam each year--many of them from Japan.  The warm, tropical climate and water activities are a huge draw.  
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Packing Gifts for Men in the Houston Area

Posted on Fri, Mar 20, 2015

packinghoustonmangifts

Wherever in the world your family might be, you'll find yourself needing to get gifts to them throughout the year.  Birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions necessitate special attention.  Whether you're packing gifts in the Houston area or packing them somewhere else, you want your family members and friends to know that you've spent the necessary time and effort to choose a gift that they'll love.  At a loss?  Consider choosing from a list of the hottest gifts for 2015.

Shopping for men?  Some of this year's hottest gifts for men include:

  • The Coolest--a product with a record-smashing Kickstarter campaign, The Coolest is a cooler with all the features anyone could ever need for the perfect camping trip or picnic.  It contains a blender, a waterproof music station with bluetooth speaker, a USB charger, storage for plates and utensils, an LED light...what more could you possibly ask for in your cooler?  Well, how about a cutting board and bottle opener?  The Coolest isn't just a cooler--it's a portable kitchen fit for all of your away-from-home excursions.
  • The Trakline leather belt is a great gift for the man in your life. Instead of holes in the belt that will wear out or stretch over time, the Trakline belt has more than forty potential waist positions defined by the hidden track sewn into the back of the belt.  
  • Ray Super Remote:  this remote is streamlined to deliver controls for all of your viewing devices.  Whether you're controlling your television or your X-Box, you'll love this touch-screen device, which controls pretty much...well, everything!
  • Satechi Bluetooth Button:  Does the man in your life constantly find himself fumbling for his phone will driving?  Try the Satechi Bluetooth Button, which will enable him to access his phone with the press of a button that sits right on his steering wheel.
  • Goal Zero Flip Recharger:  Constantly running out of power for your devices on those long trips?  The Goal Zero Flip Recharger offers a full charge for your phone or other devices, and it's light, so you won't mind the extra weight.
  • Ballpark Blueprints, framed and placed behind glass, will allow the special men in your life to commemorate their favorite ballpark in style.  
  • Jackson Hole Gloves are weatherproofed, waterproofed, and designed for work in cold temperatures.  The all-leather construction makes them the perfect choice for the hardworking man in your life.
  • Smart phones are rapidly becoming the technology of the past.  After all, who wants to have to go digging for that clunky device just to get to all of their apps and other features?  The Pebble Smart Watch allows men to access their apps and other features directly from their wrist.
  • Is the man in your life tired of candles that make the entire house smell girly?  ManCans might be the perfect solution for him.  These candles are scented with scents that men will love:  cut grass, pizza, bacon, leather, and other man-friendly scents.  (Mmm...bacon!)  These candles are housed in soup cans, which are first purchased by the companies, then sent to homeless shelters for consumption before being sent back to the company to be turned into candles, making them a great investment for the man in your life.
  • Do you know a man who loves testing out different types of beer--especially all the seasonal flavors and favorites?  A Beer of the Month club might be a great gift choice for him!

Are you shipping your gifts out of the Houston area?  Contact us for help getting your items wherever they need to go.

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Houston Crating: Shipping to Guinea

Posted on Wed, Mar 18, 2015

houstoncratingguinea

Houston crating and shipping to Guinea can feel like a real challenge.  When you first start packing things up, you might have plenty of questions.  Pack N Send can help!  Contact us with all of your international shipping questions.  If you're shipping to Guinea, start by checking out the information below.  

There are a few things that should not be shipped in and out of Guinea.  If your items fall under this list, you shouldn't attempt to ship them.  These prohibitions, according to the USPS website, are as follows:

Prohibited items (that is, items that should not be shipped to Guinea:

  • Arms (that is, guns of any type), ammunition, daggers, sword-canes, brass knuckles, blackjacks, and other "secret weapons"--so anything in which a weapon is concealed is off-limits.
  • Anything that has the "Red Cross" or "Geneva Cross" on it
  • Money:  coins, banknotes, currency notes, etc.  This includes traveler's checks and securities payable to bearer.
  • Precious metals:  gold, silver, platinum (manufactured and natural)
  • Precious stones, jewels, and other valuable artifacts.  In essence, these last three items indicate that nothing of any ready monetary value should be shipped into Guinea.  
  • Any products that give the impression that they were created or put together in France.  This includes any labels on the item, wrappings on the item, or markings on the item itself.  Guinea is coming out highly against supporting France.  This includes both natural and manufactured items.
  • "Perishable infectious biological substances."
  • Radioactive material
  • Weights and measures designed for anything but the metric system (no pounds and inches here!)

Guinea also has a few very particular regulations concerning items shipped into the country.  Study these items carefully before attempting to ship anything in and out of Guinea.  

  • Any products coming from a place that has the same name as a place in France (so anything that might even sound like it comes from a place in France) must be labeled not only with the name of the place, but also with the name of the country.  It must also have the word "imported" clearly visible on the product.
  • Tinned vegetables, fish, and plums are required to have the country of origin imprinted, not only in ink, but in letters that are either raised or lowered at least four millimeters.  They must be in the middle of the lid and on the bottom, in a space that has been devoted entirely to that purpose--no other inscriptions should be in the same space.  The cases and wrappers in which these products appear should be labeled by the country of origin.  

Did You Know?

  • Guinea's official native language is French, but some subgroups within the area--including the Fula, Mandingo, and Susa--speak languages of their own.  
  • Guinea has a hot, dry climate.  From June to November, they experience monsoons; from December to May, the climate remains hot, dry, and windy.
  • Guinea has a rich ecosystem that includes rain forests and incredible wildlife in the south.  It's a beautiful area.
  • The capital city of Guinea is Conakry.
  • Guinea has a rich selection of natural resources including several large mineral deposits, rich agricultural potential, and hydroelectric power sources.  It is the second-largest producer of bauxite.
  • Guinea was originally held by France.  It gained its independence on October 2, 1958, and has celebrated this day as National Day of the Republic of Guinea every year since.
  • Guinea has a very low literacy rate that is countered by the rich musical tradition that can be found there.  Music is used in many cultures as a source of sharing information, particularly information that will need to be repeated later.  Information set to music is much easier to remember and much more likely to stick in a person's head, particularly if they have trained themselves to remember in that
  • way.

Remember, if you have any questions about shipping into Guinea, Pack N Send can help.  We provide shipping services that will help get your package where you want it to go.

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Need to Ship a Pallet in Houston?

Posted on Mon, Mar 09, 2015

Pallet shipping can seem difficult and confusing.  You may wonder how you're going to figure it all out, but it's really not as complicated as you might think!

 There are plenty of items that might require pallet-style shipping.  Larger items that don't fit well in a crate or box, large shipments that need to be moved easily, and many other things will benefit from pallet shipping.  Moving a piece of furniture, like a sofa or recliner?  Pallet shipping might be your best bet.  How about a washer and dryer set, or a dresser, or a dining room set?  Again, pallet shipping might be the way to go.  Moving cartons of goods is much simpler once they're packed into pallets for easy transport, and electronics can be shipped easily once they've been loaded into convenient pallets.

pallet_shipping 

Getting your items onto a pallet with the least amount of effort is something that Pack n send does very well--and we can help you through this process.

Selecting Your Pallet

You'll want to choose a pallet that is larger than the goods that are going to be shipped, so that there is no overhang.  

Make sure that your pallet is strong enough to hold everything that you need to ship.  Remember, all of your goods will be placed on this platform.  You don't want them to crush it before they get there!

Choose a pallet with closely spaced boards for maximum strength and durability.  Make sure that none of the boards are broken, and that there are no nails poking out.  Remember, most pallets are moved by forklift, so you don't want anything sticking out that can get hung or that might tear your shipment or someone else's!

If you're going to be shipping internationally, your pallet will need to be made of heat-treated wood.  The wood only needs to be treated once, so once it's been treated, the wood is safe for use.  Heat treated wood helps to prevent unwanted pests from nesting in the pallet and inadvertently being taken to other countries, where they could upset the local ecosystem (or, on a more personal level, decide that your goods are food during the long shipping process).  

 

Getting Your Pallet Ready for Shipping

Package items in smaller cartons.  Make sure that the cartons are sturdy and that they are sealed with tape or staples to help prevent them from breaking open, spilling, or being crushed.  

Don't allow the boxes to extend past the edges of the pallet.  Remember, the pallet acts as a stand and helps provide the dimensions for your shipping needs.  

Don't leave too much space between items or boxes.  If there is a great deal of space, items are more likely to shift during transport.  Remember, pallets are often moved by forklifts, so operators may have a difficult time preventing shifting if your items are improperly packaged.  

Arrange your items in columns for a smoother trip.  

Use straps as necessary to keep your items in place, then wrap your entire pallet in stretch wrap, which is essentially industrial strength plastic wrap.  This should offer an extra layer of protection to your items and prevent them from shifting during shipping.  Stretch wrap should be wrapped from the bottom up to ensure maximum stability.  Items may shift slightly as they are wrapped.

Need to ship a pallet in the Houston area?  Then we've got all the tools you need at Pack N Send.  Contact us for a quote on your pallet shipping needs, or to ask any questions that you might have.  If you have pallet shipping needs, Pack n  send is the place for you! 

Remember, no matter where your items are going, Pack n send is one of your best resources for pallet shipping.  

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Single Piece Furniture Shippers in Houston

Posted on Sat, Mar 07, 2015

Single piece furniture shippers in the Houston area can breathe a sigh of relief:  Pack n send is here to help.  There are times when, for whatever reason, you just need to move a single piece of furniture.  Maybe you're picking up a piece of furniture from your parents in Houston and need to ship it back home.  Maybe you were at an auction, looking at smaller items, and discovered the perfect chair for your living room.  Whatever the case, you're now in the position of needing to ship a single item out of Houston in order to get it safely to its destination.  

In general, if you're going to be shipping multiple pieces of furniture--an entire room worth, a set, or several pieces of an inheritance, for example; or if you're moving and going to be taking all of your furniture with you--it is recommended to ship everything at one time via freight in order to ensure the least expensive and most efficient delivery.  After all, you don't want pieces of furniture trickling in one at a time while you try to figure out what to do with them or wait for the rest to arrive so that the whole set can be used.  A dining room table doesn't do you a lot of good without the chairs to go with it, and an ottoman doesn't have a whole lot of uses unless it's accompanied by its chair.  These pieces can be shipped as a unit, either delivered on the pallet via curbside delivery or sent to a receiving warehouse, taken off of the pallet, and delivered inside to the location of your choice.  

 

single_piece_furniture_shippers

On the other hand, sometimes, you just don't need to ship an entire roomful of furniture at a time.  Maybe you've picked up a dresser to replace one that has seen more than its fair share of use, or discovered the perfect complement to your existing living room decor.  Maybe you're replacing a recliner that's certainly seen better days (what is it about recliners that they tend to see so much more use than any other piece of furniture, especially during those early days with your children?) and just need that single piece to complete your room, rather than redecorating the entire thing.  Maybe it's a new piece of furniture for your kids' rooms.  

If you need to move a single piece of furniture, we can blanket wrap it and deliver it to you, or we can place it on a pallet and ship it on a moving truck with inside delivery.   Choose the method of delivery that will work best for you,

Freight furniture or move furniture with a blanket warp mover. Remember, you have furniture moving options available to you.

 Whether you need it to be delivered to the curb or brought straight inside, seek out experts who  will work with you to ensure a successful delivery.

No matter where your furniture needs to go, pack n send can get it there.  Nowhere in the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, is off limits; and we ship overseas to plenty of other countries, too.  If you're going to be shipping internationally, we have a couple of different options available for you.  Shipping via ocean, the size of your shipment is more important than its weight, and your charges will be based on the number of cubic meters your package occupies. For air shipping, both size and weight must be calculated in order to ensure an accurate estimate.   Contact us to discuss your shipping needs and see what pack  n  send can offer you.  

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Need an Auction House Shipper?

Posted on Fri, Mar 06, 2015

auction_shipper_houstonIf you are looking for an auction house shipper, check to make sure that they have experience crating statutes as well as pictures.If you're shopping at auctions in the Houston area, you're going to need a way to get all of your goodies back home when you're done.  Sometimes, you may have unexpected purchases or end up with delicate items that need to be transported with the utmost care.  After all, you never know what's going to strike your fancy or go for a price that you can't ignore!  Whatever you've purchased,you may be looking for an or an auction house shipper.We have the method for getting it to its destination safely.  If you're looking for  auction shipper in Houston, we offer a wide variety of services to get your purchases where they need to be.

If you are looking for an auction shipping company look for a company that has packed and shipped a large variety of items in prior years. Make sure that they can custom crate high value items and have experience shipping delicate items.

Over the course of our career, pack n send has shipped a variety of interesting and curious items.  Have a challenge for us?  We're up to the task.  Just take a look at the interesting things that we've shipped in the past:  an airplane piece from an amusement park ride; an electric chair prototype; a computerized dragon; a ten-foot bear saved through taxidermy; and dozens of other interesting items that are often considered difficult to pack and ship successfully.  

 Pack N Send has become known for chandelier shipping--a difficult item to package and ship.  No matter what the chandelier is made of, we have experience packing it properly.  Crystal, wrought iron, ceramic, or wood--it doesn't matter.  We construct a crate out of wood and line the crate with Styrofoam, using it to properly brace the chandelier.  Once it's inside, it is either braced so that nothing can fall, or the empty space is filled up with packing peanuts so that nothing rattles or is knocked out of place during transit.  Designers frequently use our services to send their chandeliers all over the country, because they know that Pack N Send will get them there safely.  

Art and sculptures?  Not a problem.  Pack N Send is familiar with the methods for sending all different sorts of artwork.  We carefully package our paintings to ensure that they will arrive safely at the other end.  There is a special type of paper that is often used in shipping paintings.  Pack N Send uses this paper in order to provide an additional layer of protection for your precious artwork.  When it arrives at its destination, it should be every bit as beautiful as it was when it left your hands. 

Packing your art for a show?  Pack N Send can construct custom crates for your artwork that are easy to repack on the other end, so all you have to do is package them up and send them back again.  We've shipped for galleries throughout the world, so we have plenty of experience.  

Shipping electronics after your auction shopping experience? Need an  auctionhouse shipper?    Not a problem.  Pack N Send can ship electronics by the box, pallet, or truckload.  Each item in your electronics collection is packaged with care to ensure that it arrives at its destination intact.  It doesn't matter what you're shipping.  Servers, routers, switches, and racks; computer accessories and equipment; high value electronics...you name it, Pack N Send knows how to get it there.  We can pick up the electronics at your home or office, where they will be packed with the utmost care in order to ensure proper delivery.  Your items are packaged carefully with materials designed to protect them during the shipping process.  For larger quantities, we place the packaged electronics on carefully constructed pallets before transporting them.  

If you are looking for an auction house shipper, check to make sure that they have experience crating statutes as well as pictures.

Contact us for an estimate on auction shipping.  Whatever you've been lucky enough to acquire, Pack N Send will be sure to get it to your preferred destination.

                                                                                                      

 

 

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Medical Equipment Shipping

Posted on Wed, Mar 04, 2015

Transporting, medical equipment can feel like an incredible challenge.  Whether you work for a doctor's office, hospital, or other medical practitioner or need to ship medical equipment for personal use, you want to know that something so valuable is going to come out undamaged on the other side.  If you're worried about medical equipment shipping, consider placing it in the hands of the professionals.  At pack n send, we give all of your medical equipment the care and consideration it deserves.

Medical exam tables?  Not a problem.  High value diagnostic equipment (including equipment that might need special shipping considerations)?  We've got it covered.  At pack n send, we take special care in preparing each item in your package.  Each item is taken into individual consideration depending on its individual need.  We take care to package the item so that the packing material will cushion any lenses, arms, and feet with utmost care.  If necessary, we can build custom crates for items both large and small; or, we can pack smaller items in larger crates.  Items can also be shipped on pallets as needed.  

It doesn't matter where your medical equipment came from.  Whether it is new or used, purchased on Ebay or at a medical equipment auction, we can take care of all of your medical equipment transportaion needs.  

We can ship any of the following items plus more:

  • Medical examination tables
  • Diagnostic equipment
  • Autoclaves
  • Microscopes
  • Walkers, test and evaluation equipment, canes and crutches, exercise equipment, and other physical therapy necessities
  • Bath and home safety items for older individuals or those who are physically compromised in some way
  • Medical machines of any type:  anesthesia machines, respiratory ventilators, ultrasound equipment, warming cabinets, radiology equipment, and patient monitors, among others.
  • Surgical equipment:  electrosurgical units, operating tables, surgical lights,  surgical microscopes, etc.
  • IV and infusion pumps
  • Power exam chairs
  • Durable medical equipment:  transfer equipment, including transfer benches; wheelchairs; walking aids
  • Home supplies, including chairs lifts, daily living aids, and other necessary aids to daily living
  • Other medical equipment
  • medical_equipment_shippingContact us to receive an estimate for any medical shipping needs.  Your equipment will be in good hands with  pack n send.  We will take great care to ensure that your equipment is handled in the best way possible.  

Pack n send can ship both domestically and internationally.  If paperwork is required for international shipment, we will help prepare that for you.  We ship internationally through several different services, including UPS, DHL, Fed Ex, and ocean lines.  You can choose the service that works best for you or rely on us to come up with the best possible quote.  

Pack n send can ship to a multitude of different countries.  Our experts are familiar with the restrictions for shipping in and out of a multitude of different countries.  As long as your medical equipment falls within the necessary parameters for shipping to that country, we'll be sure that it gets there for you.

We provide all the services you'll need to see to it that your medical supplies are in the best possible hands.

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Freight Receiving for Interior Decorators

Posted on Tue, Mar 03, 2015

Interior decorators have a pretty hefty task.  They have to design an entire room, not only based around the shape and size of the existing room, but often based around a theme that has been chosen by a customer--or a single piece of furniture that has been chosen as the focus of the entire room.  Interior designers often spend plenty of time shopping at auctions, thrift stores, and other interesting locations, hoping to find inspiration for their work.  It's not uncommon for an interior designer to have an idea in their head that they want to create while they wait for the perfect room to make their vision reality.

That means that interior decorators have a unique set of needs that is found in few other industries.  They are constantly moving furniture:  sending, receiving, and shipping it from one place to another in order to create the perfect room for their clients' needs.  Unfortunately, it doesn't always occur as a smooth, easy process.  There can be plenty of shopping trips along the way before the perfect room is put together--and that means a lot of shipping furniture around.  

Luckily for interior decorators in the Houston area, Pack-n-Send is there to help.  Freight receiving for interior decorators or interior designers is only one of the many services that we offer.  Not only can we help interior decorators with all of their shipping needs, we can also provide assistance with many of the other services that interior designers need.  

For example, imagine that you're at an auction several states away.  You've picked up several pieces of furniture and prepared them for shipment, but as you're preparing to leave yourself, you catch wind of an estate sale that will require you to stay in the area for a few more days.  Instead of rushing home so that you can intercept your shipments, you can have them shipped to Pack-n-Send.  We will take everything out of its crates and boxes, inspect it just as carefully as you would if you were there yourself, and deliver them, either to you or to your final client.  

Shipping furniture out of the Houston area?  Pack-n-Send is your best resource there, too.  We create custom pallets and crates for all of your shipping needs.  Need to protect a gorgeous piece of artwork in transit?  Pack-n-Send's custom crates will be perfect for you.  Let us design and pad a crate that will prevent anything from moving during the shipping process, ensuring that your item will arrive safely and securely.  

interior_decorator,_interior_designer_freight_receivingWhat if you're just moving a single piece of furniture?  Pack-n-Send is still your best bet for shipping a single piece of furniture almost anywhere it needs to go.  We'll help you package your furniture, then deliver it to its final location.  Whether you need delivery to the curb of a home or business or directly inside, Pack-n-Send can help make sure that everything gets there exactly the way it should.  

Are you an interior designer or decorator working in the Houston area?  Contact us to see how Pack-n-Send can become a vital part of the team you already have in place to manage all of your decorating needs.  We can provide you with estimates and give you a god idea of what you can expect from us over the phone, and before you know it, you'll be wondering what you did before us.

 

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Houston crating: Shipping to Jamaica

Posted on Sun, Mar 01, 2015

Shipping out of Houston and crating packages can seem like a real challenge, especially when you're shipping internationally. When  sending goods to  to Jamaica, like many other countries, has its own specific set of restrictions, but they're all manageable--just make sure that you're prepared ahead of time and have a pretty good idea of what you're doing.

A Houston crating company can offer advice when importing goods into Jamaica.

houston_crating_JamaicaSome things to know when shipping to Jamaica:  

Prohibited items (as listed on the USPS website)

  • Bees and materials used by beekeepers 
  • Citrus fruits/plants and parts thereof (no upsetting the local ecosystem by introducing new things of your own!)
  • Specific food items (make sure you look over this list carefully--you don't want to misstep!)  These items include cocoa, coffee, condensed milk, cornmeal, edible oils, honey and beeswax (no bee anything going to Jamaica!), and sugar
  • Paints
  • Cotton seed and plants, and parts thereof (again, no upsetting the local ecosystem!)
  • Lighters containing butane gas (these probably aren't the safest thing to ship anyway!)
  • Meats (these don't travel particularly well internationally anyway)
  • Radioactive materials (this might be best for the safety of the postal workers and your recipient anyway)
  • Switchblade knives

Specific restrictions on other items 

  • Electronic items have to be in their original packaging, just like they would be if they were coming from the manufacturer--no relabeled boxes or odd packaging.  This includes cell phones and their accessories.  
  • Medications need to be labeled with the name and formula in English.  Medications for treatment of venereal disease must be accompanied by directions explaining how to use them.  No sending random pills in unmarked containers--and particularly no sending medications for venereal disease at random.

Contact us with any questions you might have about delivering things to Jamaica.  Pack-n-send is one of your best sources for international shipping in the Houston area.  Have questions?  We've got the answers you'll need.  

Did You Know?  Since you're shipping to Jamaica, you might want to know a few things about it...

  • Jamaica was the first country in the Caribbean to gain independence.  
  • Rum is Jamaica's national drink.  
  • Looking for the largest island of English-speakers in the Caribbean?  That might be important information if you're lost at sea and need to get in touch with someone at home, right?  Look no further than Jamaica!
  • Ian Fleming is partial to Jamaica.  His home, "Goldeneye," is in Jamaica.  Ten of his James Bond novels were written there.
  • Jamica's big on "firsts."  They were the first tropical country to enter the Winter Olympics.  That started them out with quite a handicap (it's hard to practice winter sports in a tropical climate!), but they've gone on to make a name for themselves anyway.  
  • You might have an image in your head of islands that are pretty flat, but Jamaica has some gorgeous mountains which are often covered by a mist that looks blue from a distance.  This mist is what gave the islands their name:  the Blue Mountains.
  • Jamaica's national dish is Ackee and Saltfish.  
  • Jamaica might be one of the best-known islands in the Caribbean, but it's only the third biggest.  The island that rings in as the largest is Cuba.
  • Eaten a banana recently?  You'll appreciate this, then:  ringing in another "first," Jamaica was the first place in the western hemisphere to start producing bananas commercially, which is part of what makes them so readily available to the rest of the world!
  • Obviously Jamaica's tropical climate hasn't slowed them down in their acquisition of Olympic medals; it just means that they have to be a little bit more creative about their training methods.  Other than the United States, Jamaica has won more world and Olympic medals than any other nation.

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Houston International Shipping-Iceland: Prohibitions and Fun Facts

Posted on Fri, Feb 27, 2015

Iceland is a beautiful country scattered with waterfalls and hot springs. It is no wonder, then, that you may have friends or family that live in Iceland. Or perhaps you are even planning to relocate to Iceland. Or maybe your business has found some loyal customers in Iceland. Regardless of the scenario, you may find yourself needing to use Houston International Shipping to Iceland.

Shipping internationally to Iceland is pretty simple. But you will need to do some research. Like all countries, Iceland has prohibited certain items from being sent to their island.

 

The following items are Prohibited from import into Iceland:

  • Bees and silkworms.
  • Valuables payable in Icelandic currency. This includes Icelandic coins and banknotes.
  • Meat products such as sausages.
  • Tobacco products.
  • Toys made from lead.
  • Wireless receivers and their accessories, parts, and/or batteries.

Iceland currently does not have a restriction list from what you can ship to their country.

The following Observations must be made when shipping to Iceland:

In the case of a sales transaction, all merchandise imported by mail must be accompanied by an invoice (and it's duplicate) signed by the seller. If the merchandise is not part of a sales transaction, the invoice must be signed by the mailer.

It is required that the invoice clearly describes the merchandise and lists the selling price of each type of goods being shipped. The addressee is required to present the invoice with other documentation in order to effect customs clearance.

 

Now that you have done your international shipping research, here are 12 fun facts about Iceland:

Fun Fact 1:

Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe.

Fun Fact 2:

71.7% of all energy used in Iceland is produced from its own resources.

53.9% of all energy needs in Iceland are met by geothermal energy production (hot springs), while 17.8% off all energy needs are met by hydro-electric production, which comes from Iceland's waterfalls.

Fun Fact 3:

Iceland has one of the highest life expectancy for men and women in the world. For women, the life expectancy is 81.3 years. Icelandic men have a life expectancy of 76.4 years.

Fun Fact 4:

Many Icelanders believe in elves. In fact, certain roads have been re-routed to avoid disturbing areas where elves are thought to live.

Fun Fact 5:

Icelandic culture fosters a high level of gender equality and civil rights.

Fun Fact 6:

An international study done in 2006 ranked Iceland as the “Fourth Happiest Nation” in the world.

Fun Fact 7:

The popular Nick, Jr. television show Lazy Town was created and is produced in Iceland and is shown in 98 different countries.

Fun Fact 8:

Among the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations, Iceland has the highest number of broadband internet connections per capita.

Fun Fact 9:

Iceland was the last European country to be settled. It was discovered by Scandinavian sailors sometime during the 9th or 10th centuries.

Fun Fact 10:

Iceland’s first inhabitants were Irish monks, who regarded the island as a sort of hermitage until the early 9th century.

Fun Fact 11:

More than 90% of Icelanders are followers of Lutheranism.

 

Fun Fact 12:

True to its name, more than 13% of Iceland is covered by snowfields and glaciers. However, this doesn't mean that the all of Iceland is a frozen tundra.

Iceland's climate actually varies according to different parts of the island. southern Iceland, as can be expected, is warmer than the northern side. However, the southern side is also windier and wetter. Annually, the coldest part of Iceland, however, can actually be found on the central highlands.

Despite Iceland's latitude and being so close to the Arctic, Iceland's coast remain ice-free, even in the winter. This is due to the island's position in receiving the warm North Atlantic Current.

For more information on shipping internationally to Iceland, contact us.

houston_international_shipping-iceland-2

 

 

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Everything You Should Know About Freight from Houston to Costa Rica

Posted on Wed, Feb 25, 2015

Are you worried about shipping freight from Houston to Costa Rica? Don't be! Every country brings with it certain restrictions and regulations you need to adhere to, but we're here to help! Allow us to guide you through everything you need to know about shipping freight from Houston to Costa Rica.

According to the U.S. Postal Service, Costa Rica prohibits the following items from being imported into the country:

  • Blank invoices, such as the ones used for business.
  • Any types of currency, including coins, banknotes and currency notes, securities payable to bearer, and traveler’s checks. 
  • Precious metals including manufactured and unmanufactured platinum, gold, and silver.
  • Precious stones, jewelry, and other valuable articles.
  • Dual-graduation feeding bottles.
  • Any types of Flammable or explosive substances.
  • As well as any chemicals, including Medical samples containing psychotropic substances, perishable infectious and noninfectious biological substances, and Radioactive Materials.

 

If you're shipping used clothes, you also need to include a certificate of disinfection and clearly mark the containers in which those clothes are contained. Similarly, if you ship any commercial items, you should include an invoice for these items on the outside of its container. 

But as long as you pay attention to these prohibitions and restrictions, you should be just fine! And once your freight is shipped to Costa Rica, it's time to visit the great country. Its nature is unique in this world, despite the fact that Costa Rica is slightly smaller than Lake Michigan. 

Bordering on both the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans, Costa Rica includes 800 miles of coast line that come with some breathtaking white-sand beaches. Bordering the country to the north is Nicaragua, while Panama is its southern neighbor - both countries known for their lush rain forest. So not surprisingly, while Costa Rica only takes up less than 0.05 percent of the earth's surface, 5 percent of all of the world's species of animals and plants can be found here!

There are over 130 species of fish, 220 species of reptiles, and 1,000 species of butterflies native to Costa Rica. In fact, 10 percent of the world's butterfly population can be found in this beautiful country! Similarly, Costa Rica is home to 9,000 different types of plants, 20,000 species of spiders and 34,000 species of insects.

Native species thrive because more than a quarter of Costa Rican land is protected as national parks and refuges, many of which consist of the local rain forest. Whether you enjoy hiking mountainous paths in the rain forest, go on bird-watching tours, check out sea turtle-nesting spots or simply look for a relaxing vacation on the beach, Costa Rica is the perfect place to visit or move.

We hope that with our guide to shipping items into this beautiful country, you'll stop worrying about the complications and start looking forward to your trip. We'll take care of all the necessary communication with customs and local government agencies. Just contact us and we'll guide you through the process! And before you know it, you'll be in Costa Rica with all of your possessions.

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Tags: freight

Using a Crating Service from Houston to Ship to Norway

Posted on Mon, Feb 23, 2015

Norway is a beautiful country. Rugged mountains go straight into a beautiful North Sea coastline, leading to some of the most beautiful vistas you'll ever see. Unfortunately, moving to Norway can be a hassle - especially if you don't know what you are or aren't allowed to take with you. We're happy to help! Here are some important restrictions that the country places on what can or cannot be shipped to Norway.

According to the US Postal Service, Norway prohibits

  • Firing caps
  • loaded metal cartridges for portable firearms
  • non-explosive elements of artillery fuses and matches
  • Pharmaceutical products of any kind, whether of synthetic extraction or classified as naturopathic preparations
  • Radioactive materials
  • Substances considered explosive, inflammable or dangerous

 

Norway also has some restrictions on specific items that are important to know if you're planning on shipping your household:

  • The Technical Alcohol committee must approve all Cosmetics, perfumes and other products used for sanitation that contain alcohol.
  • If you're planning on importing radio and telecommunications equipment such as your remote control, wireless telephones or other related equipment, be sure to have that important authorized by the Norwegian Telecommunication Regulatory Authority in Oslo. Otherwise, the import is prohibited. That regulation, however, does not apply to ordinary TV and radio receivers.
  • The Norwegian Ministry of Health has to authorize all imports of pharmaceuticals and related products you need for medical treatment. If you need to have serum, vaccines or other bacteriological and serological preparations important, try to do so through a lab or institute that is approved by the state.
  • Money is another important import good to discuss. The National Bank of Norway has to authorize all imports of Norwegian bank notes and coins, along with securities of all types. The only exception here are bills you bring in for exchange as well as bank drafts used for payment of goods, which you can import without authorization.
  • Any product that's originated from an animal and intended for your or your pet's consumption or use have to be authorized by the Veterinary Department of the Ministry of Agriculture. You will also have to get permission from customs before the import. However, some products are exempt; you can get a list of them from the Norwegian Ministry of Agriculture.
  • Finally, be careful when importing any type of firearm, part of a firearm, ammunition or other military equipment. The Norwegian Police has to authorize it before letting you into the country.
  •  

If you're planning on bringing in any commercial items, Norwegian customs will require a commercial invoice in duplicate for you to take it into the country. 

Why would you go through all of that trouble? Because, as we mentioned in the first paragraph, Norway is truly stunning. With over 20,000 km (approximately 13,000 miles) of coast line, it is certainly a country dominated by its seafaring roots. The world-famous Fjords are tongues of water cutting into the land, which have been used for centuries by the native people as natural spots for fishing and trading harbors. At the edge of a Fjord, you'll feel like a Viking - embarking for unknown land through beautiful scenery.

The second landscape feature marking the entire country are the mountains. It's no surprise that Norway offers both the world's longest road tunnel (the Leardal road tunnel at 15 miles) and the world's deepest underwater tunnel at 287 meters deep. As one of the world's biggest exporters of oil in the world, it's an incredibly rich country, and has been named by the World Peace Index as the most peaceful country in the world. 

 

In short, it's a great country to visit or move to - and your Crating Service in Houston can help get you there! Contact us to let us help you ship your goods to Norway. 

crating_service_houston

 

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Restricted items in international shipping to United Kingdom

Posted on Wed, Feb 18, 2015

Are you shipping items to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?  Do you think that you can send anything "in the post," as they say there?  No, you can't.  There are restricted items in international shipping to United Kingdom.

Fortunately, which items can't be shipped are public knowledge.  The U.S. Postal Service has a list of such items. 

interninternational_shipping_to_United_Kingdom-Restricted_items

 

 

 

The restrictions are, for the most part, based on common sense.  You don't want to ship items that are likely to explode in transit and possibly injure postal workers and damage other shipped items.  Nor do you want to send illegal items.  It will get you arrested, and it will get arrested whomever you're shipping to. 

Here are some of the items.  This is not a complete list.  Please refer to the official pages for complete details:

  • Aerosols
  • Alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content greater than 24% by volume.
  • Batteries such as lithium-ion/polymer/metal/alloy batteries sent in isolation or with equipment. Lead acid batteries (e.g. car batteries) and sealed lead acid batteries are also prohibited.
  • Clinical and medical waste
  • Controlled drugs and narcotics such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, opium and amyl nitrate.
  • Counterfeit money, bank notes and postage stamps
  • Environmental waste    
  • Explosives    
  • Flammable liquids and solids
  • Gases   
  • Human and animal remains, including ashes.
  • Ice, including packs of ice.
  • Infectious substances
  • Living creatures, such as insects used to feed exotic pets
  • Obscene pornography and unlawful indecent pictures
  • Oxidizing materials  
  • Paints, wood varnishes and enamels that are solvent-based
  • Pesticides    
  • Radioactive materials    
  • Weapons, including firearms, CS gas and pepper sprays, flick knives, tasers and stun guns.

If you have further questions please contact us

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Moving a Small of furniture- Domestically or to Madagascar

Posted on Mon, Feb 16, 2015

moving_a_small_amount_of_furniture

Are you planning to move to Madagascar? Moving can be can be stressful, especially if you are moving from a long distance. You may feel that it is easier to throw all your things away and start fresh in your new home in Madagascar.

However, if you are feeling attached to some of your household items or if any of your furniture holds sentimental value, don't get discouraged. Consider moving a small amount of furniture  through our shipping company to help you get settled in your new home. If you are moving within the United States, just make up a list of the items you want to move. If you are moving internationally, use Madagascar as an example and look at each countries' restrilcitons. We have listed the restrictions, but before you pack, take a look at the prohibitions and restrictions in shipping to Madagascar.

 

 

The following list items are prohibited to ship to Madagascar.

  • Articles that violate the copyright laws.
  • Preserved sardines, if they weigh more than 1 kilogram.
  • Valuable articles such as the following: coins, banknotes, currency notes (paper money), securities payable to bearer, traveler's checks, platinum, gold or silver (both manufactured and non-manufactured), precious stones, and jewelery.
  • Compound medicines not appearing in an official pharmacopoeia.
  • Playing cards.
  • All preserved fish, vegetables, and plums UNLESS each item bears a stamp of origin on their receptacle or container.
  • Any products bearing false indications of origin.
  • Radioactive materials.
  • Saccharine.
  • Tobacco sauce (Praiss).

Any of these items on the prohibited list are always illegal to ship to Madagascar.

There are additional items that are restricted from shipping to Madagascar. This means that before you ship an item that is on the restricted list, you will need a permit from the Madagascar government.

 

The following items listed are restricted from shipping to Madagascar:

  • Arms and ammunition: Whether for military or sporting use, Arms and ammunition are only admitted under a certified permit issued by local authorities in Madagascar.
  • Consignments of watches: Consignment watches are admitted only in Priority Mail International parcels. The packaging of which consist of strong metal boxes or cases made of wood.

There are no Observations for shipping to Madagascar.

 

Now that you know what you can and cannot ship to Madagascar, here is a list of 10 Fun Facts to get you excited about your move or trip!

Fun Fact 1:

  • Madagascar is not just one island. The country includes smaller peripheral islands. The main island, however, is the fourth largest island in the world.

Fun Fact 2:

  • The Malagasies descended from Indo-Malayan seafarers and their language traces back to Asian roots. They do not consider themselves African.

Fun Fact 3:

  • Malagasy, French and English are the official and most common languages of Madagascar.

Fun Fact 4:

  • The capital city of Madagascar is Antananarivo, while its currency is Malagasy Ariary.

Fun Fact 5:

  • In Madagascar, you will find the most unique and exotic flora and fauna. The majority of this beautiful plant life is native only to Madagascar cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Fun Fact 6:

  • The most important industries for Madagascar's economy are meat processing, sugar, breweries, soap, textiles, glassware, car assembly plants, tanneries, paper, petroleum and cement.

Fun Fact 7:

  • The island of Madagascar has abundant reserves of natural resources including quartz, bauxite, graphite, semi-precious stones, fish, coal, tar sands, hydro-power and chromite.

Fun Fact 8:

  • 5% of the land in Madagascar is cultivated. The most common crops include the following: vanilla, coffee sugarcane, cocoa, rice, cloves, cassava, beans, peanuts and bananas. This cultivated land also supports livestock which is used for a variety of  products in this island.

Fun Fact 9:

  • The mountains are situated in the center of the island. The highest mountain is Maromokotro, located on the northern part of the island. Mount Maromokotro is an impressing 2876 meters (9436 feet) high.

Fun Fact 10:

  • Madagascar is the world’s leading industry leader and supplier in producing and exporting Vanilla.

 

For more information on your shipping needs to Madagascar, both domestically and international, contact us.

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Things to Know when Shipping Internationally - Houston to Portugal!

Posted on Sun, Feb 15, 2015

International shipping from Houston to Portugal doesn't have to be confusing or uncertain. If you're preparing a package to send to Portugal here are a few fast facts about the shipment allowances and restrictions in that country that you need to know. The following information is applicable to both personal and business items that you may be preparing for shipping! Follow these guidelines, which also apply to packages shipped to the Azores and Madeira Islands located off the coast of Portugal, and you can rest assured that your package will arrive in a safe and timely fashion - exactly as you intended it to!

Click here to learn more

1) Prohibited Items: there are several items that are completely prohibited and therefore illegal to ship into Portugal or the surrounding islands. Make sure your package is free of anything on the following list to ensure safe arrival. The list of items prohibited by the Portuguese authorities, as outlined by the US Postal Service, are:

  • All firearms and weapons.
  • Cigarette lighters and refills containing butane gas.
  • Coins; banknotes; traveler's checks; currency notes and securities.
  • Platinum, gold, or silver, precious stones and jewelry.
  • Human remains.
  • Live plants and animals.
  • Lottery tickets or advertisements for lottery tickets.
  • Tobacco.

2) Shipping Restrictions: in addition to the list of prohibited items, Portugal does have some important shipping restrictions that may apply to your permitted items. Make sure to carefully read the following restrictions to see if you need to modify your package or obtain additional permissions or authorizations for your shipment. Restrictions to be aware of include:

  • Import permits must be obtained for commercial shipments (i.e. anything to be used for business purposes).
  • All medicines and hospital supplies will require the authorization of the Director General of Health of Portugal.

3) General Protocol: Finally, before sending your package, make sure it's in accordance with these general packaging guidelines to make transit as smooth as possible! While many of these guidelines are common sense it's best to read through them and make sure you're in compliance to ensure the safe arrival of your shipment.

  • A parcel may be addressed to a street address or to a post office box.
  • A local telephone number for the addressee must be provided.
  • For parcels: a duplicate invoice is required for all commercial shipments and all personal shipments valued at $300 or more.
  • The invoices must be affixed to the outside of the parcel or may be enclosed in PS Form 2976-E with the customs declaration.

Contact us to arrange all the  details when you are  shipping internationally to Portugal. We look forward to helping you make sure that everything is accurate and that your package arrives safely!

 International_Shipping_Houston-Portugal

 


 

Houston International Shipping to Iceland: A Few Things To Remember

Posted on Thu, Feb 12, 2015

Houston International Shipping to Iceland: A Few Things To Remember

Houston_International_Shipping-Iceland

If you're in the Houston area and have a need to ship a few things out to Iceland, we're the place to do it!  Houston International Shipping to Iceland is fairly simple, but there are a few things that you need to take into consideration before you drop your package off with us.  

First, look over the list of items that are prohibited for shipment in and out of Iceland and make sure that the items in your package (which are subject to inspection in customs) aren't on the list.

Prohibited items, as described by the USPS webpage:  

  • Bees and silkworms (there go your plans to ship live cargo overseas and potentially disrupt the local ecosystem!)
  • Icelandic coins and banknotes
  • Meat products, including sausages 
  • Tobacco products
  • Toys made of lead (no poisoning small children, by the authority of the Icelandic government!)
  • Wireless receivers and their accessories, parts, or batteries (so if you think it might have to do with a wireless receiver, you might want to just pass on that one)

In order to ship to Iceland, you must also have an invoice (in duplicate) to accompany the package.  If the package is being sent as the result of something being sold, the invoice should be filled out and signed by the merchant and include the selling price.  This invoice is necessary in order to get the package through customs, so don't leave it out!

 

Be sure to contact us with any questions you might have about shipping to Iceland!

Did you know? 

If you're shipping to Iceland, you might like to know a few things about it, right?  It's a fascinating country with a rich heritage and plenty of things to recommend it, whether you're looking for a vacation spot or a new place to settle.  For example...

  • Inhabitants of Iceland are fairly superstitious and maintain belief in creatures like elves.  When road construction is proposed, care must be taken in order not to disturb Elven habitats.  
  • People living in Iceland can expect to outlive people in many other countries.  Men have a life expectancy of 76.4, while women can look forward to an incredible 81.3 years.  
  • Happiness might play a significant part in that life expectancy.  According to a 2006 study, Icelanders can take pride in being the "Fourth Happiest Nation."  
  • Icelanders are also hooked up to the information highway more consistently than many of their peers. Their per capita rate of broadband internet connection is higher than other highly developed nations.
  • Iceland started out with a highly religious background.  The first people to settle Iceland were Irish monks.  
  • That heritage has continued to play an important part in the overall religious demographic of Iceland.  More than 90% of the island's inhabitants are Lutheran.
  • They might need that religious fire to help keep them warm at night.  13% of Iceland's surface area is made up of glaciers and snowfields.  
  • It's no surprise, given that glacier and snowfield problem, that Iceland is fairly sparsely populated.  In fact, it's the least population-dense country in Europe.
  • Icelanders are known for their insistence on gender equality and civil rights; there's no need for protests and strikes here to get equal rights!
  • Icelanders are also very self-sufficient.  More than 70% of the energy consumed in the country is produced there.  Incredibly, they've learned to take advantage of the land, using geothermal energy from hot springs (which makes up almost 54% of energy consumption) and hydro-electric power from their waterfalls (almost 18% of their energy needs).  
  • Lazy Town, which is produced by Nick Jr. and aired in 98 different countries, is produced in Iceland.  
  • Iceland wasn't settled until the 9th or 10th century.  That makes it the last European country to be settled.

 Contact us to arrange all the shipping details of your international shipment to  Iceland. We look forward to helping you make sure that everything is accurate and that your package arrives safely!

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3 Essentials for Moving: Pack and Ship Moving

Posted on Wed, Feb 11, 2015

pack-and-ship-packing-peanuts-boxMoving to a new home can be a daunting stressful task. This is, especially true when you have to pack up belongings from your old home and ship it across the country to your new home. However, there are three essential moving items to make packing and shipping a bit easier. 

#1 Proper Packing Products

To ensure you are able to pack and ship all your belongings safely to your new home you should gather large, medium and small blank cardboard boxes and several different sized packaging envelopes lined with bubble wrap. You may  also need, some blank newsprintand bubble wrap on hand to wrap breakables in such as glassware, artwork, pottery, and picture frames. Nothing is worse than having your delicate items show up to your new home damaged due to improper packing methods. You can find these items at office stores, hardware stores, pack and ship stores and local post offices.  

We do not recommend purchasing boxes in bundles that contain various size boxes. These bundles may not contain the box sizes that you need, and are usually more costly than purchasing individual boxes.

 

#2 Packing Tape

Having packing tape on hand is necessary. Skip on the duct tape, go to the pack and send  store, and pick up the strong pack and ship tape meant for packaging properly. It seals up the moving boxes and packages securely, which helps prevent your boxes and packages from opening during the shipping process. Nothing is worse than getting a damaged box with belongings missing from it. 

 

#3 Different Labels

Having different kinds of labels on hand can help you pack and ship your belongings easier. The types of labels you will need are shipping labels with your new address written on them and blank labels from an office store to write down what items are in what box. This will ensure your belongings arrive too your new address safely and allows you keep track of your belongings easier. Nothing is worse than not being able to know what is in what box when your belongings do arrive to your new home. 

 

End Notes for Moving Essentials 

With the essential items just mentioned, it will make the pack and ship method a lot easier for you. Moving to a new home should be exciting and happy, not stressful and daunting. You can ensure this happens by making sure your belongings are packaged, labeled and sealed up properly. For more help with packing read: "How to Take the Guesswork out of Packing."

 

Need help packing? Get a packing quote!

Houston Commercial Crating - Heat Treated Wood When Shipping to Belize

Posted on Mon, Feb 09, 2015

Belize_pictureSometimes when you need to send items out of the country, there are certain prohibitions on goods and how they can be shipped. With Belize International shipping, Houston commercial crating services use specific heat-treated wood during the transport of these goods outside of the United States. The wood is processed in this way as an International rule, and kills any insects or fungus to prevent the spreading of plant pests and diseases. Items placed in these crates however, still have to abide by certain rules. The United States Postal Service has a complete listing of the 130 prohibitions involved in mailing to Belize, and here are some of the items that are not allowed: 

  • Arms and ammunition
  • Coins; platinum, gold, silver
  • Precious stones
  • Jewelry
  • Any other valuable articles
  • Coins; or bullion are permitted if clearly intended for purposes of ornament (this means that if they are used to make something look more attractive but are inexpensive and have no practical purpose then, they can be sent)
  • Saccharine and similar substances and articles containing them
  • Tobacco packed with other merchandise
  • Tobacco sweetened with the leaves of other plants

Now that you know the care that is taken to protect goods when they are shipped, and some of the items that are actually prohibited, let's take a look at some interesting facts about Belize.

  • The capital city of Belize is Belmopan with a population of 20,000, and is the fastest growing region in all of Belize.
  • The normal temperatures on the waterfront in Belize averages between 79 to 89 degrees. The rainy season is between May to November and the dry season falls between February to May.
  • Belize is the only nation in Central America where English is the official language. Other regional dialects include: Kriol, Spanish, Garifuna, Maya and Plaudietsch.
  • Belize is one of the best places to go "shark seeing" with the ideal times for viewing them being between the months of April – July. Also, the waters off of Belize are known to be occupied by more than 400 types of sub tropical fish.
  • The Black Howler Monkey, an uncommon animal, is found in this region and is viewed as one of the top 10 loudest creatures on the planet.
  • The only jaguar preserve in the world is located in the Cockscomb Wildlife sanctuary in southern Belize.
  • Belize is the birthplace of chewing gum and also Punta rock, which has a unique style that combines slight influences of calypso and soca (or the soul of calypso). 
  • Belize gained independence from the United Kingdom on September 21, 1981.
  • There are believed to be about 900 Mayan ruins scattered around this country.
  • Belize exports include sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood and unrefined petroleum. It imports machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food, beverages and tobacco.

 

  • These are some of the details that make Belize so unique that visitors have often compared it to paradise---where you can simply relax, let your mind rest and just take in the beautiful surroundings. When trying to ship certain items there however, remember to follow the rules given by the USPS, and rely on the services of a reputable shipping company to help guide you along the way. At pack n send, we use the Internationally required heat-treated wood crates that are custom-made to ensure an exact fit. To determine the safest and most economical way to ship your items safely and efficiently, please contact us today for more information.

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    Restricted Items When Shipping Internationally to Japan

    Posted on Thu, Feb 05, 2015

    japan_pictureShipping internationally can be challenging. Find a custom crater who can build a crate using heat treated wood suitable for international shipping. Japan 

     

    Many countries have a list of items that are prohibited from being shipped internationally to the country and Japan is no exception. If you will be shipping a birthday gift to a nephew in Japan it is important to be aware that toy guns are prohibited. Or if you would like to send a symbol of Christmas to relatives temporarily located in Japan be aware that garlands, wreaths and other items made of plant products are prohibited. Here is a complete list of the restrictions for Japan:

    • Airline tickets
    • Christmas Ornaments that are made of plant products
    • Electronic Cigarettes can only be shipped with an International Special Commodities contract. For an individual consignee, one cartridge per shipment is allowed.
    • Toy guns and gun replicas are prohibited.
    • Only kitchen knives are allowed. Blades, swords and flick knives are not allowed.
    • Plant and animal products including beef, dried flowers, fresh flowers, leaves, roots, bark, seeds, baskets, and potpourri are prohibited.
    • Non-roasted coffee beans.
    • Soil and sand.
    • Products made in Iran are prohibited.

     Now that you are aware of the regulations when shipping to Japan, you may find the following facts about Japan interesting!

    • Japan is located in the pacific ocean and is made up of over 6,800 islands. The four largest of these islands comprise 95+% of the land area for the country.
    • Japan is prone to earthquakes and tsunamis and is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire. Japan has 108 active volcanoes.
    • Japan has over 125 million people. Much of the land is uninhabitable because it is extremely mountainous so the areas that are inhabitable are densely populated.
    • The characters that make up Japan's name mean "sun-origin." Japan is commonly referred to as the "Land of the Rising Sun."
    • The life expectancy in Japan is 83.5 years which is the longest of any country in the world.
    • 85% of Jamaica's coffee production is imported by Japan.
    • Japan prioritizes literacy and has almost 100% literacy rate.
    • Humans have lived in Japan for thousands of years. Ancient warriors, also known as Samurai warriors, are popular history figures.
    • Americans recognize many Japanese companies such as Toyota, Honda, Panasonic, Sony, and Nintendo.
    • Americans also enjoy Japanese cuisine such as sushi and tempura.
    • People often think of Sumo wrestling when they think of Japanese sports. The most popular spectator sport in Japan is actually baseball.
    • Japan is also home to many martial arts include Karate, Judo and Aikido.
    • In 2020 Tokyo, the capital city of Japan, will host the Summer Olympic Games. The same city hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 1964.
    • Japan has also hosted the Winter Olympic Games twice. In 1972 Sapporo hosted the Winter Games and in 1998 Nagano did.
    • A melon can sell for over $400 in Japan.
    • Raw horsemeat is commonly eaten.
    • Some vending machines serve beer in Japan.

    For additional information about international shipping to Japan or shipping internationally to other countries, elsewhere contact us. At Pack n Send we are knowledgeable about shipping regulations for international locations. We would be happy to answer your questions and help guide you with any shipping you are planning to do to an international destination!

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    Interational Shipping Shipping To The United Kingdom

    Posted on Tue, Feb 03, 2015

    United_Kingdom_box_picture

    Every country sets their own rules about what can shipped into and within their country.  Here is a list of restricted items for the United Kingdom, as listed by the United States Postal Service. These regulations apply to England, Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark and the Island of Man.

    • Aerosols
    • Ammunition, not including lead pellets, which are allowed.
    • Live Animals 
    • Firearms and any of their parts including toys, antiques, taser guns, air pistols, air rifles, paint-ball guns and imitation firearms and anything similar or bearing a resemblance to firearms. 
    • Any items that violate British trademarks or copyright laws
    • Asbestos
    • Christmas crackers (holiday poppers)
    • Clinical and Medical Waste
    • Coins and any other valuable article including, jewels, precious stones, gold, platinum, or silver (whether or not it is manufactured)
    • Counterfeit currency, postage stamps, and bank notes
    • Dies and equipment for making imitations of any current postage stamp for denoting any rate of postage.
    • Live Fish
    • Frozen Food
    • Frozen Water and bags of ice
    • Anything made in foreign prisons, except for goods imported for a noncommercial purpose or of goods that are not manufactured in the United Kingdom.
    • Human and Animal Ashes (cremated remains)
    • Indecent and obscene prints, books, paintings, cards, lithographs, and other engravings, video tapes, films, or any other indecent or obscene articles.
    • Car Batteries and other lead acid batteries including sealed lead acid batteries
    • Lottery tickets and related advertisements for illegal lotteries.
    • Medicines classified as flammable or toxic
    • Radioactive materials and samples that are classified as radioactive using Table 2-12 of the latest edition of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Technical Instructions — e.g., fissile material (uranium 235, etc.), thorium, luminous dials from aircraft, radioactive waste material, or uranium ores.
    • Soil
    • Soiled clothes and rags
    • Electric Stun Guns
    • Switchblade knives (also knows as flick knives) and gravity knives.
    • Any kind of trash, including dirt

     

    In addition to the list of International shipping to United Kingdom-Restricted items, here are a few of their more detailed restrictions about the shipping of animals, plants and medicines. These restrictions are also listed from the United States Postal Service:

    • A consignment of live bees must contain only queen bees and their attendant workers; colonies are not permitted. Each consignment must be accompanied by an import license issued by the Dept. of Agriculture (DEFRA) and a health certificate issued by the country of origin.
    • Crickets, Caterpillars, spiders, mealworms destroyers of noxious pests, cockroaches, silkworms, earthworms, ragworms lug worms fish fry and eggs, leeches, flies of the family Drosophilidae, maggots, pupae and chrysalides, and stick insects are admissible only for biomedical research.
    • Medicines and drugs when sent for scientific purposes must be sent by veterinary surgeon, a practitioner, registered nurse, registered dental practitioner, or recognized institution or laboratory.
    • Plants and parts of plants require an import permit issued by the appropriate Agricultural Department in the United Kingdom.
    • Vaccines may be sent only by, or at the specific request of, a surgeon, qualified medical practitioner, registered nurse, registered dental practitioner, veterinary surgeon,  or recognized institution or laboratory.

    Now that you know what you can't ship in the United Kingdom, here are a few interesting facts about the United Kingdom that you might not have known.

    • The Windsor Castle is the largest Royal home.
    • Big Ben is not the name of the famous clock in England, just the name of the bell inside the clock tower.
    • Cab drivers in London have to pass elaborate exams that take six months and 3/4 of the test takers fail.
    • The queen owns all the mute swans in the Thames river.
    • England has special schools for nannies, and nannies make $40,000 a year as a starting salary.
    • There was a time in the 1800s when on in four women in Britain had the name Mary.
    • London was the first city to host the Olympics three times.
    • There are more chickens in England than there are people
    • The very first store to sell hot chocolate was in England

    Please contact us for all of your shipping needs, foreign or domestic, we're experts at shipping so you don't have to be.

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    Small Load Moving- Hints to make it easy.

    Posted on Thu, Jan 29, 2015


    Packing up and moving can often be a frustrating and time-consuming endeavor. Moving is tough work and often leaves us feeling drained and frazzled. Instead, take all the hassle out of moving and hire a professional packing and moving company to help you out, especially with small load moving. Hire a crew to help make your next move an easier, stress-free experience.

    The fact is, many of us feel nervous about trusting a service to pack and send our treasured items. With a little research though, you can rest assured that the company you hire is able to handle your move with ease and professionalism.

     

    What to Know Before You Hire

    There are a number of things you can do to make sure you are hiring a professional moving company to pack and ship your items. Below is a checklist of what you need to look into before you hire the company.

    • Research! Do your research. See if you can locate reviews for the company. Are they mostly positive? Any company that's been around awhile will have both positive and negative reviews. Read a good sampling of the reviews before you decide. If all the complaints are the same issue, then you might want to consider trying another company.
    • Ask around. Make sure to look into at least 2-3 different companies before you choose yours. Find out the pricing differences, what services they offer and how long they've been in business. For each one, do your research!
    • Inquire about any extra fees. Almost all companies have extra fees and it's your job as the consumer to ask about them in advance. Don't wait till you are done to be surprised by extra fees. Get it in writing what fees they will charge for and what they don't charge for. 
    • Make sure you check out the FAQ sheet on the movers website. This will give you a good feel for what you are responsible for and what they are all about in terms of their service to you. When it doubt, ask them questions. They don't mind and if they do start to get angry, they aren't the movers for you.
    • What type of packaging do they use in the boxes or around the other, larger items? If they don't know or seem confused, then probably they don't know what they're doing.

    Basically, no matter what you are moving, whether it is a huge move of many rooms or a small load of a few pieces or even just one large piece, you want to make sure that you are choosing the right moving company for you. One that will keep your item(s) safe and free from damage. They will also make an effort to clarify how you want the item(s) delivered to your new space, do you want it left on the curb for you to bring in or do you want it inside the space? Good movers will have questions for you about where you want your items to go.

     

    It may take time and seem overwhelming but doing a lot of research before you hire a mover will save you a lot of trouble in the future and will make your next move one that is both free of stress and takes virtually no time at all to complete.

    For more information, please click here.

    Contact US

     

    3 People Who Need a Professional Moving Company

    Posted on Tue, Jan 27, 2015

    Planning a move can be overwhelming and exhausting. If an individual has more than a simple carload of belongings, he or she will have to plan ahead to have boxes, packing materials, and moving equipment before they have even packed the first box.

    Next comes the physical act of packing, ensuring that fragile items are carefully wrapped to prevent breakage and that family and friends do not pack spices in with favorite leather shoes.
    Then it is time to load the truck with boxes, heavy furniture, and all the miscellaneous odds and ends. It is exhausting even to think about it. It is much easier to prepare and manage a move with the help of professional movers.


    While everyone can benefit from the services an experienced mover, there are three types of people who should consider a move using professional help.


    Collectors of Fine Art and Antiques


    Individuals who collect fine arts and antiques will want his or her investments carefully packaged and handled by those who have the knowledge and experience needed to ensure that they arrive at their new home safely.

    Degas: The Millinery Shop


    Professional movers have the special packing materials and equipment to package and move fragile items, antiques, paintings and those larger hard to warp items like sculptures and statues. A collector invested time and money in his or her chosen pieces and will not want to put them at risk of damage or destruction.
    Using a professional mover for specialty items is even more important if items are going to be stored for any length of time prior to being moved or if a relocation plan includes more than a simple trip across town.  Consider that a custom built crate or custom crating may be needed in order to move a valuable piece of artwork or an antique safely.


    The Elderly and Infirm

     

    Relocating ones' possessions is not an easy job. It takes both mental planning and physical endurance. For those who find themselves unable to physically pack and move their belongings due to illness or inability to lift and carry heavy items safely, professional movers are the answer. Depending on the help of family and friends is not always the best answer when planning a move. Even those with the best intentions may have scheduling conflicts, fall ill, or not have the stamina needed to pack and move large household items.
    Packing means a lot of bending, lifting, and other repetitive movements that can be detrimental to those who suffer from certain medical conditions. Moving is stressful enough without adding risk to a person’s health.   You can have professional movers pack and unpack your belongings.


    Multi-Family or Large Households


    Those with large or multi-family households will benefit from the use of professional movers who can sort and pack belongings efficiently, making moves run smoother and more effectively. Another benefit from using a moving team is the ability to have all items, even heavy furniture, loaded with ease. Depending on the time required for the move, larger trucks or more than one truck can be used to cut down on the time it takes to move from point A to point B.
    If a family is planning a multi-location move, with some members relocating to one home and others to a different area, a professional moving company can make easy work of the divide and conquer method to have everyone in their new home before they know it.


    Regardless of whether a move falls into one of these three categories, anyone who has an apartment or house full of items, or simply just heavy items to be moved can reduce physical and mental stress with the services of a professional moving company.

    Request a Moving Quote

     

    5 Signs Is it time to downsize- pack and ship moving

    Posted on Sat, Jan 24, 2015

    Depending on circumstances, people downsize homes for a numerous of reasons from retirement to trying curb monthly spending habits. A smaller house can help create a cozier atmosphere with less stress and worries. Here are five signs to help identify if downsizing is the right choice.

    Lower Monthly Bills

    Have a desire to lower monthly bills and free up some extra funds? A tight monthly budget may be one of the most desirable reasons to downsize.  A smaller house can help reduce the amount which is paid out of the budget; leaving extra money for other interests.

    • Heating and cooling costs could decrease.  Empty rooms in a larger house cost more to heat or cool. Reducing the overall energy usage will also help the environment.
    • A smaller house has less square footage which can lead to lower property taxes.
    • House insurance may also be reduced.
    • Smaller mortgage payments.moving services in Houston, TX

    Lower Debt Ratio

    Have a desire to lower the debt ratio owed in the home? Smaller houses usually cost less to purchase which will reduce the amount of the overall mortgage.  Many people will pay off a smaller mortgage more quickly resulting in a debt free home.  Living in a debt free home is great during times of retirement when monthly incomes may be reduced.  Planning ahead for retirement age can ease stress of large payments on a reduced fixed income.

    Time

    Have a strong desire to spend time pursuing other interests? Larger houses take a lot of effort to maintain and clean.  Cleaning a smaller house is easier with less floor space to mop or vacuum, one bathroom to clean and less clutter to dust.  No one likes to spend an entire day cleaning a large house. Downsizing to a smaller home requires organization of personal items.

    Less cleaning will result in more time to pursue other interests.  Families can spend more quality time together in a relaxing cozy atmosphere without being burdened by the number of chores that need to be completed.  Or the extra time can be used to work on community projects, volunteering; the list is endless depending on interests. 

    Less Stuff

    Have a desire to reduce material possessions and live a minimalist’s life style? Moving to a smaller house means reducing clutter. Other the years, a homeowner may collect items which are no longer needed.  Keeping the essentials will allow homeowners to concentrate on what is important for keeping the house in a well maintained organized state.

    • Less clutter will result in a cleaner appearance.
    • Less clutter will give the home a more organized appearance. Being organized will help in finding possessions quickly.
    • Reduced space will curb impulse buying.  If there is no room to place extra items, homeowners will pass on purchasing unneeded items especially large bulkier objects.

    Environmental Impact

    Have a desire to do a small part for the environment? Smaller houses are environmental friendly; fewer resources are needed to build and maintain the structure.  Everyone likes to do their part for the environment. Using fewer resources will help achieve this goal.

    The decision to downsize to a smaller home has to be a personal one.  Each person needs to evaluate the pros and cons before making the steps to move into a smaller house. Many people believe downsizing was the best choice to make. 

    A smaller house can be more efficient and easily maintained. Families spend more time together in a cozier indoor atmosphere or spending more time outdoors in the wide open spaces. Retirees find a smaller house to be a perfect choice after children leave home.  The reasons are endless.

    So, if you are planning on downsizing your home, please give us a call. We can pack, move and unpack your belongings.  Plan on giving away excess items to friends or relatives who live out of town?  We can move small amounts for furniture across country. Think pack and ship moving.  For small items, we can pack and ship them for you.  Since package shipping charges are based on dimensional weight, let ups pick up and pack your boxes for you. Shipping your unwanted items out of the country? Our international shipping expertise lets us ship boxes, pallets and containers for our customers.

    Contact US

    Houston Moving Companies in Business for Over 30 Years

    Posted on Wed, Jan 21, 2015

    Moving can be a very stressful time and it can be very time consuming as well. There are so many items that need to be sorted through, packed away and moved to the new location. Once those items have arrived, the process of unpacking everything begins.


     There are Houston moving companies that have been around for thirty years and more. These companies are reputable and they are known for helping take some of the stress off of you during the moving process. Whether you need help packing, moving or unpacking, hiring one of the top Houston moving companies in the area is ideal to making sure that your move goes off without a hitch.

    moving services in Houston, TX

     

     Packing  - The process of packing can be very overwhelming. When you move this is often a good time to go through your belongings and clear some of them out so you can live a more clutter free lifestyle. When you have your core items that you want to pack up for the move, you need to do so properly. If you are overwhelmed and simply start to place items in a box it is not likely your breakables are going to make it in one piece. Houston moving companies can help you with your packing by making sure certain items are placed in certain types of boxes. Breakable items need to be properly wrapped up so they do not crack or break by hitting one another. If you want to pack items on your own, ask the moving company for advice, and then be sure to purchase the proper type of packing materials.

      There are some different moving products available that can keep your items safe and they include the following:

                  Bubble Wrap - This is one of the most common items that Houston moving companies utilize. Not only does bubble wrap create a wrap around an item but also the air filled bubbles provide a layer or protective padding for each item. Blank newsprint is fine for some items, but bubble wrap will need to be used to wrap other delicate items
    .
                 
      Styrofoam Peanuts -   Most people have received a package at their home that is full of those little Styrofoam pieces of peanuts. This is a useful tool for moving. You can place a number of small breakable items in a box and the Styrofoam can fit itself around each piece to provide padding and protection. Usually, you will use bubble wrap to fit and then use the packing peanuts as added packing protection.
    Wardrobe Boxes - Whether you are moving yourself, or hiring professional movers to pack and unpack you, wardrobe boxes will help you out. All you need to do is measure the rods that are in your closet that contain clothes. A wardrobe box is equivalent to a moving closet. All you need to do is move your clothes that are on hangers from your closet into the wardrobe box.  The wardrobe box has a rod on which to hang your clothing.

      If you are going to be moving to a new residence then it might be time to consider hiring one of the top Houston moving companies in the area or in your area of the United States. The moving process can be very tedious and you want to make sure that each of your items gets the attention and care that is necessary. Each and every item should boxed up properly before being moved whether you are moving across the country or just down the street. This will ensure that when you open up your boxes at your new residence you will still have everything in the shape it was in before you moved. Having a moving company on your side during your move really can make a huge difference in how successful your relocation is and how stress-free you end up being.

    Request a House Moving Quote

     

    Pack and Ship Houston for Artwork

    Posted on Sat, Jan 17, 2015

    Shipping artwork can be a very detailed process. There are a lot of things that can go wrong with something as delicate as art and there are a number of different steps that need to be taken in order to make sure that a piece of valuable art makes it where it needs to go without any damage. There are a number of pack and ship services that ship artwork at an affordable price while taking all of the necessary steps to ensure that a client’s pieces of art retain its value and beauty.  No matter if you are shipping paintings, prints, photographs, sculptures or other delicate pieces of art, there are certain steps that need to be taken and if one step is forgotten it can completely change the outcome of the shipment.

    Some of the goals of a pack and ship service in Houston includes the following:

     
    Safety
    Proper planning and care is all that is needed to make sure that your precious piece of work arrives to its destination safely. Sometimes, a custom built box is all that is needed for shipping. Other times, a custom built crate is the answer to safe shipping. At times a dedicated truck may be necessary to ensure that each pgets to the final destination both safely and on time. Always look for a shipping company that can offer alternative ways to prepare a piece of artwork for shipping.

     

     
    Professionalism
    People who collect, create or sell art tend to be very enthusiastic about this interest and it is important for a shipping company to show a high level of professionalism. This conveys to the client that the company they are going with is going to take good care of their item because they are showing a keen interest and respect for their work.  Ask about prior shipments that a company has sent out.  Does the company that you choose have experience shipping for international auction houses as well as local art galleries?

    • Ko Pangnan pool resort Stock Photo

     

     
    Efficiency
    Check that your pieces or pieces can be shipped and arrive during your preferred time period. Pieces of art that are going to shows may have a date that they need to arrive by.  Pieces  going to residences may need to be signed for, so you want to make sure that the  crate or box will arrive on a designated date to make sure that the recipient is home on the delivery date.  During summer months, you may not want to ship on a Friday. At pack n send in Houston, we try to not have art sitting on trucks during the weekend. Ask how long it will take the shipping company to pack your piece of art.  Also ask about the time in transit, and if the shipping company offers valuation coverage for loss or damage.


    Track Record
    Ask the packing and shipping company if they have shipped valuable items in the past. Question them about the types of items and the methods that they use to pack valuable and delicate items. Do they specialize in domestic shipping as well as international shipping? Remember that if you are shipping artwork internationally inside of a crate, heat treated wood will need to be used

    Each each piece of art that is  being shipped can pose its own challenges. Because of this it is important to rely on a pack and ship service in Houston that will keep your valuable artwork safe during the shipping process. Most people lead very busy lives and the process of shipping art can be very detailed. It is always best to leave this type of process to the professionals who know what they are doing and they can get the job done in an efficient amount of time.

     

    Request an Artwork Shipping Quote

     

     

     

    International Shipping to Switzerland-Few Shipping Restrictions

    Posted on Thu, Jan 15, 2015


    Switzerland has some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe. Filled with mountains and lakes, it is a beautiful tourist destination. It is country with few mailing restrictions, so we have listed the major restrictions below. We also have provided sightseeing information about both Zurich and Geneva.


    • Switzerland has more than one thousand five hundred lakes.
    • Approximately 60 percent of the electricity produced in Switzerland is produced by hydro electric power. 60% of Switzerland’s 
    • In a distance of only forth three miles, you can go from  six hundred forty three feet above sea level in Ascona  to one fifteen thousand one hundred ninety nine feet above sea level in Dufor Park. More
    • Teachers in Switzerland receive twelve weeks of vacation every year. Teachers have one of the highest salaries of all professions in Switzerland.
    • The healthcare system in Switzerland lists 5.8 hospital beds for every one thousand people.


    Since Switzerland is a popular tourist destination, we have listed details about only the top two cities to visit. The details about the eight most popular cites to visit in Switzerland can be found at “Top 10 Places in Switzerland."


    1. Zurich
    Zurich is easy to reach by car, airplane or train.  The international airport that serves Zurich is a ten minute train ride from the Main Railway Station that is located in the heart of downtown Zurich.
    Being set on the north shores of Lake Zurich and having a spectacular view of the Alps with their majestic sow caps, Zurich is a popular tourist destination. Besides natural beauty, Zurich offers over fifty museums, greater than one hundred art galleries.  Both sailing and hiking are popular activities in Zurich.
     
    2. Geneva
    Geneva hosts the Musée international de l’horlogerie. This is the internationally famous watch museum that has a collection of both musical clocks and jewelry.
    Geneva is the United Nations international seat. With the main United Nations Headquarters situated in New York City,  the United Nations situated in Geneva is known has having a humanitarian tradition since the headquarters of the Red Cross is also in Geneva.
    As a reminder to tourists, Geneva is a French speaking city. Its nickname is “The Capital of Peace”.

     

     Some of the articles that are prohibited to mailed into Switzerland are as follows. These articles are listed on the USPS website.
     
    1. Arms
    2. Weapons
    3. Firing caps
    4. Loaded metal cartridges for portable firearms
    5. Nnonexplosive parts of artillery fuses
    6. Articles made of celluloid
    7. Human remains.
    8. Live plants and animals.
    9. Lottery tickets and advertisements for lotteries.
    10. Mini-spies (miniature wireless transmitters).
    11. Radar detectors.
     
    Interestingly enough, there is not a list of restricted going into Switzerland listed on the USPS website. Switzerland does require phone numbers when an item is sent to a post office box and recommends a phone number when a package is sent to a street address.


    At pack n send in Houston, we require a phone number and or email address for all international freight and international package shipping.  When shipping non document items to Switzerland via common carrier or via freight shipping a commercial invoice needs to be prepared. For any individual item that is valued at more than $2500, and ITN number is needed in order to export the item from the United States.

     

    So, if you are travelling to Switzerland and want to know what cities to visit, or are sending international  freight to Switzerland or even sending small packages to Switzerland, please feel free to:Request a  Shipping Quote

    . We are happy to answer your international shipping questions.

     

    What are white glove movers?

    Posted on Tue, Jan 13, 2015

    The purchase of a new home can be very stressful. When you add to it all the packing, moving and unpacking, it can all seem overwhelming. Most of us are short on time and the last thing we want to do after a long day is sort through our belongings and pack items away for our new home. Of course then there are items that we need to throw away, and some items that we want to donate to charity. Valuables and breakables can be even more daunting as you have to wrap each item and label the boxes accordingly. You want to make sure that whoever is moving the boxes with you knows those are fragile items that need to be handled carefully.

     

    White glove movers are the highest level of moving companies that a person can pick to complete a variety of tasks associated with their move. White glove movers can complete the following tasks for you: crating, packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking.

    Large Items

    Typically when you move you would usually put your big furniture items in a truck and drive away. This is not necessarily a favorable choice if you want to keep your items in perfect condition. A reputable white glove moving company will blanket wrap your large items to ensure they are protected from being damaged. Wood can easily get scratched or dented so it is important that your large items receive the treatment that your small breakables would as well.

    Packing

    If you have been living in your current home for any length of time you know how much stuff you can accumulate. If you have already sorted through most of your items and still have a lot to take with you, you should consider allowing movers to pack your items for you. They will take great care with each of your items and breakables will be wrapped and boxed so they do not break during their transport. If you are taking on this job yourself you may find you start to slack with the wrapping and packing of items because you are getting tired.

    Loading

    Boxes and crates are moved carefully by white glove movers. A lot can happen to an item on its way from your old home to the moving truck and then into your new location. Items should be properly wrapped or packed and then skillfully moved from one location to the next.

     

     

    white-glove-movers-furniture-gloves

    Photo By: nancy waldman

    Unloading
    When you are at your new home and it is time to unload you can trust these movers will unload the truck for you and place each box where it needs to go.The movers will have labeled the boxes properly and you will have no problem finding items as soon as you are in your new house.


    Unpacking
    This is most people’s least favorite part of moving as it is usually very time consuming. Unpacking can take some time as you need to find the new location for each and every item to go. These incredible   movers can place items where they need to be and you can rearrange or refine where the items are at your discretion.

    If you find yourself still on the fence, as far as whether or not to have these caliber of movers, read Moving Made Effortless.


    There are many reasons why white glove movers are an ideal option for your move. This type of service is very convenient. You can rest assured that all of your items will make it to your new home and in one piece. You cannot imagine the stress that is taken off your shoulders when you do not have to pack or move the majority of your items on moving day.

     

    Request a House Moving Quote

    How the Best Furniture Shipping Companies Move

    Posted on Mon, Jan 12, 2015

    There are a few different options available to you when you are shipping furniture from one location to another. While you can ship a piece of furniture as freight,depending on the piece of furniture and the distance that the furniture needs to travel, it may be  better idea to utilize white glove movers that will take proper care of your items during the move. Each and every furniture move will need to analyze the most effective way to move your furniture across country. Some of the thoughts that go into this anaysis are lsited below.

    It may cost a bit extra to utilize reputable furniture shipping companies but at the end of the day what is really important is making sure that you furniture gets to where it needs to go and that it gets there undamaged. Shipping by way of freight requires you to figure out the packaging, load and unloading of your item or items. It may make more sense to hire one of the furniture shipping companies in your area to do all the packing  work for you. There are different ways of shipping furniture and it really depends on the item and where it needs to go.


     

    Antique Furniture

    If you are shipping an antique piece of furniture you will want to make sure that all the proper precautions are taken to ensure that your items are not damaged during the packing or moving process. Furniture shipping companies are used to this type of process and they know how to get from point A to point B with your furniture in pristine shape. In addition to just properly moving an antique item there are some other factors that come into play. The process usually goes like this:

    furniture-shipping-companies-antique-furniture
    Photo By: French Finds
     
    1. First the antique piece of furniture needs to be appraised. This allows for insurance coverage for the proper amount. You do not want to over or under insure a piece while it is ging shipped. This insurance is needed in case anything were to happen to your item during the shipping proces.
    2. The item needs to be photographed from every angle. Either you or the appraiser can take the pictures.
    3. If there are any loose parts or already damaged portions of the item the furniture shipping companies need to know. This lets them know there are special areas that need to be paid attention to.
    4. The furniture should be emptied completely before being shipped. Any items left inside the item  could move around and damage the item.
    5. Allow your shipping company to secure doors and drawers how they see fit rather than trying to tape things shut on your own.  Moving blankets are  often used as protection during a blanket wrap move..

     

    Shipping Overseas

    You can ship a piece of furniture overseas if need be. This process involves a high level of handling and care. When shipping overseas you will want to make sure you pick the company that will get the job done right. Different companies use different methods of transport and one of those can be crates. Another is a special sea container that is used for moving large items from one country to another.

    Very often, overseas packages will require crating to withstand the trip. For information on how crates are chosen, read "Houston Crating: Shipping from Point A to Point B."
     

    If you are considering shipping a piece of furniture from one location to another then you will want to consider furniture shipping companies as a way to successfully move your item. A professional knows the right way to move an item so it does not become damaged or harmed in any way, shape or form.

     

    Request a Quote  for a 1 Piece Move

    4 Fun Things to Do Instead of Moving Furniture

    Posted on Sat, Jan 10, 2015

    When moving to a new home, no one needs to burden themselves with any more stressful tasks than are absolutely necessary. Why not let someone else take care of the arduous task of moving furniture? Rather than breaking one’s back, scratching up that favorite antique armoire, and trying six different angles to get that desk through the doorway, why not find some fun things to do instead of moving furniture.
     
    Get out on the trails
    • Grab that mountain bike or favorite pair of comfortable hiking shoes, and head for the hills. 
    • Maybe there’s a nearby peak to climb. Get on top, look down on the busy world below, take a deep breath, and enjoy the fresh air, the peaceful vibe, and that magical connection to the natural beauty all around. Maybe this can be the new weekend getaway. Climb a new mountain every week and experience the world from different perspectives. 
    • Or, bust out the mountain bike. Wipe off the dust and bring her in to the shop for a little tune up. Gear up and get ready for some fun.
    • Contact the local biking groups and find out where the best trails are.  Maybe sign up to help out on a trail maintenance day.
    • An inexperienced rider may be huffing and puffing along, but if he can make it a weekly routine, before he knows it, cruising effortlessly through some of the most beautiful scenery around will be child’s play.
    Head to the local movie theatre
    • Going to see that new blockbuster film on the big screen is a great way to unwind. With all of the access to media we have in our homes these days, it’s easy to forget the luxury of sitting in a comfortable theatre.
    • The stadium seating, surround sound, and super-sized screen, can engulf the senses and carry one away from the stresses of everyday life. 
    • Turn off the cell phone, forget about deadlines, and enjoy the show.

    Keywords: holland amsterdam sport bike biking

     

    Make some music
    • How about picking up a musical instrument? Tune up that guitar, polish up that old saxophone, or pull up a seat to grandma’s old piano.
    • Maybe it’s time to go take some lessons. It’s never too late to learn something new. These days anyone can get online and learn how to play any song they can think of. Or write a new tune.
    • If playing an instrument just isn’t working out, not to worry. Just hook up the ipod, or pop in that classic CD and enjoy those old favorite melodies while cooking, walking the dog, or just relaxing in that soft comfy chair.
    • Life always seems to go a little smoother when there’s music involved.

    In Houston, TX you can always buy a pass to go to lots of fun venues at a reduced price.
     

    Have a night out on the town
    • Calling up and reconnecting with old friends is a great way to find balance in life. Or go out and make some new friends.
    • Go out on a date. Try out that new Indian restaurant that’s been getting rave reviews. Head over to that favorite salsa dance club.  Or go down a few pints of that delicious microbrew with some friends, while watching the local favorite sports team battle for the championship.
    Remember why we’re here. To have fun, enjoy life, and be happy. This is just a small sample of the many fun things to do instead of moving furniture. Value every moment of your  precious free time. Take good care of the mind and the body. And let the furniture movers do what they’re good at.

    Request a House Moving Quote

    Pack N Send Makes Furniture Shipping & Moving Easy

    Posted on Fri, Jan 09, 2015

    Individuals who are interested in a move that is both easy and efficient should use Pack n Send in Houston. Packing your belongings and having them shipped to a new home allows individuals who are moving to enjoy an organized, well planned move.

    Moving can sometimes be chaotic, but it doesn't have to be.
    Customers that opt to work with Pack N Send Houston enjoy the following:


    Convenience


    Individuals who choose to move on their own, without the help of movers, must manage the entire process themselves from beginning to end. This means they are responsible for packing their belongings, and ensuring that their possessions arrive at the destination safely. When they opt, instead, to work with a shipping or moving company, they can forget about some of these issues and instead enjoy a comfortable, convenient move. This helps lower stress, reduce tension, and make the move a more enjoyable process for everyone that is involved.


    Safe Transport of Belongings


    Families that decide to handle relocation independently must also work to be sure that their belongings arrive safely at their destination. Organization is the key here. Individuals need to separate boxes. Different color stickers should be applied to boxes and containers that are going to the new location or into a storage unit. There is nothing worse than arriving at the new destination only to learn that some items have been placed into storage in error.

    When a family decides to work with Pack N Send Houston, they can relax, knowing that their belongings are being handled safely throughout the moving process. This makes it easier for these families to relax and focus on other aspects of the move, knowing that their belongings are in good hands and will arrive safely at the destination.

    fragile shipping crate

    If you are looking for a crate builder in Houston, for your delicate or high value possessions, pack n send can build your custom crate according to the dimensions that you provide.


    Organization


    Of course, organization is the key to a successful move.  Boxes that are labeled with the contents and the room where they should be placed are key elements to a non stressful move.  If the boxes are being shipped by freight, by using furniture shipping companies, you can still have every box properly labeled. Whether you choose to do this on your own, or let a moving company Houston that is used to shipping furniture across country pack and freight your boxes is up to you.
    You want to arrive at your new home to find neatly labeled boxes that are well organized.  Even if you unload the boxes yourself, knowing which room to put the boxes in and the contents of each box is a great help.


    A Well-Scheduled Move


    A move from one house to another must be carefully scheduled. The family that is making the move has to plan it around specific dates and times, when closing on a new home occurs, when a lease ends, and more. When a family opts to work with a packing and moving company like Pack N Send Houston, however, they can relax, knowing that the move will go off without a hitch. Pack and send will work with a predetermined moving schedule, so that the family's belongings will arrive on schedule.
    When it's time to schedule a move, families that need high quality movers are happy to trust their move's success to Pack N Send Houston. The company is known in the moving industry for providing excellent quality dependable service that customers can rely on. Trust the friendly professionals at Pack N Send Houston.

     

    Individuals who are interested in a move that is both easy and efficient are sure to be satisfied with Pack n Send Houston. Packing your belongings and having them shipped to a new home allows individuals who are moving to enjoy an organized, well planned move. Moving can sometimes be chaotic, but it doesn't have to be.

     

    Request a Shipping Quote

    Pack and Ship Moving 101

    Posted on Wed, Jan 07, 2015

    The decision to move can provide excitement for the entire family. The decision can also bring stress and anxiety; especially the packing part. Moving household treasures across the state or even across the country does not have to be stress induced situation.  With a little planning, the move can be done in smooth manner with all the household items arriving intact.   If you are downsizing or moving in with family members, you may be leaving furniture behind, and only shipping household items.  If you have a sufficient number of boxes, you can put the boxes on a pallet and ship the pallet via freight. If you only have a few boxes, there are some helpful packing tips located below.
     

      

    1. Ship, Donate or Throwaway

    The best way to start have a plan in place.. Each room can be done separately.  Sort items into three categories: ship, donate or throwaway.  One of the best parts about moving is getting rid of items that are no longer useful.  For example, children outgrow clothes so quickly.  Take the time to donate the clothes to a worthy charity.  A tax write-off can be given for the donation. Use different color bags or boxes for each of the three categories. If all of the donate items go into white bags throughout the house, it will be easy to segregate these items. Throw away items can all go in black bags, and items to be shipped can go inside cardboard boxes.

    2. Find durable boxes.

    We do not recommend using boxes from grocery stores that have contained meat or produce. Boxes can be reused as long as the box is sturdy.  It is usually less expensive to purchase boxes separately rather than in bundles that retailers put together with various size boxes included in the bundle. You may only need to use some of the boxes that were pre bundled.

    pack-and-ship-packing-peanuts-box

    Photo By: Andrew Magill

    3. Do not skip the packing material.

    Find packing material that is right for the item being placed in the box. 

    • Styrofoam can be used when packing breakable items. 
    • Packing peanuts can also cushion the item that you are shipping. Boxes are often put on conveyor belts. Be sure that you can place pressure on the top of the box, and that the top of the box does not move when pressure is applied.
    • Bubble wrap can be used to keep objects protected from damage during transport.
    • Fill the empty spaces in the boxes.  The spaces should be filled with quality packing material.  Empty spaces can cause items to settle and move around.  Items need to be held in place while shipping.

    4. Put like items together.

    Be careful of the items being placed in each box.  For example, a fragile antique lamp should not be packed with books or other heavy materials.  While packing, keep in mind these items have to travel together. Keep the fragile items away from the heavier bulky objects as a way to ensure safe travel.

    5. Use appropriate size boxes. 

    The boxes should be the right size for the items being packed. 

    • Using boxes that are too large for smaller items can increase the amount of cost for shipping.
    • The boxes should also be filled appropriately.
    • Take time and move around items to maximize the number of contents that can be safely placed in a box.

    6.  Outside the box.

    The outside of the box is just as important as the contents on the inside. 

    • Use the correct type of packing tape.  High quality, durable tape should be used.  The tape will have to hold the box in place while traveling.  When in shipment, the box can be dropped; no one wants to see items lost in shipment due to the box opening.
    • Tape generously.
    • Write the address out clearly.  The boxes need to arrive to the destination in a timely manner. When writing out an address, use block lettering for easier reading.

    7.  Do not be afraid to contact a professional.

    Everyone wants to save money by doing the packing and shipping.  However, packing great grandmother’s antique crystal lamp may be a challenge. Consulting a packing expert who has experience in the pack and ship business. For more tips read "How to Pack your Packages."

     

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    4 Tips on How to Buy Chandeliers

    Posted on Fri, Jan 02, 2015

    Chandeliers can add beauty and brilliance to your room. They can be streamlined and modern or have traditional crystals that catch the light. Chandeliers can add elegance to a foyer even if the ceiling height is very high. Some can have hundreds of crystals that bend and refract the light creating a rainbow effect when the sunlight streams in. And other chandeliers can be quite small adding delicate charm to the smallest dark nook. Whether you prefer simple or ornate chandeliers, we have 4 tips on how to buy chandeliers. These tips are important to consider in order to prevent mistakes when purchasing a chandelier. 

     

    Chandeliers can be found in every country. From the airy filigree Parisian French chandeliers that sparkle gracefully in art galleries and fine restaurants, to the heavy ornate style of classic Tudor England chandeliers that sometimes come with gargoyles attached, each chandelier will display its’ own special quality.

    how-to-buy-a-chandelier

    Photo By: Almond Dhukka

     

     

    Here are four things to watch for when buying a chandelier.

    1.       Choose the correct diameter for your lighting. Measure the length and width of the room the chandelier will go in. As an example, if the room is 8 feet x 12 feet, then the sum is 20 feet. Now convert this to inches and the diameter of your chandelier should be 20 inches. This should be the correct diameter of your new chandelier.

    2.       Remember, the taller the ceiling the taller the chandelier. The height of a foyer will help determine the height of your chandelier. If you put that same chandelier in a dining room it would not fit. There should be at least a 30 inch clearance from the chandelier to the dining room table. The height can be adjusted by removing some of the chain links. But also do not install a chandelier that is too small for the space. Dimensions are important when it comes to purchasing chandeliers.

    3.       When learning how to buy a chandelier, choose a style of chandelier that matches the decor of the room it will be in. A room decorated in a modern style needs a chandelier that is also done in sleek modern lines. A more traditional style will have the dangling crystals that most people expect with this look. There are so many styles to consider when matching a chandelier to the look of the room. In the rustic style some people have even used deer antlers or bare metal to form the chandelier. This does not suit everyone’s taste but it shows the variety of choices out there.

    4.       Do consider the cost of the chandelier you need for your room. Prices range from very inexpensive to extremely expensive. Any of the looks in any style can be made to suit a wide range of price points. If you see the perfect chandelier but it is way out of your budget do not despair. A look alike can probably be found if you keep looking.

    Buying a chandelier can involve a learning process. It’s a good idea to just visit your local stores and see what appeals to you. Also, pay attention to chandeliers in places that you frequent such as resorts and hotels. Taking note of other chandeliers can give you an idea of different effects you can achieve with different lighting.

    If you are still unsure of what kind of chandelier to buy then do visit some open houses. Real estate people often schedule open houses in upscale neighborhoods. Walk through these homes and see how the different styles of chandeliers can change the feeling of a room.

    Chandeliers add such beauty and brilliance to any room. Do keep these ideas in mind the next time you are shopping for a chandelier. It will make your purchase the perfect one.

    Once you've selected the right chandelier for your room. It's so important to transport it safely. To see how professionals back delicate items like chandeliers, watch this how to pack chandeliers video.

     

     

     

    Request a Quote  for a 1 Piece Move

    8 Tips for Shipping Furniture Across Country

    Posted on Fri, Dec 26, 2014

    Shipping furniture across country via freight can be a little more complicated than some would like to think. Whether it's moving it within the city or across country, it can still be daunting. There are some tips that can help make this task a little easier to handle.

    Do Your Research

    1. One of the most important tips... do your research first. Finding the right shipping company that can ship via freight for your shipping needs is of the utmost importance. You want a company that's reliable. You want to find a company that's within the price range you've set for yourself.

    Take Inventory/Inspect Furniture

          2. Make sure you have a list of things that are being shipped. This will help remember exactly what was shipped if everything isn't being shipped. If you hire a professional freight preparation company to pack for you, the company picking up your items should prepare a list of the items that are being picked up.

          3. While making your list, thoroughly look over furniture. Make note of any dents, marks or anything that stands out; you can also take pictures. This will allow you to remember any marks or damages that were on the furniture before the shipping occurred.

    Get Your Furniture Ready For Freight Shipping

    Next you want to get your furniture ready. Depending on what you're shipping there may be quite a bit for you to prepare if you are packing the freight on your own. Here are some of the general things that may need to be done:

          4. Remove any feet and/or fragile pieces

          5. Dismantle furniture if possible.

          6. Wrap the furniture up: you can use Styrofoam sheets, shrink wrap, bubble wrap or moving blankets.

          7. Put the furniture in a wooden shipping box or thick corrugated cardboard box. Plan on adding 5"-8" of packing materials. Add one by fours to the outside of a pallet to prevent moving during freight shipping.

          8. Cushion the furniture. Cardboard and 1 inch Styrofoam are good for some items. You may need to block and brace certain items to prevent them from moving. Styrofoam sheets also will help when cushioning some items.

    Of course, if you decide to have a professional shipping company do all of this work for you; you can make one call and ask them to do all of this work for you. Since they are the packing and shipping experts, they will be able to professionally pack all of your items.

    chair-shipping-furniture-across-country

    Photo By: Elissa Merola

     

     

     

       9.When packing, place the heavier furniture in first and on the bottom. You may want to turn tables upside down when loading them onto a pallet.  This allows you to be able to stack smaller items on top of the large furniture. If you're going to stack items on the furniture make sure you cover the furniture with moving blankets or pads so the furniture is still protected from any damage that could possibly happen during shipping

     

    10..Professional movers will use sheets of cardboard, Styrofoam sheets or bubble wrap, depending on the item that they are loading onto a pallet. It is also reoommended that you use one by fours on the outside of the pallet to prevent your items from moving during freight shipping.

    Shipping furniture across country doesn't have to be a headache.  If the above tools and tips are followed you should have an easy time preparing your furniture for shipping. Shipping furniture across country is something that's doable and easy to prepare for.

    Should your move take you internationally or overseas, there are a unique set of factors to take into consideration, read on the differences between international shipping and domestic shipping.

     

    Request a Shipping Quote

    Benefits of Using Senior Moving Specialists

    Posted on Tue, Dec 23, 2014

    More middle aged adults are now taking care of their elderly parents than ever before. Then there comes a time when a senior adult can't live in their house anymore. When they have become ill or just cannot physically take care of themselves, it is time to call in a company that can help you easily facilitate the moving process. Therefore you need those who are experienced and specialize in senior moving. 

     

    When your parent is sick and needs to go into assisted living or a nursing home, it may be difficult to sell their assets plus handle all this. That's called being over burdened. Look for moving companies that specialize in moving senior adults. A certified real estate broker will help you with the sale of their house. Look for a moving company that will help you with downsizing. They will assist you in making the move for your elderly parent as smooth as possible. They should offer referrals for downsizing sales, cleaning services and home staging.

    Word of mouth referrals are wonderful. Also talk to individuals at the company you choose to move your loved ones belongings. They should offer you advice and a variety of moving options. Make sure they are able to ship excess belongings and furniture to out of town relatives. You can also call for needed referrals.  

    With all this said, there are benefits of using senior moving specialists are: 

    1. All the burden is not going to be on your siblings or you to manage everything when your parent can no longer live in their home, independently.  

    2. They are specialists in senior moving.  They will move belongings into the new location while setting up for them as well. It is a good idea to plan a fun day for your senior while their move is taking place. If they leave their old residence before the movers arrive and show up at their new residence when all of the furniture is in place, and the boxes are unpacked, it makes for a non stressful move. It is recommended that the senior walk into a completely set up new living area with pictures on the walls and boxes unpacked. The senior can always ask that things be moved around in their new apartment or room, but unpacked boxes and a set up apartment will make them feel at home very quickly.

    senior-moving-house

    Photo By: Merlijn Hoek

    Why Get Help From Senior Moving?

    Seniors can also contact these companies when they are living all alone and they have to downsize. Senior adults can request as much or as little assistance as they are comfortable with. Some seniors want to pack a few of their very valuable items, while others prefer to sit and watch the movers pack.  

    To find help with moving a senior adult, you can use SEO and Google them. Some real estate brokers partner with moving companies that specialize in moving seinor adults.  Be sure to request advice and help from others who have been there.  If a friend or neighbor has used a senior moving service and was happy with it, call them first. Do not try to find the cheapest deal around. You want to find a reputable company to move the possessions that a senior adult has collected over a lifetime. You always want the best for yourself and your loved ones. Make sure to call the company and talk to their senior move specialist. Since  moving involves team work, you want to make sure that you are at ease working with your Senior Move Specialist. 

    You want your elderly parent to enjoy their golden years. It's good for their loved ones and you to be enjoying time with them that you have together. This service is priceless.   There's no doubt about it, senior citizen moving is easier with professional movers.

    Request a Senior Moving Quote

    Ref: Moves Seniors 

    How to Choose the Right Sculpture for Your Home

    Posted on Sun, Dec 14, 2014

    Sculptures make ideal decorating pieces for homes. They range in size and material that can make them a focal point in a room our house depending on where it is placed. For homeowners trying to find the right type of sculptures to place around the home will determine on how much space is available and the type of decor one has.

    There are various aspects of a sculpture that will need to be considered before purchasing and adding it to the decor of the room.

    Color - This can draw attention towards the piece if it stands out from the rest of the color of the decor.

    Texture - Stone, glass, metal or wood are some of the more popular choices of textures to choose from in a sculpture. Depending where you place will help you determine what texture to choose from. High traffic areas are best to be made of wood or metal. If used as a focal point of a room then consider stone and if used as an accent piece, use glass.

    Size - This is key in where the sculpture is placed and how much space available. For large rooms a large sculpture can be used and for small spaces use a small sculpture. Using sculptures outside the front of the home can include large or medium sizes and near gardens would be excellent to have large, luxurious sculptures to accent the location.

    sculpture-shipping-shipping-one-piece-of-furniture

    Photo by: Nick Thompson

     

    There are various places that a sculpture can be placed in your home including on a wall. This type of sculpture will not stand on its own and will in fact be designed to be hung. They usually consist of masks such as tribal or carnival styles. These type of sculptures go best with modern decor.

    For the perfect open spot that is chosen for a unique sculpture can be made a focal point of the room with a light behind it, light underneath it or if it is placed in front of a mirror. Or the item can still be a focal point of the room by rearranging the furniture around the sculpture. 

    For multiple small sculptures, the ideal spot to place them are in front of a large window on a table or window sill for elegant display.  A fire mantle is a great place to show off the sculpture as every detail can be observed or alongside the fireplace. This is typically an area for pictures or artwork to be displayed and sculptures can be a part of the collection of art pieces used.

    There are many choices for a homeowner when trying to decide on the type of sculptures to invest in. They make ideal pieces to decorate the home with along with being conversation pieces. Whether you live in a small or large home or apartment, there is always a sculpture that can fit in with the decor and liven up a room with its beauty and uniqueness. With these tips, you will know how to choose the right sculpture for your home. 

    Should you need help transporting your scultpure, read about sculpture shipping.

     

    Request a Shipping Quote

    Pack and Ship: Taking Guesswork Out of Packages

    Posted on Thu, Dec 11, 2014

    For many homeowners, apartment residents and business owners, moving can be a comprehensive task. However, by becoming familiarized with the services offered by a shipping service company, you can organize your next move with streamlined success. Not only that, if you need to send an item by parcel post or express, you will have the resources needed to ensure an item remains intact.

    Making the Most of Your Time

    After all, if you have ever tried to pack glassware, china or similar items, you soon learn that such an undertaking is a science if not an art. So, if you don’t want to handle such details yourself, then it is good to align yourself with someone who will. By relying on a pack and ship service company, you can save a lot of time and hassle when packing items for shipment or a local or international move.

     

    The Benefits of Using a Pack and Ship Service Company

    A pack and ship service company provides movers and shippers with:

    • A large variety of box sizes;
    • Plenty of bubble wrap;
    • Packing paper;
    • Packing tape;
    • Specialized boxes; and
    • Crating

     

     

    Customized Offerings

    Boxes can be customized to ship or move such specialized items as lamps, fine paintings, mirrors or electronics, especially laptops and PCs. Boxes can even be designed by service providers to hold unique items, such as elk antlers or large and cumbersome headboards or mirrors.

     

     

    Sized to Fit

    For example, if you have valuable wall items to send, boxes can be made to accommodate the size and shape of them. Sized-to-fit cardboard boxes are typically made up of two pieces that slide snugly together to protect an object such as a painting or small wall mirror.

     

     

    Protecting Valuables against Damage

    Therefore, when you are packing items, you simply cannot rely on a box or that is a one-size-fit-all design. The additional space in the container is the reason most products become damaged in the first place. That’s why it is especially important to rely on a pack and ship service company that will supply the right sized box to ensure against undue damage or breakage.

    In our blog post, "How Not to Pack a Package" we have some basic tips on how to protect your packages from damage.

    how-to-pack-and-ship-mirror

    Photo by: ornello_pics

     

    How to Correctly Pack a Mirror

    Therefore, items such as televisions, stereos and lamps must be packed and shipped with special attention and care. For example, when packing a mirror, it is essential that a protective cushioning is supplied between the mirror and the box. This form of packing in the pack and ship service field is different than supplying a layer designed for shock absorption. The cushioning must be made to safeguard the item from any direct contact.

     

     

    Wrap the Object in Packing Paper and a Furniture Pad to Prevent any Direct Damage Contact

    The best method to use to protect against direct contact then is to create a protective layer using packing paper. By rolling the paper in four cylinders and placing them in the box before and after packing the mirror, bumpers are formed that cushion and protect the item against any blows. Wrap the object itself in either a furniture pad or packing paper, depending its overall size and shape.

     

     

    Don’t Lie the Box Flat: Stand It on Its End

    By using the above method, direct contact will be avoided and you will receive your item in pristine condition. Also, never store a box with a mirror enclosed and lie it flat. Any additional pressure on the container can cause the mirror to crack. Instead, lie the box on its end.

     

    Need help packing? Get a packing quote!

    The Smallest Thing Ever Shipped

    Posted on Thu, Dec 11, 2014

    Packages come in all shapes and sizes, and most people wouldn't believe some of the things that get shipped across the country. It can be interesting to take a close look at the smallest thing ever shipped, and some of the other small items that have also shipped. For shipping companies in Houston, read about the many specialized types of shipping.

    How Small is Small?

    When items get down to a certain size, it can be hard to quantify. For this reason, there is some argument over what qualifies as the smallest thing ever shipped. The following items, and the stories behind them, are some of the tiniest things to make it through a shipping service.

    A Single Photon

    One of the more bizarre shipping tales is that of a photon. A photon is a particle of light, and is in fact considered the smallest known particle in science. With no mass and the speed of movement equal to the speed of light, it can be difficult to imagine anything smaller. In an online auction, a bidder purchased the particle. Not wanting to disappoint a customer, the seller sent what appeared to be an empty envelope to the bidder. 

    small-letter-shipping-companies-in-houston

    Photo By: Natasha Mileshina

     

    The Smallest Letter

    Mailing a photon is impressive, but it's also interesting to know the smallest visible item that has been shipped. In a society where small electronics and compact things are more desirable than larger and bulky objects, receiving small letters is sometimes a good thing. One company creates tiny greeting cards and invitations that are then sent shipped anywhere. Although they are packaged in a miniature envelope, they are too small to be sent that way and are shipped in larger envelopes. The tiny notes are printed in a miniature font, on miniature paper. Each note is so small that the message comes with a magnifying glass and needs to be shipped in a protective coin case.

    Practical Objects

    Incredibly, there are some minuscule objects that have been manmade and shipped. One such object is a mini disposable camera. In this case, the term "mini" does not do the item justice. This camera is the size of a grain of salt, or about one millimeter. It was created for medical purposes; it is capable of capturing images from inside the human body. Originally manufactured in Germany, this tiny life-saver has had to make it''s way through various shipping channels. 

    A television doesn't sound like it would even come close to being the smallest thing ever shipped, but the smallest television in the world is much smaller than one might expect. Measuring at only about 4x3 millimeters, this product actually works. One company even started making display cases for the televisions. It's hard to know what's more amazing- watching a show on this product or sending it to someone.

    Another product of technology that can be classified as tiny and useful is called the RoboBee. Although small in stature, this product has some incredible applications. It is a drone the size of a penny, and has many applications. They can be used in search and rescue situations, climate mapping, and a variety of other applications. Their small and delicate size make it difficult to imagine them being shipped, but it can be done and has been done. 

    Shipping for All

    Shipping small products is a delicate and detailed process. There are many different shipping options, each suitable for different types of items. Fortunately, there are effective ways to ship objects of all sizes, even if they don't break any world records.

     

    Request a  Shipping Quote

    What's the best moving company houston?

    Posted on Wed, Dec 10, 2014

    Moving can be a very stressful time in one’s life and it can also be expensive. Not only have you purchased a new home but you have to consider the expense of hiring a moving company Houston. This search can become stressful quickly if you are not careful. It is imperative to find a reputable moving company that you can trust with all of your belongings and feel safe with letting into your home. It might seem more cost effective to do the moving yourself or with your friends but this can be time consuming. In the end, the easiest and most efficient way to move from point A to point B is to hire one of the best moving company Houston has to offer. There are a few things to consider when trying to find one of the best moving companies and they include the following:

    Well Recommended

    The internet is a good place to find businesses of all kinds but there are a lot of moving companies on the market and unfortunately not all of them are good. The best way to find a moving company Houston is to search the phone book. Moving companies with large ads or many years of experience are usually the ones that you want to target. Another way to find a good moving company is to call some local real estate companies and ask who they might recommend to you. An agency is not going to suggest movers that have poor reputations or are known to be unreliable.

    moving-company-houston

    Photo by: Ruth Hartnup

    Available At Your Convenience

    Once you have the name of a few different moving companies you should contact each one of those companies and see if they can come to your home for an estimate. The best moving companies are the ones that are happy to come to where you are to give you the information you need and more importantly they will do it at your convenience. If a moving company tries to quote you over the phone or does not have the time to come out within a week or so then it is time to move on. Also, the best moving company Houston will be able to fit you into their schedule on the day that you want to move. You should not have to work your moving date around their schedule.

     

    No Sub Contracting

    There are a lot of moving companies that will sub contract the moving duties to a third party rather than do the moving themselves. You want to find a moving company that is going to do the moving for you on their own. Who you speak to on the phone or in person when you first contact them is who should be moving your items or at least the person in charge of who is moving the items.

     

    References

    If you still need more confirmation that a certain moving company is the right one for your move then you should be able to request references of people who have used a certain mover before. If a moving company is confident in their work and their business then they will be more than happy to provide you with a number of people whom you can contact for opinions.

    If you are looking for one of the best moving company Houston has to offer then you should do your homework and research the different companies that are available to you. It takes a few different factors to feel confident about the company that will be handling your precious items and you should feel comfortable with whom you choose.

     

    Request a House Moving Quote

    Things To Do After You Relocate to Houston

    Posted on Tue, Dec 09, 2014

    Moving to a huge city such as Houston can be overwhelming but in a city this size there is a lot to see and do. There are a number of things to do after you relocate to Houston.

    Neighborhoods

    First of all check out all of the neighborhoods. Because Houston is so large and diverse each part of town has its own character. Chinatown, on the west side of Houston, just outside the loop is a great place for Vietnamese sandwiches, Chinese cuisine, and Asian grocery stores. Great shopping with an Asian flair is in this neighborhood as well including a Japanese dollar store and places to buy culinary equipment like rice steamers and bamboo cutting boards.

    Another popular neighborhood is the Heights. This neighborhood has upscale eateries and lots of family attractions. It’s an artsy neighborhood with charming architecture and a small town feeling. It’s a favorite place for weekend bikers to take a ride.

    Rice Village, near Rice University, is the place for bookstores, trendy clothing shops, and even a shop that sells everything chocolate. Lots of Houstonians head here for ethnic food and a lively night scene. Near Rice University is also the Museum District. This is where you will find most Houston museums, a huge park, zoo, and outdoor amphitheater. This residential area of stately homes is between downtown and the Medical Center.

    Don’t miss the Montrose neighborhood just west of downtown. This hipster neighborhood is home to many alternative bars and hole-in-the wall places to eat. Every year Pride Parade marches past charming bungalows and sleek condos to finish with one of the best parties of the year.

     

     

    Around Houston

    The Space Center, just south of Houston, is a must see when making your list of things to do after you relocate to Houston. The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center is your entryway to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration compound. The Level 9 tour gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the famed center for human spaceflight. From the science demonstration show to a peek at Mission Control there’s something for all ages to see.

    houston-space-center-moving-houston

    Photo by: Andos_pics

    Galveston Island, a short drive south of Houston, is the place to go to the beach. You can stroll along the boardwalk or dine at the port side of the island. Almost every weekend there are events in Galveston, including the bike rally, Christmas celebration, and Mardi Gras. Enjoy the Victorian homes and art carved from trees downed by stormy weather. You’ll find lots of fishing and bird watching near the marshes at the east end of the island. The food here is straight out of Louisiana and the atmosphere is decidedly laid back and relaxing.

     

     

    Shopping

    Don’t forget to put shopping on your list of things to do after you relocate to Houston . Chinatown and an area of East Indian merchants are places to find international goods. You will also find a great many wholesale clothing and housewares stores to explore. The Galleria is the most celebrated shopping center in Houston with all of the major upscale department stores and specialty boutiques.

     

     

    Events

    Besides the great neighborhoods to explore and amazing shopping venues there are also a multitude of events in Houston. Concerts, sporting events, the opera, symphony, the theater, art expositions, and so many more events take place each week. Consult the local newspaper or the tourist board’s online calendar to find out what’s happening. Many museums and art galleries have a free day each week or once a month that you can take advantage of when finding things to do after you relocate to Houston.

     

    If you are in the process of considering a moving to Houston and you need a few more reasons, check out "3 Reasons to Move to Houston." 

    Request a House Moving Quote

    International packing and shipping vs Domestic packing and shipping

    Posted on Mon, Dec 08, 2014

    If you have a family member in the military who is stationed overseas, you sell internationally on eBay or you have friends who are expatriots, then there will come a time when you will want to ship a package out of the country. International shipments require more effort than merely packing the box, slapping on a label and taking it to the nearest pack-and-ship location.

    The first difference between shipping domestically and shipping internationally is the type of packaging that should be used. International shipments are handled much more frequently while in transit than are domestic shipments. For this reason, shipping cartons should be double-walled for extra durability. If a shipment requires a wooden packing crate, the wood must be heat-treated and certified to be insect-free. This prevents bugs or tree diseases from inadvertently being imported.

    packing-and-shipping-usps-boxes

    Image by: lisaclarke

     

    The second major difference between domestic and international shipping is that all international shipments require specific documentation. These documents provide government authorities in the consignee’s country with information regarding what kinds of items are being imported and the value of the items. This provides a basis for calculating any tariffs or duty that are due.  A pro-forma or commercial invoice needs to be attached to any international shipment that contains items other than documents. The commercial invoice lists the full name, address and telephone number of both the shipper and the consignee, the specific items being shipped along with the number of units and the per piece value, and the total value of the shipment. The pro-forma invoice must be signed in ink by the shipper and dated. Gift items and items for personal use still require a pro-forma invoice.

    Many countries also require a Certificate of Origin. Italy, for example, demands that any online purchase being shipped by a private individual contain a COA detailing where the item was manufactured. Many European countries require a COA for textiles or finished goods made of fabric, such as clothing or purses.

    The North American Free Trade Agreement covers shipments between the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico. It removed trade tariffs for shipments between these countries as long as a proper NAFTA Certificate of Origin was attached. Shipments between these countries that are valued at less than $1000.00, require that the statement “"I hereby certify that the good covered by this shipment qualifies as an originating good for purposes of preferential tariff treatment under the NAFTA" be added to the pro-forma invoice.

    Any shipment that does not have proper documentation will be retained at the destination country and  will either be opened for inspection or returned at the shipper’s expense.

    Finally, there are items that cannot be shipped into certain countries, and a shipper needs to know these restrictions. For example, a box going to a military person stationed in Afghanistan or Iraq should not contain any product that is illegal under Islamic law. The obvious items are things like a Christian bible or rosary, or a Jewish prayer shawl or yarmulke. It also includes magazines or books that are considered obscene, such as the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition or Cosmopolitan. Alcohol, CDs of rap music and some graphic video games are also forbidden. The United Kingdom restricts shipments of canned chili, beef jerky and electronic cigarettes, and any toys being sent must be certified to comply with European Community safety standards.

    Contact an experienced shipping professional to unravel any confusion surrounding packing and shipping. He or she can determine whether items comply with a country’s import restrictions and will help you to complete all the needed documentation. 

     

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    Senior Moving is Easier with Professionals

    Posted on Fri, Dec 05, 2014

    What’s in a name?

    Any business can be judged in part by what they call themselves. If a business has a unique or funny name it can tell a variety of things.

    1. The company takes time to carefully think over all aspects of their business.
    2. The company is personable.
    3. The company is willing to make fun of themselves.
    4. The company probably is a fun and/or laid back place.

    What is the name of the company you're leaning toward to help with senior moving? Sometimes you can tell by the name of a company what lengths they would go to help out. You can't only go by the name though.

     

     

    What’s the big deal, aren’t all movers the same?

    It is a common misconception that moving companies are all identical. Yes, moving stuff from one location to another is pretty straight forward. But the companies that do it are varied just like every other type of company. One needs to be sure the movers can handle their stuff with care. There’s all manner of other important little details. There are some simple things to look for when choosing a moving company:

    1. Will the movers get the stuff to its destination in a timely fashion?
    2. Are they cheap or at least affordable?
    3. Will they respect the goods they are moving?

     

    Finding a company that does these things is beneficial for senior moving. A company's motto should be moving should be as pleasant and hassle-free as possible. They work for the customer. That is the most important thing in a moving company. They put the moving party above profit (well as much as any company can). Obviously they want to make money, but they realize the best way to do that is through happy customers.

    senior-moving

    Photo by: Garry Knight

     

    You’ve got a friend in me

    One good thing to look for in movers is personable people. If the movers are nice and personable that makes it much nicer for those involved. At a company, one is much more likely to run into individuals who want to help and make the trip more pleasurable for senior moving. Let’s face it, as one gets older it gets harder to move to new places. So, nice friendly people are going make the overall experience better.

     

     

    As you wish

    Another thing to look for is a moving company that will listen. They are the experts and know how to pack stuff and store things for the move, but it’s not their things they’re packing and storing. If they are transporting grandma’s prized Ming vase then they’d better be careful with it.

     

     

    We’re going to move your stuff like it’s our job

    Above all else, get movers who care. The staff at a professional moving company will take the time to inspect all of the stuff they are moving in case they broke something during the trip. They will throw in little touches like stopping the drip from your washing machine before they package it up. These acts show that they take their job very seriously, and they should. It is their business to make sure that one’s personal belongings reach their final destination safely.

     

    If a good professional moving company cannot be found, keep looking further. Don't settle on the first company you find when it comes to senior moving.

     

    Request a Senior Moving Quote

    3 Tips for Developing Your Artwork Collection at Home

    Posted on Thu, Dec 04, 2014

    You don't have to be Donald Trump or even Andy Warhol in order to have an amazing art collection at home. Whether you live in a downtown condo or a quiet suburban home, you can have an impressive art collection no matter what your budget is. If you're searching for a guide on how to start an art collection on your own, here are three great tips that can help you obtain some great art to display and enjoy.

    Purchase the Print Instead of the Original

    Many artists today sell their original paintings, but they also make prints of their artwork as well. You can find high quality prints at a number of websites online, where artists from all over the world sell their works in print format. A print is essentially original art that has been transferred onto a high quality paper that is suitable for framing. It's a fancy way of saying copies, but they are usually issued by the artist themselves or a third party authorized by the artist. It is much less expensive than, say, an original oil painting but still holds up well when it comes to quality. Many artists will also offer to frame their prints for you. This method of purchasing art has become really popular as of late, especially with the casual collector.

    Go on a Art-on-a-Budget Hunting Adventure

    You don't always have to buy great art from the artists themselves. In fact, many people find amazing works of art at local thrift stores and flea markets. Estate sales are also a great place to find some really cool art. All of these options should be more affordable and you will probably find some really unique, one of a kind items. Don't just look for paintings; flea markets and thrift shops also often sell pottery, sculptures, and other unique pieces for a fraction of the full price you'd pay at a gallery. There are also plenty of online websites where you can buy discounted artwork or secondhand finds without having to pay a really high price. 

    sculpture-artwork

    Photo By: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra

    Learn to be an Artist

    Of course, there's really nothing more satisfying than creating your own personal artwork and putting it on display. Not only will you take pride in knowing that you've created your own masterpiece, it can really add some pop to your decor. Attend a local arts class or pottery class, and you may just surprise yourself at your own hidden talents. Have some friends join you and get together for painting nights, where everyone can paint their own personal pictures to hang up, give as gifts, or exchange. It's a great way to discover a special talent you may not have realized you already had. 

    When considering how to start an art collection, think outside of the box as much as possible. Look in places most people would not consider. Take a road trip and go outside of your area to find artists and shops that are unique. Peruse some stores online and try to find pieces that will allow you to express yourself without breaking the bank. Before you know it, you will have your own impressive art collection that should make you proud to show others.

    Once you have discovered that ideal piece of artwork, it may be necessary to transport it. Here are some frequently asked questions regarding how to ship artwork

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    Houston Crating: Shipping from Point A to B

    Posted on Mon, Dec 01, 2014

    There are certain items that are going to be far too heavy and big for use with traditional cardboard boxes. Cardboard boxes can only hold a certain weight and placing a heavy item inside of one would result in an item breaking the bottom of the box out and falling straight through. This of course can damage or ruin an item. Houston crating companies understand the need for crating items and crates made of wood can protect an item while it is shipped from point A to B. There are many different crates styles and shapes. Really, the type of crate used by a Houston crating company depends on the item that is being shipped. At the end of the day, a wood crate is going to provide a lot more protection and strength than traditional shipping containers.

    How Crates Are Chosen

    Houston crating companies select wood crates based on the weight of an item or items, the dimensions of an item and also the value of an item. A crate is not always just an empty wooden box but sometimes a crate needs to have supports within the box to bear some weight and protect items from the inside out. Also, a crate is chosen based off of how it is going to be shipped ultimately. Certain crates work better than others when it comes to being bolted down to skids, braced or steel strapped.

    houston-creating

    Photo By: Patrick Finnegan

    Before Being Crated

    Before an item is placed into a crate it needs to be inspected thoroughly by the staff at a crating company. This is not only so the item can be properly assessed and insured but also so a crating company can consider the crate design that needs to be included. Professionals know the proper way the style and internal structure of a crate should be created. These small details really help create a situation where an item is going to be shipped successfully from point A to point B.

    Different Crate Types

    There are a variety of different crate types that can be used to ship items from one place to another. There are different crates for commercial use, industrial use, crates for electronics, furniture crates, artwork crates, crates for specific products, reusable crates, display crates and more. If there is not a specific crate already created for a certain item then custom crates can be used to properly protect an item that might not be traditionally shaped. The best crating companies will create crates using the best engineers and builders available. These professionals know the best way to crate an item to ensure that item makes it to where it needs to go in one piece. It may seem like creating crates would be an easy task but this is not always the case. Sometimes there are items that need extra care and this can apply to medical equipment, liquids, etc. There are crating specialists that are always coming up with new ways of crating, padding and wrapping items. Should you need help determining the price of your crate, reach out for a crating quote.

    For people who are considering shipping a large item but are unsure how to do so, it may be a good idea to contact a reputable Houston crating company. The owner of an item knows they want their item protected and transported safely but in the end there are a lot of factors that need to be considered such as the fragility of an item, the weight and how an item might be affected by vibrations or movement. Using a high quality, experienced Houston crating company is ideal to protect your investments.

     

    Need a Crate? Get a Fast Quote

    Moving Made Effortless with White Glove Movers

    Posted on Sat, Nov 29, 2014

    Most people would not use the two words: 'moving' and 'effortless' in the same sentence. This endeavor is filled with running around, finding boxes, finding a truck company you can trust and losing things when you most need them. Following a list of things to do that has already packed into... one of the boxes is just one more part of the problem.

    Home owners will find they can relax, a bit more, when they find one of the white glove movers that are available in most areas. These professionals have been instrumental in making this easy for thousands of people across the country.

    white-glove-movers

    Photo by: Alaina Browne

    What type of experience should be expected when white glove movers are involved?

    There are so many things involved in any move that, to list them, is a big help. The person moving will be able to know what those are and can rely on the professionals to do what is planned out. Those tasks begin before the actual packing starts:

    • The preparation of the moving plan includes what needs to happen and when it will happen. This lists everything from designing a floor plan to making sure all utilities are transferred and the house or apartment is cleaned up after the move out. They work with the owners to ensure the proper dates and times are noted.

    • They will pack all furniture, clothing and breakables as well as everything else that is going to be moved. They label the boxes that many people seem to forget.

    • During the move they will monitor everything from the transporting of the packed materials out of the home and into the truck. They will also ensure fragile things are handled properly. These movers take their charge very seriously.

    • The personal consultant, assigned to each move, will accompany the logistics company assigned to the move. This assists in making sure the load is delivered promptly to the new home.


      The white glove movers personnel assigned to this move will unload the truck and this is where it really pays off for the new home or apartment owner.
       

    • By personally escorting all moved items into the new location, they will ensure it is placed exactly where the owner wants it. The floor plan will be followed to ensure this.

    • All appliances will be placed properly, plugged in and operationally checked. The same will happen with all electronics, such as televisions, home theater components, computers and cable or satellite connections.

    • Clothing will be hung, placed in drawers or in closets according to the plan. Towels, wash cloths and everything including the dish washing liquid will be placed where it should go based on the plan designed by the owner.

     

    By helping with any or all of the following, white glove movers will help ensure that the two words 'moving' and 'effortless' can go together again:

    • Initial consultation with master plan, floor plans and schedules to be followed are created.

    • Sorting, packing and labeling all containers.

    • Meeting with the realtors on both sides of the move.

    • Contacting rental unit companies, on either or both ends of the move for things to be stored.

    • Cleaning, pulling trash and getting rid of things not being moved.

    • Dealing with all of the utilities, services and deliveries as well as change of address cards.

    White glove movers are trained and experienced so that the experience of all of their clients can be as relaxed, as comfortable and as peaceful as possible because they treat their client's belonging as if they were theirs. When someone asks about effortless moving, these clients know who to recommend. 

    If you're on the fence about whether to get a small move or a white glove move read more about the differences between these two services.

     

    Request a House Moving Quote

     

    The Largest Things Ever Shipped

    Posted on Fri, Nov 21, 2014

    People have been shipping all sort of things over the years. Some weird, some big, and some things are just outlandish.  But, if you like cool little facts, be sure to read on because here is a list of some of The Largest Things Ever Shipped.  

     

     

    Planes, Trains and Automobiles

    Back in 2013 when Nissan was offering a promotion on Amazon, they were giving away 3 Nissan Versa Note's.  The car was placed in a box IF you won it on amazon and not just any box!  If you ever had anything delivered from Amazon you know they have brown boxes, with the word amazon and then their little logo.  Well, this was the same box, just 100times bigger!  When these 3 cars were being delivered pictures came in all across the US of the winner’s family, friends and even neighbors witnessing the huge boxed delivery.

     nissan-versa-the-largest-things-ever-shipped

    Photo by: Rachel Patterson

     

    Did you know that Pack and Send once sent a $300,000 Porche to Dubai? 

     

    Cannon Safe

    One of the heaviest items known by Amazon that can be shipped for free, is the Cannon Safe CO54 Commander Series Premium 90 Minute Fire Safe, Gloss Champagne.  Believe it or not, this is a HUGE gun case with all the bells and whistles, including being fire safe.  It’s probably one of the reasons this almost 1 ton safe is so heavy.  Actually the safe weighs approximately 1,672 pounds and it’s also $7,999.00 so it’s probably a good idea that Amazon has decided to do free shipping and handling for one of The Largest Things Ever Shipped! 

     

     

    Buildings

    One of if not THE largest thing to ever be shipped through the mail was in 1916 and it was a building.  In 1916 a younger businessman named William Coltharp wanted to build a new bank on the corner of a street in Utah.  Unfortunately the building was not already put together, or else that would be at the top of this list, however, it was sent by bricks.  Around 80,000 bricks from Salt Lake Pressed Brick Company were delivered.  Each package that was shipped was around 50lbs and 40 crates of those 50lb bricks were shipped one at a time.  If you ever wondered why the USPS has a limit on how many items by weight you can send a day, you will now know that it’s all William's fault - USPS made this rule right after he started shipping the bricks via their postal service.

     

     

    Largest BBQ Pit

    This is an item that is on eBay.  Not only is it on this list of The Largest Things Ever Shipped because of its size, but because of the price tag too.  It seems like a cool item if you own something like an outdoor restaurant, but other than that, if you have $350,000 to spend, one would hope you could figure out a different/better way to spend your money.  

     

     

    Huisman Cranes

    Huisman is a huge name when it comes to lifting, drilling and subsea services and products.  In March 2014 they decided they would like to start delivering one of the world’s largest cranes.  Even though these are not going to be shipped via USPS or UPS, and will be delivered most likely via ship in a container from China, they are still considered for the list of The Largest Things Ever Shipped.  The crane itself can list over 10,000MT (metric tons) which in lbs. is 22,046,226.218.  If it gives you any comparison in weight, an adult male elephant weighs about 15,000lbs!  

     

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    How to Pack and Send Your Packages

    Posted on Thu, Nov 20, 2014

    In our previous blog post, we talked about "How Not to Pack a Package." We are now going to provide you with some useful advice on how to send packages the right way. How you pack and send any item will depend on the needs of the item itself. Its size, shape and what it needs for protection during the shipping process will decide how you need should prepare it for its trip. Here are some basic instructions for the most common types of items people ship.

     

     

    Protecting Fragile Items

    Any item that is in danger of breaking has to be carefully protected during the pack and send process.

    • Choose a box large enough to allow ample space for packing peanuts or bubble wrap in addition to the items you are shipping.
    • Avoid using crumpled or shredded paper as protection for your fragile goods. It will frequently compact during shipping and will not provide enough cushioning to protect the items securely.
    • Wrap each item individually with bubble wrap and then place the items on a cushioned surface.
    • Make certain there is also a protective layer between the wrapped items and the sides and top of the box as well.
    • Clearly label the outside of the package as fragile on all sides.
    peanuts-packing-pack-and-send
    Photo by: David Wicks

     

     

    Shipping Heavy Items

    When you pack and send heavy items, choose a box strong enough to handle the weight. Choose double-walled boxes and ensure that all seams are taped securely.  

     

     

    Bulky or Irregularly Shaped Merchandise

    Some items are shaped oddly or too large to fit into standard-sized boxes.

    • Check the dimensions of the item and find a shipping company which will accept items of this size.
    • Be cautious about following all of their requirements regarding appropriate shipping materials and labels.
    • Consider that there may be extra charges for over-sized items.
    • Custom built boxes or pallets may be needed for shipping.

     

     

    Books and Printed Material

    • All books and printed materials will need to be tightly bound to prevent pages from becoming bent or torn.
    • Small shipments can be wrapped and packaged in padded envelopes.
    • For larger shipments, choose sturdy boxes and securely tape every seam.

     

     

    Clothing and Other Fabrics

    • Fabric can be shipped in plastic, corrugated cardboard or inside of a tube depending on the type of the fabric. 
    • Depending on the type of fabric, you may want to fold the items carefully and wrap with tissue paper prior to shipping. This will prevent some wrinkling during transport.
    • Bulky items like bedding can be shipped either individually in large boxes or you can use vacuum space-saver bags to reduce their size and make it possible to ship more than one item in each box.
    • Consider using plastic bags,even inside boxes, to ensure fabrics are protected from potential water damage. 

     

     

    For every package, regardless of the contents, it is important to follow all shipping regulations to avoid delays.

    • Only pack and send items in sturdy, undamaged boxes.
    • If you are reusing a box for shipping, use a marker to black out any previous shipping bar codes. Also over any labels or graphics that may make the box seem to contain a hazardous material.
    • Remember to remove or entirely cover any previous mailing labels on used boxes.
    • Never use masking tape, duct tape or scotch tape to seal the outside of your package. Only packing tape should be used.
    • Clearly address the package using a large, easy-to read label. Avoid writing the address directly on the box. Use only waterproof permanent markers to write the labels. If printed labels are used, choose weatherproof labels or cover with plastic.
    • Always include a return address on any labels.

     

     

    By following these instructions and those given by the shipping company you are using, you will be doing everything you can to get your package safely to its destination. 

     

    Need help packing? Get a packing quote!

    How Not to Pack a Package | Pack and Send

    Posted on Wed, Nov 19, 2014

    It won't be long before the holiday season. Packing and shipping a variety of objects becomes nearly a daily routine. However, too many people utilize "creative" packaging techniques, and their creativity leads to disastrous results. Here are a few tips on what NOT to do when it is time to pack and send any items for shipment.

    Duct-Tape Dynasty:

    It's cheap, easy to use and most households have at least one roll on hand. It's duct tape, and it has been turned into the solution to many problems. While duct tape has the ability to seal packing boxes, it is also designed to stretch and to be easily removed. Packing tape and strapping tape were created specifically to hold boxes together during shipping. Both are available from any moving company, shipping company,office supply or "big box" retail outlet.

    duck-tape-package-pack-and-send

    Photo by: Robert Kuykendall

     

    Let It All Hang Out:

    Both the weight and the girth of a package impact the cost to ship it, but skimping on packing materials in order to avoid excess weight can lead to damage to the package and potentially to injury to the delivery driver. Sharp corners that are inadequately covered can poke through corrugated cardboard, as can long pieces that aren't boxed well.   Styrofoam packing material can be used to encase and cover the sharp object. Use a packing box that easily encloses the item. Pack smaller pieces in tightly sealed bags or another box and place these into the larger box.

     

     

    Beware Of The Blob:

    Transporting liquid or semi-liquid products is a dicey process. Making it more difficult is the fact that bottles or containers aren't adequately sealed. A container top can pop off during shipping. Be certain to reinforce bottles or jars that contain liquid or cream with additional tape or, if they are available, heat-sealed shrink bands. Both tape and shrink bands are effective at keeping the lids on bottles, jars or tubs in transit. Packing liquids into shipping containers that are structured for bottles or jugs is also recommended. Many of these boxes include styrofoam inserts or lining that provide cushioning and support for bottles and jugs. There are even specialty shippers for wine bottles that contain an insert with bottle-shaped spaces carved into the foam. 

     

     

    Stuffing It:

    Depending on the packaging alone to protect a shipped item risks damage no matter how careful the carrier is.  Packing peanuts may be annoying, but they are one of the most effective fillers when it comes to ensuring the deliverability of shipped items. When you pack a box be sure to stuff a lot of the peanuts into the box. Once you tape up the box, apply heavy pressure onto the top of the box. If the top of the box moves downward at all, there are not enough peanuts in the box. Re open the box, stuff in more peanuts, re tape, the box, and try the pressure test another time.  Professional packing companies have done this test asking a grown man to stand on the top of a peanut filled box. When the box did not move downward, the company was able to prove that the box had enough peanuts.

    Other fillers include raffia or shredded newspaper, inflated plastic bags and Styrofoam inserts. Use enough filler in a package to be certain that if the box is inadvertently tossed, tumbles or turned upside-down, its contents remain safely in place.

    Having gifts or products arrive at their destination doesn’t have to be difficult. For expert advice on how best to pack and send an item and to obtain the most appropriate packaging and shipping supplies, contact an experienced shipping firm

     

    Need help packing? Get a packing quote!

    Moving Houston: 3 Reasons to Move to Houston

    Posted on Fri, Nov 14, 2014

    There are countless places to settle around the United States that would, no doubt, end up being enjoyable places to spend time. There are obviously the big places to end up: Los Angeles, New York, San Diego and so on. However, there are also some large cities that are becoming more and more attractive to people looking for a change of scenery. Houston, Texas is one of the most popular cities to move to in recent years and for a variety of good reasons. In order to see just how cool of a place it is to live let's take a look at some of the most commonly cited reasons to move to Houston!

    1. Houston Has Jobs and Money

    Nobody wants to move to a dead end city that has no new jobs and doesn't seem to be getting any better. For that reason alone many people should consider Houston! Houston has a thriving culture and it has done wonders in boosting the amount of jobs available to residents. In fact, Houston is considered the #1 job creator in the country! Add on to the fact that 25+ Fortune 500 companies call the city home, second only to New York, and it is easy to see why the city is becoming so attractive. Where jobs exist so does shopping, recreation and overall happiness. In fact, Houston is well below the U.S. average in unemployment rates--another shining gold star for their efforts. In order for so many people to live and work here, the cost of living has to be pretty high...right? Well, wrong. Houston has the distinction of being the easiest place to save money. A paycheck here goes farther than any other major city in the entire country..

    moving-houston-jobs-culture-nasa

    Photo by Trey Radcliff

    1. Houston Is Home to NASA

    Let's pretend for a moment that we aren't all huge space nerds and instead just revel in the glory that is NASA on a purely economic level. Houston is the home of the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center where America's astronauts are trained to go to outer space. Seriously, that's pretty amazing. Not only does the city host the training of said astronauts but it is also one of the most significant research hubs in the world for space exploration. Who happens to work for this amazing company? Residents of Houston, of course! For those that have the knowledge and the aptitude there is a potential career with one of the most prestigious enterprises of all time just waiting for an application.

    1. Houston Is a Cultured City

    A giant metropolitan area without any sort of culture probably closely resembles the city of Gotham. Houston is far and away different than the run of the mill, skyline dominated, major cities that dot the American landscape. Houston happens to be one of the most cultured cities in America. Not only is the city covered in beautiful buildings, it is also home of the Museum of Fine Arts. The Museum of Fine Arts is one of the largest, most impressive, collections of decorative art and classic furniture.  This museum sort of sets the tone for the rest of the city. Residents can enjoy gorgeous buildings like the Rothko Chapel as they walk around the city. Looking past the buildings to the people within them will reveal that Houston is one of the most racially diverse cities in the country. This means that it is also one of the most exciting places to eat. Residents can find traditional food from almost every nation simply by taking a walk around the corner. Not bad for the 'other' big city in Texas.

     

    There are so many great reasons for moving to The Space City, Houston. Moving Houston are the people, culture, jobs. If you find yourself considering the possibility, then do all the research you feel is necessary to make those big plans to move to Houston. A new, rewarding, happy life could be just one move away. 

    Request a House Moving Quote

    Tags: Moving Houston

    3 Unusual Things Ever Shipped | Shipping Companies Houston

    Posted on Thu, Nov 13, 2014

    Whether large or small, at one point or another unusual items must travel distances to reach its destination. Shipping companies Houston have seen their fair share of live animals, delicates, and many unique items. Across the history of shipping items, there have been many unsual items sent. Let's now learn of 3 of the most unusual things ever shipped.  

    keiko-whale

    Photo by:  rfduck

     

    Keiko the Killer Whale

    The blockbuster movie Free Willy (1993) made an international star of the whale that played Willy, a killer whale living in Mexico named Keiko. Actually, Willy had a few names when he was captured as a youngster in the wild in 1979. The Mexican aquarium that kept Keiko for the majority of his life had substandard equipment for keeping a whale healthy.

    Eventually, it was decided to move the six ton whale to a better aquarium in Oregon, and then to a “halfway” home in Norway, where he would be trained to hunt for himself and then released into the wild. Keiko was officially moved by UPS. He flew in a C-130 to Oregon, put on another 1,000 pounds and then was flown in a C-17. The plane suffered over $1 million in damages, but it got the job done and Keiko arrived safely. Sadly, he did not survive living in the wild and died in 2003 at the young age of 27.

     

     

    London Bridge

    Perhaps the ultimate status symbol, the ultra-rich Richard McCullough bought the 131 year old London Bridge for his town of Lake Havasu, Arizona in 1962. The famous bridge was scheduled to be demolished because of how unstable it was becoming. McCullough’s winning bid was $2.46 million. McCullough hoped that London Bridge would draw tourists to the town that he founded. This did not turn out as planned.

    The entire bridge had to dismantled, brick by brick, numbered and sent by boat over the Pond to America. The numbered elements helped engineers in Arizona to reassemble the bridge. It cost McCullough another $7 million and nine years to move the historic bridge.  London Bridge did not have to deal with the inclement English weather or the immense loads of London traffic; it has stood safely since its rededication ceremony in October of 1971.

     

     

    The Statue of Liberty

    This famous American icon was created in France as a gift for America’s centennial in 1876. Like most international projects, the Statue of Liberty was not ready in time for the 1876 centennial celebrations. Frederic Auguste Bartholdi made the gigantic copper and iron statue in Paris. The model for Lad Liberty is said to be Bartholdi’s own mother. The finished statue was unveiled on July 4, 1884. After a lot of official fuss, the sculpture was then chopped up into 350 parts, stuck into 214 huge wooden crates and shipped across the Atlantic by ship.

    The statue had to wait while a suitable platform was created. Bedloe’s Island, which one housed a prison, was chosen because of its handy location in New York Harbor directly in between the states of New York and New Jersey. After the platform was created, the 450,000 pound statue was carefully reassembled. Finally, President Grover Cleveland officially dedicated the Statue of Liberty on October 28, 1885. Time has changed Lady Liberty from a bright copper color to a soft greenish-blue.

    shipping-companies-_houston-fedex

    Photo by Hand Truck Sentry Systems

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    Tags: Shipping from Houston

    Art Dealers, Senior Moving, and Households Need Professional Movers

    Posted on Wed, Nov 12, 2014

    Planning a move can be overwhelming and exhausting. If an individual has more than a simple carload of belongings, he or she will have to plan ahead to have boxes, packing materials, and moving equipment before they have even packed the first box.

    Next comes the physical act of packing, ensuring that fragile items are carefully wrapped to prevent breaking and that family and friends do not pack spices in with favorite leather shoes. 

    Then it is time to load the truck with boxes, heavy furniture, and all the miscellaneous odds and ends. It is exhausting even to think about it. It is much easier to prepare and manage a move with the help of professional movers.

    While everyone can benefit from the services an experienced moving company, there are three types of people who should never consider a move without professional help. 

    Collectors of Fine Art and Antiques

    Individuals who collect fine arts and antiques will want his or her investments carefully packaged and handled by those who have the knowledge and experience needed to ensure that they arrive at their new home safely.

    Professional movers have the special packing materials and equipment to package and move fragile items, antiques, paintings and those larger hard to warp items like sculptures and statues. A collector invested time and money in his or her chosen pieces and will not want to put them at risk of damage or destruction. 

    Using a professional mover for specialty items is even more important if items are going to be stored for any length of time prior to being moved or if a relocation plan includes more than a simple trip across town. Specialty items may need to be specially packed to prevent damage. from moisture and/or stored and moved in climate-controlled trucks.  Delete this

    The Elderly and Infirm

    Moving is not an easy job. It takes both mental planning and physical endurance. For those who find themselves unable to physically pack and move their belongings due to illness or inability to lift and carry heavy items safely, senior moving is the answer. 

    Depending on the help of family and friends is not always the best answer when planning a move. Even those with the best intentions may have scheduling conflicts, fall ill, or not have the stamina needed to pack and move large household items.

    Packing means a lot of bending, lifting, and other repetitive movements that can be detrimental to those who suffer from certain medical conditions. Moving is stressful enough without adding risk to a person’s health.   You can have professional movers pack and un pack your belongings.

    For more information about why to choose senior moving, see 5 Reasons You Should Seek Help for Senior Moving.

    furniture-senior-moving

    Photo by Benjamin Jakabek

     

    Multi-Family or Large Households

    Those with large or multi-family households will benefit from the use of professional movers who can sort and pack belongings efficiently, making moves run smoother and more effectively. Another benefit from using a moving service team is the ability to have all items, even heavy furniture, loaded with ease. Depending on the time required for the move, larger trucks or more than one truck can be used to cut down on the time it takes to move from point A to point B. 

    If a family is planning a multi-location move, with some members relocating to one home and others to a different area, a professional moving company can make easy work of the divide and conquer method to have everyone in their new home before they know it. 

    Regardless of whether a move falls into one of these three categories, anyone who has an apartment or house full of items, or simply just heavy items to be moved can reduce physical and mental stress with the services of a professional moving company.

     

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    Tags: Senior Moving

    Tracking Numbers Fundamentals

    Posted on Tue, Nov 11, 2014

    According to the United States Postal Service 2014 Postal Report, 363,300 mail pieces are processed each minute.  Most packages reach their destination without a hitch.
     
    However, there is the risk that a package will be lost or misplaced as it makes its way from its origin to its destination. When the package must reach its destination, it makes a great deal of sense to track the package via tracking numbers (tracking codes). A store that can pack n ship can help out.
     
    We can feel a world of stress when a package doesn’t make it. Worse, it puts us in an unfortunate position that results in lost money and upset feelings. Rather than shouting expletives or raising your cortisol levels, just get a  number for that next important package that absolutely, positively, necessarily must reach its destination. 
     
    In this introduction to tracking codes, we’ll answer: (1) what is a tracking (code)  number, (2) how to get the number to use for tracking (3) how the tracking codes work.
      
     
    What is a number that you use to track a package?
    It is a number is a carrier assigns a package with a unique number that helps monitor the package along various key points between the package origin and package destination.  
     
    The tracking code helps protect your package in two key ways: location and value.  The uncertainty of where a package is can cause uneasy feelings. Did it make it on time? Did it reach its destination? Did it get lost in the shuffle? How will the lost package affect me and the receipt? To ease these questions your packages unique number provides information of where the package is.
    If you want to track your package ask for this number. Numbers that you use to track with  can be used on items of with varying degrees of financial value.  It pays to have a the number that you use to track your package in order to avoid the headache and wallet-aches of a package not reaching its destination.
     
    How does the tracking process work?
    The tracking code has a matching scanner code that gets scanned at key points to track the package current location. When a package arrives to a key point, the tracking code  is scanned and a brief entry states where the package is and the time it arrived to a key points. Key points could be a warehouse, state shipping center, city shipping center, return center, and several more.
    tracking-number-usps-website
     
    Each shipping company has its own website page where you can enter your  unique number.  Here are the tracking pages for the top US shipping companies:
    How do you setup the tracking number?
    When send your package, you’ll be asked to fill out a form that asks for basic information from both sender and receiver of the package.
    Requesting your specific number so that you can track your package is as easy as checking a box or telling your shipping attendee to include pricing for this service.
    Once your pakcage is ready to be shippped, the attendant with affix a label with the scanning code.
     
    Horror Story:
    I remember like it was yesterday. My excitement about going to the pool got the best of me for just a few seconds--- enough for me to drop my cell phone into the water. A few days later, my cell phone provider confirmed that the water damage was irreversibly damaged.  The cell phone insurance required that I send in my cell phone to a return center.
    Without much thought, I checked the box for tracking number. After I received my new phone, I thought everything was fine. Months went by, I had long forgotten of the water damage incident when I was notified that my returned cell phone package didn’t make it to the cell phone return center.  I had thrown away the receipt  along with number on it.
    I made my way to the store that sent it for me, and fortunately for me they still had my tracking number. I gave it to the return department, and in an instant my stress and frustration melted away.  I was given credit for returning the cell phone, and I avoided hundreds in fees. Having and finding that track number was a life saver.The pack n send store came to my rescue.
     
    At one point or another, we’ve all sent a package back to the original sender. Tracking codes allow us to have certainty of where a package is. It also helps us protect the value of the package by ensuring it reaches its destination. The next time you need to pack and  send a package back, give yourself the added confidence that your package will arrive just fine by getting a  tracking number.
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    Christmas Shipping-Is it too early to plan your shipping?

    Posted on Mon, Nov 10, 2014

    Not according to UPS.  As reported by Richard Clough in New York at Bloomberg, UPS is already planning for the Christmas holiday season.

    UPS is planning to raise personnel by about seventy three percent over last year’s hiring. Due to undelivered packages, they are planning ahead for this year.  On line orders surged at the end of last year’s holiday season and this year UPS wants to be prepared for the surge.

     It looks like this year’s Christmas gift lists will include the following items:

    • Stainless steel barbecue tool set
    • Quesadilla maker
    • Photo cube printer
    • Half pound Gummy bear
    • Beer tasting glass set
    • Ring holder
    • Cookbooks about cooking with bacon
    • Bacon soda
    • Bacon jelly beans
    • Stereo with turntable
    • Handbags
    • Books
    • Waffle Maker
    • Hot sauce
    • Cold coffee brew set
    • Watches
    • Old time Polaroid camera
    • Gift basket
    • Bird feeder
    • Skincare products
    • Water Bottle that tracks a person’s fluid consumption
    • Personalized pillow
    • Foot Bath
    • Manicure set
    • Yogurt Maker

    So why are we discussing Christmas shipping early in the year. At pack n send in Houston, we have found that planning ahead can save our customers dollars.

    If you are looking for a pack and ship service, look for a company that will advise you to send all of the gifts to family members in one city to the same address. This way, you are sending the same number of gifts, but reducing the number of packages that you are shipping. This also gives family members a great excuse to see each other during the holiday season. Picking up gifts can be made into an extra party.

     If your recipient is not always around the house make sure to ask for the signature required option. That way you can make sure that the packages are dropped off and signed for. Having packages stolen from a residence can be a very unpleasant experience.

    As an alternative way of delivery, why not have your gifts sent to a business address? Companies like pack n send in Houston serve as the package receiving address for both regular and one time customers. The receiving fee is minimal, but you know that your package is waiting for you at a business address.

    So when is the best time to pack and send packages? The answer is as early as possible.  Most of the major  carriers off guaranteed delivery times and dates around the holiday season. If you can pack early enough and ship via ground service you should have an inexpensive experience. Waiting until the last minute to ship, can cost you more for air shipping.

    Say you are sending a piece of furniture. Why not look for furniture shipping companies that offer both freight service and that are white glove movers.

    This way, you have a choice of your recipient receiving the furniture with inside delivery or with freight service right to their curbside.

    For customers looking for a pack and ship service, look for a company that is not just opening for the Christmas holiday season. Look for a brick and mortar store that has been in business year round.

    If you have questions about Houston crating, packing and shipping or general questions about sending gifts during the Christmas holidays, please feel free to contact us. We are domestic and international packing and sending  company and are happy to answer your questions.

     

     

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    Beautiful Christmas Gifts for Shipping

    Medical Equipment Receiving and Shipping-Advice from Houston Co.

    Posted on Mon, Nov 10, 2014

     

    Hospital room with full body xray on lightbox.<br  /><br  />High resolution format available.

    With Houston being home to the Texas Medical Center, medical equipment is constantly being shipped into and out of the medical center.

    When researching a company to ship and receive medical equipment as freight, we have the following suggestions:

     Choose a company that has been shipping and receiving medical equipment on a regular basis. Verify that the company is used to handling high value and delicate items.

     Check and see how long the current owners of the business have been handling freight shipping and receiving of medical equipment.

    Look for a company that can un box, or un crate medical equipment.  They must be able to receive the freight and protect lenses, arms and feet of equipment that is being  loaded and delivered. Remember that each piece of medical equipment will need to be handled differently.

     Ask about valuation coverage for the items that the company will receive and then deliver the medical equipment.

    Always be prepared to give the weight and dimensions of the equipment so that the proper number of personnel will be on hand to provide the unloading and delivery of the equipment.

    As with any hospital environment, set up the delivery time ahead of time with the hospital administration.

    For any questions about medical equipment shipping and receiving in the Houston area, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

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    Tags: Medical Equipment Shipping, Shipping Houston

    Houston Shipping Co. looks at Outlet Mall purchases

    Posted on Fri, Oct 31, 2014

    We saw the discussion on today.com about outlet store shopping. The article by Ben Popken raised some interesting points.

    Are the prices really different in the outlet malls? Is the merchandise the same as the merchandise that is presented in regular stores? As the holiday season approaches, this was a very informative piece for us to discuss with our customers. After all as a company that offers packing and shipping services, we are shipping gifts to friends and relatives of our customers all over the world. Outlet store sales are projected to be up about 75% over last year’s sales. Do the promised savings really make a difference?


    The answer is that we think so. The outlet malls carry goods that are manufactured specifically for them under brand names that are easily recognizable. In the past most out let stores stocked goods from prior years that did not sell, or seconds or damaged goods. From what we have seen by our customer’s purchases, this is not the case anymore.


    Take Coach for example. The purses that they sell at their outlets are of high quality and carry the Coach name. The purses are not the same purses that are carried at their retail stores, but they also do not carry the same price tag. Maybe the color is a little different, or the style is a little different, but the customer is still purchasing quality merchandise. Foreign visitors often purchase multiple Coach purses for friends and relatives to take back overseas after a visit to Houston. They find the prices at the Coach outlet substantially less expensive than they would spend overseas. We have had customers who shipped purses back to family members in every color that Coach offered. A nice sale for Coach and beautiful gifts as well.


    One of the most enticing things that we have found about outlet malls in the Houston area is that contrary to other cities, they are no longer located on the fringes of the city. With Houston’s highway system, most out let malls are no further than forty five minutes away.
    According to Ben Popken, “Consumer Reports sent secret shoppers around the country to test various outlet stores and see who came out tops. Armed with an eye for value, the agents ranked the stores they visited based on price, product availability and quality, customer service and overall satisfaction.


    Among the best:
    • Bon Worth
    • L.L. Bean
    • Haggar
    • Carter’s
    • OshKosh B’Gosh
    • Jockey
    • Bose
    • Coach/Coach Men’s
    • Bath & Body Works
    • Vitamin World
    • Corningware Corelle”


    As you can see from this list, our observation about the merchandise at the Coach outlet is right in line with the study performed by Consumer Reports.
    So if you are ready to shop for your gifts at an outlet mall, we suggest comfortable walking shoes. We also recommend that after a few purchases you take your gifts to the car and place them in the trunk. Do not leave packages on the car seat. Once the gifts are in the trunk, why not exit the parking lot, re enter and then park in a new location. Take with snacks and water, or take a break and go to the outlet mall cafeteria so that you can continue your shopping in a leisurely manner.


    And oh yeah, have fun while you shop. Remember to pack and send your gifts early.

     

    Contact US

    Box prices and Christmas Shipping

    Posted on Mon, Oct 27, 2014

    At pack n send in Houston we use boxes for moving, packing and shipping. As evidenced by recent box prices are “According to Kevin McCoy with AAA Box in Houston, box prices are holding steady. Even with the prices of petroleum products decreasing the price of plastics are increasing. In the last month and a half the prices or poly bags, stretch and bubble wrap have increased . Things that are associated with the petroleum industry have experience a five to eight percent increase.

    In poly film the increase is 5—6%, bubble wrap is the same. Stretch wrap is around 6-8% increase. We talk about this by have been unable to determine why the prices are increases. We usually look at petroleum based products, but this does not seem to be the area of blame this time around. For the most part we are looking at a worldwide global market, and labor costs are skyrocketing in china during the last 2-3 years. This seems to be the reason for the increase although we are not so sure that we can attribute increase in plastic prices to labor in China alone.”


    As a Houston mover the prices of boxes and packing supplies profoundly affect the prices that we charge our customer both for moving and shipping. Some customers pack themselves. But in our senior moving where we move elderly clients, pack n send usually performs all of the packing. Seniors request white glove movers where pack and send moving both packs and unpacks for them.

    Whether we are shipping furniture across country, or we just want to pack and send boxes for our customers, packing supplies are involved.

    Need help packing? Get a packing quote!

    As the Christmas season approaches, we are offering our pack and ship service to families sending their special gifts.
    Very popular gifts for the 2014 gift giving season are:
    A Disney Product Frozen Sparkle Princess Elsa Doll
    Fur real friends get up and go go my walking plush pup
    A Disney Product Frozen Complet Story play set. This set includes the entire cast of characters form the movie Frozen.
    Leap frog n TV educational active video game system
    A Disney Product Frozen - A read along story book and CD Storybook and CD
    Zoomer Zuppies Interactive Puppy
    Barbie sister’s life in the dream house camper
    Boomer interactive zoomer dino
    VTech Kidizoom Smart watch
    Lego Minecraft Micro World-the end
    Hot wheels street hawk remote control flying car
    Battroborg 3-in-1 Battle Arena

    Despicable Me Minion Dave Talking Action Figure
    LEGO Chima 70010 The Lion CHI Temple
    Planes U-Command Remote Controlled Dusty Plane
    Transformers Construct-Bots Optimus Prime Vs. Megatron Construction Set

     

    Moving your Corporation? Install a new phone system.

    Posted on Fri, Oct 24, 2014

    Okay, so even if you are not moving, you can also install this phone system to save thousands of dollars each and every year.

    According to Chris Doyle with, Texas Teledata ,”There is a new way to save tons of cash on your business telephone lines each and every month. Actually it is not that new. It has been out a couple of years now, and it’s called SIP. Session Initiated Protocol.

    There are a few “flavors” of SIP but to save on the phone bill, I’m sticking with SIP Trunking.” Displaying GF pic.jpg

    “If you are paying about $45 to $50 per line with all the taxes each month and as an example have 7 lines, that’s about $350 per month, or $4200 a year. Not bad, now add a small amount long distance for the year, say $300, and now you are at $4500 per year every single year.

    But with SIP trunking that same 7 line business could be spending about $100 per month with taxes and the LD included. That is $1200 per year, a savings of $3300.

     

    So why isn’t every business jumping on the SIP savings gravy train? The main reason is because most all existing systems do not support SIP. When it first came out, people thought SIP trunking was too good to be true, and with all rights reserved, save 70% on your phone bill too? It sounded just crazy.

    But now, it helps you save thousands of dollars every single year.  It makes your mobile/cell phone ring at the office and the office ring your mobile/cell, and change it when you feel like it, or turn it off. Along with the upgrade, you get your voice mail messages sent into your e-mail inbox too.

    Which then opens up the free 1 touch call recording feature that also captures inbound & outbound Caller ID.

    The new systems can use your old telephone wiring or your newest Cat5e or Cat 6 cables, either one. How is that for going backwards?

    And the list of benefits and features goes on…

    If you know of a business that would like to learn more about saving thousands on their phone bill every year please contact me says Chris.”

    Texas Teledata sells and services business telephone systems, both Hosted and On Premise solutions. They are Authorized Samsung Dealers for business telephone systems and the full line of Samsung televisions.

    With decades of experience in network and voice cabling, businesses can trust and rely on Texas Teledata for all their Cat5e, Cat6 and TV cabling.

    They became famous for their 1 to 1 training and taking the extra time to customize each system to the specific needs of each business and managing to pay for the telephone system itself with monthly telephone bill savings.

     So you ask why is a company that does moving for corporations and businesses posting this? At pack n send in Houston we do senior moving, corporate moving, and Houston crating .We   help our customers with shipping furniture across country and moving in the Houston area. We offer both packing and unpacking services. When our customers call us for advice, we connect them with services that will make their move easier.

    For businesses, it may be with an agent who can help them relocate their business to a new location. The idea for saving money on monthly phone bills is an added feature in our business model. Please feel free to contact us for your next move and call Texas Teledata with questions about installing your new phone system.

     Contact US

     

    International Packing and Shipping toThe Marshall Islands

    Posted on Thu, Oct 23, 2014

    At pack n send in Houston ,we are looking at countries to see what the USPS site lists for mailing restrictions to various countries. We were surprised to find that they do not list anything for Marshall Islands. Basically they just list size limits. The conditions for mailing apply to the Marshall Islands, which include Ebeye, Kwajalein, and Majuro.
    We have found very interesting facts about the Marshall Islands. Both their history and geography are worth noting.

    The Marshall Islands history dated back as far as the second millennium BC. The residents of the Marshall Islands were then known as the sea travelers.
    There are 2 archipelagic chains in the Marshall Islands. They have twenty nine atolls.
    Two of the island groups have interesting names with interesting meanings. The first called the Ralik Chain means sunset. The second chain is called Ratak which means sunrise. Not only does the country have a flag, it also has a country motto. The words Jepilpilin ke Ejukaan means Accomplishment through Joint effort..


    The residents consider their flower called the Flame of the Forest a symbol. The symbol represents blessings. The Marshall Islands does not have one major capital. Instead there are three Islands that make up the capital.
    At pack n send in Houston, our business concentration is shipping and packing services. Whether we are Houston crating, handling international packing and shipping or performing senior moving in the Houston area, we try to educate our customers. While we are a Houston moving company, many of our customers live throughout the world. We handle shipping furniture across country. We can move a single piece of furniture and place it on a pallet with curbside delivery. As an alternative to this, we are offer white glove movers service with inside delivery.
    So, if you are moving in Houston, or shipping across the world, please feel free to contact us.

    Need help packing? Get a packing quote!

     

    Do I Need Movers or White Glove Movers?

    Posted on Tue, Oct 14, 2014

    There are basically two types of traditional moves that you can request when re locating in the same city or out of town. Whether you need to move a small amount of furniture, or if you need to move a large amount of furniture, the decision making process will be the same. You can request a mover who will move your boxes and furniture. The boxes will be the boxes that you have packed. Most times these moves are for individuals who are able to both pack and unpack themselves. There will be for furniture or household items that do not need special treatment during the move.


    The other type of move is a move that calls for White Glove Movers. Companies that concentrate on senior moving, moving the elderly or relocating  high value items usually require this special type of moving company.  Think about the precision and care that it takes to move high value or delicate items.

    Let these experts come in and pack, move and unpack your items. They then dispose of the boxes and packing materials. White Glove Movers also can place your valuables in the location in the house that you request. It sure is wonderful to have your total kitchen unpacked the day that you move into your new home. You may request that they hang pictures or set up beds. Often times individuals request that furniture be placed in different locations throughout the new residence. It may take five or six tries for you, the customer to approve the final placement of the furniture.


    If you have high value artwork or delicate items White Glove Movers are able to build custom boxes or build custom crates. Say you decide that you need a custom crate builder Houston for a valuable painting. Be sure to check if the company that you choose is able to build the custom crate for you. The company should be able to place your painting in the crate, move it to the new location and uncrate the painting at the new location. For a local move, you may only need a custom built box. For a long distance move, a custom built wood crate may be warranted.


    When it comes to chandelier packing, chandelier shipping or chandelier moving, the mover will need to know the dimensions and weight of the chandelier. During the process of relocating , the chandelier will need to be either hung inside of the truck or placed in a custom made box. For crystal or glass chandeliers, they will be wrapped, hung in the box and then suspended with packing peanuts surrounding the chandelier. The method of handling  the chandelier may depend on the composition of the chandelier. Crystal chandeliers are handled differently than chandeliers made of antlers. A metal chandelier may just need to be placed inside a box during the move. Your white glove mover will be able to make the packing decision.


    So how do you decide what is best for you? Make a list of the items that you intend to move. Then place the value of the items next to the items that are on this list. Next, look at anything that may have great personal value to you. You may find that an item that does not have much monetary value may need to have a special handling  service due to its personal value to you.


    Call around and ask questions of movers that you are interviewing. Be sure to ask if they can pack and un pack you, and if they are willing to dispose of the boxes they unpack.If you have questions about moving, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston. We pack and send, move, crate and freight and are happy to answer your questions.

    Need help packing? Get a packing quote!

    Tags: White Glove Delivery

    Shipping to Juist- Think Drones

    Posted on Mon, Oct 13, 2014

    Juist is an island with a population of 1721. Its area in square miles is 6.34. It is an Island in Germany. So why do you ask are we doing a blog about a very small island in Germany. It has to do with what is occurring in the world of drones.

    As reported by Richard Weiss in Frankfort German and published by Bloomberg, Juist will be the first place (that we have seen) that has been approved for deliveries using a drone. We have read that Amazon, Fed Ex and other companies have applied for licenses for these deliveries, but it looks like Deutsche Post AG, which operates under the name Deutsche Post DHL. DHL is actually the world’s largest courier company. . DHL that is based in Germany has received the first worldwide approval to use drones in shipping goods.
    The drones will be used in a restricted area. The “parcelcopters” as the drones are called will be used for a trial period lasting 4 to 6 weeks.


    Once the packages are dropped off in the restricted are, a local courier service will take the packages to the intended recipient.
    Right now the island is only accessible by ferry and aircraft. It has been noted that the island is a car free zone. The drones will be able to fly for forty five minutes and be guided by individuals at a ground station.
    The drones are powered by 4 propellers. Each drone can take about a little more than two and a half pounds per load in containers that were designed specifically for these drones. For the time being, the drones will fly and deliver only when the weather is good. Eventually, the drones are planned to be used during rain, snow, or even when there is dust in their routes.
    DHL had to receive permission from numerous Germany departments in order to set up this trial run.

    International shipping companies other than DHL will look to see if this trial run is successful. With worldwide health issues at hand, this may be a new frontier in the delivery of medicine and medical goods. Companies that offer a pack and ship service may want to wait and see if Fed Ex or UPS are approved for drone deliveries in the future.
    On a larger basis, retailers such as Amazon and Google are testing out drone deliveries. In the US the Federal Aviation Administration is working on rules that will need to be followed for companies that want to use drones for deliveries.


    Pack and send is one of the shipping companies in Houston that is following the drone delivery idea very closely. While we do not see this as a futuristic way for our Houston crating service to be use drones, we can see where shipping small packages by drones may be a cost effective way to ship things in the future.
    If you would like to contact us please feel free to contact us in Houston. We are a Houston crating, international shipping company.

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    Juist is known for its quiet atmosphere. With cars banned on the island, it is so small that walking to all parts to the island is easy. The drone test makes sense here since Juist is located less than 5 miles from the mainland. On the eastern end of the island, seals are found sunbathing. The island contains wonderful sand beaches that families enjoy year after year. Families enjoy cycle tours of the island.
    The island is known for a yearly music festival as well as their fiction festival with a crime theme that is held during the month of September.
    Juist is trying to be the first tourist destination that is carbon-neutral. They hope to attain this goal by the year twenty thirty.

    International shipping to Germany-Restrictions and Facts

    Posted on Thu, Oct 02, 2014


    At pack and send we are offering customers lists of items that both prohibited from mailing and items that have mailing restrictions.Mailing to Germany includes a few restrictions that vary from items that are prohibited by other countries. The USPS website lists items that are prohibited and restricted.

    The first item that may not be mailed to Germany is Absinthe. This is a distilled highly alcoholic substance. The prohibition includes the flowers and leaves of the plant. Since there is a high level of alcoholic content when it is bottled, the German government has completely prohibited it.
    One other item that is banned from import by mail is playing cards that are not in a complete deck and completely wrapped. Coca beans that have been pulverized are another item that is banned.


    Here is a list of some of the other items that are prohibited to send by mail to Germany.

    • Arms
    • Weapons, including firearms
    • Parts of arms,
    • Ammunition
    • Articles that bear political or religious notations on the address side
    • Human remains
    • Lithium cells and batteries
    • Live plants
    • Live animals
    • Radioactive materials

    Medicines that are imported require a special authorization by the German authorities.

    Since Germany is a country visited by many tourists, here are some interesting facts about Germany.

    There are approximately three hundred varieties of bread in Germany. Dark bread is favorite German bread, with bread available both fresh and in cans. When you call a house in Germany, the individual will answer with their surname, rather than with the more common American hell.
    Germany contains more soccer fans than any other country in the world. A fun fact for you drivers, seventy per cent of German highways have no speed limit whatsoever.

    Germany has the fifth largest economy in the world, but German consumers drink the second largest amount of beer in the world. The Germany festival of Oktoberfest looks like it would be only in October. Wrong, Oktoberfest in Germany begins in September. A German man named Hans Riegel invented the Gummy Bear. Except for Russia, Germany is the most populous European country with a population of approximately 82 million.

    A strange fact about Germany:
    During World War II a German submarine was sunken by a broken toilet.
    Here are some fun facts about Germany that we found on the following website:

    http://confessedtravelholic.com/2011/02/69-fun-facts-about-germany.htmlstrange

    In Bavaria, beer is officially considered a food. Muller is the most popular German surname. There is a Barbie doll named after Chancellor Angela Merkel. Due to the three hundred types of bread served in Germany, there is actually a museum devoted to bread. The German language contains thirty five dialects. The hotel where Michael Jackson dangled his son over the balcony is located in Germany. German is the third most spoken language in the world. The countries of: Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein all speak German. It is the official language of all of these countries.

    Oktoberfest served as a wedding celebration for Prince Ludwig of Bavaria. It was the first Oktoberfest ever held. Germany is home to more soccer clubs than anywhere in the world. A general observation is that the German flag is seldom flown during the year, but during the World Cup Soccer tournament German flags were to be seen flying everywhere. It is different from the United States where flags are flown daily. German flags are not flown that are oversize, but that are standard sized flags.


    We are posting fun facts about the countries that we ship to. Pack n send in Houston packs and ships both domestically and internationally. When researching shipping companies in Houston and throughout the world, look for companies that have experience both packing and shipping. Whether you are sending furniture across country or sending goods internationally, look for companies that have been in business for a long time and that specialize in packing and shipping services.
    Customs forms are a necessity for international shipping companies, as is heat treated wood for custom built crates that ship overseas.

    If you are need information about packing and shipping to Germany or anywhere else in the world, please feel free to contact us.

     

    Flag of Germany

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    Shipping to Singapore-See USPS Restrictions

    Posted on Mon, Sep 15, 2014

    If you are sending an item to  Singapore please read below.

    The USPS has listed both restricted and prohibited items when shipping via US mail.
    One of the interesting prohibited items is: advertisements for talismans, amulets and charms.
    Some of the other prohibited items that are listed follow below.


    1. Arms and firearms and parts thereof.
    2. Bullion of a value higher than $50 Singapore dollars
    3. Butane gas lighters and refills for the butane gas lighters
    4. Coins except coins for purposes of ornament
    5. Banknotes
    6. Currency notes
    7. Traveler’s checks
    8. Precious stones
    9. Jewelry and other valuable articles.
    10. Un mounted precious stones may be sent in registered First-Class Mail International and First-Class Package International Service shipments if authorization is obtained from the Postmaster General of Singapore.
    11. Lotteries and advertisements concerning lotteries

    Restricted items are as follows:

    Animal products and by- products necessitate a permit that I issued by the government.
    These must be addressed to the individual recipient in care to the” Director of Primary Production” in the government.
    There are many other restricted items that are not listed on the USPS website. It is advisable to check with the government in Singapore to see if the item that you are sending needs an import license. It is recommended that you check this out before you send your merchandise to Singapore.

    Many types of merchandise require import licenses that addressees must obtain from the authorities of Singapore. Senders should be assured before mailing that the addressees can obtain licenses if needed.

    Singapore has one main island. There are actually sixty three small islands. The majority of these islands are uninhabited.

    The United States of America is about fifteen thousand times larger land wise than Singapore. Singapore has one of the smallest land masses of countries in the world.
    Singapore is densely populated. It has six thousand four hundred thirty people per square kilometer.
    Singapore is a member of the United Nations.


    If you are looking for international shipping companies in the US, please contact pack and send. We are a Houston moving company that offers international packing and shipping. We build custom wood crates for international shipping, and load both pallets and containers. We offer international shipping and packing services

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    Flag of Singapore

     

    Houston Shipping Co Advice for Guatemala Shipping

    Posted on Mon, Sep 15, 2014


    The USPS website lists prohibited items that may not be send via US mail into Guatemala.
    The website does not list any restricted items.
    Country Conditions for Mailing — Guatemala

    Prohibited items:
    • Arms in general, except certain arms for hunting; military supplies of all kinds.
    • Coins
    • banknotes
    • currency notes
    • securities payable to bearer
    • traveler’s checks
    • manufactured and unmanufactured platinum, gold, and silver; precious stones; jewels; and other valuable articles.
    • Feeding bottles & feeding bottles with glass tubes
    • Gardenia plants and seeds
    • Police whistles
    • Powder of all kinds
    • Telegraphic apparatus

    It is recommended that adhesive strips, gummed paper and tape should not be used to seal registered items. The only exception to this is when the name of the send or the signature of the sender is written or stamped on the tape..

    Here are a few interesting facts about Guatemala.
    The first chocolate bar was invented during Mayan Times in Guatemala. Blue Denim was first created in Guatemala
    During the Mayan era the first chocolate bar was invented. Guatemala also is credited with creating the first blue denim.
    Guatemala has warm tropical climate. The country is known as The Land of The Eternal Spring.
    The country is pretty much divided by topography. The northern plains are sparsely populated. The central highlands has a large population even being a volcanic area. The agricultural are is in the Pacific lowlands.
    The largest holiday in Guatemala takes place on Sept. 15. This is the date in 1821 that Guatemala gained its independence from Spain.

    While many native tribes speak in their native tongue, Spanish is the official language of Guatemala. Quetzal is the currency used in Guatemala.
    Guatemala City is the Capitol City of Guatemala. It is also one of the cities with the largest population.

    Guatemala’s flag has a national coat of arms as well of 2 separate blue stripes that represent two bodies of water.

    The main products of Guatemala are:
    • Sugar
    • Coffee
    • Bananas

    Pack n sendis a Houston Shipping Company that offers international packing and shipping. When researching international shipping companies look for a company that offers pack and ship service both domestically and internationally. Pack n send in Houston has offered Shipping and packing services since 1981.

     Pack and send is happy to answer your international shipping questions.

    Grunge textured flag of Guatemala on vintage paper

<i>EDIT 4/22/2013</i>: This grunge flag is now released under a standard Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported. It gives you a lot of freedom to use my work commercially...

     

     

     

     

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    International Shipping to Argentina- See Restrictions

    Posted on Thu, Sep 11, 2014

     

    When shipping into Argentina via USPS there is one listed restriction and prohibitions are  noted by the USPS.
    The most notable observation is that addresses of USPS packages must be present during the opening, checking, and customs clearance of the packages that they are receiving.
    The sender should write the phrase “Peutetre Ouvert D’ Office” (May Be Opened Officially), and then sign underneath this phrase.
    The USPS website lists commercial shipment items that need consular invoices.

    Some Facts about Argentina:
    • Argentina is the eighth largest country in the world based on its land mass.
    • Argentina is a founding member of the United Nations.
    • The work Argentina means sliver in Latin. Settlers thought that the country was filled with silver. Unfortunately, this was not the case.
    • Food processing and auto making make up a large percentage of Argentina’s manufacturing sector.
    • Argentina has three Nobel Prize winners.
    • There are 47 universities located in Argentina.
    • More people use public transportation than use cars in Argentina.

    • The life expectancy in Argentina is above seventy six years old.
    Wine tourism is a main industry in Argentina.

    As a Houston shipping company we can offer advice on packing and shipping. services for international shipments. Please feel free to contact pack and send in Houston with questions if you need to pack and ship anywhere in the world. We have listed below some ot the countries that we ship to.

     •    Albania                                                         
                                                                           •    New Zealand        
    •    Algeria                      •    French Guinana      •    Nicaragua            
    •    American Samoa        •    French Polynesia    •    Niger            
    •    Andorra                     •    The Gambia                        
    •    Angola                       •    Germany               •    Norway            
    •    Anguilla                      •    Georgia                •    Oman            
    •    Antigua and Barbuda   •    Ghana                  •    Pakistan            
    •    Argentina                   •    Gibraltar               •    Palau            
    •    Armenia                     •    Greece                         
    •    Aruba                        •    Greenland             •    Panama            
    •    Australia                    •    Grenada                •    Papa New Guinea        
    •    Austria                       •    Guadeloupe          •    Paraguay            
    •    Azerbaijan                  •    Guam                   •    Peru            
    •    Bahrain                      •    Guatemala            •    Phillipines            
    •    Bangladesh                 •    Guinea                 •    Poland            
    •    Barbados                    •    Guyana                 •    Portugal            
    •    Baruba                       •    Honduras              •    Puerto Rico        
    •    Belarus                       •    Hong Kong            •    Reunion            
    •    Belize                         •    Hungary                •    Romania            
    •    Belgium                      •    India                     •    Russia            
    •    Benin                         •    Indonesia               •    Rwanda            
    •    Bermuda                    •    Iraq                       •    Saba            
    •    Bhutan                       •    Ireland                   •    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    •    Bolivia |                     •    Israel                     •    Samoa            
    •    Bonaire                      •    Italy                       •    San Marino        
    •    Botswana                   •    Ivory Coast             •    Saudi Arabia        
    •    Bosnia and Herzego    •    Japan                      •    Senegal            
    •    Brazil                         •    Jordan                    •    Serbia            
    •    Brittish Virgin Isl                                            •    Seychelles            
    •    Brunei                        •    Kuwait                    •    Singapore            
    •    Bulgaria                      •    Kyrgyzstan             •    Slovak Republic        
    •    Burkina Faso               •    Laos                       •    Slovenia            
    •    Burundi                       •    Latvia                    •    South Africa        
    •    Cameroon                    •    Lebanon                •    South Korea        
    •    Canada                        •    Lesotho                 •    Spain            
    •    Cape Verde                  •    Liberia                   •    St. Maarten        
    •    Cayman Islands            •    Libya                     •    St. Vincent        
    •    Chile                                                              •    Suriname            
    •    China                           •    Liechtenstein          •    Swaziland            
    •    Colombia                      •    Lithuania                •    Sweden            
    •    Congo                          •    Luxembourg           •    Switzerland        
    •    Congo Republic of         •    Macedonia              •    Syria            
    •    Cook Island                  •    Madagascar            •    Taiwan            
    •    Costa Rica                                                      •    Tanzania   
    •    Croatia                        •    Malaysia                 •    Tonga            
    •    Curaco                        •    Maldives                 •    Tongo            
    •    Cyprus                        •    Mali                        •    Trinidad and Tobago    
    •    Czech Republic             •    Malta                      •    Tunisia             
    •    Denmark                      •    Marshall Islands      •    Turkey            
    •    Djibouti                       •    Martinique               •    Turks and Caicos Islands    
    •    Dominica                     •    Mauritania               •    Uganda            
    •    Dominican Republic      •    Mauritius                  •    Ukraine            
    •    Ecuador                       •    Mexico                     •    United Arab Emirates    
    •    Egypt                          •    Micronesia                •    United Kingdom         
    •    El Salvador                  •    Moldova                   •    United States of America    
    •    Eritrea                        •    Monaco                    •    U.S. Virgin Islands    
    •    Estonia                       •    Mongolia                  •    Uruguay            
    •    Ethiopia                      •    Montenegro              •    Uzbekistan        
    •    Faeroe Islands             •    Montserrat               •    Vanuatu            
    •    Finland                        •    Morocco                  •    Vatican City        
                                           •    Mozambique             •    Vietnam            
                                            •    Namibia                  •    Wallis and Futuna        
                                            •    Nepal                            
                                            •    Netherlands                        
                                            •    Netherlands Antilles   

    Tags: International shipping service

    Equipment Shipping? Look at options.

    Posted on Tue, Sep 09, 2014

    Equipment shipping is an easy way to share between different facilities both in the United States and worldwide.
    While one division of a company may have excess furniture, another office may be in need of this furniture. 

    At pack n send in Houston, we can offer advice on how to pick up, pack and ship equipment all over the world.  It is possible to pack and send freight, or pack and ship via a small load mover. It is possible to ship one piece of furniture or an entire truck load of furniture. Why not consider freight shipping furniture?
    Office equipment is packed and shipped either by common carrier, or placed on pallets and delivered loading docks throughout the United States. Containers can be loaded and shipped via ocean to ports throughout the world.
    This is a list of some of the items that companies ship equipment throughout the world.
    • Doctors' offices
    • Oilfield Companies
    • Artists
    • Sculptures
    • Law Offices
    • Universities
    • Auction Houses
    • Hospitals and
    • Medical centers.
    • Builders
    • Sculptures

    This is a list of commonly sent items:
    • Tile
    • Electronics
    • Chairs,
    • Desks
    • Filing Cabinets
    • Medical Examination Tables
    • Paintings
    • Server Racks
    • Diagnostic Equipment
    • Equipment Prototypes
    • Beds
    • Routers
    • Autoclaves
    • Computers
    • Microscopes
    • Bookcases
    • Water Coolers
    • Medical examination tables
    • Servers
    When researching a packing and shipping company, ask questions about their packing expertise.
    Ask about custom boxes and custom crating. Ask about custom built pallets both for domestic and international shipping. If you have questions about packing and shipping, please feel free to contact us and we will try to answer any questions that you may have.  Pack and send is a Houston Shipping Company that has been in business since 1981.

    Keywords: TV, teve, tevê, televisão, television

     

    Tags: Freight shipping furniture

    International Export Shipping to Oman-Restrictions

    Posted on Fri, Sep 05, 2014

    The country of Oman has relatively few import restrictions when sending via USPS.
    The most noticeable restriction is that medicines of all types must be authorized for import by the Ministry of Health.

    We have listed a few of the prohibited and restricted items below.
    Prohibited Items:
    Arms
    Ammunition or parts thereof
    Perishable infectious and noninfectious biological substances
    Radioactive materials
    Restrictions
    Radio sets
    Ttransmitters
    Rreceivers and
    Telegraphic apparatus


    All of the items listed under restriction mandate that they have a permit from the Ministry of Posts, Telegraphs, and Telephones.

    Below, we have listed a few facts about the country of Oman
    The official language of Oman is Arabic. Other languages spoken in Oman are:
    • English
    • Baluchi
    • Urdu
    • Hindi
    The ethnic groups are:
    1. Omani Arab
    2. Indian
    3. Pakistani
    4. Sri Lankan
    5. Bangladeshi

    In 1651 Oman was declared independent from the Portuguese Empire.
    The climate is dry desert, hot, humid along the coast and hot dry interior with strong southwest summer monsoons in the far south (from May to September).
    Omani Riyal is the official currency of Oman.
    Oman is a country that is known for horse breeding.
    The most important crop in Oman is the date palm.
    Oman’s main industries include:
    • Construction
    • Natural gas production
    • Crude oil production
    • Crude oil refining

    The main exports for Oman are:
    Fish
    Metals
    Petroleum
    Textiles

    If you need assistance with packing and unpacking, export shipping, or custom crating for international shipping, please feel free to contact pack and send in Houston.

    •    Albania                                                         
                                                                           •    New Zealand        
    •    Algeria                      •    French Guinana      •    Nicaragua            
    •    American Samoa         •    French Polynesia   •    Niger            
    •    Andorra                     •    The Gambia                        
    •    Angola                      •    Germany                 •    Norway            
    •    Anguilla                     •    Georgia                  •    Oman            
    •    Antigua and Barbuda   •    Ghana                   •    Pakistan            
    •    Argentina                   •    Gibraltar                •    Palau            
    •    Armenia                     •    Greece                         
    •    Aruba                        •    Greenland               •    Panama            
    •    Australia                    •    Grenada                  •    Papa New Guinea        
    •    Austria                       •    Guadeloupe            •    Paraguay            
    •    Azerbaijan                  •    Guam                     •    Peru            
    •    Bahrain                      •    Guatemala              •    Phillipines            
    •    Bangladesh                 •    Guinea                   •    Poland            
    •    Barbados                    •    Guyana                  •    Portugal            
    •    Baruba                       •    Honduras                •    Puerto Rico        
    •    Belarus                       •    Hong Kong             •    Reunion            
    •    Belize                         •    Hungary                 •    Romania            
    •    Belgium                      •    India                      •    Russia            
    •    Benin                         •    Indonesia                •    Rwanda            
    •    Bermuda                    •    Iraq                        •    Saba            
    •    Bhutan                       •    Ireland                    •    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    •    Bolivia |                     •    Israel                      •    Samoa            
    •    Bonaire                      •    Italy                        •    San Marino        
    •    Botswana                   •    Ivory Coast              •    Saudi Arabia        
    •    Bosnia and Herzego    •    Japan                       •    Senegal            
    •    Brazil                         •    Jordan                     •    Serbia            
    •    Brittish Virgin Isl                                             •    Seychelles            
    •    Brunei                        •    Kuwait                     •    Singapore            
    •    Bulgaria                      •    Kyrgyzstan              •    Slovak Republic        
    •    Burkina Faso               •    Laos                        •    Slovenia            
    •    Burundi                       •    Latvia                     •    South Africa        
    •    Cameroon                    •    Lebanon                 •    South Korea        
    •    Canada                        •    Lesotho                  •    Spain            
    •    Cape Verde                  •    Liberia                    •    St. Maarten        
    •    Cayman Islands            •    Libya                      •    St. Vincent        
    •    Chile                            •    Libyan Arab Jama    •    Suriname            
    •    China                           •    Liechtenstein           •    Swaziland            
    •    Colombia                      •    Lithuania                 •    Sweden            
    •    Congo                          •    Luxembourg            •    Switzerland        
    •    Congo Republic of         •    Macedonia               •    Syria            
    •    Cook Island                  •    Madagascar             •    Taiwan            
    •    Costa Rica                                                       •    Tanzania   
    •    Croatia                        •    Malaysia                  •    Tonga            
    •    Curaco                        •    Maldives                  •    Tongo            
    •    Cyprus                        •    Mali                         •    Trinidad and Tobago    
    •    Czech Republic             •    Malta                       •    Tunisia             
    •    Denmark                      •    Marshall Islands       •    Turkey            
    •    Djibouti                       •    Martinique                •    Turks and Caicos Islands    
    •    Dominica                     •    Mauritania                •    Uganda            
    •    Dominican Republic        •    Mauritius                 •    Ukraine            
    •    Ecuador                      •    Mexico                       •    United Arab Emirates    
    •    Egypt                         •    Micronesia                  •    United Kingdom         
    •    El Salvador                  •    Moldova                     •    United States of America    
    •    Eritrea                        •    Monaco                      •    U.S. Virgin Islands    
    •    Estonia                       •    Mongolia                    •    Uruguay            
    •    Ethiopia                      •    Montenegro                •    Uzbekistan        
    •    Faeroe Islands             •    Montserrat                 •    Vanuatu            
    •    Finland                       •    Morocco                      •    Vatican City        
                                          •    Mozambique                 •    Vietnam            
                                          •    Namibia                       •    Wallis and Futuna        
                                          •    Nepal                            
                                          •    Netherlands                        
                                          •    Netherlands Antilles   


    Tags: International Shipping to Oman

    Houston Shipping Co-Saint Kitts & Nevis

    Posted on Wed, Sep 03, 2014

    It was interesting that when we looked f

    or restricted itemson the USPS website for shipping to Saint Kitts and Nevis, we were unable to find any restricted items.
    The only prohibited item that we found was radioactive materials.

     Here are some interesting facts that we found:

    •    Saint Kitts is and Nevis are also known as the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis.
    •    They are located in the Leeward Islands
    •    They are a two island nation located in the West Indies.
    •    It is the smallest nation in both population and area that is located in the Americas.
    •    It achieved autonomy in 1967.
    •    In 1971 the

    •    The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis (also known as), located in the Leeward Islands, is a federal two-island nation in the West Indies.
    •    It is the smallest nation in the Americas in both area and population.

    •    The island of Anguilla seceded from St Kitts and Nevis in 1971.
    •    Nevis is trying to secede from St Kitts, but so far, does not have the necessary votes.

    Pack n send in Houston posts information about shipping to various countries as a help to our international customers.  We offer packing & shipping services. Pack and send is a company that prepares freight for freight forwarders in Houston. If you need information about shipping companies in Houston or would like a quote for a custom crate, please feel free to contact us.
    We have listed below some of the countries that we ship to.

    •    Albania                                                         
                                                                           •    New Zealand        
    •    Algeria                      •    French Guinana         •    Nicaragua            
    •    American Samoa         •    French Polynesia       •    Niger            
    •    Andorra                     •    The Gambia                        
    •    Angola                      •    Germany                  •    Norway            
    •    Anguilla                     •    Georgia                   •    Oman            
    •    Antigua and Barbuda    •    Ghana                    •    Pakistan            
    •    Argentina                   •    Gibraltar                 •    Palau            
    •    Armenia                     •    Greece                         
    •    Aruba                        •    Greenland                 •    Panama            
    •    Australia                    •    Grenada                   •    Papa New Guinea        
    •    Austria                      •    Guadeloupe               •    Paraguay            
    •    Azerbaijan                  •    Guam                       •    Peru            
    •    Bahrain                      •    Guatemala                •    Phillipines            
    •    Bangladesh                 •    Guinea                     •    Poland            
    •    Barbados                    •    Guyana                    •    Portugal            
    •    Baruba                       •    Honduras                  •    Puerto Rico        
    •    Belarus                       •    Hong Kong                •    Reunion            
    •    Belize                         •    Hungary                   •    Romania            
    •    Belgium                      •    India                        •    Russia            
    •    Benin                         •    Indonesia                  •    Rwanda            
    •    Bermuda                     •    Iraq                         •    Saba            
    •    Bhutan                       •    Ireland                      •    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    •    Bolivia |                      •    Israel                        •    Samoa            
    •    Bonaire                       •    Italy                         •    San Marino        
    •    Botswana                    •    Ivory Coast               •    Saudi Arabia        
    •    Bosnia and Herzego       •    Japan                       •    Senegal            
    •    Brazil                          •    Jordan                      •    Serbia            
    •    Brittish Virgin Isl                                                •    Seychelles            
    •    Brunei                         •    Kuwait                      •    Singapore            
    •    Bulgaria                       •    Kyrgyzstan                •    Slovak Republic        
    •    Burkina Faso                 •    Laos                        •    Slovenia            
    •    Burundi                        •    Latvia                      •    South Africa        
    •    Cameroon                     •    Lebanon                   •    South Korea        
    •    Canada                        •    Lesotho                    •    Spain            
    •    Cape Verde                   •    Liberia                      •    St. Maarten        
    •    Cayman Islands             •    Libya                        •    St. Vincent        
    •    Chile                            •    Libyan Arab Jama       •    Suriname            
    •    China                           •    Liechtenstein             •    Swaziland            
    •    Colombia                      •    Lithuania                   •    Sweden            
    •    Congo                          •    Luxembourg               •    Switzerland        
    •    Congo Republic of          •    Macedonia                 •    Syria            
    •    Cook Island                   •    Madagascar               •    Taiwan            
    •    Costa Rica                                                        •    Tanzania   
    •    Croatia                        •    Malaysia                    •    Tonga            
    •    Curaco                        •    Maldives                    •    Tongo            
    •    Cyprus                        •    Mali                          •    Trinidad and Tobago    
    •    Czech Republic             •    Malta                        •    Tunisia             
    •    Denmark                      •    Marshall Islands          •    Turkey            
    •    Djibouti                       •    Martinique                  •    Turks and Caicos Islands    
    •    Dominica                     •    Mauritania                  •    Uganda            
    •    Dominican Republic        •    Mauritius                    •    Ukraine            
    •    Ecuador                      •    Mexico                       •    United Arab Emirates    
    •    Egypt                         •    Micronesia                  •    United Kingdom         
    •    El Salvador                  •    Moldova                     •    United States of America    
    •    Eritrea                        •    Monaco                      •    U.S. Virgin Islands    
    •    Estonia                       •    Mongolia                     •    Uruguay            
    •    Ethiopia                      •    Montenegro                 •    Uzbekistan        
    •    Faeroe Islands             •    Montserrat                  •    Vanuatu            
    •    Finland                       •    Morocco                     •    Vatican City        
                                          •    Mozambique                •    Vietnam            
                                          •    Namibia                      •    Wallis and Futuna        
                                          •    Nepal                            
                                          •    Netherlands                        
                                          •    Netherlands Antilles                
                                          •    New Caledonia   



    Tags: international shipping

    Estate Shipping and Estate Sales part 2

    Posted on Fri, Aug 29, 2014

    This is the second in the series about Estate Shipping. Part one discussed shipping. When you want to ship, and the various shipping and moving methods.

    This article will discuss selling in an estate sale and shipping options.


    You may want to liquidate the estate.
    Sometimes family members do not want all of the belongings of a family member who has passed away. You might want to hold an estate sale. Here are some recommended questions to ask if you are deciding if you would like to hold an estate sale.

    Why do I need to have an estate sale? Can’t I do it all by myself?
    In our experience, you can receive more money when you have an estate sale that will bring in collectors, dealers and buyers. An estate sale agent will be able to identify antiques and collectibles. They will be able to do the research to see the best way to price your items.

    What things can be sold in an estate sale?
    Antique furniture, antiques, art, automobiles, books, china, sterling silver, collectibles, household furniture, glassware, jewelry, kitchenware, oriental rugs, porcelain, tools, clothing, and most used household items.

    Some questions to ask before you hold an estate sale.
    Can your estate sale agent sell furniture, antiques, collectibles, antiques etc?What about used household items? Will the agent advertise the sale for you? What are the hours and recommended days of an estate sale? How long does it take to prepare for an estate sale? Can an agent get the research done in one day and hold the sale the next day?

    Remember to remove from the house the items that you do not want to sell. If you cannot remove the items before the sale, let the estate sale agent know ahead of time what these items are.
    At pack n send in Houston, we recommend looking at Dominique Kendalls website for answers to your estate sale questions. 
    Dominique is able to answer these questions on her website.

    If you are outside of the Houston area, you can take her list of questions with you to ask your estate sale company in another city. It is best to enter into an estate sale knowing the questions that you want to ask ahead of time.

    On the other hand, some families are ready to liquidate and estate but need help accomplishing this overwhelming task. Look for a company that you can hire hold an estate sale and then provide shipping to customers.
    How Many Items and Destinations?


    Many families find that certain members would like to keep special items as a memory of their loved one. You can move small amounts of furniture. Look for a small load mover. This means the grandfather clock may go to one city and the china cabinet to another. It is necessary to determine how many items will need to be shipped and where they will need to go.
    Often families find they want to ship items to various family members spread across the country or even around the world. It is necessary to hire a shipping company that allows you to ship items to a variety of destinations even if each individual shipment is not that large. If items will be shipped internationally a company experienced with international shipping is desirable since appropriate paperwork needs to be filled out.

    Handling of Valuable Items

    It is important to select a company that specializes in packng and shipping services and has experience handling valuable items. The memories of your loved one are not replaceable. Choose a company that has decades of experience and a reputation for transporting delicate items. Verify that the packers and movers have been trained to handle valuable pieces. A company that regularly handles antiques, glass or other fragile items may be a good choice.
    Some families find they want to move some items to storage liquidate other pieces and ship yet other items to various friends and family spread throughout the country. At Pack n Send we have experience and can help your estate shipping options. Contact us and allow us to provide you personal, reliable service.

    Tags: Packing and Shipping Services

    Estate Shipping and Moving Part 1 of 2

    Posted on Fri, Aug 22, 2014

    Estate moving occurs at one of the most stressful time in your life. Not only have you lost a loved one, there are often time and money constraints associated with disbursing the possessions.

    While some of the items may be thrown away or donated to a local charity, there will be many items that you will want to save. Some may go to a relative that lives in town, while other items will need to be moved or shipped to a new city. Often times the different city may be outside of the United States. Here are few things to consider when you are shipping an estate.
    When do you want to ship the items?
    While family members are discussing what items that each family member would like to receive, it may be less expensive to move everything into a storage unit, rather than continue to pay rent on an apartment. If may also give you time to fix up a house that you are getting ready to sell. Once you have determined what each family member would like, a shipping company can ship the smaller items. A moving company will be able to move the larger pieces of furniture.

    Look for a company that can offer both shipping and moving, as sometimes it will be less expensive to freight a small amount of furniture and other items verses moving a small amount of furniture.
    If you are moving the items and need international shipping, look for a company that has experience shipping internationally. Many countries have items that are restricted or prohibited. There is also heat treated wood that my need to be used for international shipments, and international paperwork that will need to travel with your shipment.

    If you need help with moving an estate or estate planning, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston.
    We can help you pack, move, ship and unpack the estate of a loved one.

    Tags: Estate Moving

    Fun Facts about the Cayman Islands & Shipping to the Islands

    Posted on Fri, Aug 22, 2014

    As we were researching shipping items to the Cayman Islands, we found some interesting facts about the Islands.


    There are actually three islands. Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac

    Grand Cayman is visited by cruise ships.

    A major attraction on Grand Cayman is Hell. Hell has a large number of black limestone formations. These limestone formations look like they have survived a large fire. Hence, the name Hell. Tour buses take you for a view of hell and the tourist shop has souvenirs and post cards from Hell.
    The Cayman Islands are British Overseas Territory and English is spoken here.

    The Cayman Islands are known as a tax haven the lack of income taxes, capital gains taxes and wealth taxes.

    Banks are abundant on the Cayman Islands.

    The Cayman Islands are home to about sixty thousand people.
    Shipping via USPS to the Cayman Islands is not difficult. All that must be followed are the restricted and prohibited items. The USPS has listed these on their website.




    Some of the Prohibitited Items

    • Bees and the materials used by beekeepers.
    • Citrus fruits
    • Cocoa
    • Coffee
    • Condensed milk
    • Cornmeal
    • Edible oils
    • Honey and beeswax
    • Sugar
    • Cotton seed
    • Lighters containing butane gas
    • Meats
    • Radioactive materials
    • Switchblade knives


    Restrictions


    Electronic items, including cellular telephones, are not accepted unless they are sent in the original manufacturer's packaging

    Merchandise valued over 60 USD should be accompanied by an. This applies to gifts as well as purchased items.

    At pack n send we concentrate on worldwide international shipping. If you are looking to pack and send something, need crating for international shipping or just looking for small furniture movers in the United States or internationally, please feel free to contact us for a quote.

     

    Request a  Shipping Quote

    Tags: Shipping to Cayman Islands

    Shipping a package to Finland? Here are some facts.

    Posted on Thu, Aug 21, 2014

    Shipping to Finland by USPS offers many of the same prohibitions as other countries.

    It is with some of their restrictions where the differences arise.

    For example, in order to import meat and meat products, authorization is required from the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture.

    While some countries prohibit the import of even toy guns, the Finnish government allows the following items to be sent via mail:

    o paintball guns
    o toy guns
    o nail guns
    o bows
    o optical sights
    o empty holsters
    o gun cleaning appliances


    Here are the prohibited items that may not be sent into Finland per the USPS.

    Arms and weapons, including ammunition, firearm parts, barrels, bolts, breeches, clip magazines and silencers; active and deactivated firearms; live and deactivated ammunition; air, starter, and gas guns; replicas of firearms; explosive devices; and air soft guns that imitate active firearms.
    Human remains
    Live plants and animals
    Radioactive materials

     

    Some fun facts about Finland:
    They hold an annual wife carrying contest.
    There are over one hundred eighty eight thousand lakes and ninety eight thousand islands.
    The company Nokia was founded in Finland.

    News broadcast are done in Latin.
    Swedish and Finish are languages of Finland.
    Finland banned Donald Duck comic books because Donald Duck does not wear pants.


    Whether you are looking for a custom crater, a furniture shipping quote, or a freight or moving company, please feel free to contact pack n send if you have questions about international freight shipping, or are looking for packing & shipping services.

     

    Request a  Shipping Quote

    Tags: Shipping to Finland

    Houston Moving Company lists Restrictions to Phillipines

    Posted on Wed, Aug 20, 2014

    The USPS has prepared a list of items that are prohibited from being sent to the Philippines in the mail

    The most surprising prohibited  item that we found was coffee in any form. We have listed some of the prohibitions that are listed on the USPS website, as well as some interesting facts about the Philippines.
    Country Conditions for Mailing — Philippines
    Prohibitions: 
    1.    Coffee in any form
    2.    Coins
    3.    Currency
    4.    notes or securities of any kind payable to bearer
    5.    traveler’s checks
    6.    platinum
    7.    gold
    8.    silver; precious stones
    9.    other valuable articles
    10.    Firearms and weapons and parts thereof including replicas of weapons; ammunition.
    11.    Gambling devices
    12.    Liquids, easily liquefiable items, and glass or similarly fragile articles
    13.    Lottery tickets, circulars, or advertisements relating to lotteries
    14.    Perishable infectious biological substances
    15.    Perishable noninfectious biological substances
    16.    Radioactive materials
    Restrictions: There is no list furnished for the Philippines.
    Interesting facts about the Philippines.
    The flag is displayed differently in times of war and at times of peace.  In war time, the color red is at the top.  During times of peace, the color blue is flown at the top.
    The Philippines has more texts sent daily than the United States and Europe combined.
    One hundred seventy one separate languages and dialects are actively used in the Philippines.
    The Philippines is the exports the largest quantity of expat nurses.

    Pack n send is a company that considers moving Houston to be one of its main goals. We are one of the shipping companies in Houston that ships worldwide.  We concentrate on Houston crating, and also prepare furniture shipping quotes both domestically and internationally.  If you need a Houston moving company or a company in Houston to build a custom crate, please contact us and we are happy to answer both domestic freight and international moving and cargo questions.

    Request a  Shipping Quote

    Tags: Shipping to Phillipines

    Shipping packages to Cambodia-Very few regulations

    Posted on Thu, Aug 14, 2014

    According to the USPS mail shipping into Cambodia is relatively easy. There are no restricted items and very few prohibited items.

    The prohibited items are listed below.

    • Coins
    • Banknotes
    • currency notes (paper money)
    • securities payable to bearer
    • traveler’s checks
    • manufactured and unmanufactured platinum
    • gold
    • silver
    • precious stones
    • jewels
    • expensive jewelry
    • other valuable articles
    • Radioactive materials

    There are no restrictions for items being sent into Cambodia.

    Here are a few facts about Cambodia:

    Cambodia has the only national flag that contains an image of a building.
    In the past, Cambodia changed its name whenever a new government was installed. Here is a list of some of its names.
    1. Khmer Republic
    2. Democratic Kampuchea under the Khmer Rouge regime, and
    3. People’s Republic of Kampuchea
    4. Kingdom of Cambodia

    Other interesting facts:

    At this time, one half of Cambodia’s population is under the age of 15.
    Birthday celebrations are not part of Cambodian culture. People often do not know their birthdates.
    Textiles and tourism are major components of Cambodian income.
    In Cambodian culture, the head is not supposed to be touched by others. Feet must be tucked in while sitting, as it is disrespectful to point your feet at other individuals.


    At pack n send in Houston, we specialize in shipping and moving. If you need freight shipped internationally, please feel free to contact us.

     

     

    Request a  Shipping Quote

    Tags: Shipping to Cambodia

    Small move? Freight vs. White Glove Delivery

    Posted on Thu, Aug 14, 2014

    Now that the end of summer is approaching, it may be time to schedule a small move. You may be moving your student to college, or it may be time to downsize your own home. Before you move, consider shipping or moving the furniture that you no longer need to other family members. Sometimes it is a senior who contemplates moving into Assisted Living, or just moving into a smaller apartment.


    We have some recommendations to make your small move easier:
    •    Look for a mover that does not have a minimum dollar or weight requirement.  
    •    Ask if your items can be either freighted or moved on a truck with white glove delivery. Look for shipping companies that want to work small apartment moves are able to accommodate a small move.  
    •    One size fits all pricing is not fair for someone who is not moving a house full of items.  
    These are a few things to consider when planning a small move.

    If you are moving out of town, try to plan the move ahead of time. If your parent needs their bedroom suite by a certain date, back up your planning that you allow enough time for shipping and delivery if it is an out of town move.
    If you are moving into an apartment, ask for the times and dates that the elevators are available for your move.
    If you need help packing or unpacking book a moving company that is willing to help at the pick up and delivery end. Ask if they are willing to haul off the moving boxes and reuse or recycle the boxes and packing materials.


    Remember that if you are moving small amounts of furniture to another city you can use freight shipping.  There are options when you move out of town.


    Even when you ship your household goods via freight, you can request inside white glove delivery. As a way to save money, you can also request curbside delivery with the recipient unloading the pallet and bringing it inside of their residence. This will usually save on moving charges.

    Pack n Send offers small move services locally, nationally and internationally. Please feel free to contact us if you have questions about a small move.


    Request a Quote  for a 1 Piece Move

    Tags: White Glove Delivery

    Shipping to Jordan? There are restricted items.

    Posted on Wed, Aug 13, 2014

    According to the USPS the country of Jordan has few shipping restrictions.

    One noted restriction is that  silkworms and bees must have official certificates to prove that they do not have diseases.

    There are also a few prohibited items that are listed below:
    • Advertisements concerning treatment of venereal diseases or medicinal preparations intended to serve as preventives against those diseases.
    • Arms.
    • Essences and oils for use in making adulterated or imitated beverages.
    • Perishable infectious biological substances.
    • Perishable noninfectious biological substances.
    • Radioactive materials.

    Some Facts about Jordan:

    Jordan is the country that has the longest border with Israel and the West Bank

    It is at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba

    Petra is a city that was carved into rocks over 2 thousand years ago.
    Mansaf if the national dish of Jordan. It is made of large pieces of stewed lamb, a yogurt sauce and is served over rice.
    Child rearing in Jordan’s asks families not to heap large amount of praised on children. The praise is thought to bring bad luck.
    Jordan became an independent country in 1946.
    The part of the Dead Sea that is in the northwest part of Jordan is the lowest location on the earth.

     While pack and send provides information about worldwide shipping, we also can help answer questions about freight packing, crate building, custom crates and domestic and international moves. Please feel free to contact us at pack n send in Houston.

    Tags: Shipping to Jordan

    Shipping to Peru-See Restrictions and Facts

    Posted on Wed, Aug 13, 2014

    According to the USPS there are not at lot of restrictions when mailing to Peru. One restriction that many countries are now incorporating into their prohibition list for used clothing and shoes being shipped into the country. These items are no longer allowed to be imported into the country.

    Peru has a poverty rate of about 42 percent.
    We have listed other interesting facts about Peru below.

    Prohibitions:
    • Agricultural pesticides containing active ingredients :ethylene dichloride, ethylene oxide, monocrotophos
    • Coins
    • Banknotes
    • Currency notes - paper money;
    • Traveler’s checks
    • Securities- payable to bearer
    • Platinum
    • Gold
    • Silver
    • Precious stones
    • Jewelry
    • Other valuable articles.
    • Drinks manufactured abroad under the brand name “Pisco.”
    • Organochlorinated pesticides and their derivatives and components.
    • Used clothing
    • Used shoes.
    • Used tires.
    • Vitamins.


    Restrictions
    Mobile telephones require a license from the government. This must be obtained before mailing into the country.

    Some facts about Peru:
    • The average life expectancy in the country of Peru is seventy years old.
    • Peru has a national healthcare system.
    • Ninety percent of Peruvians are literate.
    The Inca Empire ruins reside in Peru.
    • The major agriculture products are:
    • Potatoes- 4000 varieties
    • Cotton
    • Sugar
    • Coffee
    • Rice


    While pack and send provides information about worldwide shipping, we also can help answer questions about freight packing, freight receiving, crate building, custom crates and small domestic and international moves. Please feel free to contact us.

    Tags: Send to Peru, Shipping to Peru

    Shipping to Turkmenistan- Restrictions Listed

    Posted on Wed, Aug 06, 2014

    The United States Postal Service has listed prohibitions and restrictions for items entering Turkmenistan via mail.
     We have listed some of the prohibited items below: 
     
    Prohibitions  
    •    Photographic Plates
    •    Negatives
    •    developed films
    •    photographs
    •    movies
    •    video recordings
    •    magnetic computer information storage media
    •    manuscripts
    •    records and other sound recordings
    •    drawings
    •    other printed materials
    •    Soviet and foreign currency
    •    government securities
    •    Soviet lottery tickets
    •    Euro check system forms
    •    Undeveloped movies
    •    Copying/reproduction equipment (with the exception of typewriters).


    Restrictions  


    Medicines and vitamins are admitted after they have been authorized by the Bureau for Registration of Medicines and Pharmaceuticals.
     
     Some interesting facts about Turkmenistan:

     
    Greater than eighty per cent of  Turkmenistan  is covered desert. 
    One of the longest irrigation canals in the world is in Turkmenistan.
     Alexandria city was founded by Alexander the Great in 330BC. The cities name was later changed to Mery. Mery was destroyed by The Mongols and only four hundred people survived. Mery was a Silk rout trading center.
     Gas and electricity are free to residents, so most residents do not turn off their stoves.
     

    At pack n send in Houston we ship worldwide. We also handle freight shipping and receiving.  If you are need a custom crate, or a crate builder who can ship worldwide, or if you would like to ship furniture, please be sure to contact us.
    We have listed below some of the countries that we ship to.

    •    Albania                                                         

                                                                           •    New Zealand        
    •    Algeria                      •    French Guinana         •    Nicaragua            
    •    American Samoa         •    French Polynesia       •    Niger            
    •    Andorra                     •    The Gambia                       
    •    Angola                      •    Germany                  •    Norway            
    •    Anguilla                     •    Georgia                   •    Oman            
    •    Antigua and Barbuda    •    Ghana                    •    Pakistan            
    •    Argentina                   •    Gibraltar                 •    Palau            
    •    Armenia                     •    Greece                         
    •    Aruba                        •    Greenland                 •    Panama            
    •    Australia                    •    Grenada                   •    Papa New Guinea        
    •    Austria                      •    Guadeloupe               •    Paraguay            
    •    Azerbaijan                  •    Guam                       •    Peru            
    •    Bahrain                      •    Guatemala                •    Phillipines            
    •    Bangladesh                 •    Guinea                     •    Poland            
    •    Barbados                    •    Guyana                    •    Portugal            
    •    Baruba                       •    Honduras                  •    Puerto Rico        
    •    Belarus                       •    Hong Kong                •    Reunion            
    •    Belize                         •    Hungary                   •    Romania            
    •    Belgium                      •    India                        •    Russia            
    •    Benin                         •    Indonesia                  •    Rwanda            
    •    Bermuda                     •    Iraq                         •    Saba            
    •    Bhutan                       •    Ireland                      •    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    •    Bolivia |                      •    Israel                        •    Samoa            
    •    Bonaire                       •    Italy                         •    San Marino        
    •    Botswana                    •    Ivory Coast               •    Saudi Arabia        
    •    Bosnia and Herzego       •    Japan                       •    Senegal            
    •    Brazil                          •    Jordan                      •    Serbia            
    •    Brittish Virgin Isl                                                •    Seychelles            
    •    Brunei                         •    Kuwait                      •    Singapore            
    •    Bulgaria                       •    Kyrgyzstan                •    Slovak Republic        
    •    Burkina Faso                 •    Laos                        •    Slovenia            
    •    Burundi                        •    Latvia                      •    South Africa        
    •    Cameroon                     •    Lebanon                   •    South Korea        
    •    Canada                        •    Lesotho                    •    Spain            
    •    Cape Verde                   •    Liberia                      •    St. Maarten        
    •    Cayman Islands             •    Libya                        •    St. Vincent        
    •    Chile                            •    Libyan Arab Jama       •    Suriname            
    •    China                           •    Liechtenstein             •    Swaziland            
    •    Colombia                      •    Lithuania                   •    Sweden            
    •    Congo                          •    Luxembourg               •    Switzerland        
    •    Congo Republic of          •    Macedonia                 •    Syria            
    •    Cook Island                   •    Madagascar               •    Taiwan            
    •    Costa Rica                                                        •    Tanzania  
    •    Croatia                        •    Malaysia                    •    Tonga            
    •    Curaco                        •    Maldives                    •    Tongo            
    •    Cyprus                        •    Mali                          •    Trinidad and Tobago    
    •    Czech Republic             •    Malta                        •    Tunisia             
    •    Denmark                      •    Marshall Islands          •    Turkey            
    •    Djibouti                       •    Martinique                  •    Turks and Caicos Islands    
    •    Dominica                     •    Mauritania                  •    Uganda            
    •    Dominican Republic        •    Mauritius                    •    Ukraine            
    •    Ecuador                      •    Mexico                       •    United Arab Emirates    
    •    Egypt                         •    Micronesia                  •    United Kingdom         
    •    El Salvador                  •    Moldova                     •    United States of America    
    •    Eritrea                        •    Monaco                     •    U.S. Virgin Islands    
    •    Estonia                       •    Mongolia                    •    Uruguay            
    •    Ethiopia                      •    Montenegro                •    Uzbekistan        
    •    Faeroe Islands             •    Montserrat                  •    Vanuatu            
    •    Finland                       •    Morocco                     •    Vatican City        
                                          •    Mozambique                •    Vietnam            
                                          •    Namibia                      •    Wallis and Futuna        
                                          •    Nepal                            
                                          •    Netherlands                        
                                          •    Netherlands Antilles                
                                          •    New Caledonia    


    Tags: Shipping to Turkmenistan

    Stephen Kroninger Artilce Displays Shipping Knowledge

    Posted on Tue, Aug 05, 2014

    We are reprinting large portions of this article and are and linking to the entire article in the Wall Street Journal written by Stephen Kroninger.

    While costs have gone up in shipping and will continue to go up, this article highlights ways that both UPS and Fedex have been able to control their costs. 
    With shipping rates going to dimensional rate charges in the next year, both companies may have found ways to save money.

    Innovations in domestic shipping are always welcome, and in the end can help save consumers money when the send items domestically.

    Stephen Kroninger

    FedEx Corp. FDX -0.69% and United Parcel Service Inc. UPS -0.06% increasingly are moving their own packages through the U.S. Postal Service, putting pressure on the quasigovernmental agency and raising questions about whether the USPS is charging enough for the service.

    FedEx and United Parcel Service increasingly are moving their own packages through the U.S. Postal Service, putting pressure on the quasigovernmental agency and raising questions about whether the USPS is charging enough for the service. Laura Stevens joins MoneyBeat. Photo: Getty Images.

    For FedEx alone, the post office delivers an average of 2.2 million packages a day, or about 30% of the express-mail company's total U.S. ground segment.

    UPS won't specify how much of its shipments go through the post office, but a regulatory filing indicates those type of lightweight shipments accounted for 40%—or about 37 million packages—of its total increase in ground shipments in 2012.

    The post office is lapping up the extra package-delivery business from its private-sector rivals because it badly needs growth. In the past decade, it has lost more than 30% of its most profitable product—first-class mail—to the Internet.

     

    "We've been focusing a lot of efforts on package growth, because that's the biggest opportunity for us," said Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe.

    But the flood of these packages has begun to tax the system, and it has raised questions about whether the USPS is charging enough for its service. Even as UPS makes use of the USPS, a UPS executive on the company's earnings conference call last month questioned whether the Postal Service is unfairly cross-subsidizing certain products to offer lower prices.

    The volume of so-called Parcel Select packages—a USPS service aimed at businesses including FedEx, UPS, and Amazon.com Inc. AMZN -0.39% — surged nearly 500% to about 1.29 billion packages in 2013 from about 223 million in 2009. The USPS projects that service it will grow 12% next year. Parcel Select accounts for 35% of the USPS's annual package-delivery business.

    Both UPS and FedEx rely on the postal office for the back-end of their cheaper two- to seven-day delivery options, Smartpost for FedEx and Surepost for UPS. Amazon also uses the USPS and enlisted it for Sunday deliveries. The post office's Parcel Select service, launched in its current format in 2008, allows the companies to transport the packages the long distance themselves, then sort by ZIP Code and deliver to the local post office. The letter carrier takes it for the most expensive last leg of the delivery.

    Neither the Postal Service nor these big customers will reveal contract terms. "There should be more transparency" to make sure the agency is properly compensated, says Mark Jamison, a retired Postmaster from North Carolina, a frequent critic.

    Mr. Donahoe says the criticism is unwarranted. "We make money on it. We wouldn't do it if we didn't make money on it," Mr. Donahoe said.

    Postal carriers are already delivering to every mailbox, so transporting the presorted packages doesn't add significantly to costs, he said.

    Rates have increased 27% from an average of $1.35 in revenue per package in 2012, according to postal filings.

    First-class mail still accounts for nearly half of the USPS's revenue, while standard mail, such as advertising and circulars, account for about 25%. Packages—including those from FedEx and UPS—account for about 20% of the post office's revenue but are the fastest-growing, averaging 7% annual revenue growth the past four years.

    The Postal Service is aiming to more than double its package-delivery business within a few years, Mr. Donahoe said.

    The post office, established in 1775 to enable secure communications during the Revolutionary War, was designed for letters, not packages, and it is aging. About 140,000 of its 200,000 mail vehicles are more than 20 years old. The service also isn't nearly as automated as FedEx and UPS.

    At FedEx and UPS, packages typically are automatically scanned on belts that deposit them directly to designated delivery vans. At local post offices, by contrast, mail carriers often sort packages manually and carry them to their trucks. Shelves to stack packages have been squeezed into tiny delivery trucks. The number of career postal employees has declined nearly 30% over the past seven years, and some mail carriers tend their routes twice a day, once with letters and once with packages.

    To accommodate the growth, Mr. Donahoe plans to invest $10 billion over the next four years for improvements, including buying new vehicles, retrofitting old ones and upgrading package-sorting equipment.

    It is unclear how the post office will finance growth, as it is chronically short on funds. Because the Postal Service has enough cash on hand for only about two weeks of operations, Mr. Donahoe is counting on Congress to pass a proposed bill that would give the Postal Service more financial flexibility, with options like cutting Saturday letter delivery. The Postal Service reached its $15 billion credit limit with the Treasury Department in 2012.

    Under law, the USPS must pay its own way. It generated $67.3 billion in revenue in 2013, $7.5 billion of which came from selling stamps. It doesn't receive an annual taxpayer subsidy, but is reimbursed by Congress for some services such as delivering mail to the blind and overseas voters.

    The USPS has generated about $1 billion in operating profit so far this year, but that is before its approximate $5.5 billion required annual contribution for retiree benefits.

    There is little margin for error. If it misjudges its capacity or financial strength, it could end up with too many packages to deliver, compromising mail service. "Without significant structural changes, we will…continue on a path that will lead to insolvency and a government bailout," the postal service warned this summer.

    If you have questions about domestic shipping or international shipping, please feel free to contact pack and send. We pack and ship worldwide.

    Tags: Shipping

    International Shipping to Liechtenstein-Read the Rules

    Posted on Fri, Aug 01, 2014

     

    The country of Liechtenstein has relatively few shipping prohibitions according to the USPS for items being shipped by mail.
    Prohibitions
     Arms
     Weapons
     Firing caps
     Loaded metal cartridges for portable firearms,
     Non explosive parts of artillery fuses,
     flammable films,
     Articles made of celluloid.
     Human remains.
     Live plants
     Live animals.
     Lottery tickets and
     Advertisements for lotteries.
     Mini-spies (miniature wireless transmitters).
     Radar detectors.

     Restrictions
     None listed

    Here are some interesting items about Liechtenstein.

    It is a landlocked country, bordered by both Austria and Switzerland.
    There is a 400 km network of hiking trails in Liechtenstein. One of the most popular activities during the summer months is hiking the network of hiking trails.
    Some of the holidays in Liechtenstein are as follows:
    January
    New Years Day
    Epiphany

    April
    Good Friday (Bank Holiday)
    Easter
    Easter Monday

    May
    Labor Day
    Ascension

    June
    Whitsuntide
    Whit Monday
    Feast of Corpus Christi

    August
    Liechtenstein State Celebration

    September
    Nativity of Our Lady

    November
    All Saints

    December
    Immaculate Conception
    Christmas Day
    St. Stephen's Day

    If you would like to pack and send something to Liechtenstein, be sure to pay attention to the prohibited items. If you need assistance shipping internationally, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston. We have listed below some of the countries that we can send freight and cargo to as well as small packages.

     

    •    Albania                                                         
                                                                           •    New Zealand        
    •    Algeria                     •    French Guinana         •    Nicaragua            
    •    American Samoa        •    French Polynesia       •    Niger            
    •    Andorra                    •    The Gambia              •    Nigeria            
    •    Angola                     •    Germany                  •    Norway            
    •    Anguilla                   •    Georgia                    •    Oman            
    •    Antigua and Barbuda •    Ghana                      •    Pakistan            
    •    Argentina                 •    Gibraltar                   •    Palau            
    •    Armenia                   •    Greece                         
    •    Aruba                      •    Greenland                  •    Panama            
    •    Australia                  •    Grenada                    •    Papa New Guinea        
    •    Austria                     •    Guadeloupe               •    Paraguay            
    •    Azerbaijan                •    Guam                       •    Peru            
    •    Bahrain                    •    Guatemala                •    Phillipines            
    •    Bangladesh               •    Guinea                     •    Poland            
    •    Barbados                  •    Guyana                     •    Portugal            
    •    Baruba                     •    Honduras                  •    Puerto Rico        
    •    Belarus                     •    Hong Kong                •    Reunion            
    •    Belize                       •    Hungary                    •    Romania            
    •    Belgium                     •    India                        •    Russia            
    •    Benin                        •    Indonesia                  •    Rwanda            
    •    Bermuda                    •    Iraq                         •    Saba            
    •    Bhutan                      •    Ireland                      •    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    •    Bolivia |                    •    Israel                         •    Samoa            
    •    Bonaire                     •    Italy                          •    San Marino        
    •    Botswana                  •    Ivory Coast                •    Saudi Arabia        
    •    Bosnia and Herzego      •    Japan                       •    Senegal            
    •    Brazil                         •    Jordan                      •    Serbia            
    •    Brittish Virgin Isl              Kenya                         •    Seychelles            
    •    Brunei                         •    Kuwait                     •    Singapore            
    •    Bulgaria                       •    Kyrgyzstan               •    Slovak Republic        
    •    Burkina Faso                 •    Laos                        •    Slovenia            
    •    Burundi                        •    Latvia                      •    South Africa        
    •    Cameroon                     •    Lebanon                   •    South Korea        
    •    Canada                        •    Lesotho                    •    Spain            
    •    Cape Verde                   •    Liberia                      •    St. Maarten        
    •    Cayman Islands             •    Libya                        •    St. Vincent        
    •    Chile                           •    Libyan Arab Jama        •    Suriname            
    •    China                          •    Liechtenstein              •    Swaziland            
    •    Colombia                      •    Lithuania                   •    Sweden            
    •    Congo                         •    Luxembourg                •    Switzerland        
    •    Congo Republic of          •    Macedonia                 •    Syria            
    •    Cook Island                  •    Madagascar                •    Taiwan            
    •    Costa Rica                        Malawi                       •    Tanzania ,Thailand        
    •    Croatia                        •    Malaysia                    •    Tonga            
    •    Curaco                        •    Maldives                    •    Tongo            
    •    Cyprus                        •    Mali                          •    Trinidad and Tobago    
    •    Czech Republic             •    Malta                         •    Tunisia             
    •    Denmark                      •    Marshall Islands           •    Turkey            
    •    Djibouti                       •    Martinique                  •    Turks and Caicos Islands    
    •    Dominica                     •    Mauritania                  •    Uganda            
    •    Dominican Republic        •    Mauritius                   •    Ukraine            
    •    Ecuador                      •    Mexico                      •    United Arab Emirates    
    •    Egypt                         •    Micronesia                 •    United Kingdom         
    •    El Salvador                  •    Moldova                    •    United States of America    
    •    Eritrea                        •    Monaco                     •    U.S. Virgin Islands    
    •    Estonia                       •    Mongolia                    •    Uruguay            
    •    Ethiopia                      •    Montenegro                •    Uzbekistan        
    •    Faeroe Islands             •    Montserrat                 •    Vanuatu            
    •    Finland                       •    Morocco                    •    Vatican City        
                                          •    Mozambique               •    Vietnam            
                                          •    Namibia                     •    Wallis and Futuna        
                                          •    Nepal                            
                                          •    Netherlands                        
                                          •    Netherlands Antilles                
                                          •    New Caledonia                        
                                            
    •    Egypt                         •    Micronesia           •    United Kingdom         
    •    El Salvador                  •    Moldova             •    United States of America    
    •    Eritrea                        •    Monaco              •    U.S. Virgin Islands    
    •    Estonia                       •    Mongolia            •    Uruguay            
    •    Ethiopia                      •    Montenegro        •    Uzbekistan        
    •    Faeroe Islands             •    Montserrat         •    Vanuatu            
    •    Finland                       •    Morocco             •    Vatican City        
                                          •    Mozambique       •    Vietnam            
                                          •    Namibia             •    Wallis and Futuna        
                                          •    Nepal                            
                                          •    Netherlands                        
                                          •    Netherlands Antilles                
                                          •    New Caledonia                        

    Tags: Shipping to Liechtenstein

    Shipping to Kiribati- Interesting Restriction Policy

    Posted on Fri, Aug 01, 2014



    While Kiribati does not list any restrictions on the USPS website there are many goods that are prohibited or admitted under special permits.  Since they are not listed on the website, it is advisable to contact the Resident Commissioner before you ship. You need to make sure that no import license is required.

    Kiribati exports copra, coconuts, seaweed and fish.

    Kiribati imports food stuffs, machinery, fuel and manufactured goods.
    For the 2000 new millennium, Kiribati moved the International Date Line far to the east so that it would be the first country to welcome in the New Year. This lone fact helped Kiribati gain UN membership.

    If you need assistance shipping to Kiribati or any of the other countries listed below, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston. We can pack and send via freight or use container shipping. We build custom pallets for both domestic and international shipping.



    •    Albania                                                        
                                                                           •    New Zealand        
    •    Algeria                     •    French Guinana         •    Nicaragua            
    •    American Samoa        •    French Polynesia       •    Niger            
    •    Andorra                    •    The Gambia              •    Nigeria            
    •    Angola                     •    Germany                  •    Norway            
    •    Anguilla                   •    Georgia                    •    Oman            
    •    Antigua and Barbuda •    Ghana                      •    Pakistan            
    •    Argentina                 •    Gibraltar                   •    Palau            
    •    Armenia                   •    Greece                        
    •    Aruba                      •    Greenland                  •    Panama            
    •    Australia                  •    Grenada                    •    Papa New Guinea        
    •    Austria                     •    Guadeloupe               •    Paraguay            
    •    Azerbaijan                •    Guam                       •    Peru            
    •    Bahrain                    •    Guatemala                •    Phillipines            
    •    Bangladesh               •    Guinea                     •    Poland            
    •    Barbados                  •    Guyana                     •    Portugal            
    •    Baruba                     •    Honduras                  •    Puerto Rico        
    •    Belarus                    •    Hong Kong                •    Reunion            
    •    Belize                      •    Hungary                    •    Romania            
    •    Belgium                   •    India                         •    Russia            
    •    Benin                      •    Indonesia                   •    Rwanda            
    •    Bermuda                  •    Iraq                           •    Saba            
    •    Bhutan                    •    Ireland                       •    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    •    Bolivia |                    •    Israel                       •    Samoa            
    •    Bonaire                     •    Italy                        •    San Marino        
    •    Botswana                  •    Ivory Coast               •    Saudi Arabia        
    •    Bosnia and Herzego    •    Japan                       •    Senegal            
    •    Brazil                        •    Jordan                      •    Serbia            
    •    Brittish Virgin Isl              Kenya                      •    Seychelles            
    •    Brunei                       •    Kuwait                     •    Singapore            
    •    Bulgaria                    •    Kyrgyzstan                •    Slovak Republic        
    •    Burkina Faso              •    Laos                         •    Slovenia            
    •    Burundi                     •    Latvia                       •    South Africa        
    •    Cameroon                  •    Lebanon                   •    South Korea        
    •    Canada                      •    Lesotho                   •    Spain            
    •    Cape Verde                 •    Liberia                    •    St. Maarten        
    •    Cayman Islands           •    Libya                      •    St. Vincent        
    •    Chile                          •    Libyan Arab Jama     •    Suriname            
    •    China                         •    Liechtenstein           •    Swaziland            
    •    Colombia                    •    Lithuania                 •    Sweden            
    •    Congo                        •    Luxembourg             •    Switzerland        
    •    Congo Republic of        •    Macedonia               •    Syria            
    •    Cook Island                 •    Madagascar             •    Taiwan            
    •    Costa Rica                        Malawi                    •    Tanzania Thailand        
    •    Croatia                       •    Malaysia            •    Tonga            
    •    Curaco                        •    Maldives            •    Tongo            
    •    Cyprus                        •    Mali                  •    Trinidad and Tobago    
    •    Czech Republic             •    Malta                •    Tunisia             
    •    Denmark                     •    Marshall Islands  •    Turkey            
    •    Djibouti                      •    Martinique          •    Turks and Caicos Islands    
    •    Dominica                    •    Mauritania           •    Uganda            
    •    Dominican Republic      •    Mauritius            •    Ukraine            
    •    Ecuador                      •    Mexico               •    United Arab Emirates    
    •    Egypt                         •    Micronesia           •    United Kingdom         
    •    El Salvador                  •    Moldova             •    United States of America    
    •    Eritrea                        •    Monaco              •    U.S. Virgin Islands    
    •    Estonia                       •    Mongolia            •    Uruguay            
    •    Ethiopia                      •    Montenegro        •    Uzbekistan        
    •    Faeroe Islands             •    Montserrat         •    Vanuatu            
    •    Finland                       •    Morocco             •    Vatican City        
                                          •    Mozambique       •    Vietnam            
                                          •    Namibia             •    Wallis and Futuna        
                                          •    Nepal                            
                                          •    Netherlands                        
                                          •    Netherlands Antilles                
                                          •    New Caledonia                        
                                            
     •    Egypt                         •    Micronesia           •    United Kingdom         
    •    El Salvador                  •    Moldova             •    United States of America    
    •    Eritrea                        •    Monaco              •    U.S. Virgin Islands    
    •    Estonia                       •    Mongolia            •    Uruguay            
    •    Ethiopia                      •    Montenegro        •    Uzbekistan        
    •    Faeroe Islands             •    Montserrat         •    Vanuatu            
    •    Finland                       •    Morocco             •    Vatican City        
                                          •    Mozambique       •    Vietnam            
                                          •    Namibia             •    Wallis and Futuna        
                                          •    Nepal                            
                                          •    Netherlands                        
                                          •    Netherlands Antilles                
                                          •    New Caledonia                        
                                            
                                            




                                           





    Tags: Shipping to Kiribati

    Moving your College Student-Freight Furniture

    Posted on Wed, Jul 30, 2014

    It is time to get your student ready to go to college. If you have a first time freshman or a returning student you need to plan to move their possessions to campus.
    Many students want to take some of their personal furniture to college with them. It may be as small as an end table, but some students want to move their entire bedroom. This is when small load moving comes into effect.

    You can request for the furniture to be moved on a freight truck. The furniture is loaded onto a pallet and then shipped cross country. Your student will be called a day ahead of the delivery to set up a convenient delivery time. You can even request inside white glove delivery.

    With a small student move, remember that there is no minimum dollar amount that you need to spend, and no minimum weight requirement. The shipments cost is based on the size, weight and value of the items being shipped. You can be moving to University of Houston or to Ohio State University or any other university and use this service. 

    If you would like more information about moving a small amount of furniture, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston. We can offer moving tips and moving advice for all types of moves. If you student is moving overseas, we can even help you with international shipping.

    Tags: Moving

    Container Shipping? Not! Apartment Building? Yes!

    Posted on Wed, Jul 30, 2014

    Using shipping  containers for modern construction has been one of our favorite topics in past blogs. This current use of recycled containers is another brilliant idea.

    While past uses have been for businesses and homes, this is the first one that we have seen using containers for an apartment building. And it is happening here in the USA.  

    It will have an open floor plan with a lot of glass. They will be insulated and will be similar to conventional housing.  These are larger units than traditional apartments.  This apartment building is scheduled for Washington DC.  Since housing is expensive there, this is an affordable alternative to expensive housing.

    At pack n send in Houston, we have been involved in recycling for over 30 years. While we use our containers for more traditional international freight and cargo shipping, we are always on the lookout for alternative uses for shipping containers. Traditional containers are used for freighting merchandise, freighting furniture or freighting commodities. Cargo put into pallets are loaded onto ships and shipped worldwide.

    Imagine letting your guest know that your current residence has travelled to Africa, China and South America way before your lived there. Quite a story to go along with a new apartment.

    Here are some other countries that the new apartment built out of containers may have visited.

     

    •    Albania                                                                •    France            •    New Zealand        
    •    Algeria        •    French Guinana        •    Nicaragua            
    •    American Samoa        •    French Polynesia        •    Niger            
    •    Andorra        •    The Gambia        •    Nigeria            
    •    Angola        •    Germany            •    Norway            
    •    Anguilla        •    Georgia            •    Oman            
    •    Antigua and Barbuda        •    Ghana            •    Pakistan            
    •    Argentina        •    Gibraltar            •    Palau            
    •    Armenia        •    Greece            •    Palestine            
    •    Aruba        •    Greenland            •    Panama            
    •    Australia        •    Grenada            •    Papa New Guinea        
    •    Austria        •    Guadeloupe        •    Paraguay            
    •    Azerbaijan         •    Guam            •    Peru            
    •    Bahrain        •    Guatemala        •    Phillipines            
    •    Bangladesh        •    Guinea            •    Poland            
    •    Barbados        •    Guyana             •    Portugal            
    •    Baruba        •    Honduras            •    Puerto Rico        
    •    Belarus        •    Hong Kong        •    Reunion            
    •    Belize        •    Hungary              •    Romania            
    •    Belgium        •    India            •    Russia            
    •    Benin        •    Indonesia            •    Rwanda            
    •    Bermuda        •    Iraq            •    Saba            
    •    Bhutan        •    Ireland            •    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    •    Bolivia |        •    Israel            •    Samoa            
    •    Bonaire        •    Italy             •    San Marino        
    •    Botswana        •    Ivory Coast        •    Saudi Arabia        
    •    Bosnia and Herzegovina    •    Japan            •    Senegal            
    •    Brazil        •    Jordan            •    Serbia            
    •    Brittish Virgin Islands        •    Kenya            •    Seychelles            
    •    Brunei        •    Kuwait            •    Singapore            
    •    Bulgaria        •    Kyrgyzstan        •    Slovak Republic        
    •    Burkina Faso        •    Laos            •    Slovenia            
    •    Burundi         •    Latvia            •    South Africa        
    •    Cameroon        •    Lebanon            •    South Korea        
    •    Canada        •    Lesotho            •    Spain            
    •    Cape Verde        •    Liberia            •    St. Maarten        
    •    Cayman Islands        •    Libya            •    St. Vincent        
    •    Chile        •    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy    •    Suriname            
    •    China        •    Liechtenstein        •    Swaziland            
    •    Colombia        •    Lithuania            •    Sweden            
    •    Congo        •    Luxembourg         •    Switzerland        
    •    Congo Republic of        •    Macedonia            •    Syria            
    •    Cook Island        •    Madagascar        •    Taiwan            
    •    Costa Rica        •    Malawi            •    Tanzania Thailand        
    •    Croatia        •    Malaysia            •    Tonga            
    •    Curaco        •    Maldives            •    Tongo            
    •    Cyprus        •    Mali            •    Trinidad and Tobago    
    •    Czech Republic        •    Malta            •    Tunisia             
    •    Denmark        •    Marshall Islands        •    Turkey            
    •    Djibouti        •    Martinique            •    Turks and Caicos Islands    
    •    Dominica        •    Mauritania            •    Uganda            
    •    Dominican Republic         •    Mauritius            •    Ukraine            
    •    Ecuador        •    Mexico            •    United Arab Emirates    
    •    Egypt        •    Micronesia            •    United Kingdom         
    •    El Salvador        •    Moldova            •    United States of America    
    •    Eritrea        •    Monaco            •    U.S. Virgin Islands    
    •    Estonia        •    Mongolia            •    Uruguay            
    •    Ethiopia        •    Montenegro        •    Uzbekistan        
    •    Faeroe Islands        •    Montserrat            •    Vanuatu            
    •    Finland        •    Morocco            •    Vatican City        
            •    Mozambique        •    Vietnam            
            •    Namibia            •    Wallis and Futuna        
            •    Nepal                            
            •    Netherlands                        
            •    Netherlands Antilles                
            •    New Caledonia


    If you have questions about traditional container shipping or container loading, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston.


    Tags: Container Uses, Freight Companies Houston

    International Shipping to Greece? See Prohibitions

    Posted on Tue, Jul 29, 2014

    According to the USPS there are some prohibitions when mailing to Greece. We have listed some of the prohibitions below.

    Prohibitions:

    • Aluminum foil for tobacco manufacturing
    • Arms and weapons.
    • Coins
    • traveler’s checks
    • platinum
    • gold or silver, manufactured or not
    • precious stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles
    • Firearms, swords, and any articles containing them.
    • Human remains.
    • Live plants and animals
    • Perishable infectious biological substances
    • Perishable noninfectious biological substances
    • Playing cards
    • Saccharine
    • Tobacco
    • Cigars
    • Cigarettes
    • cigarette papers
    • Radioactive materials

    Greece also has mailing restrictions which can be found on the USPS website.

    • Greece’s official name is the Hellenic Republic.
    • Athens is the capital of Greece..
    • Urban areas have about two thirds of the Greek population.
    • The official language of Greece is Greek.
    • Euro is the currency of Greece.
    • There are thousands of islands that make up parts of Greece
    • Greece contains many mountains.

    If you have questions about shipping to Greece or questions about Houston commercial freight preparation to other countries, please feel free to contact us. We have compiled a partial list of the countries where we offer international shipping service.

    •    Albania                                                           
    •    Algeria
    •    American Samoa
    •    Andorra
    •    Angola
    •    Anguilla
    •    Antigua and Barbuda
    •    Argentina
    •    Armenia
    •    Aruba
    •    Australia
    •    Austria
    •    Azerbaijan 
    •    Bahrain
    •    Bangladesh
    •    Barbados
    •    Baruba
    •    Belarus
    •    Belize
    •    Belgium
    •    Benin
    •    Bermuda
    •    Bhutan
    •    Bolivia |
    •    Bonaire
    •    Botswana
    •    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    •    Brazil
    •    Brittish Virgin Islands
    •    Brunei
    •    Bulgaria
    •    Burkina Faso
    •    Burundi 
    •    Cameroon
    •    Canada
    •    Cape Verde
    •    Cayman Islands
    •    Chile
    •    China
    •    Colombia
    •    Congo
    •    Congo Republic of
    •    Cook Island
    •    Costa Rica
    •    Croatia
    •    Curaco
    •    Cyprus
    •    Czech Republic
    •    Denmark
    •    Djibouti
    •    Dominica
    •    Dominican Republic 
    •    Ecuador
    •    Egypt
    •    El Salvador
    •    Eritrea
    •    Estonia
    •    Ethiopia
    •    Faeroe Islands
    •    Finland
    •    France
    •    French Guinana
    •    French Polynesia
    •    The Gambia
    •    Germany
    •    Georgia
    •    Ghana
    •    Gibraltar
    •    Greece
    •    Greenland
    •    Grenada
    •    Guadeloupe
    •    Guam
    •    Guatemala
    •    Guinea
    •    Guyana 
    •    Honduras
    •    Hong Kong
    •    Hungary  
    •    India
    •    Indonesia
    •    Iraq
    •    Ireland
    •    Israel
    •    Italy 
    •    Ivory Coast
    •    Japan
    •    Jordan
    •    Kenya
    •    Kuwait
    •    Kyrgyzstan
    •    Laos
    •    Latvia
    •    Lebanon
    •    Lesotho
    •    Liberia
    •    Libya
    •    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    •    Liechtenstein
    •    Lithuania
    •    Luxembourg 
    •    Macedonia
    •    Madagascar
    •    Malawi
    •    Malaysia
    •    Maldives
    •    Mali
    •    Malta
    •    Marshall Islands
    •    Martinique
    •    Mauritania
    •    Mauritius
    •    Mexico
    •    Micronesia
    •    Moldova
    •    Monaco
    •    Mongolia
    •    Montenegro
    •    Montserrat
    •    Morocco
    •    Mozambique
    •    Namibia
    •    Nepal
    •    Netherlands
    •    Netherlands Antilles
    •    New Caledonia
    •    New Zealand
    •    Nicaragua
    •    Niger
    •    Nigeria
    •    Norway
    •    Oman
    •    Pakistan
    •    Palau
    •    Palestine
    •    Panama
    •    Papa New Guinea
    •    Paraguay
    •    Peru
    •    Phillipines
    •    Poland
    •    Portugal
    •    Puerto Rico

    •    Reunion

    •    Romania
    •    Russia
    •    Rwanda
    •    Saba
    •    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    •    Samoa
    •    San Marino
    •    Saudi Arabia
    •    Senegal
    •    Serbia
    •    Seychelles
    •    Singapore
    •    Slovak Republic
    •    Slovenia
    •    South Africa
    •    South Korea
    •    Spain
    •    Sri Lanka
    •    St. Barthelemy
    •    St. Eustatius
    •    St. Kitts and Nevis
    •    St. Lucia
    •    St. Maarten
    •    St. Vincent
    •    Suriname
    •    Swaziland
    •    Sweden
    •    Switzerland
    •    Syria
    •    Taiwan
    •    Tanzania Thailand
    •    Tonga
    •    Tongo
    •    Trinidad and Tobago
    •    Tunisia 
    •    Turkey
    •    Turks and Caicos Islands
    •    Uganda
    •    Ukraine
    •    United Arab Emirates
    •    United Kingdom 
    •    United States of America
    •    U.S. Virgin Islands
    •    Uruguay
    •    Uzbekistan
    •    Vanuatu
    •    Vatican City
    •    Vietnam

    Tags: Shipping to Greece

    Laos - See Shipping Restrictions

    Posted on Tue, Jul 29, 2014

    Shipping to Laos presents shippers with a challenge. Although the USPS website lists few restrictions, senders are requested to obtain permission from the government before any merchandise is sent to Laos. The Laotian authorities must approve items for importation into the country.


    There are fewer than 30 post offices open in the country. The post offices are listed below.
    for Mailing – Laos

    Prohibitions (130)
    • Coins
    • Banknotes
    • currency notes (paper money)
    • securities of any kind payable to bearer
    • traveler's checks
    • platinum
    • gold
    • silver (manufactured or not
    • precious stones
    • jewelry
    • other valuable articles.
    • Perishable infectious biological substances
    • Perishable noninfectious biological substances
    • Radioactive materials

    Observations
    The following are the only post offices in operation:
    Attapeu
    Houeisai
    Khammouane
    Luangnamtha
    Luangprabang
    Oudomxay
    Paksane
    Paksé
    Phonehong
    Phongsaly
    Samneua
    Saravane
    Savannakhet
    Sayaboury
    Sékong
    Vientiane
    Xiengkhouang

    A few facts about the country of Laos
    1. In December 1975, the official name of Laos was changed to: “Lao People’s Democratic Republic”. For some inexplicable reason, the country is still referred to as Laos.
    2. Laotians have a three day long New Year celebration. It is held April 13 to 15..
    3.Laos has been named “World’s Most Bombed Country.” Over 2 billion tons of bombs were dropped in Laos during the Vietnam War.
    4. The highest point in Laos, the Phou Bia. It is not open to tourists because it is filled with unexploded ammunition.
    5. Laos’ largest agricultural export is coffee.
    6. A eighty percent 80% of Laotian work is in agriculture.

     

     

    If you have questions about shipping to Laos or international shipping to other countries, please feel free to contact us. We have compiled a partial list of the countries where we offer international shipping service.

     

    •    Albania                                                           
    •    Algeria
    •    American Samoa
    •    Andorra
    •    Angola
    •    Anguilla
    •    Antigua and Barbuda
    •    Argentina
    •    Armenia
    •    Aruba
    •    Australia
    •    Austria
    •    Azerbaijan 
    •    Bahrain
    •    Bangladesh
    •    Barbados
    •    Baruba
    •    Belarus
    •    Belize
    •    Belgium
    •    Benin
    •    Bermuda
    •    Bhutan
    •    Bolivia |
    •    Bonaire
    •    Botswana
    •    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    •    Brazil
    •    Brittish Virgin Islands
    •    Brunei
    •    Bulgaria
    •    Burkina Faso
    •    Burundi 
    •    Cameroon
    •    Canada
    •    Cape Verde
    •    Cayman Islands
    •    Chile
    •    China
    •    Colombia
    •    Congo
    •    Congo Republic of
    •    Cook Island
    •    Costa Rica
    •    Croatia
    •    Curaco
    •    Cyprus
    •    Czech Republic
    •    Denmark
    •    Djibouti
    •    Dominica
    •    Dominican Republic 
    •    Ecuador
    •    Egypt
    •    El Salvador
    •    Eritrea
    •    Estonia
    •    Ethiopia
    •    Faeroe Islands
    •    Finland
    •    France
    •    French Guinana
    •    French Polynesia
    •    The Gambia
    •    Germany
    •    Georgia
    •    Ghana
    •    Gibraltar
    •    Greece
    •    Greenland
    •    Grenada
    •    Guadeloupe
    •    Guam
    •    Guatemala
    •    Guinea
    •    Guyana 
    •    Honduras
    •    Hong Kong
    •    Hungary  
    •    India
    •    Indonesia
    •    Iraq
    •    Ireland
    •    Israel
    •    Italy 
    •    Ivory Coast
    •    Japan
    •    Jordan
    •    Kenya
    •    Kuwait
    •    Kyrgyzstan
    •    Laos
    •    Latvia
    •    Lebanon
    •    Lesotho
    •    Liberia
    •    Libya
    •    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    •    Liechtenstein
    •    Lithuania
    •    Luxembourg 
    •    Madagascar
    •    Malawi
    •    Malaysia
    •    Maldives
    •    Mali
    •    Malta
    •    Marshall Islands
    •    Martinique
    •    Mauritania
    •    Mauritius
    •    Mexico
    •    Micronesia
    •    Moldova
    •    Monaco
    •    Mongolia
    •    Montenegro
    •    Montserrat
    •    Morocco
    •    Mozambique
    •    Namibia
    •    Nepal
    •    Netherlands
    •    Netherlands Antilles
    •    New Caledonia
    •    New Zealand
    •    Nicaragua
    •    Niger
    •    Nigeria
    •    Norway
    •    Oman
    •    Pakistan
    •    Palau
    •    Palestine
    •    Panama
    •    Papa New Guinea
    •    Paraguay
    •    Peru
    •    Phillipines
    •    Poland
    •    Portugal
    •    Puerto Rico

    •    Reunion

    •    Romania
    •    Russia
    •    Rwanda
    •    Saba
    •    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    •    Samoa
    •    San Marino
    •    Saudi Arabia
    •    Senegal
    •    Serbia
    •    Seychelles
    •    Singapore
    •    Slovak Republic
    •    Slovenia
    •    South Africa
    •    South Korea
    •    Spain
    •    Sri Lanka
    •    St. Barthelemy
    •    St. Eustatius
    •    St. Kitts and Nevis
    •    St. Lucia
    •    St. Maarten
    •    St. Vincent
    •    Suriname
    •    Swaziland
    •    Sweden
    •    Switzerland
    •    Syria
    •    Taiwan
    •    Tanzania Thailand
    •    Tonga
    •    Tongo
    •    Trinidad and Tobago
    •    Tunisia 
    •    Turkey
    •    Turks and Caicos Islands
    •    Uganda
    •    Ukraine
    •    United Arab Emirates
    •    United Kingdom 
    •    United States of America
    •    U.S. Virgin Islands
    •    Uruguay
    •    Uzbekistan
    •    Vanuatu
    •    Vatican City
    •    Vietnam
    •    Wallis and Futuna

    Tags: Shipping to Laos

    Shipping to Ethiopia? See these restrictions.

    Posted on Mon, Jul 28, 2014

    According to the USPS site, shipping to Ethiopia involves very few restrictions.

      The most notable restriction is that used clothes may not be shipped via USPS. 

    Platinum, gold, silver and precious stones are prohibited. The website mentions prohibitions against   other valuable articles, but does not list what these articles are.

    Prohibitions:

     

    1. coins
    2. banknotes
    3. currency notes (paper money)
    4. securities payable to bearer
    5. traveler's checks
    6. manufactured and  non manufactured platinum
    7. gold
    8. silver
    9. precious stones
    10.  jewelry
    11. other valuable articles


    Restrictions


    Cassettes, video tapes, books, and magazines require authorization of the Ministry of Information and Education.


    Merchandise valued more than 50 Birr require authorization of the National Bank.


    Prepared foods and beverages, used clothes, medicines require authorization of the Ministry of Public Health.
    Observations


    1. Letter-post items may not contain dutiable articles.
    2. Postal authorities of Ethiopia may collect domestic postage from addressees for inbound shipments.

    Fun facts about the culture of Ethiopia:


    •    While there are more than eighty different ethnic groups in Ethiopia that speak eighty different languages, there are also languages and over two hundred dialects are spoken in
    Ethiopia.
    •    Ethiopia is  still known as the Cradle of Mankind  
    •    An interesting fact about Ethiopia is that they follow the Julian calendar that has twelve months of thirty days each.  The thirteenth month has five or six days.  The Julian calendar is about seven and a half years behind the Gregorian calendar.
    •    New Years day is celebrated September eleventh during a regular year and on September 12th during a leap year.

    •    Teff is found in Ethiopia. Teff is the smallest grain in the world and is rich in calcium, phosphorous, iron, copper, aluminum, barium and thiamine and it is a good source of protein, amino acids, carbohydrates and fiber.  It is great gluten-free.
    •    There are Nine hundred twenty four species of birds found in Ethiopia, Ethiopia is a bird-watchers paradise.   
    •    Coffee was discovered in Ethiopia, in the region of Kaffa. It is one of the world’s most popular beverages


    If you need to ship to Ethiopia, please contact pack n send in Houston. We can pack and ship to Ethiopia or just about anywhere else in the world. We can quote the cost tom move furniture across the country or around the world.  We handle both international moving and international freight and freight preparation.  We specialize in custom crating, and custom crate building. We have listed below some of the countries that we ship to.


    •    Algeria
    •    American Samoa
    •    Andorra
    •    Angola
    •    Anguilla
    •    Antigua and Barbuda
    •    Argentina
    •    Armenia
    •    Aruba
    •    Australia
    •    Austria
    •    Azerbaijan
    •    Bahrain
    •    Bangladesh
    •    Barbados
    •    Baruba
    •    Belarus
    •    Belize
    •    Belgium
    •    Benin
    •    Bermuda
    •    Bhutan
    •    Bolivia |
    •    Bonaire
    •    Botswana
    •    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    •    Brazil
    •    Brittish Virgin Islands
    •    Brunei
    •    Bulgaria
    •    Burkina Faso
    •    Burundi
    •    Cameroon
    •    Canada
    •    Cape Verde
    •    Cayman Islands
    •    Chile
    •    China
    •    Colombia
    •    Congo
    •    Congo Republic of
    •    Cook Island
    •    Costa Rica
    •    Croatia
    •    Curaco
    •    Cyprus
    •    Czech Republic
    •    Denmark
    •    Djibouti
    •    Dominica
    •    Dominican Republic
    •    Ecuador
    •    Egypt
    •    El Salvador
    •    Eritrea
    •    Estonia
    •    Ethiopia
    •    Faeroe Islands
    •    Finland
    •    France
    •    French Guinana
    •    French Polynesia
    •    The Gambia
    •    Germany
    •    Georgia
    •    Ghana
    •    Gibraltar
    •    Greece
    •    Greenland
    •    Grenada
    •    Guadeloupe
    •    Guam
    •    Guatemala
    •    Guinea
    •    Guyana
    •    Honduras
    •    Hong Kong
    •    Hungary  
    •    India
    •    Indonesia
    •    Iraq
    •    Ireland
    •    Israel
    •    Italy
    •    Ivory Coast
    •    Japan
    •    Jordan
    •    Kenya
    •    Kuwait
    •    Kyrgyzstan
    •    Laos
    •    Latvia
    •    Lebanon
    •    Lesotho
    •    Liberia
    •    Libya
    •    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    •    Liechtenstein
    •    Lithuania
    •    Luxembourg
    •    Macedonia
    •    Madagascar
    •    Malawi
    •    Malaysia
    •    Maldives
    •    Mali
    •    Malta
    •    Marshall Islands
    •    Martinique
    •    Mauritania
    •    Mauritius
    •    Mexico
    •    Micronesia
    •    Moldova
    •    Monaco
    •    Mongolia
    •    Montenegro
    •    Montserrat
    •    Morocco
    •    Mozambique
    •    Namibia
    •    Nepal
    •    Netherlands
    •    Netherlands Antilles
    •    New Caledonia
    •    New Zealand
    •    Nicaragua
    •    Niger
    •    Nigeria
    •    Norway
    •    Oman
    •    Pakistan
    •    Palau
    •    Palestine
    •    Panama
    •    Papa New Guinea
    •    Paraguay
    •    Peru
    •    Phillipines
    •    Poland
    •    Portugal
    •    Puerto Rico
    •    Reunion
    •    Romania
    •    Russia
    •    Rwanda
    •    Saba
    •    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    •    Samoa
    •    San Marino
    •    Saudi Arabia
    •    Senegal
    •    Serbia
    •    Seychelles
    •    Singapore
    •    Slovak Republic
    •    Slovenia
    •    South Africa
    •    South Korea
    •    Spain
    •    Sri Lanka
    •    St. Barthelemy
    •    St. Eustatius
    •    St. Kitts and Nevis
    •    St. Lucia
    •    St. Maarten
    •    St. Vincent
    •    Suriname
    •    Swaziland
    •    Sweden
    •    Switzerland
    •    Syria
    •    Taiwan
    •    Tanzania Thailand
    •    Tonga
    •    Tongo
    •    Trinidad and Tobago
    •    Tunisia
    •    Turkey
    •    Turks and Caicos Islands
    •    Uganda
    •    Ukraine
    •    United Arab Emirates
    •    United Kingdom
    •    United States of America
    •    U.S. Virgin Islands
    •    Uruguay
    •    Uzbekistan
    •    Vanuatu
    •    Vatican City
    •    Vietnam
    •    Wallis and Futuna



    Tags: Shippint to Ethiopia

    Shipping to Gibraltar-A few Prohibitions

    Posted on Fri, Jul 25, 2014

    According to the USPS, there are very few items that are prohibited from being shipped into Gibraltar via the mail service.

    Prohibitions  

    Arms and weapons.

    Human remains.

    Lighters containing butane gas and refills therefor.

    Live plants and animals.

    Perishable infectious biological substances.

    Perishable noninfectious biological substances.

    Radioactive materials.

    Restrictions:

    None 

    Fun & Interesting Facts about Gibraltar

    Spanish is the official language of Gibraltar. Spanish is the unofficial language of Gibraltar.

    The major religion of Gibraltar is Roman Catholic.

    There is evidence that humans lived in Gibraltar during the Neanderthal period.

    Residents of Gibraltar are British citizens.

    If you are would like to ship to Gibraltar or any of the countries listed below, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston. We can pack and send for you just about anywhere in the world. We build custom crates, custom pallets or custom boxes for your shipment. We specialize in crating artwork and ship furniture.

    • Albania
    • Algeria
    • American Samoa
    • Andorra
    • Angola
    • Anguilla
    • Antigua and Barbuda
    • Argentina
    • Armenia
    • Aruba
    • Australia
    • Austria
    • Azerbaijan 
    • Bahrain
    • Bangladesh
    • Barbados
    • Baruba
    • Belarus
    • Belize
    • Belgium
    • Benin
    • Bermuda
    • Bhutan
    • Bolivia |
    • Bonaire
    • Botswana
    • Bosnia and Herzegovina
    • Brazil
    • Brittish Virgin Islands
    • Brunei
    • Bulgaria
    • Burkina Faso
    • Burundi 
    • Cameroon
    • Canada
    • Cape Verde
    • Cayman Islands
    • Chile
    • China
    • Colombia
    • Congo
    • Congo Republic of
    • Cook Island
    • Costa Rica
    • Croatia
    • Curaco
    • Cyprus
    • Czech Republic
    • Denmark
    • Djibouti
    • Dominica
    • Dominican Republic 
    • Ecuador
    • Egypt
    • El Salvador
    • Eritrea
    • Estonia
    • Ethiopia
    • Faeroe Islands
    • Finland
    • France
    • French Guinana
    • French Polynesia
    • The Gambia
    • Germany
    • Georgia
    • Ghana
    • Gibraltar
    • Greece
    • Greenland
    • Grenada
    • Guadeloupe
    • Guam
    • Guatemala
    • Guinea
    • Guyana 
    • Honduras
    • Hong Kong
    • Hungary 
    • India
    • Indonesia
    • Iraq
    • Ireland
    • Israel
    • Italy 
    • Ivory Coast
    • Japan
    • Jordan
    • Kenya
    • Kuwait
    • Kyrgyzstan
    • Laos
    • Latvia
    • Lebanon
    • Lesotho
    • Liberia
    • Libya
    • Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    • Liechtenstein
    • Lithuania
    • Luxembourg 
    • Macedonia
    • Madagascar
    • Malawi
    • Malaysia
    • Maldives
    • Mali
    • Malta
    • Marshall Islands
    • Martinique
    • Mauritania
    • Mauritius
    • Mexico
    • Micronesia
    • Moldova
    • Monaco
    • Mongolia
    • Montenegro
    • Montserrat
    • Morocco
    • Mozambique
    • Namibia
    • Nepal
    • Netherlands
    • Netherlands Antilles
    • New Caledonia
    • New Zealand
    • Nicaragua
    • Niger
    • Nigeria
    • Norway
    • Oman
    • Pakistan
    • Palau
    • Palestine
    • Panama
    • Papa New Guinea
    • Paraguay
    • Peru
    • Phillipines
    • Poland
    • Portugal
    • Puerto Rico

    • Reunion

    • Romania
    • Russia
    • Rwanda
    • Saba
    • Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    • Samoa
    • San Marino
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Senegal
    • Serbia
    • Seychelles
    • Singapore
    • Slovak Republic
    • Slovenia
    • South Africa
    • South Korea
    • Spain
    • Sri Lanka
    • St. Barthelemy
    • St. Eustatius
    • St. Kitts and Nevis
    • St. Lucia
    • St. Maarten
    • St. Vincent
    • Suriname
    • Swaziland
    • Sweden
    • Switzerland
    • Syria
    • Taiwan
    • Tanzania Thailand
    • Tonga
    • Tongo
    • Trinidad and Tobago
    • Tunisia 
    • Turkey
    • Turks and Caicos Islands
    • Uganda
    • Ukraine
    • United Arab Emirates
    • United Kingdom 
    • United States of America
    • U.S. Virgin Islands
    • Uruguay
    • Uzbekistan
    • Vanuatu
    • Vatican City
    • Vietnam
    • Wallis and Futuna

     

    • Albania
    • Algeria
    • American Samoa
    • Andorra
    • Angola
    • Anguilla
    • Antigua and Barbuda
    • Argentina
    • Armenia
    • Aruba
    • Australia
    • Austria
    • Azerbaijan 
    • Bahrain
    • Bangladesh
    • Barbados
    • Baruba
    • Belarus
    • Belize
    • Belgium
    • Benin
    • Bermuda
    • Bhutan
    • Bolivia |
    • Bonaire
    • Botswana
    • Bosnia and Herzegovina
    • Brazil
    • Brittish Virgin Islands
    • Brunei
    • Bulgaria
    • Burkina Faso
    • Burundi 
    • Cameroon
    • Canada
    • Cape Verde
    • Cayman Islands
    • Chile
    • China
    • Colombia
    • Congo
    • Congo Republic of
    • Cook Island
    • Costa Rica
    • Croatia
    • Curaco
    • Cyprus
    • Czech Republic
    • Denmark
    • Djibouti
    • Dominica
    • Dominican Republic 
    • Ecuador
    • Egypt
    • El Salvador
    • Eritrea
    • Estonia
    • Ethiopia
    • Faeroe Islands
    • Finland
    • France
    • French Guinana
    • French Polynesia
    • The Gambia
    • Germany
    • Georgia
    • Ghana
    • Gibraltar
    • Greece
    • Greenland
    • Grenada
    • Guadeloupe
    • Guam
    • Guatemala
    • Guinea
    • Guyana 
    • Honduras
    • Hong Kong
    • Hungary 
    • India
    • Indonesia
    • Iraq
    • Ireland
    • Israel
    • Italy 
    • Ivory Coast
    • Japan
    • Jordan
    • Kenya
    • Kuwait
    • Kyrgyzstan
    • Laos
    • Latvia
    • Lebanon
    • Lesotho
    • Liberia
    • Libya
    • Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    • Liechtenstein
    • Lithuania
    • Luxembourg 
    • Macedonia
    • Madagascar
    • Malawi
    • Malaysia
    • Maldives
    • Mali
    • Malta
    • Marshall Islands
    • Martinique
    • Mauritania
    • Mauritius
    • Mexico
    • Micronesia
    • Moldova
    • Monaco
    • Mongolia
    • Montenegro
    • Montserrat
    • Morocco
    • Mozambique
    • Namibia
    • Nepal
    • Netherlands
    • Netherlands Antilles
    • New Caledonia
    • New Zealand
    • Nicaragua
    • Niger
    • Nigeria
    • Norway
    • Oman
    • Pakistan
    • Palau
    • Palestine
    • Panama
    • Papa New Guinea
    • Paraguay
    • Peru
    • Phillipines
    • Poland
    • Portugal
    • Puerto Rico

    • Reunion

    • Romania
    • Russia
    • Rwanda
    • Saba
    • Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    • Samoa
    • San Marino
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Senegal
    • Serbia
    • Seychelles
    • Singapore
    • Slovak Republic
    • Slovenia
    • South Africa
    • South Korea
    • Spain
    • Sri Lanka
    • St. Barthelemy
    • St. Eustatius
    • St. Kitts and Nevis
    • St. Lucia
    • St. Maarten
    • St. Vincent
    • Suriname
    • Swaziland
    • Sweden
    • Switzerland
    • Syria
    • Taiwan
    • Tanzania Thailand
    • Tonga
    • Tongo
    • Trinidad and Tobago
    • Tunisia 
    • Turkey
    • Turks and Caicos Islands
    • Uganda
    • Ukraine
    • United Arab Emirates
    • United Kingdom 
    • United States of America
    • U.S. Virgin Islands
    • Uruguay
    • Uzbekistan
    • Vanuatu
    • Vatican City
    • Vietnam
    • Wallis and Futuna

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Tags: Shipping to Gibraltar, International shipping service

    International Shipping to Chile - Some Rules

    Posted on Thu, Jul 24, 2014

     International shipping to Chile involves very few shipping restrictions according to the USPS website.  We have listed below the items that are prohibited being sent by Priority Mail Express International.

    •    Coins
    •    Banknotes
    •    currency notes
    •    including paper money
    •    securities of any kind payable to bearer
    •    traveler’s checks
    •    platinum, gold
    •    silver
    •    precious stones
    •    jewelry
    •    watches
    •    other valuable articles

        Here a few facts about the country of Chile:


    •    The official title of Chile is the Republic of Chile.
    •    Chile is the longest north-south trending country in the world at over 2800 miles in length, however on average it is just 93 miles km wide from east to west...
    •    Spanish is the official language of Chile.
    •    As of July 2013 Chile was home to over seventeen million people.
    •    Tennis is the sport where the people of Chile are the most successful.
    •    The countries favorite sport is soccer (football)
    If you have questions about shipping furniture across country or are looking for a freight preparation company, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston. Besides shipping to Chile, we are able to ship to the following other countries.

    •    Albania
    •    Algeria
    •    American Samoa
    •    Andorra
    •    Angola
    •    Anguilla
    •    Antigua and Barbuda
    •    Argentina
    •    Armenia
    •    Aruba
    •    Australia
    •    Austria
    •    Azerbaijan 
    •    Bahrain
    •    Bangladesh
    •    Barbados
    •    Baruba
    •    Belarus
    •    Belize
    •    Belgium
    •    Benin
    •    Bermuda
    •    Bhutan
    •    Bolivia |
    •    Bonaire
    •    Botswana
    •    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    •    Brazil
    •    Brittish Virgin Islands
    •    Brunei
    •    Bulgaria
    •    Burkina Faso
    •    Burundi 
    •    Cameroon
    •    Canada
    •    Cape Verde
    •    Cayman Islands
    •    Chile
    •    China
    •    Colombia
    •    Congo
    •    Congo Republic of
    •    Cook Island
    •    Costa Rica
    •    Croatia
    •    Curaco
    •    Cyprus
    •    Czech Republic
    •    Denmark
    •    Djibouti
    •    Dominica
    •    Dominican Republic 
    •    Ecuador
    •    Egypt
    •    El Salvador
    •    Eritrea
    •    Estonia
    •    Ethiopia
    •    Faeroe Islands
    •    Finland
    •    France
    •    French Guinana
    •    French Polynesia
    •    The Gambia
    •    Germany
    •    Georgia
    •    Ghana
    •    Gibraltar
    •    Greece
    •    Greenland
    •    Grenada
    •    Guadeloupe
    •    Guam
    •    Guatemala
    •    Guinea
    •    Guyana 
    •    Honduras
    •    Hong Kong
    •    Hungary  
    •    India
    •    Indonesia
    •    Iraq
    •    Ireland
    •    Israel
    •    Italy 
    •    Ivory Coast
    •    Japan
    •    Jordan
    •    Kenya
    •    Kuwait
    •    Kyrgyzstan
    •    Laos
    •    Latvia
    •    Lebanon
    •    Lesotho
    •    Liberia
    •    Libya
    •    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    •    Liechtenstein
    •    Lithuania
    •    Luxembourg 
    •    Macedonia
    •    Madagascar
    •    Malawi
    •    Malaysia
    •    Maldives
    •    Mali
    •    Malta
    •    Marshall Islands
    •    Martinique
    •    Mauritania
    •    Mauritius
    •    Mexico
    •    Micronesia
    •    Moldova
    •    Monaco
    •    Mongolia
    •    Montenegro
    •    Montserrat
    •    Morocco
    •    Mozambique
    •    Namibia
    •    Nepal
    •    Netherlands
    •    Netherlands Antilles
    •    New Caledonia
    •    New Zealand
    •    Nicaragua
    •    Niger
    •    Nigeria
    •    Norway
    •    Oman
    •    Pakistan
    •    Palau
    •    Palestine
    •    Panama
    •    Papa New Guinea
    •    Paraguay
    •    Peru
    •    Phillipines
    •    Poland
    •    Portugal
    •    Puerto Rico

    •    Reunion

    •    Romania
    •    Russia
    •    Rwanda
    •    Saba
    •    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    •    Samoa
    •    San Marino
    •    Saudi Arabia
    •    Senegal
    •    Serbia
    •    Seychelles
    •    Singapore
    •    Slovak Republic
    •    Slovenia
    •    South Africa
    •    South Korea
    •    Spain
    •    Sri Lanka
    •    St. Barthelemy
    •    St. Eustatius
    •    St. Kitts and Nevis
    •    St. Lucia
    •    St. Maarten
    •    St. Vincent
    •    Suriname
    •    Swaziland
    •    Sweden
    •    Switzerland
    •    Syria
    •    Taiwan
    •    Tanzania Thailand
    •    Tonga
    •    Tongo
    •    Trinidad and Tobago
    •    Tunisia 
    •    Turkey
    •    Turks and Caicos Islands
    •    Uganda
    •    Ukraine
    •    United Arab Emirates
    •    United Kingdom 
    •    United States of America
    •    U.S. Virgin Islands
    •    Uruguay
    •    Uzbekistan
    •    Vanuatu
    •    Vatican City
    •    Vietnam
    •    Wallis and Futuna


    Tags: International Freight

    Shipping to Albania - Some restrictions listed here

    Posted on Thu, Jul 24, 2014

    According to the USPS, the country of Albania has relatively few import restrictions. The last item in the list below seems to encompass the largest number of items.  We have listed some of the restricted items below.

    Prohibitions (130)
     
    •    Currency of the Albanian State Bank (Banknotes in lek).
    •    Extravagant clothes and other articles contrary to Albanians’ taste.
    •    Items sent by political emigres.
    •    Literature, publications, and other articles prejudicial to the State public order.
    •    Perishable infectious biological substances.
    •    Perishable noninfectious biological substances.
    •    Photographic films, including plates and paper intended for photography.
    •    Publications containing obscene or indecent articles.
    •    Used articles.
    Restrictions  
    Hunting arms require an import permit.
    Medicines for personal use are admitted provided the addressee has a medical certificate.


    Albania hosts many festivals.  Here are just a few of them.

    •    During the month of April, Durres hosts a dance meeting.  It includes classical, folk and modern dances.
    •    During March Tirana as an International Film Festival on Human rights.
    •    May is the month that a carnival is held in Korce City.
    •    July is a Pie Fest in Korce City
    •    A beer Fest is held in Korce City during the month of August.


    If you need help with international shipping, international freight preparation or have shipping question in general, please feel free to contact us at pack n send. We have listed below some of the other countries that we ship to.

    •    Albania
    •    Algeria
    •    American Samoa
    •    Andorra
    •    Angola
    •    Anguilla
    •    Antigua and Barbuda
    •    Argentina
    •    Armenia
    •    Aruba
    •    Australia
    •    Austria
    •    Azerbaijan 
    •    Bahrain
    •    Bangladesh
    •    Barbados
    •    Baruba
    •    Belarus
    •    Belize
    •    Belgium
    •    Benin
    •    Bermuda
    •    Bhutan
    •    Bolivia |
    •    Bonaire
    •    Botswana
    •    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    •    Brazil
    •    Brittish Virgin Islands
    •    Brunei
    •    Bulgaria
    •    Burkina Faso
    •    Burundi 
    •    Cameroon
    •    Canada
    •    Cape Verde
    •    Cayman Islands
    •    Chile
    •    China
    •    Colombia
    •    Congo
    •    Congo Republic of
    •    Cook Island
    •    Costa Rica
    •    Croatia
    •    Curaco
    •    Cyprus
    •    Czech Republic
    •    Denmark
    •    Djibouti
    •    Dominica
    •    Dominican Republic 
    •    Ecuador
    •    Egypt
    •    El Salvador
    •    Eritrea
    •    Estonia
    •    Ethiopia
    •    Faeroe Islands
    •    Finland
    •    France
    •    French Guinana
    •    French Polynesia
    •    The Gambia
    •    Germany
    •    Georgia
    •    Ghana
    •    Gibraltar
    •    Greece
    •    Greenland
    •    Grenada
    •    Guadeloupe
    •    Guam
    •    Guatemala
    •    Guinea
    •    Guyana 
    •    Honduras
    •    Hong Kong
    •    Hungary  
    •    India
    •    Indonesia
    •    Iraq
    •    Ireland
    •    Israel
    •    Italy 
    •    Ivory Coast
    •    Japan
    •    Jordan
    •    Kenya
    •    Kuwait
    •    Kyrgyzstan
    •    Laos
    •    Latvia
    •    Lebanon
    •    Lesotho
    •    Liberia
    •    Libya
    •    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    •    Liechtenstein
    •    Lithuania
    •    Luxembourg 
    •    Macedonia
    •    Madagascar
    •    Malawi
    •    Malaysia
    •    Maldives
    •    Mali
    •    Malta
    •    Marshall Islands
    •    Martinique
    •    Mauritania
    •    Mauritius
    •    Mexico
    •    Micronesia
    •    Moldova
    •    Monaco
    •    Mongolia
    •    Montenegro
    •    Montserrat
    •    Morocco
    •    Mozambique
    •    Namibia
    •    Nepal
    •    Netherlands
    •    Netherlands Antilles
    •    New Caledonia
    •    New Zealand
    •    Nicaragua
    •    Niger
    •    Nigeria
    •    Norway
    •    Oman
    •    Pakistan
    •    Palau
    •    Palestine
    •    Panama
    •    Papa New Guinea
    •    Paraguay
    •    Peru
    •    Phillipines
    •    Poland
    •    Portugal
    •    Puerto Rico

    •    Reunion

    •    Romania
    •    Russia
    •    Rwanda
    •    Saba
    •    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    •    Samoa
    •    San Marino
    •    Saudi Arabia
    •    Senegal
    •    Serbia
    •    Seychelles
    •    Singapore
    •    Slovak Republic
    •    Slovenia
    •    South Africa
    •    South Korea
    •    Spain
    •    Sri Lanka
    •    St. Barthelemy
    •    St. Eustatius
    •    St. Kitts and Nevis
    •    St. Lucia
    •    St. Maarten
    •    St. Vincent
    •    Suriname
    •    Swaziland
    •    Sweden
    •    Switzerland
    •    Syria
    •    Taiwan
    •    Tanzania Thailand
    •    Tonga
    •    Tongo
    •    Trinidad and Tobago
    •    Tunisia 
    •    Turkey
    •    Turks and Caicos Islands
    •    Uganda
    •    Ukraine
    •    United Arab Emirates
    •    United Kingdom 
    •    United States of America
    •    U.S. Virgin Islands
    •    Uruguay
    •    Uzbekistan
    •    Vanuatu
    •    Vatican City
    •    Vietnam
    •    Wallis and Futuna




    If you need help shipping furniture across country in the United States,   shipping via ocean, or shipping via international air freight or please contact us.

    Tags: International air freight

    Shipping to Brazil- Some Restrictions listed here

    Posted on Wed, Jul 23, 2014

    International Shipping to Brazil has a few restrictions. If you want to pack and send something to Brazil, we suggest that you look at the following guidelines. Below we have listed some of the items that the USPS has outlined on their website.



    •    Banknotes
    •     currency notes
    •     paper money
    •     Securities payable to bearer; and traveler’s checks.
    •    Coins; manufactured and unmanufactured platinum, gold, and silver; precious stones; jewels; expensive jewelry; and other valuable articles.
    •    Commercial samples that promote tobacco products or smoking-related merchandise.
    •    Commercial shipments that contain cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, loose and packaged tobacco, pipes, and other smoking devices.
    •    Items whose fragility (due either to nature or inadequate packing) could cause harm to individuals or equipment.
    •    Medicines whose formulas are not listed in the official pharmacopeias or not licensed by the Brazilian Department of Public Health.
    •    Perishable infectious biological substances.
    •    Perishable noninfectious biological substances.
    •    Playing cards.
    •    Poniards, stilettos, poniard blades; canes, umbrellas, or any other articles containing swords, daggers, or guns; handcuffs, and blackjacks.
    •    Primary educational books not written in Portuguese.
    •    Radioactive materials.
    •    Medicines must be accompanied by a prescription from the attendant Brazilian doctor. This prescription should be on a chemist’s form, bearing the name, private address or office of the doctor, his registration number with the Brazil National Medical Council and a Portuguese translation of the instructions, as necessary. Postal packages containing medicaments and not satisfying the above-mentioned conditions will be returned to the senders or, if abandoned, treated as undeliverable items.
    •    Postage stamps are admitted only in registered shipments.
    •    Saccharine and other artificial sweeteners for artificial beverages require permission from the Brazilian Department of Public Health for importation.

    Here are some facts about Brazil:
    •    About 80 per cent of the population is Roman Catholic
    •    The current population (2014) is around one hundred ninety  million people
    •    Portuguese is the official language of Brazil
    •    Brazilians like to dress for dinner. Be sure not to under dress when invited to some ones home for a meal
    •    It is customary to bring a gift of wine or flowers to a hostess
    •    Arriving late is not acceptable. Arrive early when invited to some ones home

    If you are shipping To Brazil and need packing and shipping services, please feel free to contact us at pack n send in Houston. We specialize in custom export crating. We also offer domestic freight preparation and custom packing.

    Tags: Shipping to Brazil

    Rules for International Shipping to Burkina Faso

    Posted on Fri, Jul 18, 2014

    Each country has specific rules and regulations regarding what can be shipping into that country. It is important to find out the details of the rules prior to shipping to verify compliance is maintained. Here are the prohibited items for international shipping to Burkina Faso.
    •    Acids, Corrosives or other Hazardous Chemicals
    •    Batteries
    •    Cosmetics and Perfumes
    •    Blank Stock Checks
    •    Credit Card Blanks
    •    Airline Tickets
    •    Furs
    •    Gases
    •    Dry Ice
    •    Ice (regular and blue)
    •    Non-prescription Drugs
    •    Knives
    •    Liquor
    •    Paints
    •    Poison
    •    Precious Stones and Metals
    •    Ivory
    •    Soil
    In addition to the above prohibited items, Burkina Faso also has the following restrictions:
    •    Salt that will be used by humans must be iodized.
    •    Special authorization is required for explosives, ammunition and other military items.
    •    Clearance by the Ministry of Health is required for medicines.
    •    Quality specifications are in place for electrical batteries.
    Burkina Faso requires documentation with shipments including a Cargo Tracking Note (CTN). In addition, if the value of a shipment is significant a pre-shipment inspection may be required. An inventory list in French of the items shipped may be needed.
    Tariffs may be charged on electronic items that are less than 6 months old so including copies of receipts for items may be wise to verify age. Duties may be charged for computers, cameras and video cameras.
    For those not familiar with Burkina Faso, here is some interesting information:
    •    Burkina Faso was previously called Republic of Upper Volta but changed in 1984. The name includes words from the two main languages and is translated to mean "Land of Honest People."
    •    It is a landlocked country in Africa.
    •    Burkina Faso has one of the lowest GDP per capita figures in the world.
    •    For the 15.3 million people that live in Burkina Faso, the average life expectancy is estimated at 52 for females and 50 for males.
    •    The median age of its inhabitants is under 17.
    •    French is the official language.
    •    The government is a semi-presidential republic.

    Due to a lack of a port, shipments either need to be shipped via air or shipped to a port in another country and then transported over land into Burkina Faso.  This type of shipping adds to the costs of goods that are being shipped into Burkina Faso. For additional information about international shipping or shipping to Burkina Faso or any of the other countries listed below, please feel free to contact  contact us at pack n send in Houston.

    •    Albania
    •    Algeria
    •    American Samoa
    •    Andorra
    •    Angola
    •    Anguilla
    •    Antigua and Barbuda
    •    Argentina
    •    Armenia
    •    Aruba
    •    Australia
    •    Austria
    •    Azerbaijan
    •    Bahrain
    •    Bangladesh
    •    Barbados
    •    Baruba
    •    Belarus
    •    Belize
    •    Belgium
    •    Benin
    •    Bermuda
    •    Bhutan
    •    Bolivia |
    •    Bonaire
    •    Botswana
    •    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    •    Brazil
    •    Brittish Virgin Islands
    •    Brunei
    •    Bulgaria
    •    Burkina Faso
    •    Burundi
    •    Cameroon
    •    Canada
    •    Cape Verde
    •    Cayman Islands
    •    Chile
    •    China
    •    Colombia
    •    Congo
    •    Congo Republic of
    •    Cook Island
    •    Costa Rica
    •    Croatia
    •    Curaco
    •    Cyprus
    •    Czech Republic
    •    Denmark
    •    Djibouti
    •    Dominica
    •    Dominican Republic
    •    Ecuador
    •    Egypt
    •    El Salvador
    •    Eritrea
    •    Estonia
    •    Ethiopia
    •    Faeroe Islands
    •    Finland
    •    France
    •    French Guinana
    •    French Polynesia
    •    The Gambia
    •    Germany
    •    Georgia
    •    Ghana
    •    Gibraltar
    •    Greece
    •    Greenland
    •    Grenada
    •    Guadeloupe
    •    Guam
    •    Guatemala
    •    Guinea
    •    Guyana
    •    Honduras
    •    Hong Kong
    •    Hungary  
    •    India
    •    Indonesia
    •    Iraq
    •    Ireland
    •    Israel
    •    Italy
    •    Ivory Coast
    •    Japan
    •    Jordan
    •    Kenya
    •    Kuwait
    •    Kyrgyzstan
    •    Laos
    •    Latvia
    •    Lebanon
    •    Lesotho
    •    Liberia
    •    Libya
    •    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    •    Liechtenstein
    •    Lithuania
    •    Luxembourg
    •    Macedonia
    •    Madagascar
    •    Malawi
    •    Malaysia
    •    Maldives
    •    Mali
    •    Malta
    •    Marshall Islands
    •    Martinique
    •    Mauritania
    •    Mauritius
    •    Mexico
    •    Micronesia
    •    Moldova
    •    Monaco
    •    Mongolia
    •    Montenegro
    •    Montserrat
    •    Morocco
    •    Mozambique
    •    Namibia
    •    Nepal
    •    Netherlands
    •    Netherlands Antilles
    •    New Caledonia
    •    New Zealand
    •    Nicaragua
    •    Niger
    •    Nigeria
    •    Norway
    •    Oman
    •    Pakistan
    •    Palau
    •    Palestine
    •    Panama
    •    Papa New Guinea
    •    Paraguay
    •    Peru
    •    Phillipines
    •    Poland
    •    Portugal
    •    Puerto Rico

    •    Reunion

    •    Romania
    •    Russia
    •    Rwanda
    •    Saba
    •    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    •    Samoa
    •    San Marino
    •    Saudi Arabia
    •    Senegal
    •    Serbia
    •    Seychelles
    •    Singapore
    •    Slovak Republic
    •    Slovenia
    •    South Africa
    •    South Korea
    •    Spain
    •    Sri Lanka
    •    St. Barthelemy
    •    St. Eustatius
    •    St. Kitts and Nevis
    •    St. Lucia
    •    St. Maarten
    •    St. Vincent
    •    Suriname
    •    Swaziland
    •    Sweden
    •    Switzerland
    •    Syria
    •    Taiwan
    •    Tanzania Thailand
    •    Tonga
    •    Tongo
    •    Trinidad and Tobago
    •    Tunisia
    •    Turkey
    •    Turks and Caicos Islands
    •    Uganda
    •    Ukraine
    •    United Arab Emirates
    •    United Kingdom
    •    United States of America
    •    U.S. Virgin Islands
    •    Uruguay
    •    Uzbekistan
    •    Vanuatu
    •    Vatican City
    •    Vietnam
    •    Wallis and Futuna

    Tags: International shipping to Burkina Faso

    International Shipping to Indonesia-Rules

    Posted on Thu, Jul 17, 2014

    Just like with any other country, there are certain rules to follow when internationally shipping to Indonesia. 

    It is important that you know exactly what these rules and regulations are before you ship. Below is a comprehensive list.


     Prohibited Items:
    •    Books and magazines printed in any Indonesian language published outside of Indonesia, except for educational books approved by the Indonesian Department of Commerce.
    •    Cloth, batik designs and sarongs.
    •    Coins, paper money, traveler’s checks, precious metals and stones, and jewelry.
    •    Indonesian national currency (rupiahs.)
    •    Perishable biological substances.
    •    Radioactive materials.
    •    Used items including clothing.


    Along with these prohibitions, there are certain restrictions that may affect you.
    Restrictions:
    An import license is necessary for all commercial shipments. The following items are not permitted in commercial shipments:
    •    Articles of gold or silver, tableware included. Pens and pencils ornamented with precious metals.
    •    Calendar watches.
    •    Linen clothing.
    •    Goods made of natural silk.
    •    Kid’s toys powered by steam or electricity.
    •    Leather items.
    •    Coffee and coffee substitutes.
    •    Molasses and sugar substitutes.
    Additional Considerations
    •    Statements from customs must show both the total weight of the entire shipment and the weight of each individual item in said shipment.
    •    Gifts must be endorsed “Gift shipment — For the personal use of the addressee.”
    •    The maximum allotted value of a shipment to Indonesia is $2,499.
    •    It is also imperative that your items fit within the shipping sizing limits.
    Indonesian Fun Facts!
    •    Indonesia is the world's Fourth most populated nation.
    •    It is made up of 17,508 islands. 6,000 of which are populated.
    •    Indonesia is home to Java, the most populous island in the world, with about 130 million inhabitants.


    For more information on all of your shipping needs, all the way to Indonesia and back again, please don't hesitate to contact us. We have listed below some of  the other countries that we can help you ship to.

    Albania

    Algeria

    American Samoa

    Andorra

    Angola

    Anguilla

    Antigua and Barbuda

    Argentina

    Armenia

    Aruba

    Australia

    Austria

    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas

    Bahrain

    Bangladesh

    Barbados

    Baruba

    Belarus

    Belize

    Belgium

    Benin

    Bermuda

    Bhutan

    Bolivia |

    Bonaire

    Botswana

    Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Brazil

    Brittish Virgin Islands

    Brunei

    Bulgaria

    Burkina Faso

    Burundi
    Cambodia

    Cameroon

    Canada

    Cape Verde

    Cayman Islands

    Chile

    China

    Colombia

    Congo

    Congo Republic of

    Cook Island

    Costa Rica

    Croatia

    Curaco

    Cyprus

    Czech Republic

    Denmark

    Djibouti

    Dominica

    Dominican Republic
    East Timor

    Ecuador

    Egypt

    El Salvador

    Eritrea

    Estonia

    Ethiopia

    Faeroe Islands
    Fijii

    Finland

    France

    French Guinana

    French Polynesia
    Gabon

    The Gambia

    Germany

    Georgia

    Ghana

    Gibraltar

    Greece

    Greenland

    Grenada

    Guadeloupe

    Guam

    Guatemala

    Guinea

    Guyana
    Haiti

    Honduras

    Hong Kong

    Hungary 
    Iceland

    India

    Indonesia

    Iraq

    Ireland

    Israel

    Italy 

    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica

    Japan

    Jordan
    Kazakhstan

    Kenya

    Kuwait

    Kyrgyzstan

    Laos

    Latvia

    Lebanon

    Lesotho

    Liberia

    Libya

    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy

    Liechtenstein

    Lithuania

    Luxembourg
    Macao

    Macedonia

    Madagascar

    Malawi

    Malaysia

    Maldives

    Mali

    Malta

    Marshall Islands

    Martinique

    Mauritania

    Mauritius

    Mexico

    Micronesia

    Moldova

    Monaco

    Mongolia

    Montenegro

    Montserrat

    Morocco

    Mozambique

    Namibia

    Nepal

    Netherlands

    Netherlands Antilles

    New Caledonia

    New Zealand

    Nicaragua

    Niger

    Nigeria

    Norway

    Oman

    Pakistan

    Palau

    Palestine

    Panama

    Papa New Guinea

    Paraguay

    Peru

    Phillipines

    Poland

    Portugal

    Puerto Rico
    Qatar

    Reunion

    Romania

    Russia

    Rwanda

    Saba

    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)

    Samoa

    San Marino

    Saudi Arabia

    Senegal

    Serbia

    Seychelles

    Singapore

    Slovak Republic

    Slovenia

    South Africa

    South Korea

    Spain

    Sri Lanka

    St. Barthelemy

    St. Eustatius

    St. Kitts and Nevis

    St. Lucia

    St. Maarten

    St. Vincent

    Suriname

    Swaziland

    Sweden

    Switzerland

    Syria

    Taiwan

    Tanzania Thailand

    Tonga

    Tongo

    Trinidad and Tobago

    Tunisia 

    Turkey

    Turks and Caicos Islands

    Uganda

    Ukraine

    United Arab Emirates

    United Kingdom 

    United States of America

    U.S. Virgin Islands

    Uruguay

    Uzbekistan

    Vanuatu

    Vatican City
    Venezuela

    Vietnam

    Wallis and Futuna

    Yemen

    Zambia

    Zimbabwe

    Albania

    Algeria

    American Samoa

    Andorra

    Angola

    Anguilla

    Antigua and Barbuda

    Argentina

    Armenia

    Aruba

    Australia

    Austria

    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas

    Bahrain

    Bangladesh

    Barbados

    Baruba

    Belarus

    Belize

    Belgium

    Benin

    Bermuda

    Bhutan

    Bolivia |

    Bonaire

    Botswana

    Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Brazil

    Brittish Virgin Islands

    Brunei

    Bulgaria

    Burkina Faso

    Burundi
    Cambodia

    Cameroon

    Canada

    Cape Verde

    Cayman Islands

    Chile

    China

    Colombia

    Congo

    Congo Republic of

    Cook Island

    Costa Rica

    Croatia

    Curaco

    Cyprus

    Czech Republic

    Denmark

    Djibouti

    Dominica

    Dominican Republic
    East Timor

    Ecuador

    Egypt

    El Salvador

    Eritrea

    Estonia

    Ethiopia

    Faeroe Islands
    Fijii

    Finland

    France

    French Guinana

    French Polynesia
    Gabon

    The Gambia

    Germany

    Georgia

    Ghana

    Gibraltar

    Greece

    Greenland

    Grenada

    Guadeloupe

    Guam

    Guatemala

    Guinea

    Guyana
    Haiti

    Honduras

    Hong Kong

    Hungary 
    Iceland

    India

    Indonesia

    Iraq

    Ireland

    Israel

    Italy 

    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica

    Japan

    Jordan
    Kazakhstan

    Kenya

    Kuwait

    Kyrgyzstan

    Laos

    Latvia

    Lebanon

    Lesotho

    Liberia

    Libya

    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy

    Liechtenstein

    Lithuania

    Luxembourg
    Macao

    Macedonia

    Madagascar

    Malawi

    Malaysia

    Maldives

    Mali

    Malta

    Marshall Islands

    Martinique

    Mauritania

    Mauritius

    Mexico

    Micronesia

    Moldova

    Monaco

    Mongolia

    Montenegro

    Montserrat

    Morocco

    Mozambique

    Namibia

    Nepal

    Netherlands

    Netherlands Antilles

    New Caledonia

    New Zealand

    Nicaragua

    Niger

    Nigeria

    Norway

    Oman

    Pakistan

    Palau

    Palestine

    Panama

    Papa New Guinea

    Paraguay

    Peru

    Phillipines

    Poland

    Portugal

    Puerto Rico
    Qatar

    Reunion

    Romania

    Russia

    Rwanda

    Saba

    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)

    Samoa

    San Marino

    Saudi Arabia

    Senegal

    Serbia

    Seychelles

    Singapore

    Slovak Republic

    Slovenia

    South Africa

    South Korea

    Spain

    Sri Lanka

    St. Barthelemy

    St. Eustatius

    St. Kitts and Nevis

    St. Lucia

    St. Maarten

    St. Vincent

    Suriname

    Swaziland

    Sweden

    Switzerland

    Syria

    Taiwan

    Tanzania Thailand

    Tonga

    Tongo

    Trinidad and Tobago

    Tunisia 

    Turkey

    Turks and Caicos Islands

    Uganda

    Ukraine

    United Arab Emirates

    United Kingdom 

    United States of America

    U.S. Virgin Islands

    Uruguay

    Uzbekistan

    Vanuatu

    Vatican City
    Venezuela

    Vietnam

    Wallis and Futuna

    Yemen

    Zambia

    Zimbabwe

     

     



    Tags: Shipping to Indonesia

    How to Choose a Company for Small Load Moving

    Posted on Fri, Jul 11, 2014

    Everyone knows what's involved in a large move. You can hire movers or rent a large truck and ask your friends to help you move everything.  You can even ask your friend or movers to both pack and unpack your precious belongings. The packing and unpacking can take days. So this is the solution for a big move. 

    But, what do you do if you just have a small load to move? Say you only have a few pieces of furniture  and some boxes. What if it is an estate move and you are moving a few different pieces of furniture to a few different family members in a few different cities. Sounds complicated?  Well it is not complicated at all.


    With a small load it's probably not worth renting a big truck, and usually you don't want to personally move a small load across the country, especially if it is a small load that is moving on to new owners.  Is it possible to hire movers for a small load?  Absolutely!

    Let’s review our options for moving a small amount of furniture and boxes cross country. First let’s consider using a blanket wrap move truck that consolidates furniture from various customers. They can pick up inside and deliver inside.  Pickup and delivery dates need to be flexible, because there is more than one customer to consider.  


    OR:


    You can consider freighting your furniture.  You can arrange to have your furniture picked up at your home or office, or you can deliver it to the freight warehouse. In any case the furniture will be professionally packed at the warehouse. This is an economical alternative to traditional blanket wrap moves.  It is usually used for time sensitive small moves, or moves to the far northeast or far north western states. It is commonly used for small moves to Alaska from the lower 48 states.


    Small load moving can be quite economical because the items you are moving can be just one crate or pallet in a larger load. If you hire a company to help you move your small load, they should pick it up, palletize and load it for you.  Your small load should be freighted to the final recipient without you having to worry about the details.


    Decide ahead of time whether curb-side delivery is good enough for your small load move, or if you want the items you're having moved unpacked and delivered inside with white glove delivery.  You should find a reputable company that offers both of these options, so you have the flexibility you need.


    Small load moving is much less complicated than you would imagine, as long as you hire a trustworthy company who specializes in this kind of moving service. Avoid companies who have minimum weight or dollar amounts on small load moves. Small load moving is ideal for moving into or out of nursing homes, assisted living facilities and apartments. Small load moving is also great for individuals selling furniture, liquidating estates, or moving into or out of offices.


    If you're looking for a company to handle your small load move, contact us for a quote.  If you have a small international move, you also want to consider sending your furniture on a pallet.  You can ship the furniture or office equipment by the cubic meter or by the container. You need to let the freight company know ahead of time if your items are being shipped to a foreign country.


    The wood that they use on a pallet is different for domestic shipments versus international shipping.


      For more information about small load moving and furniture freighting, please feel free to contact us and pack and send in Houston. We are able to pack and ship worldwide.




















































    How to Choose a Company for Small Load Moving How to Choose a Company for Small Load Moving

    Tags: Small load mover

    International Shipping to Sweden - Restricted Items

    Posted on Fri, Jul 11, 2014

    As with all countries, Sweden has certain restrictions on what items can be sent through its postal system.

    Following is a list of prohibited items, as found on the US Postal System website :
    •    Human remains
    •    Arms and weapons, including flick knives and daggers
    •    Firing caps, charged metal cartridges, and artillery fuses
    •    Plants and animals (live)
    •    Radioactive materials
    •    Lottery tickets and advertisements for same


    In addition to these prohibited items, Sweden also imposes certain restrictions on other items, as follows:
    •    Articles of gold or silver must comply with Swedish regulations as to fitness.
    •    Authorization from the Swedish national food administration must be obtained prior to importing foodstuffs of animal origin.
    •    Currency exceeding 100 Swedish crowns in value, as well as securities, require prior authorization from the Bank of Sweden.
    •    Live bees must be sent to the Department of Bee Research of the University of Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala, Sweden.
    •    Pharmaceutical drugs are admitted only by authorized importers.

    Now that you know the ins and outs of shipping to Sweden, take a moment to learn a few more fun facts:
    •    Swedish people have the lowest income inequality in the world.
    •    Sweden is the third largest country in Europe by land area, behind only France and Spain.
    •    The average age for first giving birth in Sweden is 30.
    •    Sweden has the highest percentage of working mothers in the developed world.
    •    As of 2006, Sweden had won 588 Olympic medals (winter and summer).
    •    As of 2012, Sweden had obtained 30 Nobel prizes, including five Peace prizes.
    •    Sweden has the highest number of McDonald's restaurants per capita in Europe.
    •    47% of Sweden's parliament is comprised of women.
    •    Sweden has the highest number of nuclear power plants per capita.
    •    The Royal Palace of Stockholm is the world's largest palace still used for its original purpose.


    If you need help with medical equipment shipping to Sweden or are shipping a crate to Sweden look for a company that offers shipping services on an international basis to help with your shipping needs.
    You can contact us at pack n send in Houston if you have any questions or need help shipping anywhere in the world. We have listed below some of the other countries that we ship to.


     

    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
     Andorra
     Angola
    Anguilla
     Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
     Australia
     Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Bahrain
    Bangladesh
     Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
     Belize
     Belgium
     Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
     Bolivia |
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
     Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
     Brunei
    Bulgaria
     Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Cambodia
    Cameroon
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
     |Chile
     China
     Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook Island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
     Cyprus
    Czech Republic
     Denmark
     Djibouti
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
     Egypt
     El Salvador
    Eritrea
     Estonia
     Ethiopia
    Faeroe Islands
     Fijii
    Finland
     France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
     Gabon
    The Gambia
     Germany
     Georgia
    Ghana
    Gibraltar
     Greece
    Greenland
     Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
     Guinea
     Guyana
     Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
     Hungary  
    Iceland
     India
     Indonesia
     Iraq
     Ireland
     Israel
     Italy  
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
     Kenya
     Kuwait
     Kyrgyzstan
    Laos
     Latvia
     Lebanon
     Lesotho
     Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
     Lithuania
     Luxembourg
    Macao
     Macedonia
    Madagascar
     Malawi
    Malaysia
     Maldives
     Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
     Mauritania
     Mauritius
    Mexico
     Micronesia
    Moldova
     Monaco
     Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
     Morocco
     Mozambique
    Namibia
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
     New Zealand
     Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Norway
    Oman
     Pakistan
    Palau
    Palestine
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar
    Reunion
     Romania
     Russia
     Rwanda
    Saba
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Singapore
     Slovak Republic
     Slovenia
     South Africa
    South Korea
     Spain
     Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Eustatius
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Vincent
     Suriname
     Swaziland
    Sweden
     Switzerland
     Syria
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
     Thailand
    Tonga
    Tongo
     Trinidad and Tobago
     Tunisia  
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Uganda
     Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
     United Kingdom  
    United States of America
    U.S. Virgin Islands
     Uruguay
     Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
     Vietnam
    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia
     

     

     
     
     
     
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Singapore
     Slovak Republic
     Slovenia
     South Africa
    South Korea
     Spain
     Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Eustatius
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Vincent
     Taiwan
    Tanzania
     Thailand
    Tonga
    Tongo
     Trinidad and Tobago
     Tunisia  
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Uganda
     Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
     United Kingdom  
    United States of America
    U.S. Virgin Islands
     Uruguay
     Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
     Vietnam
    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia
    Zimbabwe


    Tags: Shipping to Sweden

    Downsizing your home? Consider Small Load Moving

    Posted on Tue, Jul 08, 2014

    Moving is never an easy feat.  When the time comes it is easy to get overwhelmed. 

    Over the years, many of people accumulate a large number of pieces of both furniture and household decorations.  The best practice for moving furniture efficiently is to plan ahead. Downsizing may help.  It includes distinguishing, between what you want to save, and what you want to get rid of before you move.  Here is a quick overview to help get you started before shipping your furniture across town or across country with movers or freight trucks.


    What downsizing involves


      While often times it is easier said than done, downsizing is the best jump start to a smooth move.  Before getting started, take the time to walk through your house or apartment to assess the individual need of each piece of your furniture.  For some people, it is easy to get rid of the majority of their furniture because they are looking to change their lifestyle when they move into their new home, or move to a new city.  For other individuals, they feel everything should come with them to their new home.  Taking the time to look at your furniture and determine its use and value to you will save both time and money when the move comes.  You will also feel much better once you arrive at your new home. You will only have the pieces of furniture that you really want to have.  

     
    Distinguish.


      Distinguishing which furniture items are important is typically the hardest part of downsizing.  When the time comes, it is hard to part with material items because of memories or where they may have come from. If you really do not want to keep some of the furniture, why not take pictures of it before you dispose of it. That way, you can preserve your memories and still take only the piece of furniture that you really want to have with you.


      By distinguishing which furniture items you use the most, you will be able to efficiently downsize.  Once you have distinguished the items that you want to move, sort them.  Some items could be worth selling for additional money, while others may be best to be given away to thrift store or charity.  In the end, you will feel better parting from your furniture because they will be going to a better home (or adding more cash to your pocket).  

       
    Don't Delay. 

    While this may seem the most obvious and easiest choice for future movers, it often is the most procrastinated.  It is very easy to put off getting the moving process started because there will be a lot going on.  The sooner you get started distinguishing what you do and do not really need, the easier you will be able to downsize for the movers, taking stress off you.    


    Moving across the country can be both challenging and stressful, but with the right practices, and taking less with you, you will feel at ease.  If you are moving small amounts of furniture out of the city, consider using a furniture freighting service.  Look for a mover who can build both custom crates and custom pallets for your freight move.


      When you freight your furniture, you can have it delivered to your curb or delivered inside. You also can consider using a small load mover. With a mover that consolidates loads, there is no minimum amount of furniture that you need to move.


    If you need additional moving tips, or ideas how to downsize better before your move, please contact us at pack and send. We pack and ship both domestically and worldwide


    Tags: Move your furniture using freight

    Furniture Shipping for Individuals, Designers & Decorators

    Posted on Mon, Jul 07, 2014

    Are you looking into furniture shipping options?

    A designer or decorator  may be looking to ship individual furniture items. Someone settling an estate may want to move furniture to a few different locations so a variety of loved ones can each have a memory to cherish. When people are moving an entire house it is easy to determine the shipping process but what about when just one or a couple items need to be relocated? Here are some things to consider when you are looking to move small amounts of furniture.


    Packing


    The first question that should be addressed is how the items will be handled. Are all items crated or can cost savings occur with blanket wrapping instead? Is palletizing an option? If it is blanket wrapped it can be sent with movers whereas palletized pieces can ship with freight companies. Will small items be moved via UPS, FedEx, or DHL?
    Also inquire if the furniture items will be completely protected during packing. Are fragile items packed accordingly so they are safe and secure?


    Minimum Shipping Load


    Is there a minimum shipping load? If you are looking to only ship a small amount of furniture or just one item you will want to find a company that doesn't have a minimum requirement. If you are shipping to multiple locations it is important that a minimum for each destination isn't required. Find a company that is willing to handle a single piece of furniture or an entire truckload.


    Destination


    It is possible that a small amount of furniture will need to be moved overseas. Look for a company that has experience handling overseas moves. Each country has different rules and regulations so it is important that the movers be familiar with the destination country. In addition there will likely be paperwork for an overseas move and a knowledgeable company will know how to process it.


    Receiving
    How is the furniture received? When shipping via freight, ideally the furniture will be received into a warehouse and inspected prior to delivery to the final recipient. This will verify the furniture is in the anticipated condition.


    At Pack n Send we treat each and every order individually to ensure the safest and most cost effective method is implemented. We routinely ship small amounts of furniture for customers and have no minimum requirement. We are familiar with overseas shipping to numerous countries. Contact us to learn more and obtain a furniture shipping quote.

    Tags: Shipping Furniture

    Rules for International Shipping to Hong Kong

    Posted on Tue, Jul 01, 2014


    There are various rules and restrictions when you need to utilize International Shipping to Hong Kong.

    Hong Kong is often shortened to H.K. Hong Kong is a city-state and a special administrative region under the control of China. Despite it being under the jurisdiction of China, it still has its own unique rules for shipping. Be sure to look closely at the specific rules for shipping to Hong Kong.


    Prohibited Items:


    •    Perishable infectious biological substances
    •    Radioactive materials
    Additional Restrictions:


    •    Value of coins sent cannot exceed HK$100.
    •    This isn't a restriction; however, despite Hong Kong being a Special Administration Region for China, packages should be addressed to Hong Kong and not China.


    In comparison to other countries, there are relatively few restrictions when shipping to Hong Kong!


    Fun Facts about Hong Kong:
    •    3/4s of Hong Kong is rural countryside.
    •    Feng Shui is such a huge part of the culture that when there is construction or other disturbances, the government has been known to compensate for disrupted Feng Shui.
    •    Hong Kong Disneyland was the first Disney theme park in China.
    •    Hong Kong has roughly one restaurant for every six hundred people. This makes it one of the highest ratios in the world.
    •    It has the most sky scrapers in the world.
    •    Hong Kong is comprised of over 200 islands.
    •    Hong Kong has some of the most expensive real estate in the world. Spending HK$1.5 million only buys approximately 500 square feet of property. This is because of land shortage.
    For more information on international shipping please contact us. We have listed below some of the countires that we ship to!

     

    Algeria

    American Samoa

    Andorra

    Angola

    Anguilla

    Antigua and Barbuda

    Argentina

    Armenia

    Aruba

    Australia

    Austria

    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas

    Bahrain

    Bangladesh

    Barbados

    Baruba

    Belarus

    Belize

    Belgium

    Benin

    Bermuda

    Bhutan

    Bolivia |

    Bonaire

    Botswana

    Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Brazil

    Brittish Virgin Islands

    Brunei

    Bulgaria

    Burkina Faso

    Burundi
    Cambodia

    Cameroon

    Canada

    Cape Verde

    Cayman Islands

    Chile

    China

    Colombia

    Congo

    Costa Rica

    Croatia

    Curaco

    Cyprus

    Czech Republic

    Denmark

    Djibouti

    Dominica

    Dominican Republic
    East Timor

    Ecuador

    Egypt

    El Salvador

    Eritrea

    Estonia

    Ethiopia

    Faeroe Islands
    Fijii

    Finland

    France

    French Guinana

    French Polynesia
    Gabon

    Germany

    Georgia

    Ghana

    Gibraltar

    Greece

    Greenland

    Grenada

    Guadeloupe

    Guam

    Guatemala

    Guinea

    Guyana
    Haiti

    Honduras

    Hong Kong

    Hungary 
    Iceland

    India

    Indonesia

    Iraq

    Ireland

    Israel

    Italy 

    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica

    Japan

    Jordan
    Kazakhstan

    Kenya

    Kuwait

    Kyrgyzstan

    Laos

    Latvia

    Lebanon

    Lesotho

    Liberia

    Libya

    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy

    Liechtenstein

    Lithuania

    Luxembourg
    Macao

    Macedonia

    Madagascar

    Malawi

    Malaysia

    Maldives

    Mali

    Malta

    Marshall Islands

    Martinique

    Mauritania

    Mauritius

    Mexico

    Micronesia

    Moldova

    Monaco

    Mongolia

    Montenegro

    Montserrat

    Morocco

    Mozambique

    Namibia

    Nepal

    Netherlands

    Netherlands Antilles

    New Caledonia

    New Zealand

    Nicaragua

    Niger

    Nigeria

    Norway

    Oman

    Pakistan

    Palau

    Palestine

    Panama

    Papa New Guinea

    Paraguay

    Peru

    Phillipines

    Poland

    Portugal

    Puerto Rico
    Qatar

    Reunion

    Romania

    Russia

     Rwanda

    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)

    Samoa

    San Marino

    Saudi Arabia

    Senegal

    Serbia

    Seychelles

    Singapore

    Slovak Republic

    Slovenia

    South Africa

    South Korea

    Spain

    Sri Lanka

    St. Barthelemy

    St. Eustatius

    St. Kitts and Nevis

    St. Lucia

    St. Maarten

    St. Vincent

     Suriname

    Swaziland

    Sweden

    Switzerland

    Syria

    Taiwan

    Tanzania

    Thailand

    Tonga

    Tongo

    Trinidad and Tobago

    Tunisia 

    Turkey

    Turks and Caicos Islands

    Uganda

    Ukraine

    United Arab Emirates

    United Kingdom 

    Uniited States of America

    U.S. Virgin Islands

    Uruguay

    Uzbekistan

    Vanuatu

    Vatican City
    Venezuela

    Vietnam

    Wallis and Futuna

    Yemen

    Zambia

    Zimbabwe

    Hong Kong

    Hungary 
    Iceland

    India

    Indonesia

    Iraq

    Ireland

    Israel

    Italy 

    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica

    Japan

    Jordan
    Kazakhstan

    Kenya

    Kuwait

    Kyrgyzstan

    Laos

    Latvia

     

    Hong Kong

    Hungary 
    Iceland

    India

    Indonesia

    Iraq

    Ireland

    Israel

    Italy 

    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica

    Japan

    Jordan
    Kazakhstan

    Kenya

    Kuwait

    Kyrgyzstan

    Laos

    Latvia

    Hong Kong

    Hungary 
    Iceland

    India

    Indonesia

    Iraq

    Ireland

    Israel

    Italy 

    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica

    Japan

    Jordan
    Kazakhstan

    Kenya

    Kuwait

    Kyrgyzstan

    Laos

    Latvia

    Hong Kong

    Hungary 
    Iceland

    India

    Indonesia

    Iraq

    Ireland

    Israel

    Italy 

    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica

    Japan

    Jordan
    Kazakhstan

    Kenya

    Kuwait

    Kyrgyzstan

    Laos

    Latvia

    Tags: Shippint to Hong Kong

    Medical Equipment Shipping Details

    Posted on Mon, Jun 23, 2014

    Shipping of medical equipment requires special consideration. Equipment must be handled appropriately throughout the packing and shipping process to verify it arrives with complete functionality. Some details to consider when shipping medical equipment include:


    Size and Quantity
    The size and amount of medical equipment being shipped will influence how it is shipped. Smaller items can be shipped in boxes whereas bigger items may require custom pallets or crates. A significant quantity being shipped out of the country  may make a container worthwhile.



    Final Destination
    If the destination is overseas it may make sense to pack and load the medical equipment into containers.  In addition, selecting a shipping company that has experience dealing with overseas shipping is recommended. There will be international paperwork required and a company that routinely ships overseas will be able to handle the paperwork for the customer.  
    Experience
    Selecting a shipping company that has experience handling medical equipment is suggested. Each medical equipment item will have its own unique requirements. Certain aspects will require special attention and protection during the packing and shipping process.  A shipping company with experience handling medical equipment will have the expertise required to provide each item proper handling.
    Pickup Location
    Consider where the medical equipment will need to be picked up from. If it has been purchased from a private doctors' office it will be necessary for the shipping company to have access to the office. This would be a different situation than equipment obtained from a medical equipment auction site. Verify the shipping company you will be using can pickup from the equipment location.

    Houston is home to many hospitals systems.  Just a few are listed below.


    Memorial Hermann   
    St. Joseph Medical Center     
    Houston Methodist Hospital  System  
    St. Lukes's Medical System

    Texas Children's Hospital





    Look for a company that has experience safely moving a variety of medical equipment including:
    •    Medical examination tables
    •    Microscopes
    •    Diagnostic equipment
    •    Autoclaves
    •    Physical therapy equipment
    •    and more
    Pack n Send in Houston is an international shipper and can box, crate and freight medical equipment. Items will be handled appropriately by an experienced crew that knows how to protect all aspects. Contact us to obtain a free medical shipping quote.

    Tags: Medical Equipment Shipping

    Rules for International shipping to China

    Posted on Mon, Jun 23, 2014

    International shipping to China has its own specific rules and regulations that need to be followed. Every country has their own prohibitions and regulations for what may or may not be shipped there. Be sure to pay close attention when shipping internationally so that you can ship your items successfully.


    Prohibited Items:
     The following items are forbidden from being shipped to China.
    •    Any type of arms, ammunition, or weapons.
    •    Anything in hermetically sealed, nontransparent containers.
    •    Chinese currency.
    •    Coins, banknotes, travelers' checks, and securities made payable to the bearer.
    •    Manufactured and not manufactured gold, silver and platinum.
    •    Precious stones, jewelry, or other valuables unless insured.
    •    Manuscripts, written materials, gramophone records, printed materials, photographic negatives, video tapes, audio tapes, etc. which may cause political, social, economic, or moral problems in China.
    •    Meat and meat products.
    •    Perishable infectious biological substances.
    •    Radioactive materials.
    •    Radio receivers, transmitters, receivers, walkie-talkies and parts to any of the above.
    •    Used clothing and bedding.
    •    Wrist-watches, cameras, TVs, radios, bicycles, ventilators, and sewing machines.


    Restrictions:
    The following are specific restrictions that also need to be followed when shipping to China.
    •    Personal items can only be imported when they are intended for personal use and need to be in reasonable quantities.
    •    Each shipment's value cannot be more than 100 Yuan.
    •    Each family's shipments cannot be valued at more than 800 Yuan total per year.
    •    If a request is made to Customs, one pocket electronic calculator may be shipped per year.
    •    5 magnetic tapes can be shipped per year.
    •    10 meters (10 1/4 yards) of Cotton or synthetic cloth (with a width of no more than 130 centimeters or 50 inches) per year.
    •    Medication or components of Chinese medicine (40 Yuan worth) per year.
    •    No more than 100 stamps.
     
    Additional Considerations:


    Any items containing powders, liquids, lithium batteries, or lithium cells cannot be transported by air in China. Once they arrive via International Air, they will be switched to ground transportation. So when calculating shipping times, keep this in mind.
    Fun Facts about China
    •    The fortune cookie is actually not from China, it was invented in 1900 in San Francisco!
    •    China uses approximately 45 billion chopsticks a year.
    •    China has the world's biggest mall!
    •    The world's first paper money originated in China.

     More facts about China 

    It is important to pay close attention to the various rules and regulations when shipping internationally. Please contact us should you have any questions. We are at pack n send  in Houston, TX.  We have also included a list of other countries that we ship to.

    Albania

    Algeria

    American Samoa

    Andorra

    Angola

    Anguilla

    Antigua and Barbuda

    Argentina

    Armenia

    Aruba

    Australia

    Austria

    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas

    Bahrain

    Bangladesh

    Barbados

    Baruba

    Belarus

    Belize

    Belgium

    Benin

    Bermuda

    Bhutan

    Bolivia |

    Bonaire

    Botswana

    Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Brazil

    Brittish Virgin Islands

    Brunei

    Bulgaria

    Burkina Faso

    Burundi
    Cambodia

    Cameroon

    Canada

    Cape Verde

    Cayman Islands

    Chile

    China

    Colombia

    Congo

    Costa Rica

    Croatia

    Curaco

    Cyprus

    Czech Republic

    Denmark

    Djibouti

    Dominica

    Dominican Republic
    East Timor

    Ecuador

    Egypt

    El Salvador

    Eritrea

    Estonia

    Ethiopia

    Faeroe Islands
    Fijii

    Finland

    France

    French Guinana

    French Polynesia
    Gabon

    Germany

    Georgia

    Ghana

    Gibraltar

    Greece

    Greenland

    Grenada

    Guadeloupe

    Guam

    Guatemala

    Guinea

    Guyana
    Haiti

    Honduras

    Hong Kong

    Hungary 
    Iceland

    India

    Indonesia

    Iraq

    Ireland

    Israel

    Italy 

    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica

    Japan

    Jordan
    Kazakhstan

    Kenya

    Kuwait

    Kyrgyzstan

    Laos

    Latvia

    Lebanon

    Lesotho

    Liberia

    Libya

    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy

    Liechtenstein

    Lithuania

    Luxembourg
    Macao

    Macedonia

    Madagascar

    Malawi

    Malaysia

    Maldives

    Mali

    Malta

    Marshall Islands

    Martinique

    Mauritania

    Mauritius

    Mexico

    Micronesia

    Moldova

    Monaco

    Mongolia

    Montenegro

    Montserrat

    Morocco

    Mozambique

    Namibia

    Nepal

    Netherlands

    Netherlands Antilles

    New Caledonia

    New Zealand

    Nicaragua

    Niger

    Nigeria

    Norway

    Oman

    Pakistan

    Palau

    Palestine

    Panama

    Papa New Guinea

    Paraguay

    Peru

    Phillipines

    Poland

    Portugal

    Puerto Rico
    Qatar

    Reunion

    Romania

    Russia

     Rwanda

    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)

    Samoa

    San Marino

    Saudi Arabia

    Senegal

    Serbia

    Seychelles

    Singapore

    Slovak Republic

    Slovenia

    South Africa

    South Korea

    Spain

    Sri Lanka

    St. Barthelemy

    St. Eustatius

    St. Kitts and Nevis

    St. Lucia

    St. Maarten

    St. Vincent

     Suriname

    Swaziland

    Sweden

    Switzerland

    Syria

    Taiwan

    Tanzania

    Thailand

    Tonga

    Tongo

    Trinidad and Tobago

    Tunisia 

    Turkey

    Turks and Caicos Islands

    Uganda

    Ukraine

    United Arab Emirates

    United Kingdom 

    Uniited States of America

    U.S. Virgin Islands

    Uruguay

    Uzbekistan

    Vanuatu

    Vatican City
    Venezuela

    Vietnam

    Wallis and Futuna

    Yemen

    Zambia

    Zimbabwe

     

     



    Tags: Shipping to China

    Rules for International Shipping to Vietnam

    Posted on Fri, Jun 13, 2014

    Like most countries when shipping to Vietnam, there are many factors to consider. International Shipping to Vietnam has its own unique rules and restrictions.

    Flag of Vietnam.svg
    Items Prohibited From Being Shipped To Vietnam:
    1.    Firearms, ammunition, war materials, and related accessories.
    2.    Cigarettes and cigars.
    3.    Coins, bank notes, currency, and securities made payable to the bearer.
    4.    Platinum, gold, and silver.
    5.    Precious stones, jewelry, and other valuables.
    6.    All cosmetics except: Harmonized Systems (HS) Code 3600 (oral and hygiene dental products in individual packaging) and HS Code 3700 (preshave, shaving, or aftershave preparations).
    7.    Invisible ink, codes, symbols, short hand, or other secret messages.
    8.    Mobile phones.
    9.    Perishable infectious biological substances.
    10.    Things made from non-Vietnamese tobacco.
    11.    Radio accessories, transmitters, and receivers.
    12.    Radioactive materials.
    13.    Sealed food in tins.
    14.    Unused postage stamps.
    15.    Used clothing, mosquito nets, blankets, and shoes.


     Items Facing Restrictions:
    Some items are not completely prohibited from being shipped to Vietnam. Instead some items have specific restrictions which need to be adhered to in order to successfully be shipped. Below are the items that have restrictions and what needs to be done in order to ship them.
    1.    The Ministry of External Trade of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam must authorize any items of commercial value intended for trade.
    2.    Any currency, checks, securities, or postage stamps need to be licensed by the US Department of Treasury.
    3.    The Ministry of Culture of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam must authorize any toys, pictures, paintings, books, cinematic items, photographic films, sculptures, and objects of art.


    Limited Quantities:
    Some items have limits in terms of the amount that may be shipped. Here is the list of these items and their quantity.
    •    Coffee = 200g
    •    Tea = 500g
    •    Paddy = 1000g
    •    Rice = 1000g
    •    Beans (all kinds) = 1000g
    •    Dried Manioc = 1000g
    •    Dried sweet potatoes = 1000g
    •    Groundnuts = 1000g
    •    Cooked fat = 1000g
    •    Dried meat = 1000g
    •    Salted meat = 1000g
    •    Dried fish = 1000g
    •    Dried cuttlefish = 1000g

    Following the rules and regulations can help make international shipping proceed  smoothly.
    For additional help with international shipping, or if you have any questions, please contact us at pack and send in Houston. We'd be glad to help. We also ship to other countries, some of which are listed below.

    Albania

    Algeria

    American Samoa

    Andorra

    Angola

    Anguilla

    Antigua and Barbuda

    Argentina

    Armenia

    Aruba

    Australia

    Austria

    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas

    Bahrain

    Bangladesh

    Barbados

    Baruba

    Belarus

    Belize

    Belgium

    Benin

    Bermuda

    Bhutan

    Bolivia |

    Bonaire

    Botswana

    Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Brazil

    Brittish Virgin Islands

    Brunei

    Bulgaria

    Burkina Faso

    Burundi
    Cambodia

    Cameroon

    Canada

    Cape Verde

    Cayman Islands

    Chile

    China

    Colombia

    Congo

    Costa Rica

    Croatia

    Curaco

    Cyprus

    Czech Republic

    Denmark

    Djibouti

    Dominica

    Dominican Republic
    East Timor

    Ecuador

    Egypt

    El Salvador

    Eritrea

    Estonia

    Ethiopia

    Faeroe Islands
    Fijii

    Finland

    France

    French Guinana

    French Polynesia
    Gabon

    Germany

    Georgia

    Ghana

    Gibraltar

    Greece

    Greenland

    Grenada

    Guadeloupe

    Guam

    Guatemala

    Guinea

    Guyana
    Haiti

    Honduras

    Hong Kong

    Hungary 
    Iceland

    India

    Indonesia

    Iraq

    Ireland

    Israel

    Italy 

    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica

    Japan

    Jordan
    Kazakhstan

    Kenya

    Kuwait

    Kyrgyzstan

    Laos

    Latvia

    Lebanon

    Lesotho

    Liberia

    Libya

    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy

    Liechtenstein

    Lithuania

    Luxembourg
    Macao

    Macedonia

    Madagascar

    Malawi

    Malaysia

    Maldives

    Mali

    Malta

    Marshall Islands

    Martinique

    Mauritania

    Mauritius

    Mexico

    Micronesia

    Moldova

    Monaco

    Mongolia

    Montenegro

    Montserrat

    Morocco

    Mozambique

    Namibia

    Nepal

    Netherlands

    Netherlands Antilles

    New Caledonia

    New Zealand

    Nicaragua

    Niger

    Nigeria

    Norway

    Oman

    Pakistan

    Palau

    Palestine

    Panama

    Papa New Guinea

    Paraguay

    Peru

    Phillipines

    Poland

    Portugal

    Puerto Rico
    Qatar

    Reunion

    Romania

    Russia

     Rwanda

    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)

    Samoa

    San Marino

    Saudi Arabia

    Senegal

    Serbia

    Seychelles

    Singapore

    Slovak Republic

    Slovenia

    South Africa

    South Korea

    Spain

    Sri Lanka

    St. Barthelemy

    St. Eustatius

    St. Kitts and Nevis

    St. Lucia

    St. Maarten

    St. Vincent

     Suriname

    Swaziland

    Sweden

    Switzerland

    Syria

    Taiwan

    Tanzania

    Thailand

    Tonga

    Tongo

    Trinidad and Tobago

    Tunisia 

    Turkey

    Turks and Caicos Islands

    Uganda

    Ukraine

    United Arab Emirates

    United Kingdom 

    Uniited States of America

    U.S. Virgin Islands

    Uruguay

    Uzbekistan

    Vanuatu

    Vatican City
    Venezuela

    Vietnam

    Wallis and Futuna

    Yemen

    Zambia

    Zimbabwe

     

    Tags: International Shipping to Viet Nam

    Rules for International Shipping to Russia

    Posted on Thu, Jun 12, 2014

    Interested in shipping items to the Russian Federation? Before you decide what you can send and how to send it, there are some very interesting things you may want to know about shipping items to Russia.

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    Russia's laws on shipping vary from the familiar to the quite odd. Before you send something that may be illegal, you should get yourself familiar with some of the stranger shipping rules. Some Prohibited Items:
    1.    Human organs, tissue, or blood.
    2.    Alcoholic products, ethyl alcohol, and beer.
    3.    Precious stones, natural diamonds. Jewelry is an exception.
    4.    Fishing equipment of any kind, electronic fishing equipment, rods and nets, fishing wire.
    5.    Radioactive Materials
    6.    Plants and plant seeds.
    7.    Extremist, terrorist, or pornographic materials including magazines, drawings, and audio.
    8.    Ozone destroying materials or substances.For more information about prohibited items, click here.


    Customs Regulations:Russia has some weight and value limitations on items that can pass through customs. Here are some of the things that may cause your package to not be accepted by customs.
    •    1000 Euro (EUR) or 31 Kilograms (68 lbs.)
    •    If the item exceeds 1000 EUR or 31 Kilograms, a 30% customs tax is required.
    •    The taxes are paid at a post office in case of overage.
    •    There is no maximum value or weight of an item, but a tax of no less than 4 EUR per Kilogram must be paid on Items exceeding the limit.
    Russian Fun Facts:
    •    Russia and Japan have not signed a peace treaty to end hostilities from WWII.
    •    Russia covers 1/7th of the world's land mass and is larger than Pluto.
    •    Russia has nine different time zones from boarder to boarder. This is more than any in other country in the world!
    •    Russian churches are beautiful and ornate, typically having domed tops unlike the pointed steeples in the U.S. or Europe. 41% of Russians belong to the Russian Orthodox Church.
    For more information on shipping your items to Russia, please contact us. We would love to help you on your way to shipping internationally! Visit us for information on the other countries we ship to! We have listed some of the countries below.

    Afghanistan

    Albania

    Algeria

    American Samoa

     Andorra

     Angola

    Anguilla

     Antigua and Barbuda

    Argentina

    Armenia

    Aruba

     Australia

     Austria

    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas

    Bahrain

    Bangladesh

     Barbados

    Baruba

    Belarus

     Belize

     Belgium

     Benin

    Bermuda

    Bhutan

     Bolivia |

    Botswana

    Bosnia and Herzegovina

     Brazil

    Brittish Virgin Islands

     Brunei

    Bulgaria

     Burkina Faso

    Burundi
    Cambodia

    Cameroon

    Canada

    Cape Verde

    Cayman Islands

    Chile

     China

     Colombia

    Congo

    Cook Island

    Costa Rica

    Croatia

    Curaco

     Cyprus

    Czech Republic
      Denmark

     Djibouti

    Dominica

    Dominican Republic
    East Timor

    Ecuador

     Egypt

     El Salvador

    Eritrea

     Estonia

     Ethiopia

    Faeroe Islands
     Fijii

    Finland

      France

    French Guinana

    French Polynesia
     Gabon

     Germany

     Georgia

    Ghana

    Gibraltar

     Greece

    Greenland

     Grenada

    Guam

    Guatemala

     Guinea

     Guyana
     Haiti

    Honduras

    Hong Kong

     Hungary  
    Iceland

     India

     Indonesia

      Iraq

     Ireland

     Israel

     Italy  

    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica

    Japan

    Jordan
    Kazakhstan

      Kenya

     Kuwait

     Kyrgyzstan
    Laos

     Latvia

     Lebanon

     Lesotho

     Liberia

    Libya

    Liechtenstein

     Lithuania

     Luxembourg
    Macao

     Macedonia

    Madagascar

      Malawi

    Malaysia

     Maldives

      Mali

    Malta

    Marshall Islands

    Martinique

     Mauritania

     Mauritius

    Mexico

     Micronesia

    Moldova

     Monaco

      Mongolia

    Montenegro

    Montserrat

      Morocco

     Mozambique

    Namibia

    Nepal

    Netherlands

    Netherlands Antilles

    New Caledonia

     New Zealand

     Nicaragua

    Niger

    Nigeria

    Norway
    Oman
     Pakistan

    Palau

    Palestine

    Panama

    Papa New Guinea

    Paraguay

    Peru

    Phillipines

    Poland

    Portugal

    Puerto Rico
    Qatar

     Romania

     Russia

    Saba

    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)

    Samoa

    San Marino

    Saudi Arabia

    Senegal

    Serbia

    Seychelles

    Singapore

     Slovak Republic

       Slovenia

      South Africa

    South Korea

      Spain

      Sri Lanka

    St. Barthelemy

    St. Eustatius

    St. Kitts and Nevis

    St. Lucia

    St. Maarten

    St. Vincent

     Suriname

     Swaziland

    Sweden

     Switzerland

      Syria
    Taiwan

    Tanzania

     Thailand

    Tonga

    Tongo

     Trinidad and Tobago

     Tunisia  

    Turkey

    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Uganda

     Ukraine

    United Arab Emirates

     United Kingdom  

    United States of America

    U.S. Virgin Islands

     Uruguay

     Uzbekistan

    Vanuatu

    Vatican City
    Venezuela

     Vietnam

    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia

    Tags: Shipping to Russia

    International Shipping to Panama-See Restrictions

    Posted on Wed, Jun 11, 2014

    Interested in International Shipping to Panama?

    Flag of Panama


    Like other foreign countries there are some different restrictions and regulations that should be kept in mind when preparing your packages.
    Here is a list of the prohibited items:
    1.    Coins, banknotes, paper currency/money, securities, payable to the bearer, or traveler's checks.
    2.    Gold, platinum, silver (whether it's manufactured or not), precious stones, jewelry, or other valuables.
    3.    Fatty, liquid, or easily liquefiable items.
    4.    Lottery tickets
    5.    Perishable fruits or plants
    6.    Perishable infectious biological substances
    7.    Radioactive materials
    8.    Sweetmeats and pastries


    Did you know...?
    Did you know that Panama is the southernmost country in Central America? Panama is also one of the largest free trade zones in the western hemisphere! According to studies 92% of Panama's exports and 64% of the imports take place in this free trade zone.


    Unlike some countries in the world, education is mandatory in Panama for those between the ages of 6 through 15. Enrollment in higher education is also on the rise. An estimated 92% of the population from is considered to be literate!


    Please contact us for information on successfully shipping your items to Panama or to find out more about shipping to other international countries. We would be happy to help. Here is a list of some of the countries that we also ship to!

     

    Afghanistan

    Albania

    Algeria

    American Samoa

     Andorra

     Angola

    Anguilla

     Antigua and Barbuda

    Argentina

    Armenia

    Aruba

     Australia

     Austria

    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas

    Bahrain

    Bangladesh

     Barbados

    Baruba

    Belarus

     Belize

     Belgium

     Benin

    Bermuda

    Bhutan

     Bolivia |

    Botswana

    Bosnia and Herzegovina

     Brazil

    Brittish Virgin Islands

     Brunei

    Bulgaria

     Burkina Faso

    Burundi
    Cambodia

    Cameroon

    Canada

    Cape Verde

    Cayman Islands

    Chile

     China

     Colombia

    Congo

    Cook Island

    Costa Rica

    Croatia

    Curaco

     Cyprus

    Czech Republic
      Denmark

     Djibouti

    Dominica

    Dominican Republic
    East Timor

    Ecuador

     Egypt

     El Salvador

    Eritrea

     Estonia

     Ethiopia

    Faeroe Islands
     Fijii

    Finland

      France

    French Guinana

    French Polynesia
     Gabon

     Germany

     Georgia

    Ghana

    Gibraltar

     Greece

    Greenland

     Grenada

    Guam

    Guatemala

     Guinea

     Guyana
     Haiti

    Honduras

    Hong Kong

     Hungary  
    Iceland

     India

     Indonesia

      Iraq

     Ireland

     Israel

     Italy  

    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica

    Japan

    Jordan
    Kazakhstan

      Kenya

     Kuwait

     Kyrgyzstan
    Laos

     Latvia

     Lebanon

     Lesotho

     Liberia

    Libya

    Liechtenstein

     Lithuania

     Luxembourg
    Macao

     Macedonia

    Madagascar

      Malawi

    Malaysia

     Maldives

      Mali

    Malta

    Marshall Islands

    Martinique

     Mauritania

     Mauritius

    Mexico

     Micronesia

    Moldova

     Monaco

      Mongolia

    Montenegro

    Montserrat

      Morocco

     Mozambique

    Namibia

    Nepal

    Netherlands

    Netherlands Antilles

    New Caledonia

     New Zealand

     Nicaragua

    Niger

    Nigeria

    Norway
    Oman
     Pakistan

    Palau

    Palestine

    Panama

    Papa New Guinea

    Paraguay

    Peru

    Phillipines

    Poland

    Portugal

    Puerto Rico
    Qatar

     Romania

     Russia

    Saba

    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)

    Samoa

    San Marino

    Saudi Arabia

    Senegal

    Serbia

    Seychelles

    Singapore

     Slovak Republic

       Slovenia

      South Africa

    South Korea

      Spain

      Sri Lanka

    St. Barthelemy

    St. Eustatius

    St. Kitts and Nevis

    St. Lucia

    St. Maarten

    St. Vincent

     Suriname

     Swaziland

    Sweden

     Switzerland

      Syria
    Taiwan

    Tanzania

     Thailand

    Tonga

    Tongo

     Trinidad and Tobago

     Tunisia  

    Turkey

    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Uganda

     Ukraine

    United Arab Emirates

     United Kingdom  

    United States of America

    U.S. Virgin Islands

     Uruguay

     Uzbekistan

    Vanuatu

    Vatican City
    Venezuela

     Vietnam

    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia

    Zimbabwe

    Martinique

     Mauritania

     Mauritius

    Mexico

     Micronesia

    Moldova

     Monaco

      Mongolia

    Montenegro

    Montserrat

      Morocco

     Mozambique

    Namibia

    Nepal

    Netherlands

    Netherlands Antilles

    New Caledonia

     New Zealand

     Nicaragua

    Niger

    Nigeria

    Norway
    Oman
     Pakistan

    Palau

    Palestine

    Panama

    Papa New Guinea

    Paraguay

    Peru

    Phillipines

    Poland

    Portugal

    Puerto Rico
    Qatar

     Romania

     Russia

    Saba

    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)

    Samoa

    San Marino

    Saudi Arabia

    Senegal

    Serbia

    Seychelles

    Singapore

     Slovak Republic

       Slovenia

      South Africa

    South Korea

      Spain

      Sri Lanka

    St. Barthelemy

    St. Eustatius

    St. Kitts and Nevis

    St. Lucia

    St. Maarten

    St. Vincent

     Suriname

     Swaziland

    Sweden

     Switzerland

      Syria
    Taiwan

    Tanzania

     Thailand

    Tonga

    Tongo

     Trinidad and Tobago

     Tunisia  

    Turkey

    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Uganda

     Ukraine

    United Arab Emirates

     United Kingdom  

    United States of America

    U.S. Virgin Islands

     Uruguay

     Uzbekistan

    Vanuatu

    Vatican City
    Venezuela

     Vietnam

    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia

    Zimbabwe

     

     

     

    Tags: Shipping to Panama

    International Shipping to Australia-See Restrictions

    Posted on Thu, Jun 05, 2014

    International Shipping to Australia has its own rules, regulations, and restrictions just like other countries do. It is important that you be aware of these rules before sending anything to Australia.

    Items Prohibited From Being Sent:
    1.    Bank notes, coins, currency, checks.
    2.    Platinum, gold, and silver (unless it's jewelry, see the restrictions section below for more info).
    3.    Precious stones (unless it's part of jewelry, see the restrictions section below for more info).
    4.    New or used fruit cartons.
    5.    Goods with the name "Anzac" on them.
    6.    Any goods produced (in whole or even by part) by slave labor or by prisoners.
    7.    Perishable infectious biological substances.
    8.    Radioactive materials.
    9.    Registered philatelic articles with fake addresses.
    10.    Silencers for guns.
    11.    Materials which inspire revolt or rebellions.
    12.    Used bedding.
    Restrictions When Shipping to Australia:
    Some items only have restrictions on them and are not completely banned. Pay close attention to these specific restrictions.
    1.    Jewelry may be sent so long as it is sent as an insured package using the priority mail international service.
    2.    Most jewelry can be sent using the above guidelines EXCEPT: Jewelry made using ivory or other parts of endangered species.
    3.    Meat, animal products, powdered milk, concentrated milk, and other dairy products all require permission from the Australian quarantine authorities before they can be shipped.
    4.    In order to ship medication, permission must be granted from the Australian Director-General of Health.


    There are also size limits in regards to the maximum and minimum size that is permitted to be shipped.


    Contact us for more information about shipping to Australia (or other countries). We would be happy to help.


    Tags: Shipping to Australia

    International Shipping to Israel: What Americans Need to Know

    Posted on Fri, May 30, 2014

    Located in Southwest Asia, with an unparalleled view of the beautiful Mediterranean Sea is the Jewish-majority State of Israel. Considered to be a subtropical area, it is comprised of three major geographic regions that are known for their diverse flora and fauna.


    Israel has two different sets of import rules. One set of rules is for countries that have good relationships with Israel. The other set of rules is applied to countries that do not have harmonious relations with Israel’s government.


    Iran is one country that does not have good import relations with Israel. Iran is not allowed to ship anything into the country.


     Pakistan residents must have an import license in order to ship cotton fabrics into Israel.
    Thankfully, America currently enjoys good relations Israel. 

    At this point in time, Americans are not allowed to ship items like the following:
    •    Computer modems and networking devices
    •    Cordless telephones (select MHz/GHz)
    •    Answering and fax machines
    •    Select knives and mace
    •    Laser speedometers
    •    Gambling materials
    •    Plants and animals


    Americans must also seek approval from the Israeli government if they want to ship certain items like motorized scooters and mobile phones into the country. Different departments within the Israeli government handle such approval requests. The department approval needed will depend on the item that is slated to be shipped.


    It is vital to note that Israel’s international shipping rules also require a variety of items to be accompanied by special documentation like a Certificate of Origin, Standard of Institutes Permit, Director General’s Directive or a Special Commodities contract. Examples of items that fall into that category are as follows:
    •    Men’s, women’s and children’s watches
    •    Woven fabrics and yarns from Pakistan
    •    Electronic cigarettes
    •    Blank airline tickets
    •    Silver jewelry


    In addition to those regulations and rules, Israel does impose taxes and fees in certain situations as well. The list of items that may be subject to taxation or fees includes certain size televisions, books and electronics valued at more than $50.
    If you plan on shipping goods to Israel, please feel free to contact us at Pack n Send in Houston, TX.

    Tags: Shipping to Israel

    International Shipping to Spain-Restrictions

    Posted on Thu, May 29, 2014


    Situated in Southwestern Europe’s Iberian Peninsula is the Kingdom of Spain. It is home to one heck of a World Cup futball squad, amazing foods, fabulous wines and the unmistakable silhouette of the Pyrenees mountain range. But don’t try to ship certain products there. Otherwise, you may just run afoul of their customs officials.


    So which products are forbidden or restricted when it comes to international shipping to Spain? The list of forbidden items includes:
    •    Food Shaped Rubber Erasers
    •    Meat Byproducts and Meats
    •    Milk Byproducts and Milk 
    •    Weapons and Explosives
    •    All Items Made in Iran
    •    Illegal Drugs and Medicines
    •    Honey
    Spain’s list of restricted items is much longer and far more complicated. It includes products like the following:
    •    Solid Wood Packing Materials and Product Samples
    •    Veterinary Supplies (e.g. meds, foods and surgical tools)
    •    Plastic Kitchenware from Hong Kong and China
    •    Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Products
    •    Personal Effects (e.g. prescription meds)
    •    Medical Instruments and Machine Parts
    •    Vitamins and Nutritional Supplements
    •    Shoes, Underwear and Textiles
    •    Repaired and Returned Items
    •    Jewelry and Cosmetics
    •    Plants and Seeds
    Some of the products on the list, like underwear and other apparel items, require the shipper to obtain a Declaration of Conformity from the European Union. Other items, like medical instruments, must also be accompanied by additional forms. The list of additional forms includes, but is not constrained to numbered registration documents and letters explaining what the product will be used for once it arrives in Spain.
    In addition, international shippers must be aware of Spain’s other rules and regulations involving items like treaties, fees and free trade zones. For instance, items being stored in free zones  are typically not subject to import fees. A few of the free zones currently recognized by Spain’s government are Portugal, Italy, Germany, Ireland and Greece. To learn more about all of the complexities involved in international shipping to Spain, please contact us.
    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
     Andorra
     Angola
    Anguilla
     Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
     Australia
     Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Bahrain
    Bangladesh
     Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
     Belize
     Belgium
     Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
     Bolivia |
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
     Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
     Brunei
    Bulgaria
     Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Cambodia
    Cameroon
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
     |Chile
     China
     Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook Island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
     Cyprus
    Czech Republic
     Denmark
     Djibouti
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
     Egypt
     El Salvador
    Eritrea
     Estonia
     Ethiopia
    Faeroe Islands
     Fijii
    Finland
     France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
     Gabon
    The Gambia
     Germany
     Georgia
    Ghana
    Gibraltar
     Greece
    Greenland
     Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
     Guinea
     Guyana
     Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
     Hungary
    Iceland
     India
     Indonesia
     Iraq
     Ireland
     Israel
     Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
     Kenya
     Kuwait
     Kyrgyzstan
    Laos
     Latvia
     Lebanon
     Lesotho
     Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
     Lithuania
     Luxembourg
    Macao
     Macedonia
    Madagascar
     Malawi
    Malaysia
     Maldives
     Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
     Mauritania
     Mauritius
    Mexico
     Micronesia
    Moldova
     Monaco
     Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
     Morocco
     Mozambique
    Namibia
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
     New Zealand
     Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Norway
    Oman
     Pakistan
    Palau
    Palestine
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar
    Reunion
     Romania
     Russia
     Rwanda
    Saba
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Singapore
     Slovak Republic
     Slovenia
     South Africa
    South Korea
     Spain
     Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Eustatius
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Vincent
     Sweden
     Switzerland
     Syria
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
     Thailand
    Tonga
    Tongo
     Trinidad and Tobago
     Tunisia
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    United Arab Emirates
     United Kingdom
    United States of America
    U.S. Virgin Islands
     Uruguay
     Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
     Vietnam
    Yemen
    Zambia
    Zimbabwe

    Tags: Shipping to Spain

    Ways to Save Money When Moving

    Posted on Fri, May 23, 2014

    As a Houston mover and freight preparation, we are getting calls about summer moves. Most of the country has started to warm up. After this long cold winter it is time to plan both summer vacations and summer moves. Whether you are moving within the city, out of state or are shipping via international freight, we are going to share a few moving tips.


    If you don’t use an item or don’t need the item-donate it or give it away. If it no longer works, then throw it away. No need to move something that you no longer use or want.  If you have not used an item during the past year, you probably do not need to move it.


     Make a list of the items you will need the 1st few days after your move. Make a list of the items you want to take with you.  Moving time is a good time to donate unused items. Ask for a donation receipt.


     Start to plan your move at least 6 weeks ahead of time.


    Decide ahead of time if you will need to rent a storage unit. Empty out your old storage unit at the time of your move. 


    There may be items that you don't use or need anymore. Maybe you do not have enough space in your new residence, or you are moving to a temporary residence.  If you cannot empty out your storage unit, you may want to take the items that you cannot put in your new residence to the storage unit.


     Make a list before you move of the items that you want to put into storage and the items that you want to retrieve from storage. Moving is the best time to sort out needed and unneeded items. List the items you are going to move. This helps plan out the moving supplies that you will need to have on hand.


    Have a tape measure or ruler handy to pre measure items you are moving. Measure items before you purchase your moving boxes. Identify which items will need special packing materials for the move. Examples are lamps and china. Measure your delicate and fragile items. Take these measurements with you when you go shopping for packing supplies.


    Look for  inexpensive moving boxes. Shop prices for moving boxes. Just because the boxes are marked sale, or half price does not mean that they are less expensive than a store that consistently sells for a less expensive price.  Boxes that are sold in bundles may cost you more since you may not need all of the box sizes that are included in the bundle. Why not only purchase the box sizes that you need.

    Check out your locally owned shipping store. If you are moving dishes, use blank newsprint paper.  Don’t use old newspapers. The print can come off on your valuable items. 
    Need your papers moved in an orderly fashion? Place your documents in file boxes. Organize your moving scissors, tape, box cutter and markers all in one container. Move it with you from room to room as you pack.


    Moving clothes from your closet? Purchase wardrobe boxes. This way you can hang your clothes during your move. Wardrobe boxes let you hang your clothes during your move.


     When buying supplies for moving, remember to buy a roll of bubble wrap for your fragile items. You may need to purchase double wall boxes for your heavier items. Purchase a tape gun. Ask the clerk to show you how to use it. It will save you time when you tape up your boxes.  Place packing peanuts as a cushion around your delicate items.


    While the moving tips listed above can be used for interstate and intrastate move, some of these tips also apply to international freight shipping both from Houston and the rest of the country.

    Please feel free to contact us if you have any domestic or international moving questions.

    Tags: Moving, International Moving

    International Shipping to Bahamas-Restricted Items

    Posted on Fri, May 23, 2014

    International Shipping to Bahamas is not as complicated as one may fear it would be. Some other areas of the world have many more restrictions and much trickier regulations. However, there are still several important rules and restrictions when shipping to this area of the world.

     Bahamian Flag - The National Flag of The Bahamas

    Before looking at the list below, here are a few definitions which may help make understanding the rules a bit easier.
    •    Perishable -An item that is susceptible to rotting, decaying, or ruined. This usually refers to types of food.
    •    Nonperishable - An item that is not able to be broken down or rot. Non-food items for example.
    •    Infectious - Something that can cause or spread an infection.
    •    Non-Infectious - Something that can't cause or spread an infection.


    Knowing these terms will make the following list of prohibited items more easily understood.
    These items are prohibited from being shipped to the Bahamas:
    1.    Obscene or indecent materials including photos, books, articles, or other printed material.
    2.    Perishable infectious biological substances.
    3.    Perishable non-infectious biological substances. (This would include different types of perishable foods).
    4.    Radioactive materials.
    5.    Skimmed milk in tins.


    Many of these rules are fairly explanatory. In some cases they are not so different from restricted items in other countries as well.  For example, consider rule number 4. Radioactive materials can be very dangerous for anyone who unknowingly comes in contact with the items. People can get very sick and in some cases die from exposure.


    There are some other Limits that need to be taken into consideration when mailing packages to the Bahamas:


    Maximum Size Limits:
    Although the minimum size limit is simply to ensure the item is large enough to clearly display the address you are mailing the item to and clearly display the return address (your address) there are some maximum limit sizes.
    •    Max length = 46 inches
    •    Max width = 35 inches
    •    Max height = 46 inches
    •    Max length and girth combined = 108 inches


    Value Limits:
    The maximum value of items being sent to the Bahamas cannot be larger than $2,499.


    About the Bahamas:
    On a side note, did you know that the Bahamas is an island country made up of more than 700 different islands? They are located to the south east of the state of Florida and are south of the Florida Keys. This is a prime vacation destination.
    Despite having so many islands, the population of the Bahamas remains relatively small in comparison to other countries. According to the 2009 census the largest city in all of the Bahamas is called Nassau. The population for Nassau which is on the island of New Providence has 238,132. The tenth largest city (Clarence Town, Long Island) has only 1,709 people on it. That's quite a range and these are only some of the largest cities. Can you imagine the smallest?


    Are you ready to ship something to the Bahamas? Please contact us and we will help you get started. We are more than willing to answer any questions or concerns you may have about shipping internationally, whether it is to the Bahamas or other countries. We'd be happy to help. If you need help shipping to other countries. here is a list of some of the countries that we also ship to.

    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Bahrain
    Bangladesh
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia |
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Cambodia
    Cameroon
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook Island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Denmark
    Djibouti
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia
    Faeroe Islands
    Fijii
    Finland
    France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Georgia
    Ghana
    Gibraltar
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guinea
    Guyana
    Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Kenya
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Macedonia
    Madagascar
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Morocco
    Mozambique
    Namibia
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    Palau
    Palestine
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar
    Reunion
    Romania
    Russia
    Rwanda
    Saba
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovenia
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Eustatius
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Vincent
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Syria
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America
    U.S. Virgin Islands
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia
    Zimbabwe

     

     

     

     

     

    Tags: Shipping to Bahamas

    International Shipping to the United Arab Emirates-Restrictions

    Posted on Thu, May 22, 2014


    If you're shipping Internationally to the United Arab Emirates, you should be aware of the country's import rules; some of them may be unexpected or surprise you. Things you can't import into the UAE include:

       polished, whitened, artificial or imitation pearls
    •    printed matter offensive to Arabs or Muslims
    •    uninsured gold, jewels, platinum, or precious stones
    •    pork products


    The rule about pork products relates to Muslim halal rules, which are fairly similar in both content and concept to Jewish kosher rules. Halal rules forbid Muslims from eating pork products.  The United Arab Emirates is not the only country that prohibits shipping of printed matter.


    Did you know that the United States has a law about what information is not allowed to be sent, called the Comstock Act,? The Comstock prohibits mailing of obscene information through the USPS, which includes information about abortions. The Comstock Act originally prohibited mailing of information about birth control as well.


    Here are some more interesting facts about the United Arab Emirates (often called the UAE):
    •    The UAE is located in the Middle East and is bordered by the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, Oman, and Saudi Arabia
    •    Garfield occasionally tries to mail Nermal the kitten to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE. The UAE does not appear to have any restrictions on kitten shipping.
    •    Dubai is the largest city in the UAE.
    •    The UAE takes its name from the fact that it is made up of seven shiekdoms, or emirates, and has a population of about 4.6 million people.
    •    According to National Geographic, falconry, is growing in popularity in Abu Dhabi.


    Ready to ship to the UAE or another international location? Contact us and let us help you

    Tags: Shipping to the UAE

    International Shipping to New Zealand: Be Informed

    Posted on Fri, May 16, 2014

    Completed surrounded by the Southwestern Pacific Ocean is the country of New Zealand. It consists of two islands that have been a fixture in the area for more than 500 million years. They are known for their geothermal areas, jaw-dropping coastlines, sunken mountains, glaciers and traces of Māori culture. If you do decide to travel there, remember that international shipping to New Zealand has rules that must be followed.


     New Zealand’s government is very serious about protecting the environment. So much so that they prohibit or restrict items that they feel are bad for the earth to be transported across their borders. That long list of items includes the following products:
    •    Air conditioners, heat pumps, insulation and dehumidifiers
    •    Fast-food containers made from thermoformed plastic
    •    Refrigerators, ice machines and freezers
    •    Select aerosol sprays


    They are not the only items New Zealand’s government refuses to let pass over its borders. There are also products on the prohibited items list that many people do not expect to see.

    Among them are:
    •    Children’s art supplies (i.e. water colors, crayons and finger paints)
    •    Rough diamonds and diamonds from select regions (Cote d’lvoire)
    •    Southern blue fin tuna, trout and trout byproducts
    •    Chainsaws and multipurpose ladders
    •    Baby gear (i.e. strollers and walkers)
    •    Hot water bottles (rubber or plastic)
    •    Radio jamming equipment
    •    Children’s toys and pajamas
    •    High powered magnets


    People that break the rules run the risk of landing in serious financial and legal trouble. So it truly pays to be informed on all matters related to the country’s lists of prohibited and restricted items. Furthermore, New Zealand has very stringent laws governing when and where products may be shipped into the country too. Depending on which items people plan on shipping into New Zealand, there may be tariffs, GST and other expenses that may need to be taken care of as well.


    For more information about New Zealand’s international shipping guidelines, please contact us by calling (713) 266-1450 today. At Pack n Send, our experts are very knowledgeable about New Zealand’s rules and would love to help you achieve your shipping goals.

    Tags: International Shipping to New Zealand

    International Shipping to Saudi Arabia - Check Out the Rules

    Posted on Fri, May 16, 2014

    Situated in Western Asia, alongside the Red Sea and Persian Gulf, is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is a fascinating country that may be divided up into four regions, each with its own inimitable personality. Each year, it exports oil from those diverse regions and adheres to strict, comprehensive import regulations. Here’s a glance at some of their some of their international shipping regulations:


    •    Saudi Arabia’s international shipping rules do not allow people to ship dice, playing cards or any other gaming materials into the country. Alcoholic beverages aren’t permitted to cross into the country’s borders either.


    •    Shipping perfumes or colognes into Saudi Arabia?  The government requires them to go through one of the country’s designated laboratories for testing. Plus, they must meet strict labeling guidelines and receive a Certificate of Conformity first.


    •    Saudi Arabia currently prohibits every device that contains a hidden camera from entering into the country. Plus, they disallow night vision gear and mobile phones too. So you’ll definitely need to leave the camera phones, camera watches, camera pens and spy camera cigarette packs at home.


    •    The list of items that are not allowed into Saudi Arabia includes Christmas trees, Bibles, religious jewelry, toys that resemble Gods, religious artwork and books on theological studies.


    •    The country’s government also restricts or prohibits the shipping of items like herbal teas, herbal vitamin supplements, herbal creams, herbal hair products, nutmeg and other assorted spices.


    To learn more about the regulations and rules that must be followed when engaging in international shipping to Saudi Arabia, please contact us at (713) 266-1450 today. We’ll help you make sense out of it all in no time.

    Tags: international shipping, Shipping to Saudi Arabia

    International Shipping to Turkey-Import Restrictions

    Posted on Fri, May 09, 2014

    If you are planning to ship items internationally it is important to check the rules for the specific country you will be shipping to.  Each country has their own set of rules about what can and cannot be shipped to the country and what duties and taxes are required.  It is the sender’s responsibility to ensure they are shipping acceptable items. 

    International Shipping to Turkey has the following requirements.
    Prohibited Items
    •    Cash
    •    Dry Ice
    •    Precious Metals
    •    Viagra
    •    Diamonds
    •    Any Dangerous goods as defined by IATA
    •    Alcoholic Beverages
    •    Soil
    •    Electronic Cigarettes
    •    Products Made in Iran


    Items Requiring Special Permission


    Knives
    Knives require permission from the City Governor and the Police Department.  This includes knives that are going to be used for decoration and those that are gifts.  Tableware knives are not included.


    Antiques
    In order to import antiques one must apply for an expert report by Turkish authorities (such as a museum expert).  Antiques include art, furniture, silverware or a decorative object that is over 100 years old.


    Artwork
    Works of art can be imported if the artist is still living, the artwork can be replaced, and the artwork has been appraised by a gallery or art dealer within the past year. 


    Mobile Phones
    Only companies with approval from the Ministry of Industry and the Turkish Telecom Office are allowed to import mobile phones to Turkey.


    Shipping Personal Items
    Turkey classifies 'Personal Effects' as items that have been owned for at least 6 months and are intended for personal use.  These are items that will not be sold or used for business purposes or for distribution.  If you are shipping 'Personal Effects' they must be clearly labeled on the shipping label by placing "ISC-Personal Effects" on the label.  It should also be clearly labeled on the invoice.  Include the reason for importation such as move, relocation, holiday travel and a photocopy of the passport or ID card.  Items considered excisable goods (perfume, tobacco, and alcoholic drinks), perishable food, and medicine are not allowed as Personal Effects.   


    If you are shipping items internationally it is best to use a knowledgeable shipping service that is aware of the rules and regulations for the country you will be shipping to.  At Pack n Send we have experience shipping to Turkey.  Contact us so we can help you!

    Tags: Shipping to Turkey

    International Shipping to South Korea-Rules to Follow

    Posted on Thu, May 08, 2014

    International Shipping to South Korea takes planning and following the rules that are established.

    Title: South Korea Flag with Clouds

    There are many specific rules. South Korea has many items that are prohibited. However, they also have a list of items which are restricted. This means they may be sent but there are particular limitations or requirements necessary.
    Prohibited Items:
    1.    Counterfeit postage stamps
    2.    Documents, books, printed pages, engravings, or other items contrary to public security
    3.    Guns, sabres, and swords for military use
    4.    Firing caps and ammo for portable firearms
    5.    Live animals or insects
    6.    Machines and papers used for making cigarettes
    7.    Salt
    8.    Textile fabrics
    9.    Weights and measures


    Restricted Items:
    1.    Items that can be sent only if they are sent in registered First-Class Mail International or First-Class Package International Service shipments: Coins, banknotes, currency notes jewelry, manufactured and unmanufactured platinum, gold, silver, precious stones and other valuable articles (Please check here for a full list)
    2.    Monthly or weekly journals are limited to only 3 copies per person, per issue. This only changes if there is a government granted permit.
    3.    Tobacco and ginseng may only be imported by the Korean Government.


    Other Considerations:
    In addition to the list of prohibited items and the restrictions on other items, there are other considerations.
    •    Mail can only be shipped to provinces in the Republic of Korea (South Korea), which are those areas below the 38th parallel of latitude.
    •    Mail being sent to Korea should list: Name of addressee, street name, district name, town name, and province in Korea. If possible use the Korean characters. This isn't always possible, but can be a big help.


    List of Korean Provinces:
    As previous stated, the mail can only be shipped to Korean Provinces below the 38th parallel of latitude. Here is a list of the Korean provinces that are below the parallel:
    •    Cheju-do
    •    Cholla-namdo
    •    Cholla-pukto
    •    Ch’ungch’ong-namdo
    •    Ch’ungch’ong-pukto
    •    Kyongsang-namdo
    •    Kyongsang-pukto


    Additionally, there are two provinces which are divided between being north AND south of the 38th parallel. This means that some portions of that province are considered undeliverable. Be sure to check the latitude and address of your package to ensure that it is south of the 38th latitude.
    Here are the names of the two provinces:
    •    Kangwon-do
    •    Kyonggi-do


    Keep in mind that if you do not follow the above mentioned addressing recommendations or sent to an area that is not in the service area then your item will be considered undeliverable.


    FedEx
    FedEx has many of the exact same restrictions as mentioned above. Additionally they state that no items which damage equipment or personnel is permitted.


    DHL
    Just as the US Postal Service and FedEx follow those restrictions, so does DHL.
    Please contact us to learn more about specific regulations and rules regarding shipping to various countries. We'd be happy to help!

    Tags: Shipping to South Korea

    Planning a Summer Move? Here are some great moving tips.

    Posted on Mon, May 05, 2014

    Moving?  Here are some great moving tips!


    Local Moving:
    •    Prepare a list of the items that you want to move.
    •    When the mover comes out to quote the job, you can make sure that you have shown them everything.
    •    Do not forget attics, garages, basements and storage units.

    Estate Sales or Downsizing Sales: 
    •    Do not throw anything away. 

    Cleaning Service
    Hire a firm with a proven record of service.  They train and retain their personnel, can help prepare the house to sell or clean out, and are bonded and fully insured.


    House Staging:    
    Use a company who will stage your home to get it ready for sale. Staging your home before putting it on the market to sell will help too increase your sales price.


    Realtor suggestions:  
    Ask friends or coworkers for realtors that specialize in your area of the city.  For areas with a high international concentration, look for realtors who are with international firms. 


    Selling your automobile:   
    Find a trusted dealer to sell the car that you are no longer using.  Your realtor or moving company may be able to suggest the right person to sell the used automobile.


    Shipping items to family members
    •    Ship everything at one time. This will save shipping charges.
    •    You can freight or move small amounts of furniture and boxes.
    •    There is no minimum amount of weight or spending.
    •    You can ship items domestically or internationally.
    •    You can ship to people in different cities.
    •     It is easier to keep track of items by using colored dots or sticky notes for each location. 
    •    Consider using white glove inside delivery.


    If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

    Tags: Moving, houston movers, local move

    International Shipping to India: rules of which to be aware

    Posted on Fri, May 02, 2014

    Indian National Flag

    If you're preparing an international shipment to India, some of the rules you'll need to follow may be surprising. Every country has its own import rules, some of which can have a tendency to be quirky. For example, if you're shipping to India, you may not send:


    •    Gold or silver articles
    •    Valuable articles, such as money or jewelry
    •    Consumer electronic items worth more than 200 rupees; those worth less will be released but stamped with "released on caution."
    •    Pistol-shaped items, including toy guns


    Some other prohibitions seem fairly common-sense. For example, you may not ship radioactive items into India. Normal shipping rules, such as USPS's prohibition on explosives, perishables, and liquids, also apply.


    India's not just interesting due to its postal rules, however. Here are some other interesting facts about this country:


    •    India has the largest postal network in the world. In fact, it has 150,000 post offices.
    •    India is the second most populous country in the world, but is a third the size of the US.
    •    The wheel in the center of the Indian flag is the Buddhist wheel of life.
    •    India was the country to first spin and weave cotton, and its fabrics were known and admired as far as Rome.
    •    India is the world's leading banana exporter.
    •    India's Bollywood is the world's largest movie industry.
    •    India created the decimal system, directly leading to the pain of many middle school students in the US.


    If you're ready to get shipping to India, contact us. We'll make sure you don't make any missteps when shipping and packing so that your package doesn't get returned or languish in customs - we know how important it is to you!

    Tags: International Shipping to India

    Rules for International Shipping to Canada

    Posted on Thu, May 01, 2014

    Our friendly neighbor to the north is a vast land, stretching from coast to coast, beginning at our border and ending in frozen tundra up North. Its provinces offer everything from nature's bounty to urban excitement. Canadians speak English, although French is the primary language in Quebec.


    No wonder that with its proximity and size, Canada is our largest trading partner.
    Whether you have friends and relatives to our north, or business trade connections that benefit from the NAFTA agreement, we offer the following rules for international shipping to Canada.


    Prohibited items
    Tobacco products are prohibited unless they are imported in limited quantities for personal consumption and meet the requirements of the Canada Border Services Agency’s enforcement of the Tobacco Act, and one of the following criteria is met:
    •    the shipment is between manufacturers and retailers or between retailers, or
    •    the product is a replacement product (free of charge) mailed by a manufacturer to a consumer, or
    •    the person is otherwise exempted by the regulations.
    Firearms (including imitation and replica firearms) are prohibited.
    Intoxicating beverages can only be imported into Canada by mail when:
    •    they are imported by or mailed to a licensed distiller or body authorized by the board, commission, officer or other governmental agency in the province of destination, and
    •    the alcohol content is no greater than 24% alcohol by volume (e.g. 48 proof).


    Live animals cannot be mailed unless the mailer has entered a related Agreement with Canada Post prior to mailing. (See also restricted items, below.)
    Dangerous goods such as explosives, flammables, poisons, and the like are prohibited.
    Gold bullion, gold dust and non-manufactured precious metals are prohibited unless mailed under an Agreement between Canada Post and the mailer.
    Restricted items
    •    Drugs and other controlled substances
    •    Medical/biological material
    •    Perishable items such as fish, meat, game, fruits, and vegetables
    •    Liquids, liquefiable substances, and powders
    •    Bees, day-old chicks, parasites, leeches and some other small cold blooded animals
    •    Plants


    NAFTA
    If you ship items that qualify under the NAFTA Rules of Origin, you may need to complete a NAFTA Certificate of Origin to benefit from duty-free status. If the item’s value is less than CAD$2,500, you may write a statement on the Commercial Invoice instead, however.


    The good news


    Take heart in the fact that over $680 billion in goods and services does cross the U.S./Canada border annually.


    Planning to ship internationally? We recommend using a shipping service with experience in the detailed requirements of each country. At Pack n Send, we take pride in our international shipping service. Questions? Please contact us for assistance.

    Tags: International Shipping to Canada

    Four Considerations for a Small Move

    Posted on Mon, Apr 28, 2014

    Small moves can be very stressful and often people moving to a new apartment feel they don't have the options of those moving to a new house.  Many shipping companies don't want to work with apartment movers or the prices they offer are not modified to accommodate a small move.  One size fits all pricing is not fair for someone who is not moving a house full of items.  Here are four considerations for someone facing a small move.


    •    Apartment Restrictions: Some apartment buildings limit the times that a person can move.  Intended to cause the least amount of interruption for adjacent apartment residents, it often creates a hassle when moving because moving companies aren't always willing to work around a set schedule.  You will need to find out what restrictions the apartment you are leaving has and what restrictions the apartment you are moving into has.  When you hire a moving company clearly communicate this to them and verify they are willing to complete the move within the appropriate time frame. 


    •    Packing and Unpacking: Consider hiring a moving company that will do the packing and unpacking for you.  This will save you time and the company will ensure your items are packed suitably for safe travel to your new location.  If you want to do the packing and unpacking yourself find out if the moving company will provide you moving supplies to package your items safely and properly. 


    •    Pricing: Verify that the moving company will be offering you pricing based on the size of your move.  You should not be paying the same amount to move between studio apartments as someone who is moving between five bedroom houses.  Request that you be quoted specifically for the space you need whether it be a studio or multiple bedroom apartment.  You don't want to overpay. 


    •    Minimums: Maybe you aren't even looking to move your entire apartment.  It is possible you just want to move one bedroom set to another location.  Find out if the moving company has minimums such as minimum size or minimum weight or minimum cost. 


    If you are moving small amounts of furniture out of town, consider using freight shipping. Look for a company that can move household furniture to another city and provide you with moving options. If you ship your household goods via freight, you can request inside white glove delivery. As a way to save money, you can also request curbside delivery with the recipient unloading the pallet and bringing it inside of the house. This will usually save on moving charges.


    Pack n Send offers small move services.  Items can be moved locally or anywhere in the country.  To get a quote for an apartment move please Contact Us. Also keep us in mind for any of the following small moves:
    •    Offices
    •    Antiques
    •    Moves to assisted living or nursing home
    •    Estate moves


    •    Furniture stores or auction dealers

    Tags: White Glove Delivery

    International Shipping to Mexico: Rules That May Surprise You

    Posted on Fri, Apr 25, 2014

    Bordering the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea is the United Mexican States. It’s known for many things, including its pre-Columbian period inhabitants, stunning beaches and out-of-this world foods. They are so well known in fact, that thousands of Americans flock to the warm weather country each year to visit or purchase second homes. What many might not realize is international shipping to Mexico can be tricky without the right guidance.


    For example, Mexico’s federal presidential constitutional republic government has a list of items that they will not let people ship into their country. Some of the items on the list many Americans may find odd. For example, despite offering access to a variety of cycling trails, it is against the law to ship bicycles to three of the country’s major commercial ports.
    And that’s not all. The list of other items that cannot be imported into the country includes, but is not confined to the following:
    •    Garbage Pail Kids Cards or Bubble Gum Trading Packs
    •    Used Shoes Unless They’re Personal Possessions
    •    Chocolate Cigars and/or Candy Cigarettes
    •    Fish, Frozen or Living
    •    Turtle Skins or Eggs
    •    Used Electronics
    •    Meats


    In addition to the above, Mexican officials also restrict the influx of a wide range of unexpected items too. Just check-out our short list of restricted items below:
    •    Barbie Dolls and Stuffed Animals
    •    Chinese-Style Clothing
    •    Curtains and Dishes
    •    Life Jackets
    •    Plastic Toys
    •    Tennis Shoes


    On top of that, international shipping to Mexico also requires an understanding of the duties and taxes involved. At this point, the flat rate of duties and taxes is 16%. And it will typically need to be paid if your imported goods are considered to be valued at more than $75. For many furniture shipments coming from Houston, furniture is loaded onto pallets and then shipped on pallets to warehouses in Laredo, TX.  From here, the furniture is then taken over the border into Mexico.


    To learn more about international shipping to Mexico, please contact our Houston, Texas, team. We’ve been helping people sort through international shipping regulations since 1981

    Tags: Shipping to Mexico

    Senior Moving - Five Reasons You Should Seek Help

    Posted on Thu, Apr 24, 2014

    You may know, or at least suspect, that you will need help relocating a senior. Whether the senior is moving into an apartment, with a relative, to a senior living center or a nursing home you will want help from a professional senior mover. Here are five reasons to confirm that for you.

    • Guidance:

    An experienced senior mover will be able to help guide you and the senior as to what items will fit in their new living situation and what will not fit. In most cases the senior will own more items than they will be able to take with them. It can be hard to determine what is a reasonable amount to fit but a professional mover will have experience in this and will be able to provide guidance.
    • Professional Packing and Moving:

    You will want the items that are going to be moved to be handled correctly. The things that have been selected to move to the new location will be items of value to the senior. You will want to have them professionally packed and moved to ensure they arrive in the same condition they were in before packing.
    • Move Items to Multiple Locations:

    Since not everything will be able to be moved to the new living location it will likely be necessary to ship items to multiple locations. Some items may end up going to storage but you may find that some furniture and art should be shipped to children and grandchildren in other places. A professional senior mover can help provide shipping to relatives all over the U.S. and even in international locations. There are a few options here. A white glove mover may be called for. As an alternative, you may consider freighting your senior’s furniture to an out of town location.
    • Ease the Transition:

    A professional senior mover will be able to ease the transition. This will likely be a stressful time for your family and specifically the loved one being relocated. A senior mover will know how to handle the situation with compassion and patience.
    • Facilitate the Process:

    Families can have conflicts when trying to determine what to move and how to move it. With a professional senior mover helping they can aid in facilitating the process. The professional mover won't make the decisions but can help guide the family to make the process stress free. The transition will be easier than if you attempted to do it on your own.


    At Pack n Send we have experience with senior moves and would be happy to help your family through the transition. Please Contact Us to learn more.

     

    Tags: Senior Moving

    Professional Job Relocation: Cross Country Movers

    Posted on Fri, Apr 18, 2014

    Moving to another city is a decision that people do not make quickly or without serious thought.

     It often takes several years to build meaning personal connections, business relationships, and friendships. Letting go of a professional situation that is no longer working requires courage. Many people are open to employer relocation if it will help their career improve. Here are a few ways that cross country movers can help with relocation.

    Moving within the continental United States involves packing up all furniture and personal belongings. Trying to carefully pack and move items alone requires a great deal of effort. Moving rarely can be done alone and often involves the help of other able bodied people. If you decide to rent your own truck for the move, make sure that someone is on hand who knows how to load, block and brace your belongings.

    Instead of depending on people who may or may not be available on moving day why not choose to work with a moving company that can facilitate a long distance move.

    If you need help with packing choose cross country movers who  are able to provide a packing service.  You may want to pack your unbreakable items yourself and have the movers pack your delicate or breakable items. This will save you on packing costs, yet ensure that your items arrive safely. Be sure to look inside in drawers, cabinets, and storage areas. Label the outside of every box that you pack with the room that it will go into and note the contents of each box.

    With each box labeled to indicate which room the contents were from. you will have an easier time directing the movers where to place the boxes in your new residence.

    When you use a professional small load mover, larger furniture pieces are treated with special attention. They are properly prepared for a cross country move to ensure there is no exterior damage. Your mover should be able to properly pack your china and other high value items. Make sure that they can build custom crates for marble or artwork when necessary.

    When you use a professional mover, once the contents of a home are loaded onto the moving truck you can have peace of mind that they are being safely transported. 

    Request a quote from the cross country movers for moving the entire contents of the home. Some people are interested in moving smaller items themselves, and relying on the moving company for large furniture pieces. You can contact us for a further explanation on moving costs, valuation coverage, and extra services that are available to make the move as easy as possible. Use these tips when improving personal career options through relocation.

     

    Tags: Small load mover

    Shipping Medical Equipment in Houston

    Posted on Thu, Apr 17, 2014


    With 106 hospitals in the Houston Texas metropolitan area and countless doctors offices there are times medical equipment needs to be moved from one facility to another.  Medical facilities in the Houston area include:

    •    Houston Medical Center
    •    Texas Medical Center
    •    Houston Northwest Medical Center
    •    Menninger Clinic
    •    Memorial Hermann
    •    St. Luke's Medical Center
    •    St. Joseph Medical Center
    •    Houston Methodist Hospital
    •    Medical Clinic of Houston
    •    University of Texas
    •    and many more

    A one size fits all approach will not work when packing and shipping medical equipment.  Shipping medical equipment requires specialized expertise. 

    Items that may need to be packed and shipped include:
    •    microscopes
    •    medical examination tables
    •    autoclaves
    •    high value diagnostic equipment
    •    physical therapy equipment

    The specific aspects of the equipment need to be taken into account prior to packing and shipping. For a microscope, specialized packing needs to be done to protect the lenses. High value diagnostic equipment will also have special requirements.  Each piece of medical equipment needs to be handled differently to ensure defect-free delivery.  You will want to select a moving company that has experience handling medical equipment moves and that employs a moving crew that has been trained specifically for carefully handling medical equipment. They should be trained in proper:
    •    Packing
    •    Loading
    •    Delivery
    •    Unloading
    •    Unpacking

    The moving crew needs to know how to box, crate or freight medical equipment.  They should handle each piece of medical equipment differently.  Focus should be placed on protecting the vital aspect of the specific item.

    If you are moving your medical equipment internationally appropriate paperwork must be prepared and filed. Consider hiring a shipping company that has experience with international processes and paperwork so they can assist you. 

    At pack n send in Houston, we have prepared a list of some of the countries that we ship to. Feel free to contact us about shipping medical equipment.

    Afghanistan
    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Bahrain
    Bangladesh
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia |
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Cambodia
    Cameroon
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook Island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Denmark
    Djibouti
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia
    Faeroe Islands
    Fijii
    Finland
    France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Georgia
    Ghana
    Gibraltar
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guinea
    Guyana
    Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary 
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy 
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Kenya
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Macedonia
    Madagascar
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Morocco
    Mozambique
    Namibia
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    Palau
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar
    Reunion
    Romania
    Russia
    Rwanda
    Saba
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovenia
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Eustatius
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Vincent
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Tunisia 
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom 
    United States of America
    U.S. Virgin Islands
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia
    Zimbabwe

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    Tags: Medical Equipment Shipping

    How to Manage Office Equipment Shipping

    Posted on Tue, Apr 15, 2014

    If you are planning to move, or close an office and relocate, you may be overwhelmed with the prospect of moving all of your office equipment.  When it comes to office equipment shipping, you really can't manage alone. Fortunately, we can tell you what questions to ask yourself and your shipping company about office equipment shipping before the move.

    1: Define Where You Will Ship

    Before you determine what resources you will need to help you ship your office equipment you need to decide what you will be moving and where it will go.  Some office moves involve shipping to multiple locations.  Consider if that is something you will need.  If so, the shipping company you hire needs to be able to accommodate shipping to multiple locations.  You may have loads that are different sizes so you will need to verify they are willing to handle small and large shipments. 


    2. What Will You Move?

    In addition you need to define what you are moving.  Typically, office moves include:
    •    Desks
    •    Filing Cabinets
    •    Computers
    •    Chairs
    •    Bookcases
    •    Water Coolers
    •    Artwork
    You will want to hire a shipping company that has experience shipping the items you plan to ship. This is especially true for your computers and artwork.  These items are high value and you will want to feel confident they will arrive in excellent condition.  A company that has experience shipping these items will handle them properly including appropriate packing and unpacking.

    3. Ask for Details of Packing and Shipping

    You may want to ask a potential shipping company how they plan to pack and ship your items. 

    Will computers be packed in boxes; shrink wrapped and sent out on skids?   

    Is adequate Styrofoam or Styrofoam peanuts included to protect electronics? 

    Will the furniture be safely loaded on pallets

    What about artwork? 

    Will the artwork be protected by special paper prior to boxing or crating?  If not, how will the artwork be protected during shipping? 

    If your office has sculptures how will they be handled? 

    Will custom crates be built? 

    Make sure you are comfortable with the packing and shipping plan.


    Make sure that you know the value of the items that you are shipping. Ask for valuation coverage.

    At Pack n Send we have experience with office moves and know how to handle safely packing and shipping high value items such as electronics and artwork.  We are able and willing to accommodate small moves and moves to multiple locations.  Contact Us to find out how we can help you with your upcoming office move.

    Tags: Office Equipment Shipping

    Another Alternative use for Shipping Containers

    Posted on Fri, Apr 11, 2014

     

    Repurposing shipping containters: This is really amazing, so click here, now!

    This has to be one of the best ideas for repurposing shipping containers that we have seen in years. At pack n send we try and recycle boxes, packing materials and peanuts. But using a shipping container at sporting events is a major breakthrough in using these containers in a new way. Wow.

    The fact that these containers can be decorated to meet the individual schools color and logos brings a whole new meaning to the word tailgating. This is very upscale, and very good for school spirit. 

    The fact that these structures fold up and have two stories makes them space efficient.

    We cannot wait to see where they show up next.

    Oh, and since this is our blog, You can contact us if you would like to ship something internationally inside of a shipping container, here is a list of some of the countries that we ship to:

    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Bahrain
    Bangladesh
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia |
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Cambodia
    Cameroon
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook Island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Denmark
    Djibouti
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia
    Faeroe Islands
    Fijii
    Finland
    France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Georgia
    Ghana
    Gibraltar
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guinea
    Guyana
    Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Kenya
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Macedonia
    Madagascar
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Morocco
    Mozambique
    Namibia
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    Palau
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar
    Reunion
    Romania
    Russia
    Rwanda
    Saba
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovenia
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Eustatius
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Vincent
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Syria
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America
    U.S. Virgin Islands
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia
    Zimbabwe

     

    Shipping Containers? They do not have to look like this anymore.

    shipping containers at clyde

    Tags: International Shipping Containers

    Estate Shipping Options

    Posted on Thu, Apr 10, 2014

    Losing a loved one is very difficult and stressful.  While still mourning, often loved ones have to figure out what to do with the estate.  Many families realize they will need to ship some or all of the estate.  Here are things to think about when shipping an estate.

    Not ready yet?  What about Storage?

    Maybe the family isn't ready to determine where estate pieces should go long term yet. Maybe the residence needs to be vacated but the items can't be parted with quite yet or the final destination for specific furniture pieces hasn't been finalized.  Maybe family members need more time to reach an agreement.  Consider moving items into storage units to give further time to evaluate. A shipping company can pack and ship items including large furniture to a storage unit.  Once a decision has been made the furniture can be moved to the final destination.

    Liquidation

    On the other hand, some families are ready to liquidate and estate but need help accomplishing this overwhelming task. Look for a company that you can hire hold an estate sale and then provide shipping to customers.

    How Many Items and Destinations?

    Many families find that certain members would like to keep special items as a memory of their loved one.  You can move small amounts of furniture. Look for a small load mover. This means the grandfather clock may go to one city and the china cabinet to another.  It is necessary to determine how many items will need to be shipped and where they will need to go.  Often families find they want to ship items to various family members spread across the country or even around the world.  It is necessary to hire a shipping company that allows you to ship items to a variety of destinations even if each individual shipment is not that large.  If items will be shipped internationally a company experienced with international shipping is desirable since appropriate paperwork needs to be filled out. 

    Handling of Valuable Items

    It is important to select a packing and shipping company that has experience handling valuable items.  The memories of your loved one are not replaceable.  Choose a company that has decades of experience and a reputation for transporting delicate items.  Verify that the packers and movers have been trained to handle valuable pieces.  A company that regularly handles antiques, glass or other fragile items may be a good choice.

    Some families find they want to move some items to storage liquidate other pieces and ship yet other items to various friends and family spread throughout the country.  At Pack n Send we have experience and can help you with all three estate shipping options.  Contact us and allow us to provide you personal, reliable service.

    Tags: estate shipping

    Details to Consider when Shipping Antiques

    Posted on Tue, Apr 08, 2014

     

    Antiques are one of a kind and require one of a kind shipping to provide appropriate protection.  If you are planning on shipping your valuable antiques and are looking for an appropriate shipping company you should consider the following:


    Experience
    It almost goes without saying that you will want a shipping company that has experience shipping antiques.  You don't want your piece to be the first antique the company has ever handled.  Instead, you want handling antiques to be common for the packers and movers.  You want them to handle your delicate piece with care and as if it was their own.  Someone who has experience working with auctioneers, collectors or even museums is ideal.  Even better, find a packing and shipping company that is trusted by antique dealers. 

    Provide Assessment


    Antiques vary greatly so you will want the packing and shipping company to assess each item first.  To determine appropriate methods for packing and shipping evaluate:
    •    Risk
    •    Conditions of pick-up
    •    Appropriate mode of transport
    A one-size-fits-all solution does not work with antiques, so each piece needs to be evaluated independently.  A variety of packing options are available including:
    •    Blanket wrap (no crating required)
    •    Crate
    •    Box
    •    Palletize


    Based on the assessment the packing plan can be formed.  In addition items can be shipped by UPS, FedEx, trusted freight carriers or via the company movers.  After packing method has been determined the shipping plan should be finalized.

    If you are considering shipping your antiques internationally, please check with the country that you are shipping to. International shipping of antiques may require documentation for import into a country.

    If you are looking for antique shipping, contact us.  At Pack n Send we provide competitive pricing, reliable, and personal service and are trusted by antique dealers.



    Tags: Antique Shipping

    Four Tips for Overseas Moving

    Posted on Thu, Apr 03, 2014

    Moving to a new location can be a stressful experience. Getting everything packed and shipped to your new home can take time. Overseas moving can be even harder, but if you plan for your move properly, you can save yourself a lot of stress. There are four things you can do to make your move easier.

    1. Get Rid of Things

    No matter how far you are moving, going through your clothes and other items before moving is always a good idea. You may find you have clothing you have not worn in quite a while. You may find those books you loved as a child should now go to your younger sister. When moving to another country, often it is a good idea to downsize, simply to make the move a little easier.

    2. Consider Storage of Items

    If your move is temporary, you may want to consider storage of some items. That way you will not have to move everything you own back and forth. Storage units can often be rented for a reasonable price, or you can store items at a family member’s house or even a friend’s house. Take into consideration what items you will and will not need while you are away. This is a really good idea if you are moving from a warm climate to a cold climate or vice versa. That coat you wear for half the year in the United States probably will only take up space as you are living in the Bahamas for a year.

    3. Plan What Needs Shipped

    If you are making an overseas move, you may be without anything you are having shipped for a couple of weeks or more. Plan ahead. Make sure you have planned ahead when it comes to things like clothing, your favorite blankets, and entertainment items. As a general rule, if you cannot live without it for a couple of weeks, make sure you keep it with you, packed away in a bag you will take with you on your move. Of course, make sure you do not consider too many items “cannot do without for a couple of weeks.”

    4. Hire a Reputable Moving Company

    Perhaps the most important part of making an overseas move is hiring the right moving company. Hire someone who has handled overseas moves. Look at a company that specializes in international freight shipping.  If possible, talk to others who have used the company for a similar move. If you are worried about your fragile items, ask the company how they ship this sort of items, and give yourself peace of mind that your precious items will be properly protected. If you are looking for a good overseas shipping company, feel free to contact us.



    Tags: International Moving

    An International Shipping Company Gives Shipping Advice

    Posted on Tue, Apr 01, 2014

    When the need arises to ship something internationally, it is important to know what is required. This is a way to make certain what is shipped makes it safely to the designated country. Too many times it's the small mistakes that can make a difference. Everything starts when choosing an experienced international shipping company. They will offer you their shipping expertise.


    According to an article in Entrepreneur Magazine, You should also be aware of any regulations on shipping containers for the destination country. Businesses using wood pallets, for instance, might not realize that some countries regulate wood packaging to control pests and ask companies to follow specific standards.


    Paperwork Errors


    One of the most common types of problems that occur when shipping internationally is with paperwork. This can be avoided when a customs broker has all the necessary information for all items being shipped. The most vital document required in the commercial invoice. It is a legal document that customs offices at the destination country will honor. It is a list of items the shipper is sending to the country and their declared value.


    Packing


    All international shipping will require proper packing. An experienced international shipping company will know how items should be packed for their journey. It's important to use undamaged cardboard boxes. The use of shipping tape is preferred over masking tape. It's important to understand that some countries require all packages be opened and inspected. There are also countries that have a history of theft for items shipped there. An international shipping company will know the packing requirements of destination countries.
    If you would like to learn more about the benefits of using an international shipping company we can help.

    Contact us today and learn more. Below, we have listed some of the common countries that you can ship to. Here at pack n send, we can help you ship to the following contries.

    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Bahrain
    Bangladesh
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia |
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Cambodia
    Cameroon
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook Island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Denmark
    Djibouti
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia
    Faeroe Islands
    Fijii
    Finland
    France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Georgia
    Ghana
    Gibraltar
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guinea
    Guyana
    Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Kenya
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Macedonia
    Madagascar
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Morocco
    Mozambique
    Namibia
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    Palau
    Palestine
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar
    Reunion
    Romania
    Russia
    Rwanda
    Saba
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovenia
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Eustatius
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Vincent
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Syria
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America
    U.S. Virgin Islands
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia
    Zimbabwe

    Tags: international shipping

    Tips for Moving into Assisted Living

    Posted on Fri, Mar 28, 2014

    Tips for Moving into Assisted Living in Houston or Anywhere in the World

    Change is difficult. If you or a loved one will be moving into assisted living in Houston you probably have a lot of things you are thinking about. These moving tips will help ease your relocation into assisted living.


    How Much Can You Bring


    How much you can bring with you depends on the size living space you will have. It is recommended that you ask to see the specific room/apartment you will be living in. Take measurements and bring them home with you. Using a computer or a piece of paper (graph paper works well) create a scaled layout of your new residence. Now you can measure the furniture you would like to bring with you and see if and where it will fit. You will also want to ask what furniture is provided with the room.
    Don't overlook storage space. Measure any closet space you will have in your new residence so you can determine how many clothes, shoes and other items you will be able to bring with you.


    What Should You Bring


    In addition to the necessities such as clothes and toiletries, you will want to bring photos and other special mementos. Consider bringing pictures and artwork that you can hang up to decorate your walls. This will help make your new place feel like home. It will also give you something to talk about with the other residents and the staff who will be interested in getting to know you.
    If you have a favorite pet you need to check the policy for the place you are moving to. Different assisted living facilities have different rules. Some allow small cats and dogs and others don't.


    What Should You Do With Everything Else


    You will likely find some items you no longer want or need and can donate to charity. Check for local charities that will pick up donations so you don't have to worry about transporting them to the charity.
    For items you aren't ready to part with but don't want to move with you consider renting a storage unit. Another option is asking a family member to store them for you. After you have settled into your new living arrangement you can decide if you want to move additional items.
    For items that are special to you but not going to work in your new place consider giving them to friends and family members. Don't hesitate to ship a special item to a grandchild in another state or a friend across town. When they use the piece of furniture they will think fondly of you.


    If you have questions about moving into an Assisted Living residence please feel free to contact us. We can help determine what will fit in the new place and are also happy to move special items that won't fit to friends and relatives anywhere in the world.

     

    Tags: Small Move

    Moving Overseas Shipping Options

    Posted on Tue, Mar 25, 2014

    A move overseas requires thought and planning. Decisions need to be made about which household items you want to move overseas and how they will be moved.  

    Will your items be shipped by air or by boat?

    Shipping your items by boat will take longer but is significantly less expensive. However, you should factor in the cost of renting furniture while you are waiting for yours to arrive as that may make the cost difference less substantial. 

    If you elect to transport by boat your household goods will be packed into seaworthy containers. They will then be transported via rail or truck to the port where they are loaded onto a boat. Once the containers have arrived in the destination country they will be unloaded and go through customs. Make sure to mark every box with the contents of the box. You will need to fill in international shipping documents.

    We suggest having professionals pack your belongings and load your container. Remember, only the first two hours of loading are free.


    If you do not have a significant amount of property you may want to consider sharing a container. Less than Container Load (LCL) shipment will reduce your costs. You can get quotes for shipping via the cubic meter.


    Will you move your car?


    Cars can be moved by boat or by air although shipping an auto by air is incredibly expensive. By boat the options are Full Container, Roll On Roll Off (RORO) RORO is a vessel designed to carry wheeled cargo and is basically a giant warehouse. No matter how the car is transported you will need to have certain documentation to move your car:
    • Original Title
    • Bill of Sale
    • EIN Number
    • Export documents
    • Inbound Customs Clearance - The Bureau of Consular Affairs or another comparable governmental agency will have the specific policies of the country you are moving to.

    Keep in mind the level of gas should be less than 1/8 of a tank before departure. In addition you can consider shipping your motorcycle, boat, or RV. The same documentation will apply.

    You will want to value your property during shipment to protect yourself against damage or loss.
    The details of overseas shipping can be overwhelming. It is wise to seek assistance and guidance from shipping professionals. Contact us to learn how we can help you with your overseas move.

     

    Tags: international freight shipping

    Designers Gain the Advantage with White Glove Delivery in Houston

    Posted on Thu, Mar 20, 2014

    Interior designers can make shopping for home furnishings a simple matter.

    They are skilled in knowing where to look for the exact items that can transform a home into a showplace, provide comfort, and reflect personal style, all at the same time. They may shop locally, but may also have to search far afield and on the internet to find the perfect combination of furniture and accessories required.


    The rise of internet companies selling furniture, antiques, lamps, decorative accessories, and everything else, is booming, making it easier than ever to find the furniture items that make a client happy. Figures vary, but online merchants seem to be faring better during the recession than brick and mortar stores. In 2013, over $9 billion was spent in online furnishings stores and sales are growing at 9-10% per year.


    The challenge is how to get purchases to your client's home, on time and in one piece. That's where white glove delivery service in Houston can provide you with the services that you need.


    White Glove delivery services can make the final delivery to the customer a simple matter.

    Consider these benefits:


    •    All items can be shipped to a central location.
    •    Furniture will be inspected and touched up, if needed.
    •    One delivery can be made to install and place furniture in customer's home at their convenience.
    •    Returns are almost eliminated because the furniture is in good condition, and set up and placed where the customer desires. The designer may also choose to be present when delivery is made.
    •    A customer, who is happy with the first room, and the service from ordering to delivery, is certain to be a repeat customer.


    White glove delivery, along with shipping, and receiving services, is just one more weapon in a designer or retailer's arsenal to provide the excellent customer service that most people demand. It's the way to grow your business and generate good word-of-mouth advertising from your satisfied customers. For more information on how to use our services to make your customers happy, contact us.



    Tags: White Glove Delivery, Freight Receiving

    Three Tips for Chandelier Shipping

    Posted on Thu, Mar 13, 2014

    So you have found the perfect chandelier. Whether it is made out of crystal, wrought iron, wood or ceramic or antler horns, there will be a safe way to ship your chandelier.


     You know it will look great hanging over the dining room table. The only problem is you are on vacation in a completely different part of the country than where you live. You need to ship your chandelier home, and you want to make sure it gets there safely. There are three things you will want to consider when it comes to chandelier shipping.


    Look for a company that has experience shipping chandeliers.  We have listed below a few questions that you should ask.


     For shipping, specialized crates must be for each chandelier. The crates need to be lined with Styrofoam and then most chandeliers should  be hung for shipping. Chandeliers needs to be braced or the space filled with peanuts for safe travel.


     For crystal and glass chandeliers pieces will need to be cushioned separately with soft Styrofoam or bubble wrap. Each and every chandelier will need to be looked at separately to determine the safest way to pack it for safe shipping. Designers and private individuals ship chandeliers as well as individuals purchasing chandeliers for overseas shipping.
    Office buildings throughout the country are hanging chandeliers in their atriums.


    When looking for someone to crate your chandelier look for a company that has expertise in shipping high value and delicate items. Make sure that your chandelier is fully valued for both loss and damage.


    If you are shipping your chandelier internationally, make sure that you have requested wood that can be used to ship outside of the United States. If your chandelier is valued for more than $2500, be ready to pay to have international documentation prepared in addition to the commercial invoice.


    Here are some other helpful questions you should ask about the company that you are looking at using when you are considering shipping a chandelier.


    1. You should ask how they are going to pack your chandelier. Do they take it apart to ship it? If they do take it apart, are all the parts ships in the same container, or will you be getting several boxes or crates? What sort of materials do they pack it in, and how do you know that will properly protect your chandelier? Do not be afraid to ask these questions. It is important to know your chandelier is properly packaged to ensure safe delivery.

     
    2. Know their reputation for shipping chandeliers. If the company has never shipped a chandelier before, you might want to reconsider using them. You should get a feel for the company’s reputation concerning shipping chandeliers. If possible, talk to someone else who has used them for the same service or for a similar shipping need. Previous customers can give you a good feel for what to expect.


    3. You should know how long it will take to ship it, and if you are shipping across state or country lines or to another country, make sure you know if there are any added costs for the service. It is also important to make sure the company can ship your chandelier to its ultimate destination. If you are going to be traveling for a while, and you do not want your chandelier to beat you home, it would be a good idea to know how soon you should have the company send your chandelier. Some companies also build specific crates for your chandelier’s trip. It is a good idea to know if that service is going to require extra time and if you will need to let the company know in advance you need a container for your product.


    If you would like more information, please Contact us  at pack n send in Houston to learn more about chandelier shipping options.

    Tags: Chandelier Shipping Houston, Chandelier Shipping

    White Glove Art Work Receiving and Delivery FAQ

    Posted on Fri, Mar 07, 2014


    Transporting art work looks like it is a bit more complicated than moving office supplies, household goods or furniture. Truth be told, it is not a complicated endeavor.


     When you need to move art work like paintings or sculptures, consider white glove art work receiving and delivery services. Whether you are a designer, private collection owner or an art dealer, you'll find this type of service a good solution for relocating your artwork. So what can white glove art work receiving and delivery do for you? Review this handy FAQ.


    What does the relocation process for art work entail? A white glove service includes care from beginning to end, including disassembling artwork when necessary, wrapping the items, moving them and reassembling items at the new location. White glove delivery teams can also hang and display art work according to the customer's direction.


    How will a white glove service protect my art work? Moving professionals wrap the art work carefully.  Some pieces may be blanket wrapped, some custom boxed and others may be custom crated.  Larger items may be custom packed and then strapped to a shipping pallet.
     The size, condition, materials and value of each item is considered separately when deciding the safest way to pack each piece of artwork.


       Can I get some help putting my art work in place? Tell the company when to deliver and they can deliver and professionally install your items wherever you want them. Get some help moving odd-shaped concrete items into a garden or let a white glove crew hang that heavy portrait for you.


    White glove delivery companies are committed to delivering your possessions using the highest level of professionalism and real expertise. Contact us for more information about white glove services for your art work.

    Tags: White Glove Delivery, White Glove Delivery Houston

    Should You Choose White Glove Delivery?

    Posted on Thu, Mar 06, 2014

    Moving items that require extra attention or some assembly? 

    From a collection of antique furniture to a sophisticated computer system, companies that offer white glove delivery specialize in this type of premium service. For some businesses and individuals, white glove service providers lift the load off a stressful event like moving and relocating. If you're considering your moving options, add white glove delivery as a possible solution.


    What are the benefits of this type of service? What do white glove movers do?
    White glove services pick up your items. You can box them yourself or allow the company to prepare the items for moving. These teams also handle disassembling items too. This handy service begins right in your home or business.
    The items are carefully loaded and transported to their new destination. White glove movers handle all of the logistics! If you have a long distance move planned, across the country or around the world, they have you covered.
    Your items are inspected and repacked, if received from a third party. If the white glove service is receiving items from another shipper onward to you, the team will inspect the items when they are received. You are informed every step of the way of the condition of your belongings.

     

    If your item is shipped via freight to a receiving warehouse, the item will be taken off the pallet, or taken out of the box, inspected and then delivered inside your home or office.

    White glove delivery will take your shipment to its new destination, unpack and reassemble it. Want to place that armoire in a specific place? They'll place each item right where you want them. No more reshuffling furniture after the movers leave.
    What else comes with this enhanced delivery service?
    •    The moving company removes all the packaging and hauls it away.
    •    Precious items receive the care they need.
    •    White glove movers can offer ideas on furniture placement solutions.
    •    These special delivery teams are adept at handling moving items into tight quarters or through limited entryways.
     Have more questions? We'd be happy to answer them. Contact us for more information about white glove services.

    Tags: White Glove Delivery, White Glove Delivery Houston

    Make Money on eBay-Houston Auction & Shipping Co. Offers Advice

    Posted on Wed, Mar 05, 2014

    Have you ever thought about selling on eBay, but decided against it because it seemed a little too complicated? Auction selling and shipping from Houston can be a great way to earn extra cash. And it can be easy if you let someone else do the work.

    You really can make money selling your unwanted household goods, jewelry, inherited family treasures, electronic gadgets, or just about anything. Unfortunately the online auction process can be a little bit of a hassle, but it doesn't have to be. An auction service can help by taking care of all the little details. 

    Item picture
    There’s a lot to do. Listing can require a few steps. If you choose not to list the items yourself, you can check out eBay listing stores in your area. You just drop off your items, pay them a fee and you should receive funds once your item sells and is paid for.
    Your friends or acquaintances may have told you about the money they've made selling items on eBay. But did they tell you about all the procedures and tasks they had to master? There’s a lot to do before you make a single dollar.
    Before you auction your first item, you’ll have to sign up with eBay. That means choosing a screen name and supplying personal details. You’ll also have to set up a PayPal account to receive auction payments. Your PayPal account will be connected to your bank account.
    When it’s time to sell, you must decide how much money you want to make from your items and what to charge for packaging and shipping. You'll have to photograph each item, list it with a minimum bid, and monitor your bids until the auctions expire.
    When your auctions end, you’ll have to pack up the items and ship them to the winners --across town or perhaps to the other side of the world. You'll have to take your packages to a shipping location to get them off by the promised date. If they arrive too late, your customer's negative feedback could affect future sales.
    Shipping can get complicated
    If you've never shipped packages on a regular basis, that’s one more skill you’ll have to develop. Shipping isn't just about the United States Postal Service. There’s also FedEx, UPS, and DHL. Any one of them will ship your sold auction items wherever you want them to go, as long as you follow their procedures.
    Shipping costs vary depending on package size, weight, destination, and the desired arrival date and time. You’ll have to box and wrap them, of course. And if you ship to other countries, you’ll have to learn the basics of Customs forms completion.
    We recommend that you take your item to a shipping company before you list it on eBay. Ask them for the packing and shipping charges before you list your item. List these charges in your eBay listing so that your customer will know the cost to have the item shipped to their location. Once your item sells and you have been paid, drop the item off at the shipping store and they will do the rest. They can give you and your customer the tracking number. This helps to make your eBay selling process much easier.
    Can you really make money auctioning off items on eBay?
    With all the things you need to know and the procedures you have to follow, you might wonder if the potential eBay income is worth the time and effort. Once you figure out how to do things, you can make money auctioning your items online, but it will take time, effort and patience. Once you've mastered the long list of eBay things to do, you may find it’s a desirable way to earn some extra cash.
    It’s easier when you let someone else do the work. If you need assistance with your eBay listing or eBay shipping, please feel free to contact us at pack n send in Houston.

    Tags: Houston Freight, Houston Shipping

    Choosing the Best Freight Forwarder: Ask These Questions!

    Posted on Tue, Mar 04, 2014

    Managing the logistics of shifting an order from point A to point B can be confusing--even frustrating if you try to go it alone. Understanding import and export laws, finding carriers and meeting shipping requirements is enough to leave even a savvy businessman scratching his head. Enter the professional freight forwarder!


     A reliable, freight forwarding service manages those logistics on behalf of the client, taking all the guesswork--and legwork out of these necessary transactions. If you've considered using a freight forwarder, you may be wondering how to choose one. Ask these questions before you get started!


    What is the origin and destination of the shipment? The freight forwarding company will need this information.
    How should my commodity be packaged for shipping?  Will it need to be placed on a pallet, or will it need to go inside of a container.


    If it is an automobile, will it fit into a container or will it need to go roll on/roll off?


    How should my cargo be packaged and shipped? Do you have special requirements for shipping? If you're shipping frozen items, liquids or oddly shaped goods, you may need some special attention. Maybe you need a custom crate built for shipping. Is your cargo considered hazardous or controlled? When choosing a freight forwarder, you need to bring this information with you.


    Can the freight forwarder handle multiple shipments? How big is their company and can they handle the amount of shipments you have in mind?

     

    A large truck drives over the bridge. <br>See more <a href="http://www.pbase.com/hull_m">photos by Matthew Hull</a> at PBase. <br>See my portfolio at <a href="http://www.istockphoto.com/matthew_hull"&...
    See more photos by Matthew Hull at PBase.
    See my portfolio at


    What kind of experience does the company have shipping items like yours? Experience should be a factor in your freight forwarding company. This may be a good time to ask your competitors or vendors who they might suggest as a freight forwarder.


    Can the freight forwarder offer deliveries both to businesses and residences?  Can they offer white glove inside delivery?
    Asking these questions is a good way to narrow down the possibilities! If you have more concerns, contact us. We will be happy to share our knowledge about freight forwarding.

    Tags: freight, White Glove Delivery

    Moving Assistance: How Much Do I Need?

    Posted on Fri, Feb 21, 2014

    Sifting through, packing and moving your belongings can seem a daunting task but you don't have to do it alone. When you've got a long haul move planned, you may need some moving assistance.  That's especially true if you have large pieces of furniture to transport or an entire household to shift from point A to point B. Professional moving services give you complete control over how much moving assistance you may need.

    So how can the pros help?


    They do the packing! Have an awkward shaped piece of art or a large collection of knick-knacks? Movers wrap artwork with special paper that protects your fine artwork. These pros regularly employ bubble wrap, shrink wrap, foam peanuts and double boxing techniques. Small pieces like china or glasses are wrapped individually and tucked inside a sturdy crate or box. Besides packing, they unpack too! No more staring at boxes for months while you arrange your new home. Need a custom crate built for a glass table top?  Movers can build the crate.


    Have a small amount of furniture to move?  Consider freighting your furniture. Movers can pack your shipment. They can pick up the furniture, and move it on a pallet across country. You can request curbside delivery or inside white glove delivery. It is all up to you, the customer.


    Leave the moving to your moving company. Whether you are moving across town, the country or the globe, professional movers can transport a variety of shipments safely to its final destination. Moving an entire apartment or downscaling to a condominium? This kind of service can help you transition into your new digs.


    In a nutshell here's more of what this type of service provider can do:
    •    Provide supplies or pack for you.
    •    Help you breakdown and set up furniture and appliances.
    •    Do all the driving--or give you the wheel or freight your furniture on a pallet

    Can you do it yourself? Sure, but when you have a big move planned, team work makes everything better.  Contact pack n send in Houston for pricing and details and advice about moving from one location to another locations.

    Tags: Samll move, Custom Crating

    Shipping Antiques: Steps for a Successful Experience

    Posted on Thu, Feb 20, 2014

    Once you find an antique you love, you may find that it carries a certain sentimental value.

     That means that shipping an antique treasure requires extra care.

    Professional antique movers know how to make this transition go smoothly, but there are still some steps you can take on your end to insure the process goes smoothly.  Shipping antiques does not have to be a stressful. Follow the following steps for a successful experience.
    Start with an appraisal. By getting an official appraisal you will know exactly how much the piece is worth. That is information you need for insurance purposes.
    Photograph the item. This is especially helpful if the antique requires some assembly after the move. Photograph the antique from all angles and keep the photos handy.
    Inspect your antique. If your item has a loose knocker or is missing a drawer, let your moving company know. Professional movers will handle these items with special care.
    Remove any extras. Is that antique a dresser or nightstand? Don't forget to remove any hidden items. You should avoid shipping antiques with knick knacks or change rolling around inside of it.


    Skip the tape. Put down that tape! Packing tape is not suitable for contact with antiques. Instead, ask for the blanket wrap move method…or ask if you antique can be placed inside a custom made crate and shipped via freight.


    Whether shipping one unique piece or an entire estate of antiques, we can help!  Contact us at pack n send in Houston for more antique moving tips. We are able to pack and ship, or pack and move antiques both domestically and internationally.

    Tags: Antique moving, Antique Shipping

    Custom Packing: How Does It Work?

    Posted on Tue, Feb 18, 2014


    Not all your treasures fit handily inside a standard box but you can't leave them behind. If you've got an odd-shaped item like an heirloom coat rack, a large piece of glass or a one-of-a-kind surfboard, you'll have to custom pack those items. You don't have to move items without the confidence that you are doing it correctly. Have confidence by using the right techniques and tips for moving your items.

    You really can pack anything!
    •    For certain items we suggest inserting one inch sheets of Styrofoam on the inside of the box to cushion the box.  We also suggest using bubble wrap around your items before you insert it into a custom made box.  Depending on the item, you may also want to use foam peanuts to cradle the item in the box.
    •    You can order a custom made crate or pallet. This is especially necessary if your piece is heavy or has an unusual shape.  Wood crates can be custom built to fit your specific piece. Standard pallets are forty inches by forty eight inches, but you can have a custom built pallet or platform built to fit your specific needs.
    •    Invest in double-walled, boxes if your piece is too heavy for a single wall box, but does not need a full wood crate. 
    •    Have plenty of foam peanuts, bubble wrap and packing tape on hand for custom packing. However, never tape directly to your furniture or item. Tape can leave a gummy residue behind.
    •    If you prefer, you could let the pros custom pack your items for you.


    No more worries about transporting that craftsman chair or those important golf clubs. You can truly pack just about everything! Don't wait until the last minute to prepare for your packing or moving, Contact us for more tips and help with your move. We offer a variety of options for custom packing and specialty moving. Our experienced team would love to answer your questions.

    Tags: Packing Houston, Crate Houston

    Small Load Movers: Packing and Moving Stuff on a Small Scale

    Posted on Fri, Feb 14, 2014

    So are you planning on moving out of town, but only have a few pieces of furniture to move?
    No problem. Look for a small load mover.  There are options within this category. You can request quotes for two types of moves.

    Of course you can be your own small load mover, and not hire a professional moving company but….When you have just a few things to move, renting a truck can seem like overkill. Still, shifting that heavy dresser or stack of boxes to your new address will require some sweat equity. That's when you need a reliable professional small load mover. If you have a small scale transition planed consider talking to the pros.

    Photo: We can help with packing and moving!
    First for a cross country move, just like a move within the same city, you receive pick up inside your current home and delivery inside your next residence. You can ask for valuation coverage for your belongings. Movers will wrap furniture in moving blankets to protect them from shifting during the move.  You have the option to pack and unpack your own boxes, or you can request that the small load mover both pack and unpack for you.

    The second option is picking up inside your home and delivery to your new residence with curbside drop off. While this is usually a money saving opportunity, the recipient will need to unload the pallet that has been dropped off, and then take your belongings inside the residence. The receiver will also need to dispose of the packaging on their own.  With many of our customers choosing this option, it has worked out quite well for them.

     The freight company that will deliver the pallet will call ahead of time to arrange a drop off time that is convenient for the recipient. That way, you can schedule your helpers and meet the delivery truck.

    Just like large load movers, your items will be treated with care and can be delivered right to your address. 
    What can I move? Absolutely everything, but we have listed dome common items below:
    •    Televisions
    •    Tables
    •    Chairs
    •    Computers
    •    Appliances
    •    Fine art
    •    Pictures
    •    Dishes
    •    Yard art
    •    Book collections
    •    Linens
    From one room to a single piece of furniture you can safely move your treasures to their new home without worry. Whether it's a piano, a chandelier or just a box of mementos, small move services could be just what you need.
    Please feel free to contact us at pack n send for information on small load moving.

    Tags: Small load mover, Small load move

    Vacation's Treasures: Shipping art work

    Posted on Tue, Feb 11, 2014

    If you have ever gone on a vacation and wandered through art galleries, you know the feeling when you see an oil painting or framed photo you know you have to have. You know the perfect place in your home for that work of art. If you found a life size oil portrait that is perfect for a den or library you should look for a company with experience shipping large pieces of artwork. 


    But, how will you get it home?


     If you are in a car, you could try to wrap bubble wrap or place blankets around it and hope it doesn't get damaged. Or, if you are flying you could wrap it in a box and wince as you see it thrown on the luggage conveyer belt. Or, you could use a professional service to ship your treasured art work and know that when you get home, that memory of your vacation will be safe.


    But, instead of just dropping that treasure off at the first shipping store that you see, you might want to be aware of the best way to ship artwork. It's always good to be an informed consumer.  This way, you will know the questions to ask. 

    1. “How long is your location in business?”  

    2. “What is the value of the artwork that you usually ship?”  

    If the location is in business fewer than three years, or if you have a piece of art work worth $3000 and their response is that the artwork that they usually ship is worth about one hundred dollars, we suggest that you keep researching a shipping location.


    If the artwork is going to be shipped in a cardboard box, there are several things you will want to ensure are done to protect it.
    1.    Ask for a box that is the right size that will contain padding to protect your artwork.
    2.    Ask if the glass will be protected.
    3.    Ask if they will have an inch of Styrofoam all around to protect the artwork during shipping and to prevent the piece of artwork from moving around inside the box. Ask if your piece of artwork will need the Styrofoam all around to protect it.
    4.    Ask if bubble wrap will be used to protect your artwork during shipping.
    5.    Ask if they protect the glass on the artwork?


    If you want extra protection for your treasured artwork, you might want to ask the company to use a crate. For high value artwork we suggest using a full wood custom built crate.
     Even with the crate, you will want to be sure they are a company that will protect against scratches and dings. For higher valued artwork, the crate is usually the best method of packing. If you are shipping internationally, be sure the company uses heat treated wood so that it can be safely exported from the United States.


    Maybe you rounded the corner in the art gallery and saw the sculpture that you have to have.  We have devoted other full blogs that discuss the most appropriate and safest way to ship sculptures. We suggest that you look at some of our prior blogs, or go directly to
    http://www.pack-n-send.com/shipping/art-sculpture-shipping/ our website, for advice on sculpture shipping.

    Whatever your vacation treasure is, you want a reliable company who knows how to protect your treasure.
    For more information on shipping artwork, paintings, oil painting, sculptures, photos, 3D media, life-size portraits, feel free to contact us at pack n send in Houston. For more information on shipping artwork, paintings, oil painting, sculptures, photos, 3D media, life-size portraits, feel free to contact us at pack n send in Houston. We want to help you pack and ship, and protect your treasures.

    Tags: Artwork Shipping, Shipping art work

    Preparing for Pallet Shipping

    Posted on Tue, Feb 11, 2014

    Pallet shipping consolidates your items into one single shipment making it easier to move your goods safely. We suggest using sturdy wood pallets. They can be custom made to fit your particular shipment. Pallets are large enough to accommodate the items without allowing them to overhang. If you’ve decided on pallet shipping you should follow a few steps for the best results.

    Logistics cargo transportation freight shipment concept stack wooden shipping pallets isolated white background Stock Images

    What can I pallet ship?
    •    Lawn equipment
    •    Washer/dryer
    •    Refrigerator
    •    Sofa
    •    Recliner
    •    Dresser
    •    Tables
    •    Chairs
    •    Electronics
    •    Large accessories
    •    Cartons of goods


    Which pallet?
    Select pallets that are large enough to stop overhang. Your pallet will be a platform for your goodies so make sure it’s strong enough to hold the load without collapsing. The best pallets have closely spaced deck boards—don’t use pallets with broken boards or nails that poke out. Most pallets are lifted with a forklift.
    If your move is international, the wooden pallets must be heat treated. Heat treated wood pallets don't make good homes for unwanted pests. Fortunately, the pallets only have to be treated once.

    Packing your pallet

    •    Pack small items in sturdy cartons. Close each carton with tape or staples.
    •    Do not allow boxes to extend past the pallet edges.
    •    Avoid excess space in between cartons. By keeping them packed tightly, you will avoid shifting.
    •    Arrange boxes in columns for a smooth trip.
    •    Wrap the pallet with stretch wrap and use strapping to keep those cartons in place. Stretch wrap is "industrial strength" plastic stretch wrap and it needs to be applied to the entire pallet.
    •    Wrap from the bottom up.


    If you want move a household or a roomful of items, pallet shipping is the way to go. Whether moving your treasures across the country or the world, we're here to make your move as seamless as possible.
    The team at Pack n Send can help you transport a single or multiple pallets easily. Contact us today for more information preparing, shipping and moving pallets.

    Tags: freight shipping, Pallet Shipping

    Shipping Statues: Pack, Ship or International Freight Packing

    Posted on Wed, Feb 05, 2014

    Transporting large sculptures like statues takes some finesse! Regardless of what type of statue--bronze, marble, plastic or concrete you can send that treasure anywhere and safely with a custom built box or crate. The statute may require freight shipping on a custom built pallet.

    art sculpture
     Shipping statues takes a bit of planning but an expert mover or freight preparation company can guide you through the process. Before you make that call, ask yourself these questions.

    What are the statue's dimensions? You need the weight, height and width of your statue. Write this information down; have it on hand when ordering a crate, requesting a custom built pallet or seeing it the statute can be moved on a blanket wrap moving truck. There are many options available. Look for a company that can analyze the most effective way to ship your particular statute.


    What is the value of the statue? Does your statue need valuation coverage before shipping? Do you have a written appraisal or the sales slip if this was just purchased?
    Does the statue have a usual shape or design? Some statues and sculptures have a separate base or movable components. Have this information ready when selecting a shipping method. You may want to email a picture of the statute to the shipping company.


    The more details you can provide, the better your shipping experience!


    If you choose to use professional movers the movers may use the following techniques to move large objects like statues:
    •    Build a wooden crate or box to specs. Even when in a moving truck, they may consider using a custom built crate for your statute a necessity. As an alternative, they may require a custom built box.
    •    They may determine that a standard blanket wrap move is the perfect solution for shipping your statute.


    Relocating a valuable statue can seem a daunting task.  If you are shipping your statute overseas, look for an international freight shipping company that can help you with this task. When shipping internationally, you may need to fill in additional customs forms due to the value of your statute. You also want to consider that any crates used for international shipping will need to be built out of heat treated wood.


    If you have any questions about shipping your statute either domestically or internationally, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston. We pack and ship worldwide and are happy to answer your shipping questions.




    Tags: freight shipping, Sculpture Shipping

    Ship a Chandelier Like a Pro-Domestic and International Freight

    Posted on Wed, Feb 05, 2014

    You swooped in and rescued that gorgeous chandelier but now you need to ship it to its final destination. Losing a delicate crystal or breaking some piece of your find is unacceptable but packing and transporting such an awkward-shaped item can be a challenge. Ship a chandelier like a pro--follow these steps. Whether it's a move across town or across the country, ship that chandelier with confidence.Chandelier Shipping in Houston, TX


    Hang or cushion? Chandeliers typically have drooping decorations, like strands of crystals. When shipping your light fixture, you have two choices: hang it or cushion it. By hanging the chandelier, you allow the accessory to dangle naturally without fear of crushing it. For this method, you need a sturdy wooden crate with a crossbeam attached at the top. The crossbeam must be sturdy enough to handle the weight of the chandelier, even during shipping. If a crate with a crossbeam is not an option, you can place cushioning blankets at the bottom of the crate and place the chandelier on top.


    Wrap it up! Before you ship it, wrap each piece individually. Bubble wrap, non-acidic tissue paper and newspaper work perfectly. Wrap each crystal and light and secure it with packing tape. However, don't tape directly on the fixture if possible.


    Assemble the box. If you purchased an unassembled crate, it's time to put it together. Ideally, the box should be roomy enough to place the item inside with 4 to 6 inches to spare. Always follow the assembly directions provided by the crate company.
    Ask for help. You need help moving that chandelier into the box. Ask a friend to help you lift and set the item in the padded storage container before you add the crossbeam. Trying to move it solo could result in bodily injury or product damage. Once the chandelier is in place, slide in the crossbar. Do not attempt to install the crossbar first or carry the item by the crossbar.


    Fill it up. Now that you have placed the item securely in the box, fill it up with foam peanuts. These handy helpers create a buffer zone between the sides of the crate and your precious item. Give the crate a gentle shake as you fill it up to make sure each nook and cranny is protected.


    Still feeling a bit nervous about shipping your chandelier. No worries--give us a call! We can help you pack and ship unique accessories anywhere with our international freight shipping service . We have listed below the countries that we ship to.

     


    Albania

    Algeria

    American Samoa

     Andorra

     Angola

    Anguilla

     Antigua and Barbuda

    Argentina

    Armenia

    Aruba

     Australia

     Austria

    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas

    Bahrain

    Bangladesh

     Barbados

    Baruba

    Belarus

     Belize

     Belgium

     Benin

    Bermuda

    Bhutan

     Bolivia |

    Bonaire

    Botswana

    Bosnia and Herzegovina

     Brazil

    Brittish Virgin Islands

     Brunei

    Bulgaria

     Burkina Faso

    Burundi
    Cambodia

    Cameroon

    Canada

    Cape Verde

    Cayman Islands

     |Chile

     China

     Colombia

    Congo

    Congo Republic of

    Cook Island

    Costa Rica

    Croatia

    Curaco

     Cyprus

    Czech Republic
      Denmark

     Djibouti

    Dominica

    Dominican Republic
    East Timor

    Ecuador

     Egypt

     El Salvador

    Eritrea

     Estonia

     Ethiopia

    Faeroe Islands
     Fijii

    Finland

      France

    French Guinana

    French Polynesia
     Gabon

    The Gambia

     Germany

     Georgia

    Ghana

    Gibraltar

     Greece

    Greenland

     Grenada

    Guadeloupe

    Guam

    Guatemala

     Guinea

     Guyana
     Haiti

    Honduras

    Hong Kong

     Hungary  
    Iceland

     India

     Indonesia

      Iraq

     Ireland

     Israel

     Italy  

    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica

    Japan

    Jordan
    Kazakhstan

      Kenya

     Kuwait

     Kyrgyzstan
    Laos

     Latvia

     Lebanon

     Lesotho

     Liberia

    Libya

    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy

    Liechtenstein

     Lithuania

     Luxembourg
    Macao

     Macedonia

    Madagascar

      Malawi

    Malaysia

     Maldives

      Mali

    Malta

    Marshall Islands

    Martinique

     Mauritania

     Mauritius

    Mexico

     Micronesia

    Moldova

     Monaco

      Mongolia

    Montenegro

    Montserrat

      Morocco

     Mozambique

    Namibia

    Nepal

    Netherlands

    Netherlands Antilles

    New Caledonia

     New Zealand

     Nicaragua

    Niger

    Nigeria

    Norway
    Oman
     Pakistan

    Palau

    Palestine

    Panama

    Papa New Guinea

    Paraguay

    Peru

    Phillipines

    Poland

    Portugal

    Puerto Rico
    Qatar

    Reunion
     Romania

     Russia

     Rwanda

    Saba

    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)

    Samoa

    San Marino

    Saudi Arabia

    Senegal

    Serbia

    Seychelles

    Singapore

     Slovak Republic

       Slovenia

      South Africa

    South Korea

      Spain

      Sri Lanka

    St. Barthelemy

    St. Eustatius

    St. Kitts and Nevis

    St. Lucia

    St. Maarten

    St. Vincent

     Suriname

     Swaziland

    Sweden

     Switzerland

      Syria
    Taiwan

    Tanzania

     Thailand

    Tonga

    Tongo

     Trinidad and Tobago

     Tunisia  

    Turkey

    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Uganda

     Ukraine

    United Arab Emirates

     United Kingdom  

    United States of America

    U.S. Virgin Islands

     Uruguay

     Uzbekistan

    Vanuatu

    Vatican City
    Venezuela

     Vietnam

    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia

    Zimbabwe

     

     

    Tags: freight shipping, Chandelier Shipping

    Tips for Sending Furniture - For a Small Move, or a Large Move

    Posted on Wed, Jan 29, 2014


    Unlike linens and trendy accessories, people don't purchase new furniture every year--it becomes a part of daily family life. Some treasured furniture pieces are shared from generation to generation. When a move is necessary, you wouldn't think of leaving the furniture behind. If you have a move planned, you can send furniture without worry by using a few professional moving tips. If you plan to move your furniture out of town, you may want to consider using cross country movers or even moving your furniture via freight.

    If you are moving yourself, we have a few handy suggestions.

    Plan, plan, plan! Before you send the first item you'll have to think about the logistics. Measure your furniture, at least the large pieces and compare these to the doorways of your current home and your future residence.
    You can take some furniture apart to save on space in the van if you are moving it yourself.  For example, a futon that slides into a bed often has screws and a lift bar. Take the furniture apart, put the screws and disassembled items into a zippered storage bag. Label each bag with a permanent marker. That will make reassembly a lot easier.

    Have furniture tools handy. If you plan on packing and loading furniture yourself, you'll need some tools like a hand truck or a dolly. Your favorite dresser may weight quite a bit. Move items, from point A and B easier with some moving tools. You may also need moving pads and blankets. Sometimes it's easier to slide a piece of furniture than to actually lift and carry it.

    Plan realistically. When moving an entire household of furniture, it may take more than an afternoon to prepare the furniture for moving. Have a realistic plan and enlist reliable help when needed.
    Pad and protect each item.  Moving multiple pieces? Moving blankets make an excellent protective barrier between items that need to be moved. Plan ahead for shifting, which often occurs during moves. Take the time to wrap each piece with a blanket, bubble wrap or some type of padding.
    I
    Moving furniture can seem like a daunting task.  Whether you are moving yourself in the city and need advice, or are planning a cross country or international move, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston for moving advice.


    Tags: Small Move, Move

    Tips for Pallet & International Freight Shipping

    Posted on Wed, Jan 29, 2014

    Pallet shipping and international freight shipping are two areas that are essential for business for shipping across the country or overseas.  The large freight items that many businesses are producing and exporting must be properly packed into pallets that can be loaded safely onto freighters, and aircraft.  You need to  choose the proper company to  pack and ship your pallet, items safely and efficiently.


    Many companies know that they must send their items over freight channels to cut down on costs.  Smaller items may be combined in boxes and then shipped via pallet shipping. This  ensures that the items are delivered properly.  Large furniture pieces, big ticket electronics, medical equipment and other large mechanical devices need to be packed, blocked and braced and shipped via freight.


    When engaging in freight shipping, there are two steps.  First, the items must be packed into pallets by professionals.  Second, the items must be shipped with the right company. 


    Pallet packing should be customized to every new item.  While generic pallets can hold small items relatively easily, custom pallets must be produced for exceptionally-large objects.  Also, the wrapping of each pallet must be done professionally to ensure that the item does not move during transit.


    When you need overseas or cross-country freight shipping handled, contact us for more information on how to can make this process seamless.

    Tags: freight shipping

    Medical Equipment Shipping Is Simple When Done Right

    Posted on Fri, Jan 24, 2014

     

    When there comes time for any medical office to be moved extra care needs to be taken when shipping its medical equipment. Quite a large amount of the equipment is, high in value and sensitive.  A moving company with knowledge and experience with medical equipment shipping can make certain it is done correctly and any type of potential damage is avoided. Look for a freight forwarding, freight preparation or moving company that has experience packing and shipping or moving medical equipment.

    According to an article in MY Moving Reviews, “Moving medical equipment requires particular expertise and specialized shipping techniques and tools to ensure that the sensitive equipment reach its destination in the same condition in which it left its current location. As medical equipment has different sizes and forms...it can be an exhausting project to organize its relocation.”

    Packaging           

    One of the keys to successful medical equipment shipping is the packaging process. When it comes time to move medical equipment there are usually no original containers available. An experienced moving company will know the proper way to utilize skids, pallets, crates, boxes and more. The first step is to determine the appropriate size of the materials required. Once done it is then carefully placed around the medical equipment. It will then be able to go through a move or palletized shipping very successfully.

    Cost Considerations

    Since moving medical equipment is an investment, it's best to utilize the services of an experienced company. They will know a fair price for their work and willingly provide an estimate. The costs involved may be determined by volume of equipment moved based on number of pallets, containers or truckloads required for transportation. The time involved will be a factor as well the manpower necessary to complete the move. Checking to see if the equipment needs to be dismantled so that it can fit inside freight elevators or around corners is necessary.

    If you want to know more about medical equipment shipping we can help. Contact us today and learn more.

     

     

    Tags: Medical Equipment Shipping, freight forwarding

    How a Freight Distribution Service Delivers Reliably and On Time

    Posted on Wed, Jan 22, 2014

    All businesses and households want to have their shipments delivered complete and on time. A reputable freight forwarding service has the sophisticated equipment to ensure customers receive their full shipments when they are needed. They have the warehousing and transportation assets to give reliable port-to-port and door-to-door delivery service.

    Advanced logistics enables freight services to coordinate all packing, storage and transportation links for domestic and international shipments. This results in maximum efficiency, cost savings and minimum risk of loss or damage.

    Households

    A freight distribution service receives palatalized goods, which are then unloaded and prepared for delivery. All items are inventoried to avoid any loss or confusion. A white glove service ensures that all goods are handled with care to ensure fragile items are delivered without damage. For convenience, shipments are scheduled to be delivered on the date and at the time the customer specifies.

    Businesses

    All businesses have tight schedules, and need shipments delivered at the right time. Freight distribution services have the personnel, warehouse space and vehicles necessary to track all items of a shipment and organize delivery for the time specified by the customer. All staff is trained in the proper handling of all items so the entire inventory is delivered complete at the time requested.

    Shippers

    When shipping items, especially if they are valuable or fragile, a freight distribution service will make sure they are handled with care, and delivered together at the proper time and location. International shipments are delivered through trusted partners who have the ability to deliver the high quality of service you expect and deserve. These international partnerships enable improved efficiency, and provide savings which are passed along to the customers.

    We can help with your freight distribution and delivery needs.  Contact us or call (713) 266-1450 for more information or to request a free quote.

     

     Palette de transport

    Tags: Freight Distribution, freight

    What is White Glove Delivery? How does it relate to Freight Shipping?

    Posted on Mon, Jan 20, 2014

    Whether you're moving an office or home, settling an estate, or simply need goods shipped to someone else, if white glove delivery isn't a priority for you, we're hoping that you'll read on to find out why it should be…

    So what is white glove delivery? When you ship items via freight and use freight shipping and freight forwarding  the items are usually delivered to your curb or loading dock at a pre determined time. The items are left on the pallet for you to unload or unpack.

    When you ask for white glove delivery you will still have a delivery time that is convenient for both you and the delivery company but…

    The items are delivered inside of your home or business. They are taken off the pallet, and debris is removed.  If you need assembly, you may also ask for assembly of your item.

    How it works is that whether you need the entire home or office moved or just one piece, the furniture freight receiving service ensures that each item is handled with white glove service. This means that every item has extra care in packing whether its bubble wrap, peanuts, blanket wrap, Styrofoam, or double boxing. The white glove delivery company makes sure that every item is handled with care.

     For instance, for china and crystal stemware precautions are taken to ensure its safe delivery by bubble wrapping each piece, then double boxing with peanuts between the box walls and even add peanuts to the pieces that are bubble wrapped.

     Or take for example our artwork shipping. Paper created specifically for shipping art is used. Custom crates are built to fit the size and dimensions of the picture that you sending. So no matter the size or dimensions, your pieces are protected. With white glove delivery, the custom crate will be unloaded and then the artwork will be delivered inside to your home or residence.

    You and the white glove delivery company get to choose the time of delivery.  They unload and inspect your shipment in their warehouse, and then they deliver the goods to you.

    This is an economical way to ship both household goods and office furniture. Since the furniture and household goods are shipped to a receiving warehouse, you do not need to pay the extra expense of a lift gate at your home or residence.

    You won't have to worry about having to find out when a shipment is arriving and nor will the recipient, whether it's you or someone else on the receiving end. You get not only the safest way to ship but the most economical too.

    So not matter what it is that you are moving, if it's special to you then it's special to us and with our white glove delivery, you can rest assured that it'll show up in the same condition it left in. To learn more about white glove delivery or to pack and ship delicate items, please Contact Us at pack n send in Houston at 713 266 1450.


    Tags: freight, White Glove Delivery

    Freight Shipping And Pallets For All

    Posted on Mon, Jan 20, 2014

     Freight Forwarding and freight shipping is a necessary service for any business that sells in bulk, deals in big ticket items, or sells items that are simply too large for traditional shipping methods.  You may be wondering how you are going to sell your refurbished furniture and ship to your customers around the world, but the solution is right here with freight shipping.

    The beauty of freight shipping is in its simplicity.  All you need to do is to look for a company that has standard pallets, or has the capability to build custom domestic or international pallets.

    You just need to request that the company supplies the pallet that fits your need. The company should be able to design palettes that will hold your items regardless of their size.  

    Make sure that they can not only design the custom pallets for your business to use, but that they  can pick up and deliver those same pallets to  distributors anywhere.  You may choose to have your items shipped by air freight, or by ground freight. Ask for the packing and delivery charges ahead of time.

    When you work with a professional packing and shipping company for your freight shipping needs, they should be able to you pull your packages together from start to finish.  You may not even know how to get your items onto the pallets and secure them, but the shipping company should be able to explain it to you. They should do the work for you and send off the items as soon as they are ready.  In essence, you pay a company to do all the work so that you don't have to wrangle your packages for shipping.

    If you would like more information about how to freight items on pallets, please feel free to   Contact us at pack n send in Houston.


     

    Tags: freight shipping, Pallet Shipping

    Successful Fine Art Shipping in Houston Requires Knowledge

    Posted on Wed, Jan 08, 2014

    Successful Fine Art Shipping in Houston Requires Knowledge & Experience

    When shipping fine art work you want to do research to find an experienced artwork shipper. Art collectors with no experience in packing artwork for shipping should consider that packages can be placed on conveyor belts, or tossed around during shipping.

    Fine art collections are regularly transported to a variety of places for display outside a museum.  Fine art is also bought and sold between museums, collectors as well as other organizations. Individuals who own fine art, often ship pieces of art to family members or to auctions houses.  Quite often, fine art is shipped as part of an estate after the collector has passed away. Shipping fine art requires special skills and understanding to successfully transport it.

    According to an article in the New York Times, “Fine art, like fine wine, is a tricky commodity to ship. While some of it may seem portable enough, there are many factors that make it a challenging travel companion…it is during transit that a work of art is most vulnerable…it's the single biggest problem, and mostly due to inadequate packing.”

    Specialists

    Packing and shipping fine art is something that can’t be handled like everyday household items.  An art handling company with fine art specialty will know the proper packing and moving techniques for fine art.  They will have the experience and knowledge to successfully move the artwork.  These movers will also be able to use their creative problem solving skills when required.

    Customize

    When shipping fine art, no one size box or container will accommodate all situations.  Experienced shippers will know what specialized paper to use for shipping prior to boxing or crating a piece of fine art.  Using proper packing materials will decrease any chance of damage.  Experienced companies know how to design crates and make them to meet the needs of everything from large pieces or paintings to sculptures and more.

    Local or International

    An experienced fine art shipper will be able to safely move items from one end of a city to the other, or to another country all together if necessary.  In addition to knowing the proper wrapping and packing, they will also know how to file the correct paperwork for international shipping. 

    If you would like to know more about fine art shipping in Houston, pack n send in Houston can help. Contact us today and learn more.

     

    Tags: Art & Sculpture Shipping, Art work Shipper

    Some more tips for server shipping

    Posted on Wed, Jan 08, 2014

    When it comes to server shipping there are a few simple steps that will make the whole experience a little easier. First, back up all your data. This is a step you should already be doing, but double checking to make sure you have everything backed up before shipping is always a good idea. Today’s cloud storage systems are often inexpensive and easy to use.

    Shipping servers calls for special safety measures; therefore, you should always work with an experienced shipper. There anti-static envelopes, bubble wrap and foam cushioned hard cases designed specifically for moving servers. Make sure your shipper has a working knowledge of these materials and how to use them.

    There are a few options for shipping servers which are listed below:

    Blanket Wrap Move

    If the servers are not secure in the rack, then the shipper will need to take the servers out of the racks.

    For a blanket wrap move, the servers will then need to be wrapped with moving pads or moving blankets.

    The server racks will separately get secured to the side of the truck, with moving pads or moving blankets surrounding the server rack.

    If the servers are secure in the server rack, the servers can be left inside the rack. The rack will then get secured to the inside of the moving truck.

    The server rack will be will be surrounded with moving pads.

    Shipping Server via Freight

    If you would like to ship the server via freight, you can crate both the server and the rack.

    If you choose to crate the servers, the servers should have plastic wrapped around them and then be protected with two inches of Styrofoam on all sides.

    If you crate the server rack, the rack should have one inch of Styrofoam around the rack on all sides.

    You also have the option of palletizing the server, bracing the server with 1 x 4’s and wrapping the pallet with cardboard. Under this option, the servers would still be created.

    We suggest that you take pictures of your cables as they are removed. This will make it much easier to reassemble your server once it arrives. Allow yourself plenty of time to get your server up and running again. Spending a little extra time now can save you troubleshooting headaches later. One good way to determine  set up time is to make a conservative estimate of how long you think it will take, then double it, thus giving you all the time you need to get everything right the first time. This is a step that cannot be rushed.

    When everything seems to be in order and completely reassembled, run some tests to ensure you haven't missed anything. This is another step that will save you troubleshooting headaches later. The benefits of taking a little extra time during set up can't be stressed enough. If you follow these simple guidelines, your server shipping experience should be a good one with few hiccups, if any at all.

    For more tips on how to ship just about anything under the sun, contact us, pack n send in Houston,  today and let us help you through the whole process. Whether you have a large project or a simple move, we have the solution.

     

    Tags: Shipping Servers, Server Shipping

    Moving a Persons Home After the Funeral: Do You Know What to Do?

    Posted on Thu, Dec 26, 2013

    You may look at moving a persons home after the funeral and think "Okay, so, um, now what?"

    Finalizing the affairs of the deceased loved one takes patience and care. This is especially true if the individual has a large family or large circle of friends who have requested items from the estate. It's not enough to know what to do when someone dies--finalizing an estate can take several weeks or longer. One big part of this process is moving and distributing the individuals property.

     If tragedy happened today, would you know what to do?

    Secure the location.

     When someone passes away, there are many questions about the property. If possible, the safest way to handle the deceased persons estate is to wait until after the reading of the will. This legal document is a good guide to use when packing and preparing someone's estate. In the meantime, secure the location by locking the property, removing any pets and notifying the necessary utilities of the situation.

    Think about the timing.

    Preparing a loved one's personal items and property for packing is heartbreaking for the surviving loved ones. Packing everything up immediately after funeral may not be the best route. Use sensitivity when determining when is a good time to begin the process of moving. Before you begin this process, make sure you have located all necessary documents like funeral and burial plans, safe deposit information, legal agreements and retirement statements. Allow yourself time to collect all of the necessary information.

    Determine which items are personal property and which are to be moved.

     You may also wish to give some items away or sell items to pay for the cost to offset the cost of funeral arrangements. However, you should know the legal requirements of selling property in your state. It's best to consult a knowledgeable attorney before beginning.

    Divide property clearly.

     If you plan to send your loved one's property to several locations, make sure the items are divided properly. It is a good idea to make a detailed record or make notes about what property you're sending and to whom.

    Consider hiring a professional moving company.

     Handling a loved one's items can be an emotional challenge for families and friends. You may need to request help from a professional company sensitive to your current needs. The company you choose should have the ability to move both large and small items.  Furniture may need to be blanket wrap moved, or loaded onto a pallet and shipped via freight with curbside delivery. Smaller items may need to be boxed. If you are shipping numerous items, freight shipping may be your best option.

     If you are shipping chandeliers, consider contacting a company that can build a custom box or custom crate for you to use during the shipping process.

    We understand how tough moving a loved one's estate can be. Let us help you; contact us. We can help walk you through this process and deliver your property safely and soundly. 

     

    Tags: estate shipping, Estate Moving

    Antique Shipping in Houston Moves Timeless Valuables

    Posted on Thu, Dec 26, 2013

    One of the most delicate moves happens when antiques are involved.  Whether it’s from a museum or a private home special care must be taken when moving items that cannot be replaced.  It takes shipping knowledge and experience.

    According to an article in Antique Trader Magazine, “Inventory each individual item in your collections, and take photos as you do. Then, upload the photos to your computer. After you enter your inventory data into software of some sort, write a description, provenance and value for each item, then attach photos.” 

    Appraisal

    Prior to a move it is important to have each piece appraised by a professional appraiser.  When moving any type of antiques it is essential to also have a sufficient amount of insurance.  When you are moving antiques, ask if the company that you are moving or shipping with offers valuation coverage to cover your antique items. Your homeowners insurance may cover your antique while it is being shipped. You may want to check with your insurance company.

    Glass Items

    If you are packing on your own, one of the best ways to move glass items is to wrap them in bubble wrap and then place them in large box filled with Styrofoam peanuts. Then place the first box inside another box also filled with Styrofoam peanuts.  Make sure to securely fasten the bubble with tape. If you are shipping the glass with a common carrier, make sure to overstuff both boxes with packing peanuts. You should not be able to compress the box when you press down on the lid of the box.

    Furniture

    When moving antique furniture it is important to make certain all the drawers are empty. When using a mover, make sure that the antique furniture is blanket wrapped. If you are transporting via common carrier or via freight, you may want to have a custom wood crate built. Make sure that the crate is lined with Styrofoam. Check to see if blocking and bracing is needed inside the crate.

    Packing Materials

    A professional moving company will have all the necessary packing materials to safely ship valuable antiques. If blocking and bracing is needed inside of a crate, a professional packing company will be able to do this for you. 

    If you are shipping an antique chandelier, be sure to provide the packer with the chandeliers composition as well as the dimensions.  Chandeliers can be hung within a crate, or blocked and braced within a crate. Chandeliers with many crystals are packed differently than chandeliers made from iron or animal horns.

    If you would like to know more about what is offered with antique shipping in Houston we can help.  Contact us today and learn more.

     

    Tags: Antique moving, Antique Shipping

    More Tips to Reduce Stress During Estate Shipping

    Posted on Tue, Dec 17, 2013

    The settling of an estate after a loved one passes away is often stressful. It can be overwhelming and extremely emotional. Not only are you dealing with the death of a family member or friend, chances are you’re likely to be moving through the various stages of the grieving process. All of this  while planning everything from the categorizing of household items,  the appraisal and  selling many  items.  This will also entail  packing and the many other duties required before you can begin the real process of estate shipping.

    The strain of anyone’s passing is a delicate situation and should be handled as such. Remember that everything from antiques and jewelry to personal documents should be handled with the utmost concern and sensitivity. But beyond that, your loved one’s keepsakes and mementos should also be treated with the care they deserve. With this in mind, here are some suggestions to assist in the process:

    • Order boxes and supplies to ensure that all  works of art, china collections, etc., arrive damage-free to their final destination. Do the same for any small items so that they are not misplaced during the packing process.
    • Divide all areas of the home so that they become preludes to a final destination for all items left to the estate. Mark each room with titles like “consignment,” “donation,” “move with estate,” etc. Make sure all boxes within these areas are labeled accordingly. This process will be much more helpful than simply pushing objects to various corners of each room.
    • After sorting of all goods are done, call in a reputable appraisal company if there is any concern regarding value of items left in the home.The value of items should be determined before shipping so that appropriate coverage can be assigned. A certified appraiser would be very helpful.
    • Do not fully pack delicate and fragile items. This is important to note if you hire a company that will want to be certain the items are packed to their standards. Keep in mind that glass will often be bubbled and double-boxed, art is packed in custom-built boxes or crates to size, and antiques are often boxed, crated or blanket-moved. Furniture can be either blanket wrapped moved, or delivered via freight shipping.

      Using one company for the entire packing and shipping process will help decrease your stress level.  Look for a company that can pick up, pack and ship all of your items.

      If you have questions or concerns about estate shipping, we’re here to help. Please contact us today at 713 266 1450.


     

     

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    Tags: Estate Moving

    Will You Be Moving into an Assisted Living Residence in 2014?

    Posted on Tue, Dec 17, 2013

    Moving into an assisted living residence is a big deal for most individuals. It can elicit a variety of emotions including joy, apprehension, excitement and anxiety. The good news is there are ways to reduce the anxiety and apprehension. Here’s how:

    #1: Get Informed

    Having multiple meetings with the assisted living residence’s staff is one way to reduce pre-move nervousness. During the meetings, determine which items from home may be brought into the facility and the dimensions of your new living space. You may also want to inquire whether or not you can have the wall painted, light fixtures or carpeting changed to suit your needs. Some facilities allow such personalization of the space. Others, however, have regulations in place that prevent certain elements from being altered.

    #2: Pack-n-Send Early

    Once you know what size space you’ll be given and a good understanding of the regulations involved, make plans to pack and send your belongs. It is typically best to start this process early to account for any items that you may want to give away, donate, sell or place into long term storage. During the process, you may also want to arrange for assistance from others. They can help you sort, pack and ship your belongings to other locations based on your own personal wishes.

    #3: Say Fare-Forward

    As the moving day draws near, consider holding a special dinner to say “fare-forward” instead of farewell to those individuals and pets that you may be leaving behind. When doing so, focus on the move being the beginning of a grand adventure and how they are all welcome to stay in touch with you after your departure.

    #4: Celebrate the Arrival

    Once you arrive at your assisted living residence and settle in, celebrate your arrival too. Bring old friends and new friends together for the occasion. Then mark the time you’ve spent together with a keepsake group photo, video or audio file.

    #5: Keep Communication Flowing

    Lastly, make keeping the lines of communication between all of the people in your life a priority. Establish a monthly phone chat, personal visit or social media page where everyone can easily exchange news with one another. That way, you’re less likely to mourn the passing of your old lifestyle and fully embrace the new one.

    To learn more about making your move to an assisted living residence a happy experience for all involved, please contact us at (713) 266-1450. Our moving experts would love the opportunity to help you start the next chapter of your adult life.

     

    Tags: Moving, Moving into Assisted Living

    Ways to Improve Shipping Furniture to Family Members

    Posted on Fri, Dec 06, 2013

    Whether you're downsizing or being deployed, or you need help wth Senior & Elderly Moving you may find shipping furniture to family members a necessary task at some point in life. Well-loved furniture, including precious heirlooms may need to be professionally packed. Don't hope your things make it; have some confidence by improving how you ship large items like furniture. For furniture look for a company that specializes in both furniture freighting and also furniture moving. There are companies that move small amounts of furniture all over the world. For delicate items, consider hiring a professional packing company to pack these items for you.

    When planning to ship furniture, start with the dimensions. Before you begin calling furniture moving companies, take measurements and write them down.  Length, width and height. Shipping companies will need this information for pricing and for giving advice.  If you want to improve your shipping experience, you need to know the exact dimensions of each piece of furniture.

    Talk to your family about what you'll be sending. It may have been a few years since your sister saw that old family hutch. Does she really appreciate how tall it is? Will the color of the furniture that you are sending fit in with her homes color scheme? Send those dimensions to your family member and ask them to verify that the item will fit where they  intend to use or store it. It's also a good idea to send high resolution photos of the item, just in case your family member is not clear which piece you will be sending.

    Purchase the right shipping supplies. When shipping furniture, you'll need more than tape! Since furniture is typically large, even bulky, you may need to purchase  shipping and packing supplies like custom fit boxes, or blankets to use for wrapping your furniture. If you intend to prepare the item for shipping yourself, you may also need heavy duty skids or a hand truck. No matter what you're shipping, from an infant crib to a credenza, you can successfully deliver the item safely into the hands of your loved one.

    As an alternative to shipping the furniture on your own, you can look for a company that can freight or move your furniture. With furniture freighting, the furniture is loaded onto a pallet and then shipped via freight. You can request either curbside delivery, or inside white glove delivery. You can also request that the furniture is loaded onto a moving truck that specializes in moving small amounts of furniture across country.

    Need a bit more advice before getting started? Please feel free to -Contact Us at pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

     

    Tags: cross country moving company, Moving a Small Amount of Furniture

    Four Things to Consider for Stress-Free Estate Moving

    Posted on Fri, Dec 06, 2013

    Few people look forward to repositioning a family member’s estate to a new location; let's face it--Estate Shipping  can be stressful. The idea of packing and transporting a lifetime of a family member’s collection of personal possessions and heirlooms is a real concern. Still, many people make state to state, cross-country and even global moves of these items successfully every day. It can be done! Before you pick up the packing tape dispenser, consider these four tips for estate moving.

     

    If you decide to do the move yourself, start with the right supplies. If you've decided you can't leave Aunt Ida's blue China collection behind, you'll need more than a few sheets of old newspaper to insure they make it in one piece. Invest good packing supplies including packing cartons, wrap, tape and markers. Here's a good tip to remember, limit the size of packing cartons to 50 pounds or less. Anything bigger is hard to get your arms around.

    Divide contents by room. It's a simple idea that can save you hours of sifting and searching once the items arrive at the new location. Don't mix contents from different rooms into one box, even if it seems sensible at the time. Keep the contents separated by room and clearly mark which room they belong in. If you are shipping the belongings to multiple relatives, mark the boxes clearly with different color markers for each family member who will be receiving the boxes. This will make it easier when you add the address labels to the boxes.

    Pay extra attention to electronics. Wrap the extension cords up or tape to the base before transporting them. Snipping a cord or bending the socket plug could permanently damage an appliance. Stash all the electronics manuals in one bag or tape them to the back of the item. You never know when you'll need them. Always pad television and monitor screens when moving these items.

    Consult a professional. Renting a moving truck that's too large--or too small can make an otherwise good move very difficult. You need enough room for the belongings to ride comfortably without jostling or rubbing against one another. If you are looking for a company to pack and move the estate of a loved one who has passed away, seek out a company that can either move or freight the estate belongings. At Pack-N-Send, we specialize in planning, packing and moving both estate furnishings and delicate and high value items to their new location, without all the stress.

    Please feel free to Contact Us via email or call us at 713 266 1450for more information about estate moving.

     

    Collier, John,, 1913-, photographer.

Sailor and girl at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Washington, D.C.

1943 May 

1 transparency : color.

<b>Notes:
</b> Title from FSA or OWI agency caption.
Transfer from U.S. Office of War Infor...Notes: Title from FSA or OWI agency caption. Transfer from U.S. Office of War Infor..." src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/estock/fspid6/438600/tomb-unknown-soldier-438631-tn.jpg">

    Tags: estate shipping, Shipping furntiure after a person passes away

    Need to Ship a Pallet in Houston? Here's What You Need to Know

    Posted on Wed, Dec 04, 2013

    -Freight Shipping & Receiving Whether it's moving furniture, office equipment or household goods, sometimes it's easier to use a pallet to ship your items via freight. Freight shipping is often the preferred method to ship small amounts of artwork, household goods and office equipment.  Medical equipment is often shipped via freight as well.

    When researching a freight shipping company, look for a company that specializes in freight preparation.  There are alternatives even within freight shipping. Some items may just need to be strapped to a pallet.  Other items may need to be wrapped or packed before they go on the pallet.  Ask if the company you choose uses metal strapping.  Do they wrap the pallet in opaque material or cardboard so that no one can see the items that have been placed on the pallet?

     Not only is freight a typically less costly way to ship, but it's convenient as well. If you  need to ship a pallet in Houston or anywhere else in the world, here are a few things you need to know.

    • Freight Companies.  You can choose any freight company or common carrier you want if you have a preference. Ask for rates before you ship. You will need to know your freight class before you book your shipment.

    •  

    •  Shipping Time. There are also a variety of shipping times you can choose from so that your items can get to their location as fast as you need them to be. Be sure to book ahead of time so that you can save on your freight charges.

    • Distance. Look for a company that has experience shipping internationally if your freight load needs to leave the United States

    • .

    • Pallets. Pallets are portable, rigid platforms that make it easy for shipping but they also allow you to consolidate your items. If your shipment will eventually leave the United States, ask for a pallet to be used that has heat treated wood.  Different wood is used for domestic and international shipments.

    •  

    •  If you need a company to receive freight for you, check to see when the freight will be delivered to the receiving warehouse. A money saver is to have products delivered to the warehouse.

    • The product can then be sorted and delivered to the retail customer as soon as possible. This saves on inventory holding costs. 

      So if you're looking to ship a pallet in Houston or if you are looking to have a pallet received in Houston, you have many options.

      To learn more simply contact us, pack n send, and we can help you get started.

    Tags: freight shipping, freight

    Reasons to Consider Shipping and Crating Christmas Gifts

    Posted on Tue, Dec 03, 2013

    When choosing gifts for friends and family members, you’ve no doubt went to a great deal of effort to find them just the right one. In order to ensure your gift arrives safely, here are occasions when it might be best to consider shipping and crating them to your loved ones rather than delivering them yourself.

    If you’re traveling by plane or bus, getting through the terminal with a large number of packages could be quite cumbersome to do. Not only that, but you could be subject to extra baggage fees, and clearing security checkpoints could be a virtual nightmare. When you ship your gifts ahead of time, you can focus on making your connection rather than worrying about handling packages.

    You could want to ship packages even if you are traveling by car. Depending upon the size of your gifts, you might just find there is no room left over for your own luggage, or that you are unable to fit everyone in the car after all your packages are loaded. Even if you do have room for everything, you risk damaging your gifts if you experience a flat tire and need to unload your trunk in order to change it. You do not want to leave the gifts on the back seat of your car as you make a stop for gas or food. Unsavory individuals may consider this a time to to for their “free” gift shopping.

    If you’re giving someone an especially large gift, you may find that handling it yourself is too awkward to do. Having a professional moving company take care of this task for you will ensure that you don’t strain your back and wind up spending your Christmas holiday feeling miserable.  

    Here at Pack N Send, we can advise you how to ship gifts of any size, and can ensure your Christmas packages get safely to their destination. To find out more, contact us in Houston at 713 266 1450

    If you are planning on shipping gifts internationally, it is best to ship as early as possible. There may be customs to consider in the country that you are shipping the gifts to. We have listed below  the countries that we ship to.  Please call ahead to make sure that you can ship the item that you have purchased to the country of your choice.

    Afghanistan

    Albania

    Algeria

    American Samoa

    Andorra

    Angola

    Anguilla

    Antigua and Barbuda

    Argentina

    Armenia

    Aruba

    Australia

    Austria

    Azerbaijan
    B
    ahamas

    Bahrain

    Bangladesh

    Barbados

    Baruba

    Belarus

    Belize

    Belgium

    Benin

    Bermuda

    Bhutan

    Bolivia |

    Bonaire

    Botswana

    Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Brazil

    Brittish Virgin Islands

    Brunei

    Bulgaria

    Burkina Faso

    Burundi
    C
    ambodia

    Cameroon

    Canada

    Cape Verde

    Cayman Islands

    |Chile

    China

    Colombia

    Congo

    Congo Republic of

    Cook Island

    Costa Rica

    Croatia

    Curaco

    Cyprus

    Czech Republic
      
    Denmark

    Djibouti

    Dominica

    Dominican Republic
    East Timor

    Ecuador

    Egypt

    El Salvador

    Eritrea

    Estonia

    Ethiopia

    Faeroe Islands
     
    Fijii

    Finland

    France

    French Guinana

    French Polynesia
     
    Gabon

    The Gambia

    Germany

    Georgia

    Ghana

    Gibraltar

    Greece

    Greenland

    Grenada

    Guadeloupe

    Guam

    Guatemala

    Guinea

    Guyana
     
    Haiti

    Honduras

    Hong Kong

    Hungary  
    Iceland

    India

    Indonesia

    Iraq

    Ireland

    Israel

    Italy

    Ivory Coast


    Jamaica

    Japan

    Jordan
    Kazakhstan

    Kenya

    Kuwait

    Kyrgyzstan
    Laos

    Latvia

    Lebanon

    Lesotho

    Liberia

    Libya

    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy

    Liechtenstein

    Lithuania

    Luxembourg
    Macao

    Macedonia

    Madagascar

    Malawi

    Malaysia

    Maldives

    Mali

    Malta

    Marshall Islands

    Martinique

    Mauritania

    Mauritius

    Mexico

    Micronesia

    Moldova

    Monaco

    Mongolia

    Montenegro

    Montserrat

    Morocco

    Mozambique

    Namibia

    Nepal

    Netherlands

    Netherlands Antilles

    New Caledonia

    New Zealand

    Nicaragua

    Niger

    Nigeria

    Norway
    Oman
     
    Pakistan

    Palau

    Palestine

    Panama

    Papa New Guinea

    Paraguay

    Peru

    Phillipines

    Poland

    Portugal

    Puerto Rico
    Qatar

    Reunion
     
    Romania

    Russia

    Rwanda

    Saba

    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)

    Samoa

    San Marino

    Saudi Arabia

    Senegal

    Serbia

    Seychelles

    Singapore

    Slovak Republic

    Slovenia

    South Africa

    South Korea

    Spain

    Sri Lanka

    St. Barthelemy

    St. Eustatius

    St. Kitts and Nevis

    St. Lucia

    St. Maarten

    St. Vincent

    Suriname

    Swaziland

    Sweden

    Switzerland

    Syria
    Taiwan

    Tanzania

    Thailand

    Tonga

    Tongo

    Trinidad and Tobago

    Tunisia

    Turkey

    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Uganda

    Ukraine

    United Arab Emirates

    United Kingdom

    United States of America

    U.S. Virgin Islands

    Uruguay

    Uzbekistan

    Vanuatu

    Vatican City
    Venezuela

    Vietnam

    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia

    Zimbabwe

     

    Tags: Christmas Shipping, crating

    Handle Shipping Furniture Across Country Like a Pro

    Posted on Fri, Nov 22, 2013

    Before the moving truck appears in the driveway, you've got some prep work to do!Shipping furniture across country, or even to the next state can be a challenge. Those home treasures can be heavy, awkward and difficult to pass through doors without tearing up the walls--or the furniture. However, you don't have to leave the china cabinet and king-sized bed behind. You can handle shipping these bulky objects by applying these professional moving tips.

    If you are moving yourself, we have a few helpful tips:

    Don't skimp on supplies. You'll need a suitable dolly or hand truck for some items. Also, it's a good idea to purchase zippered storage bag for screws and other fittings you don't want to
    lose. You'll have to take some items apart to ship them so you may need special tools.

    Measure the access points at the departure and arrival locations. It may be difficult to take the item out of your business or home without a careful plan. You also need the door width and
    height of the access point at the new location. Instead of eyeballing the piece, take exact measurements and have them available when for pricing.

    Allow yourself some "wiggle room." Here's the scenario, the front door is 36 inches wide and the bookshelf measures at 35 1/2 inches. That's a snug fit and while it may technically possible, it's not going to be easy. When possible, allow yourself some extra space to avoid bumping or scratching your furniture.

    If you've got a limited amount of time--or muscle call in the professionals!

    You can ask them for a quote ahead of time. Ask if they offer packing and unpacking services.  If a custom crate is needed for delicate items, ask if the professional moving company has the ability to build these crates for you.

     At Pack n Send in Houston, you'll find a team of pros who care about your home goods as much as you do! Contact us for more information on shipping furniture safely to any destination you have in mind. 

    Tags: Houston Mover, Small Moves

    Fine art shipping-Solution for your Precious Valuables in Transit

    Posted on Fri, Nov 22, 2013

    Whether you are a professional in the art world or just an avid collector, the inherent value of works of art is incalculable. Art objects represent value and investments in our lives. We
    cherish art for many reasons but mostly for our connections with rare objects. To preserve and maintain their care it behooves us to look into fine art shipping specialists. Professionals in the field are trained proper handling techniques. 

    This is especially true when the question of fine art shipping comes up. Objects of valuable come in all different shapes and sizes, and are made up of complex material components. Fine art handlers are equipped to determine the packing and crating needs for domestic and international shipping. A special focus is paid to the proper packing techniques that will ensure the safe transport of all your valuable possessions. 

    Other areas which you need to consider include matters of valuation coverage and customs concerns. Always look for a company that is well versed in these important details, which is
    part of the care taking process. When employing expert services you want to make sure that the value of your art is covered. Each piece of art is regarded as a unique and valuable item.

    Auction houses and museums are very familiar with fine art services professionals, and they depend on them to help guard and manage their collections.

    Ask them if the company that they use to transport their artwork offers services that are available to the public at large and offer solutions for your artwork moving needs. Employing a company that provides these services will let you ship your artwork with confidence.

    If you have any questions about shipping artwork, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston at 713 266 1450 for artwork shipping solutions. 

    Tags: Art work Shipper, Artwork Shipping

    Get Your Art Out There with Dependable Artwork Shipping

    Posted on Tue, Nov 19, 2013

     For the emerging artist nothing is quite as exciting as getting accepted into your first show.  After you have jumped for joy, called your friends and experienced the flush of
    excitement - it is time to think about how you are going to make sure your artwork is delivered on time and in perfect condition. If you are not able to hand deliver your artwork or have friends or family deliver it in person, it only stands to reason you will need to have it shipped. We know artwork is your baby but that baby has just been invited to see the world!

    As you are looking at your artwork with the critical eye of "how do I ship this" you may want to keep the following information in mind. 

    • Type of artwork determines the type of packing materials
           (fragile items will need extra padding), (pointed objects will need
           protection)
    • Does the weight of your artwork exceed limitations for
           certain carriers?
    • How far is the artwork traveling? Is travel time a
           factor?
    • How much time will it take for the artwork to reach its
           destination?
    • Many galleries require reusable packing and give
           guidelines for unacceptable packing materials (such as Styrofoam peanuts),
           investigate your options.
    • Do you require valuation coverage during the shipping
           process? What are your options with the different carriers?
    • Will your artwork require special handling or
           instructions?
    • Does your artwork require signature confirmation or
           confirmation of delivery?

    Such is the business end of the art world. Getting to know the right company to choose for your artwork packing and shipping may require a little searching. If you have questions about the proper way to pack and send artwork, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston information or get a quote for getting your artwork where it needs to be.

    Pack n send offers the perfect solution to getting your art out there so it can advertise YOUArtwork Shipping is just one of the shipping services we specialize in, contact us for
    more information or get a quote for getting your artwork where it needs to be.

    Pastel painting SOLD !

     

    Tags: Art work Shipper, Artwork Shipping

    Furniture Shipping Services to the Rescue

    Posted on Tue, Nov 19, 2013

    The American public is very transient these days. Our parents, our children, and our grandchildren are often scattered all over the country. So when it's time to down-size, or pass
    along a treasured heirloom to a family member, the problem is usually how to get it to them when they live hundreds or thousands of miles away.

    That is where Furniture Shipping Services  can make your life a whole lot easier. Whether your item is large or small, it can be packed and shipped safely with little effort on your part.

    When you're considering how to get  Aunt Sally's antique maple dining set, table, 6 chairs, and a china hutch, to your daughter in Seattle, there may be a lot of options that seem appropriate.
    But be sure to ask these questions when you are choosing a shipping service.

    • How will the furniture be packed? Will it be packed to withstand the rigors of shipment, or will it just have cardboard wrapped around the outside?
    •  
    • Who will pack your items? Are you expected to do it yourself, or is the packing taken care of by professionals with the proper packing material and expertise?
    •  
    • Will the delivery include carrying the furniture inside or leaving it on curbside?
    •  
    • When shipping large items via freight, you have the option to have the furniture left on your curb and you can then find a way to get it inside. Be sure to find out ahead of time what service you will get. When you freight your furniture, you can always request inside white glove delivery.  The furniture will be received in a freight receiving warehouse, unloaded and then delivered inside your home. This is a great option when you do not have friends or family to assist you with unloading a pallet.
    •  
    • With couples both working outside the home, you may be able to send pictures of the items that you are shipping so that the shipping company can prepare a quote for you. Your prized furniture is unique and precious to you. It may require packaging that only a professional estimator will be able to specify and provide.
    •  Contact us at pack n send for complete information on the best way to ship your furniture so it arrives safely at its new home. Remember freighting furniture may save you money and is a great alternative way to ship when you have a small amount of furniture to ship.

     

     

     

    Tags: Moving Small Amounts of Furniture, cross country move

    Why Consider Furniture Freight Receiving?

    Posted on Fri, Nov 08, 2013

    So what happens when you order new furniture from out of town?  Many commercial
    producers of furniture ship it via freight. To save on shipping costs they have the freight delivered to your curb with you, the customer left to unload the furniture and bring it inside your home.  

    This is a definite cost saving to you the final recipient of the furniture, but you might want to consider having the furniture shipped to a furniture receiving warehouse. The warehouse should specialize in furniture freight receiving. They should be able to  unload the furniture  from the pallet and deliver it  inside your home with white glove delivery. Obviously, this is more costly to you, but it will save wear and tear on you back. It will also save you from disposing of the packing materials and the wood pallet.

    If your furniture is requiring special assembly, the furniture receiving warehouse should be able to assemble the furniture for you.

    Look for a freight receiving company where every order is treated individually to provide a customized delivery that meets the customers’ needs. This includes time specific delivery day and time. When you ship your furniture, you should be able choose a specific shipping method. You should be able to specify overnight, two, three, and air or ground transportation. You are in charge of when it is delivered.  The freight receiving company will be responsible for taking furniture from the shipping dock location to the delivery at the customer's home. 

    The company that you choose to receive your freight knows how important your furniture is and we will give it special care and handling. They should make sure to provide the correct amount of delivery men, and have the necessary equipment to ensure your delivery is
    successful. You should not have to worry about the local delivery of your furniture.

    If you have questions about furniture freight receiving, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston, TX.

    Tags: Freight Receiving, Furniture Freight Receiving

    Retail Goods Freight Receiving Made Seamless

    Posted on Fri, Nov 08, 2013

    If you own a retail company then you know how important it is to have retail goods freight receiving at a predetermined delivery time and date that is convenient for everyone involved.

    Whether the items are seasonal goods or monthly items a retail store receives or an interior decorator that needs furniture that needs to be received for an interior designer's customers, there are companies that can handle all types of needs.

    Look for a company that will accept inbound freight that is shipped to a receiving warehouse. For retail clients, the freight receiving company can mark and label the boxes according to the
    predetermined delivery date and time that is needed. These marked and labeled boxes can then be delivered to the client.

    This makes retail goods freight receiving seamless because you get your merchandise delivered when you need it The retails goods freight is delivered at a pre determined time.

    International freight receiving is handled in much the same way.  Many times the only difference is that the freight receiving company drives to the airport to pick up the freight.

    With multiple companies shipping to the same freight receiving warehouse for delivery of goods at the same time, it makes it easy for the retailer to schedule receiving and stocking personnel. As many companies have switched over to just in time deliveries, goods can be shipped to a receiving warehouse and delivered very quickly to various storefronts throughout the city.

    While six or seven lines of merchandise may arrive on the same day from different companies, the freight receiving warehouse can combine the shipments and deliver exactly what is
    needed to each retail location.

    If you need retail goods received at a specific time or need more information about retail freight receiving, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston for a quote so we can help you get
    the items you need, when you need them.

     

    Tags: freight, Freight Receiving

    Shipping for Seniors Made a Little Easier

    Posted on Fri, Nov 01, 2013

    As you near retirement age and beyond, you might be thinking it is time to downsize your home.

     Whether you simply want to move into a smaller place and get rid of some old furniture, you plan to move in with one of your children, or you are going to senior living facility, finding a place you can trust for the move is important. This is especially true if you need a company
    which can help you move your possessions to various locations.

    You might think that the distance and location of your new home will influence what items you decide to keep and what items you decide to give away. No so says a Houston shipping company. 

    There are companies that specialize in both moving and freighting small amounts of furniture.  Even if you are moving overseas, furniture can be either loaded on a pallet and shipped via cubic meter, or shipped inside of a container for ocean shipping. While air shipping is an option and is a quick way to have your possessions arrive, it is usually a move costly option.

    The first thing that you should do is get a feel for your new living space.  If you are moving into an apartment or a family’s home, ask for the layout including the size of the rooms that you will occupy. Once you have this information, it will help make the next step much easier.

     If you are moving to a small one bedroom apartment with only a tiny living room, decide what furniture you need to keep. Maybe you will only be able to keep one out of three of your couches.

    You may have to give sentimental items to others who you know will appreciate them.

    Giving your precious china cabinet to your daughter and your beautiful dining room table to your son now might be a good idea.

    A company which understands shipping for seniors can help you out. They can do the packing and shipping for you. They can also help you understand what will comfortably fit into your
    new living space. If you look at the floor plan of your new residence, you will be able to ship only the items that will fit inside your new residence.  Overcrowding will just result in you having to make decisions later about what you really want and need to keep.

    Although children, grandchildren, friends, and can be helpful in making the decision about what you should and should not keep, do not allow them to make the decision for you. You know what items are important to you. Moving can be difficult enough without the
    pain of giving up items which you really want to keep. This is especially true
    if you are moving from a home you have loved for decades to a place which is
    simply a house and not yet a home for you.

    If you are moving into a much smaller place, and do not have space for everything, you might want to consider photographing all of the items that will not fit inside your new home. If you
    put all of these photographs in a book, you will still be able to look at these items and enjoy them still. You can share with friends and family many of the items that are important to you.

    You can even take pictures of the residence that you are leaving, including furniture that you are unable to take with you. While the buffet may be with your youngest son’s family, you can
    still show it off and discuss it with your people in your new neighborhood.

     If you have any questions about senior moving,please feel free to contact us at pack n send in Houston, TX.

     

    Tags: Senior Moving, Moving Small Amounts of Furniture

    Options in Managing Estate Moving

    Posted on Thu, Oct 31, 2013

    When a loved one passes away there are so many things that have to be done, including managing the estate if you are the executor. It is even more difficult if you or the rest of the heirs live across the country. Managing estate moving doesn't have to be too burdensome. In fact, there are options when planning that can make it easier to manage during this difficult time.
     Multiple Locations.
         You should not have to worry about the various family members or heirs not  being local. Look for a company that can not only pack up the entire estate but can ship to multiple locations, which saves you a lot of headache as the executor. Even those living abroad can be a recipient since estate moving company’s ship nationally and internationally as well.
       
    • 
    • As you do your research, ask about your various  shipping options to multiple locations.  A blanket wrap move may work best for some locations. For other family members, think about freighting   furniture. This is when you move a small amount of furniture across  country on a shipping pallet. The pallet with the furniture can be delivered to your curb. As an alternative method of delivery, the furniture can be  shipped to a receiving warehouse, unloaded and then brought inside the home as a white glove delivery.
    • 
    • Storage Availability.
         Many times it takes quite a while before the disposition is decided. In  these cases, look for a moving/shipping company that has the ability to move estate items into storage until things are settled appropriately.
    • 
    • Liquidation.
         Some heirs have no room or need for certain estate items but that doesn't mean that they have to lose out on any compensation that the items would bring. Consider using a company that can liquidate items through   eBay Listings. Let the company that you choose do all of the work for you. As long as the item is valued at more than $100 it is probably worth listing the items on eBay. The company that sells your items simply will take a percentage of the sale.  This way you do not have to hold estate sales. All you have to do is choose the item or items and then let someone  else take care of listing, selling them and then shipping the item that
    was sold.


    While looking at the services provided above, you should be able to find one company that can provide all of these services for you and your family. We suggest looking for a company that can handle everything from fine art and furniture to antiques and glass. Losing a loved one or friend is hard and by letting a professional moving/shipping company help you with your estate moving needs, you can focus on other issues as the executor. To talk more about this, or any other type of shipping for an estate, please feel Contact Us in Houston, TX at pack n send.

    Tags: estate shipping, Estate Moving

    APO/FPO/DPO USPS Holiday Shipping Dates

    Posted on Wed, Oct 30, 2013

    Direct Link to all 2013 Holiday Shipping dates published by USPS

    http://about.usps.com/mailpro/2013/septoct/page6.htm 

    The rates for shipping to APo/FPO/DPO are published below

    2013 Holiday Shipping Dates 

    Military
      Mail

      Addressed to:

    Priority
      Mail Express Military Service (PMEMS)1

    First-Class
      Mail Letters and Cards

    Priority
      Mail

    Parcel
      Airlift Mail (PAL)2

    Space
      Available Mail (SAM)3

    Standard
      Post

    APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 090-092

    Dec.17

    Dec. 10

    Dec. 10

    Dec. 3

    Nov. 26

    Nov. 12

    APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIP 093

    N/A

    Dec. 3

    Dec. 3

    Dec. 3

    Nov. 26

    Nov. 12

    APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 094-098

    Dec.17

    Dec. 10

    Dec. 10

    Dec. 3

    Nov. 26

    Nov. 12

    APO/FPO/DPO AA ZIP 340

    Dec.17

    Dec. 10

    Dec. 10

    Dec. 3

    Nov. 26

    Nov. 12

    APO/FPO/DPO AP ZIPs 962-966

    Dec.17

    Dec. 10

    Dec. 10

    Dec. 3

    Nov. 26

    Nov. 12

    1 PMEMS: is available to selected military/diplomatic Post
    Offices. Check with your local Post Office to determine if this service is
    available to an APO/FPO/DPO address.

    2 PAL: is a service that provides air
    transportation for parcels on a space-available basis. It is available for
    Standard Post items not exceeding 30 pounds in weight or 60 inches in length
    and girth combined. The applicable PAL fee must be paid in addition to the
    regular surface price for each addressed piece sent by PAL service.

    3 SAM: parcels are paid at Standard Post prices
    with maximum weight and size limits of 15 pounds and 60 inches in length and
    girth combined. SAM parcels are first transported domestically by surface and
    then to overseas destinations by air on a space-available basis.
     

    Pack n send is posting these dates to help out military families that are planning out their holiday shipping of packages.


     

    Tags: Christmas Shipping, Houston Shipping

    International Freight Shipping Houston,Texas - Made Easier

    Posted on Wed, Oct 30, 2013

    Shipping internationally can feel like a huge hassle if you are not knowledgeable about international shipping policies. Two of the biggest concerns are cost and knowing your shipment will make it safely to its destination  A firm that’s specializes in  International freight shipping Houston, Texas  says that international freight shipping does not have to be a hassle.

     Freight shipping can be expensive cross country, and it is even more expensive when products need to be shipped overseas. Even just a small savings from the shipping company can make a big difference for you.  

    The shipping company that you use should offer different alternatives for shipping.  For some items, shipping by a cubic meter may be the most cost effective way to ship. A twenty foot container may work for some shipments, and a forty foot container may be best for other shipments. For automobile shipping, roll on roll off service may save money versus shipping inside of a container. For new cars, containerized shipping may be the best option.

    It is also important to make sure the company knows how to handle customs forms. Paperwork for shipping to other countries can be confusing. If you need to handle the paperwork on your own, make sure you understand what papers you need to fill out and make sure you understand how to fill them out to ensure quick and accurate shipment of your products.

    It is also always a good idea to make sure your items can legally be shipped to a specific country.

     The United States Postal Service website can help provide you with information about what items can and cannot be shipped to specific countries. Some restrictions might be surprising. For example, playing cards cannot be shipped to Germany unless they are complete decks and properly wrapped. Great Britain restricts the shipment of coins, gold, and precious stones. Used clothing and blankets cannot be shipped to Vietnam.

    Because of each country’s unique restrictions, it is always a good idea to make sure you know what items can legally be shipped to that country.  

    Information about customs forms can also be found on the United States Postal Service's website under the Individual Country Listings. By reading over this information, you can know what paperwork needs to be completed.

    Look for a company that can help you with customs and other international shipment  questions.  Be sure to use get a Schedule B number for items leaving the United States that are valued at greater $2500. Consider duties and taxes that may be assessed in the receiving country before you ship your items.

    If you are shipping internationally via air, remember that every inch or pound you add can add to the shipping charges. Consider having your box professionally packed.  Professional packers may be able to reduce the size of your package. Always ask for a tracking number. This way you can trace your shipment all the way to its final destination.

     Because shipment costs depend upon the destination on many factors of your shipment and the contents of the shipment, we encourage you to contact us , pack n send in Houston, for a quote for any of your international shipments.

    We have compiled a list of the countries that we ship to.

    Albania

    Algeria

    American
    Samoa

     Andorra

     Angola

    Anguilla

     Antigua and Barbuda

    Argentina

    Armenia

    Aruba

     Australia

     Austria

    Azerbaijan

    Bahamas

    Bahrain

    Bangladesh

     Barbados

    Baruba

    Belarus

     Belize

     Belgium

     Benin

    Bermuda

    Bhutan

     Bolivia |

    Bonaire

    Botswana

    Bosnia and Herzegovina

     Brazil

    Brittish
    Virgin Islands

     Brunei

    Bulgaria

     Burkina Faso

    Burundi

    Cambodia

    Cameroon

    Canada

    Cape Verde

    Cayman
    Islands

     |Chile

     China

     Colombia

    Congo

    Congo
    Republic of

    Cook Island

    Costa Rica

    Croatia

    Curaco

     Cyprus

    Czech Republic

     Denmark

     Djibouti

    Dominica

    Dominican Republic

    East Timor

    Ecuador

     Egypt

     El Salvador

    Eritrea

     Estonia

     Ethiopia

    Faeroe
    Islands

     Fijii

    Finland

     France

    French
    Guinana

    French
    Polynesia

     Gabon

    The Gambia

     Germany

     Georgia

    Ghana

    Gibraltar

     Greece

    Greenland

     Grenada

    Guadeloupe

    Guam

    Guatemala

     Guinea

     Guyana

     Haiti

    Honduras

    Hong Kong

     Hungary  

    Iceland

     India

     Indonesia

     Iraq

     Ireland

     Israel

     Italy  

    Ivory Coast

    Jamaica

    Japan

    Jordan

    Kazakhstan

     Kenya

     Kuwait

     Kyrgyzstan

    Laos

     Latvia

     Lebanon

     Lesotho

     Liberia

    Libya

    Libyan Arab
    Jamahiriy

    Liechtenstein

     Lithuania

     Luxembourg

    Macao

     Macedonia

    Madagascar

     Malawi

    Malaysia

     Maldives

     Mali

    Malta

    Marshall Islands

    Martinique

     Mauritania

     Mauritius

    Mexico

     Micronesia

    Moldova

     Monaco

     Mongolia

    Montenegro

    Montserrat

     Morocco

     Mozambique

    Namibia

    Nepal

    Netherlands

    Netherlands
    Antilles

    New Caledonia

     New Zealand

     Nicaragua

    Niger

    Nigeria

    Norway

    Oman

     Pakistan

    Palau

    Palestine

    Panama

    Papa New
    Guinea

    Paraguay

    Peru

    Phillipines

    Poland

    Portugal

    Puerto Rico

    Qatar

    Reunion

     Romania

     Russia

     Rwanda

    Saba

    Saipan
    (Northern Mariana Islands)

    Samoa

    San Marino

    Saudi Arabia

    Senegal

    Serbia

    Seychelles

    Singapore

     Slovak Republic

     Slovenia

     South Africa

    South Korea

     Spain

     Sri Lanka

    St.
    Barthelemy

    St. Eustatius

    St. Kitts and
    Nevis

    St. Lucia

    St. Maarten

    St. Vincent

     Suriname

     Swaziland

    Sweden

     Switzerland

     Syria

    Taiwan

    Tanzania

     Thailand

    Tonga

    Tongo

     Trinidad and Tobago

     Tunisia  

    Turkey

    Turks and
    Caicos Islands

    Uganda

     Ukraine

    United Arab Emirates

     United Kingdom  

    United States of America

    U.S. Virgin
    Islands

     Uruguay

     Uzbekistan

    Vanuatu

    Vatican City

    Venezuela

     Vietnam

    Wallis and
    Futuna

    Yemen

    Zambia

    Zimbabwe

     

     

    Tags: Internatinal Freight Shipping Houston, Freight Shipping Houston

    Cross Country Furniture Shipping-Find a Shipper You Can Trust

    Posted on Fri, Oct 25, 2013

     

    Cross country moves can be stressful and frustrating. This is a time when you go through clothing and other items which have been taking up room in your house sometimes for years, trying to decide which items are really worth the 2,000 mile journey. If want to move
    your furniture, then this article will apply to your cross country move. You will be looking for a cross country furniture shipping company that can offer you various ways to move your furniture. 

    The two big things you will want to consider when picking a company to ship your furniture across the country are the safety of your furniture and the reliability of the company. It is a good idea to learn more about how your furniture will be packed. Does the company
    blanket pack furniture to make sure it is protected during the trip?  Does the company look at each piece of furniture individually and decide how best to protect that piece of furniture in the move? Will they ship just one piece of furniture at a time, or do you have to ship large groups of furniture, household goods or business furniture to use the company?

    See if the company that you choose can offer shipping alternatives.  It may
    be economical to have your small amount of furniture wrapped, loaded onto a
    pallet and shipped via freight. Ask is the company uses 1” x 4” pieces of wood
    to brace the pallet. The 1” x 4’s will not only protect your furniture during
    shipping, it helps to prevent the furniture from moving around during the
    freighting process.  Just strapping the furniture on a pallet may not be sufficient to make sure that your furniture arrives safely.

    An excellent way for a customer to save money is to ask for the pallet to be delivered to a residence with curbside delivery.  The company that you choose to use should also be able to offer inside white glove delivery. This is a more costly option, but is an excellent option for seniors moving cross country. 

    It is also a good thing to get a feel for the company’s reputation. Know the company’s history. How long have they been in business? Have they handled shipments like yours before? Although a company which has been in business only for a short time is not necessarily a
    bad company, hiring a company with an established reputation can give you peace
    of mind knowing they have the experience to handle shipping your furniture.

    At Pack-n-send, we look at each furniture shipping job individually. Whether you need to ship one piece of furniture, a full truck load of furniture, or something in between, we will
    make sure your needs are met. We have been in business since 1981, and in that time, we have shipped an array of items including many which have required special treatment. We can ship your furniture locally, across the country, and even overseas if needed. Your furniture will all be handled in just the right way to ensure it reaches its destination safely. We are able to answer questions that you may have about shipping one piece of furniture, or a house
    full of furniture. We ship furniture worldwide, so we can answer questions about shipping a container load of furniture, a cubic meter of furniture, or even air freighting furniture overseas.

    If you have any questions about furniture shipping or need to ship any furniture, please feel free to contact us.

    We have listed below the countries that we can ship to. 

    Afghanistan

    Albania

    Algeria

    American Samoa

     Andorra

     Angola

    Anguilla

     Antigua and Barbuda

    Argentina

    Armenia

    Aruba

     Australia

     Austria

    Azerbaijan

    Bahamas

    Bahrain

    Bangladesh

     Barbados

    Baruba

    Belarus

     Belize

     Belgium

     Benin

    Bermuda

    Bhutan

     Bolivia|

    Bonaire

    Botswana

    Bosnia and
    Herzegovina

     Brazil

    BrittishVirgin Islands

     Brunei

    Bulgaria

     Burkina Faso

    Burundi

    Cambodia

    Cameroon

    Canada

    Cape Verde

    Cayman Islands

     |Chile

     China

     Colombia

    Congo

    Congo
    Republic of

    Cook
    Island

    Costa Rica

    Croatia

    Curaco

     Cyprus

    Czech
    Republic


      Denmark

     Djibouti

    Dominica

    Dominican
    Republic


    East Timor

    Ecuador

     Egypt

     El Salvador

    Eritrea

     Estonia

     Ethiopia

    Faeroe Islands

     Fijii

    Finland

      France

    French Guinana

    French Polynesia

     Gabon

    The Gambia

     Germany

     Georgia

    Ghana

    Gibraltar

     Greece

    Greenland

     Grenada

    Guadeloupe

    Guam

    Guatemala

     Guinea

     Guyana

     Haiti

    Honduras

    Hong Kong

     Hungary 

    Iceland

     India

     Indonesia

      Iraq

     Ireland

     Israel

     Italy 

    Ivory
      Coast

    Jamaica

    Japan

    Jordan

    Kazakhstan

      Kenya

     Kuwait

     Kyrgyzstan

    Laos

     Latvia

     Lebanon

     Lesotho

     Liberia

    Libya

    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy

    Liechtenstein

     Lithuania

     Luxembourg

    Macao

     Macedonia

    Madagascar

      Malawi

    Malaysia

     Maldives

      Mali

    Malta

    Marshall Islands

    Martinique

     Mauritania

     Mauritius

    Mexico

     Micronesia

    Moldova

     Monaco

      Mongolia

    Montenegro

    Montserrat

      Morocco

     Mozambique

    Namibia

    Nepal

    Netherlands

    Netherlands Antilles

    New Caledonia

     New Zealand

     Nicaragua

    Niger

    Nigeria

    Norway

    Oman

     Pakistan

    Palau

    Palestine

    Panama

    Papa New
      Guinea

    Paraguay

    Peru

    Phillipines

    Poland

    Portugal

    Puerto Rico

    Qatar

    Reunion

     Romania

     Russia

     Rwanda

    Saba

    Saipan(Northern
    Mariana Islands)

    Samoa

    San Marino

    Saudi Arabia

    Senegal

    Serbia

    Seychelles

    Singapore

     Slovak
    Republic

       Slovenia

      South Africa

    South
      Korea

      Spain

      Sri Lanka

    St. Barthelemy

    St. Eustatius

    St. Kitts
      and Nevis

    St. Lucia

    St. Maarten

    St. Vincent

     Suriname

     Swaziland

    Sweden

     Switzerland

      Syria

    Taiwan

    Tanzania

     Thailand

    Tonga

    Tongo

     Trinidad and
    Tobago

     Tunisia 

    Turkey

    Turks and Caicos Islands

    Uganda

     Ukraine

    United Arab
    Emirates

     United
    Kingdom
     

    United States
    of America

    U.S.
    Virgin Islands

     Uruguay

     Uzbekistan

    Vanuatu

    Vatican City

    Venezuela

     Vietnam

    Wallis and Futuna

    Yemen

    Zambia

    Zimbabwe

     

     

     

     

    Tags: cross country furniture shipping, freighting furniture

    Questions to Ask When it Comes to Estate Shipping

    Posted on Thu, Oct 17, 2013

     

    When a loved one has died, often one
    of the last things you want to think about is what to do with the deceased
    person’s belongings. If the person left behind a detailed will, deciding who
    gets what items may not be a problem. Even then, if relatives do not live
    nearby, shipping the items across the country can be a struggle. If you need a
    company which will do estate shipping, it is important to know the
    answers to a few questions.

    Do I have to worry about packing the
    items?

    Sometimes it is nice to have a
    company pack-up the estate of your friend or family member. Packing your
    mother’s paintings or wrapping up your aunt’s coin collection might be too much
    to handle just after the person’s death. Knowing you can deal with the physical
    reminders of the person later can be a great comfort. If you can find a company
    which will pack-up the items instead of having you responsible for the
    packaging of your loved one’s effects, this can be a great burden off your
    back.  

    Are they experienced shipping
    fragile items?

    Many times, people leave behind
    fragile and sentimental items. It can be incredibly comforting to know a
    company knows how to properly package the tea set your great-great grandma
    brought over from France in the 1800s and which has been passed down to your
    grandma and now you. Make sure the estate shipping company knows how to handle
    fragile items and how to package them to guarantee safe passage.

    At Pack-n-Send, we are experienced
    in all these areas. We will pack-up the entire estate. We are experienced in
    packing and shipping fragile items. We can even ship portions of your loved
    one’s estate to different locations both nationally and internationally.  Contact us to safely pack and ship your loved
    one’s estate.

     

     

    Tags: Estate Mover, Estate Moving

    Professional Packers and Movers Make Senior Moving Easy

    Posted on Wed, Oct 16, 2013

     

    Moving can be a hassle, especially if you are a senior trying to get it done on your own. You must pack up everything, load it, move it, and then unpack it at your new location. Wouldn't
    you prefer your move to be smooth, easy and hassle free? It can be when you
    hire packers and movers with experience in senior moving  and elderly moving. 

    Professional packers and movers offer a range of convenient services for a cost that's probably more economical than you might think. 

    All the boxes and bubble wrap you need

    You could spend days gathering boxes, bubble wrap, tape, paper, and other packing supplies. But why would you when your mover can supply them at a reasonable price.

    With the right supplies you can do your own packing, or you can choose to have professional packers do it for you. A team will carefully wrap, pack and cushion every precious item --just as
    carefully as you would-- while you sit back and relax.

    Caring the way you do

    You've spent decades collecting the perfect household furnishings and accessories. You take good care of them because they hold a lifetime of memories. When you move, you want them handled with tender loving care.

    Professional packers and movers can do that for you. They will make certain that each item is packed securely and protectively cushioned. They will care for your belongings the way you do,
    because it’s their job.

    Equipment and manpower

    Moving requires a lot of resources: a big truck, able-bodied movers, dollies, hand trucks, straps, moving blankets and more. And when the hard loading, lifting and unloading is done, someone will have to clean out the truck, gas it up and drive it back across town. Professional movers can supply all of the manpower you need, and they'll bring the equipment to get your move done right.  

    Saving your valuable time

    Whether you're downsizing to a smaller home or settling into a new senior community, moving is a necessary task. You could probably get it done all by yourself, but wouldn't you prefer
    to spend your valuable time having fun with friends and family?

    For more information about making moves easier for senior citizens, please fell free to  Contact us  at pack n send in houston.

    Free photo - women wife person available in our free stock photos

     

    Tags: Senior Moving, Assisted Living Moving

    Important Things to Know when Choosing Equipment Shipping Company

    Posted on Tue, Oct 15, 2013

    Whether you are relocating or buying things on eBay, you need to be sure that your items will get to their destination in one piece. It does not matter whether the items you are shipping
    are valuable or fragile, you need to choose a company that will ensure your items arrive safely and on time.

    There are a number of reasons why you need to use professionals. For starters, they have the necessary experience and expertise. In addition to packing and shipping simple things like your
    household furniture, they also deal with chinaware, sculptures and even paintings. It is interesting to note that there are companies out there that also transport prototypes.

     Another benefit of hiring professionals is that they help you save not only time and money but precious energy as well. Choose a company that has been in business for a significant amount of time, and is able to make the shipping arrangements easily. Consider over 15 years as your
    benchmark for the number of years.

    You do not want to waste a lot of time if you were to personally make transport arrangements. Think of how much energy you would spend tracking down blank newsprint, the proper size bubble wrap, Styrofoam, the proper size box and  looking for packing materials. 

    If you are shipping large pieces of equipment, you need to consider shipping the equipment via freight. Look for a company that can pick up, pack and palletize your freight shipment. If it is
    going to a business, check to make sure there is a loading dock at the receiving end. If your equipment is going to a residence, be sure to ask for both the residential delivery fee and the lift gate fee. In any case, make sure to have a current contact phone number for the receiver of the equipment.

     

    If you are shipping equipment with a small load mover, ask about valuation coverage.

    According to marketwatch.com: “Because moving is so costly – both in terms of the price paid to the moving company and the likelihood of lost or damages items – it’s particularly important for consumers to find affordable, but quality, moving company.

    This is to say that you should not settle the first company you come across. It is necessary to do your research before settling for a particular company. It is also important that you select
    a company with a good reputation. Choose a company that has been in the equipment shipping business for a considerable period of time as it is likely to be experienced and stable.

    If you are shipping your equipment in an international destination, be sure to ask about cubic meter shipping, as well as 20 foot and 40 foot containerized shipping.

    If you are planning to move equipment and still have questions, do not hesitate to

     contact pack n send in Houston. It does not matter whether the move is domestic or international; you need to be sure to find a company that will ensure that all your items arrive intact and on time.

    For our international customers, we have listed below the countries that we can ship to on your behalf.

    Afghanistan

    Albania

    Algeria

    American Samoa

     Andorra

     Angola

    Anguilla

     Antigua and Barbuda

    Argentina

    Armenia

    Aruba

     Australia

     Austria

    Azerbaijan


    Bahamas

    Bahrain

    Bangladesh

     Barbados

    Baruba

    Belarus

     Belize

     Belgium

     Benin

    Bermuda

    Bhutan

     Bolivia
    |

    Bonaire

    Botswana

    Bosnia and
    Herzegovina

     Brazil

    BrittishVirgin Islands

     Brunei

    Bulgaria

     Burkina Faso

    Burundi


    Cambodia

    Cameroon

    Canada

    Cape Verde

    Cayman Islands

     |Chile

     China

     Colombia

    Congo

    Congo
    Republic of

    Cook
    Island

    Costa Rica

    Croatia

    Curaco

     Cyprus

    Czech
    Republic


      Denmark

     Djibouti

    Dominica

    Dominican
    Republic


    East Timor

    Ecuador

     Egypt

     El Salvador

    Eritrea

     Estonia

     Ethiopia

    Faeroe Islands

     Fijii

    Finland

      France

    French Guinana

    French Polynesia

     Gabon

    The Gambia

     Germany

     Georgia

    Ghana

    Gibraltar

     Greece

    Greenland

     Grenada

    Guadeloupe

    Guam

    Guatemala

     Guinea

     Guyana

     Haiti

    Honduras

    Hong Kong

     Hungary
     

    Iceland

     India

     Indonesia

      Iraq

     Ireland

     Israel

     Italy
     

    Ivory
      Coast

    Jamaica

    Japan

    Jordan


    Kazakhstan

      Kenya

     Kuwait

     Kyrgyzstan

    Laos

     Latvia

     Lebanon

     Lesotho

     Liberia

    Libya

    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy

    Liechtenstein

     Lithuania

     Luxembourg


    Macao

     Macedonia

    Madagascar

      Malawi

    Malaysia

     Maldives

      Mali

    Malta

    Marshall Islands

    Martinique

     Mauritania

     Mauritius

    Mexico

     Micronesia

    Moldova

     Monaco

      Mongolia

    Montenegro

    Montserrat

      Morocco

     Mozambique

    Namibia

    Nepal

    Netherlands

    Netherlands Antilles

    New Caledonia

     New Zealand

     Nicaragua

    Niger

    Nigeria

    Norway


    Oman


     Pakistan

    Palau

    Palestine

    Panama

    Papa New
      Guinea

    Paraguay

    Peru

    Phillipines

    Poland

    Portugal

    Puerto Rico

    Qatar

    Reunion

     Romania

     Russia

     Rwanda

    Saba

    Saipan(Northern
    Mariana Islands)

    Samoa

    San Marino

    Saudi Arabia

    Senegal

    Serbia

    Seychelles

    Singapore

     Slovak
    Republic

       Slovenia

      South Africa

    South
      Korea

      Spain

      Sri Lanka

    St. Barthelemy

    St. Eustatius

    St. Kitts
      and Nevis

    St. Lucia

    St. Maarten

    St. Vincent

     Suriname

     Swaziland

    Sweden

     Switzerland

      Syria

    Taiwan

    Tanzania

     Thailand

    Tonga

    Tongo

     Trinidad and
    Tobago

     Tunisia 

    Turkey

    Turks and Caicos Islands

    Uganda

     Ukraine

    United Arab
    Emirates

     United
    Kingdom
     

    United States
    of America

    U.S.
    Virgin Islands

     Uruguay

     Uzbekistan

    Vanuatu

    Vatican City

    Venezuela

     Vietnam

    Wallis and Futuna

    Yemen

    Zambia

    Zimbabwe

     

     

     

     

    Tags: Crating and Packing Houston, Equipment Shipping

    Steps to Take before Shipping Antiques

    Posted on Thu, Oct 10, 2013

     

    Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, packing up antique or heirloom pieces is something you may be stressing over. These items may be  irreplaceable, but they  can safely arrive to your destination when let a professional packing and shipping company  take care of shipping antiques for you.

    Use a company that has access to all the supplies that are needed for shipping valuable pieces. For larger pieces of furniture, consider using moving blankets for covering furniture.

    For smaller items you can use bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and shrink wrap in order to protect your valuable items.  Each and every antique will need to be looked at to determine the safest way to pack and ship it.

    If you are shipping an antique out of town, you may need to determine if the antique will need to have a custom crate built for protection. For smaller less delicate items, double boxing an
    antique may be the way to go.

    Sometimes a custom built pallet can be built and you can ship your antique via freight.  Freighting furniture is often a money saving alternative. The antique furniture can ship via freight and be delivered either with the curbside delivery option, or with inside delivery.

     Always look at the size and construction of the item that you want to ship. Bubble wrap is usually used for, mirrors, lamps and other accessories. Double boxing works for china. Depending on the porcelain, pottery or artwork a custom crate may be the best answer.

    Look for a company that has crating items down to a fine science. For custom built crates, the company that you choose will need   to determine the size of crate that’s needed. They
    will also need to determine if any blocking and bracing is needed  as well as the type of material that should be placed inside the crate for protection. One inch Styrofoam is standard, but often times bubble and or peanuts will need to be added for extra protection. Consider when you pack an antique chandelier for shipping purposes. 

    If you are considering shipping antiques outside of the United States, look for a company that has experience in international shipping.  Specific wood will need to be used for both crates and pallet shipping.

    Since moving antiques is not a one size fits all situation, please feel free to contact us at pack n send in Houston TX with any questions that you may have about packing and sending
    antiques.

     

    If you are shipping to countries outside of the US, the following is a list of the countries that pack n send can to ship to on your behalf.

    Albania

    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
     Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Philippines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of AmericaU.S. Virgin Islands
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna
    Zimbabw  Uganda

    Tags: Shipping Antiques, Shipping small amounts of furniture

    The Reality of Medical Equipment Shipping

    Posted on Wed, Oct 09, 2013

     

    When the time comes for a
    medical office to move it can be a challenge to ship such delicate machines as
    computed tomography scanners, MRI devices, x-ray machines and more. 
    Professional movers can prepare such equipment to endure the difficulty of any
    distance move.  Transportation of medical equipment will require the machines toendure shocks and vibrations as well as leaning and more. 

    When looking for a quote for shipping medical equipment, it’s important to be certain it contains
    everything associated with the relocation.  Items to look at are packaging
    specs, valuation requirements, time availability and the extent of packing as
    well as unpacking at the new location.  There may be
    situations where the new area has to be made ready for the arrival of medical
    equipment. 

    Once a medical equipment
    shipper has been chosen, it’s essential that the medical office and the shipper
    have a clear understanding as to the dates and times.  Getting equipment
    to a new

    location and then up and running can impact
    revenue.    Elevators may need to be reserved. Professionals who ship
    medical equipment will understand the need to accommodate your specific time
    frame.  They transport the medical equipment to the new location as
    requested.  

    There are various ways to ship medical equipment.  Some equipment may be blocked and braced and put inside a custom built crate.

    Other medical equipment may be wrapped and protected for shipping and then strapped to a pallet for freight shipping.  Medical equipment can also be moved by a blanket wrap
    mover.

    If the move is on an international level all solid wood used for the move must be stamped with an official mark.   For larger international moves of medical equipment
    either 20 foot or 40 foot containers can be used.

    Since medical equipment
    varies by manufacturer and type of equipment, look for a company that has
    experience moving and crating high value items. 

    Within a medical
    center, equipment may often need to be moved from one building to another. The
    preparation for these moves will require careful planning and packing. 

    Statistics from the Bureau of Transportation show that over 40 million tons of good worth
    approximately $30 billion are moved thousands of miles domestically each
    day.  Each shipment is tracked as it leaves and when it arrives at
    its destination. Professional movers who do medical equipment shipping
    have the knowledge and experience to handle any situation. 

    If you would like to
    know more about medical equipment shipping we can help.  Please feel free
    to Contact pack n send in
    Houston
    with any questions that you may want answered about


    shipping or moving medical equipment. 
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
     
     
     


    We have prepared a list
    of the countries that we can ship to

    on your behalf.

    Albania



    Belarus



    Belize



    Belgium



    Benin



    Bermuda



    Bhutan



    Bolivia|



    Bonaire



    Botswana



    Congo Republic of



    Cook island



    Costa Rica



    Croatia



    Curaco



    Cyprus



    Czech Republic



    Dominica



    Dominican Republic



    DPR of Korea Republic



    East Timor



    Ecuador



    Egypt



     Ginvea-Bissau



    Ginvea-Exquatorial



    Greece



    Greenland



    Grenada



    Guadeloupe



    Guam



    Guatemala



    Guernsey



    Guinea



    Guinea Republic



    Guyana Haiti



    Honduras



    Hong Kong



    Hungary



    Iceland



    India



    Indonesia



    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey



    Iraq



    Ireland



    Israel



    Kyrgyzstan



    Lao People’s Democratic Republic



    Laos



    Latvia



    Lebanon



    Lesotho



    Liberia



    Libya



    Libyan Arab Jamahiriya



    Liechtenstein



    Lithuania



    Luxembourg



    Macao



    New Zealand



    Nicaragua



    Niger



    Nigeria



    Nive



    Northern Mariana Islands



    Norway



    Oman



    Pakistan



    Panama



    Papa New Guinea



    Paraguay



    Peru



    Philippines



    Poland



    Portugal



    Puerto Rico



    Qatar Reunion



    Romania



    Rota



    Russia



    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)



    Samoa



    San Marino



    Sao Tome and Principe



    Saudi Arabia



    Senegal



    Serbia



    Seychelles



    Sierra Leone



    Singapore



    Slovak Republic



    Slovakia



    Slovenia



    Solomon Islands



    Somalia



    Somaliand



    South Africa



    South Korea



    Spain



    Sri Lanka



    St. Barthelemy



    St. Croix



    St. Eustatius



    St. John



    St. Kitts and Nevis



    St. Lucia



    St. Maarten



    St. Thomas



    St. Vincent



    Trinidad and Tobago



    Turkey



    Turks and Caicos Islands



    Turkmenistan



    Tuvalu



    Uganda



    Ukraine



    United Arab Emirates



    United Kingdom



    United States of AmericaU.S. Virgin Islands



    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)



    Uruguay



    Uzbekistan



    Vanuatu



    Vatican City



    Venezuela



    Vietnam



    Virgin Gorda



    Wallis and Futuna



    Zimbabw  Uganda



    St. Maarten



    St. Thomas



    St. Vincent



    Trinidad and Tobago



    Turkey



    Turks and Caicos Islands



    Turkmenistan



    Tuvalu



    Uganda



    Ukraine



    United Arab Emirates



    United Kingdom



    United States of AmericaU.S. Virgin Islands



    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)



    Uruguay



    Uzbekistan



    Vanuatu



    Vatican City



    Venezuela



    Vietnam



    Virgin Gorda



    Wallis and Futuna



    Zimbabw  Uganda

     

    We have prepared a list
    of the countries that we can ship to

    on your behalf.

    Albania



    Belarus



    Belize



    Belgium



    Benin



    Bermuda



    Bhutan



    Bolivia|



    Bonaire



    Botswana



    Congo Republic of



    Cook island



    Costa Rica



    Croatia



    Curaco



    Cyprus



    Czech Republic



    Dominica



    Dominican Republic



    DPR of Korea Republic



    East Timor



    Ecuador



    Egypt



     Ginvea-Bissau



    Ginvea-Exquatorial



    Greece



    Greenland



    Grenada



    Guadeloupe



    Guam



    Guatemala



    Guernsey



    Guinea



    Guinea Republic



    Guyana Haiti



    Honduras



    Hong Kong



    Hungary



    Iceland



    India



    Indonesia



    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey



    Iraq



    Ireland



    Israel



    Kyrgyzstan



    Lao People’s Democratic Republic



    Laos



    Latvia



    Lebanon



    Lesotho



    Liberia



    Libya



    Libyan Arab Jamahiriya



    Liechtenstein



    Lithuania



    Luxembourg



    Macao



    New Zealand



    Nicaragua



    Niger



    Nigeria



    Nive



    Northern Mariana Islands



    Norway



    Oman



    Pakistan



    Panama



    Papa New Guinea



    Paraguay



    Peru



    Philippines



    Poland



    Portugal



    Puerto Rico



    Qatar Reunion



    Romania



    Rota



    Russia



    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)



    Samoa



    San Marino



    Sao Tome and Principe



    Saudi Arabia



    Senegal



    Serbia



    Seychelles



    Sierra Leone



    Singapore



    Slovak Republic



    Slovakia



    Slovenia



    Solomon Islands



    Somalia



    Somaliand



    South Africa



    South Korea



    Spain



    Sri Lanka



    St. Barthelemy



    St. Croix



    St. Eustatius



    St. John



    St. Kitts and Nevis



    St. Lucia



    St. Maarten



    St. Thomas



    St. Vincent



    Trinidad and Tobago



    Turkey



    Turks and Caicos Islands



    Turkmenistan



    Tuvalu



    Uganda



    Ukraine



    United Arab Emirates



    United Kingdom



    United States of AmericaU.S. Virgin Islands



    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)



    Uruguay



    Uzbekistan



    Vanuatu



    Vatican City



    Venezuela



    Vietnam



    Virgin Gorda



    Wallis and Futuna



    Zimbabw  Uganda

    St. Maarten



    St. Thomas



    St. Vincent



    Trinidad and Tobago



    Turkey



    Turks and Caicos Islands



    Turkmenistan



    Tuvalu



    Uganda



    Ukraine



    United Arab Emirates



    United Kingdom



    United States of AmericaU.S. Virgin Islands



    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)



    Uruguay



    Uzbekistan



    Vanuatu



    Vatican City



    Venezuela



    Vietnam



    Virgin Gorda



    Wallis and Futuna



    Zimbabw  Uganda

     

    Tags: Medical Equipment Shipping, Medical Equipment Moving

    5 Tips to Make Shipping Medical Equipment Easier

    Posted on Fri, Oct 04, 2013

    5 Tips to Make Shipping MedicalEquipment Easier and More Efficient 

    If you work in a hospital or in anymedical field, you probably know shipping medical equipment can be a delicate process.

    Each piece of medical supplies is unique and may need to be handled
    differently. The good news is when packaged properly, medical supplies can make it to its final destination without any trouble. Because of this, it is important to know a few tips for shipping medical equipment.

    1. Remove any batteries from medical devices, and make sure all medical devices are turned off.

    2. Use bubble wrap, peanuts, and/or Styrofoam around all objects to better protect them. Make sure fragile items are properly protected. If packaged correctly, even the most fragile medical
    supplies will make it safely to its intended destination, whether the destination is across town or across the country. 

    3. Double box items. This allows the items to have added cushioning protection. Thick boxes without cuts or pieces missing work best both when single boxing and double boxing items. 

    4. Consider shipping in a crate. For extremely delicate medical supplies, the only logical shipping container might be a crate. Make sure your medical supplies are still carefully packaged for the ultimate protection no matter the size of the shipping container.   For larger items, you may want to consider shipping the medical equipment on a protected pallet.

    5. Definately hire a professional shipping company to pack and ship your medical equipment. Let the shipping company know you are shipping medical equipment. It can then be labeled as
    "Fragile" and will be handled gentler to make sure your supplies make it to its destination safely.

     Of course, because of the diversity of medical equipment, not every item is going to be packaged exactly the same way.  As an example, a massage table will be packed differently than a centrifuge.   

     

    Be sure to hire a company that can pick up your equipment as well as pack and ship it for you. Plan early so that you do not have to ship the equipment overnight.  If you have sold your equipment to an international recipient, make sure that the shipping company that you choose
    has experience shipping to international locations.  Extra paperwork and different packaging
    materials will be necessary.

    If you are shipping domestically, be sure to check out if the receiving location has a loading dock for larger items. If the equipment is being delivered inside a building, extra insurance forms may be required for the inside delivery. This will need to be determined before the equipment is shipped to the new location.  These are just a few of the items to be addressed when shipping medical equipment and medical supplies.

    If you need help properly packing and shipping your medical supplies, contact us.  We have experience packing and shipping medical supplies, and we know the proper way to ensure the safety of your products.   

     

    We have listed below some of the countries where we can ship you medical equipment.

    Albania

    Belarus

    Belize

    Belgium

    Benin

    Bermuda

    Bhutan

    Bolivia|

    Bonaire

    Botswana

    Congo Republic of

    Cook island

    Costa Rica

    Croatia

    Curaco

    Cyprus

    Czech Republic

    Dominica

    Dominican Republic

    DPR of Korea Republic

    East Timor

    Ecuador

    Egypt

     Ginvea-Bissau

    Ginvea-Exquatorial

    Greece

    Greenland

    Grenada

    Guadeloupe

    Guam

    Guatemala

    Guernsey

    Guinea

    Guinea Republic

    Guyana Haiti

    Honduras

    Hong Kong

    Hungary

    Iceland

    India

    Indonesia

    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey

    Iraq

    Ireland

    Israel

    Kyrgyzstan

    Lao People’s Democratic Republic

    Laos

    Latvia

    Lebanon

    Lesotho

    Liberia

    Libya

    Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

    Liechtenstein

    Lithuania

    Luxembourg

    Macao

    New Zealand

    Nicaragua

    Niger

    Nigeria

    Nive

    Northern Mariana Islands

    Norway

    Oman

    Pakistan

    Panama

    Papa New Guinea

    Paraguay

    Peru

    Philippines

    Poland

    Portugal

    Puerto Rico

    Qatar Reunion

    Romania

    Rota

    Russia

    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)

    Samoa

    San Marino

    Sao Tome and Principe

    Saudi Arabia

    Senegal

    Serbia

    Seychelles

    Sierra Leone

    Singapore

    Slovak Republic

    Slovakia

    Slovenia

    Solomon Islands

    Somalia

    Somaliand

    South Africa

    South Korea

    Spain

    Sri Lanka

    St. Barthelemy

    St. Croix

    St. Eustatius

    St. John

    St. Kitts and Nevis

    St. Lucia

    St. Maarten

    St. Thomas

    St. Vincent

    Trinidad and Tobago

    Turkey

    Turks and Caicos Islands

    Turkmenistan

    Tuvalu

    Uganda

    Ukraine

    United Arab Emirates

    United Kingdom

    United States of AmericaU.S. Virgin Islands

    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)

    Uruguay

    Uzbekistan

    Vanuatu

    Vatican City

    Venezuela

    Vietnam

    Virgin Gorda

    Wallis and Futuna

    Zimbabw  Uganda

     

    Tags: Medical Equipment Shipping, Houston Freight

    Use Houston Commercial Freight for Your Business Move

    Posted on Thu, Oct 03, 2013

    Harnessing the Help of Houston Commercial Freight for Your Business Move 

    According to The Atlantic, Houston is “unstoppable.” Houston was the first major metro area in the US to recover all the jobs that were lost during the last recession, and now Houston has added a second job for every one that was lost after the crash in 2008. Given these statistics, there are a lot of Houston businesses that are booming—and perhaps also running short on space as a result. If you work for a successful Houston business and you’re facing the need to move your thriving business to a larger location, consider a Houston Commercial Freight company as your partner in this move.

    There are a number of reasons why you might want to obtain professional assistance for your move.

    1. Commercial freight movers know how to pack and
           transport everything safely. In addition to the standard office furniture,
           many businesses have unique, precious and proprietary items that need
           special care and attention in order to be moved without damage. Whether
           it’s the artwork on the CEO’s office walls or the perfect prototype in
           process, professional movers can construct appropriate containers and pack
           them securely for transportation.
    2. Professional movers will smoothly organize and manage
           your move. If you were to manage the move yourself, you would waste a lot
           of time making arrangements that professionals can do easily, because they
           have done it dozens, or even hundreds, of times. When you hire
           professionals to handle your commercial moving needs, you can focus
           instead on keeping your business processes working during the transition.
    3. Commercial movers will undertake your move with
           efficiency and economy. Working with you as a team, and offering
           suggestions for the most efficient ways to minimize the necessary
           disruptions caused by a move, commercial movers will reduce your company’s
           “down time” during the moving process. Your business and your bottom line
           will benefit far more from the lack of down time than if you decided to
           save a few pennies and do the move yourselves.

    So trust the unstoppable nature of the Houston economy, and contact us to hire a commercial freight company to handle your business move. You know that your business will be just as unstoppable in its new location!

     

    Tags: Houston Freight, Houston Freight Shipping

    Ship furniture across country-Don't leave prized possessions behind

    Posted on Thu, Sep 26, 2013

     

    Consumers don’t often think of shipping furniture across country as a viable option as they think it is too costly. It is an ideal solution however for those who own or have found a piece that has a high sentimental value, significant historical value or cannot be found in the other part of America they are moving.

    Family heirlooms, valuable antiques and historical pieces cannot simply be replaced with new modern furniture. Consumers who are moving often weigh the cost of shipment with how much their furniture means to them. Shipment of furniture is a viable option when utilizing the right company and preparing it properly for shipment. Furniture holds much more of a value than monetary especially when it has historical or sentimental significance.

    Consumers have a few choices when shipping across the country in both preparation and shipping methods. Careful preparation is critical especially with valuable antiques with crating or palletizing the safest methods. For standard furniture it is often wrapped in moving blankets which prevents contact from other items and stains. The method mainly depends on the amount of furniture the consumer needs shipped.

     Freight is ideal for single pieces or smalllots of furniture and for shipping a newly purchased piece from a seller to your home. Having a moving company haul your furniture is ideal for those moving an entire household of furniture or large lot of several pieces.

    If you would like more information on shipping your furniture across the country or want a quote on shipping a piece of furniture you are contemplating purchasing, please feel free to
    contact us at pack n send in Houston.

    Tags: Small Moves, Moving Furniture Across Country

    Overcoming the Challenges Posed by Senior Moving

    Posted on Thu, Sep 26, 2013

    Moving can be challenging under ordinary circumstances, but it becomes even more challenging when it involves senior citizens. Whether you are helping a parent relocate to a new residence or moving your mom or dad into your own home, there are some steps you can take in order to overcome the challenges that are posed by senior moving.

    Consider any medications or mobility aids that are needed on a daily basis when planning the move. That
    way, you won’t end up placing them on the back of a moving truck if you need them to get from the old residence to the new one. If you have medical equipment such as glucose meters that need to be used upon arrival, be sure these are located on the back of the truck so that they can be accessed right
    away.

    When seniors move some distance away, it might be necessary to find new medical providers. Some preplanning can go a long way toward ensuring the good health of your loved one in a new location. Do some research ahead of time to find doctors that honor certain insurance plans, are reputable, and currently accepting new patients. You may even want to go ahead and make an initial appointment with a physician so that the two of them can get acquainted. That way, a new provider can be found right away if your loved one doesn’t seem to click with this doctor.

    For many seniors, moving means leaving family and friends that they have been acquainted with for quite
    some time. Finding social programs in a given area is important if older adults are to feel like they are a part of their new community. If your loved one is moving to a retirement community, there may already be several programs in place that will provide socialization. If not, you can check with local church groups and community centers in order to find activities to participate in.

    Moving heavy furniture or boxes of household goods may not be practical for many senior citizens to do.
    Fortunately, you can contact us to provide reliable and affordable senior moving  services in the Houston area and beyond.

    Tags: Senior Moving, Elderly Moving

    You Need Small Movers, Even When You Think You Don't

    Posted on Thu, Sep 19, 2013

     When you are moving a small amount of furniture, it might seem easy at first glance. You think to yourself, "I'll just load up the car or rent a larger mini-van and that will be all I need." However, this plan almost always turns out badly for several reasons:

    • You have more stuff than you think.
    • You rarely organize beforehand, because you think it
           will be easy.
    • You have to live in a disorganized manner for several
           weeks or more to follow and
    • You wind up spending random money on things like
           storage or even last-minute moving help

    However, most people only do this one time. Either they make sure in the future
    to absolutely, only have a car or small mini-van full of stuff to move, or they
    wisely plan and hire help beforehand for the next time. If you're really wise,
    you won't put yourself through this misery even once. A small move is still a
    move, and you can make your move a headache or a breeze. The choice is up to
    you.

    Making Your Small Move a Breeze

    Basically, the key is to treat your small move like a larger move. However, when you take the same steps, the process will move quickly because you have less stuff. There are four simple
    steps: Planning and Packing, Clearing Out, Creature Comforts and Review.

    Planning and Packing - Planning entails both setting aside and a little packing. You can do the planning yourself or hire a company to help you.

    Basically, in the planning phase, you decide what the most special and delicate items are and make sure that they are packed properly by you, or you hire a professional packing company to pack them for you.

    During this time, you should also set aside bags of items that you will need right away after moving like toiletries, kids toys, a few outfits for you and your family, and perishable foods.
    Once you do the setting aside, either you can do the packing yourself or hire a moving company to do that for you.

    Clearing Out - Clearing out is an important way to make your small move easy. Basically, you just get rid of everything that's going to get in your way or the mover's way during the move. This step can include, removing potted plants, floor mats, low hanging decorations and tree branches if necessary, opening door locks, propping doors open, clearing cords out of the way, making sure all walkways are clear of outdoor toys and yard machines and making sure that everyone involved will have a place to park. Dump all trash and create large, empty trash bags for moving trash only.

    Creature Comforts - It's always a good idea to have water for yourself and the movers available.  

    Review - After you're moved out, make a final sweep of the place and make sure everything is gone.

      We know what it takes to make your small move simple and headache free. If you have any
    questions about moving a small amount of furniture, please feel free to contact us here at pack n send.

     

    Tags: Small Move, Moving a Small Amount of Furniture

    Tips for Antique Shipping: How to Protect your Antiques

    Posted on Thu, Sep 12, 2013

    Whether you’re an avid collector or simply have a few heirloom pieces passed down from previous generations, your antiques are no doubt special to you. If you’re planning to move soon, here is some advice for antique shipping that will help you protect your valuables.

    If you are packing your items yourself, take some time to inspect your items in order to determine if there are loose pieces that need to be secured ahead of time. Make notes on each item as to any defects that are on it, and take several pictures from different angles as well.

    Consider having extremely valuable pieces appraised ahead of time. That way, you can be sure you have adequate insurance coverage, and will be able to purchase an additional rider if need
    be.

     

    If there are detachable pieces, remove them so they are not detached during moving. Place them inside a roll of bubble wrap, padded envelope or a smaller box with lots of packing peanuts in it.

    Secure dressers and cabinets with drawers in them with shrink-wrap in order to keep them from sliding back and forth while in transit.  Use foam pads in between chair railings, and wrap
    tables with old blankets to help prevent them from becoming scratched.  Padding will be needed on all sides of an antique mirror. Take care not to place other objects on top of a
    mirror, and make sure to the mirror in a location where it is not likely to move around in the truck if the truck were to stop very suddenly.

    Consider having items such as china, clocks or pictures professionally packed for moving or shipping. Moving companies and shipping companies can help you with this. For very high value
    items, you may want to consider ordering a custom crate. Let a professional build the custom crate. Professionals will know how to load, pack and block and brace your valuable items.  

    Here at Pack n Send, we are familiar with shipping all types of household goods, including your valuable antiques. If you have any questions about antique shipping or shipping of artwork or
    delicate items, please feel free to contact us at 713 266 1450.  

     

     

    Tags: Antique Shipping Houston, Antique Shipping

    College Students: Need to Move a Small Amount of Furniture?

    Posted on Wed, Sep 11, 2013

     College is back in session, and with it, the annual student migration from Mom and Dad's to a dorm room or first apartment. Most students  need to move a small amount of furniture, but
    with the onslaught of activity that accompanies the first few weeks of school, the task of moving a nightstand, TV, or their parents' old couch and coffee table may fall by the wayside.

    Rather than building a desk out of two-by-fours and milk crates, consider hiring a professional moving service so that you or your college-bound student can focus on class by day and have a
    comfortable spot to study and relax at night. If a regular moving service does not fit in into  your students schedule, consider freighting the furniture to your student. You can have the furniture loaded onto a pallet and then shipped via a freight truck. The furniture can either be dropped off at the curb with your student unloading the pallet, or delivered inside with white glove inside delivery. Any size budget can be accommodated.

    In small move situations such as these, there's no minimum weight requirement, allowing you the freedom to clear out an entire apartment, a bedroom, or merely a microwave and a set of dishes. No matter the size of your shipment, you'll only be quoted for the truck space you need. If you student lives in an apartment building, find out the building's acceptable moving hours or drop off hours and you can have the furniture delivered within that schedule.

    Given that the semester's already begun, carefully packing and unpacking even a few items could mean sacrificing classes, orientations, or a few nights' required reading. If the college
    time-crunch has you in its clutches, hire a company with both packing and unpacking service could be a stress-free solution. Movers trained in handling fragile cargo are available to crate your valuables and ensure their safety upon arrival, and all items should be sent with valuation coverage.  Movers can even unpack your belongings for you, leaving your child free to keep working on that first term paper due tomorrow.

    The first few weeks of school are hectic enough without the stress of moving into a new apartment. If you would like more information about small load moving, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston to take advantage of any or all of our shipping services, whether moving into an apartment near Rice, a university out of state, or almost anywhere in the world.

    Tags: Freight Furniture, Move a small amount of furiture

    Senior Moving- Assisted Living-Moving Small Amounts of Furniture

    Posted on Mon, Sep 09, 2013

     

    5 reasons to hire a professional mover (even for a small move)

     So you're going to make a small move in Houston or in the rest of the world. Perhaps from a temporary apartment to a new home, or maybe moving from a sibling's home (where you've camped out a couple of months) to a place of your own. You don't have a huge amount of
    stuff, and you figure you could move it all yourself and save a little money.

    But think for a moment about the advantages of hiring a professional mover, even for a small move. Here are five to consider:

    1. Efficiency - Professional movers have the benefit of experience behind
    them. This means they have a proven system--from packing to loading, unloading
    and installing your items--that will help you get your belongings to their new
    destination in the most organized and systematic manner.

    2. Safety - Your glassware, furniture, artwork and other valuable
    items will have the best chance of arriving safely at your new home if you get
    professional help. Heavy items can be difficult and risky to move if you don't
    have the experience. Professionals will know how to handle such items safely,
    and you keep your back and limbs safe from possible injury. 

    3. Accountability - Yes, your friends may be willing to lend you a hand, but
    if they break your mother's crystal, who's going to be accountable? Working
    with a mover, you have the option of getting valuation coverage for your property,
    so you can feel secure during the moving process.

    4. Fast - If you've ever undertaken a "small move"
    before, you know how a deceptively small pile of items can take many hours if
    not days to move yourself. With a professional mover, you schedule the time and
    day, and an experienced crew can get you out of your old place and into your
    new home in a short period of time. So you can move on with your life.

    5. Cost-effective - With a professional mover, you ensure the safety of your
    items, you save time and energy, and you avoid the possibility of personal
    injury. Most movers will be happy to offer you a free estimate--it won't cost
    you anything to get one for your small move, and you may be pleasantly
    surprised how cost-effective it can be.

    For seniors who are downsizing when they move, we recommend choosing a company that can also freight furniture to family members who live in other cities.

    For more information about both small moves and senior moving, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston at 713 266 1450.

     

    Free photo - women wife person available in our free stock photos

    Tags: Senior Moving, Assisted Living Moving

    Moving Small Amounts of Furniture for Seniors

    Posted on Thu, Aug 29, 2013

    Whether you are a moving veteran or a rookie, made international moves or small moves across town, or maybe just have a knack for helping people move there are many tips that will
    help save time and protect your stuff as you pack.  The approach to packing can differ greatly depending on how you are moving.  Are you moving yourself or having a professional moving company do the heavy lifting? 

    describe the image

    This post is geared towards having a company come in and help you out. This post will help seniors who are moving into assisted living centers, as well as seniors moving into nursing
    homes.  There are options even when you hire a moving company.  The company could move your belongings alone or they could carefully load them on a commercial freight trailer along with other people's belongings.  Another decision will be whether to pack your own belongings,have the professional movers do the packing, or a mix of the two.

     

    If you pack your own belongings the moving company can provide you with the correct number of boxes that will fit what you are packing into them.  They may give you extra stuff besides
    boxes; packing peanuts, bubble wrap, and tape for example.  When the materials are dropped off just make sure you protect your belongings by properly wrapping anything breakable.  When in doubt it is better to have too much protection than not enough.  

    The other option would be to allow the professionals to do what you are paying them for.  They've packed everything before and even know the best way to pack art work, sculptures
    and all of your delicate items, no matter how awkwardly shaped.  The secondary perk to allowing the movers to pack you up is they will do it fast and economically.

    Trust your movers; they're the professionals.

    When seniors are moving, we recommend letting the movers unpack all of their possessions. The movers can hang pictures, place furniture exactly where you need it and hang up the
    clothes in closets.  Let the movers haul away all of the packing materials and boxes.

    If you are downsizing, ask your mover if they can ship some of your excess furniture and valuables to family members that are out of town. For in town family members, the movers
    should be able to drop off at more than one location.

    If you have more questions about options for moving please feel free to contact pack n send in
    Houston.

    Tags: Moving a Senior, Assisted Living Mover

    Professional Shipping of Medical Equipment

    Posted on Mon, Aug 26, 2013

     

    The process of shipping medical equipment is as complex as the machinery itself. Each and every piece has its own needs for safe shipment. Safe shipment of vital life saving equipment is what we do best. Our staff has the extensive training necessary to ensure your equipment reaches its destination in a timely fashion and undamaged state. We work closely with you so we fully understand the special requirements of your particular equipment. We also carry all necessary packing materials.

    We easily pick up and deliver equipment that is heavy, awkward, bulky and or fragile. We take special considerations to protect sensitive pieces containing delicate lasers or lenses in need of special care.

    We not only handle shipping medical equipment in and around the Houston area, we can cover the world. We have the experience to plan ahead and make sure all permits needed and all complicated customs regulations for each country are adhered to in order to prevent any delay in your cargo reaching its destination.

    We can box, crate, pack, protect, and ship any type of medical equipment to any destination in the world. We have shipped medical exam tables, microscopes, high end diagnostic devices, autoclaves, a wide variety of physical therapy equipment and much, much more.

    When the time comes to move that precious cargo to its new home in perfect working order, contact us and we will take special care to ensure that every piece gets to every destination in tact and on time.

    Tags: Houston Crating, Shipping Medical Equipment, Houston Pallet Shipping

    Freight or Move Furniture-Options Discussed Here

    Posted on Thu, Aug 15, 2013

     While traditional moving has been all the rage for years, if you are moving out of town, there are other alternatives that you might want to consider. These options will apply both for business and residential  customers.

    You do not need to consider filling and entire truck with your household or business furniture. When looking to move a few items, there are a few alternatives. 

    First, you can look at hiring  a small load mover that has no minimum size or  weight equirement for the furniture or boxes that you would like to move. Another option is to look for a company that can move furniture and boxes via freight.

    What does the freight move involve on your part? The good news is that your budget can help determine this. You can ask the for the company you choose to come and pick up the goods just like a normal mover. You can also ask them to unload the pallet and place the furniture and boxes inside your home or office.

    In between this time, your possessions will be wrapped and be placed on a pallet, loaded on a truck. The pallet will then be shipped via freight. 

    You have the option of requesting that the pallet is shipped only to your dock or the curb of your home. You can save moving dollars this way by unloading your belongings and taking them inside your home or business on your own. 

    We recommend looking for a company that can offer both small load moves and a freighting alternative. That way, you as a consumer can analyze the best option for you. 

    Companies that offer both services can   ship your belongings via freight anywhere in the world, and move items anywhere in the 48 lower states. Alaska and Hawaii are considered freighting locations. Once again, you can still request inside delivery for your shipment.

    Make sure the company that you choose offers blanket wrap moves, where the pick up your belongings, blanket wrap the belongings and then deliver them inside your residence or business. 

    As a consideration in researching a company to complete your small out of town move, ask if the company has experience moving the following: Antique dealers, interior decorators,
    individuals, general businesses, offices, auction houses, retirement centers, estates, nursing home residents, furniture stores, and framing companies. We recommend asking about these companies, since you want to choose a company that has experience moving and freighting a multitude of items.

      Check and make sure that the company you choose has experience with high value, difficult to manage and large items. Think artwork, sculptures and china. A company that handles
    delicate items is used to handling precious items.

    When shipping small amounts of furniture overseas, look for a company that can ship to the following countries.

     

    Afghanistan

    Albania

    Belarus

    Belize

    Belgium

    Benin

    Bermuda

    Bhutan

    Bolivia|

    Bonaire

    Botswana

    Congo Republic of

    Cook island

    Costa Rica

    Croatia

    Curaco

    Cyprus

    Czech Republic

    Dominica

    Dominican Republic

    DPR of Korea Republic

    East Timor

    Ecuador

    Egypt

     Ginvea-Bissau

    Ginvea-Exquatorial

    Greece

    Greenland

    Grenada

    Guadeloupe

    Guam

    Guatemala

    Guernsey

    Guinea

    Guinea Republic

    Guyana Haiti

    Honduras

    Hong Kong

    Hungary

    Iceland

    India

    Indonesia

    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey

    Iraq

    Ireland

    Israel

    Kyrgyzstan

    Lao People’s Democratic Republic

    Laos

    Latvia

    Lebanon

    Lesotho

    Liberia

    Libya

    Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

    Liechtenstein

    Lithuania

    Luxembourg

    Macao

    New Zealand

    Nicaragua

    Niger

    Nigeria

    Nive

    Northern Mariana Islands

    Norway

    Oman

    Pakistan

    Panama

    Papa New Guinea

    Paraguay

    Peru

    Philippines

    Poland

    Portugal

    Puerto Rico

    Qatar Reunion

    Romania

    Rota

    Russia

    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)

    Samoa

    San Marino

    Sao Tome and Principe

    Saudi Arabia

    Senegal

    Serbia

    Seychelles

    Sierra Leone

    Singapore

    Slovak Republic

    Slovakia

    Slovenia

    Solomon Islands

    Somalia

    Somaliand

    South Africa

    South Korea

    Spain

    Sri Lanka

    St. Barthelemy

    St. Croix

    St. Eustatius

    St. John

    St. Kitts and Nevis

    St. Lucia

    St. Maarten

    St. Thomas

    St. Vincent

    Trinidad and Tobago

    Turkey

    Turks and Caicos Islands

    Turkmenistan

    Tuvalu

    Uganda

    Ukraine

    United Arab Emirates

    United Kingdom

    United States of AmericaU.S. Virgin Islands

    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)

    Uruguay

    Uzbekistan

    Vanuatu

    Vatican City

    Venezuela

    Vietnam

    Virgin Gorda

    Wallis and Futuna

    Zimbabw  Uganda


    Bolivia|

    Bonaire

    Botswana

    Congo Republic of

    Cook island

    Costa Rica

    Croatia

    Curaco

    Cyprus

    Czech Republic

    Dominica

    Dominican Republic

    DPR of Korea Republic

    East Timor

    Ecuador

     Ginvea-Bissau

    Ginvea-Exquatorial

    Greece

    Greenland

    Grenada

    Guadeloupe

    Guam

    Guatemala

    Guernsey

    If you have any questions about freighting or moving small amounts of furniture, please fell freee to visit our website at www.pack-n-send.com

     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    Tags: Freight Shipping Houston, Houston Mover

    Moving Tips and Freighting Furniture

    Posted on Thu, Aug 08, 2013

    There are many things to consider when planning your household move. Of course some of these items may also apply to a business move, but in this article we will offer list of items that you need to complete when moving your home. Decide what day you would like to move.  It may be less expensive to hire movers to move you during the week. 

    Do you need help packing or unpacking?  Decide this early on so that you can schedule
    packers before your move. Let your current utility company know the date that you
    would like your service transferred. This will include your cable or satellite provider.  Your cell phone provider may also need to change.

    Notify your gas, water, and trash pickup and electricity provider of your impending move.  Internet providers will also need to be notified.  

    Set up these services at your new location ahead of time. If you have local phone service you will need to notify them as well. If you have a security system, please notify them about your impending move.  You will also want to set them up at your new location. 

    Months before you move, you may want to keep a record of the places where you will need to submit a change of address.  Besides magazines, think Doctors offices, dentists and friends.  Look at your Christmas card list as a starting point for the friends list.

    Here are a few other places you may want to notify. Other business you may want to provide with your new address.

    CPA or tax preparer, Grammar Schools, High schools or universities you have attended, alumni associations you belong to, lawyers or attorneys, day care providers as well as babysitters, credit card companies and banks. Credit bureaus, car companies for warranties, any warranty companies for warranties you have purchased, DMV-Department of Motor Vehicles.

    We recommend the DMV since your yearly car registration will be mailed directly to your home. Also your driver’s license renewal will be mailed to you.

    Notify your lawn maintenance company, any health clubs that you belong to.  Change the address on newspaper subscription. If you have a personal card that you hand out at
    events, you will need to make up a card with your new address.  If you are moving for a new job, you will also need to make up new business cards. 

    Traveling?  You will need new luggage tags.  PTA- parent teacher associations may need to be notified. A veterinarian or pet sitter will need your new address. If you use doggie day care, they will also need your new address. If you are moving to a new area, try and get your vet records and ask them to recommend a veterinarian in your new area.

    While this list may not be every place that you will need to notify before you move, it will give you a head start on the notification process.

    If you are moving out of town, there are many options available to you. Besides your regular blanket wrap move, you may want to consider   freighting furniture. Why is this a good option you may ask?

    If you are a self mover, you can save the expense of renting a truck.  A company can come out,  and pick up your furniture. They can then wrap it, and put it on a pallet for freight shipping. The furniture can then be delivered to your curb in your new city. You can even request inside delivery.

    This saves you on loading and unloading your furniture. You can even have your  car or truck
    transported to your new city.

    If you have questions about furniture freighting, crating or freight shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston at 713 266
    1450.

     

     

    Tags: Houston Mover, furniture freighting

    Sounds of Shipping from Houston Shipping Co

    Posted on Mon, Aug 05, 2013

    I believe this is a mother and her calf.

    While the shipping industry is flourishing world wide,  a grad student in Canada has confirmed what the was first discussed in 2008 at the Intercessional Meeting of the IMO Working Group on Greenhouse Gas Emissions. 

    Besides greenhouse gas emissions, oil pollution and carbon dioxide emission, sound produced by ships also has a negative effect on the environment and is considered a form of pollution.

    Why you ask is a company that prepares goods for shipping interested in the environment?  From the beginning shipping companies like pack n send in Houston have joined in recycling efforts and are concerned about the environment. 


    We have watched as ships wait at ports until they are full to sail with their cargo.  Fewer ships sailing use less fuel and dispose of fewer waste products.  While it is not possible to sail with a full cargo load all of the time, the industry has gotten better about trying to fill ships completely with cargo before they sail.

    The noise pollution aspect of shipping that Nathan Merchant mentions in his studies, is one of the often forgotten about sources of pollution in the shipping industry. The Handy  Shipping Guide article  goes into a full analysis of Mr. Merchant’s analysis.

    When Mr. Merchant put equipment that records sound two km down on the sea floor, he explored noise pollution and how it affects dolphins whales, and other marine mammals. Since marine mammals communicate with the use of sound, there is an expectation that they now are changing their methods of communication.

    Of course the sounds emanating from ships are not entirely attributable to cargo ships. Cruise ships and pleasure boats have also effect sound pollution.

    While the effects of sound pollution are being studied, it looks as if it will be quite a few years down the road before satisfactory methods of controlling the sounds will be put into place.

    If you need anything from medical equipment to valuable artwork packed and shipped from Houston, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Afghanistan
    Albania
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
     Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of AmericaU.S. Virgin Islands
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna
    Zimbabw Uganda

    Afghanistan
    Albania
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
     Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of AmericaU.S. Virgin Islands
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna


    Zimbabw Uganda

     

    Tags: Art & Sculpture Shipping, Computer Shipping

    Houston Commerical Crating Co. Lists Weekend Activities

    Posted on Fri, Jul 12, 2013

    Houston, Texas covering 627 square miles has plenty of things to do. Whether you’re looking for a concert, sporting event, or art showing, there is always plenty to do. Some events range anywhere from a few hundred dollars for a big name act like John Mayer to a free and maybe less noisy time at a local vineyard helping to pick grapes for the seasons fresh batch.

     Daisy in the sun. One of few which are untouched by Photoshop (only rotated with Irfanview.. perfect for those actions). <br />An even better version (flower more in focus, better colour balance, higher resolution and noise reduced) can be f...

     

    Here are a few events for this Friday:

     One major event is John Mayer playing at the Cynthia Woods Mitchel Pavilion. The show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets range anywhere from $36 to $126. 

    The Texas  Reperatory Theatre is also putting on a showing of Nunsense. Starting in 1985 and created by Dan Goggin, Nunsense, has is the second longest running Off-Broadway show. 

    If the outdoors is more of an interest the CLCCA Kermet H. Applewhite Sports and Recreation Center is hosting kayak polo and rolling practice. 

    There also happens to be bat tours along the Buffalo Bayou beginning at dusk. An estimated 250,000 bats will be flying from the Waugh Street Bridge. Seems a little early for Halloween, however, the tours continue into October if you want something to get you into the Halloween spirit. 

    Rice University is putting on a production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Johnny Depp may not be staring in this production but it still promises to be an excellent and thrilling show.

     As for Saturdays this provide a good look at the many opportunities to have fun: 

    First thing in the morning there is a grape harvest occurring at Haak Vineyards and Winery. With free admission this is a great way to get before it’s too hot and enjoy the day in a vineyard. 

    At the Museum of Fine Arts the opening of Self, Model, and self as Other is taking place. You can view self portraits of artists, allowing you to gain insight into how the artist has viewed themselves through their own interpretation. 

    Main Street Theater will be presenting a musical version of Alice in Wonderland. An opportunity to see a classic in a different form.  Alice in Wonderland has seen countless incarnations as books, movies, animations, plays, and musicals.

     Taking place at the Brazos Bend State Park it’s Rocket Day. Meant as a family event, you can bring your kid and learn about rockets and how they work. During the course of the day they’ll even build their own launchable water rocket. 

    The Houston Symphony  is putting on the Day of Music. The goal is to encompass many different genres of music. 30 various groups will be performing amongst 5 stages. This event is located at Jones Hall. 

    For the sports fan the Houston Astros provide a stadium tour of Minute Made Park. Tickets range from $10 to $14. The tours will last about one hour.   

    If guns happens to be amongst your interests Reliant Park will be hosting the High Caliber Gun and Knife Show. This will be continuing well into Sunday as well.

     

    Sunday, winding down the week also provides many chances to have a good time and recuperate from the busy times Friday and Saturday. Here’s a few items to give you a picture of a Sunday afternoon of fun: 

    Early this Sunday the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center will be leading phenology hike. The hike will occur on one of four trails with each hike lasting approximately an hour. 

    Wicked will be presented at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Based off the 1995 book by Gregory Maguire the musical has received multiple awards. 

    Pack n send, a company that specializes in Houston Commercial Crating brings this event list to our customers as a way to get out of the Houston heat this weekend. 

    Tags: Houston Commercial Crating, Freight Shipper Houston

    Houston Artwork Shipping Co Discusses Recycling Materials.

    Posted on Thu, Jun 27, 2013

     So why is a shipping company involved in recycling?  Good for the environment and good for business. Customers who receive our boxes take the boxes and packing materials to other shipping centers that recycle. 

    Our customers drop off their boxes and packing materials for us to reuse. Our commercial customers save boxes and have us pick up truck loads of materials for us to reuse. Like I said, good for the environment and good for business. 

    So, what exactly is recycling? 

    Recycling involves being conscientious of our environment. This conscientiousness means considering the actions our purchases and the natural cycle, given a finite amount of resources. Should I buy a new couch or an old one? Depending on your tastes that answer can be simple. Old. That unique item may never be made again. Only you happen to have this item in your possession. 

                Naturally, recycling includes, cardboard, glass, plastic bottles, and paper. Many of these items are reused. Paper namely has an outstanding reputation for reusability, saving an exorbitant amount of resources since its recycling has become more widespread.

     

     Sometimes not the most practical, many items can still be crafted from reused glass. Sun tea is an excellent way to reuse old glass jars. If you happen to be a gardener you can easily can your goods using old jars.

     Boxes can easily be set aside for future moves. Many places locally may even have used boxes for sale, making your move that much more cost effective. Your neighbor may even have some boxes that they’ve been hanging onto. Your local grocery store may have left over fruit and vegetable boxes that they are willing to give you.

                 Recently,   construction materials have also seen uptick recyclability. The invention of a recycling robot will drastically increase the amount of materials recycled and safety.

                Houston, Texas has many great places to recycle. Some places even have curbside recycling. In order to be considered for curbside recycling your neighborhood must have a minimum of 100 homes. The Houston suburbs are also on a recycling kick. Besides homes, schools now have recycling containers on the grounds.

               A list of items that are accepted for recycling in neighborhood recycling containers are< newspaper, magazines, color ad inserts, office paper, mail, telephone books, tin, aluminum, empty aerosol cans, plastic bottles and jugs (marked with a #1 - #5, and #7, recycling symbol). 

               Electronics contain many plentiful resources as well. With a few recycling centers springing up here and there you can close that loop and recycle your old TV, computer, or cell phone.

     Even some electronics department stores are offering recycling.

    For a list of acceptable items you should consult the recycling center or store but this should help you get started:

    • Computers, laptops, and tablets
    • Computer accessories
    • Speakers
    • Copiers
    • Printers
    • Scanners
    • Monitors and screens
    • TVs
    • PDAs
    • Circuit Boards
    • Phones
    • Cables
    • Cell phones & pagers 

    After you drop off your recyclables these goods have many uses. Your paper and cardboard can be turned into egg and berry cartons. Office supply stores are even offering recycled notebook paper. Aluminum and tin cans can be made into bicycle and car parts. Glass, since it can continually be melted down, is reused for glass jars and bricks. Plastic is reused for items such as buckets, stadium seats, and laundry detergent bottles. 

    Recently, the mayor of Houston has accepted a 1 million dollar prize to revamp the recycling process in Houston. This would involve a single-stream recycling program in which all recyclable items are placed in a bin for later sorting. Within two years the city estimates it can increase the amount being recycled by close to 5 fold.

     Houston has a center for recycled art, in which citizens can donate reusable art and craft supplies. This is one of the more unique ways people have devised in order to divert usable items from landfills.

    Here at pack and send, we handle artwork shipping. One of our local artists even use trash bags in their artwork. 

    If you need help with your artwork shipping, or any international shipping, please contact us in Houston Texas. As a company that has been recycling for over 30 years we look forward to doing business with other companies that try to help the environment.

    Pack n Send Today!

    Tags: Artwork Shipping, Pack and Send

    Artwork -American Indian Artwork Piece for Sale

    Posted on Fri, Jun 21, 2013

    6 12 2013 ebay pic 097 resized 600A customer brought this picture in for us to see on eBay in. She remembers paying $2000-$3000 a few years ago.  She is downsizing and is selling this to get more space in her home. She is asking $400 for this picture. If you are interested in purchasing it, please contact me at sales@pack-n-send.com  I can email you more pictures. The frame has a few scratches.

    I am posting it in Designer websites thinking they may be interested in purchasing it for one of their clients.

    The quote on the back of the picture:

    "This is a Navajo religious ceremonial sand painting design"-  Herbert Ben Sr

    This picture is located in Houston and local pick up is free. 

    If you would like a quote for shipping outside of Houston, please email your zip code for a quote.

    Tags: Houston Freight, Houston Shipping

    Wedding Gift Shipping Advice

    Posted on Tue, Jun 18, 2013

     

    Wedding season has arrived in the United States. With most weddings occurring during the summer months, there are many gifts to be shipped.  As couples are getting married in the cities in which they reside, rather than in the city in which they grew up, there is lots of gift shipping going on.

    While many stores will now ship directly to the bride and groom, traditional families want to have the personally wrapped gifts with them at the bridal shower or at the wedding itself.

    We can offer a few hints for carefree shipping. Ask the shipping company to pick up the gifts right after the shower or wedding. That way the grooms or brides parents do not have to repack and put all of the gifts into their cars.

    If relatives are giving the new couple any furniture or large items, be sure to have these items sent along with the wedding gifts at the same time.

    Let professional packing company pack all of the china, glassware, crystal, silver, paintings, any glass items that contain food, or kitchen supplies etc. That way they will get to the couples new residence without any damage.  All artwork, including sculptures should be professionally packed or crated. Let a freight company determine the items that may need extra packing.

    If you are looking for a company to help you pack and send gifts, make sure that they offer pick up service.  Also ask for full value coverage for either loss or damage.  Ask if they will let you look at other items that they are shipping. 

    Many brides and grooms live abroad. Check if the company you are selecting can handle international freight shipping. In Houston, Texas, pack n send offers these services.

    If you decide to pack on your own, choose a company that will sell you the packing materials and offer you instructions on the best packing practices. We recommend asking if the company can build custom boxes or crates in order to fit the exact size of your gift.    

    Be sure to ask for a price up front for your wedding shipping. Have the delivery zip code on hand. For a small shipment, it may be less expensive to have it delivered to the bride or grooms office. When shipping to a residence make sure to have the shipment signed for. That way, the delivery service will not leave it on the doorstep. They will make sure that they hand the gifts to the desired recipients.

    Tracking numbers are important. Ask the shipper to email the tracking numbers to you.

    We recommend looking for a store that has been in business for a reasonable length of time to handle your high value shipping. Packing, crating and freight experience does count when packing up valuable or precious items. If you have the packing and shipping store pack your items, go ahead and ask to see both the packing area and the packing materials. Ask about cushioning and how the boxes will be packed.

    Can the company you choose describe the way that they will pack you precious item in a box or crate?

     During peak holiday seasons, think a winter wedding, shipping kiosks often appear in shopping malls. A firm that only sets up a storefront somewhere only for the holiday season may not have the knowledge to pack your presents correctly and safely for shipping.

    For more helpful hints on packing and moving shower and wedding gifts this holiday season, please feel free to call pack n send in Houston at 713 266 1450.  Since we have been in business over thirty years, we are happy to help out with wedding gift shipping recommendations.

    Tags: Wedding Shipping, Wedding Freight

    Why is freight receiving so much fun?

    Posted on Tue, Jun 11, 2013

     

    So, why is freight receiving so much fun?   For retail customers, freight receiving companies get to see all of the new merchandise before it is stocked on store shelves. While the delivery times to stores may be early in the morning, this early delivery systems lets stores stock their shelves before their customers arrive.  Freight receiving companies are able to view the hottest trend for any coming holiday season.

    Hint for ease in warehouse receiving:

    If you are shipping merchandise to a receiving warehouse, it is best to notify the warehouse before hand. This way, the warehouse has the capability to have the freight unloaded immediately. It also alerts warehouse personnel as to the turnaround time for deliveries.  Items delivered the day after Christmas due to poor planning will not help your bottom line.

    If boxes need to be side marked, it is a good idea to have the labels emailed or faxed to the receiving warehouse well in advance of the shipment being received. If the number of boxes on a pallet needs to be counted by the receiving warehouse, be sure to include these instructions when you contact the receiving warehouse.

    Retail companies and interior designers have as well as individuals send their freight to receiving warehouses.  When furniture is freighted to a receiving warehouse, the warehouse personnel are able to unload the furniture and then complete white glove inside deliveries to the final recipients.

    For interior designers, receiving warehouses can accumulate both furniture and accessories. These items can then be delivered at a time determined by the interior designer. While the interior designer is shopping and completing either a room for a client or an entire home, their purchase are just waiting to be delivered.

    International customers are able to shop throughout the United States. They can have their purchases freighted to one central receiving warehouse. This warehouse can then ship all their purchases via ocean container shipping in either a twenty foot or forty foot container. Consolidated shipping overseas will save your customer money. There are times when furniture will be air freighted overseas, but this is usually a more expensive option than ocean shipping. Overseas shippers need to allow for customs clearance times.  There may also be weather delays, and unfortunately, sometimes there are port delays due to strikes.

     So what happens when freight is being sent from a warehouse?  There are many options for customers here too.  They can drop off their own freight, or they can ask the freight preparation company to pick up the freight on their behalf.  Some of the items that freight preparation includes are as follows:

     Pick up, packing, crating, palletizing, custom made boses and/or crates, customs documentation

    When searching for a company that can help you with your freight shipping and furniture shipping, look for a company that is willing to ask different carriers for prices.  Roadway, SAIA, Southwestern Motor Transit, and Daylight may all offer different prices. It is worth the time and effort to shop around for prices. Remember to take out valuation coverage for loss or damage when shipping via freight.  When you receive freight, inspect the freight before you sign free and clear of any damage.  If you notice any damage after you unload your freight shipment, be sure to notify the freight shipping company and the freight packing company immediately. (Within 24 hours of receiving your freight shipment.)

     As an international freight shipping specialist in Houston, Texas, we recommend that look for a freight shipping and receiving company that will help you ship and receive freight in a quick and easy manner. If you have any questions about moving furniture via freight, you can contact us directly at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Houston Freight, Houston Crating

    Trade Show Advice Around the World from Houston Freight Co.

    Posted on Fri, Jun 07, 2013

    We are offering a few observations and suggestions about trade shows in today’s economy.

     Exposure is everything. Without business contacts and new customers most businesses will stay stagnant or decline in size. The objective here is growing your business. Trade shows are an excellent way to show interested customers what services and goods you offer and to update current clients on new products that your company is offering for sale. Trade shows also give you the chance to see what other businesses in your selling arena are offering their customers.

     We recommend sending two teams to trade shows. One team is to sell at a trade show. The other team you take should scope out your competitors and see what they are doing to attract clients. In a multi day trade show, why not have some employees to out the first day and see if there are possible business contacts that your company would like to attract. On days two and three, high level executives can zero in on these contacts and meet with their trade show representatives.  

     In a sense, you also need to be careful when sending out your best employees to trade show.  This is a great mining way for companies to hire employees from competing companies.

     There are few rules to follow when shipping booths to trade show exhibits. First and foremost when preparing for an out of town trade show, make sure that your booth is shipped in a crate or container that can be reused for shipping after the trade show.  Look for a crate builder that specializes in commercial crating. The center where you have the trade show should be able to store this container for you during the trade show.

     The trade show should provide its own outline of requirements. However, here are a few suggestions to ensure a hitch-free exhibit:

     Contact your shipping company well in advance of the trade show.  Ask for accurate shipping times. This way, you will be able to receive the most cost effective quote.

    If you are going to a trade show outside of the United States. There may be special requirement for any films or DVDs that you may want to have running at your trade show. Think modesty in dress, or alcohol and cigarettes. Review these guidelines before your make your video.  For example: Singapore has its own regulations and care should be taken when planning to attend a trade show in Singapore. We recommend that you do not carry your videos with you when you travel. It may delay your customs clearance.

     Be advised while promptness is a wonderful quality for any business…usually…, it’s best to not ship your exhibit too far in advance. If you do happen to ship your exhibit early you are responsible for any freight you have sent. The receiving venue should provide you with receiving dates for the trade show that you are attending.  They have these in place for a reason, since they probably have back to back trade shows scheduled. Although some hotels may accept your freight, if you ship it to the hotel that you are staying at, you are still responsible to transport your exhibit to the trade show.

    Lots of exhibits rely on giveaways containing product branding.  Again; here you will need to check the countries local laws for compliance. Some goods may be subject to duties or taxes. Prohibited items may be confiscated and not returned to your company.

    Ask for the layout of the venue at least one week in advance. This will help you know if you need extra lighting or extra extension cords for your visit.

     When it comes to packing make sure your equipment and displays are packed properly. You can either do it yourself or have a packing specialist do it for you.

     We have offered only a few suggestions but they should help you have trade show that will you to focus on developing new business   and assist getting your product and information out in the public.

     For more suggestions about setting up for trade shows and trade show shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston. We not only handle domestic trade show shipping, but also international freight shipping from Houston Texas.

    Tags: Texas, Crating and Packing Houston, Shipping Houston

    Dads Gifts for Father's Day from Houston Shipping Company

    Posted on Mon, Jun 03, 2013

    Father’s Day is approaching quickly.  If you need to send your gift to your father, this blog has gift ideas as well as information about your shipping options. While we do list gift cards in some of these ideas, Father’s Day may be the one time that you should pick out a special gift that your Father can keep and cherish.

    This year we are adding items that you probably would like to skip buying for Father’s Day. We recommend staying away from items that would indicate that you expect more work from your father.

    Tools are always nice, but we have compiled at list of common and not so common gifts for Father’s Day.

    New pictures of your children, Picture Frames, Gardening tools, Tools, Custom Mugs, Watches, Wallets, Personalize Magazine cover prints, Digital Photo Frame, Engraved Photo Frame, Socks, Shirts, Band Aids, Personalized Cookie Jar, Spa Gift Certificate, Candy, Gift cards to his favorite restaurant, Chocolate, Gift cards to the movies, Magazine Subscription, Tickets to a sporting event, A new cell phone, Candles, A new tablet, Glider, Outdoor Furniture, Noise reducing earphones, Comforter, Fruit and Nut Basket, Cheese Basket, Monogrammed Towel, Monogrammed Bath Robe, Hat, Buffet, New Furniture, Money clip, Breakfast, Dinner, Homemade cards, New Flat Screen TV, A weekend getaway with friends 

    Unless your father is a gardener, try and stay away from gardening tools. Unless your father likes to cook and is a gourmet cook, keep away from new pots and pans, aprons, serving utensils, a new food processor, and a new grill. Unless your father loves to do laundry, now is probably not then best time to surprise him with a new washer or a new dryer. 

    You should probably stay away from cleaning supplies. Plan on skipping a new vacuum cleaner, new duster, or a new floor cleaner.  A maid may be a nice treat, if you pair the gift card with sports. Other items to stay away from are books and DVD’s about dieting or the gym or hair implants. For that matter, this is not the day to present dad with any sort of exercise equipment, unless he has specifically asked for it. 

    We recommend taking your father to the following places on Father’s Day: The picture show, the boat show, or the car show. 

    While pack n send may not have listed every Father’s Day gift that can be shipped, made or given, we have tried to help out the “Gee I cannot think of a gift” customer. 

    Here at pack n send, we are recommending that you ship early this year. Due to weather conditions, we suggest that if you live out of town, that you send your gift early. First and foremost, this will save you on overnight shipping charges. Secondly, it will make you look like you did not wait until the last minute to think about your father this Fathers’ Day.  

    For children that need to ship internationally, remember that packages are charged based on length, width, height, weight and value of the item that you are shipping.  If you are shipping a large item –think international freight shipping Houston Texas, or international freight from any city in the United States, you will need to look at your options. For antique shipping, you may need a custom built crate, or you may want to consider a blanket wrap move. If you are considering international freight shipping, as a shipper in Houston Texas we recommend shipping by ocean by the cubic meter if possible.

    Shipping large items via air can be costly when shipping outside of the United States.  Ocean shipping is an option, but is not as speedy as air shipping. Either way that you ship, you will need to consider the amount of time that it will take an item to clear through customs.  You also need to look at any weather delays.  For ocean shipping, ships can be delayed leaving the United States due, to weather or while the ship is waiting to fill up with more cargo. If you are looking for freight companies in Houston please call pack n send and we will help  answer your  shipping questions

     We wish all of our customers who are fathers, A Happy Father’s Day!

     

    Tags: Crating and Packing Houston, Houston Packing

    Corrugated Boxes Predict the Future- Houston Freight Co Notes

    Posted on Fri, May 31, 2013

    The  Handy   Shipping guide has reported a gloomy outlook for worldwide air shipping. In today’s recovering global economy, this may actually make sense.  The Port of Houston is recording record years.

    While cargo shipping via ships may take longer, it is also cost effective for larger size shipments. With the advance of Supply Chain Management, companies are able to better predict the need for supplies and finished manufactured goods.  When a company plans the correct order quantity at the correct time for both production and sales, they can save on the more expensive air shipping costs.

    For some of smaller orders (less than a cubic meter) air shipping will be the preferred method of shipping. Companies that are able to take advantage of shipping goods via ocean in containers save substantially on shipping costs. Even ten years ago, we saw companies air freighting furniture over to England. In today’s economy, these same companies have realized that shipping the furniture via container saves substantial money.

    There may be hope on the horizon for the air shipping industry. Supposedly, a leading indicator of the economy is the corrugated box industry. When orders are up for this one industry, it shows that manufacturing and shipping are on the upturn. According to Shirley Brasher at AAA Box www.aaa-box.com  in Houston, Texas  “The Houston news reported that corrugated box industry is a leading indicator of how the economy is doing.  When the economy took a downturn, the box sales decreased. As the economy improved during 2012 box sales increased.”

    For companies that  handle antique shipping, china shipping, computer and office equipment shipping, marble shipping, artwork shipping, glass shipping, sign shipping, car and auto shipping, and furniture shipping, it is great to note the positive outlook that Shirley Brasher has expressed.

    Since most air shipments use corrugated boxes to protect shipments during transit, there is definite optimism for the air shipping industry in the future. Families living abroad often send small birthday and holiday gifts to relatives in corrugated boxes. As the world wide economies pick up, we expect gift giving to also increase.

    At pack n send we ship worldwide. We have prepared a list of some of the countries that we ship to both domestically and internationally.
    Albania

    Packing Box
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat 
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America

     bania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat 
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America

     Afghanistan

    Tags: Air Cargo Shipping Houston

    Houston Shipper Offers Advice When Packing Chandeliers

    Posted on Thu, May 30, 2013

    Many chandeliers are ornate artifacts passed down through families or through. Some are new chandeliers made out of offbeat items.  Think Barbie dolls, antler heads, and cd cases.  Often a grand centerpiece of your room, they proclaim their presence by illuminating and brightening up any room. Few works of art will catch your attention and delight your eyes when you enter a room.

     Whether a family heirloom or crafted for the enjoyment of others or if it  is a chandelier that is to be  used to adorn the entry of a hotel or office building, shipping a chandelier  requires  much attention.

     The process starts with building a custom crate.  This is followed by lining the box with Styrofoam.  We recommend at least a one inch lining to protect the chandelier during shipping. Next, you need to hang the chandelier. For chandeliers with crystals, each crystal may need to be wrapped separately before you hang the chandelier. Usually, the space is filled with peanuts, but some chandeliers may need to be braced for shipping. Any chandelier from modern to elegant will be packed securely. Crafted from many different materials each chandelier will need to be shipped with care.

     Currently, given the trends in environmentally friendly products chandeliers made from reusable items are an excellent way to show off your commitment to sustainability.  Think a chandelier made from milk crates.

     Custom items deserve custom care.  If you happen to be an interior designer and need your chandelier carefully shipped across the country you need to look for a company that has experience shipping chandeliers. If the company you call to ask about shipping does not ask for dimensions, value and composition of your chandelier, then keep looking for someone to ship this for your customer. It is not unusual for a shipping company to also ask for a picture of the chandelier before they quote the packing and shipping.

    Here is a list of some common types of chandeliers: Waterfall or Wedding cake,Montgolfiere Chandelier, Neoclassical Chandelier,Regency Style Chandelier and Adam Style.
    Each of these chandeliers will be packed just a little differently.

     Interior designers often shop at estate sales in order to find the perfect chandelier for their clients.  An appraisal may be necessary for high value chandeliers. 

      Chandeliers are often moved by movers, but when time is of the essence look for a company that can also ship your chandelier via freight.  You may want to send the chandelier to a job site or to a receiving company if you are designing and entire home for a client.

     At the receiving end of an out of town shipment look for a company that is willing to unpack your chandelier.  If you are moving a chandelier from a residence, be sure to hire an electrician to disconnect the chandelier. Have another electrician ready at the receiving end to hang and connect the chandelier. While a handy man may be less expensive, we recommend using a licensed electrician.


                Here’s an interesting fact. The largest Bohemian crystal chandelier is located in Istanbul, Turkey. This was a gift from Queen Victoria and weighs 4.5 tons. It also contains 750 lamps. You can find it in the Dolmabahçe Palace. 

    While many chandeliers are shipped domestically, there is also a need to ship chandeliers internationally. Look for a packing company that will use wood suitable for international shipping. Search for a freight company that specializes in international shipping.

     For more information on the moving a chandelier within the United States either by moving it or freighting the chandelier, please feel free to contact pack n send  in Houston at 713 266 1450. Pack n send is an international freight shipping company and can answer your questions both about shipping chandeliers, and furniture anywhere in the world.

    Tags: Crating and Packing Houston, Chandelier Shipping

    Summer Move Planned? Houston Mover offers Suggestions

    Posted on Fri, May 17, 2013

    A Houston mover offers a few tips for a smooth move.  When you call a mover to ask for assistance with moving, there are a few pieces of information that you should have on hand.

    The pick up and delivery addresses and zip codes.  If you are moving within the city that you live in, check on zoning restrictions. Can moving trucks move within specific hours?  Does the mover need to keep one person with the truck at all times?

     If you are planning on moving out of town, will you have someone in the new city to meet the movers with a key?  As an alternative to this, will you meet the drivers in the new city?

    If you are moving out of town, will you be staying in your new residence immediately after the move, or will you need to rent a hotel room?

    If you are moving internationally, there are a few more things to consider when you have international freight shipping. Remember that cargo ships do not always sail on the date scheduled.  There may be weather delays when shipping via ocean. Consider that the country that you are moving to may have holidays that we do  not celebrate in the United States.  Freight may not move on these days.

    Here are a few general moving tips to help you with a smooth move:

    Moving takes longer than you think.  Add in a little extra time into your plan.

     It is best to have more time than be caught in the middle of a move.  When looking to move make sure the measurements on your large appliances will be able to fit into your new location. Measure length x width x height on all appliances before moving into new location.

    Moving Tip! Make sure the large appliances will be able to fit in your new location. Electric items that work in the United States may not work in other countries.

    Consider donating items you no longer use before you move.

    The key to moving a piano is its packaging. It must be covered and packed very securely so that the finishing is not scratched or scuffed.

    If you are moving internationally, hire professionals to pack your boxes.

    When moving it can be helpful to have a cot for the first night. This is just in case the bed does not get assembled for the first night. You will still have a place to sleep.

     Leave your air conditioning on in your old home until you are completely thru moving boxes.

    When moving during the summer leave you’re A/C on until you are absolutely sure you have gotten out everything. Remember you need light in order to complete a move.

    If you are moving during summer be sure to wear comfortable, light clothing.  

    When you are packing and moving do not wear open toe shoes. Use sturdy shoes or sneakers.  

    If you are packing glass table tops, be sure to use a crating company to prepare a custom crate for you. 

    If you are moving during summer be sure to take water breaks. Apply sunscreen every few hours.

    Disassemble a pool table before moving it.

     Try to drop off children at a friend/family member’s house during the move.  It is also helpful for seniors not to be around the entire day for both the packing and unpacking during a move.

    If you are moving your computer, make sure to back up all of your files before the move. Using the cloud should give you peace of mind.

    If you are moving to a new city, consider hiring a company to transport your car to your new city. Instead of having two people driving, why not share a car for the trip and ship one car.

    For more moving tips, tips on international freight shipping from Houston Texas, and freight companies in Houston Texas, please feel free to call pack n send in Houston at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Houston Move, Houston Mover

    Many definitions for the word "move" from Houston Shipper

    Posted on Tue, May 14, 2013

    Pack n send moves and freights personal goods and business equipment and supplies worldwide.  pack n send is posting the definitions for the word "move". We looked up the word to find alternatives to use in our blogs, but realized the word "move" has so many different meanings and derivations, that it would be fun to just post the definition to see how many places the word "move" is used in the English language.  We found these definitions in the Free Dictionary by Farle. The direct link is listed below. We cannot wait until we look up the "shipping", the next time that we need a definition.

    http://www.thefreedictionary.com/move

     

     

    move (m v)

    v. moved, mov·ing, moves

    v.intr.

    1. To change in position from one point to another: moved away from the window.

    2. To progress in sequence; go forward: a novel that moves slowly.

    3. To follow a specified course: Earth moves around the sun.

    4. To progress toward a particular state or condition: moving up in the company; moved into the lead.

    5. To go from one residence or location to another; relocate.

    6. To start off; depart.

    7. To be disposed of by sale: Woolens move slowly in the summer.

    8. To change posture or position; stir: was afraid to move.

    9. Games To change the position of a piece in a board game.

    10. To be put in motion or to turn according to a prescribed motion. Used of machinery.

    11. To exhibit great activity or energy.

    12. To initiate an action; act.

    13. To be active in a particular environment: moves in diplomatic circles.

    14. To stir the emotions: words that have the power to move.

    15. To make a formal motion in parliamentary procedure: move for an adjournment.

    16. To evacuate. Used of the bowels.

    v.tr.

    1. To change the place or position of: moved her office; could not move his arm.

    2. To cause to go from one place to another: moved the crowd away.

    3. Games To change (a piece) from one position to another in a board game: moved a pawn.

    4. To change the course of: moved the discussion to other matters.

    5. To dislodge from a fixed point of view, as by persuasion: "Speak to him, ladies, see if you can move him" (Shakespeare).

    6. To prompt to an action; rouse: Anger moved her to speak out.

    7.

    a. To set or keep in motion.

    b. To cause to function.

    c. To cause to progress or advance.

    8.

    a. To arouse the emotions of; affect.

    b. To excite or provoke to the expression of an emotion: The film moved me to tears. See Synonyms at affect1.

    9.

    a. To propose or request in formal parliamentary procedure: moved that a vote be taken.

    b. To make formal application to (a court, for example).

    10. To dispose of by sale: moved the new merchandise quickly.

    11. To cause (the bowels) to evacuate.

    n.moving services in Houston, TX

    1.

    a. The act or an instance of moving.

    b. A particular manner of moving: made some intricate moves on the dance floor.

    2. A change of residence or location.

    3. Games

    a. An act of transferring a piece from one position to another in board games.

    b. The prescribed manner in which a piece may be played.

    c. A participant's turn to make a play.

    4. An action taken to achieve an objective; a maneuver: a move to halt the arms race.

    Phrasal Verb:

    move in

    To begin to occupy a residence or place of business.

    Idioms:

    get a move on Informal

    To get started; get going.

    move in on

    1. To make intrusive advances toward; intrude on.

    2. To attempt to seize control of: moving in on their territory.

    on the move

    1. Busily moving about; active: A nurse is on the move all day.

    2. Going from one place to another: troops on the move.

    3. Making progress; advancing: a technology that is clearly on the move.


    [Middle English moven, from Old French movoir, from Latin mov re; see meu - in Indo-European roots.]

    AThe American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

     


    move [muːv]

    vb

    1. to go or take from one place to another; change in location or position

    2. (usually intr) to change (one's dwelling, place of business, etc.)

    3. to be or cause to be in motion; stir

    4. (Engineering / General Engineering) (intr) (of machines, etc.) to work or operate

    5. (tr) to cause (to do something); prompt

    6. (intr) to begin to act move soon or we'll lose the order

    7. (Sociology) (intr) to associate oneself with a specified social circle to move in exalted spheres

    8. (intr) to make progress

    9. (tr) to arouse affection, pity, or compassion in; touch

    10. (Group Games / Games, other than specified) (in board games) to change the position of (a piece) or (of a piece) to change position

    11. (Business / Commerce) (intr) (of merchandise) to be disposed of by being bought

    12. (Law / Parliamentary Procedure) (when tr, often takes a clause as object; when intr, often foll by for) to suggest (a proposal) formally, as in debating or parliamentary procedure

    13. (intr; usually foll by on or along) to go away or to another place; leave

    14. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Physiology) to cause (the bowels) to evacuate or (of the bowels) to be evacuated

    15. (intr) Informal to be exciting or active the party started moving at twelve

    move heaven and earth to take every step possible (to achieve something)

    n

    1. the act of moving; movement

    2. one of a sequence of actions, usually part of a plan; manoeuvre

    3. the act of moving one's residence, place of business, etc.

    4. (Group Games / Games, other than specified) (in board games)

    a.  a player's turn to move his piece or take other permitted action

    b.  a permitted manoeuvre of a piece

    get a move on Informal

    a.  to get started

    b.  to hurry up

    make a move (usually used with a negative) Informal to take even the slightest action don't make a move without phoning me

    make one's move to commit oneself to a position or course of action

    on the move

    a.  travelling from place to place

    b.  advancing; succeeding

    c.  very active; busy

    [from Anglo-French mover, from Latin movēre]

    Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003

     


    move (muv)

    v. moved, mov•ing,
    n. v.i.

    1. to pass from one place or position to another.

    2. to change one's place of residence or business.

    3. to advance or progress.

    4. to have a regular motion, as an implement or a machine; turn; revolve.

    5. to sell or be sold: That new model is moving well.

    6. to start off or leave.

    7. to transfer a piece in a game, as chess.

    8. (of the bowels) to discharge the feces; evacuate.

    9. to be active in a particular sphere: to move in society.

    10. to take action; proceed.

    11. to make a formal request, application, or proposal.

    v.t.

    12. to change from one place or position to another.

    13. to set or keep in motion.

    14. to prompt, actuate, or impel to some action.

    15. to arouse or excite the feelings or passions of (usu. fol. by to): to move him to anger.

    16. to affect with compassionate emotion; touch.

    17. to dispose of (goods) by sale.

    18. to cause (the bowels) to evacuate.

    19. to propose formally, as to a court or judge, or for consideration by a deliberative assembly.

    20. to submit a formal request or proposal to (a court, a sovereign, etc.).

    21. move in, to begin to occupy a residence or workplace, esp. by installing one's possessions.

    22. move in on, to make aggressive advances toward, as to exploit, plunder, or possess.

    23. move over, to shift to a nearby place, as to make room for another.

    24. move up, to advance to a higher level.

    n.

    25. an act or instance of moving; movement.

    26. a change of location or residence.

    27. an action toward an objective or goal; step.

    28. (in chess, checkers, etc.) a player's turn to make a play.

    29. a play or maneuver, as in a game or sport.

    Idioms:

    1. get a move on, Informal. to hasten to act or proceed; hurry up.

    2. on the move,

    a. busy; active.

    b. going from place to place.

    c. advancing; progressing.

    [1200–50; Middle English moven < Anglo-French mover « Latin movēre]

    As found in the Free Dictionary by Farle

    http://www.thefreedictionary.com/move

     

    Pack n send moves and freights personal goods and business equipment and supplies worldwide.   We posted this blog for fun after we looked up the definition for the word move.

    If you need international freight shipping, or are looking for freight companies in Houston Texas, please feel free to contact us at 713 266 1450.

    For  a list below of the countries that we ship, move and freight to,please click on the link below.

    http://www.pack-n-send.com/shipping/countries-we-ship-to/

     

    Tags: Move, Move Houston

    Domestic & International Freight Shipping is Easy

    Posted on Mon, May 13, 2013

    Freight shipping for companies and individuals is a fast and effective way to send both household goods and business items. Smaller items can be shipped via common carrier, but your larger shipments that take up more space will need to ship out via freight.

    There are ways to ship via freight that are very speedy for your time shipments that are time sensitive  At pack n send we have had to ship one part that will permit an entire assembly line to operate efficiently.  When you consider holding up an entire processing operation due to one small part that needs to go inside machinery, priority shipping is a great option to use. This option may cost you more, but if you are dealing with supply chain needs or if a family member is in need of a large household item in a hurry, this is a great option.

     

    As an alternative, when you are able to plan ahead, and there is no need for emergency shipping, then consider using economy services. Your items get there in good form, but you are able to save on shipping expenses.

     

    Ltl freight is a great option. You do not need to take up an entire truck with your shipment. You only pay for the amount of space that your shipment takes up on the truck.  Charges are based on value, speed of delivery and distance that your shipment will travel.

    A positive aspect about freight shipping is that your customer will be called a day in advance to schedule the delivery. This is an excellent service. For your business, you will know ahead of time if you need extra personnel on hand to process the LTL delivery.  For individuals, you know when you will need to be at home in order to sign for the shipment.  Ltl shipments are made to Canada and to all 50 states.

    If you see the list below, you will notice that both Hawaii and Alaska are included in this list.  Alaska may take 7 days for economy freight from Houston Texas, but it is much less expensive than shipping via air.  With oil production booming in Alaska, many Houston employees are moving their families to Alaska for a few years.

     

    Hawaii will also take longer when using economy service than say shipping from Connecticut to New York.

    LTL service is also available when shipping from the United States to Canada.

    As an aside, we want to remind customers that it is easy to ship freight worldwide. Freight can be shipped via the cubic meter, or inside of a twenty foot or forty foot container.  Automobiles can be shipped using roll on, roll off service. Containerized service is also available for cars. Your larger work trucks are bound to be shipped using roll on, roll off service. Boat shipping will depend upon the size of the boat that is being shipped.

    Shipping via ocean needs a little extra planning. While shipping schedules are set up ahead of time, ships are often delayed for the following reasons.

    Weather and waiting for enough cargo to be loaded on to the ship before sailing. If there is not enough cargo loaded onto a ship, the captain may keep the ship in port until the sailing will be profitable. Dock strikes can also slow down loading and unloading of cargo.

    We suggest planning ahead whenever you are shipping freight either domestically or internationally.

    Freight shipping for companies and individuals is a fast and effective way to send both household goods and business items. Smaller items can be shipped via common carrier, but your larger shipments that take up more space will need to ship out via freight.

    There are ways to ship via freight that are very speedy for your time shipments that are time sensitive  At pack n send we have had to ship one part that will permit an entire assembly line to operate efficiently.  When you consider holding up an entire processing operation due to one small part that needs to go inside machinery, priority shipping is a great option to use. This option may cost you more, but if you are dealing with supply chain needs or if a family member is in need of a large household item in a hurry, this is a great option.

     

    As an alternative, when you are able to plan ahead, and there is no need for emergency shipping, then consider using economy services. Your items get there in good form, but you are able to save on shipping expenses.

     

    Ltl freight is a great option. You do not need to take up an entire truck with your shipment. You only pay for the amount of space that your shipment takes up on the truck.  Charges are based on value, speed of delivery and distance that your shipment will travel.

    A positive aspect about freight shipping is that your customer will be called a day in advance to schedule the delivery. This is an excellent service. For your business, you will know ahead of time if you need extra personnel on hand to process the LTL delivery.  For individuals, you know when you will need to be at home in order to sign for the shipment.  Ltl shipments are made to Canada and to all 50 states.

    If you see the list below, you will notice that both Hawaii and Alaska are included in this list.  Alaska may take 7 days for economy freight from Houston Texas, but it is much less expensive than shipping via air.  With oil production booming in Alaska, many Houston employees are moving their families to Alaska for a few years.

     

    Hawaii will also take longer when using economy service than say shipping from Connecticut to New York.

    LTL service is also available when shipping from the United States to Canada.

    As an aside, we want to remind customers that it is easy to ship freight worldwide. Freight can be shipped via the cubic meter, or inside of a twenty foot or forty foot container.  Automobiles can be shipped using roll on, roll off service. Containerized service is also available for cars. Your larger work trucks are bound to be shipped using roll on, roll off service. Boat shipping will depend upon the size of the boat that is being shipped.

    Shipping via ocean needs a little extra planning. While shipping schedules are set up ahead of time, ships are often delayed for the following reasons.

    Weather and waiting for enough cargo to be loaded on to the ship before sailing. If there is not enough cargo loaded onto a ship, the captain may keep the ship in port until the sailing will be profitable. Dock strikes can also slow down loading and unloading of cargo.

    We suggest planning ahead whenever you are shipping freight either domestically or internationally.

     

     

     

     

    Tags: freight shipping, International Freight Shipping Houston

    Chandelier Shipping Advice from Houston Freight Co.

    Posted on Fri, May 10, 2013

    With new homes adding chandeliers as enticement to purchase homes and older residences  adding chandeliers as an  enhancement,  chandeliers are now being shipped throughout the world

    Most chandeliers are now made out of crystal, wrought iron, wood or ceramic.  

     For shipping purposes specialized crates must be for each chandelier. The crates need to be lined with Styrofoam, and then the chandelier must be  hung for shipping. The chandelier needs to be braced or fill the space with peanuts for safe travel.

     For crystal and glass chandeliers pieces will need to be cushioned separately with soft Styrofoam or bubble wrap. Each and every chandelier will need to be looked at separately to determine the safest way to pack it for safe shipping. Designers and private individuals ship chandeliers as well as individuals purchasing chandeliers for overseas shipping.

    Office buildings throughout the country are hanging chandeliers in their atriums.

    In Texas, deer antler chandeliers are popular.  These also require special wrapping and packing before placement inside specially made crates.

    When looking for someone to crate your chandelier look for a company that has expertise in shippinig high value and delicate items. Make sure that  your chandelier is fully valued for both loss and damage.

    If you are shipping your chandelier internationally, make sure that you have requested wood that can be used to ship outside of the United States. If your chandelier is valued for more than $2500, be ready to pay to have international documentation prepared in addition to the commercial invoice.

    For more information on safe chandelier shipping, please fell free to  contact pack n send at 713 266 1450. We have prepared below a list of the countries that we ship to.

     Afghanistan
    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat 
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America

     

    Afghanistan
    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat 
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America

    Tags: Crate Building Houston, Chandelier Shipping

    Shipping Medical Equipment? Houston Freight Co offers Advice.

    Posted on Fri, May 10, 2013

    Since medical equipment is quite expensive, shipping medical equipment requires special expertise in the pick up of the equipment, the packing of the equipment and the shipping of the equipment.

    With medical equipment now being sold by auction houses as well as universities and medical centers, it is now necessary to find a company that can pick up in various locations.

    When looking for an auction shipping company, ask if the company has the required Agent Authorization forms necessary to pick up at an auction.  If you are requesting a pick up at a hospital, be sure to ask which dock will have the equipment on hand. Ask if there is any paperwork to give to the shipping dock.  Make sure you have both the name of the dock personnel as well as their phone number so that an appointment and pick up time can be scheduled ahead of time.

    If the medical equipment is being picked up from a university, be sure to ask for the entrance to use to get onto the university.  Ask if you need to enter through a certain parking lot. If there is a contact at the university, be sure to have their phone number on hand so that you can contact them once you are on university property.  Set up an appointment with your contact ahead of time.

    Next, we will discuss how to pick a company that can pick up and ship your medical equipment. Look for a company that has experience shipping both domestically and internationally.  Why do we recommend both options?  Companies that purchase medical equipment within the United States often consolidate these purchases for overseas shipping. You need to ask where the medical equipment will ultimately end up. If the equipment is shipping overseas, you need to ask that international wood is used in all parts of the packing materials. This will include all wood pallets and wood crates.

    When you need to ship medical equipment, search for a company that has experience packing and shipping high value and delicate items.  Ask questions of the companies that you are researching to ship your medical equipment.  Ask if the firm has shipped for other universities; ask if the company ships for doctor’s offices, universities, hospitals and medical centers. Ask if they can box, crate or even wrap and palletize the shipment.

    When looking for a medical equipment shipping company ask some of the following questions: Do they have the capability to value your equipment for pick up and delivery?  Have they asked you if the equipment can be taken apart for less expensive shipping, or does the equipment need to be kept completely set up and ready to use?  If the equipment can only be moved as a whole piece, can the company you choose send it in a truck for you? These may seem like a lot of questions to ask, but even with high value and delicate medical equipment that you are selling, you want to find the right shipping company to deliver the equipment safely.

    Due to the delicate and expensive nature of medical equipment, care must be taken when choosing a shipper. The least expensive quote may not be the right choice when shipping medical equipment.

    Some of the more commonly shipped pieces of medical equipment that are shipped are:

    high value diagnostic equipment

    Autoclaves

    Microscopes

    Physical therapy equipment

    Ask if the company can box, crate and freight medical equipment.  Since each piece of medical equipment is handled differently, the company will need to look at each piece individually.  There may need to be protection on the lenses, arms, or feet of the equipment. If the medical equipment needs to be shipped internationally, look for a company that specializes in international freight preparation and international freight shipping

     For more information about international freight shipping Houston and shipping medical equipment both domestically, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Medical Equipment Shipping, International Freight Shipping Houston

    Somali Pirates Zero - Houston Freight Co. Cheers for Good Guys

    Posted on Wed, May 08, 2013

    Two years ago,  news reports were posting numeous stories about Somali pirates capturing and holding both individuals and cargo hostage for ransom.  Due to arming of cargo ships, and the use of escorts that were armed, ship seizures have decreased dramatically during about the last year and a half.  Even better new.  A crew that was on a ship that was comondeered by the pirates has finally been freed.  Ransom was paid in this case.

    The crew that had been  held for two years was released off the coast of Somalia.  There were 6 crew members who were finally released. The company that these crew members worked for has asked for privacy for the crew members and their families.


    Shipping cargo safely had always been a goal for cargo shipping companies. Keeping personnel safe has taken safety to a much higher standard of operations. While armed escorts may add to the price of cargo shipping, it is worth the extra costs to ensure that both crew members and goods make it to destination ports safely.

    At pack n send we ship internaionally throught out the world. When customers call in for international quotes, we ask them to provide some of the following  information.  Destination port or country of destination, as list of the items that they would like to send, the value of the items that they are sending, the length, width, height, and weight of the items that they would like to send.

    While some items may need to go inside either twenty foot or forty foot containers, there are options available for shipments. For example, automobiles may be able to roll on, roll off a ship with out the need of the expense of a container. Smaller loads may be able to be shipped by cubic meter pricing. For more information about shipping via ocean, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     A list of our shipping destinations is included below.

    Afghanistan
    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat 
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America

     

    Afghanistan
    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat 
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America

     

    Tags: Freight Shipping Houston, Freight Packing Houston

    Houston Shipping Co. Sees New Uses for Shipping Containers

    Posted on Fri, May 03, 2013

    Pack n send, which specials in international freight shipping Houston Texas, is always looking for articles about using shipping containers for uses other than shipping. Sounds interesting? Well it is.

    We have written blogs about a mall in England made from shipping containers.  And then there was the shipping container made into a Subway Restaurant. That container moved up floor by floor with construction workers who are building the new World Trade Center in New York City.

    Now, we have found that there are shipping containers being used in Houston to build affordable housing.  These one story homes are fully insulated and are built on piers, just like Houston homes.  Shipping containers cost between two thousand to five thousand five hundred dollars.  While shipping containers come in twenty and forty foot sizes, it is the forty foot containers that are being used to build these homes.

    We have seen pre fabricated homes built before, but I do not believe that any of these homes have been built from re purposed materials. Taking an existing structure and using it for a brand new purpose is quite exciting to a shipping company.

    There are actually other uses for container, in the more traditional sense.  Think shipping of cars, equipment, clothing, medical equipment and household goods.

    Since pack n send, which specializes in international freight shipping Houston is located in beautiful Houston, Texas we are ever mindful of being located close to one of the largest ports in the United States…The Port of Houston.

    The Port of Houston is a major shipping port for the United States. While other ports have experienced work stoppages in recent years, or the threat of strikes by dock workers, The Port of Houston, has been a constant port for both shipping and receiving of international goods.

    The Port of Houston posts amazing trade statistics. It is ranked first in the United States in foreign tonnage, second in the United States in total tonnage, and seventh in 2012 in container port in total TEU’s.

    The port of Houston is the largest Texas port with 46 per cent of tonnage in 2012, largest Texas container port in 2012, largest Gulf Coast container port in 2012, and second ranked United States Port in terms of the value of the cargo that goes through the port.

    The Port Authority has an attitude that nothing is too difficult for them to handle. On their website they list freight of everything from grain to auto parts.

    Not only is the Port of Houston currently one of the most progressive ports in the United States, the update on their website reprinted below demonstrates that they are planning for a busy future. 

    “Demonstrating continued investment in infrastructure improvements to better serve customers, the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority today selected Konecranes Finland Corporation to supply four dockside electric container cranes for Wharf No. 1 at Barbours Cut Container Terminal.

    The Port Commission authorized negotiation of a contract with Konecranes for the equipment, which is part of a significant renovation under way at Barbours Cut, the Port Authority’s first container terminal. handling facilities in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico  A planned $700 million project to modernize this critical facility will include new cranes, lights and dock improvements to provide customers more efficient cargo handling with expanded capability to handle larger ships.

    Two Foreign Trade Zone matters were also approved, one for an expansion of FTZ 84, of which the Port Authority is the grantee, and one to create a new subzone. FTZ 84 is one of the largest zones in the U.S. and according to the latest report to Congress, more value passes through it than any other FTZ in the nation, exporting more than $5 billion worth of goods annually.” 

    With alternative uses for containers and the busy Port of Houston, container usage will only increase in the future. Freight companies in Houston Texas look forward to a very vibrant future.

     

     

     

    Tags: Container Loading Houston, Freight Houston

    Houston Shipper Posts Nab by eBay-FBI Involved

    Posted on Fri, May 03, 2013

    http://finance.yahoo.com/news/ebay-worked-fbi-put-top-120500693.html

     Pack n send found this article on Yahoo news. We have reprinted it here for our customers. The link to the article is listed above.

    Wikimedia, CC

    Shawn Hogan

    The knock at the door came at 7.03 a.m.

    Shawn Hogan, the CEO of a successful online marketing company called Digital Point Solutions, was sitting on his sofa. He didn't immediately answer the door. Then the key turned in the lock. Nine FBI agents entered Hogan's upscale condo to serve a search warrant. They obtained access from a maintenance worker, according to a copy of the search report.

    The agents took photos of his circular living room, and its wraparound windows looking out onto San Diego. Hogan's white cat appears in several of the pictures, perched unconcerned on a chair, but the real focus of the investigation was his computer equipment. Much of Hogan's apartment was a clutter of screens, hard drives and keyboards — which the FBI confiscated. As they questioned him, Hogan told the agents he had been expecting them.

    eBay paid Hogan a staggering $28 million in affiliate marketing sales commissions over the years, according to court papers.

    Affiliate marketers place ads or links for eBay on their own networks, or on other people's sites, and they collect a cut of any sale the online auction company generates from them. eBay has about 26,000 of them, or more, at any one time, feeding traffic to its auctions.

    But recently Hogan had fallen out with eBay, and the company had sued him, accusing him of fraud. eBay had also been cooperating with the FBI since June 2006 to root out affiliate marketers whose success was a bit too good to be true. The company had even created a piece of software to monitor Hogan's internet traffic — an online sting operation the company named "Trip Wire."

    eBay alleged that what Hogan did to earn the sting operation and the knock at his door by the FBI was to rig eBay's system so that it falsely credited him for sales he did not generate. He did it by seeding unknowing users with hundreds of thousands of bits of tracking code, or "cookies." If any of those people bought something on eBay, the code signaled to eBay that Hogan should get a cut of the sale — even though he had done nothing to promote eBay.

    The sting also netted Brian Dunning, eBay's second biggest affiliate marketer. The company had paid Hogan and Dunning a combined $35 million in commissions over the years, court papers say. Both men have since pleaded guilty to wire fraud.

    This is the story of how eBay turned against the most successful affiliate marketers it has ever worked with. It is taken from the personal accounts of both men, and from criminal and civil court papers filed in litigation by eBay and the FBI.

    As an eBay seller, we were surprised by this article. It is good to see that eBay is monitoring companies and individuals that do not actually sell on eBay.  Monetary hits this large to eBay’s bottom line will have a definite effect on eBay’s reported earnings.

    It sounds like eBay is doing a great job.

    Pack n send sell items for eBay and is an international freight shipping Houston Texas company. When customers need assistance shipping their eBay orders, pack n send is able to pick up the order, pack the order and ship the order either by common carrier or via freight.

     We have  listed a few of the countries that we ship to. For a complete list, please visit our website at www.pack-n-send.com

     

    Chile 
    China 
    Colombia 
    Congo 
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica 
    Croatia 
    Curaco
    Cyprus 
    Czech Republic 
    Dominica 
    Dominican Republic 
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor 
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador 
    Eritrea 
    Estonia 
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands 
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji 
    Finland
    France 
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon 
    The Gambia 
    Germany 
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau 
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece 
    Greenland
    Grenada 
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala 
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana Haiti
    Honduras 
    Hong Kong 
    Hungary 
    Iceland 
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq 
    Ireland
    Israel 
    Italy 
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica 
    Japan 
    Jordan 
    Kazakhstan
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan 
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos 
    Latvia 
    Lebanon 
    Lesotho 
    Liberia 
    Libya 
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg 
    Macao
    Malawi 
    Malaysia 
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta 
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius



    Tags: International Freight Shipping Houston, Freight Company Houston Texas

    Antique Shipping Made Easy

    Posted on Tue, Apr 30, 2013

     This article will discuss questions that you should ask before shipping an antique. 

    Shipping antiques requires a company that is both a professional packing and delivery company. Ask for a customized service that will fit your specific needs. It may be a certain pick up time, a certain delivery time or shipping internationally to family members. Heirloom furniture deserves special treatment.  Memories make a piece of furniture more than something sleep on, sit on or eat on. 

    You will need to look for a company that handles custom packing, custom box making, custom palletizing or even custom crating. Custom packing may require both lining the crate with Styrofoam, as well as blocking and bracing of your antique. The reason that you look at all of these options, is that each and every antique shipment is different.  For high value items a custom built crate may be needed, while for other shipments, a double wall box may be exactly what is needed for shipping. 

    Certain times you will ship for an estate or to multiple family members when breaking up a home.  Sometimes it is for estate   shipping and sometimes loving parents are shipping to their children.

    When shipping within the United States, you may want to look at a company that can blanket wrap your antiques and deliver them on a moving truck.  Ask if the company has minimum charges. Look for a company that will charge based on distance and the amount of space that your shipment will take up on truck. 

    International shipping of antiques requires the same pick up service, but different packing specifications. If a custom crate is to be built, or if the company needs to use a custom pallet, then make sure that wood required for international shipping is used. Customs documentation will need to be prepared. Make sure that the company that you are shipping to will accept the type of antique that you are shipping. Commercial invoices will need to be prepared. If one of the antiques you are shipping is valued for more than $2500, a Schedule B number will be required. Check with the country that you are shipping to about duties and taxes that will need to be paid. Do you want to pay the duties and taxes, or will you leave it up to the recipient to pay these taxes? 

    In order to determine the value to place on either your domestic or international antique shipment, you may need to obtain an appraisal.  In the case of a deceased relative, the estate may require this appraisal in order to settle the estate. Let the company that you choose to ship your antique know that you would like to take out valuation coverage.  They should cover value for both loss and damage if they pack your antique for you. If you pack your antique, they will probable offer coverage for loss only.  This makes perfect sense since you are not a professional packer.  A company will not know the type of job that you have done packing your antique.

    If your antique is small and if you pack it in a box, the top of the box should not move when you press down on the top of the box. We recommend pushing down peanuts if you are using a box, to make sure that your antique does not move around during shipping.

     If you are having a difficult finding an antique shipper in your city, you may want to look up companies that concentrate in shipping the following items:  high value art work, marble, marble statutes, grandfather clocks, taxidermy animals, crystal and chandeliers. Why do we suggest items?  These items are inherently fragile.  If a company does not list antiques on their website, but does list all of these delicate and valuable items, they can probably also ship antiques.

    Tags: Antique furniture moving, Shipping Antiques, Freight Companies Houston Texas

    Mother’s Days- Do’s & Don’ts from Houston Shipping Company

    Posted on Mon, Apr 29, 2013

    Mother’s Day is approaching quickly.  If you need to send your gift to your mother, this blog has gift ideas as well as information about your shipping options. While we do list gift cards in some of these ideas, Mothers Day may be the one time that you should pick out a special gift that your mother can keep and cherish.

     This year we are adding items that you probably would like to skip buying for Mothers Day. We recommend staying away from items that would indicate that you expect more work from your mom.

     Flowers are always nice, but we have compiled at list of common and not so common gifts for Mothers Day.

     New picture of your children, Picture Frames, Gardening tools, Custom m & m’s, Custom necklaces, Heart necklaces, Personalized Jewelry Box, Personalize Magazine cover prints, Digital Photo Frame, Engraved Photo Frame, Bathrobes, Beauty Kits, Hand Cream, Personalized Cookie Jar, Spa Gift Certificate, Candy, Gift cards to her favorite restaurant, Chocolate, Gift cards to her favorite nail salon,Magazine Subscription, Gift cards to her favorite massage therapist, A new cell phone, Candles, A new tablet, Glider, Outdoor Furniture, Noise reducing earphones, Comforter, Fruit and Nut Basket, Cheese Basket, Monogrammed Towel, Monogrammed Bath Robe, Purse, Buffet, New Furniture, Wallet, Flowers, Dried Floral Arrangement, Homemade cards, New Flat Screen TV, A weekend getaway with friends 

    Unless your mother is a gardener, try and stay away from gardening tools. Unless your mother likes to cook and is a gourmet cook, keep away from new pots and pans, aprons, serving utensils, a new food processor, and a new oven. Unless your mother loves to do laundry, now is probably not then best time to surprise her with a new washer or a new dryer. 

    You should probably stay away from cleaning supplies. Plan on skipping a new vacuum cleaner, new duster, or a new floor cleaner.  A maid may be a nice treat, if you pair the gift card with flowers. Other items to stay away from are books and DVD’s about dieting or weight loss. For that matter, this is not the day to present mom with any sort of exercise equipment, unless she has specifically asked for it. 

    We recommend not taking your mother to the following places on Mothers’ Day. The home show, the boat show, or the car show.  Of course, if you plan on buying your mother a new home, a new boat or a new car, then this would be the perfect Mothers Day treat. 

    While pack n send may not have listed every Mothers Day gift that can be shipped, made or given, we have tried to help out the “Gee I cannot think of a gift” customer. 

    Here at pack n send, we are recommending that you ship early this year. Due to weather conditions, we suggest that if you live out of town, that you send your gift early. First and foremost, this will save you on overnight shipping charges. Secondly, it will make you look like you did not wait until the last minute to think about your mother this Mothers Day.  

    For children that need to ship internationally, remember that packages are charged based on length, width, height, weight and value of the item that you are shipping.  If you are shipping a large item –think international freight shipping Houston Texas, or international freight from any city in the United States, you will need to look at your options.

    Shipping large items via air can be costly when shipping outside of the United States.  Ocean shipping is an option, but is not as speedy as air shipping. Either way that you ship, you will need to consider the amount of time that it will take an item to clear through customs.  You also need to look at any weather delays.  For ocean shipping, ships can be delayed leaving the United States due, to weather or while the ship is waiting to fill up with more cargo.

     We wish all of our customers who are mothers A Happy Mother’s Day!

    Tags: Houston Shipping, International Freight Shipping Houston

    Wedding Bride & Groom Shipping- Houston Shipping Co. Gives Tips

    Posted on Fri, Apr 26, 2013

     Weddings and wedding day gifts have changed substantially throughout the years. In past decades, china, glass ware, silverware, towels, cooking utensils and sheets were standard gifts.

    Today’s guest registries include items such as:  stainless steel mixing bowls,  boxes for document storage, magazine filing boxes, letter trays, waste baskets, photo storage boxes hanging files for folders, luggage,  lanterns, tents, sleeping  bags, palm pumps for soap dispensing, toothbrush holders, ingredient canisters, laundry baskets, hampers, linen storage boxes, storage boxes for shoes, storage boxes for sweaters, shoe boxes, necklace stands, ring holders hangars,  and storage pockets for shoes.

    We are addressing the new shipping challenges for couples receiving wedding gifts.  Many wedding showers are held either in the brides or grooms home town. This may not be where the couple is now living or where they will eventually establish their home.

    This presents the logistics of shipping shower and wedding presents. We recommend finding a shipping company that is able to go to the shower location and pick up the presents that need to be shipped. Let them both pack and ship the gifts for you.

    Now comes the more challenging part of wedding shipping.  Consider the grand parent who wants to ship that special piece of furniture to the new bride and groom.  Heirloom or antique pieces hold precious memories for families, so you want to choose a shipping company that ships furniture on a regular basis.

    For domestic gifts, we recommend looking at a company that is able to either freight furniture or has the capability of shipping on a no minimum pound shipment blanket wrap truck.

    For international shipping, search for a company that handles international shipping on a regular basis. There will be customs paperwork to fill in, as well custom pallets, custom crates or custom boxes to be built.  Make sure that the company can pick up as well as deliver the furniture that you are shipping.

    When valuing the furniture we recommend having an appraisal completed before shipping. This way you have documentation as to the value of the shipment.  Be sure to take out valuation coverage when shipping both domestically and internationally.

    We have composed a list below of the countries that our company ships to.  Whether you are shipping domestically or internationally we recommend shipping everything at one time. Professional packers should be able to save inches when packing boxes.  Oversize charges can add to the cost of shipping, so it is wise to turn the shipping over to a professional packing company.

     

    Afghanistan
    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America
    U.S. Virgin Islands
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna
    ZimbabweMicronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    TurkeyTurks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America

     

     

     

     

     

    Tags: Houston Mover, Shipping Houston, Crating Houston

    Auction Shipping-Houston Shipping Company Offers Tips

    Posted on Wed, Apr 24, 2013

    With Charity Fundraising season in full swing, it is time to start to plan to help out the people that are making donations at charity fundraising events. While many of these events are for local charities, there are many that have donors flying in from various parts of the world. Whether you are shipping for auctions that are held in Houston, or auctions that are held in San Jose, the following advice applies.

    It is the out of town purchasers that this blog will address.   As an organization promoting a charity event, you want to make sure that your promotional brochures make it clear that you will handle the logistics for both packing and shipping of any purchases your attendees make to your charity.

    The first thing to do is to start your planning early. You will need to find a local shipper who can come on site, and pick up the items that have been sold.   Since many organizations auction off high value art work, inquire if the company that you are choosing can build a custom crate for the art work purchase.  Ask questions to make sure that they can custom build crates using wood suitable for international shipping.  The company that you choose will need to have the ability to prepare international shipping paperwork. You want to make the after purchase details as easy and quick as possible for the purchaser.

    If your donor is a purchaser from out of the country, make sure that you are hiring a company that has a business that can handle international freight shipping for large items.  Freight companies in Houston Texas such as pack n send is always happy to offer advice to charities.  When preparing international freight shipping Houston or any other part of the country be sure that there is a person on hand that you can speak to who is willing to answer any of your questions. 

    Some auctions have a data base set up ahead of time with the address where donors would like to ship any purchases made during the auction. Since the donors will be paying for the shipping, you will need to be able to provide an email address so that the shipping company can contact the done with the final shipping charges.

    If you do not maintain this data base, ask the shipping company for a copy of their ticket or invoice that the donor  can fill in on site.  This invoice should ask for the name, address, phone number and email address of the donor. The charity  will also need to add the lot numbers purchased, as well as the value of the lots.

    As the organization holding the charity auction, you will want to accumulate the entire out of town purchases in one area.  We recommend accumulating all lots purchased by one individual together with the paper work for the one individual.

    Ask the shipping company to arrive about one to one and half hours after the bidding has ended.  This will allow the charity organization to finish processing payments for all of the purchases.  The smoother the check out process at the end of a charity event, the more positive feedback that the charity will receive.

    If your donors are not shipping out of town, you should ask the shipping company if they are able to both pick up and drop off packages for your local donors.  While they may have purchased a lovely Greek Marble Statute at an auction, they may not want to carry it to their cars while in a tux or a long gown. 

    Remember that auction shipping requires planning shipping well in advance of the actual auction.

    At pack n send in Houston, we have prepared a partial list of the countries that we can ship to after an auction.   For the full list, please visit our website  at www.pack-n-send.com and click on international shipping.

    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America

     

     

    Tags: Auction Shipping Houston, Shipping for Auctions, Auction Shipping

    Summer Moving Tips from Houston Mover

    Posted on Tue, Apr 23, 2013

    As a Houston Mover, we are getting calls about spring time moving. While parts of the country are ending winter, the summer move season is upon us. Whether you are moving within the city, out of state or are shipping via international freight, we are going to share a few moving tips.

    If you don’t use an item or don’t need the item-donate it or give it away. Do not move an unneeded item. If you have not used an item during the past year, do not move it.

     Make a list of the items you will need the 1st few days after your move. Make a list of the items you want to take with you.  Moving time is a good time to donate unused items. Ask for a donation receipt.

     Start to plan your move at least 6 weeks ahead of time.

    Decide ahead of time if you will need to rent a storage unit. Empty out your storage unit at the time of your move.  

    Separate out the items that you want taken to a storage unit.  Now is a good time to empty out your storage unit. 

    There may be items that you don't use or need anymore. Maybe you do not have enough space in your new residence, or you are moving to a temporary residence.  If you cannot empty out your storage unit, you may want to take the items that you cannot put in your new residence to the storage unit.

     Make a list before you move of the items that you want to put into storage and the items that you want to retrieve from storage. Moving is the best time to sort out needed and unneeded items. List the items you are going to move. This helps plan out the moving supplies that you will need to have on hand.

    Have a tape measure or ruler handy to pre measure items you are moving. Measure items before you purchase your moving boxes. Identify which items will need special packing materials for the move. Examples are lamps and china. Measure your delicate and fragile items. Take these measurements with you when you go shopping for packing supplies.

    Look for free or inexpensive moving boxes. Check out your grocery store or locally owned shipping store. If you ask a grocery store manager to save boxes for you, find out the day when the most boxes are received. Free grocery store boxes tend to be large.  Only pack the amount you can easily move from room to room.

    When packing dishes, use blank newsprint paper.  Don’t use old newspapers. The print can come off on your valuable items. When packing your plates, stand your plates on their edge as opposed to laying them flat.

    Need your papers moved in an orderly fashion? Place your documents in file boxes. Organize your moving scissors, tape, box cutter and markers all in one container. Move it with you from room to room as you pack.

    Moving clothes from your closet? Purchase wardrobe boxes. This way you can hang your clothes during your move. Wardrobe boxes let you hang your clothes during your move.

    Prepackaged moving and packing kits are usually more expensive than purchasing boxes and materials separately. When buying supplies for moving, remember to buy a roll of bubble wrap for fragile items. You may need to purchase double wall boxes for your heavier items. Purchase a tape gun. Ask the clerk to show you how to use it. It will save you time when you tape up your boxes.  Place packing peanuts as a cushion around your delicate items.

    While the moving tips listed above can be used for interstate and intrastate move, some of these tips also apply to international freight shipping both from Houston and the rest of the country.

    Tags: International freight shipping Houston Texas, Houston Mover, Houston Moving Company

    Sending College Transcripts Overseas-Houston Shipping Co Advice

    Posted on Mon, Apr 22, 2013

     

    As the end of the semester closes we are seeing an increase in the number of transcripts that we are shipping internationally. Make sure that the student has an official transcript from the University or school that they are attending.  For loan and grant purposes, a copy taken off of the internet is usually not sufficient.

    When students are sending transcripts countries outside of the United States of America, there is certain information that they will need to have the transcripts delivered. An individuals or companies name. A complete street address, along with the city and zip code. A phone number or email address for the recipient.

    We suggest that the student keep a copy of the transcript that they are sending.  The student should also ask for the tracking number for their transcript shipment. That way, they can make sure that the package has been delivered.  If for some reason the package is misplaced on the recipients end, your student still has proof of shipping as well as delivery.

    Students should not wait until the last possible day to ship their transcripts.  Due to delays in customs, delays due to weather conditions and public holidays in other countries, last minute shipping of transcripts is not advised.

    Try to bring the transcripts in to the business that is handling the transcript shipping at least two hours before the business closes. This way the business can make sure that the transcript is picked up that day for shipping.

    As your student moves back overseas when their schooling is complete, we can offer a few international shipping tips.

    Only pack the clothing that you intend to use when you return home.  If you live in a warm country, the down jacket that you have purchased for your four years in the United States may not be used again. There are always consignment resale shops or places that are happy to take donations of warm winter clothing.

    Do not plan on shipping perfume, cologne or anything in pressurized cans. Such items as deodorant and hairspray should be left in the United States.  Make a list of everything that you are packing to ship overseas. Put the value of each items next to the item on the list.  You will need to prepare a commercial invoice, or have on prepared for you.  At any rate, you will need this list in order to have your package leave the United States.  Since packages go through customs, you do want to make sure that you have everything listed properly.

     

    The charges for the international shipping will be based on both the weight and value of the packages you are shipping as well as on the dimensions of the packages.  Dimensions are length, width and height of your packages.  Every inch both larger or smaller can make a difference in the prices that your student will pay.  Ask your student to ship everything at one time if possible. A professional packing company should be able to combine packages and save you money.  Paying for empty space is not advisable in international shipping.

    If your college student is considering shipping back the automobile that he or she purchased in the United States, please look into various options. If possible, consider using Ro-Ro.  This is roll on and roll off the ship.  As an alternative method of shipping you may want to ship the vehicle inside of a container. The method you choose may depend on the value of the vehicle and the port to which you are shipping the vehicle. 

    Allow extra time for the car to  arrive, as you will need to arrange for space on the ship, and plan around boat sailing dates.  Once again, you will be dealing with customs in both the United States and also the country that you are shipping the vehicle to.

    This article comes to you from an international freight shipping company in Houston Texas.  If you are looking for freight companies in Houston Texas or in other cities, please feel free to contact us and we will help you direct you when shipping for your college student.  International freight shipping in Houston is easy, since we are near a port. It may take you a little more time to arrange international freight shipping in other cities.

    Tags: International freight shipping Houston Texas, Freight Companies Houston Texas, Internatinal Freight Shipping Houston

    International Freight Shipping Firm in Houston Texas Offers Advice

    Posted on Fri, Apr 19, 2013

    As our customers ask questions about international shipping we will continue to answer these questions on a regular basis.

     First and foremost plan ahead. The ground shipping that you are  accustomed to use for shipping within the United States does not exist for international shipping. There are documents to consider as well as shipping restrictions.


    Think about distance, customs, oceans and foreign governments. You want to be able to plan that your package can arrive at the correct destination at the correct time.  Customs both in the United States as well as customs in foreign countries can delay the delivery of a shipment.

     Plan on having your shipment packaged professionally. Have a Commercial Invoice prepared professionally if you do not have someone on your staff who can handle this paperwork for you.  Allow time for holidays that may occur in the country that you are shipping to. Also plan for weather delays, or equipment delays. 

    Consider the shipping laws in both the country that you are shipping from as well as the country that you are shipping to. There are laws as to what can be shipped both from and to various countries. The shipping service that you choose to use does not make these laws. It is the national governments that make these laws.  As an example, jewelry may be prohibited from shipping to one country while another country welcomes all jewelry.

     Documentation will need to be prepared for international packages as well as international freight shipping, Houston company notes. This goes for international freight shipping as well as international shipping of small packages. Freight companies in Houston, Texas as well as freight companies throughout the United States can offer advice.

     When you have an item that is valued at greater than $2500 you will need to fill in a shipper’s export declaration that is used for international shipping. This form is regulated by the U S Census Bureau. If you have many small value items that total $2500, then you do not need this form.  This form is only necessary for one single item that is valued greater than $2500.

     You will need to prepare a Commercial Invoice when shipping anything but documents out of the United States.  This Commercial Invoice will list all of the items that you are shipping internationally.  You will need to put a price of the items that you are shipping. If the country levies duties and taxes on your shipment, these fees will be based on the value of the items that you are shipping. 

    When shipping internationally you should consider taking out valuation coverage in case of loss or damage for the items that you are shipping. Always keep your tracking number. This way, not only can you track your shipments progress on line, you will know when your package is delivered. If for any reason your shipment is delayed you will be able to call or email and answer any questions in a timely and quick manor.

     As our customers ask questions about international shipping we will continue to answer these questions on a regular basis.

     If you are searching for international freight shipping Houston Texas, please feel free to call pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     We have listed below most of countries that we ship to.

     

    Afghanistan
    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat 
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America

    Tags: Freight Company Houston, International freight shipping Houston Texas, Freight Companies Houston Texas, International Freight Shipping Houston

    Updates for International Freight Shipping From Houston Texas Firm

    Posted on Thu, Apr 18, 2013

    International freight shipping poses many questions and demands a lot of research before you choose a company to ship items for you. Remember that shipping charges are based on dimensions (length, width, and height), and the value of the item that you are shipping, as well as the weight of the items that you are sending.

    While it may appear time-consuming to gather the information listed above, you need to take these items into consideration many items when preparing an international shipment.

    We have listed a few basic questions to ask when arranging an international shipment.

    Will the country you are shipping to accept the item you are attempting to ship?


    Every country has a list of items that they will not accept. . While France will not accept pancake mix, and Mexico has extra charges for items manufactured in China, there are some countries that will not accept fresh fruit. It is recommended that you check ahead of time to make sure that the items you would like to ship will be accepted in the country that you are shipping to. If you are shipping international freight you will want to look at ocean versus air shipping.

    International freight shipping Houston Texas  company offers advice:

    When looking for shipping company that will ask if the company that you are using can send both small amounts of goods as well as large shipping containers?


    If you choose a company that offers the full range of services, they should look for the least expensive way to ship all of your items. While smaller shipments may go via air, larger shipments may go via ocean. As an example with international freight shipping, it makes sense to send a picture via air to England. As for large pieces of medical equipment to the same country, ocean shipping should be investigated.

    Does the shipping company you are considering using have experience shipping to Africa, as well as South America?


    With different cultures and shipping requirements, it is worth looking for and experienced company. Italy, for example, has different restrictions from the United Arab Emirates.

    Look for a company that is willing to spend the time to price each of your shipments individually this way you can analyze the best alternative for each shipment?
    Fuel surcharges are constantly changing, and certain days of the week often offer less expensive shipping charges than other days.

     When looking for freight companies  Houston Texas or anywhere in the United States, be sure to address the issues discussed above.

    Pack n send in Houston has been in business since 1981 and offers a full range of shipping options for individuals and businesses. International freight shipping Houston is easy since both ports and an international airport are nearby. We ship everything from pencils to automobiles to airplanes all over the world. If you have international shipping questions, please feel free to call us at 713 266 1450.

    We have listed below some of the countries that we ship to.


    Afghanistan
    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America

    United States of America


    Tags: International freight shipping Houston Texas, Freight Companies Houston Texas, International Freight Shipping Houston

    Summertime moving-Send Furniture via Freight

    Posted on Wed, Apr 10, 2013

    This article may seem a bit early to our friends out west who are experience snow and blizzard conditions. These may be the exact people who are considering moving to warmer climates this summer. 

    So, as summer approaches individuals and families are talking about moving.  It can be for a better job, a better school district, a move to be near family, or simply wanting a new place to live. Moving in the city is relatively easy. You can hire your own truck and move things on your own, or you can hire a company to move you. This way you save your back and have the move done professionally. Why not look for a small load mover?  A Houston shipping company offers advice below.

    We will now discuss the type of move that may prove to be a bit more challenging. It is the out of town move. These moves usually involve job changes or moving closer to family members.

    If you have a relatively small amount of belongings to move, or if you have date specific pick up and delivery dates, we recommend that you look at freighting your belongings.

    What is freighting belongings? It is when your furniture and belongings are protected and then loaded onto a pallet.  The pallet is then loaded onto a freight truck. The freight truck moves your belongings and will then drop them off, still on the pallet. The pallet can be dropped off at your curb, and you and some friends can unload the pallets on your own.

    As an alternative to you unloading, you can have the pallets delivered to a warehouse. The warehouse personnel will unload the pallet and then deliver them inside of your new residence, just like regular movers.

     Why do Houston shipping companies recommend freighting of furniture?  First of all, you can specify the pick up and delivery date, even if you are moving a small amount of belongings out of town.  A traditional out of town mover will make stops at other residences along the way to your new destination. This may not work within your time frame. Freighting of furniture does not require any pound minimums, and does not require any minimum amount to be spent on a move.

    College students use furniture freighting at the end of semesters or at the end of their stay at a university.  Families use furniture freighting as a way to save on moving costs. Businesses use furniture freighting when moving to new cities, or when consolidating offices.

    Besides the freighting of furniture and belongings, you can request for the company you hire to both pack and un pack for you. If you look at the whole picture, you are able to move and have a time specific delivery in a new modern and effective method. Traditional movers will be happy to pack and unpack you, or you have the option of doing it on your own.

    As a way to feel more comfortable with freighting furniture and belongs, talk to interior designers. They analyze the least expensive cost to ship furniture across country. They send their furniture to receiving warehouses. These are the same receiving warehouses that will take receipt of your belongings. They then accumulate their purchases until the residence or business that they are decorating is ready to receive the new furnishings.

    The interior designer or interior decorator then determines the best time and day for the delivery of the furniture or accessories.  You will be treated to the same service that professionals in the decorating world experience. 

    If you have any questions about pick up, packing or freighting furniture or belongings, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston at 713 266 1450.  We are happy to discuss your move and a modern way to ship your items from city to city.

    Free photo - pastel hall fashion available in our free stock photos

    Tags: Small Move Houston, Small load mover

    Houston Artwork Shipper Answers Questions About Artwork Shipping

    Posted on Wed, Apr 03, 2013

    When a customer was worried how to ship artwork, pack n send wrote a blog to help her look for an artwork shipper.

    I asked a customer what she worried about when shipping artwork.

    Her answer was “Just about everything.” This is an updated blog is for my customer who needs help with artwork shipping.

    When you want to ship artwork, look for a company that specializes in shipping high value items. If the company is experienced at shipping delicate and valuable items for their customers, you can then ask about how they intend to ship your artwork. Think delicate pieces of glass, marble statutes and glass chandeliers.

    If you intend on shipping art, or a picture with glass, ask the company if they use a special tape in order to protect the glass. This tape will attach to broken glass to make sure that a piece of artwork is not ruined if glass breaks during shipping. The tape is easily removed upon receipt of your piece of art work.  If it is a sculpture, look at crating companies that can they build a crate in their warehouse that will specifically fit your sculpture. If it a valuable oil painting, see if they  can they build a custom crate for you to match the size of your painting?

    We have a few basic suggestions of things that you should look for when you are choosing a company that you would like to use to ship your art work.

     In order to move a valuable piece of artwork, a custom built crate is highly recommended. You can line the crate with one inch of Styrofoam on each side. That would be top, bottom and all four sides. By placing the picture on top of the Styrofoam that fits perfectly around the picture, you have insulated the glass from shock

     We suggest that you use a custom built crate when you are moving or shipping fine art work. Let your shipping company determine the exact measurement of your piece of artwork. You want a secure fit inside of the crate. We make these suggestions because art work shipping requires special knowledge about shipping, custom boxing and custom crate making.  For less expensive paintings, you can ask that a custom box be built. Again, ask for the box to be lined with Styrofoam. Let the shipping company do the measuring of your art work.

    When looking for an artwork shipper, ask if the company ships for private collectors. Do they specialize in shipping artwork for art exhibitions and then offer to ship the artwork back to the private collector?  When you are shipping a valuable piece of art work to an auction, ask for a reusable crate to be built.  That way if the piece of artwork does not sell, you can easily have it shipped back to you. We recommend using heat treated wood that is able to be shipped worldwide. That way if you sell the artwork at a later date, you can ship it anywhere in the world.

    Be sure to ask if the company that you are using ships for both auction houses, art galleries, art dealers and individuals.  If you are shipping multiple pieces of artwork at the same time to the same location, see if more than one piece of artwork can fit inside the same crate.

    Can the company offer freight, moving and common carrier shipping options? This is not a one size fits all shipping arrangement. Ask if the company can offer both international and domestic shipping. Ask if the company can offer both residential and commercial pick up and delivery of art.

    For my customer, I hope that these suggestions helps you ease your mind the next time you would like to ship a piece of artwork.

     

    If you have any other questions about shipping a piece of art work, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450. Pack n send is a Houston crating company that picks up and ships art work both in Houston and all over the United States.

     

    Tags: Art work Shipper, Artwork Shipping, Houston Crating, Shipping Art, Crating Company, Crating Companies, Artwork Shipper, Custom Boxing, Shipping Artwork

    Houston Artwork Shipper lists Caryn Landuer Artwork

    Posted on Fri, Mar 29, 2013

     This appears to be the first time that a piece of Caryn Landuers work has been listed for sale on eBay.

    It is an original oil painting that is 11 7/8 x 8 7/8 x 1 7/8. It can hang flat on the wall or as shown here, can be hung at an angle in the corner.  What a unique way to display her artwork!

    The Landauer Art Studio-Showroom has been based in Houston, Texas for the past 15 years.

     They are a mother & daughter team of abstract artists known as a Mother-Daughter Duo. Caryn Landauer was born into a family of artists also including her brother and aunt.  She says she was destined to be an artist.  She can remember always doing some kind of artwork herself, whether it was painting, drawing, writing, or photography.   Sharing a love for art has played a large part in this special mother daughter relationship. They will sometimes paint on the same piece of artwork because something special often happens.

     Their originals have been placed in many residential homes and corporate settings. They have artwork in several Houston hospitals; including Baylor College of Medicine, Memorial Hermann Hospital locations and  a piece of artwork in the Chevron building downtown.

     Their artwork consists of a wide variety of abstract acrylics, pastels & water­colors in different sizes and different price ranges created on paper, wood or canvas. Their Paintings range from small 8”x 10” to some very large works of art that range from 2’- 3’ X 5’- 6’, vertical or horizontal.

      They have exhibitions at their studio plus are a part of many galas, and events in the Houston and surrounding areas. They paint many custom pieces and enjoy working with a multitude of different colors & textures on a continually changing basis for home  or office. The challenge of creating a variety of different styles of work is something that is truly gratifying and appreciated by their clients.  They also do live demonstrations for groups; creating a painting from start to finish!

     For Caryn and Ruth Landauer, art is all about color and design and texture. They enjoy painting small paintings as well as large six feet canvases.  Their interest is abstract art which draws the viewer emotionally to their work.

     Caryn generally paints with acrylics which allow her to experiment freely with layers and layers of color.  Adding texture makes her work even more interesting.   Wonderful things happen on her canvases; different light throughout the day adds extra interest for the viewer. 

     At times Caryn will start a piece with such thick texture that the paint seems to pop off the canvas's surface; "dry brushing" sporadically over the piece afterwards lends itself to fascinating designs from various perspectives.

     Ruth paints in many mediums, including water color, pastels and acrylic. Many years ago she started mixing the mediums.  She will often start with watercolor and  acrylic and add pastel or ink which creates a rich, interesting appearance to her artwork.   Sometimes she combines all four of these mediums.  Her work varies from pure abstract designs to abstract landscapes, "beachscapes" (seascapes), or "floralscapes" (floral) paintings.   

      It truly is all about color for Caryn and Ruth Landauer.

                                                       Caryn Landauer  Artist Statement

    It seems I have always been an artist.  I come from a family of artists, each of us using

    different mediums.  I have been involved with some form of creativity since I was very young, whether it was photography, painting or poetry.

    Painting is a way of expressing myself.   My paintings change constantly.  Depending on a particular day, depending on a feeling, a thought, an observation; the colors and style may change in major ways; sometimes even looking so different that one would not know they were created by the same painter.

    I like working with acrylics best.  I like to play with layers and layer of different colors & see the outcome.

    I enjoy abstract art, since for me, it is a release, a necessity."

    .....................................................

     

    Ruth Landauer: Artist Statement:

    "My paintings are about color, contrast, patterns and design, lights and darks.  They are about the surprises that occur from layering colors and shapes so that each layer plays a part in the finished work.  Each painting evolves as the shapes and interplay of color create a unified and exciting whole.  Acrylics and pastels are my favorite mediums because they lend themselves to this type of experimental work.

     

    I hope to create a painting that keeps drawing the observer to it because there is always a new discovery to be made.  It might be individual parts of the painting where something interesting is happening or it might be the painting as a whole.  It is for the observer to decide. "

     

    When looking for an artwork shipper in Houston, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Artwork Shipping Houston, Artwork Shipping

    Houston Shipping Company and International Shipping

    Posted on Thu, Mar 21, 2013

    International shipping poses many questions and demands a lot of research before a company ships and item for you. Remember that shipping charges are based on dimensions (length, width, and height, value of the item that you are shipping, as well as the weight of the items that you are sending.

     While it may appear time-consuming to gather the information listed above, you need to take into consideration many items when preparing an international shipment.

    We have listed a few basic questions to ask when arranging an international shipment.

    Will the country you are shipping to accept the item you are attempting to ship?
    Every country has a list of items that they will not accept. Use the UPS Country Regulations tool if you are unsure about the items you're shipping. While France will not accept pancake mix, and Mexico has extra charges for items manufactured in China, there are some countries that will not accept fresh fruit. It is recommended that you check ahead of time to make sure that the items you would like to ship will be accepted in the country that you are shipping to. If you are shipping international freight you will want to look at ocean versus air shipping.

     
    international freight shipping Houston

    When looking for shipping company that will ask if the company that you are using can send both small amounts of goods as well as large shipping containers?
    If you choose a company that offers the full range of services, they should look for the least expensive way to ship all of your items. While smaller shipments may go via air, larger shipments may go via ocean.As an example fo rinternational freight shipping, it makes sense to send a picture via air to England.  As for large pieces of medical equipment to the same country, ocean shipping should be investigated.

    Does the shipping company you are considering using have experience shipping to Africa, as well as South America?
    With different cultures and shipping requirements, it is worth looking for and experienced company.  Italy, for example, has different restrictions from the United Arab Emirates.

    Look for a   company that is willing to spend the time to price each of your shipments individually this way you can analyze the best alternative for each shipment?
    Fuel surcharges are constantly changing, and certain days of the week often offer less expensive shipping charges than other days.

    Pack n send has been in business since 1981 and offers a full range of shipping options for individuals and businesses. International freight shipping Houston is  easy since both ports and an  international airport are nearby.  We ship everything from pencils to automobiles to airplanes all over the world. If you have international shipping questions, please feel free to call us at 713 266 1450.

    We have listed below some of the countries that we ship to.

     
    Afghanistan 
    Albania 
    Algeria 
    American Samoa
    Andorra 
    Angola 
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda 
    Argentina 
    Armenia 
    Aruba
    Australia 
    Austria 
    Azerbaijan 
    Bahamas 
    Barbados 
    Baruba
    Belarus 
    Belize 
    Belgium ship sm
    Benin 
    Bermuda
    Bhutan 
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana 
    Bosnia and Herzegovina 
    Brazil 
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei 
    Bulgaria 
    Burkina Faso 
    Burundi 
    Canada 
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile 
    China 
    Colombia 
    Congo 
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica 
    Croatia 
    Curaco
    Cyprus 
    Czech Republic 
    Dominica 
    Dominican Republic 
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor 
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador 
    Eritrea 
    Estonia 
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands 
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji 
    Finland
    France 
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon 
    The Gambia 
    Germany 
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau 
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece 
    Greenland
    Grenada 
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala 
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana Haiti
    Honduras 
    Hong Kong 
    Hungary 
    Iceland 
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq 
    Ireland
    Israel 
    Italy 
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica 
    Japan 
    Jordan 
    Kazakhstan
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan 
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos 
    Latvia 
    Lebanon 
    Lesotho 
    Liberia 
    Libya 
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg 
    Macao
    Malawi 
    Malaysia 
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta 
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia 
    Moldova 
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Namibia 
    Nauru
    Nepal 
    Netherlands 
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand 
    Nicaragua 
    Niger 
    Nigeria
    Nive 
    Northern Mariana Islands 
    Norway 
    Oman 
    Pakistan 
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland 
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar Reunion
    Romania 
    Rota
    Russia
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino 
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia 
    Senegal 
    Serbia
    Seychelles 
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore 
    Slovak Republic 
    Slovakia
    Slovenia 
    Solomon Islands 
    Somalia 
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy 
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius 
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent 
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland 
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Tahiti
    Taiwan 
    Tanzania 
    Thailand 
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo 
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago 
    Turkey 
    Turks and Caicos Islands 
    Turkmenistan 
    Tuvalu
    Uganda 
    Ukraine 
    United Arab Emirates 
    United Kingdom 
    United States of America

    United States of America 

    U.S. Virgin Islands 
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan 
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela 
    Vietnam 
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna
    Zimbabwe

    Afghanistan
    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America

    United States of America

    U.S. Virgin Islands
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna
    ZimbabweMicronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    TurkeyTurks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America

    Tags: International Freight, international freight shipping

    How do I send furniture across country asks a college mom?

    Posted on Fri, Mar 01, 2013

    With college graduation shortly after spring break, it is time for both parents and students to plan what to do with college belongings and furniture after graduation. For students staying in the city that they graduate in, it may mean a cross city move. For students moving to another city, it may be time to look at moving alternatives.

    If a student is moving in the same city, we recommend using movers. Many students have sat and studied for four or more years. They may not own the proper moving equipment such as gloves or moving dollies. They may not know how to handle furniture when moving up and down stairs, and they may not know how to load a truck properly.

    Some parents opt for a dedicated moving truck to move everything back home or to the student’s new college campus. While this is an expensive option, both the parents and student can schedule a precise pick up delivery day and time. Since more and more parents have decorated their college room or apartment using a decorator, the old standby of just give is all away is rarely applying to the modern college student.

    With the advent of custom headboards, curtains and bed spreads, most parents want their children to hold on to college accessories.

    If the student has simply shopped at garage sales for their furniture or at second hand stores, it may be less costly to sell the items to the next class of college students that will arrive at the college. Sometimes it is just easier to hold onto a reuse these already purchased items.

    In this blog, we would like to review a few shipping options for college students. There is the truck rental.  Along with gas expenses and hotel expenses, parents need to make sure that college student have the capability to drive a large truck a long distance. For college students living in major cities, the student may have taken public transportation during their entire college experience. Now is probably not the time to ask them to drive a large vehicle. 

    For students used to driving a small economy car, a large truck may prove unwieldy.

    Why not look at  shipping furniture cross the country via freight? You can arrange to have the furniture picked up on a requested day.  The furniture will be packed, and loaded and strapped onto a pallet. Be sure to ask if the company loading the pallet adds protection to all four corners. One by fours are standard for bracing the outside of the pallet.

    The pallet containing the furniture will then be shipped via freight. We recommend asking the freight preparation company to wrap the pallet in black stretch wrap. This way, not even the company shipping your furniture can see the contents of the pallet.

    The pallet with your furniture will be delivered with curbside delivery to your student. Your student and friends can then unload the pallet and take the furniture directly to your student’s room. There is an option that does include inside delivery in many parts of the country.

    The freight company will then call a day ahead of time to arrange the curb side delivery of your furniture.

    Inside delivery of freighted furniture is more expensive than curb side delivery, but will make the move quite easy on the parent.

    With the delivery being set up a day ahead of time you or your student can be prepared with helpers on hand to assist with the unloading of the furniture.

    For more information about moving a small amount of furniture, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Shipping furniture cross country

    Shipping Companies in Houston offer Shipping Advice

    Posted on Thu, Feb 21, 2013

     While shipping artwork and equipment shipping are the norm, some customers now prefer to ship their furniture via freight.

    What is the cost to ship furniture across country?  It depends on the size and weight of the furniture that is being shipped. When you freight furniture on a pallet, you can request curbside or inside delivery.

    This option is often helpful to use for out of the way communities. Sometimes a small blanket wrap move is expensive when you are moving to states such as Washington, New Hampshire, or even the south part of Florida. It is best to ask for both a blanket wrap price as well as a freight price when moving a small amount of furniture.

    When you freight furniture, you may be able to receive the furniture faster than if you have a blanket wrap truck move.  While  traditional moving trucks may need to wait to be filled up before leaving a city,  a pallet of furniture will be usually be  able to move within a day of being loaded onto a pallet.

    We also look at freighting for businesses shipping small amounts of machinery. Businesses can look at consolidating machinery shipments onto custom made pallets. That way, the machinery can be shipped via freight. Freight companies will call a day ahead of time to schedule deliveries. That way personnel can be on hand to accept the delivery.

    So what are the drawbacks to moving a small amount of furniture via freight?  None that we can think of.

    We also have advice for choosing the correct company to freight your furniture or machinery. Since some items can be delicate or time sensitive delivery requirements, it is important to look for a company that has been in business for many years, has a good reputation, and has a brick and mortar location.

    The company that you choose needs to be able to freight anything you need shipped. From car engines and household goods, to automobiles and furniture, the company that you choose should have experience freighting a variety of items. Ask them about custom platform and custom crate building, as well as their ability to block and brace shipments. You may not know what this entails, but they should be able to explain their freight preparation to you in terms that you will then understand.

    Look for a company that offers personalize service. Each shipment should be handled individually to serve the customer's unique needs. If you are planning on shipping internationally an example would be international furniture shipping, the company should offer both palletized hipping as well as containerized loading and shipping for larger shipments. Be sure to see if containers are necessary for your shipping, or if the company can quote you by the cubic meter.

    Small loads like, car doors, auto parts and furniture all can be placed on pallets, surrounded by cardboard, and then strapped with metal banding for shipping.

    Computers should be packed in boxes, shrink wrapped and send out on skids. Small amounts of household goods should be packed in boxes, loaded onto pallets and then shrink wrapped. Household and business furniture are safely put on pallets as well. Once again, for international shipping, make sure the company has experience both loading and processing international paperwork.

    Car engines are strapped to pallets. Large and small households are boxed and loaded into containers for overseas shipping.

    Look for a company that can accept your inbound freight into their warehouse on your behalf. Make sure they can then deliver the freight to you.

    If you have any questions about freighting furniture or machinery, or are looking for shipping companies in Houston or elsewhere in the United States, please feel free to call pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Texas, Shipping Companies in Houston, Houston Freight

    Shipping Antiques? Shipping Company in Houston has Advice

    Posted on Thu, Feb 14, 2013

     

    Antique shipping and moving is a very specialized service. When you want to move just a small amount of antique furniture, you can have it custom boxed or crated and then freighted.

    Some pieces of antique furniture can go on a pallet, surrounding the furniture with protection and stretch wrap, and shipping the furniture via truck to its new city.

    Some pieces will need to be custom crated. The crate will need to be built specifically to fit your antique.

    The crating company should have years of experience both handling and valuing antiques. Remember: every crate will need to be built to specifically fit your individual item.

    If you have many pieces of antique furniture you may use a special mover that specializes in moving antiques.

    Make sure they know how to properly pack and prepare the furniture for your move. Some of it may be blanket wrapped, some of it may be wrapped in flexible cardboard and some may need to be crated for the move.

    You will want to make sure that you have a current appraisal before valuing the antique for shipping.

    If you are shipping antique sculptures or art work, look for a firm that specializes in packing and crating high value items from one city to another.

    Finding a company that can offer varied services when shipping antiques will help save you money. You want to make sure that your antiques arrive in pristine condition.

    If you are shipping an antique internationally, you need to look for a company that has experience. While various countries have specific requirements for antiques, any piece valued at greater than $2500 will need a Schedule B number.

    We have listed below countries that we ship to in general. If you have any questions about shipping antiques, or worldwide shipping please feel free to contact us at 713 266 1450.

     

    Afghanistan 
    Albania 
    Algeria 
    American Samoa
    Andorra 
    Angola 
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda 
    Argentina 
    Armenia 
    Aruba
    Australia 
    Austria 
    Azerbaijan 
    Bahamas 
    Barbados 
    Baruba
    Belarus 
    Belize 
    Belgium 
    Benin 
    Bermuda
    Bhutan 
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana 
    Bosnia and Herzegovina 
    Brazil 
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei 
    Bulgaria 
    Burkina Faso 
    Burundi 
    Canada 
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile 
    China 
    Colombia 
    Congo 
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica 
    Croatia 
    Curaco
    Cyprus 
    Czech Republic 
    Dominica 
    Dominican Republic 
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor 
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador 
    Eritrea 
    Estonia 
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands 
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji 
    Finland
    France 
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon 
    The Gambia 
    Germany 
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau 
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece 
    Greenland
    Grenada 
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala 
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana Haiti
    Honduras 
    Hong Kong 
    Hungary 
    Iceland 
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq 
    Ireland
    Israel 
    Italy 
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica 
    Japan 
    Jordan 
    Kazakhstan
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan 
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos 
    Latvia 
    Lebanon 
    Lesotho 
    Liberia 
    Libya 
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg 
    Macao
    Malawi 
    Malaysia 
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta 
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia 
    Moldova 
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Namibia 
    Nauru
    Nepal 
    Netherlands 
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand 
    Nicaragua 
    Niger 
    Nigeria
    Nive 
    Northern Mariana Islands 
    Norway 
    Oman 
    Pakistan 
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland 
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar Reunion
    Romania 
    Rota
    Russia
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino 
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia 
    Senegal 
    Serbia
    Seychelles 
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore 
    Slovak Republic 
    Slovakia
    Slovenia 
    Solomon Islands 
    Somalia 
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy 
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius 
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent 
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland 
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Tahiti
    Taiwan 
    Tanzania 
    Thailand 
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo 
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago 
    Turkey 
    Turks and Caicos Islands 
    Turkmenistan 
    Tuvalu
    Uganda 
    Ukraine 
    United Arab Emirates 
    United Kingdom 
    United States of America

    United States of America 

    U.S. Virgin Islands 
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan 
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela 
    Vietnam 
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna
    Zimbabwe

    Afghanistan 
    Albania 
    Algeria 
    American Samoa
    Andorra 
    Angola 
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda 
    Argentina 
    Armenia 
    Aruba
    Australia 
    Austria 
    Azerbaijan 
    Bahamas 
    Barbados 
    Baruba
    Belarus 
    Belize 
    Belgium 
    Benin 
    Bermuda
    Bhutan 
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana 
    Bosnia and Herzegovina 
    Brazil 
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei 
    Bulgaria 
    Burkina Faso 
    Burundi 
    Canada 
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile 
    China 
    Colombia 
    Congo 
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica 
    Croatia 
    Curaco
    Cyprus 
    Czech Republic 
    Dominica 
    Dominican Republic 
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor 
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador 
    Eritrea 
    Estonia 
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands 
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji 
    Finland
    France 
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon 
    The Gambia 
    Germany 
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau 
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece 
    Greenland
    Grenada 
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala 
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana Haiti
    Honduras 
    Hong Kong 
    Hungary 
    Iceland 
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq 
    Ireland
    Israel 
    Italy 
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica 
    Japan 
    Jordan 
    Kazakhstan
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan 
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos 
    Latvia 
    Lebanon 
    Lesotho 
    Liberia 
    Libya 
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg 
    Macao
    Malawi 
    Malaysia 
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta 
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia 
    Moldova 
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Namibia 
    Nauru
    Nepal 
    Netherlands 
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand 
    Nicaragua 
    Niger 
    Nigeria
    Nive 
    Northern Mariana Islands 
    Norway 
    Oman 
    Pakistan 
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland 
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar Reunion
    Romania 
    Rota
    Russia
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino 
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia 
    Senegal 
    Serbia
    Seychelles 
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore 
    Slovak Republic 
    Slovakia
    Slovenia 
    Solomon Islands 
    Somalia 
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy 
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius 
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent 
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland 
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Tahiti
    Taiwan 
    Tanzania 
    Thailand 
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo 
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago 
    Turkey 
    Turks and Caicos Islands 
    Turkmenistan 
    Tuvalu
    Uganda 
    Ukraine 
    United Arab Emirates 
    United Kingdom 
    United States of America

    United States of America 

    U.S. Virgin Islands 
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan 
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela 
    Vietnam 
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna
    Zimbabwe

    Afghanistan 
    Albania 
    Algeria 
    American Samoa
    Andorra 
    Angola 
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda 
    Argentina 
    Armenia 
    Aruba
    Australia 
    Austria 
    Azerbaijan 
    Bahamas 
    Barbados 
    Baruba
    Belarus 
    Belize 
    Belgium 
    Benin 
    Bermuda
    Bhutan 
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana 
    Bosnia and Herzegovina 
    Brazil 
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei 
    Bulgaria 
    Burkina Faso 
    Burundi 
    Canada 
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile 
    China 
    Colombia 
    Congo 
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica 
    Croatia 
    Curaco
    Cyprus 
    Czech Republic 
    Dominica 
    Dominican Republic 
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor 
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador 
    Eritrea 
    Estonia 
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands 
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji 
    Finland
    France 
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon 
    The Gambia 
    Germany 
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau 
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece 
    Greenland
    Grenada 
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala 
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana Haiti
    Honduras 
    Hong Kong 
    Hungary 
    Iceland 
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq 
    Ireland
    Israel 
    Italy 
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica 
    Japan 
    Jordan 
    Kazakhstan
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan 
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos 
    Latvia 
    Lebanon 
    Lesotho 
    Liberia 
    Libya 
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg 
    Macao
    Malawi 
    Malaysia 
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta 
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia 
    Moldova 
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Namibia 
    Nauru
    Nepal 
    Netherlands 
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand 
    Nicaragua 
    Niger 
    Nigeria
    Nive 
    Northern Mariana Islands 
    Norway 
    Oman 
    Pakistan 
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland 
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar Reunion
    Romania 
    Rota
    Russia
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino 
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia 
    Senegal 
    Serbia
    Seychelles 
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore 
    Slovak Republic 
    Slovakia
    Slovenia 
    Solomon Islands 
    Somalia 
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy 
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius 
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent 
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland 
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Tahiti
    Taiwan 
    Tanzania 
    Thailand 
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo 
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago 
    Turkey 
    Turks and Caicos Islands 
    Turkmenistan 
    Tuvalu
    Uganda 
    Ukraine 
    United Arab Emirates 
    United Kingdom 
    United States of America

    United States of America 

    U.S. Virgin Islands 
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan 
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela 
    Vietnam 
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna
    Zimbabwe










    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Turkey

    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America

    Antique desk on display at the old courthouse museum in Tombstone, Arizona.

    Tags: Shipping Antiques, International Furniture Shipping, Shipping Company Houston, Packing Company Houston, Freight Company Houston, Shipping a small amount of furniture, Shipping Houston, Antique Shipping

    Container Loading in Houston- Not These Containers

    Posted on Fri, Feb 08, 2013

     While shipping containers are used in worldwide shipping, it is always fun to look at other uses for  these versatile structures. Resourceful people and businesses have been using containers for alternate uses. Now Green architects are also repurposing these containers.  If you are looking at estate shipping overseas, shipping artwork, or international furniture shipping, you may consider using a container.

     Think containers that are now used for relief in disaster areas, foundations for small stores, condos and vacation homes. The not so elite have been using these containers for shelters for years.  For multistory stores, these containers are easily stackable.

    During the construction of the replacement towers in New York, a container was made into a restaurant. As the buildings were built taller, the restaurant inside the shipping container was hoisted from floor to floor to feed workers as they worked on higher and higher floors. No more brown bag lunches for these construction workers.

    Now think about colleges that need instantaneous housing. Why not make a dorm out of a shipping container?  A little fancier and you have an apartment. What if you need a quick jail?  A shipping container is a good idea.

    Why has the reuse of containers taken off?  First of all, they are affordable.  Sometimes containers were just stocked in ports or even melted down for reuse.  Using a container is significantly less expensive than using new building materials.  Re use of resources is very popular in the building industry throughout the world.

    So how do these containers look as homes, apartments and buildings?  Some of the containers are left exactly as they were purchased. The outsides still look just like shipping containers. Other containers are use building materials and apply them to the outside of the container. Siding, wood, or even brick will do make the container  look just like any other home or business.  Individuals and business often use more than one container to make a larger home or office.

    At pack n send, we are a shipping company in Houston, we do use shipping containers for their original purpose, but  we are always interested to see what other uses are made from the materials that we ship.  So whether you need a Houston Shipping company or a new home, look at containers as more than a way to ship products and household goods.

    We have listed below countries that containers are shipped to from the United States.

    Afghanistan 
    Albania 
    Algeria 
    American Samoa
    Andorra 
    Angola 
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda 
    Argentina 
    Armenia 
    Aruba
    Australia 
    Austria 
    Azerbaijan 
    Bahamas 
    Barbados 
    Baruba
    Belarus 
    Belize 
    Belgium 
    Benin 
    Bermuda
    Bhutan 
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana 
    Bosnia and Herzegovina 
    Brazil 
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei 
    Bulgaria 
    Burkina Faso 
    Burundi 
    Canada 
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile 
    China 
    Colombia 
    Congo 
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica 
    Croatia 
    Curaco
    Cyprus 
    Czech Republic 
    Dominica 
    Dominican Republic 
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor 
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador 
    Eritrea 
    Estonia 
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands 
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji 
    Finland
    France 
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon 
    The Gambia 
    Germany 
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau 
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece 
    Greenland
    Grenada 
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala 
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana Haiti
    Honduras 
    Hong Kong 
    Hungary 
    Iceland 
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq 
    Ireland
    Israel 
    Italy 
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica 
    Japan 
    Jordan 
    Kazakhstan
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan 
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos 
    Latvia 
    Lebanon 
    Lesotho 
    Liberia 
    Libya 
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg 
    Macao
    Malawi 
    Malaysia 
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta 
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia 
    Moldova 
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Namibia 
    Nauru
    Nepal 
    Netherlands 
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand 
    Nicaragua 
    Niger 
    Nigeria
    Nive 
    Northern Mariana Islands 
    Norway 
    Oman 
    Pakistan 
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland 
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar Reunion
    Romania 
    Rota
    Russia
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino 
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia 
    Senegal 
    Serbia
    Seychelles 
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore 
    Slovak Republic 
    Slovakia
    Slovenia 
    Solomon Islands 
    Somalia 
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy 
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius 
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent 
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland 
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Tahiti
    Taiwan 
    Tanzania 
    Thailand 
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo 
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago 
    Turkey 
    Turks and Caicos Islands 
    Turkmenistan 
    Tuvalu
    Uganda 
    Ukraine 
    United Arab Emirates 
    United Kingdom 
    United States of America

     

     

     

     

    Tags: Container Loading Houston

    Houston International Shipping Co. Sees No Strike at East Coast Ports

    Posted on Tue, Feb 05, 2013

    After reporting that dock workers at the Port of Houston have reached a new contract late last year, it looks like port operators on the east coast have also reached a tentative contract. 

    What this does is prevent interruptions in both container loading and unloading at major east coast ports. We have listed what can occur if the tentative contract is not approved by members.  

    Loaded containers will sit idle at ports if an agreement is not reached.  While the containers are waiting to be loaded and unloaded, shipping lines will charge storage fees. Customers will pay more for a strike that they are caught in the middle of any port strike. Loaded containers at the ports with strikes can be charged a $1000 “congestion fee”. This is basically a payment for containers to sit on ships or in the docks while they are waiting to enter or exit a port. The ships still have expenses while their personnel wait for loading or unloading of containers. Think food, gas, and payroll expenses.

    Ships waiting to load cargo may have to wait it out at the port so that they do not leave with empty loads. The charges they incur would be sure to drive up shipping prices.   While some companies may be able to ship items via air, this is an expensive alternative. Larger items and chemicals may not have an air option available to them. Consumers in a recovering economy would not want to pay additional costs. Some business would have no choice but to air freight items that are necessary for production.

    The Port of Houston workers did not strike before the ever important holiday season. The east coast workers have saved both Valentine’s Day and the Easter Season.  If products had to be rerouted to ports that were not striking, consumer goods prices would have risen. These rerouted items would need to be shipped over land to their final destinations.  Think clothing, TV’s, snow removal equipment, shoes and flowers.  Many extra expenses would have been incurred when shipments were shipped over land.

    If the ports do get congested with ships, it will take longer to unload and sort all of the shipments.  There was the possibility of goods taking longer to clear customs. The staffing would have the same, but there would have been many more containers to sort through at one time. 

    There was a concern that the strike would have occurred in parts. The ports would probably have continued to process both food and ships that carry passengers and automobiles that were loaded as roll on, roll off. The cares that were shipped in containers would have still been delayed. These non contanerized items would not be affected as far as unloading. Even while trying to unload the cars and passenger ships, there may have been delays in the ports due to back up congestions. Passengers on ships are often in a hurry to depart in order to catch a plane to their final destination. Not only would port business be affected, but rental car and airline traffic would also have been affected.

    These settlements are wonderful news for the economy in general, but also for families that rely on wages to meet monthly bills. With the economy still in a slow recovery mode, port strikes could affect many business and families in a negative manner.  

    While pack n send is located in Houston, TX we do ship out of both east coast ports, west coast ports, and of course we ship through the Port of Houston. With both coasts and the Port of Houston settling contracts this year, it should make for much smoother shipping in the coming year.

     

     

    Tags: Cargo Shipping Houston

    Houston Shipping Company Offers Rodeo Shipping Advice for HSLR

    Posted on Wed, Jan 30, 2013

    Once again Houston is welcoming both domestic and international travelers at the Houston Live Stock Show and Rodeo.

    While the rodeo offers world class rodeo entertainment,there is also plenty of shopping to do at the rodeo itself. Since the rodeo runs from February 25 to March 17 2013, many out of town guests will stay for all or part of the rodeo. We suggest eating as you shop to keep up your energy.  The food tents offer a variety of healthy options. There is also healthy food sold in the shopping areas.

    Some visitors purchase items such as cowboy boots, cowboy hats and jeans. Jewelry, chocolates, and custom signs are also big sellers at rodeo booths. Others prefer to shop and purchase western furniture or rugs. 

    When making your purchases make sure that you have a way to get them delivered either domestically or internationally.

    Rodeo customers in Houston contact pack n send to arrange their rodeo shipping. Pick up service is available, and we also pick up at local hotels, motels, rented apartments and homes. Pack n send can ship anything from jewelry to 40 foot containers of purchases worldwide.

    We recommend contacting us before your purchase has been completed so that we can give you a price quote. International shippers will want us to accumulate all of their purchases in our warehouse, so that at the end of their stay, we can ship everything at one time.

    When purchasing food that is going as an international shipment, please make sure ahead of time that this type of food is permitted to be shipped to your destination country.  This also goes for seeds and many other items.  Jewelry is not permitted to be shipped to some countries.  Please check before you make a purchase.

     Domestic shippers may choose to have their items shipped to various cities throughout the United States. All we need are addresses and phone numbers –and payment of course- in order to complete shipping.

    We suggest purchasing the items that you are going to carry around and take back to your hotel at the very end of the day.  This lets you continue to shop without carrying around your purchases. For assistance with your purchases please feel free to call pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    We have listed below some of the countries that we can ship to on your behalf.

    Afghanistan
    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America

    United States of America

    U.S. Virgin Islands
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna
    Zimbabwe





     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Tags: Crating and Packing Houston, Container Shipping Houston

    Interior Decorators and Designer Shipping

    Posted on Fri, Jan 25, 2013

    Interior decorators in Houston are constantly designing homes outside of the Houston area. Whether it is a home in Austin, Texas, a second home in Aspen or get away residence in Montana, Houston interior designers are busy.

    Here at pack n send we have come up with a list of suggestions for designers and decorators to follow when working on an out of the city or out of the country project. Find a shipping company that can receive your purchases from various vendors and store them in their warehouse.  This way you can shop and have all of your purchases in one location.

     

    1. Look for a shipper that offers various methods of shipping.  For small shipments companies like UPS, Fed Ex or DHL may be your best shipping options.  For larger shipments you will need to see if the company offers shipping via freight.  Ask if the company can the company build custom crates for your more delicate items?  Can the company you choose build custom pallets for your furniture?
    2. Can the company you choose offer blanket wrap moving as an option? Sometimes a blanket wrap move will cost less than a furniture freight move.
    3. For overseas projects, can the company you choose both hold the merchandise in their warehouse, prepare the furniture for shipping, stage the furniture before loading and load a 20 foot or 40 foot container?  Does the company also offer shipping by cubic meters for small load international shipping?
    4. Can the company you choose offer coverage for loss or damage during shipping?
    5. Ask the company if they will let you tour their facility so that you can have a high level of comfort with the company that you choose to ship your customer’s items.
    6. Look for a company that has been shipping for designers for many years.
    7. Find a shipping company that can receive your purchases from various vendors and then store the purchases in their warehouse. This s way you can continue to ship and have all of your purchases gathered in one location.

    If you would like more information about Interior designer shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at  713 266 1450.

     

    We a have compiled a list below of just some of the countries that we ship to at pack n send.

    Afghanistan
    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America
    U.S. Virgin Islands
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna

     United Kingdom
    United States of America
    U.S. Virgin Islands
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna

     

     


    Tags: Interior Designers, Interior Designer Shipping

    Is There a Way to Get Truly Free Package Shipping?

    Posted on Tue, Jan 15, 2013

    Suzanne Johnston wrote an article on Jan 9, 2013 asking if free shipping is worth it. Being a Houston shipping company we were very interested in her thoughts.

    I guess that the best way to summarize her article is that nothing is really free.  Shipping costs are somehow passed on to consumers, whether they are aware of them or not.  Look at all the websites that offer shipping free if you only spend say fifty or one hundred dollars. You may have entered the website hoping to spend twenty five dollars. Just think, if you double your budget, you can save on the shipping charges.

    Is this really a savings to you?  We do not think so. This is a way to get you, the consumer to spend more money on their website.  Did you really need two sets of pans or two blenders?  Probably not, but you now have “free shipping”.

    It seems that every January both Fed Ex and UPS raise their rates.  Even at five per cent, the increase in rates appears to be higher than the rate of inflation. We thing that this is one of the reasons that the “free shipping” bargain appeals to many shoppers

    As these rates go up, we are noticing more websites offering “free shipping” with the United States Postal Service.  Since these orders are difficult to trace, the time you spend looking for your lost item, may be more than the money you would have spent shipping via UPS or Fed Ex.  On both of their websites, information is quickly updated and you can track the actual progress of shipments.

    At pack n send we prefer to give our customers a tracking number so that they can watch as their package moves from one location to another. This lets our customer know when their package was delivered.  If we request a signature, they can even see who signed for their package.    This past year we began tweets about ways to make your shipping experience easier when shipping gifts.

    Our most important suggestion was to always verify the recipients address before you send out a shipment. During the year, individuals and companies may move. While their email and phone numbers may have stayed the same, their physical address may have changed.  It is much easier to ship a package to the recipient’s correct address rather than have the package rerouted or redelivered when you have shipped it to a bad address.

     

    We have a few other tips when you are shipping on your own:

    Always use a sturdy box when shipping. Remember that when you ship with a common carrier, the box may be tossed, thrown, and put on a conveyor belt. Our best suggestion is to see if you can press down on the box and leave an impression. If the flaps of the box move, you probably have not provided enough padding. For delicate items, we recommend using 5/16 inch bubble and then Styrofoam peanuts that are tightly packed inside the box.

    Do not wrap your box in a brown paper bag. The bag may get torn or completely taken off the box when the box is on the conveyor belt. It is a much better idea to use a sturdy box, and put the label directly on the box. If your paper bag is separated from your package, then the item you have sent will not be delivered.

    When shipping for any holiday, do not wait until the last minute to ship your item.  The heavier the shipping load for the major carriers, the higher the probability that a mistake could happen.  If you wait until the last minute, you may not be able to ship via ground. Ground shipping is generally less expensive than air shipping.

    If you would like any other information about packing or shipping in Houston or in the rest of the country, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Shipping Company in Houston, Shipping from Houston

    Pirate Inactivity on the High seas. Houston Shipper notes decrease.

    Posted on Fri, Jan 11, 2013

    Pack n send has been following the plight of ships that are attacked by pirates.  Almost like the old wild west but on the open seas.

    Unfortunately, pirates have been taking hostages and then holding them for ransom. Shipping companies now have armed men on many ships.. During the last year, the number of hostage taking instances has been on the decrease.

    Yahoo news www.yahoonews.com  reported today that one of the highest ranking pirates has announced his retirement. Mohamed Abdi Hassan has decided to retire. If he can persuade others to retire also, the costs to ship inventory via ocean should start to decline.  Weapons and private  security companies does cost the shipping companies money. These charges are passed on to the ultimate consumer.

    The fact that shipping lines are better able to protect both personnel and cargo may be one of the reasons that this retirement has been announced.

    This is a good sign for the shipping industry as a whole. At pack n send, as a Houston shipping company we try to keep our customers informed about events affecting worldwide shipping. We have listed below the countries that we ship to. For any questions about container loading or international shipping, please feel free to contact us at 713 266 1450.

    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Bahrain
    Bangladesh
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Cambodia
    Cameroon
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Denmark
    Djibouti
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France, French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Georgia
    Ghana
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    GuyanaHaiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan, Kenya
    Kiribati
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Macedonia
    Madagascar
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    MMarshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Morocco
    Mozambique
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    |Palau
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    QatarRepublic of Nevis
    Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Rwanda
    Saba
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Syria
    Tadjikistan
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Truk
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America
    U.S. Virgin Islands
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia
    Zimbabwearshall Islands, Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Bahrain
    Bangladesh
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda,Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands

    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Truk
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America
    U.S. Virgin Islands
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia
    Zimbabwearshall Islands

    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Bahrain
    Bangladesh
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Cambodia
    Cameroon
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Denmark
    Djibouti
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France, French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Georgia
    Ghana
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    GuyanaHaiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan, Kenya
    Kiribati
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Macedonia
    Madagascar
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    MMarshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Morocco
    Mozambique
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    |Palau
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    QatarRepublic of Nevis
    Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Rwanda
    Saba
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Syria
    Tadjikistan
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Truk
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America
    U.S. Virgin Islands
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia
    Zimbabwearshall Islands, Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa

    Tags: Shipping Houston Texas, Cargo Loading Houston

    Equipment Shipping on Pallets & Custom Crate Building

    Posted on Wed, Jan 09, 2013

    Most companies only offer standard pallets for a customer shipping needs. In this world of both large and small machines, we recommend looking for a company that can build a custom pallet to suit your needs. For your smaller pieces of equipment, a small pallet can be built. Why bother you may ask? What about furniture shipping, artwork shipping, auction shipping, or shipping antiques?  The same standards apply. Many individuals now freight furniture, large amounts of artwork or items that they have purchased at an auction house.

    Shipping charges are based on both the size and weight of a shipment. Why not reduce the charges by having a custom pallet built.

    For larger pieces of equipment, the machinery or furniture can be placed on your custom built pallet. Once the machinery or furniture is wrapped and secured, you are ready to ship item. You can store this pallet and re use it at another time. Not all companies can offer custom made pallets, but it is worth your time to do research in the city that you are shipping from.

    If your ultimate shipping destination is overseas, why not have a custom pallet made out of heat treated wood when you first ship the item?   This way, your machinery does not have to be repalletized for your overseas shipment.

     For other pieces of equipment artwork or other high value or delicate items, we can recommend using custom built crates for overseas shipping.  Once again, you will need to use heat treated wood.  We recommend this option for high value or delicate pieces of equipment.

    We have listed countries below that we ship to. While not all of these countries require heat treated wood, we recommend using it for any item going overseas. This way, if the import requirements change in any country while you shipment is en route, you and your company are already prepared. If you are looking for a Houston Freight Shipping company or a company that specializes in shipping antiques, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Bahrain
    Bangladesh
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Cambodia
    Cameroon
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Denmark
    Djibouti
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France, French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Georgia
    Ghana
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    GuyanaHaiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan, Kenya
    Kiribati
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Macedonia
    Madagascar
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    MMarshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Morocco
    Mozambique
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    |Palau
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    QatarRepublic of Nevis
    Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Rwanda
    Saba
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Syria
    Tadjikistan
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Truk
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America
    U.S. Virgin Islands
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia
    Zimbabwearshall Islands, Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Bahrain
    Bangladesh
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda,Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands




    |

     

     

     

    Tags: Crating Companies in Houston, Crating Service in Houston

    Shipping Marble? Houston Shipping Business offers Advice.

    Posted on Fri, Jan 04, 2013

     

     With many families  making home improvements, corporations updating their offices and other families downsizing at this time of year we would like to recommend the following procedures when shipping marble out of the city or out of the country. We also recommend following these procedures when asking a company to import marble into the United States on your behalf.

    First, we recommend building a custom crate for the marble. Using a full wood crate rather than press board will serve to protect the marble during the shipping process. Before you place the marble inside the crate, you will need to double or triple bubble the piece of marble. We recommend using five sixteenth inch bubble for this purpose. Besides the crate and the Styrofoam lining which we will discuss, this provides extra cushioning for the marble.

    We suggest using up the three inches of Styrofoam at the bottom of the crate, and one to two inches of Styrofoam on the sides and top of the crate.

    Pack n send prefers to close the crate with heavy duty staples on the bottom of the crate. For the top of the crate, screws should be used so that the crate can be opened easily.

    As an extra precaution, metal banding should be added tightly to the outside of the crate.

    Once you have followed the procedures listed above, your crate will be ready for shipping via freight. If you are sending the crate to a residence, you need to be sure to ask for a lift gate truck at the delivery location. You will need to be sure that the freight company can easily deliver the crate. If you are shipping to a commercial site, they may have a loading dock or a fork lift and the lift gate truck may be necessary.

    We have listed below the countries that we can ship to on your behalf.  For more information about shipping marble, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    For information about shipping medical equipment internationally, freight packaging, general equipment shipping, equipment shipping in Houston, Auction Shipping in Houston, shipping businesses in Houston, and artwork shipping, please refer to other blogs listed on our website at www.pack-n-send.com.

     

    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Bahrain
    Bangladesh
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Cambodia
    Cameroon
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Denmark
    Djibouti
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France

    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Georgia
    Ghana
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    GuyanaHaiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan

    Kenya
    Kiribati
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Macedonia
    Madagascar
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    MMarshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Morocco
    Mozambique
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    |Palau
    Palestine
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    QatarRepublic of Nevis
    Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Rwanda
    Saba
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Syria
    Tadjikistan
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Truk
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America
    U.S. Virgin Islands
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia
    Zimbabwearshall Islands

    Tags: Shipping Businesses Houston, Marble Shipping

    Port Work Stoppage ? Houston Shipping Business Concerned

    Posted on Fri, Dec 28, 2012

    As reported in news stations across the country, dock workers re threatening a year end strike if wages are not raised.

    Loaded containers will sit idle at ports if an agreement is not reached.  While the containers are waiting to be loaded and unloaded shipping lines will charge storage fees. Customers will pay more for a strike that they are caught in the middle of. Loaded containers at the Port of Houston will be charges a $1000 “congestion fee”.  Dock handlers are rushing to unload as many of the containers as possible to help out customers.

    Ships waiting to load cargo may wait it out at the port so that they do not leave with empty loads. The charges they incur are sure to drive up shipping prices.  The usual government attention to a possible strike is probably on the back burner at this time because government officials are dealing with negotiations for the fiscal cliff.

    While some companies may be able to ship items via air, this is an expensive alternative. Larger items and chemicals may not have an air option available to them.

     At lease the workers did not strike before the ever important holiday season. If products get rerouted to ports that are not striking, consumer goods prices will rise. These rerouted items will need to be shipped over land to their final destinations.  Think clothing, TV’s, snow removal equipment and shoes.

    If the ports do get congested with ships, it will take longer to unload and sort all of the shipments.  There is the possibility of goods taking longer to clear customs. The staffing will be the same, but there will be many more containers to sort through at one time. 

    The strike could occur in parts. The ports may continue to process both food and ships that carry passengers and automobiles. These shipments that are not containerized items should not be affected as far as unloading. They may be affected in their ability to make it into ports to unload if the ships start to back up due to congestion.

    While the strike will affect everyone is some way, this is not good for the economy that is in a slow recovery. Families without wages are families without money to spend.

     Since a strike was averted about 90 days ago we are hopeful that a long term solution will be found this time so that companies can plan for both supplies and merchandise to sell.

    Pack n send in Houston- an equipment and high value shipping company, is watching this strike or hopefully non-strike unfold.  If you need assistance in international shipping, please feel free to call us at 713 266 1450.

    A list of the countries that we ship to is listed below:

    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Bahrain
    Bangladesh
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Cambodia
    Cameroon
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Denmark
    Djibouti
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France

    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Georgia
    Ghana
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    GuyanaHaiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan

    Kenya
    Kiribati
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Macedonia
    Madagascar
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Morocco
    Mozambique
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    |Palau
    Palestine
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    QatarRepublic of Nevis
    Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Rwanda
    Saba
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Syria
    Tadjikistan
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Truk
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America
    U.S. Virgin Islands
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia
    Zimbabw

     

     

     

    Tags: Shipping Businesses Houston, Freight Packaging, freight shipping

    Medical Equipment Shipping Advice from Houston Shipping Co.

    Posted on Thu, Dec 27, 2012

     With Houston being home to the Texas Medical Center, medical equipment is constantly being shipped into and out of the medical center.

    When researching a company that can pick up, pack and ship your medical equipment , we have the following suggestions:


    Choose a company that has been shipping and receiving medical equipment on a regular basis. Verify that the company is used to handling high value and delicate items. Ask if the company has the ability to build a custom box or a custom crate when needed. Does the company that you choose have the ability to ship the medical equipment, as  a freight shipment in order to save money?

    Check and see how long the current owners of the business have been handling freight shipping and receiving of medical equipment. Are you able to tour the facility where the medical equipment will be prepared for shipping?

    Look for a company that has the know how to protect lenses, arms and feet of equipment that is being packed shipped and delivered. Remember that each piece of medical equipment will need to be handled differently.

    Ask about valuation coverage for your piece or pieces of medical equipment.

    Always be prepared to give the weight and dimensions of the equipment so that you can receive a quote for the shipping of your medical equipment.  We suggest providing pictures of the medical equipment. Manuals can usually provide both the size and weight of the piece of equipment that you are shipping.

    As with any hospital environment, set up the delivery time ahead of time with the hospital administration. The company picking up the medical equipment may need access to freight elevators as well as loading docks.

    When shipping internationally, you may want to ask if the company you are using has the ability to ship to various countries throughout the world. We have compiled a list below of companies that we at n pack n send can ship to.

    Some of the countries listed below are more costly to ship to than other countries. When shipping medical equipment internationally, ask about air shipping, cubic meter shipping and containerized shipments.

    For any questions about medical equipment shipping and receiving in the Houston area, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Bahrain
    Bangladesh
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Cambodia
    Cameroon
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Denmark
    Djibouti
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France

    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Georgia
    Ghana
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    GuyanaHaiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan

    Kenya
    Kiribati
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Macedonia
    Madagascar
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    MMarshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Morocco
    Mozambique
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    |Palau
    Palestine
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    QatarRepublic of Nevis
    Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Rwanda
    Saba
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Syria
    Tadjikistan
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Truk
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America
    U.S. Virgin Islands
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia
    Zimbabwearshall Islands

     

     Hospital room with full body xray on lightbox.<br  /><br  />High resolution format available.

    High resolution format available." src="http://everystockphoto.s3.amazonaws.com/hospital_health_Xray_238269_tn.jpg">

     

    Tags: Shipping Medical Equipment Internationally, Shipping Medical Equipment

    Why does a rise in the price of lumber effect a shipping business?

    Posted on Tue, Dec 18, 2012

    Lumber is used in both domestic and international shipping. It is used in premade and custom built pallets as well as in pre made and custom built crates.

     Susanna Kim in an article posted by on ABC news noted that lumber prices are currently on the rise. She questions if the increase in prices could stall the recovery of the housing market. Here in Houston, we are seeing more and more building for both single family and multifamily residences.

    With housing prices rising for the past six months, the back log of families looking for new homes may force lumber prices higher.

    For the shipping industry, it may also mean higher prices for any use of lumber. This includes the crates, pallets as well as wood used for blocking and bracing valuable items.

    With lumber prices on the rise, analysts are watching whether the commodity could cause a logjam in the recovery of the housing market.

    With reference to the logging industry, Susanna Kim notes: “The industry's profit margins are relatively low; over the past year it has had a 0.3 percent net margin on average, he said. Compared with 2006, there are 23 percent fewer businesses in the logging industry today, according to the North American Industry Classification system used by the Census Bureau”

     

     At pack n send we our crating operation is completely custom.  We build our custom crates for items such as:

    Paintings, Pictures with glass, chandeliers, medical equipment, antiques, deer antlers, and any other fragile or valuable items that our customer may want to ship.

    For help in shipping wood crates internationally, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450. 

    For international shipping, pack n send uses heat treated wood.  Examples of countries where heat treated wood may be  shipped to are listed below.

    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Bahrain
    Bangladesh
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Cambodia
    Cameroon
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Denmark
    Djibouti
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Georgia
    Ghana
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    GuyanaHaiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan

    Kenya
    Kiribati
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Macedonia
    Madagascar
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Morocco
    Mozambique
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    |Palau
    Palestine
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    QatarRepublic of Nevis
    Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Rwanda
    Saba
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Syria
    Tadjikistan
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Truk
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America
    U.S. Virgin Islands
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia
    Zimbabwe

    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Bahrain
    Bangladesh
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Cambodia
    Cameroon
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Denmark
    Djibouti
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Georgia
    Ghana
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    GuyanaHaiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan

    Kenya
    Kiribati
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Macedonia
    Madagascar
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Morocco
    Mozambique
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    |Palau
    Palestine
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    QatarRepublic of Nevis
    Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Rwanda
    Saba
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Syria
    Tadjikistan
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Truk
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America
    U.S. Virgin Islands
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia
    Zimbabwe

     

    Tags: International Shipping Houston, Crater Houston

    Shipping Medical Equipment Internationally

    Posted on Fri, Dec 14, 2012

    Hospital room with full body xray on lightbox. High resolution format available.

    As the year comes to a close, many charities are asking for monetary donations. Other charities carry on with their years work and are .

    When looking for a company to ship medical equipment internationally, we suggest asking a few basic questions.

    Does the company you are contracting with have experience in international shipping?

    Has the company that you have chosen for your packing been in operation for many years? When the downtick in the economy hit, some franchises sold locations to new owners, but kept the business in the same location. You do want to make sure that the personnel handling your medical equipment shipping needs have been packing and shipping these purchases for many years.

    Ask about your shipping options. Except for time sensitive or small pieces of medical equipment shipping you probably do not need to ship via air. Your contact should ask how often that you will be shipping equipment. It usually is cost effective to ship a larger amount of equipment at one time, rather than shipping several smaller shipments.

    Look at cubic meter shipping, a twenty foot container and a forty foot container for ocean shipping.

    The company you choose to prepare your equipment for shipping should know how to build custom international crates when needs. They need to know how to fill out international commercial invoices and other customs forms as needed. They also will need to know the sensitive packing needs for medical equipment and know how to build custom pallet for international shipping.

    A few of the more common pieces of medical equipment shipped overseas are:

    Dental equipment

    Anesthesia Monitors

    Autoclaves/Sterilizers

    EKG Machines

    X ray Machines

    MRI’s



    At pack n send in Houston we are able to ship your medical equipment to the following countries. When shipping for a charitable organization, be sure to let your shipping company know of your special needs. There may be time or weather constraints in the country where you are delivering the medical equipment.

    If you have questions about medical equipment packing or shipping, please feel free to contact us at 713 266 1450.
    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Bahrain
    Bangladesh
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Cambodia
    Cameroon
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Denmark
    Djibouti
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Georgia
    Ghana
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana

    Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Kenya
    Kiribati
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Macedonia
    Madagascar
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Morocco
    Mozambique
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    |Palau
    Palestine
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar

    Republic of Nevis
    Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Rwanda
    Saba
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Syria
    Tadjikistan
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Truk
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America
    U.S. Virgin Islands
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia
    Zimbabwe

    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Bahrain
    Bangladesh
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Cambodia
    Cameroon
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Denmark
    Djibouti
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Georgia
    Ghana
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana

    Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Kenya
    Kiribati
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Macedonia
    Madagascar
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Morocco
    Mozambique
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    |Palau
    Palestine
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar

    Republic of Nevis
    Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Rwanda
    Saba
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Syria
    Tadjikistan
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Truk
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America
    U.S. Virgin Islands
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia
    Zimbabwe

    Tags: Shipping Medical Equipment Internationally, Shipping Medical Equipment

    Holiday Shipping Tips from Houston Company

    Posted on Tue, Dec 11, 2012

     Christmas and Kwanza are now getting quite close, and getting all those gifts to family worldwide is becoming slightly more tedious. No one enjoys spending a fortune to get the gifts to their families, which is why the hunt for less expensive shipping costs is beginning.

    If you are one of the many wanting to find inexpensive shipping costs, you will be happy to know that it's actually possible and there are many ways you can minimize the amount you spend this holiday season.

    One of the best ways you can greatly reduce the amount you spend for shipping is combining packages. If you have several family members in one local area that you're shipping gifts to, ship them all to one address location. By doing this you are reducing the number of packages being sent out, meaning less expensive shipping charges. This is also a great way to ensure that your family is spending a little quality time together.

     We do recommend shipping packages to a business address when it is permissible. This is due to an increase in the number of thieves following trucks around to residences that are delivering holiday gifts. TV stations nationwide are reporting thieves that simply go to residential doorsteps and pick up the gifts right after the delivery truck has dropped off the packages.

    Houston Company recommends that you should consider is shipping early.

    By shipping early you won't have to pay the added costs for expedited shipping to ensure the packages get there in time. Many people are known to wait until the last minute, but the holidays are the worst time that you could do this. It is very disappointing to have shopped for wrapped, and shipped your gifts only to have them arrive after Christmas or Kwanza.

     Ground shipping is usually the least expensive way to ship.  For packages valued at more than $500.00 you will need to ask to have the package signed for at the destination. This way you can track your package and see when and who signed for your package.

    When you are packing your boxes for shipping, please remember that shipping charges are based on both size and weight. While that holiday sweater may look beautiful placed inside a box with lots of tissue paper, the size of the box alone may add to your shipping costs. 

    If you are shipping holiday gifts overseas, you will need to remember to add in time for customs clearance. Items such as perfumes, colognes and nail polish should not be sent.

    When shipping overseas, you need to remember to add a Commercial Invoice to your shipment.  You can prepare this yourself or pay a company to prepare this for you. Any individual item valued for more than $2500 will need to have additional paperwork prepared.

    The holiday season is a time of year you want to enjoy as much as possible. The last thing you want to worry about is your family not receiving their gifts. If you do not have time to wrap and send gifts on your own, consider taking your hand chosen gifts to a professional gift-wrapping, packing  and shipping company.

     Make this a holiday season you enjoy to the fullest and have  a commercial company help you relieve all that gift shipping stress. They can do everything possible to get your packages arrive on time and do it at a better price then your usual postal services. They can evaluate which shipping service is best for your particular package based on the size, weight and value of your shipment.

    For additional hints on holiday shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston or visit our website at www.pack-n-send.com

     

     

    Tags: International Shipping Houston, Packing Houston

    Buying and moving a small amount of furniture?

    Posted on Fri, Dec 07, 2012

     Shipping a small amount of furniture?

    This sounds like a simple question, but if you live in a small town, or a foreign country the shipping of the furniture to your city may prove to be a bit of a challenge. 

    For example, say you are shopping in Houston,Texas and happen to live in Kuwait City Kuwait. You may have found a crystal chandelier that you need shipped, along with the couches, dining room furniture and bedroom furniture. Oh yes, and you also purchased artwork and sculptures that you need shipped. 

    Or say you have purchased two couches in New Orleans, Louisiana and would like your furniture delivered to Anchorage Alaska.  

    In the shipping industry these are not uncommon occurrences. 

    Let’s start with the shipment from Houston Texas.  You could always look at shipping via air.  A very expensive option. Some customers want their furniture shipments within a week.  While not highly recommended this option is possible. A more likely scenario is to ship this purchase inside a container and ship it via ocean. Easy? Only when you use a company experienced in shipping house hold goods. 

    Let’s look at the items that were purchased. First, a crystal chandelier. The crystals on this chandelier will need to be wrapped in bubble. The chandelier will need to be hung inside a custom built crate, so that no part of the chandelier touches any part of the crate. The wrapped chandelier will need to be surrounded by packing peanuts so that the chandelier does not move during the shipping process. 

    The couches and bedroom furniture will need to be wrapped in cardboard so that the furniture does not rub against other furniture during the shipping process. If a nightstand has glass, the glass will need to be removed and separately boxed or crated for the ocean shipping process.  Any glass doors on dressers will need to be wrapped while still attached to the dresser. 

    The dining room chairs will need to be wrapped for shipping. If there is a glass display case, it will need to be crated or custom boxed before it is loaded into the container.

     The sculptures that were purchased will have to be boxed or crated depending on the material the sculpture is made from as well as the value of the sculpture. 

    Receipts for the purchases will need to be accumulated and Commercial Invoices will need to be filled in. 

    Before loading the container, the shipment will need to be staged inside a warehouse. Shipping companies allow two hours of free load time.  If you have practiced ahead of time the placement of the furniture, then it is easy and fast for four to  six men to load and seal the container.  You do not want to load and unload the container once it is on your property as this is both time consuming and costly. 

    Let’s look at the domestic furniture purchase. New Orleans to Anchorage Alaska. Air is always an option, but a very costly option. You can look at hiring a moving truck to take the furniture to Alaska, but think about gas and personnel charges.

     In this case you might want to look at freighting your furniture. That is right. You have an option to put your furniture on a truck and have it sent to your door step.  The furniture will be loaded and strapped onto a pallet. You will have it delivered either to a receiving company, or you can have it delivered directly to your house with curbside delivery. In this case, you may unload the furniture yourself, and move it inside your house on your own. 

    You can request to have the furniture unloaded and brought inside your home. This is a more costly alternative, but used quite often.

     For information about shipping small loads of furniture, both domestically and internationally, feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

     

    Tags: Small Move Specialist, international shipping

    Advice for international shipping from Houston Freight Company

    Posted on Thu, Nov 29, 2012

    While most companies and individuals are accustomed to shipping domestically, international shipping requires different areas of expertise.

    When searching for an international shipping company you need to look for a company that possesses experience in dealing with multiple countries as well as multiple currencies. Can the company load household goods into containers?

    For starters there is additional paperwork.  Certain shipments require Schedule B paperwork in addition to the usual customs paperwork. Shipments going out of the country require heat treated wood that is not required in domestic shipping.

    Transit times are usually longer when shipping overseas. While air shipping is available, it is quite a bit more costly for large items.

    Boat shipping requires extra time. Not only does it take longer to ship, but there are often time adjustments once your shipment is booked.  As gas prices have risen in recent years, ships have taken longer in order to save on fuel consumption.

    Ships are often delayed as they wait to fill up with cargo.  Due to storms, unloading of ships is often delayed as ships line up to off load cargo.

    While some companies have multiple locations, you may want to make sure that the location you are using has been in business for a long time. Experience in packing fragile and delicate items will make a difference in the way that your freight shipment arrives to the final recipient.

    Ask if there is an option in ocean shipping for shipping via a cubic meters as well as container shipping. Make sure that the company has experience loading containers. Do they prepare the items before hand, and then stage them for fast loading inside a covered warehouse. The charges for loading a container are based on hours. You want to make sure that you are paying only for the actual loading, not the loading, unloading and repositioning of goods.

    You should obtain coverage based on the declared value of your shipment.  The company you choose to ship with should offer pick up service and offer you door to door or door to port service.  Always ask for alternatives as a way to save you or your company money.

    If you are shipping cars, ask for containerized shipping s well as roll on roll off service.

    When shipping via air, you have many of the same concerns as ocean shipping, but other areas need to be addressed.  You must have a street address, a contact name, phone number or email address.

    In both instances, make sure that you check with every foreign country that you are shipping to that the items you are shipping are permitted to enter the country. Fresh fruit and vegetables, flour, jewelry and pancake mix are just a few of the banned items.

    Do not plan on shipping hazardous chemicals unless you are planning to use a haz mat shipper. As an example, a shipment of matches can cost over $700 from Houston to Europe. This is simply due to haz mat packing and shipping charges.

     In the course of doing business worldwide, pack n send has realized that both students and business people do not know how to deal with multiple currencies. To help alleviate this situation pack n send has developed a program for class room teachers to use at all levels.   Please go to our website www.pack-n-send.com and click on the far right tab-Students and Teachers. Here you will find flags, facts and currencies for countries and Islands throughout the world. If you need assistance in using this program, please email us at sales@pack-n-send.com.

    If you need an experience international shipping company in Houston Texas, feel free to call pack n send at 713 266 1450.  If you need advice for international packing, shipping or freight receiving in Houston or the United States, please feel free to contact us also.

     

     

    Tags: Freight Forwarding Houston, Packing Houston

    Alternative Use for Shipping Containers in Houston, TX.

    Posted on Mon, Nov 26, 2012

    Another great and innovative use for shipping containers appears to be getting looked at in Houston Texas.

    In prior blogs pack n send has found uses on construction sites and malls in foreign countries.  The Houston Chronicle on November 25, 2012 published an article about a potential alternative use for containers in Houston.

    Why is this article important?  The Port of Houston is expanding.  The Panama Canal expansion will route more and more shipping containers to the Port of Houston. While Houston is a major port of export, used containers will still need to be repurposed or disposed of.  If this container can be used for housing or to house shops, this is a win, win for both Houston and the environment.

    The current planned is a master-planned “HIVE”. Nestor Topchy is anticipating using 148 shipping containers, with each container having a different purpose.  There will also be forty four- three and four story buildings added to the hive that will be made out of shipping containers.   Incredibly enough, these buildings will have apartments, both one and two bedrooms.

    The anticipated business to reside on the bottom floor will look like any typical old time downtown area. Think restaurants, bakeries, art and architecture studios, grocery stores, farmers market, animal clinics and a laundromat. As a way not to waste the roofs, think New York City. Roof top gardens are anticipated. Look for these shipping containers to use solar power.

    This is exciting for the shipping industry.  Boxes are already being reused. When their useful shipping life is over, they are sent to recycling centers. Styrofoam peanuts are also reused. Think the Peanut hotline that lets individuals and business know where to drop off used shipping peanuts. Once these peanuts can no longer be used for shipping, they also are sent to recycling centers.

    Now onto the shipping containers.  They are much larger and more difficult to dispose of.  Some of them are already being shipped to foreign countries to be used in housing.  Finding an alternative use for these containers in the United States is a good environmentally friendly step.

    At pack n send we load containers with household and business goods for shipping overseas We have cars loaded for overseas shipping.  While many of these containers are used and reused, shipped from country to country, seeing a futuristic plan for these used containers is quite an accomplishment.

    The housing aspect of this plan may hold the most promise for the future.  Shipping containers could be stacked and readied for use during natural disasters. They are easily shipped, and could be stacked and ready to use any where worldwide.  Since they already load easily onto ships, they can be shipped to any port worldwide. It would be easy to move them in ahead of a storm and store them right outside of the anticipated storm area. It is a relatively inexpensive way to provide immediate housing after a natural disaster.

    It will be interesting to watch this project progress in Houston, TX.  While it may take a while to get permits, we are hopeful that the city of Houston and the Greater Houston Partnership will look at container building as not a onetime project, but a viable alternative housing plan for the future.  What a great tourist attraction. Houston is usually on the cutting edge of new trends as well as has a visionary outlook for its future. The land to build and fit these containers is readily available in the Houston area.

    Once Houston sets the bar, we hope other cities will follow suit and reuse these shipping containers in both private and public housing.

    Tags: Houston Shipping, Container Loading Houston

    Christmas gift and luggage shipping

    Posted on Wed, Nov 21, 2012

     

     

    As airports are crowded with Thanksgiving travelers, we see a decrease in the number of large suitcases. While this may work for Thanksgiving, individuals and families travelling for the Christmas rush may decide to take these suitcases with them.

     We can offer another idea. Why not ship your clothes and gifts ahead of time? Independent packing and shipping stores across the United States are already shipping Christmas gifts.  For the clothing, you can let the shipping store box up your clothing. That way you do not add the weight of the suitcase.

     You can also arrange to have your Christmas gifts and clothes picked up and shipped back to you after Christmas. 

    You get to avoid carrying heavy suitcases with you. No bad backs from lifting your suitcases in and out of your car.

    For more holiday shipping hints, feel free to contact pack n send in Houston at 713 266 1450.

    A travel bag

    Tags: Suitcase Shipping, Luggage Shipping

    Heirloom Holiday Shipping Advice from a Houston Shipping Co.

    Posted on Tue, Nov 20, 2012

    As the holiday season approaches we find more and more grandparents who would like to pass on family heirlooms to sons, daughter, niece’s nephews, granddaughters and grandsons.

    We would like to offer a few shipping solutions for furniture and large items that you would like to ship to a family member. If you are shipping more than one item, please try and ship all items at the same time. This is usually a money saver.

    If you can drop off the item at the shipping location, this should save you a pick up fee. 

    Look at having furniture and antiques either boxed, blanket wrapped and moved or shipped via freight.

    For some of your small items, simple shipping via a common carrier may be your least expensive option. Make sure your heirloom is professionally packed. Basically, you should be able to stand on your box or crate and the top should not move. Remember, that boxes get stacked, loaded onto container belts and sometimes tossed around. You want to make sure that your gift is heavily protected against damage during the shipping process. 

    If you choose to have your furniture moved by a blanket wrap mover, ask if you can take out valuation protection for loss or damage during the move. Remember, when you place one or two pieces of furniture on the truck, there will be other furniture on the truck with your items. The truck will stop at other locations to pick up and deliver other customers furniture. You should ask if the driver can call a day ahead of time to let your relative know when the gift will be delivered. Also ask to have the driver call your relative when he is about an hour away from the drop off. 

    If you choose to ship your heirloom via freight, you should be able to specify the date of delivery. In general with freight the items are delivered to the curb.  Your relative will be responsible for unloading the pallet, box or crate and disposing of it on his/her own.  While you can request inside delivery and haul off of the packaging, this usually will cost more. Again, be sure to ask for valuation coverage for loss or damage during the shipping process.

    If you have any more questions about shipping during this holiday season, please be sure to call pack n send in Houston at 713 266 1450 and we would be happy to give you shipping advice.

     image photo : Antique furniture

    Tags: Artwork Shipping, Houston Shipping, Antique Shipping

    Shipping Large and small items-Things not to purchase on Black Friday

    Posted on Mon, Nov 19, 2012

    Pack  n send is posting this article by Jill Schlesinger- Money Watch as a service to our Houston Shipping customers.

     

    By :Jill Schlesinger MoneyWatch/ November 19, 2012, 11:04 AM

    Black Friday: 10 items NOT to buy

     

    (MoneyWatch) If you are one of the brave souls who will venture out on Black Friday (and the newer version, "Grey Thursday), one of the best ways to save money is to not fall prey to retailers' seemingly "great deals." According to dealnews.com, not everything will be a good purchase on Black Friday. The site has compiled 10 items that are not worth buying this Black Friday.

    1. Toys. Were you tempted by the "Toys-R-Us 2012 Holiday Hot Toy List"? Well, you may want to wait to buy that coveted Furby. Most retail experts say that without a "must-have" toy this season, many will see deep discounts within two weeks of Christmas.

    2. Apple iPad mini. While there may be an iPad mini promotion out there, chances are the price will remain close to the current $329. Early adopters should be aware that the iPad mini is fairly close to the iPad 2, and that's the version that is likely to see a steep Black Friday discount.

    3. Microsoft Surface RT Tablet. If you aren't an Apple fan boy or girl and wanted to give the new Microsoft Tablet, you may want to show a little restraint. If the new Surface sales are weak, the tablet's price could fall considerably by the spring.

    4. Windows 8 PC. This item was not on the dealnews.com list, but ZDNet's Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols warns that "before you buy a new Windows 8 PC at any price you should keep in mind that many of your old applications aren't supported on Windows 8. Some older Windows applications, such as Quicken, aren't supported on Windows 8."

    5. Jewelry and watches. The worst time to buy these items is the holiday season and Valentine's Day, when demand peaks. Deal News says this category should be on the "Do Not Buy List" for the entire holiday season. Save the purchase of these items for the spring and summer, when the best deals occur

     

    6. Game consoles without a bundled item: If you're looking to buy any of the major video game consoles this holiday, you will probably get a better deal with bundled products. In the past few holiday seasons, consoles that included premium accessories and two or three game titles were frequently discounted 30 to 40 percent off their retail prices.

    7. Brand name HDTVs. If you have been holding out for a sweet, new HDTV and plan to splurge on Black Friday, make sure to skip the name brands. The best prices will be found with third-tier manufacturers. If you really want the big name, wait until after the New Year, when manufacturers mark down older models in preparation for the new ones due in spring.

    8. The latest digital cameras. Like HDTVs, your best bet for a digital camera is an older model. If you are hoping for a new digital SLR, hold off until February or later when it becomes an "old model."

    9. Holiday decorations. You may not be able to put this off if you have no left over holiday paper from last year, but not surprisingly, holiday decorations tend to be terrible items to purchase on Black Friday. Remember that deals on Christmas items get better the closer we get to the holiday itself -- and of course are the best after the holiday.

    10. Winter apparel: Unless you really need that winter coat or scarf, wait until January, when winter apparel goes into the clearance bins.

    Don't forget that if you are going to brave the crowds this holiday season, conduct research before you go out. Many of the large brick and mortar stores will have online coupons, so you can easily compare prices from the comfort of your home. If you have a smart phone, load it up with shopping apps like Nextag, TGI Black Friday and Snip Snap. As always be sure to bring a list of the items you want so you don't blow your whole holiday budget early with spur of the moment, emotional purchases.

    For all your holiday shipping needs, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston at 713 266 1450.

    Overseas Holiday Shipping -Advice from Houston Shipping Company

    Posted on Fri, Nov 16, 2012

    With the holidays approaching, our international customers ask if we ship to just about every country in the world.  While the answer is yes, we would like to offer advice about ways to choose a shipper who has experience.

    Whether you have purchased  your gifts at an auction house and need auction house shipping, or if you have gone to garage sales all year long and need pick up and shipping services, here are some questions that you may want to ask when you call to ship your holiday gifts?

    Do you know how to pack a delicate item?

    Can you provide a tracking number for my shipment?

    Are you able to value my item for loss and damage during shipping.

    Will the country that I am shipping to accept the item that I would like to send as a gift?  This may be one of the most important questions that you will ask.  Some countries choose to not allow jewelry; some do not allow food items. Some countries allow items that have been made in other countries, but may charge such high duties and taxes, that it does not make sense to send a gift that was manufactured in one of those countries.

    You may want to check out import duties and taxes before you ship an item.

    If you are sending any sort of medication, the recipient may need an import license, even if this is a gift.

    Make sure that you have a street address for your recipient.  If you do not have a    phone number, please have their email address on hand to put on the shipping label. 

    If you are shipping a container of gifts overseas, make sure that you leave enough time for the container to load, sail, clear customs in the destination port and be delivered to the final recipient.

    For some of the less known countries that we ship to, I will give you a short list below: Just A-G for now, but I want to demonstrate that even if your loved ones do not live in the frequently visited countries, common carriers, air cargo and cargo shippers are able to reach all corners of the earth for your holiday shipping needs.

    Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Baruba, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivial, Bonaire Botswana, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cook Island, Curaco, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominica, East  Timor, Eritrea, Estonia, Faeroe Islands, Faroc Islands, Gabon, The Gambia,  Gibraltar, Ginvea-Bissau, Ginvea Equatorial, Guernsey, Guinea, Guyana.

    For more information on shipping your holiday purchases, please feel free to contact pack n send at  713 266 1450.

    Tags: Auction Shipping Houston, Air Cargo Shipping Houston

    Advice for holiday shipping from Houston Logistics & Crating Company

    Posted on Mon, Nov 12, 2012

    Thanksgiving is around the corner.  And, Christmas follows soon after.   With more and more families traveling for Thanksgiving and staying at home for Christmas, we are offering advice earlier in the year. Once you’ve bought the gifts for friends and family you need to pack up your presents and ship them.

    Our best advice is to ship very early. When carriers have an overload of packages being shipped all at once, there are bound to be more errors in the deliveries.

     With so many people sending gifts across the country, you need to think strategically about when, how and where you'll send. Logistics is the answer. Plan ahead and use the most cost effective way to ship your gifts. Keep reading for solid tips on avoiding shipping headaches this holiday season.

    1. Go with an experienced shipping company. Use an experienced packing company to pack and ship your holiday presents. How sad to buy a lovely vase and have it damaged during shipping. Packing professionals will know how to handle your delicate gifts.

    If you are shipping family heirlooms, always let an experienced mover or shipping company pack and ship these for you. Some things are worth paying for, and irreplaceable items surely fall into this category. If one of your antiques needs to be crated, ask the company if they build a custom wood crate to specifically fit the item that you are shipping.

    2. Send items early, even if you are taking a plane. Having your gifts arrive separately spares you the hassle of carrying items through the airport. You also avoid the extra baggage fees. Many companies will pick up, pack, gift wrap and ship your packages for you. One less worry!!

    An added bonus? Family members will wait with anticipation when they see a box of gifts arrive at their doorstep.

    3. Ship early, ship early, ship early. This cannot be stressed enough times. If you are looking at saving money, you do not want to wait and ship until the last minute. Overnight shipping is more expensive, as is two day and three day shipping. Ground shipping is reliable, and not nearly as expensive.

    The major shipping companies list the last day you should ship and hope to get your package there on time, but, starting the day after Thanksgiving guarantees by the major shipping companies are adjusted or suspended until after Christmas. This is due to the weather and volume of packages.

    4.Use UPS, Fed Ex and DHL. When you use these companies, you can track your package from the time it leaves the store until the time it is delivered. The satisfaction of knowing exactly when it has arrived at its final destination is great.

    5. Ship suitcases before you travel. Suitcase shipping starts to pick up this time of year - and with good reason. With crowded airports and extra fees imposed by the airlines, customers now request luggage pick up at their home or office and delivery at their final destination. Pick up service for your luggage can also be arranged for the trip home. 

    When it comes to Christmas and holiday shipping, plan ahead, ship early and go with an experienced shipper.

    6.  Go ahead and send furniture as gifts. If you plan on giving a piece of furniture as a gift, look for a company that specializes in logistics that can arrange delivery for this piece of furniture either a few days before Christmas, or even on Christmas Eve.

    If we can answer any of your holiday shipping, logistics, packing, freight or moving  questions, please call us in Houston at 713-266-1450, or visit us at www.pack-n-send.com.

    Happy Holiday Shipping!


    Tags: Christmas Shipping, Houston Logistics

    Auction House Shipping Suggestions

    Posted on Fri, Nov 09, 2012

    This article describes auction house shipping and the questions that you should ask when choosing a shipping company.

    As more and more auction houses are established due to the growth of the internet, there are questions you should ask the auction house before you make your online purchase.

    Does the auction house have a list of preferred shippers?  Are these shippers listed on the Auction house website?  Can the auction house provide you with their email and phone number so that you can establish your shipping charges before you bid on an item?  Make sure that the shipper can offer you pick up service or that the auction house is willing to drop off the item at the shipping location.

    Does the Auction house pay for the shipping, or is it up to you, the consumer to both pay for and arrange shipping for out of city purchases.

    It is recommended to check and see if the auction house will let you drive in and pick up your purchase rather than having it shipped.  Auction houses often have preferred shippers listed on their auction sites.  We recommend calling the shipper to ask questions before you arrange your shipping.

    If you are shipping artwork from an auction house, is the shipper prepared to pick up and build a custom crate for you artwork? What about large statutes or marble?  Does the shipper have experience preparing and shipping these items? Call ahead and ask the shipper details.

    Ask the shipper their procedures for packing.  Do they use solid wood crates?  Do they use bubble wrap, peanuts and Styrofoam to protect the statue in the crate during the shipping process? Can the shipper ship both domestically and internationally? Does the shipper stock heat treated wood for international shipping?  If the purchase is for greater than two thousand five hundred dollars for one item, is the shipper able to prepare the paperwork to attain the SED, or will you need to look up the Schedule B number on your own?

     If you are shipping medical equipment, does the shipper have the ability to pick up, pack and palletize or crate your medical equipment? Ask the shipper how they protect the moving parts of the medical equipment. If there are arm, does the shipping company block and brace the moving part during shipping?  Can the company you choose properly value the shipment during transit? If you purchase a large lot of medical equipment, can the shipper provide you with a quote for a blanket wrap move verses freight shipping?  The shipping company needs to offer alternatives that will help you save money.

     If you have purchased a high value delicate item, can the shipper properly value the purchase during the shipping process? Ask how the company packs and protects the shipment.  For glassware you need to ask if each piece of glassware is individually wrapped and protected for shipping.

    Are you able to speak to a person at the shipping company to get answers to your questions, or are you only allowed to communicate via email.

    We recommend that you contact a shipping company before you bid at the auction.  That way you can know the total costs associated with your purchase before you make a bid and send in the payment for your purchase.

    If you have any questions about how to select a shipper for an auction, please feel free to call pack n send in Houston at 713 266 1450. 

     

     

     

    If you have purchased a container full of equipment, can the shipping company pick up, load, prepare paper work and ship a container for you? Can the company you choose give you a quote ahead of time? Are they able to prepare the paperwork on your behalf?

    Tags: Artwork Shipping Houston, Auction House Shipping

    Houston Shipping Company sees Great Things at Port of Houston

    Posted on Fri, Nov 02, 2012

    Houston Shipping Company sees Great Things at Port of Houston

    Pack n send received this article in an email about the Port of Houston.  This article follows in line with our contining series about why Houston is a great place to conduct business. We have reprinted this article to share with our cutomers.

     
       

    Port Commission Chairman James T. Edmonds

     

    Business remains strong at the Port of Houston, which has helped to keep Houston’s economy outpacing the rest of the nation, Port Commission Chairman James T. Edmonds reported at the Greater Houston Partnership “State-of-the-Port” luncheon yesterday. It was his final such address as he announced he would not be seeking reappointment, after leading the Port Commission for a dozen years.

    In introductory remarks, former Port Commission Chairman Ned Holmes said Edmonds “has kept an even keel and steered the port to ever greater levels of prosperity that all of us benefit from in Houston, the state and beyond.”

    Edmonds told a crowd of nearly 500 business leaders, elected officials and community leaders at the JW Marriott Hotel that “the port is a remarkable and important part of Houston and vital to our economic health.”

       
       
     

    Nearly 500 business leaders, elected officials and community leaders attended.

    With a new executive director in charge, record revenue and container activity, the upcoming expansion of the Panama Canal to handle larger ships with more cargo, and the introduction of new ships in an all-water service from Asia to Houston, Edmonds said the Port of Houston Authority is well-positioned for success in the future. The Port Authority also continues its lead in environmental stewardship and maintains a strong position in the market. Houston stands out among U.S.ports because of its excellent labor relations and a business-friendly environment, he said.

    The latest economic impact study shows that businesses relying on the Houston Ship Channel generate more than one million jobs in Texas and more than two million in the nation. The economic impact of the port is $178.5 billion statewide and $499 billion nationwide.

    In 2011, the Port Authority earned $204 million, its highest revenue income, and handled just under 1.9 million container units.

    “I feel good leaving the Port Authority in a healthy financial state,” Edmonds said. “I am confident about the port’s future, especially with its leadership in the competent hands of Executive Director Leonard Waterworth.”

       
       

    Port Authority Executive Director Leonard Waterworth

     

    In his remarks, Waterworth paid tribute to Edmonds and the leaders a century earlier whom he called the “keepers of the port,” who left a priceless legacy.

    “The courageous people who came before us built a community of opportunity,” he said. “For 98 years, the Port of Houston has served as the catalyst for the economic growth that we enjoy today. And our current success will be a legacy for those who follow us.”

    To fulfill its vision and prepare for the future, Waterworth said the Port Authority must have the proper infrastructure in place to effectively work and manage the larger ships.

    Nearly $3 billion is needed for upgrades to Port Authority facilities over the next 15 years, he noted. Part of that preparation involves the critical work of deepening and widening two container terminal channels that connect to the Houston Ship Channel and an investment in wharves and cranes.

    With the presidential elections looming, Waterworth said he was inspired by an image of the “city upon a hill” from an ancient parable that was used by two former presidents from opposing parties. Both John Kennedy and Ronald Reagan paid homage to that shining city.

    “I believe that Houston is the center of the next great economic expansion. It can be that metaphorical Shining City on the Hill,” he concluded.

    The PowerPoint presentation is now available on the Port of Houston Authority’s website, www.portofhouston.com.

    For information about Houston packing, shipping and container loading, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Houston Shipping, Houston Cargo, Houston Packing

    Medical Equipment Receiving - Advice from Houston Co.

    Posted on Wed, Oct 31, 2012

     

    With Houston being home to the Texas Medical Center, medical equipment is constantly being shipped into and out of the medical center.

    When researching a company to receive medical equipment as freight, we have the following suggestions:

     Hospital room with full body xray on lightbox.<br  /><br  />High resolution format available.

    High resolution format available." src="http://everystockphoto.s3.amazonaws.com/hospital_health_Xray_238269_tn.jpg" width=228 height=153>Choose a company that has been shipping and receiving medical equipment on a regular basis. Verify that the company is used to handling high value and delicate items.

     Check and see how long the current owners of the business have been handling freight shipping and receiving of medical equipment.

    Look for a company that can un box, or un crate medical equipment.  They must be able to receive the freight and protect lenses, arms and feet of equipment that is being  loaded and delivered. Remember that each piece of medical equipment will need to be handled differently.

     Ask about valuation coverage for the items that the company will receive and then deliver the medical equipment.

    Always be prepared to give the weight and dimensions of the equipment so that the proper number of personnel will be on hand to provide the unloading and delivery of the equipment.

    As with any hospital environment, set up the delivery time ahead of time with the hospital administration.

    For any questions about medical equipment shipping and receiving in the Houston area, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

     

    Tags: Houston Medical Center, Medical Equipment Receiving

    Houston Shipping Company Notes Industry Commitment to China

    Posted on Tue, Oct 23, 2012

    Pack n send has reprinted this article from the Handy Shipping Guide.  The link to the original and Handy Shipping Guide website is below.

    We have chosen this article partially because all of the discussions in the news about trade with China. As a Houston Shipping Company we are well aware of goods arriving daily from China.  This article demonstrates one companies commitment to the Chinese market. 

    CHINA– With an eye to the future DB Schenker has joined the growing trend for freight and logistics companies to ensure consistency in their service levels in developing markets by this week opening a company academy to train up employees of the future. The group view is that there is a growing need for qualified employees in China whilst competition from other industry competitors is increasingly being felt whilst staff turnover in the Chinese market is traditionally relatively high. Speaking at the launch of this new initiative Dr. Thomas Lieb, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO of Schenker AG, said:

    “Our customers’ expectations are constantly on the rise, and projects are becoming increasingly complex. By establishing the DB Schenker Logistics Academy China, we are aiming to develop employees over the long term and keep them at DB Schenker. Establishing our own academy is one of our solutions to this problem, the academy is first and foremost an internal training and development program. It will help develop professional and personal skills with specific targets in mind.”

    As with other similar programs the Schenker Academy will doubtless look to ensure trainees develop along the quality of service lines that the company instills in other territories and has based it both on third-party and internal expertise. It will be offered at different locations in China and is geared primarily toward operational management in contract logistics. Modules range from logistics concepts and continuous quality improvement to logistics controlling, project management and conflict resolution and will enlist the assistance of instructors from two Chinese universities.

    Over the course of a year, the training group will complete six three-day training blocks roughly every six weeks in addition to their usual work. Participants will alternate between interactive training with external and internal instructors, individualized tasks whose aim is to implement content in everyday business, role plays and discussions and Schenker say they already have plans to develop and expand the Academy’s activities.

    Schenker have a developing presence in China having merged with twoBAX companies in 2008 when the group also sponsored the Beijing Olympic Games.

     Pack n send has reprinted this article from the Handy Shipping Guide.  The direct link to this article and the website is below.

    http://www.handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/freight-group-opens-training-academy-for-contract-logistics-students_4080

    For information about shipping to China and other countries throughout the world, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Free photo - green map pc available in our free stock photos

     

    Tags: Houston Freight, Freight Forwarding Houston

    Houston Custom Packing Company Offers Advice

    Posted on Fri, Oct 19, 2012

    Looking for a company to ship a delicate item for you?  What about shipping a valuable item, or even a family heirloom? Be sure to look on the web for companies that have experience with packing and shipping  the following items: 

    Antique shipping-including oil paintings, statues and lamps to bookcases and armoires, china cabinets, dressers, dining room sets, desks, chandeliers, and tables

    Art Shipping- including oil paintings, photography prints, and 3D media

    Sculpture Shipping- including marble and glass 

    Glass shipping- all types of glass including:

    • Goblets
    • Lamps
    • Wine Glasses
    • Vases
    • Cups
    • Glass table tops
    • Picture Frames
    • Stained glass
    • Swarovski Crystal
    • WaterfordCrystal
    • Bowls

    Medical equipment shipping  including:

    • medical examination tables
    • high value diagnostic equipment
    • autoclaves
    • microscopes
    • physical therapy equipment

    Chandelier Shipping including- crystal, wood, metal and animal horn 

    Marble Shipping including- table tops and sculptures 

    Electronics including:

    • Servers, routers, switches and server racks
    • PCs, computer accessories, and computer equipment
    • High value electronics

    This is just a partial list of the items that you should make sure that a company has shipped prior to shipping on your behalf.

    When shipping with in the United States your shipment may require a custom box, custom packing, or a custom crate. When shipping outside the United States, your shipping order may require certain wood, commercial invoices or Schedule B items.

    When looking for a professional shipper, be sure to ask questions about the packing  process. For more information about professional packing, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston at 713 266 1450.

     

     

     

     

    Tags: Artwork Shipping Houston, Antique Shipping Houston

    Houston Shipper Demonstrates How to Pack a Chandelier

    Posted on Tue, Oct 09, 2012

    With the holiday season approaching, families are sprucing up and updating their homes. Families are shipping heirloom chandeliers cross country.  Businesses are placing chandeliers in their lobbies. Relative are shipping chandeliers as gifts.

     As we receive phone calls about the best way to ship a chandelier, we have posted our video demonstrating chandelier packing on our website. While animal horn chandeliers need blocking and bracing crystal chandeliers demand a lot of attention to the small details. We have chosen to use a chandelier that has crystals, as these crystals usually need hand packing for shipping.

     In our video, we demonstrate that when you pick up a chandelier to take it to your warehouse, you must hang it during transportation. That is correct, you hang it inside the truck.

     For most chandeliers you will need to build a custom box or a custom crate for shipping purposes.

     Some common chandelier types are as follows:

     Sea Shell chandelier, Glass chandelier,Wrought Iron chandelier,Brass chandelier,Victorian chandelier,Beaded chandelier,Crystal chandelier,Animal Horn chandelier

     As you can tell by the various types of chandeliers, each chandelier will need to be box or crated according to their size, value and composition. Chandeliers that travel via freight will still be hung inside the box or crate. 

    With the crystal chandelier in our video, you will notice that the individual crystals are wrapped separately. This is to keep the crystals from hitting each other during shipping.

    Once the chandelier is hanging inside of the box or crate, and the crystals wrapped, Styrofoam peanuts are loaded in the crate or box. The peanuts will help prevent the chandelier from moving around during the shipping process.

    Pack n Send Today!

     For more information about how to properly pack a chandelier for shipping, please contact pack n send in Houston at 713 266 1450.

      Pack n send specializes in shipping delicate chandeliers, artwork shipping and freight preparation and freight receiving.

     

    Tags: Artwork Shipping Houston, Chandelier Shipping

    Houston Shipper notes GREAT THINGS about Houston!!

    Posted on Fri, Oct 05, 2012

    Pack n send is reposting this article for a customer request!!

    Why do people want to go to college  in Houston?

    A few weeks ago  we posted a blog about why Houston is a good place to ship from. We have included that blog at the end of this article.  We will continue to promote Houston as a great place to live, receive an  education and work.

    Since our blog about shipping from Houston, studies have come out listing some of the reasons people like to live and study in Houston.

    With over two million people living in Houston, there are seventeen colleges in the Houston area. Students do not need to go out of town or out of state to obtain a top notch college education.

    The October issue of Entrepreneur Magazine listed the University of Houston as number three due to the C. T. Bauer school of business Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship. This is an undergraduate program. University of Houston

    As a Houston based company we hire  and consult with students from the Wolff Center both on special projects and advice on running a company in today’s economy.

    The Wolff Center provides their professors as lecturers in the community providing up dates on how to succeed in your own business. One of the Wolf center graduates assisted pack n send in developing our "Countries we ship to program"  This free program was distributed to teachers in the state of Texas last year. It lists currencies and displays flags of all of the countries that pack n send ships to.  This year it available to any teacher that would like to use it.  The direct link to this program is http://www.pack-n-send.com/students-teachers/

     The graduate program ranked number four in the nation is Rice Universities Jones Graduate School of Business Entrepreneurship. Rice University

     With the number three and four programs in the city of Houston producing graduates, it is no wonder that the city has such a great creative business environment.

    Why is Houston a good place to ship from? 

    What about the Port of Houston, two major airports, and close proximity to Mexico?

     

    Let's start with the Port of Houston. the container terminals handle about seventy per cent of the cargo in containers in the Gulf of Mexico. Schedules are on line so that businesses can book from anywhere in the world.  There are maps on line so that trucker can view the best ways in and out of the terminal. Procedures are also listed on line. For travelers, there is a sightseeing tour around the terminal on a boat. Businessmen from around the world tour the port to see how business is conducted in Houston. Individuals are encouraged to ask questions about the Port of Houston. Terminal personnel are on hand to help with scheduling of shipments.

    Houston has two major airports. Shipping your freight is easy in Houston. The world's major air carriers provide secure space on their planes.

    Houston offers 24/7 flight assistance  to meet your needs.
    With a global market, there are door to door services which include customs clearance and inland transport to interior cities and towns. Companies in Houston are able to coordinate sea freight operations for on-forwarding cargo in the most cost effective manor.

    Here are a just a few of the air service offered in Houston:

    Standard to expedited international air freight service.

    Air freight consolidation services

    Airport  to airport, door to airport and door to door services.

    Documentation Preparation and Insurance

    Proximity to Mexico

    Many individuals from Mexico shop in Houston for furniture. Furniture is accumulated in Houston warehouses and then forwarded to Laredo. It is shipped from Laredo into Mexico.

    We continually try to keep our customers updated on reasons to shop, ship, and live in Houston. With a large university system and a great port and two local airports, it is easy to see why companies relocate to Houston.  If you read any articles discussing Houston's attributes, please feel free to send them to us.

    If you need information about custom crating, packing, shipping or moving from Houston, please feel free to contact pack n send at  713 266 1450. If you would like to view our how to videos for freight preparation, please feel free to visit our website at www.pack-n-send.com

    Early Holiday Shipping Advice from Houston Packing Company

    Posted on Fri, Oct 05, 2012

     

    Updated information about holiday shipping from Houston Custom Crating Company. 

    Thanksgiving and Christmas are  around the corner.  With more and more families traveling for Thanksgiving and staying at home for Christmas, we are offering advice earlier in the year. You've bought tons of gifts for friends and family. All you need now is to pack up your presents and ship them, right?

    Our best advice is to ship very early. When carriers have an overload of packages being shipped all at once, there are bound to be more errors in the deliveries.

      With so many people sending gifts across the country, you need to think strategically about when, how and where you'll send. Keep reading for solid tips on avoiding shipping headaches this holiday season.

    1. Go with an experienced shipping company. Use an experienced packing company to pack and ship your holiday presents. How sad to buy a lovely vase and have it damaged during shipping. Packing professionals will know how to handle your delicate gifts.

    If you are shipping family heirlooms, always let an experienced mover or shipping company pack and ship these for you. Some things are worth paying for, and irreplaceable items surely fall into this category. If one of your antiques needs to be crated, ask the company if they build a custom wood crate to specifically fit the item that you are shipping.

    2. Send items early, even if you are taking a plane. Having your gifts arrive separately spares you the hassle of carrying items through the airport. You also avoid the extra baggage fees. Many companies will pick up, pack, gift wrap and ship your packages for you. One less worry!!

    An added bonus? Family members will wait with anticipation when they see a box of gifts arrive at their doorstep.

    3. Ship early, ship early, ship early. This cannot be stressed enough times. If you are looking at saving money, you do not want to wait and ship until the last minute. Overnight shipping is more expensive, as is two day and three day shipping. Ground shipping is reliable, and not nearly as expensive.

    The major shipping companies list the last day you should ship and hope to get your package there on time, but, starting the day after Thanksgiving guarantees by the major shipping companies are adjusted or suspended until after Christmas. This is due to the weather and volume of packages.

    4.Use UPS, Fed Ex and DHL. When you use these companies, you can track your package from the time it leaves the store until the time it is delivered. The satisfaction of knowing exactly when it has arrived at its final destination is great.

    5. Ship suitcases before you travel. Suitcase shipping starts to pick up this time of year - and with good reason. With crowded airports and extra fees imposed by the airlines, customers now request luggage pick up at their home or office and delivery at their final destination. Pick up service for your luggage can also be arranged for the trip home.

    When it comes to Christmas and holiday shipping, plan ahead, ship early and go with an experienced shipper.

    6.  Go ahead and send furniture as gifts. If you plan on giving a piece of furniture as a gift, look for a shipping company that can arrange delivery for this piece of furniture either a few days before Christmas, or even on Christmas Eve.

    If we can answer any of your holiday shipping, packing, freight or moving  questions, please call us in Houstonat 713-266-1450, or visit us at www.pack-n-send.com.

    Happy Holiday Shipping!

    Updated information about holiday shipping from Houston Custom Crating Company.

    go shopping 1none	  Objects / General

    Tags: Artwork Shipping Houston, Crating and Packing Houston

    Update from Houston Shipping Company- Great Things About Houston

    Posted on Tue, Oct 02, 2012

    Why do people want to go to college  in Houston?

    A few weeks ago  we posted a blog about why Houston is a good place to ship from. We have included that blog at the end of this article.  We will continue to promote Houston as a great place to live, receive an  education and work.

    Since our blog about shipping from Houston, studies have come out listing some of the reasons people like to live and study in Houston.

    With over two million people living in Houston, there are seventeen colleges in the Houston area. Students do not need to go out of town or out of state to obtain a top notch college education.

    The October issue of Entrepreneur Magazine listed the University of Houston as number three due to the C. T. Bauer school of business Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship. This is an undergraduate program. University of Houston

    As a Houston based company we hire  and consult with students from the Wolff Center both on special projects and advice on running a company in today’s economy.

    The Wolff Center provides their professors as lecturers in the community providing up dates on how to succeed in your own business. One of the Wolf center graduates assisted pack n send in developing our "Countries we ship to program"  This free program was distributed to teachers in the state of Texas last year. It lists currencies and displays flags of all of the countries that pack n send ships to.  This year it available to any teacher that would like to use it.  The direct link to this program is http://www.pack-n-send.com/students-teachers/

     The graduate program ranked number four in the nation is Rice Universities Jones Graduate School of Business Entrepreneurship. Rice University

     With the number three and four programs in the city of Houston producing graduates, it is no wonder that the city has such a great creative business environment.

    Why is Houston a good place to ship from? 

    What about the Port of Houston, two major airports, and close proximity to Mexico?

     

    Let's start with the Port of Houston. the container terminals handle about seventy per cent of the cargo in containers in the Gulf of Mexico. Schedules are on line so that businesses can book from anywhere in the world.  There are maps on line so that trucker can view the best ways in and out of the terminal. Procedures are also listed on line. For travelers, there is a sightseeing tour around the terminal on a boat. Businessmen from around the world tour the port to see how business is conducted in Houston. Individuals are encouraged to ask questions about the Port of Houston. Terminal personnel are on hand to help with scheduling of shipments.

    Houston has two major airports. Shipping your freight is easy in Houston. The world's major air carriers provide secure space on their planes.

    Houston offers 24/7 flight assistance  to meet your needs.
    With a global market, there are door to door services which include customs clearance and inland transport to interior cities and towns. Companies in Houston are able to coordinate sea freight operations for on-forwarding cargo in the most cost effective manor.

    Here are a just a few of the air service offered in Houston:

    Standard to expedited international air freight service.

    Air freight consolidation services

    Airport  to airport, door to airport and door to door services.

    Documentation Preparation and Insurance

    Proximity to Mexico

    Many individuals from Mexico shop in Houston for furniture. Furniture is accumulated in Houston warehouses and then forwarded to Laredo. It is shipped from Laredo into Mexico.

    We continually try to keep our customers updated on reasons to shop, ship, and live in Houston. With a large university system and a great port and two local airports, it is easy to see why companies relocate to Houston.  If you read any articles discussing Houston's attributes, please feel free to send them to us.

    If you need information about custom crating, packing, shipping or moving from Houston, please feel free to contact pack n send at  713 266 1450. If you would like to view our how to videos for freight preparation, please feel free to visit our website at www.pack-n-send.com

     

     

    5 Shipping and Packing Tips for a Stress-free Holiday Season

    Posted on Wed, Sep 19, 2012

    Christmas is around the corner. You've bought tons of gifts for friends and family. All you need now is to pack up your presents and ship them, right?

    Wrong. With so many people sending gifts across the country, you need to think strategically about when, how and where you'll send. Keep reading for solid tips on avoiding shipping headaches this holiday season. christmas shipping

    1. Go with an experienced shipping company. Use an experienced packing company to pack and ship your holiday presents. How sad to buy a lovely vase and have it damaged during shipping. Packing professionals will know how to handle your delicate gifts.

    If you are shipping family heirlooms, always let an experienced mover or shipping company pack and ship these for you. Some things are worth paying for, and irreplaceable items surely fall into this category.

    2. Send items early, even if you are taking a plane. Having your gifts arrive separately spares you the hassle of carrying items through the airport. You also avoid the extra baggage fees. Many companies will pick up, pack, gift wrap and ship your packages for you. One less worry!!

    An added bonus? Family members will wait with anticipation when they see a box of gifts arrive at their doorstep.

    3. Ship early, ship early, ship early. This cannot be stressed enough times. If you are looking at saving money, you do not want to wait and ship until the last minute. Overnight shipping is more expensive, as is two day and three day shipping. Ground shipping is reliable, and not nearly as expensive.

    The major shipping companies list the last day you should ship and hope to get your package there on time, but,starting the day after Thanksgiving guarantees by the major shipping companies are adjusted or suspended until after Christmas. This is due to the weather and volume of packages.

    4. Use UPS, Fed Ex and DHL. With these companies, you can track your package from the time it leaves the store until the time it is delivered. The satisfaction of knowing exactly when it has arrived at its final destination is great.

    5. Ship suitcases before you travel. Suitcase shipping starts to pick up this time of year - and with good reason. With crowded airports and extra fees imposed by the airlines, customers now request luggage pick up at their home or office and delivery at their final destination. Pick up service for your luggage can also be arranged for the trip home.

    When it comes to Christmas and holiday shipping, plan ahead, ship early and go with an experienced shipper. If you can't use the tips above and you find yourself scrambling at the last minute, expect to pay more for a gift that may not even arrive on time.

    If we can answer any of your shipping questions, please call us in Houston at 713-266-1450, or visit us at www.pack-n-send.com.

    Happy Holidays!

    Home Office Move-Houston Firm Recommends Freight

    Posted on Mon, Sep 10, 2012

    In our last blog, pack n send addressed moving your home office.  The discussion was about a move within the same city. If you are moving to another city, there a few more things to consider. First look at freighting your home office versus using a traditional mover.

    Internet service will need to be established before you move. Boxes will need to be numbered and labeled. If you ship your office equipment via freight, make sure someone is on hand to meet the freight truck.

    If you need an inside delivery for your office equipment when it is shipped via freight, make sure to arrange this ahead of time.

    Packing an office requires preparation and organization.

    Mark boxes with priority listed as to when they will need to be unpacked.  The computer and printer should usually be the first items, with items such as  pencils, erasers and trash cans much lower on the list for the unpacking. Organization on the origination end will help make the unloading a much 

    The first thing you will want to do is write out a list of items you know you'll need throughout the move. These are going to be the very last things you pack. Then you will want to develop a list of non essential items that you can pack up and not need throughout the process. 

    It may seem like no items are non essential, but you'd be amazed on the numerous items you'll pack up. Usually the items that are not generally needed at all times are such things as writing tools, paper (leave some out just in case), files and various items that generally sit and grow dust. 

    If you have not used an office object during the past six months, it may be a great time to donate this item.  Why pay to freight something that you are no longer moving.

     It may be a good time to update your office equipment and office supplies. If you have been meaning to replace your old furniture, why not donate it, and purchase new furniture at your new location.  Use this move as a way to upgrade and update you office.

    Keeping yourself organized with a small home office move can seem like a very difficult process, but it can be done. If you're worried that the process may be overwhelming for you, consider hiring a company to help with your freighting project.

    Look for a company that can help you pack, freight and unpack. The entire process can be managed for you, making your move worry-free.

    We know how hard it can be moving an office, a home and any other space requiring a move.  If you choose to pack your boxes yourself, look for a company that is willing and able to sell you discounted moving boxes and materials  

    Organization is the key to a smooth home office move. If you need help or have any questions about a home office move, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Houston Freight, Office Moving

    Small Home Office Moves -Hints from Houston Packing Service

    Posted on Fri, Sep 07, 2012

    When you are in the process of moving a home office, you may discover the process can be more complicated then moving your entire home. Packing an office requires some tedious preparation and organization.

    home officeYour home office probably has a lot of items that you may or may not need throughout the moving process. You never want to find yourself searching through many different boxes in search of one thing. Instead, organizing yourself before you begin the packing process is key to having a smooth move. 

    The first thing you will want to do is write out a list of items you know you'll need throughout the move. These are going to be the very last things you pack. Then you will want to develop a list of non essential items that you can pack up and not need throughout the process. 

    It may seem like no items are non essential, but you'd be amazed on the numerous items you'll pack up. Usually the items that are not generally needed at all times are such things as printers, writing tools, paper (leave some out just in case), files and various items that generally sit and grow dust. 

    Another thing you'll want to consider when doing a small home office move is going through and getting rid of the things you no longer need or use. This will help minimize the number of things you are moving. Also check to see if some things need renewed. By renewing some of the old you could diminish the amount of things you are moving initially. 

    When you are moving to a new location this could mean you have the opportunity to do many upgrades to your office equipment and supplies. Take this as an advantage point for you and your business. 

    Keeping yourself organized with a small home office move can seem like a very difficult process, but it can be done. If you're worried that the process may be overwhelming for you, consider hiring us to help you move.

    Pack n Send can easily get you packed up, moved and unpacked quickly. The entire process can be managed for you, making your move worry-free.

    We know how hard it can be moving an office, a home and any other space requiring a move. This is why we've dedicated ourselves to helping people nationwide with their moving needs. We will take all the hard work out of it for you. You have the option to utilize our packaging services or purchase discounted packing and moving supplies. Your move will become much less complicated with Pack n Send helping you through each step of the process. 

    Organization is key to a smooth move and we will do exactly this for you and your small home office move

    Tags: Crating and packing Houston Texas, packing houston texas

    Freight Shipping- Houston Co Sees HJ Heinz Chart New Path

    Posted on Tue, Sep 04, 2012

    Freight Shipping- Houston Co Sees HJ Heinz Chart New Path

    Pack n send continually monitors trends in the shipping industry.  While watching these trends, every once in a while we notice companies that are not following the current trend, but are charting their own course in the business world.

    HJ Heinz is one of the companies planning ahead for their future.

    HJ Heinz has taken an unprecedented step in the logistics industry by hiring Cevas Logistics to handle all of its ocean freight requirements for the next five years.  At the current time, H. J. Heinz ships around 60,000 containers per year. The Handy Shipping Guide first noted this deal back on August 30, 2012.

    Why does this move raise eyebrows? Businesses are usually wary of delegating all of their trade to one major partner. Due to unforeseen circumstances, it is usually wise to have a back up company that can handle business in case of either labor disruptions or other occurrences.

    While looking at this arrangement, it looks like a win, win situation for both parties.

    Cevas has landed one of the giants in the food industry. H. J Heinz has a committed company to deal with scheduling, logistics and a supply chain system for the next five years. H. J. Heinz has chosen an outside company who is already good at logistics. Smart companies now outsource tasks that are not within the companies’ main business. H.J. Heinz has taken a bold task in outsourcing that should pay off for them for many years to come.

    Thank you for reading this article. Pack n send is a shipping company located inHouston,TX. We are a custom crater, box builder, furniture shipper, machinery shipper and high value art shipper.

    For all of your shipping needs, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Custom Crate Building, Art work Shipping

    Shipping From Houston? Location, Location, Location

    Posted on Mon, Aug 27, 2012

      Why is Houston A Good Place to Ship From?

    How about the Port of Houston?  Two major airports? Close proximity to Mexico?


      The answer is all of the above.

     

    Let’s start with the Port of Houston.  Their container terminals handle about seventy per cent of the containerized cargo in the United States Gulf of Mexico. The terminals provide superior service.  They allow on line bookings.   The schedules are on line so that businesses can book from anywhere in the world.  There are maps online so that truckers can view the best way in and out of the terminal. Procedures are also listed on line. For travelers, there is a sightseeing tour around the terminal on a boat. Companies and individuals are invited to tour the terminal and ask first hand questions.

    Terminal personnel continually keep in mind time and scheduling of shipments.

    Two major airports.   Shipping your freight by air is easy in Houston. Goods are kept moving.  The world’s major air carriers that provide secured space on many flights each month.
    Houston also offers 24/7 charter flight assistance to meet your needs. With a global market, there is, door-to-door services   which customs clearance and inland transport to interior points   Companies in Houston also are able to coordinate sea freight operations for on-forwarding cargo in the most cost effective manner. 

    Here a just a few of the air services offered in Houston.

    •Standard to Expedited International Air freight service 
    •Air freight consolidation services.
    •Airport to Airport / Door to Airport / Door-to-door services
     •Letters of Credit, Document Preparation and Insurance
     •Multimodal Transportation (Sea/Air/Surface)
    •Project Cargo
    •Charter services
     
    Proximity to Mexico

    Many individuals from Mexico shop in Houston for furniture.  Furniture is accumulated in Houston, and then forwarded to Laredo for the ultimate destination in Mexico.  Houston stores shop worldwide for furniture.

    For information about, packing, shipping, custom crating, fine art packing and shipping and international shipping from Houston, feel free to contact pack n send in Houston at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Container Loading Houston, Air Cargo Shipping Houston

    Mississippi Barge Update from Houston Shipping Company

    Posted on Mon, Aug 27, 2012

    Pack n send is updating our blog posted on 8 22/2012. 

     Update: The Mississippi River was closed to shipping as of Sunday. It is supposed to reopen some time today.   A barge grounded near Greenville, Miss. This was reported by the Assoicate press.

     There were a total of  thirty nine vessels stranded on the Mississippi.

    Prior Article

    Pack n send is reprinting this article from Time.com as a service to our customers.  While this article states that the idle barges along the Mississippi, does not directly effect consumers, this shut down does affect businesses on the Gulf Coast.  The crop going for overseas shipping, are not leaving the Gulf Coast Ports. This does effect the jobs and livelihoods of companies and individuals along the Gulf Coast.

      Time.com

    Barges and their towboats accumulate alongside the Mississippi banks of the Mississippi River near Greenville,Miss.,Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012. Officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers say low water levels …more  that are restricting shipping traffic, forcing harbor closures and causing towboats and barges to run aground on the Mississippi River are expected to continue into October.

     Close to 100 tows sit motionless in the shriveled Mississippi Riveralong an 11-mile stretch outside of Greenville, Miss. For every day a single towboat sits idle, it costs about $10,000. So when you’ve got at least 97 of them stranded, those costs start piling up quickly.

     As the Midwest experiences its worst drought in 50 years, the Mississippi Riveris hitting water levels not seen since 1988, a year viewed by those in the industry as a benchmark of hard times. Back then, hundreds of barges sat idle near the same location that they’re sitting today:Greenville.

     Until now, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had successfully kept river traffic moving by dredging the river, keeping it at a depth of at least nine feet along its 2,300-mile length all summer, only closing ports here and there temporarily.

     But barges and towboats have now piled up near Greenville, forcing the Coast Guard to close an 11-mile stretch to shipping this week. That closure will really start to pinch shipping operators who use the country’s inland waterways to deliver a host of commodities, goods and products across the U.S.

     It’s difficult to determine exactly how much is being lost due to stopped river traffic. For one, many of the companies along the river are not publicly traded and don’t release financial information.

     “Everybody is making guesstimates,” says Dr. Donald Sweeney of the Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. “But it all depends on how long the drought lasts.”

     The point of reference is often 1988 when the shipping industry lost an estimated $1 billion. Currently, 100 tows sitting idle at $10,000 a piece is costing operators $1 million daily. And that’s not factoring in the lighter loads that cargo companies have been forced to carry to stay afloat, as well as the smaller number of barges being towed because the river has become narrower. And while the Coast Guard has reported 97 tows backed up along the river, that number’s growing.

     

    “More tows are joining the queue by the hour or have just decided to hold where they are now,” says Lynn Muench of the American Waterways Operators via e-mail Tuesday afternoon. “Most tows will wait further upstream or downstream for the sake of safety, so there are a lot more waiting that we are unable to count.”

     Muench says the best-case scenario for opening up the 11-mile stretch for safe passage could take at least several more days as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues dredging the area. Bloomberg News reported that the Coast Guard expected to open up northbound traffic Tuesday, but it will likely take days to get all of the stalled barges moving again.

     CEO of the Port of New Orleans Gary La Grange has estimated that closing the river to shipping altogether would cost the industry $300 million a day. Even with the low water levels, it doesn’t appear that the situation will get as bad as it did in 1988. But for the $180 billion industry, which transports 20% of the country’s coal and 60% ofU.S.grain exports (much of it along the Mississippi), the costs are beginning to mount.

     Fortunately, U.S .consumers aren’t likely to see much change in prices for farm products like corn, which is widely transported along the river. That’s because most crops shipped on the inland waterways are export-bound, says Sweeney. But shipping operators are initially going to be squeezed, and depending on what products they ship – which can be anything from petroleum to heating oil to chemicals – those costs could eventually be felt by consumers later in the year.

     “There won’t be hardly any impact to U.S. consumers for products like corn or soybeans,” says Sweeney. “Who it’s really bad for right now are the barge companies. They are without a doubt incurring greater costs.” And those costs will get worse every day there’s a stoppage.

     “The daily costs increase as more and more vessels are delayed and it takes longer and longer to ultimately return to normal operating conditions,” says Sweeney. We’re unlikely to know how much until the drought has ended and barge operators return to business as usual, which at this point doesn’t seem likely for months.

     Pack n send does not ship on the Mississippi, but does pack, crate and freight furniture and office equipment from Houston,Texas. To contact pack n send, please feel free to call 713 266 1450.

     

     

     

    Update: . as reported by the Assoicate press.

     There were a total of  thirty nine vessels stranded on the Mississippi.

     Pack n send is reprinting this article from Time.com as a service to our customers.  While this article states that the idle barges along theMississippi, does not directly effect consumers, this shut down does affect businesses on theGulfCoast.  The crop going for overseas shipping, are not leaving the Gulf Coast Ports. This does effect the jobs and livelihoods of companies and individuals along the Gulf Coast.

     Time.com

     Barges and their towboats accumulate alongside theMississippibanks of theMississippi RivernearGreenville,Miss.,Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012. Officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers say low water levels …more  that are restricting shipping traffic, forcing harbor closures and causing towboats and barges to run aground on theMississippi Riverare expected to continue into October.

     Close to 100 tows sit motionless in the shriveled Mississippi Riveralong an 11-mile stretch outside ofGreenville, Miss. For every day a single towboat sits idle, it costs about $10,000. So when you’ve got at least 97 of them stranded, those costs start piling up quickly.

     As theMidwestexperiences its worst drought in 50 years, the Mississippi Riveris hitting water levels not seen since 1988, a year viewed by those in the industry as a benchmark of hard times. Back then, hundreds of barges sat idle near the same location that they’re sitting today:Greenville.

     Until now, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had successfully kept river traffic moving by dredging the river, keeping it at a depth of at least nine feet along its 2,300-mile length all summer, only closing ports here and there temporarily.

     But barges and towboats have now piled up nea rGreenville, forcing the Coast Guard to close an 11-mile stretch to shipping this week. That closure will really start to pinch shipping operators who use the country’s inland waterways to deliver a host of commodities, goods and products across theU.S.

     It’s difficult to determine exactly how much is being lost due to stopped river traffic. For one, many of the companies along the river are not publicly traded and don’t release financial information.

     “Everybody is making guesstimates,” says Dr. Donald Sweeney of the Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. “But it all depends on how long the drought lasts.”

     The point of reference is often 1988 when the shipping industry lost an estimated $1 billion. Currently, 100 tows sitting idle at $10,000 a piece is costing operators $1 million daily. And that’s not factoring in the lighter loads that cargo companies have been forced to carry to stay afloat, as well as the smaller number of barges being towed because the river has become narrower. And while the Coast Guard has reported 97 tows backed up along the river, that number’s growing.

     “More tows are joining the queue by the hour or have just decided to hold where they are now,” says Lynn Muench of the American Waterways Operators via e-mail Tuesday afternoon. “Most tows will wait further upstream or downstream for the sake of safety, so there are a lot more waiting that we are unable to count.”

     Muench says the best-case scenario for opening up the 11-mile stretch for safe passage could take at least several more days as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues dredging the area. Bloomberg News reported that the Coast Guard expected to open up northbound traffic Tuesday, but it will likely take days to get all of the stalled barges moving again.

     CEO of thePortofNew Orleans Gary La Grangehasestimated that closing the river to shipping altogether would cost the industry $300 million a day. Even with the low water levels, it doesn’t appear that the situation will get as bad as it did in 1988. But for the $180 billion industry, which transports 20% of the country’s coal and 60% ofU.S.grain exports (much of it along the Mississippi), the costs are beginning to mount.

     Fortunately, U.S .consumers aren’t likely to see much change in prices for farm products like corn, which is widely transported along the river. That’s because most crops shipped on the inland waterways are export-bound, says Sweeney. But shipping operators are initially going to be squeezed, and depending on what products they ship – which can be anything from petroleum to heating oil to chemicals – those costs could eventually be felt by consumers later in the year.

     “There won’t be hardly any impact to U.S .consumers for products like corn or soybeans,” says Sweeney. “Who it’s really bad for right now are the barge companies. They are without a doubt incurring greater costs.” And those costs will get worse every day there’s a stoppage.

     “The daily costs increase as more and more vessels are delayed and it takes longer and longer to ultimately return to normal operating conditions,” says Sweeney. We’re unlikely to know how much until the drought has ended and barge operators return to business as usual, which at this point doesn’t seem likely for months.

     Pack n send does not ship on the Mississippi, but does pack, crate and freight furniture and office equipment, and artwork from Houston,Texas. To contact pack n send, please feel free to call 713 266 1450.

     

     

     

    Tags: Houston Freight, Crating and Packing Houston

    Barges Idle Along Mississippi-Houston Shipping Co Sees Job Losses

    Posted on Wed, Aug 22, 2012

    Pack n send is reprinting this article from Time.com as a service to our customers.  While this article states that the idle barges along the Mississippi, does not directly effect consumers, this shut down does affect businesses on the Gulf Coast.  The crop going for overseas shipping, are not leaving the Gulf Coast Ports. This does effect the jobs and livelihoods of companies and individuals along the Gulf Coast.

     

    Time.com 

    Barges and their towboats accumulate alongside the Mississippi banks of the Mississippi River near Greenville, Miss., Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012. Officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers say low water levels …more  that are restricting shipping traffic, forcing harbor closures and causing towboats and barges to run aground on the Mississippi River are expected to continue into October. 

    Close to 100 tows sit motionless in the shriveled  Mississippi River along an 11-mile stretch outside of Greenville, Miss. For every day a single towboat sits idle, it costs about $10,000. So when you’ve got at least 97 of them stranded, those costs start piling up quickly.

    As the Midwest experiences its worst drought in 50 years, the Mississippi Riveris hitting water levels not seen since 1988, a year viewed by those in the industry as a benchmark of hard times. Back then, hundreds of barges sat idle near the same location that they’re sitting today: Greenville.

    Until now, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had successfully kept river traffic moving by dredging the river, keeping it at a depth of at least nine feet along its 2,300-mile length all summer, only closing ports here and there temporarily.

    But barges and towboats have now piled up nea rGreenville, forcing the Coast Guard to close an 11-mile stretch to shipping this week. That closure will really start to pinch shipping operators who use the country’s inland waterways to deliver a host of commodities, goods and products across theU.S.

    It’s difficult to determine exactly how much is being lost due to stopped river traffic. For one, many of the companies along the river are not publicly traded and don’t release financial information.

    “Everybody is making guesstimates,” says Dr. Donald Sweeney of the Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. “But it all depends on how long the drought lasts.”

    The point of reference is often 1988 when the shipping industry lost an estimated $1 billion. Currently, 100 tows sitting idle at $10,000 a piece is costing operators $1 million daily. And that’s not factoring in the lighter loads that cargo companies have been forced to carry to stay afloat, as well as the smaller number of barges being towed because the river has become narrower. And while the Coast Guard has reported 97 tows backed up along the river, that number’s growing.

     

    “More tows are joining the queue by the hour or have just decided to hold where they are now,” says Lynn Muench of the American Waterways Operators via e-mail Tuesday afternoon. “Most tows will wait further upstream or downstream for the sake of safety, so there are a lot more waiting that we are unable to count.”

    Muench says the best-case scenario for opening up the 11-mile stretch for safe passage could take at least several more days as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues dredging the area. Bloomberg News reported that the Coast Guard expected to open up northbound traffic Tuesday, but it will likely take days to get all of the stalled barges moving again.

    CEO of the Port of New Orleans Gary La Grangehas estimated that closing the river to shipping altogether would cost the industry $300 million a day. Even with the low water levels, it doesn’t appear that the situation will get as bad as it did in 1988. But for the $180 billion industry, which transports 20% of the country’s coal and 60% ofU.S.grain exports (much of it along the Mississippi), the costs are beginning to mount.

    Fortunately, U.S .consumers aren’t likely to see much change in prices for farm products like corn, which is widely transported along the river. That’s because most crops shipped on the inland waterways are export-bound, says Sweeney. But shipping operators are initially going to be squeezed, and depending on what products they ship – which can be anything from petroleum to heating oil to chemicals – those costs could eventually be felt by consumers later in the year.

    “There won’t be hardly any impact to U.S .consumers for products like corn or soybeans,” says Sweeney. “Who it’s really bad for right now are the barge companies. They are without a doubt incurring greater costs.” And those costs will get worse every day there’s a stoppage.

    “The daily costs increase as more and more vessels are delayed and it takes longer and longer to ultimately return to normal operating conditions,” says Sweeney. We’re unlikely to know how much until the drought has ended and barge operators return to business as usual, which at this point doesn’t seem likely for months.

    Pack n send does not ship on the Mississippi, but does pack, crate and freight furniture and office equipment from Houston, Texas. To contact pack n send, please feel free to call 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Freight Houston, Cargo Houston

    International Shipping-Alternative Use for Containers

    Posted on Wed, Aug 15, 2012

    Once again, we have found an article about alternative uses for a shipping containers. We found this article online and have reprinted most of the article for our readers to enjoy.  After a container that moved up and down in a building being built and containers used as housing, we decided to try and find as many alternate uses as possible.

     This use seems very unique and innovative. While pack n send packs containers for overseas shipping, we are always excited to see alternative  uses for a usually mundane item.

     by eddie on December 20, 2011 

    Although not the first to use recycled shipping containers to create a shopping center, Boxpark is London’s and the “world’s first” pop-up mall. The Boxpark Shoreditch Mall is made of 60 recycled shipping containers and is home to numerous independent brands.

    The 60 containers at Boxpark are painted black and white to give it a contemporary feel and look. The recycled shipping containers are stacked two-story high and five containers wide. The shops on the first floor are home to designer brands, footwear, and casual wear clothing. The upper floor of Boxpark is more spread out and features restaurants and coffee shops with outdoor benches and tables for visitors to eat and relax.

     Boxpark’s founder, Roger Wade, wants to give a leasing opportunity to small businesses which could not afford the high rental costs at traditional malls inLondon. With that being said, visitors will still find known name brands such as Levi’s, Puma, Nike, and Calvin Klein with shops in this mall. And to make things fair, none of the shops are allowed to display any products on the outside of the store besides the name of their company.  Most of the shops in the mall use the space of shipping container but there are a few which are two or three containers wide. Depending on the success of Boxpark Shoreditch Mall, the developer may adopt the same concept in other parts of town.

    While pack n send is not located inside a shipping container, we do load containers inHoustonfor our domestic and international customers.

    Below, we have posted a list of the countries that pack n send ships to. If you have any questions about either container shipping, or international shipping, feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     Afghanistan
    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Bahrain
    Bangladesh
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Cambodia
    Cameroon
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Bahrain
    Bangladesh
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Cambodia
    Cameroon
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Georgia
    Ghana
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Kenya
    Kiribati
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Macedonia
    Madagascar
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands

    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Morocco
    Mozambique
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    |Palau
    Palestine
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Republic of Nevis
    Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Rwanda
    Saba
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Syria
    Tadjikistan
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Qatar

    Republic of Nevis
    Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Rwanda
    Saba
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Syria
    Tadjikistan
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Truk
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America
    U.S. Virgin Islands
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia
    Zimbabwe

    shipping containers at clyde

    Tags: Container Loading Houston, Container Shipping Houston, Container Packing Houston

    College Shipping and Freighting Furniture

    Posted on Fri, Aug 10, 2012

    With college students returning to campuses across the nation, it is now time to ship clothes and yes, even furniture.

     While many campuses offer the basic necessities in college furniture, we have noticed more and more parents opting to decorate their students’ rooms on their own.

     We are now shipping everything from students own bedroom furniture to high end designer custom furniture.  Custom headboards, window treatments and bed covers are big items.

     Some parents simply shop garage sale items in their own home town and have the furniture shipped to the college campus.  The parents find it easier to have everything done ahead of time. After the first year, they realize they do not enjoy hunting down furniture and other items along with the hundreds of other parents who shopping at  the same time.

     One of the most economical ways to ship the furniture to your college student is via furniture freight shipping.  The furniture is protected, and loaded onto a pallet.

    The pallet is then delivered with curbside delivery to your student. Your student and friends can then unload the pallet and take the furniture directly to your students room. There is an option that does include inside delivery in many parts of the country.

     The delivery is set up a day ahead of time so that your student can be prepared with helpers on hand to assist with the unloading of the furniture.

     For more information about moving a small amount of furniture, please feel free to contact pack n send inHoustonat  713 266 1450.

     

     University of HoustonTexas A&M UniversityUniversity of Texas at Austin

    Custom Crating and Pallets

    Posted on Tue, Aug 07, 2012

     There are ways to save money when you are moving glass top tables, furniture, artwork and other valuable possessions. Preventing damage and breakage during transit is one of the best ways to save money during transport of goods.

     In order to move a glass top table, a custom built crate is highly recommended. You can line the crate with one inch of Styrofoam on each side. That would be top, bottom and all four sides. By placing the glass on top of the Styrofoam that fits perfectly around the glass, you have insulated the glass from shock. We suggest that you use a custom built crate when you are moving or shipping the glass. Let your mover of store where you have purchased the table top give you the exact dimension for the piece of glass.  This will help attain a secure fit inside of your custom built crate.

     The movers will be able to uncrate the glass for you, and place the glass on top of your table. They can then take the wood from the crate and recycle the crate or the wood.

     While placing the glass between two pieces of cardboard looks easy and is inexpensive, it does not prevent the glass from breaking during transit.

     When freighting furniture, we recommend building a wood skeleton around the furniture.  Our website www.pack-n-send.com hosts a pallet building video.

     You can see from the video that the bottom of the pallet is lined with Styrofoam. This helps protect the furniture and goods that are placed on the pallet.  Once the frame is built, the entire pallet is wrapped in cardboard on all sides. This protects the entire shipment from scrapes, just in case one pallet is placed to closely to another pallet inside the freight truck.

     Then, the pallet is wrapped in black security stretch wrap.  This prevents anyone from looking inside the pallet to see what is being shipped.  We have found this to be a good idea. If individuals do not know the contents of a pallet, there is less chance of a theft occurring during transit.

     The wood skeleton protects the shipment from shifting around during transit.

     There are a few ideas to save money and prevent damage during freight shipping and moving. For more suggestions, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Crate Houston, packing houston texas

    Shipping Art and Artwork-Advice from a Houston Shipping Co.

    Posted on Fri, Jul 27, 2012

     I asked a customer what she worried about when shipping artwork.

     Her answer was “Just about everything.”   This blog is for my customer. 

    When you want to ship artwork, look for a company that specializes in shipping high value items.  If the company is experienced at  shipping delicate and valuable items for their customers, you can then ask about how they intend to ship your artwork. 

    If it is a picture with glass, do they use tape to protect the glass? If it is a sculpture, can they build a crate in their warehouse that will specifically fit your sculpture? If it a valuable oil painting, can they build a custom crate for you to match the size of your painting?

    We have a few basic questions to ask the company that you would like to use to ship your art work. 

    My mother\'s close friend passed away a few years ago; she was an Ecuadorian, and my mother took a lot of the art from her apartment. This is a brightly-colored little plaque illustrating people in a village.

    We make these suggestions because art work shipping requires special  knowledge about shipping, custom box making and custom crate making. 

    Ask if the company ships for private collectors. Do they ship for art exhibitions and then offer to ship the artwork back to the private collector? 

    Ask if the company that you are using ships for both auction houses, art galleries and art dealers.

    Can the company offer freight, moving and common carrier shipping options. This is not a one size fits all shipping arrangement. Ask if the company can offer both international and domestic shipping. Ask if the company can offer both residential and commercial pick up and delivery of art.

    For my customer, I hope that these suggestions helps you ease your mind the next time you would like to ship a piece of artwork. 

    For any other customers who have questions about artwork packing and shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Artwork Shipping Houston, Crate Houston, Artwork Packing

    Semester Abroad & Junior Year Abroad – Shipping Options

    Posted on Tue, Jul 24, 2012

     With many juniors both at the high school and college level spending their junior year abroad, parents need to address shipping options for their students posessions. 

    Some students may be happy to travel for the entire year with a back pack and a suitcase. Most students need more than just a few items for an entire year. 

    The majority require some sort of shipping for all of their  personal items. They also may want to ship a gift for the host family. Something that reprensents your family, community, or state is usually  a good idea. 

    We offer a few suggestions.  

    Ship some of the students belongings ahead of time via air.  The host family will then be able to set up the students bedroom in a welcoming manner. Sometimes families ship sheets or even just pillow cases along with clothing for the out of season items. In other words, if it is summer in the country your student will be studying in, send the winter clothes ahead of time.

     Some of the other items you may want to ship ahead of time, are personal pictures, books or other momentos from your home.

     While many students do opt for the junior year abroad, some students take the semester abroad option.

     For these students we recommend shipping ahead of time also.  The semester abroad option usually is best for students who are not yet ready to commit for an entire school year away from family and friends.  Setting up skype with the host family is a great option to stay in touch, yet afford your student time in a foreign country. 

     When students are returning home from their semester or year abroad, we have noticed an increase in students families  travelling to the host country to both meet and thank the family, and to travel before the students year abroad ends.

     We recommend leaving some space for purchases in the families suitcases.  Once again, the rest of the students posessions will be shipped home. 

    For more information about shipping abroad for both students who study a semester abroad and students who study their junior year  abroad, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston at 713 266 1450.

    Cozy BedroomSome rooms just seem to invite you in....Carmel, CA	  Places / Home

    Tags: Houston Shipping, Shipping and Crating

    Summer Travel Plans and Shipping

    Posted on Tue, Jul 17, 2012

     Now that you are at your summer destination, what do you do when it rains outside?  Like most travelers, you shop.

     It may be back to school clothing for your children or souvenirs for you relatives. It may be a piece of artwork or a sculpture that you just had to have.  In some cases it may be handmade furniture by a local craftsman.

    As you sit in your hotel room, you realize that the good old days of buying an extra piece of luggage to and taking the purchases with you on the airplane are behind you. You may also realize that the items you purchased are simply to big to take with you on the plane.

    The charges for the new suitcase and the airline fees to take this luggage on the airplane are just too high? 

    So what do you do?

    Call you hotel concierge. Ask him for the phone number or website of a local shipping store.  The store will be able to pick up your purchases, pack value and ship then for you. They can schedule these purchases to arrive back at your home.

     If you have purchased furniture, ask the store about their small move service. Also inquire about their furniture freighting services.  As for the art work, ask about a custom made box or crate.

     This is a win for you. You do not have to lug the new purchase with you, and you know when they will arrive at your home.

    Just because your vacation has be effected by the weather, the joy of purchasing will only be enhanced by shipping the items home for you to enjoy. 

    For more information about shipping your purchases while on vacation, please feel free to contact pack n send inHoustonat  713-266-1450.

     

    Tags: Houston Freight, Houston Shipping, freight, Shipping

    Freight- Moving Furniture Across Country

    Posted on Fri, Jul 13, 2012

     

     Why freight office furniture instead of moving it? How about saving money?

    Why freight household goods instead of moving them?  How about saving money?

     Ok. So freight sounds quite difficult and complicated.  Well it is  not either of these things.

      When you think about moving small amounts of furniture cross country, think about freight.  Moving college furniture across country? Think about freight.

      Antique shipping? Think freight.

      Looking for small movers? Think freight.

     You can have a company come into your home or office, and pick up the items that you would like to ship.

    You can have the items that you are shipping either taken inside your home or office, just like a mover.

     Or, you can drop off your items for shipping at a store or warehouse, and you can have a pallet full of your items dropped off at your curb where you unload them and then bring them into your home of office.

     Companies that offer traditional moving services as well as freight shipments can analyze what services work best for you, and which services can save you the most money.

     In a traditional small move, a mover picks up your items and delivers them to the location of your choice.

     With a move via freight, you have this same option, but you may be able to save money by unloading the freight yourself at the delivery location. The furniture would be loaded onto either a standard pallet, or a custom made pallet to fit your furniture.  The sides should be protected with both cardboard and wood.

     You should be able to value your shipment against loss or damage.

     If you have any questions about shipping your furniture via freight, please feel free to contact pack n send at  713 266 1450.

     

     A large truck drives over the bridge. <br>See more <a href="http://www.pbase.com/hull_m">photos by Matthew Hull</a> at PBase. <br>See my portfolio at <a href="http://www.istockphoto.com/matthew_hull"&...
    See more photos by Matthew Hull at PBase.
    See my portfolio at

    Tags: Houston Freight, freight, houston movers, Small Movers

    Freight Shipping, Freight Receiving- Just in Time shipping

    Posted on Fri, Jun 29, 2012

    With the economy picking up, retail companies are looking for ways to save money on storage facilities for their products. Pack n send has noticed an up tick in companies using just in time shipping to our ware house.

     While most companies choose to ship via freight, some are using moving trucks to move merchandise. This is often used for furniture shipments, or custom made items.

    We see retailers who  are  arranging for  shipments to be sent to a receiving company’s ware house. The ware house company then unloads, and sorts the boxes for delivery. The retailer then provides delivery dates and time at retail locations. This saves the retailer both on personnel costs and storage costs.

    Other companies are shipping directly to warehouses and asking the warehouse to ship out small orders via Fed Ex orUPS. Once again, the seller is saving on warehousing costs. They are also saving on their personnel’s time by having experts take care of common carrier shipping.  Another example of just in time operations.

    Pack n send receives freight  and retail items for both furniture manufactures and individuals. Trucks pull up to our warehouse, unload and then go on to their next destination.

    For more information about freight shipping and receiving, or just in time inventory management, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Freight Shipping Houston, Freight Houston, Freight Receivng Houston

    Computer Shipping - Houston Company Answers Questions

    Posted on Fri, Jun 22, 2012

     Pack n send is addressing computer shipping separately from electronics shipping in this blog.  Customers call us with questions frequently about how to pack computers.

    When looking for a company that can pack and  ship your computers ,make sure that they offer  shipping options.  They should be able to ship boxes, pallets, truckloads or containers of electronics.

    Be sure to ask questions about packing. Does the company you choose have experience packing and shipping high value computers.

    The computers should be packed as follows:

     Individual computers should be  prepared for shipping using antistatic plastic or bubble wrap. Once the computer is wrapped, it should put into a double wall box with a minimum of 3" of Styrofoam peanuts or solid Styrofoam pieces protecting the electronics equipment.

    Large quantities of computers should be boxed and then placed on pallets framed with 1x4’s, Styrofoam and thick cardboard.  Protective wrap should  then put  around the entire pallet.  

    Ask if the company you choose to use offers onsite packing, crating and shipping.

    As an alternative, ask if the company has the capability to pick up your computers.

    Does the company you choose offer full value coverage in case of loss or damage during the pick up, packing and shipping process?

    There are other areas that need to be addressed when shipping high value computers.

    For more information about shipping electronics, please fell free to contact pack n send at  713 266 1450.

    iBook G4 1iBook G4	  Computers / Laptops

     

    Tags: Freight forwarding Houston Texas, Crating and Packing Houston, Electronics Shipping Houston, Houston Packing Services, Freight Forwarding Houston, Cargo Shipping Houston, Container Shipping Houston, Computer Shipping, Equipment Shipping, Houston Computer Shipping

    Houston Shipping Company Posts Childrens Thougths About Moving

    Posted on Fri, Jun 15, 2012

     After last years success with our school program for children,   pack n send it thought might be fun to look at moving from the children’s point of view. We have asked a few children to offer us advice and ideas about what is important to them in a move.

    Today we posted our first set of tweets from the children's point of view.

    Best part of moving from a 15 yr old! You get to have a new house.

    Moving Tip from a 6 year old!  Kids should help pack. Its kind and it is their house.

    Best part of moving from a 15 yr old! You can get your own room.

    Moving Tip from a 6 year old!  Kids should help pick out the house.

    Best part of moving from a 15 yr old! You will have a lot more space.

    Pack n send will be posting children’s thoughts on moving throughout the summer. If your child would like to submit their thoughts or ideas about moving, we would be happy to post them to our website.

    You can email your child’s thoughts pack n send directly at: sales@pack-n-send.com  Please write  “Children’s Thoughts about Moving” in the subject line.

    If you or your family needs assistance with small moves, freight or furniture shipping, please feel free to call pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

     

     

     

    Tags: Houston Moving, Houston Shipping, Houston Packing

    Outsource freight preparation? Houston Shipper Offers Advice

    Posted on Wed, Jun 13, 2012

     

    Pack n send has discussed outsourcing before.  While bringing packing and shipping functions into your firm, may look like a cost effective idea at first, there are many things to consider.

    If you are only trying to save money, have you looked at your employees level of expertise. While saving money on outside vendors, are you spending more money and time dealing with damages, mispacked items, and items that are not valued correctly for transit?

    Do your employees know who to call for each country that they are shipping to? Do they know what customs forms need to be filled in?

    Do they know what type of box, crate of pallet to use for each type of shipment?

    Do your employees analyze using a small move alternative instead of freight? 

    Do they know how to pack freight?

     Do they know who to call to schedule logistics for your company? 

    Are your managerial employees workers happy to perform menial tasks, or will they cut corners just to get the job over with? Is their downgrading a way to keep them on the payroll for future endeavors? Could these employees use their time better by looking for alternative ways to improve company functions?  Can they work on improving customer relations, or come up with new solutions to work flow?

    Sometime it just pays to outsource your packing and shipping needs, and retain good employees for more important tasks.

    For information about packing, freight and shipping world wide, please feel free to call pack n send at  713 266 1450.

     

     

     

    Tags: Houston Logistics, Houston Freight

    Port of Houston-Freight Shipper Notes Improvements-Win for Houston

    Posted on Thu, Jun 07, 2012

     The Port  of Houston Authority is doing an excellent job in forecasting increased import and export activity.

     While anticipating that the expansion of the Panama Canal will  result in larger ships calling on the Houston Port, The Port Authority is taking the following action.  They are  planning to dredge  fifty two miles in the Houston Ship channel. The estimated cost at this time is over one hundred forty-four million dollars. The Port Authority of Houston anticipates an increase in shipping activity. 

    Since the Panama Canal is expected to be completed during 2014, the port members are looking at funding for capital investments as far as five years out. 

    At the current time, The Port of Houston receives the largest portion of it revenues (fees)  from shipping companies. While relying on fees, they are anticipating assistance from the federal government as well. Hopes are that in the future that the port will no longer need taxpayer assistance, and will function totally on its own. The Port Authority is looking at being self sufficient in future years.

     Houston shipping companies are looking at ways to help with both packing and shipping for the new port customers. 

     Houston’s importance as a port is on the rise.  It is centrally located in the middle of the United States.  Other cities without port access send their goods to Houston for international shipping. 

    For more information about the Port of Houston and shipping from Houston, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Houston Shipping, Container Loading Houston

    Houston Shipping-Ship for Father’s Day

    Posted on Thu, May 31, 2012

     

    It is now time to ship from Houston and all over the world for Father's Day.

    While companies can ship small items via common carrier, why not surprise your dad with a gift delivered via LTL delivered right to his front curb.

    A chandelier made from Antlers is a unique idea. What about a handmade table for your dad’s poker game?  For children wanting to surprise dad with a roomful of furniture, you can purchase the furniture in one and do a small move and have the furniture delivered where ever dad may now be living.

    Socks are always nice, but we have compiled at list of common and not so common gifts for Fathers Day.

    Back Pack

    Bottle Opener

    Tent

    Picture Frames

    Gardening tools

    Custom m & m's

    Cell Phone

    Camera

    Can Opener

    Front Porch Swing

    Appliances

    Personalize Magazine cover prints

    Digital Photo Frame

    Engraved Photo Frame

    Movies

    Music

    GPSSystem

    iPod Touch

    MP3 Player

    Bathrobe

    Personalized Cookie Jar

    Chocolate

    Personalized T Shirts

    Magazine Subscription

    Outdoor Furniture

    Comforter

    Monogrammed Towel

    MonogrammedBathRobe

    Wallet

    Outdoor Grill

    Home made cards

    While pack n send may not have listed every Fathers Day gift that can be shipped, made or given, we have tried to help out the  "Gee I cannot think of a gift." customer.

    If you need further ideas or need to ship something, build a crate in Houston, or need assistance with Houston crating, please give us a call. And Happy Fathers Day from pack n send. 713 266 1450

     

    Keywords: watch,swatch,time,swiss

     

     

     

     

     

    Tags: Shipping Houston, Crate Houston, Houston Crating

    Shipping Company Offers Free Summer Learning for Students

    Posted on Tue, May 29, 2012

    While pack n send ships to countries throughout the world, we have also developed  lessons for classroom teachers to us with their students. These lessons may also be helpful for parents as they enter the summer with their children. 

    There are flags from countries, as well as facts about each country. The link for this program is:   http://www.pack-n-send.com/students-teachers/  

    A-G

    H-Q

    R-Z

    Afghanistan
    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Bahrain
    Bangladesh
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Cambodia
    Cameroon
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Denmark
    Djibouti
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Georgia
    Ghana
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana

    Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Kenya
    Kiribati
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Macedonia
    Madagascar
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Morocco
    Mozambique
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    |Palau
    Palestine
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar

    Republic of Nevis
    Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Rwanda
    Saba
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Syria
    Tadjikistan
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Truk
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America
    U.S. Virgin Islands
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia
    Zimbabwe

    For more information on international shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    planet earth 2inside planetarium [rome]	  Objects / General

    Tags: Over seas Household Good Moving, International Moving, international shipping

    Shipping Signs via Freight or Small Move-Ask Questions

    Posted on Wed, May 16, 2012

     When looking for a company that can pack and send your signs look for a company that can pack and deliver signs within your city, as well as  ship all over the world.

    If you have a large quantity of signs, you may want to look a company that can handle small moves.

     You will need to look for a company that can ship via boxes, crates, tubes or pallets. The company will need to ask you both the composition of the sign, as well as its value.  Some of the more common signs that are made today, are listed below.

    Ask if the company has experience shipping the following types of signs.:

    • aluminum signs
    • coreplast signs
    • mdo-marine density board
    • foam core
    • steel signs
    • neon signs
    • magnetic signs
    • vinyl banners
    • antique wood signs

    Have sign companies used the  shipping companies services before.  Be sure to ask for referrals.  Are individuals able to ship signs with this company.  Can the company you choose both pick up and delivery your signs? Can the company that you  are shipping with complete the international documentation needed for export?

    Considering the value of custom made signs you should not look for a standard shipping service, but a shipping company that specializes in shipping high value items.

     For more information about sign shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     Beware of Smiling Crabs 2Really 'caution crabs.' Sign found along Okinawan highway bordering the beach.	  Objects / Communication

    Tags: Art & Sculpture Shipping, Sign Shipping, Antique Shipping

    Small Moves versus Small Movers

    Posted on Mon, May 14, 2012

    What type of customer looks at doing a small move?  Any type!  It can be an individual, an antique dealer, an interior decorator, a small office, a retiree looking at moving, or a child helping their parent move into a nursing home.  It can be someone handling an estate, or a furniture store looking at shipping a few items across country or to the other side of the world.

     A small move can involve using a moving truck, or freighting furniture on a pallet. It can encompass inside delivery, or curbside delivery on a pallet.

    In today’s world, there are many options to companies and individuals moving a small amount of items. 

     The size of the move will help you determine the best and most cost effective way to accomplish a move.  Do you need to use a large national mover, probable not. Sometimes, your best option for some moves is palletizing furniture and shipping it via freight. For seniors, your best option is often placing furniture on a truck that consolidates a lot of individuals items, and then delivers the furniture inside.

     When looking to book a small move, search for a company that will offer you options.  Sometimes it is a good idea to have a valuable item crated for shipping.

     If you need assistance in determining the best move options for your furniture and valuables, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston at 713 266 1450.

     Kitchen-table 4A modern kitchen-table. Many thanks to Zela for the picture on the wall :), and for having to endure my bad temper, (sorry for that Zela).	  Architecture / Interiors

    Tags: Houston Crating, Antique Shipping, Small Moves

    Shipping Servers and Equipment Shipping Houston

    Posted on Wed, May 09, 2012

    Free photo - light window wall available in our free stock photos
    When looking for a company to ship your office equipment, look for a company that has experience in both packing and shipping the equipment.  The company needs to have the capability to move via  common carrier, small or large trucks or offer freight service. Ask if the company has experience closing  offices, and  can ship used equipment to multiple locations.  If you are shipping the furniture or office equipment internationally, make sure that the company you choose has prepared and shipped internationally. Look for a company that offers pick up service, and offers valuation coverage.  Ask if they can load containers and also have experience preparing international paper work

     

    While you may at first look only at shipping office furniture you may need to consider other extraneous items that you commonly find in an office setting. Your paintings, artwork, and statues may need to be custom crated.

     

     

    Some of the more common items that offices ship are:

     

    • desks
    • servers
    • filing cabinets
    • computers
    • fans
    • chairs
    • bookcases
    • cash registers
    • counters
    • floor mats
    • water coolers
    • wine coolers
    • paintings
    • artwork and art pieces
    • statues

    For more information about office equipment shipping or international shipping  please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

     

     

    Tags: Shipping Servers, Small Moves, Crater Houston

    Freight Shipping & Receiving Advice from Houston Texas

    Posted on Tue, May 08, 2012

    A large truck drives over the bridge. <br>See more <a href="http://www.pbase.com/hull_m">photos by Matthew Hull</a> at PBase. <br>See my portfolio at <a href="http://www.istockphoto.com/matthew_hull"&...
    See more photos by Matthew Hull at PBase.
    See my portfolio at Since some freight can be delicate or time sensitive, it is important to look for a company that has been in business for many years, has a good reputation, and has a brick and mortar location. 

    The need to be able to freight anything you need shipped. From car engines and household goods, to automobiles and furniture, the company that you  choose will Look for a company that offers personalize service. Each shipment should be    handled individually to serve the customer's unique needs. The company should offer both palletized shipping as well as containerized loading and shipping for larger shipments.  Be sure to see if containers are necessary for your shipping, or if the company can quote you by the cubic meter.

    Small loads like, car doors, auto parts and furniture all can be  placed on pallets, surrounded by cardboard, and then strapped with metal banding for shipping.

    Computers should be  packed in boxes, shrink wrapped and send out on skids. Small amounts of household goods should be  packed in boxes, loaded onto pallets and then shrink wrapped. Household and business furniture are safely put on pallets as well. Once again, for international shipping, make sure the company has experience both loading and processing international paperwork.

    Car engines are strapped to pallets. Large and small households are boxed and loaded into containers for overseas shipping.

      Look for a company that can accept your inbound freight into their warehouse on your behalf.  Make sure they can then deliver the freight to you. 

    These are just some freight shipping and receiving advice. For more advice, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: cargo houston texas, Freight forwarding Houston Texas, Freight Houston, Shipping Houston Texas, packing houston texas, shipping freight houston texas, crate houston texas

    Houston Custom Crating, Shipping, & Packing-Ask Questions

    Posted on Tue, May 08, 2012

    well packed parcela well packed parcel	  Objects / General

    When looking for a custom crater or a packing professional make sure to look for a company that builds crates and boxes to have an  exact fit. Proper padding must be  used to further protect your items. Many items such as  lamps, painting and sculptures may not require a crate and can be boxed and shipped. Look for a company that will work closely with their customers to determine the safest and most economical way to ship items safely and efficiently. Make sure them company has asked for both the value and the dimensions of your items. These will help them in determining the most economical and safest way to ship you valuable.

     Packing charges should vary depending on the size and number of items. For fragile items, the company you choose should use a combination of bubble wrap, peanuts, Styrofoam, and double boxing.

    Can the company you choose crate and pack both in their warehouse as well as onsite at your location.

    Common examples of items the company you choose should have experience packing are:

     China, stemware, silver pieces, pc’s, servers, paintings, pictures with glass, sculptures, chandeliers, medical equipment, office equipment, antiques, stereos, windshields, tires, etc.

      For more information about packing and custom crating and shipping in Houston, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Freight and Shipping, Houston Packing Services, custom packing

    Estate Moving- Houston Co Offers More Advice

    Posted on Tue, Apr 24, 2012

     This is the second in a series of articles about advice for moving an estate.

     The first article offered advice on finding the correct company to move or freight your items after the death of a loved one.  The purpose of this article is to let you know how to prepare for the movers in a way that can save you both money and time.

     Before the movers arrive, determine which items will be delivered or shipped to which family members.

    We advise using colored dots or labels to indicate which items will go to each location. If your relatives are in the city, then they can place the labels on the items themselves. If more than one person would like a certain object, the decision as to who will receive the item can be made well ahead of time. The movers do not want to get involved in this decision process.

     If the relatives are out of town, either take pictures of the items, or prepare an inventory list to send to these individuals. Once everyone has decided on where the items should be sent, you can once again place the stickers on the chosen items.

     The mover will need a list of the items for each location, along with the value associated with each item. Please have the shipping addresses ready for the movers.

     If the use of colored dots does not appeal to you, you can always move the items into separate rooms and them movers can pick up and segregate each room .  The dot concept will save on your time and you will not need to move heavy items.

     For more helpful hints on estate moving, please feel free to contact pack n send at  713-266 1450.

    Tags: Estate moving Houston, need to move a small amount of furniture

    Need a small move? Contact a Houston shipping company for advice.

    Posted on Wed, Apr 18, 2012

    There are businesses that can offer a small move for you using various means.

     If you need to ship a small amount of furniture, or if you need help shipping servers, you are looking at either a blanket wrap small move, or freighting your furniture and servers.

     Ok, so you have a large piece of antique furniture that you are shipping; just one piece of furniture, again you can look at the blanket wrap or furniture freighting options. Why not ask for a custom crate to be built? 

      A  custom crate builder can be found in Houston and many large cities.  If you do not have a custom crater near where you live, one of the major Home Improvement stores may be able to recommend a crate builder near you.

     We recommend using a reusable wood crate.  This way, if you ever want to freight or move the antique to another location, you are ready to go. 

    When do you use a blanket wrap move, verses furniture freighting? For  the lower 48, you should always compare  the prices for both options. For shipments to Alaska and Hawaii, furniture freighting will usually be your best option. 

      Either way, you can ship high value items.  For marble shipping, we recommend building  a custom crate even when  using a blanket wrap mover.

     If you have any questions about shipping, please feel free to call pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Shipping Servers, Small Move

    Shipping Companies in Houston TX -How to pick a Shipping Company

    Posted on Tue, Apr 10, 2012

    When analyzing shipping companies, we have a few recommendations.

    These recommendations apply to shipping companies throughout the world. 

    Look for a company that can ship anything almost everywhere. Remember, there are a few countries that are embargoed, so no one is legally permitted to ship to these countries. 

    Look for a full service company that can ship via UPS, Dhl, Federal Express, freight, and offer moving services. 

     Look for a company that offers pick up and delivery service.

    Look for a company that offers full value coverage.

    Look for a company that has been in business over 30 years.

    Look for a company that retains experienced employees.

    Look for a company that builds their custom crates on site.

    Look for a company that can build custom pallets for international shipping.

    Look for a company that can receive freight on your behalf.

    Look for a company that can assist with estate shipping.

    Look for a company that offers document shredding services.

    Look for a company that offers domestic and international shipping.

    Look for a company that sells discounted boxes for people who would like to pack on their own.

    Look for a company that can ship servers. 

    Look for a company that can offer a small move. 

    When looking for shipping companies in Houston,Texas, we recommend pack n  send. They possess all of the qualifications listed above. 

    Please feel free to call pack n send at 713 266 1450 for additional advice choosing the correct shipping company to meet your business or individual needs.

    inside planetarium [rome]

    Tags: Shipping Company in Houston, Tx, international shipping

    Houston Shipping Experts are Shipping for Easter

    Posted on Wed, Apr 04, 2012

    Pack n send has once again started their Easter shipping. We are Houston shipping experts.  Not only do we ship Easter gifts, we also ship year round. If you have small amounts of furniture, office furniture or antiques that you need moved, we are your small move specialist. We pack n ship both domestically and internationally. We offer both pick up and delivery service.  If you are sending a precious picture as an Easter gift, we can build a custom box or crate to send your valuable item.

    We also pack n ship for auction houses, and list items for our customers on eBay.

    Some of the children's' gifts we see this year are pajamas, stuffed animals, books planters, Easter art projects, back packs, dresses, shoes,  jewelry, bibles, cookie cutters collectibles , books, t-shirts and bikes.
    Some of the adult gifts we see this year are: personalized towels, Easter treat containers, Easter platters, collectibles, jewelry, purse holders, mugs, personalize pictures and books.

    All of the above gifts are easily wrapped and shipped on site. If you are shipping one bike, we can box and ship it.  If you are shipping multiple numbers of bikes, we will save you money by freighting the bikes to your destination.

     Please contact pack n send for all your Easter shipping and freighting needs. Our phone number is 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: furniture moving, Small Move Specialist

    Houston Shipping Company Offers Tax Time Shredding Discount

    Posted on Tue, Apr 03, 2012

     When looking for a company to shred your documents, a Houston shipping company can offer you advice.

    Look for a shredding company that shreds on site. Make sure that the company does not make the shreds in lines that can be pasted together and then re read.

    Ask if the company you choose will bleach the papers after they have been shredded. Make sure the company you choose will help you unload your papers.At pack n send we are offering a price of  60 cents per pound of shredding between April 4, and April 30, 2012.

    While our main business is freighting small amounts of furniture, building custom crates, and overseas shipping, we now offer shredding as an extra service to our clients.

    Our clients moving overseas do not want to take outdated documents when we load containers for them.The customers we freight furniture for want us to shred their documents before we load their furniture onto their custom built pallets. 

    Our business customers ask us to pick up their shredding, so that they do not have to leave their office.

    For more information about our unique shredding services, please feel free to call pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Tags: Shredding Houston, Houston shipping companies

    Small Move Information-Watch a video about Freighting Furniture

    Posted on Mon, Mar 26, 2012

    When describing to our customers exactly what a “small move” is, it is best to discuss the difference between a small move and a large move.

     In the shipping industry we usually talk about a few pieces of furniture being a small move.  When you are moving from city to city and only want to take a few pieces of furniture and some boxes with you, this is considered a small move.

     There are a few ways to accomplish this move.  You can hire a traditional blanket wrap mover who will charge you based on the mileage, the value and the amount of space that your items will take up in the truck.

     Or you can look for a company that can freight your furniture. The company you choose should wrap your furniture, place it on a pallet, and secure the furniture to the pallet.

     The furniture should be surrounded by protection on the outside of the pallet.  Our website has a video that you can view to see exactly how a pallet should be built and protected. Our video can be found at www.pack-n-send.com  See the recent videos on the bottom left of the home page.

     When you freight furniture,  the pallet is delivered to your curb and you are responsible for unloading the pallet.  This is a great option for locations that are a little off the beaten path.

     For more information about a small move, please feel free to call pack n send at 713 266 1450.

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    Tags: Small Move Houston, Small Move

    Crating vs. Boxing-Advice from Houston Shipping Company

    Posted on Tue, Mar 20, 2012

    Crating vs. Boxing-Advice from Houston Shipping Company

    Do you ever wonder what you need to crate for shipping, and what you can box when shipping or moving? There are actually no easy answers.

    Some of the decision criteria are as follows:

    1. Size of the item you are shipping or moving.
    2. Value of the item that you are shipping or moving.
    3. Delicate Nature of the item you are shipping or moving.

    Marble and animals heads that have taxidermy for preservation usually need to be crated. Chandeliers should be crated when being shipped by freight. If a mover is moving the chandelier, then hanging a chandelier in a box with padding inside the box may work well.  It will depend on the value of the chandelier and how delicate the chandelier is.

    Lamps, paintings and sculptures may or may not require a full wood crate. Some sculptures may go on a pallet, protected by wood and cardboard, or some may need a full wood crate.

     High value artwork that you are sending via common carrier or via freight should usually be crated. Large artwork that is valuable should be crated. 

    Custom crating is a good way to have a wood box made that will exactly fit the item that you are shipping. When asking for a price for a crate based on the size of an item, remember to add for the Styrofoam that will be added inside the crate to protect your item.  There may also be inches added for the bubble that will be wrapped around your item for protection.

     If you have questions about custom crating or boxing, feel free to contact pack n send in Houston at 713 266 1450.

    fragile shipping crate

    Tags: Crate Houston, Houston Crating, Houston Crater

    Houston Shipper notes Small Move Alternatives

    Posted on Fri, Mar 16, 2012

    As gas prices are rising, it is a good idea to look at alternative ways to move homes, offices and various items.

    If you plan on moving out of the city and do not have an entire truck load of furniture or boxes, why not look at freighting your furniture?

     While not every company offers this option, it is a sound way to move valuable items.  For a few pieces of furniture, they may be loaded onto a standard size pallet.

     For larger items, look for a company that can build a custom platform and wrap and load your furniture onto the platform. You want to make sure that the company has experience protecting the furniture as they place it on the pallet.  We recommend using non- see through stretch wrap so that no one can see the items that you are shipping.

     The only downside to furniture freighting is that the pallet or platform is delivered to your curbside, and you are responsible for unloading.  Our opinion is that if you are saving money and able to handle the unloading, it is a great alternative.

     Some companies can also offer small load blanket wrap moves, with no minimum amount of weight, furniture or money spent.

     We recommend that you find a company that can offer both options so that you can analyze the best move for your situation.

     For more information about  “ a small move”  please fell free to contact pack n send inHouston at 713 266 1450.

     

    Kitchen-table 4A modern kitchen-table. Many thanks to Zela for the picture on the wall :), and for having to endure my bad temper, (sorry for that Zela).	  Architecture / Interiors

     

     

    Tags: furniture freighting, Small Move, Small Movers

    Electronics Shipping or Small Move - Ask Questions

    Posted on Mon, Mar 12, 2012

     

    When looking for a company that can ship your electronics, make sure that they have shipping options.  They should be able to ship boxes, pallets, move via truckloads or containers of electronics.

    Be sure to ask questions about packing. Does the company you choose have experience packing and shipping high value electronics.

    The electronics should be packed as follows:

     Individual computers and electronic equipment should be  prepared for shipping using antistatic plastic or bubble wrap. Once the piece is wrapped, it should put into a double wall box with a minimum of 3" of Styrofoam peanuts or solid Styrofoam pieces protecting the electronics equipment.

    Large quantities of computers and electronics should be boxed and then placed on pallets framed with 1x4’s, Styrofoam and thick cardboard.  Protective wrap should  then put  around the entire pallet.  

    Ask if the company offers onsite packing, crating and shipping.

    As an alternative, ask if the company has the capability to pick up your electronics.

    Does the company you choose offer full value coverage in case of loss or damage during the pick up, packing and shipping process? Can the company move your electronics via moving if the situation dicates this.

    There are other areas that need to be addressed when shipping high value electronics.

    For more information about shipping electronics, please fell free to contact pack n send at  713 266 1450.

     

     

    Tags: Crating and Packing Houston, Freight Houston, Electronics Shipping Houston, Shipping Houston Texas, packing houston texas, Electronics Shipping

    Houston Freight and Shipping Company Lists Worldwide Destinations

    Posted on Fri, Mar 09, 2012

     

    inside planetarium [rome]Pack n send receives many phone calls about our international shipping services. We are providing the list of countries that we ship to so that our customers have a handy guide to look at.  We offer air, ground, cubic meter, freight  and container shipping options. Once you call us and let you know what you would like to ship, we can help you by providing  you with the most cost effective option for you shipping needs.

    Afghanistan
    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Bahrain
    Bangladesh
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Cambodia
    Cameroon
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Denmark
    Djibouti
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Georgia
    Ghana
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana

    Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Kenya
    Kiribati
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People's Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Macedonia
    Madagascar
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Morocco
    Mozambique
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    |Palau
    Palestine
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar

    Republic of Nevis
    Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Rwanda
    Saba
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Syria
    Tadjikistan
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Truk
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America
    U.S. Virgin Islands
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia
    Zimbabwe 

    For more information about international shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Freight Houston, Crate Houston, Container Shipping Houston

    Looking to do a small move?

    Posted on Thu, Mar 08, 2012

    When looking to move a few items, there are a few alternatives. 

    You can hire a small load mover that has no minimum weight requirement, or you can look a company that can move your belongings via freight. 

    When you use the freight alternative, your items are picked up, loaded onto a pallet and delivered to your curb. You save moving dollars this way by unloading your belongings and taking them inside your home or business on your own. 

    We recommend locating a company that can offer both small load moves and a freighting alternative. That way, you as a consumer can analyze the best option for you. 

    Companies that offer both services can ship freight anywhere in the world, and move items anywhere in the 48 lower states. 

    They offer blanket wrap moves, where the pick up your belongings, blanket wrap the belongings and then deliver them inside your residence or business. 

    Ask if the company has experience moving the following:

    • Antique dealers
    • Individuals
    • Interior decorators
    • Offices
    • Auction houses
    • Assisted Living Centers
    • Estates
    • Nursing Homes
    • Furniture Stores
    • Businesses    

      Check and make sure that the company you choose has experience with high value, difficult to manage and large items.

     If you need more information on differentiating between a small move that is a blanket wrap move, and a furniture move via freight, please feel free to call pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Small Move Houston, Small Move

    Move Office or Home Furnishings via Freight

    Posted on Tue, Mar 06, 2012

    furniture shippingHave you ever had to move small amounts of furniture, household items, or office equipment cross-country? Have you ever considered Less-Than-Load freight?

    Most major moving companies require a large amount of furniture and a large dollar amount for moving furniture across throughout the United States.

    There are other ways to send small amounts furniture. LTL (less than load) shipment consolidates freight from other customers on the same truck. Small amounts of freight from various customers are shipped at a savings all over the country.

    When requesting LTL it is good idea to ask for the days when discounts are provided. Companies that book your shipment should pass these savings on to you, their customer.

    Another factor to consider is the length of time it will take your shipment to reach its final destination. Most carriers provide an expedited service at an additional cost.

    You can take out coverage for the value of your shipment due to loss or damage by the carrier.

    The process for freighting your furniture is relatively simple. Your furniture is packed carefully on a pallet, surrounded by 1 x 4’s shrink wrapped and sent out as freight.

    The freight company will call the day before to set a delivery time that fits in with your schedule.

    When your furniture is delivered, you can request an "inside delivery" for a few dollars more.

    Furniture freighting is the best way for you to ship small quantity of furniture.

    Pack n Send Today!

    For more information about freighting furniture or for a free price quote, call Pack n Send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: furniture moving, Freight Houston

    Shipping Servers-Advice from Houston Company

    Posted on Fri, Mar 02, 2012

    Options for Server Shipping

     When you want to move a server and or server rack you have a few options. You can either  arrange  for  blanket move, or you can ship the servers and racks via freight.

     In the article below, we will outline the details of both options.

     Blanket Wrap Move

     If the servers are not secure in the rack, then the shipper needs to  take the servers out of the rack.  For a blanket wrap move, the servers will then need to be wrapped with moving pads or moving blankets.

     The server racks will separately get secured to the side of the truck, with moving pads or moving blankets surrounding the server rack.  If the servers are secure in the server rack, the servers can be left inside. The rack will then get secured to the inside of the moving truck.

     The server rack will be will be surrounded with moving pads.

     Shipping Server via Freight

     If you would like to ship the server via freight, you can crate both the server and the rack.  If you choose to crate the servers, the servers should have  plastic wrapped around them and then be protected with 2 inches of Styrofoam on all sides.  If you crate the server rack, the rack should  have 1” of Styrofoam around the rack on all sides.

     You also have the option of palletizing the server, bracing the server with 1 x 4’s and wrapping the pallet with cardboard. Under this option, the servers would still be crated.

     For more information on server shipping please fell free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Shipping Servers, Server Shipping

    International Freight & Container Shipping - Advice from Houston Co.

    Posted on Fri, Mar 02, 2012

    shipping containers at clyde

     When loading and shipping containers, there are a few items to look for:

     Does the company you are considering using ship from any US port to any free world port?  Do they offer full service to the Middle East, Africa,  Asia, Latin America including Mexico andthe Caribbean, Europe and Australia and New Zealand?

     Does the company you are consider using have experience loading both commercial and residential items into a container?

    For the individuals on a shopping spree, can the company you choose accumulate your items as you shop?  Will the company then professionally prepare your purchases for shipping?

     Can they professionally wrap, pack and strap your household items?  Will the company you choose prepare the inventory list for customs, and make sure that no hazardous goods are loaded into your container.

    Make sure that the company you choose will provide you with you bill of lading and contact numbers when your shipment is delivered to your destination port.

    Request that the company you choose quote packing, loading and ocean freight charges before they pick up your shipment.

     Can the company you choose ship your belongings as well as your automobile? Some of the various reasons to ship a car are as follows:

    • Corporate relocation
    • Private or dealer auto sales
    • Death of a family member 
    • An  international move

     For more advice on international freight, and container shipping, feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: International Freight, Container Shipping Houston, Container Shipping

    Planning a Small Move- Look for the the following items!

    Posted on Thu, Feb 16, 2012

     If you are looking for a small move, be it in state or out of state, there are a few things to look for. 

    Look for a company that does not have a minimum weight requirement.

    Look for a company that does not require a certain number of items to be moved.

    Look for a company that offers full value coverage.

    Look for a company that can offer blanket wrap service as well as freight service.

    Look for a company that does not have a minimum dollar amount for their small moves.

    Look for a company that continually handles and ships high value and fragile company.

    Look for a company that can build their own custom crates.

    Look for a company that can pack and unpack for you.

    Look for a company that can build custom boxes to fit your personal belongings.

    Look for a company that will let you pack your items on your own as a way to save you money.

    Look for a company that ships for:

    • Antique dealers
    • Individuals
    • Interior decorators
    • Offices
    • Auction houses
    • Assisted Living Centers
    • Estates
    • Nursing Homes
    • Furniture Stores

    For help or questions with your small move, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    small moves

    small moves

    small moves

    Tags: Small Mover, Houston Mover, Small Move

    Crater Houston offers Advice

    Posted on Thu, Feb 09, 2012

      When seeking out a company to build a custom crate for you we would like to offer the following suggestions:

    Ask for a list of the type of items the company has crated in the past.

    Does the company you are looking at usually deal in high value fragile items?

    Can they build reusable crates?

    Can they crate both sculptures and medical equipment?

    Do they offer full value coverage during shipping?

    Do they offer pick up service for the item that is being crated?

    How long has the current owner been building custom crates?

    Do they offer to box or palletize something for you that may not necessarily need the expense of a crate?

    Have they asked if the crate will be shipped domestically or internationally. Heat treated wood is needed for international shipping?

    Are they willing to discuss any blocking and bracing of the item inside the crate?

    Have the discussed the protective Styrofoam, wood, bubble or peanuts needed inside the crate to cushion the item you are shipping?

    If the item can be shipped without a crate, but blanket wrapped on a moving truck, have they offered this option to you?

    Are they willing to provide you with a quote up front, before they build the crate for you?

    If you need more advice for selecting a custom crate builder, please do not hesitate to call us at pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     Leg Lamp Crate

     

    Tags: Small Move, Houston Crate, Crater Houston

    Estate Moving- Houston Co Offers Advice

    Posted on Mon, Feb 06, 2012

    Breaking up a loved ones estate can be difficult and often challenging. 

    We are able to offer a few tips on locating the correct company to help with moving your loved ones items.

     Look for a company that can pick up, pack and ship.

     Check and see if the company you choose will offer you different levels of service?

     You may want to do some of the packing yourself to save money. Ask if the company can deliver boxes and supplies so that you can self pack. See if they can also offer you advice on self packing. Make sure that they offer a pick up service for the items that you pack on your own.

     On the other hand, if you prefer to have a company handle everything from  start to finish, we suggest asking some of the following question:

     Can the company offer packing as well as crating services?

     Does the company specialize in handling high value and delicate items?

     How does the company handle art work sculptures and other high value items.

     Does the company ship furniture and refrigerators with the same care that they use for antiques?

     Can the company offer you shipping alternatives such as:

     Palletizing with door to curbside delivery.

     Blanket wrap moving with inside delivery.

     Small package delivery.

     Make sure whatever company you choose will offer full value coverage.

     We know that every estate move is different and will present unique situations.

     For more information about estate moving, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Estate moving Houston, Estate Moving

    Custom Crater Houston offers Advice

    Posted on Fri, Feb 03, 2012

     When seeking out a company to build a custom crate for you we would like to offer the following suggestions:

    Ask for a list of the type of items the company has crated in the past.

    Does the company you are looking at usually deal in high value fragile items?

    Can they build reusable crates?

    Can they crate both sculptures and medical equipment?

    Do they offer full value coverage during shipping?

    Do they offer pick up service for the item that is being crated?

    How long has the current owner been building custom crates?

    Do they offer to box or palletize something for you that may not necessarily need the expense of a crate?

    Have they asked if the crate will be shipped domestically or internationally. Heat treated wood is needed for international shipping?

    Are they willing to discuss any blocking and bracing of the item inside the crate?

    Have the discussed the protective Styrofoam, wood, bubble or peanuts needed inside the crate to cushion the item you are shipping?

    If the item can be shipped without a crate, but blanket wrapped on a moving truck, have they offered this option to you?

    Are they willing to provide you with a quote up front, before they build the crate for you?

    If you need more advice for selecting a custom crate builder, please do not hesitate to call us at pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Houston Crate Builder, Houston Crate, Crater Houston

    Shipping Furniture Across Country

    Posted on Wed, Feb 01, 2012

    When shipping small amounts of furniture across country you should look at several options.

     Look for a company that offers service that includes the following:

    No minimum dollar charges

    No minimum weight requirement

    No minimum amount of furniture to be moved

    Do look for a company that can offer inside delivery and pick up service for a small move.

    1. Look for a company that can offer furniture freighting as an alternative to a traditional moving service.

    Can the company offer pick up service for your furniture?

    Can the company fully value your freight for loss and damage?

    Can the company offer curbside delivery as a way to save your on your freight bill?

    Does the company you choose have experience moving for the following customers?

    • Antique dealers
    • Individuals
    • Interior decorators
    • Offices
    • Auction houses
    • Assisted Living Centers
    • Estates
    • Nursing Homes
    • Furniture Stores
    • Businesses

    Ask if the company you choose can build a custom crate for your high value items. As an alternative, can the company you choose build a custom pallet to accommodate your furniture?

    For more information on shipping furniture across country, please feel free to contact         pack n send at   713 266 1450.

     A large truck drives over the bridge. <br>See more <a href="http://www.pbase.com/hull_m">photos by Matthew Hull</a> at PBase. <br>See my portfolio at <a href="http://www.istockphoto.com/matthew_hull"&...
    See more photos by Matthew Hull at PBase.
    See my portfolio at

    Tags: Furniture Freighting Houston, Furniture Freight

    International Shipping Tips from Houston Company

    Posted on Wed, Jan 18, 2012

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    Customers call and ask advice about international shipping. In this blog, we will attempt to answer a few of their questions.

     Can I ship anything over seas?

     The answer is no.  Countries all over the world have items that are prohibited from being shipped.  Everything from pancake mix, to jewelry are prohibited from entering certain countries.

     Can I ship via ground overseas?

     The answer is no. If your shipment is large enough, you can ship via ocean.  Your basic options are shipping by the cubic meter, or inside a container.  For cars, there may be a roll on roll off service offered.

     If you have a small package air shipping will be more cost effective.

      Can I send a package to another country and not list a phone number or email address for the recipient?

     The answer is no.  If there is any difficulty in delivering a package, there needs to be a way to get a hold of the final recipient. 

    Can I ship medicine out of the country? 

    The answer is yes.  You will need to check with the recipients country to see if the specific medicine is permitted to enter into the country. The recipient may need a governmental form for import, or something as basic as a copy of the prescription.  Always check before you ship.

     For more helpful international shipping tips, please feel free to contact pack n send inHoustonat 713 266 1450.

    Tags: International Shipping Houston, international shipping

    International Shipping - Hints at Finding an International Shipper

    Posted on Mon, Jan 16, 2012

    inside planetarium [rome]                        

     When looking for a company to ship your goods worldwide, we have a few helpful hints:

    Can the company offer you various shipping options?

    Can they handle shipments by the cubic feet?

    Can they load a container for you?

    Can they ship an automobile for you?

    Does the company offer valuation coverage for your shipment?

    Can the company offer small package service?

    Can the company prepare your commercial invoice?

     

    Ask if the company can handles international shipping on a regular basis.

    Do they ask you if an SED is required?

    Can the company take apart equipment in order to reduce the size for shipping?

    Does the company have a list of the countries that they can ship to for you to look over?

    Can the company build custom crates as well as custom pallets?

    Can the company offer pick up as well as delivery service?

    Can the company give you a quote for your shipment ahead of time?

    Can the company handle household as well as company shipments?

    Can the company build a custom box if needed.

    Can the company tell you how long the current owners have been in business handling international shipments.

    These are just a few of the questions we recommend asking before you choose a company to ship internationally on your behalf.

    For more information about shipping internationally, feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: International Shipping Houston, international shipping

    Medical Equipment Shipping- Advice from Houston Company

    Posted on Wed, Jan 11, 2012

     

    With Houston being home to theTexas  MedicalCenter, medical equipment is constantly being shipped into and out of the medical center.

     When looking for a company to receive medical equipment as freight, we offer the following suggestions:

     Choose a company that ships and receives medical equipment on a regular basis.

      Ask how long the current owners have been handling freight shipping and receiving medical equipment.

    Look for a company that can un box, or un crate medical equipment.  The company must be able to receive the freight, and protect lenses, arms and feet of equipment that is being unloaded and delivered.  Remember that each piece of medical equipment will need to be handled differently.

     Ask about valuation coverage for the items that the equipment that the company will receive, unpack and then deliver.

     Always be prepared to give the weight and dimensions of the equipment so that the proper number of personnel will be on hand to provide the unloading and delivery of the equipment.

     Another alternative to freight shipping is small load moving. Inquire if it will be less expensive to move the medical equipment with a small load mover.

     As with any hospital environment, set up the delivery time ahead of time.

     For questions about medical equipment shipping and receiving and small load moving, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Medical Equipment Shipping, Medical Equipment Shipping Houston

    Houston Shipping Company Notes Cargo Ship Splits Apart

    Posted on Tue, Jan 10, 2012

    shipping containers at clydeshipping containers at clydeshipping containers at clydeshipping containers at clydeshipping containers at clydeshipping containers at clydeshipping containers at clydeshipping containers at clydeshipping containers at clydeshipping containers at clyde

     

    AP report:  Nick Perry has reported that a cargo shipped that was wrecked off the coast of New Zea land has split in two.

    This cargo ship contained powered milk. Scavengers have been seen trying to pick up these containers of milk from the beach.  Once the seawater touches the milk, it probably unsafe to consume the milk.

    With AP reporting that most of the oil has been removed from the ship, it appears that containment and minimizing damage has been the main concern since the vessel split into two pieces.

    Instead of placing the blame game, it looks as if everything is being done to minimize environmental impact.

    By placing tracking devices or buoys on the containers still left on the ship, it should be easier to locate containers if the parts of the ship sink or head towards the beach.

    Pack n send monitors environmentally friendly efforts throughout the world. Even in an environmental disaster, it is heartening to see companies attempting to reduce damage to the environment. .  It has been our  experience, that clean up efforts are often stalled while the blame for an accident is assigned.

    For information on shipping out of the port of Houston either via container or by the cubic meter, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston,TX 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Container Loading Houston, Container Shipping Houston

    Estate Shipping Company Offers Advice Houston

    Posted on Wed, Jan 04, 2012

     

    With the loss of a loved one, houses and apartments are usually taken apart. 

    While families choose to donate many items, some, there are usually many sentimental  items that are to be distributed both across the United States  and worldwide.

     If you are the individual handling the delivery of the furniture and delicate items like art work and antiques, we recommend asking a few pertinent questions of your shipping company.

     Do you have a person answer the phone who can answer my questions?

    How long have you been in business?

    If you are a franchise, how long have you owned the franchise?

    Do you offer options for shipping?

    Is freight service available for furniture, as well as a moving service?

    Do you offer pick up service?

    Can you value the items while they are being shipped?

    Do you call ahead of time to arrange the drop off of the items?

    Do you have experience moving antiques?

    Do you have experience moving furniture?

    Do you have experience shipping art work and sculpture?

    Can you custom build boxes or crates for high value items?

    Can you deliver to all parts of the United States?

    Can you ship items world wide?

     These are just a few of the questions we recommend asking when searching for a company to ship items from an estate.

    For help with any other questions, please feel free to contact pack n send in Houston at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Estate Packing Houston, Estate moving Houston, Estate Shipping Houston

    Time to Build A Custom Crate? 30 Yr Old Houston Co. Offers Advice

    Posted on Fri, Dec 16, 2011

     

    As the economy improves, more businesses are purchasing art work and sculptures to decorate homes and offices.

     In Houston, we have noticed purchases that  are being shipped to both the east and west coast and worldwide.  The prices in the Houston market are competitive, and some times are less than east coast prices.

     With the cost savings in the purchase price, purchasers are inquiring about the best shipping method.

     Depending on the composition and price of the artwork, custom crating is often recommended.

     When looking for a custom crater, you need to look for experienced artwork shippers.  Can the company pick up your purchase and take it to their warehouse to measure and weigh the art work?

     Is the custom crate built on site, or farmed out to another company?  Has the company you chosen discussed the details of the packing with you?  Has the company you chosen discussed bracing the art work with in the crate?

     If the piece of artwork needs to go overseas, has the company you chosen discussed using the proper heat treated wood needed for international shipping?

     Just because a company is capable of building crates, does not mean that they have experience with high value art work and sculptures.

     Make sure your art work is valued for loss or damage during the shipping process.

     For more information about artwork shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Crate Houston, Crate Building Houston, Custom Crating

    Move Antiques via Freight or Mover-Advice from 30 yr old Houston Co.

    Posted on Fri, Dec 16, 2011

     

    When you own many antique items that are very fragile it can be quite worrisome and stressful trying to pack up all those items for any move, whether it is short or long. A simple bump could shatter an antique quite easily if it is not packaged properly, which is why you want to ensure you've done it right to keep them safe and secure from point A to point B.

    Packaging Your Antiques Properly

    For those that are moving or needing to send an antique item you will want to consider understanding how to package them properly. It is not too difficult to do, but the slightest mistake could make or break your antiques.

    When packaging these items you want to ensure that you separate all portions and wrap each item individually. It may seem easier to package items as a whole, but this could pose to be a problem. Utilizing bubble wrap, peanuts, Styrofoam and if needed double boxing could help protect your items from any bump or movement. You want everything to fit securely in the boxes that are used for shipping leaving no breathing room for movement.

    Shipping Your Antiques Safely

    The shipment of your antiques could be a very stressful time for anyone. Antiques tend to be family heirlooms which have a lot of memory and value to your family, so shipping them properly is key to their safe arrival at the next location.

    When you are shipping your antiques you want to ensure that the company shipping them will handle the items properly and have zero mishandling. Not all companies truly pay attention to that "Fragile" sign on the side of boxes, so it is important to trust your shippers.

    Using Pack n Send Packaging & Shipping Services

    With Pack n Send you will be provided with some of the top shipping services that will ensure that your packages reach the next location safely.  Antique shipping is something you want to ensure is done right. For those worried that they are not going to package their items properly.  pack n send can easily package your antiques for you safely and securely in their warehouse or your location. Every item will be packaged with the proper care and for larger items the use of crates is possible.

    You should never have to worry that your antique items are not going to reach the next location in one piece. By utilizing the packing and shipping services that   pack n send  offers for antique items you can be positive everything is going to reach the end location safely, securely and on time.

    For more information on antique shipping, feel free to call pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Antique Shipping Houston, Houston Freight

    Houston Freight Company notes China Import Duties

    Posted on Wed, Dec 14, 2011

     Free photo - green map pc available in our free stock photos

    As reported by  Elaine Kurtenbach with the Associate Press, China is now assessing duties on car and sport utility vehicles made in the United States.

     These duties come a time when US auto makers are trying to pull out of the recession.

     At this point, the duration of the duties set  by the Chinese government are set to last  for two years.

     Not only does this tax effect the car manufacturers, it also effects the bottom line of both shipping companies and  ocean shipping lines.

     The maritime industry ships cars over seas, and shipping companies ship the spare parts for repairs and accidents.

     In this global economy, excessive duties and taxes hurt more than one industry.

     The United States was already at a disadvantge since the Chinese gonvernment already offers subsidies to Chinese manufactured vehicles.

     In some ways the Chinese governemnt is doing what US consurmers have asked their government to do. They appear to be protecting Chinese jobs.  Vehicles made in the United States can be considered outsourcing of manufacturing..something the Chinese are attempting to avoid.  

    Pack n send has international shipping and does not face these obstacles in many of the over 200 countries where we ship for our customers.

     For information on packing, freight,  crating, cargo and international shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at  713 266 1450.

    Tags: Freight Houston, Cargo Houston

    Gift Packing Houston - Advice from Packing Company

    Posted on Thu, Dec 08, 2011

     

    With the holidays rapidly approaching, it is time to pack, wrap and ship your holiday presents.

    Some of the more difficult items to pack for shipping are: china, stemware, crystal, silver, paintings, pictures with glass, food, sculptures and chandeliers, and toys.

    When searching for a company to help you ship these gifts, look for a company that can offer pick up service when needed.

    Ask if the company can build custom boxes or crates in order to fit the exact size of your gift.  Can the company offer packing services as well as offer you the supplies and advice on how to pack the item for shipping on your own?

    Can the company you choose give you a price up front, as well as a tracking number once your shipment has been shipped?

    Can the company you choose describe the way that they will pack you precious item in a box or crate?

    If it is less expensive to freight a large gift, can the company you choose offer this service?

    When researching a packing store, look for a store that has been in business for many years.  A company that only sets up a shop somewhere for the holiday season may not have the expertise to pack your presents correctly and safely for shipping.

    For more advice on your shipping and packing for the holidays, please feel free to call pack n send in Houston at 713 266 1450.

     

     PresentPresentPresentPresentPresent

    Tags: Houston Freight, Packing Houston

    Estate Shipping-Houston Freight Company offers Advice

    Posted on Tue, Nov 29, 2011

     

    When a loved one passes away, it is often necessary to distribute furniture, household goods and other valuables. Relatives and friends do not always live in the same city. 

    If you need assistance in moving furniture or other items to various cities you should look for a company that can offer alternative ways of shipping. Look for a company that offers storage alternatives while you decide how to distribute items.  Ask if the company can list items on eBay for you that you do not intend to keep.

     For your furniture and other large or delicate items you need to find a firm that can offer you alternative ways to ship your valuables. 

    For some shipments, a blanket wrap move is the best idea. This way your goods are delivered inside your home or apartment.

    Sometimes, a more cost effective way of transporting your goods is via freight. The company you choose should be able to pick up your belongings, and deliver them curbside to their destination location.  For an extra fee, the items can be unloaded from the pallet, and delivered inside. The cost savings will come into play if you have the goods delivered to your curbside and unload it yourself. 

    Your smaller items can be shipped via UPS or Fed Ex.  If you need international shipping, DHL and Fed Ex are great options. Always remember to ask for your tracking number. 

    For more advice on estate shipping, please feel free to call pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Houston Logistics, Estate Shipping Houston

    Christmas Shipping- Tips from Houston Shipping Company

    Posted on Tue, Nov 22, 2011

     

    Tip One:  Ship early.  Do not wait until the last week to ship.  Allow enough time for your package to arrive using the least expensive shipping method.  We recommend using a  shipping method that provides you with a tracking number.

    Tip Two:  Make sure the address is accurate.  Double check the zip code, street address and apartment number. Provide the telephone number.

    Tip Three:  If you can ship to a business, send your gifts to the business address.  This will usually cost less than home delivery.

    We also have a few packing tips for your holiday shipping.

    For breakable items, pack the box with a  lot of cushioning.  Bubble and peanuts are good for protection during shipping. You can use blank newsprint. We do not recommend using newspaper, since the ink can rub off on the items that you are shipping.

    For delicate items, use  bubble wrap and peanuts to make sure that when you press down on the box, there is no movement. If you can feel the item move around in the box, it is not protected well enough to be shipped.

    Do not use string or garbage bags on the outside of the box. Boxes are not sorted by hand, but are placed on conveyor belts. Garbage bags can tear, and string can get caught in machinery.

    For more tips on domestic and international shipping, please feel free to call pack n send in Houston,TX at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Logistics Houston, Houston Shipping

    International Shipping Tips from Houston Freight Preparation Co.

    Posted on Fri, Nov 18, 2011

    When looking for a shipper for your international items, there are certain questions that you need to ask such as:

    Can the company prepare your international documentation? 

    Will the firm you ship with discuss shipping alternatives- such as freight versus shipping individual packages?

    Are the items that you would like to ship accepted in the destination country?

    Can the company you choose offer a list such as the list below for the companies that they are able to ship to on your behalf? 

    Afghanistan
    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Bahrain
    Bangladesh
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Cambodia
    Cameroon
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Denmark
    Djibouti
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Georgia
    Ghana
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana

    Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Kenya
    Kiribati
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Macedonia
    Madagascar
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Morocco
    Mozambique
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    |Palau
    Palestine
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar

    Republic of Nevis
    Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Rwanda
    Saba
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Syria
    Tadjikistan
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Truk
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America
    U.S. Virgin Islands
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia
    Zimbabwe

     

    Is the company you choose monitoring holidays and world events to make sure that your shipment will be delivered on time?

    Does the company you choose pay attention to embargoes, and prohibited countries?

     For more information about international shipping and freight, please fee free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    inside planetarium [rome]

    Tags: Logistics Houston, Houston Freight

    Marble and Glass Shipping Tips from Houston Freight Company

    Posted on Thu, Nov 17, 2011

    Look for a company that can custom build a  custom crate for moving or shipping your marble.  If you are asking for an estimate, measure the length, width and height two times to make sure that your measurements are correct.

     If the company building your crate cannot crate on site, be sure to have professionals deliver the marble piece to the crate builder.

     This is for both marble sculptures as well as marble counter tops and table tops.

     Ask if the company you choose can double or triple bubble the marble piece. This adds extra cushioning during the moving or shipping process. Check to see if the company will use two to three inches of Styrofoam on all sides on the inside of the crate. This means top, bottom and all sides are to be lined with Styrofoam.

     Ask that the crate be built with screws on the top. This will allow for easy opening at your crates final destination.  The bottom of the crate should be secured with staples.

     After your crate is closed, stapled and had screws put on the top, make sure that metal banding will be wrapped around the crate as an extra security measure.

     For more information on shipping marble, please feel free to call pack n send at  713 266 1450.

    Tags: Houston Logistics, Freight Houston, Marble Houston

    Car Theft Ring- Houston Shipper of Freight Offers advice

    Posted on Tue, Nov 15, 2011

    Khou TV in Houston reported last night about a car theft ring that was steeling cars in the Dallas area, and then loading the cars into shipping containers for overseas shipment.

     Luckily an alert Texas State Trooper heard the sound of a Lojack vehicle coming from the Port of Houston. The sound was not emanating from a parked car in the lot but was coming from a shipping container.

     With much diligence and coordination between Houston Police, The Port of Houston Police and US Customs, the car was located inside of a container. The officers then proceeded to find other vehicles, also stolen, inside other shipping containers. The vehicles were filled with  household items.

    When shipping vehicles over seas, make sure that you have a clear title to the vehicle.   It is not recommended to have any items stored inside the vehicle. On a commercial invoice make sure to  list all items inside a container.

    For information on shipping cars or motorcycles both domestically or internationally, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Houston Freight, Houston Shipping

    World wide Cargo Outlook

    Posted on Fri, Nov 11, 2011

    Ocean carriers are predicting a slow year for imports.  With consumers holding on to their US dollars, imports in the United States  are still not where they were just a few years ago.

     Shipping companies are slowing the speed of their ships in order to reduce fuel prices.

    European countries are working on bailing out both Greece and Italy.

     This comes at a bad time, since many shipping lines had increased the size of their ships. New orders for ships are delayed at this time.

     One concern at this time is that empty shipping vessels may have to remain in dock, taking up space while awaiting cargo. Some of the large ships are now sailing at below capacity.

     The bright side does appear in the  United States where US rail shipments are up over last year.

     Since shipping and imports are usually a leading edge  indicator of coming out of a recession.  While the US appears to be making progress, economies  around the world seem to have an effect on US worldwide shipping.

     The information listed above was taken Handy Shipping Guide wrote an article going into depth about the problems that carriers are encountering as well as predictions for the next year.

     Pack n send tries to keep our customers up to date on trends and economic predictions for the  shipping  and logistics industries.

     

    Tags: Logistics Houston, Shipping Houston

    When should you freight your furniture?

    Posted on Thu, Nov 10, 2011

    If you have a small amount of furniture, you might want to consider freighting your furniture. Companies throughout the Untied States will pick up your furniture at your office, home or apartment.

     We recommend that you find a company that can take the furniture back to their ware house and prepare it to be shipped on a truck.

     There is an option for you to pack, crate or palletize everything on your own, and have the shipment picked up from your residence.  We only recommend this option if you have experience in packing for shipping and have the capability to load the heavy furniture and boxes on the truck your self, or you can request a truck with a lift gate.

    The box that your computer came in, is not a true shipping box with padding added for protection during shipping.

     The company you choose will arrange the logistics for you. They should look for the least expensive cost for shipping. They will also let you know the approximate delivery date. The carrier that they ship with will call you a day ahead of time to schedule a delivery time that will fit into your busy schedule.

     Remember that all shipments that are considered residential will be boxed, palletized or crated.  Furniture freighting saves money if you request a curbside delivery.  Be sure to ask for a truck with a lift gate since you are also responsible for unloading the merchandise. Companies can arrange to have a company take it from your curbside and take it inside your residence. We recommend a lift gate truck for anything  weighing over one hundred pounds.

     If you have any questions about freighting furniture, please feel free to call pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

     

     

    Tags: Houston Logistics, Houston Freight

    What is best time to Crate? Asks a freight, crater/ mover in Houston.

    Posted on Mon, Nov 07, 2011

      Custom crates should be made for high value, delicate items.  A custom crate should be built to ensure an exact fit.  Proper padding is needed to further protect valuable items. Crating charges should include calculations of both size and weight of the item being crated. Certain items will need to be braced for shipping within the crate.  Runners will be needed for crates that need to be shipped upright. 

    A wooden box for the kids room

    Reusable crates are recommended when the crate will be shipped more than one time.  There are different types of wood that need to be used for domestic or international shipping. 

    When shipping a crate, the recipients address should be written directly on the wood to prevent any paperwork from falling off the crate, and thus, the crate being misdirected. A phone number for the recipient is also recommended on the outside of the crate.

     Look for  a shipper who can decide if a crate is actually needed, since the weight of a crate can add to the shipping price. Lamps, paintings and sculptures may not need to  be crated.  Sometimes just bubble wrap, peanuts Styrofoam and double boxing will suffice.

     High value artwork, chandeliers and high value antiques are common items that will usually require crating.

     For more information about custom crating and custom packing, please feel free to call pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Artwork Shipping Houston, Crate Houston

    Freight your Furniture says Houston Mover

    Posted on Tue, Nov 01, 2011

     

    If you do not have much furniture to ship from city to city, why not freight your furniture? There are no minimum amounts of furniture. All you need to do is give us a list of the items that you would like to ship and we can give you a quote.

     You do not pay for a full truckload of furniture.  We even can drop the furniture off at the curbside, and you can unload it if you like, in order to save yourself money. 

     Using freight, you can ship new furniture, used furniture, antiques and even grandfather clocks. Why not ship boxes of household goods with your furniture? We recommend that you ship everything at one time, rather than breaking up you move into a few smaller shipments.

     Need to ship a bike?  Add it to your freight shipment.  Need time specific pick up? We can arrange that also. 

     If you have any questions about freighting your furniture, please feel free to call pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Houston Mover, Freight Houston, Furniture Freight

    Houston Shipper is Discussing Holiday Shipping

    Posted on Fri, Oct 21, 2011

    Gifts on red carpetThe holidays are now getting quite close, and getting all those gifts to family world wide is becoming slightly more tedious. No one enjoys spending a fortune to get the gifts to their families, which is why the hunt for inexpensive shipping costs is beginning.

    If you are one of the many wanting to find less expensive  shipping costs, you will be happy to know that it's actually possible and there are many ways you can minimize the amounts you spend this holiday season. 

    One of the best ways you can greatly diminish the amount you spend for shipping is combining packages. If you have several family members in one local area that you're shipping gifts to ship them all to one location. By doing this you are reducing  the amount of packages being sent out, meaning less postal shipping costs. This is also a great way to ensure that your family is spending a little quality time together. 

    Houston Company recommends that you should consider is shipping early.

    By shipping early you won't have to pay the added costs for expedited shipping to ensure the packages get there in time. Most people are known to wait until the last minute, but the holidays is the worst time that you could do this. 

    The holiday season is a time of year you want to enjoy as much as possible. The last thing you want to worry about is your family not receiving their gifts.

    Look for a company that  dedicates themselves to cutting costs for you and also making sure that your family receives their gifts on time. It can be quite saddening to find out that they did not, so don't deal with this feeling this year. 

    Make this a holiday season you enjoy to the fullest and have a reliable company  help you relieve all that gift shipping stress. Ask for a tracking number so that you can track your packages. While Christmas is a few months away, now is the time to get organized and select your shipping alternatives.

    For more information about holiday shipping, holiday moving or freight shipping, please feel free to call pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Gifts on red carpet

    Tags: Freight Houston, Shipping Houston

    Houston Freight Shipper Says Time to Shred

    Posted on Thu, Oct 20, 2011

    Once again, another tax deadline has passed. CPA’s are now out golfing and taking cruises as a way to relax. 

    What does this mean to everyone else?  It is time to shred old tax work papers, receipts and documents. As in years past, pack n send is offering a tax time discount on our shredding services.

    Pack n send offers a tax time discount on our shredding services. Between October 24 and October 31 we will reduce our shredding price to 65 cents per pound.

    Bring in all your old tax records, and let us shred them onsite.  The papers will then be bleached.

    If you need help unloading, please let us know, and we are happy to assist.

    And if you need help shipping anything domestically or internationally, we can help you with these services also.

     We offer pick up service and can ship small amounts of furniture anywhere in the world for you, our customer.

    For more information on our tax time price helper, please call pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Houston Freight, Houston Mover, Shipping Houston

    Houston Freight and Mover Notes Children Moving Out of Homes

    Posted on Wed, Oct 12, 2011

    As we continue to freight and move small amounts of furniture throughout the country. Pack n sends experience mirrors the trend noted by Edward Glaeser in his New York Times article  on February 16, 2010. We are seeing more college students move back home after graduation, and  our younger customer moving back at least temporarily with their families.

    According to Glaeser, the Current Population Survey, only  four hundred thousand new house hold formed from March 2008 and March 2009.   While there were about a million new families, the number of non family households dropped by  three hundred thousand.

    This recession has been particularly hard on younger workers.  The number of jobs held by 20- to 24-year-olds declined four point five per cent in 2009, while the number of jobs held by people over the age of 25 dropped 1.8 percent.   Staying at home is an understandable response from younger workers to the labor market woes.   The rate of household formation also fell during the 1982 recession and the Great Depression.

    While the trend noted in 2009 is still continuing into 2011, pack n send has started to move more young individuals into their own homes.  We have noted a few trends:

    Parents are shipping out small amounts of their own furniture for their children to use, and purchasing new furniture for their own homes.

    Grandparents are helping out by sending some of their unused furniture to their grandchildren.

    We recommend either shipping furniture via freight, or on a truck that ships small loads of furniture with no minimum amount of furniture.

    For advice about moving or freighting small amounts of furniture  though out the country or worldwide, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Houston Freight, Houston Mover

    Shipping Through Houston-Port of Houston Update

    Posted on Mon, Oct 10, 2011

     

    The Houston Chronicle article in this mornings paper updates information about the port expansion at the Port of Houston.

     Since the Panama Canal is increasing the size of the ships that pass though it, the Port of Houston is remodeling so that it too can accommodate the larger ships. The Panama Canal anticipates finishing the improvements in 2014.

     The total expansion of the Port of Houston will take about 10 years to complete, but the first phase  of completion  should coincide with the completion of the Panama Canal.

     The Port of Houston is looking at storing containers five high. They will need to reinforce storage areas with stronger concrete. 

     Pack n send tries to keep our customers updated on improvements in the shipping industry as well as events at the Port of Houston.

     For more information on shipping and freight from Houston,TX, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Houston Shipping, Freight Houston

    Houston Freight Company Offers Car Shipping Advice

    Posted on Fri, Sep 30, 2011

    When looking for someone to  ship your car,  make sure that they can ship for dealers, companies, and individuals.

    Individuals taking vacations during summer may want to ship their vehicle to the destination as well as have it returned at the end of the stay.  This helps teenagers learning to drive continue to practice on the car that they will drive when going back to school in the fall.

    If you are shipping overseas, make sure the auto shipper researches both containerized shipping as well as roll on roll off service.  Need the car shipped back to the states? Make sure your shipper has this capability as well.

    Some other reasons for vehicle shipping may include:

    • Corporate relocation
    • Private or dealer auto sales
    • Death of a family member 
    • A cross-country or international move

    No matter what the reason for your car shipping needs you need to locate someone with experience. If the price you are offered is too low, you may want to consider doing research on the company offering this low price.

    Door to Door Vehicle Shipping

    Convenience and customer satisfaction  should be the companies highest priorities.

    Make sure to get an auto shipping quote before you ship your car.  If you request that the car be placed inside a container, make sure the company you are using has experience shipping cars.  The company you are contacting should always ask for make, model and year of the car.  They also need to let you know that the modifications to the vehicle must be taken off before loading.

    No personal goods may be placed inside the car for shipping. 
    The gas tank must contain less than 1/8 a tank of gas.

    Pick up and delivery times should be scheduled by the shipping company.

    1. Make sure that when shipping domestically, you are offered both door to door and  terminal to terminal service.

    For more information about auto shipping both within the United Statesand internationally, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

     

    Tags: Houston Moving, Freight Houston, Shipping Houston

    More Port of Houston Updates from Houston Shipping Company

    Posted on Thu, Sep 22, 2011

      

    Written by Empowered Newswire

    Winning international applause and acclaim for Nigeria, Nigerian-born US based oil tycoon, Dr. Kase Lawal has been elected for a consecutive 7th term in office by the City Council of Houston, America's 4th largest city as a Commissioner in the Port of Houston Authority,Texas, Empowered Newswire reports.

    In a press release over the weekend from Texas by the Port Commission, the Houston City Council "unanimously reappointed businessman Kase Lawal to the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority for a seventh term," having been initially named to the two-year term office in June 1999.

     The Port Commission is the governing board of the Port of Houston Authority.

    Lawal who also announced that he will retire at the end of the 7th term is the only African on the board of the Port Authority, which controls the second biggest American port. A notable business entrepreneur in the US, Lawal, who hails from Ibadan, is also the chairman of Port Authority's Small Business Development Task Force. Lawal was named last year by US and Canada based Nigerians as one of the top 50-American based Nigerians to mark Nigeria's Golden Jubilee independence celebrations.

    The press release said "Lawal brings an extensive history of civic service to his port position." He is currently serving President Barack Obama as a member of the White House Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations (ACTPN).

    Previously, according to the release, he was appointed to the United States Trade Advisory Committee on Africa, reporting to President Bill Clinton, and was the U.S. Trade Representative on trade policy in Africa.

    Commenting on the development, Dr Lawal said "representing the city of Houston as a Port of Houston Authority commissioner is a true honor and significant responsibility, particularly given the port's vital economic role to not only the city, but this nation," Lawal said.

    Speaking further, Dr Kase Lawal, the chairman of CAMAC Energy, a US-traded oil and gas corporation added that "I appreciate the full confidence of the City Council and will continue to strive to represent the city and the port well."

    The press release disclosed that Lawal's candidacy was put forward for the 7th term on the Commission by City Council member James Rodriguez. The Council member observed that Dr. Lawal's continued presence on the Port Commission is positive for the Port Authority as well as the city.

    "It was my distinct honor to nominate Dr. Kase Lawal to the Port of Houston Authority," Rodriguez said. "Dr. Lawal's knowledge and experience in international affairs make him a major asset to the Port Commission. I am confident that his reappointment will keep our port and regional economy thriving."

    Port Commission Chairman Jim Edmonds also lauded the reappointment of the US-based Nigerian.

    According to Edmonds, "Commissioner Lawal is a well-known and well-respected leader in the international business community. His work on the commission, particularly as a supporter of small business development and education, is welcomed."

    Lawal is chairman and chief executive officer of CAMAC International Corporation, a multi-national energy corporation. CAMAC and its affiliates are engaged in oil and gas exploration and production, engineering services and crude oil and natural gas trading for worldwide markets.

    Under his leadership, CAMAC has consistently ranked on the Forbes Magazine list of the 400 largest privately-owned corporations in the United States and on the Black Enterprise Magazine list as the second largest African-American owned company in the United States.

    In 2006, CAMAC was named the Company of the Year by Black Enterprise Magazine. Lawal is also the chairman of Allied Energy Corporation and a significant stakeholder in Unity National Bank, the only federally insured and licensed African American owned bank in Texas, where he serves as vice chairman of the bank's board of directors.

    Besides, he is a former member of the United States Council on the Business Development Committee of the U.S.- South Africa Binational Commission and the Board of Directors of the Corporate Council on Africain Washington,D.C. He is also a former member of the Board of Directors of the World Trade Council of the Greater Houston Partnership.

    The Port of Houston Authority owns and operates the public facilities located along the Port of Houston, the 25-mile-long complex of diversified public and private facilities designed for handling general cargo, containers, grain and other dry bulk materials, project and heavy lift cargo, and other types of cargo.

    Each year, there are more than 7,700 vessel calls at the port, which ranks first in theU.S.in foreign water borne tonnage and second in overall total tonnage.

    Pack n send has reprinted this article as a service to our customers. For more information about shipping from the Port of Houston, freight, moving, cargo and crating please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Small Moves Houston, Houston Shipping

    Eliminating Emmissions for Ships-Houston Freight Co Takes Note

    Posted on Fri, Sep 16, 2011

      

    Pack n send discovered this information on Shipping World and Ship Builder on Linked in.

    We have republished this article as part of pack n sends series about companies and innovations in the shipping industry that are going green.

    Infographic: Eliminating emissions from ships in port with shore-to-ship power.

    2011-09-12 - Onshore power supplies allow ships in the harbor to turn off their diesel engines and tap into cleaner energy sources.

    Over 90 percent of the world’s cargo is transported by ship. Thousands of vessels carry this cargo around the globe and, along with cruise ships and private yachts, arrive at ports every day. Once in port they burn fossil fuels to maintain essential operations or onboard services to their passengers. This practice impacts the local environment, producing emissions, noise and vibrations, which affect the comfort of passengers and in the long-term affects the health and local environment of dock workers and port area inhabitants.

    Fortunately ABB’s shore-to-ship power provides a solution to these problems. To illustrate this issue ABB has prepared an infographic highlighting the problems faced by ports around the world and the social and economic advantages to be gained from shore-based power connections. Shore-to-ship power connects vessels to the power grid providing benefits to ship owners, port authorities and utilities alike and is applicable to any vessel at any port.

    ABB will be showcasing its shore-to-ship power technology at the Green Port Congress in Hamburg between the 14-15 September 2011.

    To learn more, visit ABB Port Solutions.

    For more information about freight and cargo shipping from Houston, please feel free to call pack n send at  713 266 1450.

     Delano, Jack,, 1914-, photographer.

Pennsylvania R.R. [Railroad] ore docks, unloading iron ore from a lake freighter by means of "Hulett" unloaders, Cleveland, Ohio

1943 May 

1 transparency : color.

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    Tags: Houston Shipping, Freight Shipping Houston, Cargo Houston

    9/11 Update- Houston Freight Co sees Great Use for Cargo Container

    Posted on Tue, Sep 13, 2011

    While the cargo shipping is beginning to pick up in the United States and exports have increased during the last quarter, Subway has come up with an ingenious use for cargo containers.

    The New  York Times recognized this ingenuity and on June 16 2010 posted an article about this marvel. Pack n send is posting parts of their article to our website. Our hats are off to Subway for pushing the American Dream to new heights.

    Most of the patrons are drawn from an elite group of high-beam artists, namely ironworkers laboring hundreds of feet above the street. The dress code is severe: hard hat, overalls, safety vest and glasses. Security clearance and a union card are a must.

    The restaurant, a Subway franchise, opened its door at the top of the steel honeycomb that forms 1 World Trade Center, the skyscraper rising at ground zero. The building will be the city’s tallest when finished in 2013

     The sandwich shop is one of four movable “pods” on hydraulic legs sitting on either side of two tower cranes; the other pods house offices, a shanty where workers can change clothes, and bathrooms for men and women.

    But despite advances in engineering, materials and safety, when it comes to lunch, ironworkers and other laborers are used to eating the way their literal and proverbial forebears did during the skyscraper boom of the 20th century: out of a lunch bucket, with a plastic cooler doing the job of the old metal pail.

    The array of pods cost $3 million, but the contractor hopes to recoup some of the expense in saved time. “The days of eating on top of a steel beam are long gone,” said Bill Grutta, a DCM vice president.

    Each pod is made of nine cargo containers welded together and stacked three levels tall. In the dining pod, the Subway sits on the top level.

    It is no different from any other Subway, with a kitchen, a walk-in freezer, a service counter and refrigerators for drinks. One level down, there is a heated and air-conditioned lounge with tables and chairs. A compost tank and an evaporator in the bottom container take care of all the solid and liquid waste.

    The menu, for now, is instantly recognizable to any connoisseur of the chain. But Mr. Schragger may add ready-to-heat lasagna, burgers, hot dogs and pretzels to the usual $5 footlongs to infuse the shop with a sense of variety. There is also talk of adding Papa John’s pizza. After all, he must cater to the whims of his clientele.

    “I don’t think the veggies will be a big seller,” said Mr. Schragger, who owns four other Subways in Manhattan. “I imagine most of the guys will want protein. Philly Cheesesteaks and the Feast.”

    The shop is open to ironworkers, who work at the top of the building as it goes up, as well as laborers, concrete workers, electricians and others on the lower floors; at any time more than 1,000 people can be on the job site. But they are not required to eat at the Subway. Business was a little slow Wednesday for what Mr. Schragger called a “soft opening,” but he and DCM are hoping the shop will catch on.

    But it is probably the only one whose 500-gallon water tank is replenished weekly by an even larger tanker lifted by a crane. DCM expects — or hopes — that the compost container will not have to be opened until the building is finished. The waterless toilets and urinals are cleaned by negative pressure that pulls the waste into an evaporator that turns much of the sewage into steam.

     “As the building goes up,” he said, “the views will be pretty nice. I’m sure it will be one of the most talked-about sites to come have lunch.”

    Picture from New York Times article 6/16/2010.

    For more mundane uses of cargo containers, please contact pack n send for both cargo shipping and freight preparation at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Houston Freight, Houston Shipping, Container Loading Houston

    Sunset Review Info from Houston Freight Company-Port of Houston

    Posted on Thu, Sep 08, 2011

    As an article in the Houston Chronicle on Sept 6, 2011 by Jenalia Moreno discusses, the Port of Houston is a  vital and intricate part of the Houston economy.

     The port is addressing concern about the activities of its top executives as well as their expenditures. In the ports report to the Sunset Commission, the Port Authority stressed the need to  make trade deals with foreign ports. 

     The Sunset Commission over sees Texas state agencies and reviews their the efficiency of their operations.

     Information about the Port of Houston taken from their website is listed below.

    The Port of Houston is a 25-mile-long complex of diversified public and private facilities located just a few hours' sailing time from the Gulf of Mexico. The port is ranked first in the United States in foreign waterborne tonnage (14 consecutive years); first in U.S. imports (19 consecutive years); second in U.S. export tonnage and second in the U.S. in total tonnage (19 consecutive years).

    The Port of Houston is made up of the Port of Houston Authority and the 150-plus private industrial companies along the Houston Ship Channel. All together, the port authority and its neighbors along the ship channel are a large and vibrant component of the regional economy.

    More than 220 million tons of cargo moved through the Port of Houston in 2009. More than 7,700 vessel calls were recorded at the Port of Houston during the year 2009. The Houston Pilots navigate each vessel through the Houston Ship Channel.

    The Port of Houston has an impressive listing of firsts, from unloading the world's first container ship to becoming the country's first port to receive ISO 14001 compliance.  

    For information about freight and cargo shipping from Houston, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Houston Freight, Houston Mover

    Houston Freight and Shipping Co Notes New Product-Wheel Covers

    Posted on Wed, Sep 07, 2011

    Pack n send has begun to look at Deflecktor Aero Wheel Covers. These are wheel covers that are fitted over tires to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency. The covers smooth out wheel contours, which helps to create fuel efficiency.

    Handy shipping news has an article that sates that the fuel savings is about 1 per cent per year.

    Based on running multiple trucks and rising gas prices, this may be a very environmentally strategic product.

    Pack n send is looking into these wheel covers for both moving and freighting.

    For more information on environmentally helpful business practices and packing shipping freigt and moving, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    A large truck drives over the bridge. <br>See more <a href="http://www.pbase.com/hull_m">photos by Matthew Hull</a> at PBase. <br>See my portfolio at <a href="http://www.istockphoto.com/matthew_hull"&...
    See more photos by Matthew Hull at PBase.
    See my portfolio at

     

    Tags: Houston Freight, Houston Shipping

    Glass Shipping Houston-Advice form Freight, Shipping, Moving Co.

    Posted on Fri, Sep 02, 2011

    Stained GlassStained Glass	  Abstract / Shapes and Colors

    Since glass is fragile, you need to search out a company that has experience picking up, packing and shipping fragile items. Be sure to ask if each piece of glass is delicately double bubbled. Once the pieces are wrapped they are put inside one box, they should then be placed inside another double wall box with a minimum 2-3 inch cushion of peanuts packed fully into the box.

    Ask if the company you are choosing for your valuable glass has experience packing the following items:

    • Bowls
    • Goblets
    • Lamps
    • Wine Glasses
    • Vases
    • Cups
    • Glass table tops
    • Picture Frames
    • Stained glass
    • Waterford Crystal
    • Swarovski Crystal

    Certain items such as Stained Glass will need specialize packing.

    Stained glass should be  packed in a custom built crate. Depending on the size and fragility of the piece we use up to 3 inches of Styrofoam on the bottom of the crate and 1-2 inches of Styrofoam on the sides and top.  After double or triple bubbling, a minimum of 2-3" of peanuts should be  used on the front and back. The crate should be closed with staples on the bottom, and screws on the top to make it easy to open. Then a metal band should be  put around the crate to secure it.

     

    For more information on packing glass, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Houston Moving, Houston Freight, Houston Shipping

    Tips for Freight and Furntiure Movving-Houston Co. Suggestions

    Posted on Wed, Aug 31, 2011

    Moving furniture can be a true trial for some, especially if they do not have the strength or vehicle to do it. This can pose some complications and leave you unable to move your furniture on your own. 

    There are options available that could help you with furniture shipping more easily, which is a much better and stress free option for you. 

    furniture shippingShipping your Furniture Easily 

    Furniture shipping has become a lot easier with the help of many shipping companies nationwide, but many of them require you to hit a certain freight load to ship. This isn't the case with Pack-n-Send. You can still utilize their shipping services with a less than load freight without being presented with an un-sightly fee. 

    If you are worried that your furniture may get damaged consider having the items placed into crates or protected with various blanket protectors, styrofoam for smaller pieces and any other packaging protection that Pack-n-Send offers. 

    Crating is a beneficial option for those delicate pieces such as glass items, antique items, stemware, paintings and any other damagable item. 

    Options for Moving Furniture Long Distances

    If you are planning a move consider having Pack-n-Send assist with the process. They offer many different moving options, whether it is a small move, long distance move or international. With an international move they could assist with international shipping to get your furniture at the new location easily. 

    You won't have to deal with the worry that the items will not get there or will be damaged with the protection and security behind the crating, packing and shipping abilities that Pack-n-Send has been offering since 1981. 

    Tags: Shipping Houston, Freight Forwarding Houston, Small Moves

    How to pack a box for shipping: Houston Shipper Recommendations

    Posted on Thu, Aug 18, 2011

    So you're packing a box to ship an item. Seems pretty simple, right? Actually, packing a box for shipping is a science. You need to keep in mind the weight, size, and even how you tape it up. Here are four solid tips for packing a box for shipping. 

    1. Choose the right box. Don't pick a box that's too large -- you'll end up paying much more than necessary for shipping costs. And don't skimp -- be sure your box is the right strength. There are different kinds of cardboard thickness. On the bottom of the box should be its weight capacity. The minimum weight limit should be two hundred pounds per square inch.

    2. Tape it up right. Tape your box where the 2 smaller ends are folded first and then the 2 larger flaps after. That way you can have one whole strip of tape across the whole bottom and top of the box. Running the tape across a couple of times is a good idea as well as across the ends. Masking tape, duct tape and scotch tape are not strong enough to hold boxes with UPS and Federal Express. Packing tape is not expensive. It is worth getting a roll of clear or tan packing tape.

    3. Make sure your box is full. All boxes should be packed fully. Leaving no extra space within the box is the best way to ensure safe arrival. If your box is too big, cut it down or fill it with paper. Imagine a 50 pound, 70 pound or 100 pound box landing on your box. Could it withstand the impact without caving in? This is surely one of the most important things you should keep in mind.

    4. Use the right filler. Packing china and glass is tricky, but not hard. Double bubble wrap the item, pack it tightly in one box, then add it to a double wall box with a minimum of 2-3" of peanuts packed fully. The key is to add a shock absorber and cushion so your items arrive safely at their destination. If you have more than one glass piece, put several pieces into the first box, all bubbled with peanuts to fill any space that might cause the items to move. Then add it to your double wall box with peanuts on the top, bottom and sides. For larger boxes, you may need to sit on the boxes to close them when they're fully packed.

    Imagine when these boxes get on a conveyor belt, one box after another, landing at the bottom, your box should withstand bigger and heavier boxes being stacked on top.

    Use quality, strong boxes and tape, bubble your fragile items and pack the box fully. If you can sit on the box and it caves in a bit, add more filling. As full as you might think it is, it will shift during transit and lose a lot of its fullness by the time it gets to the destination.

    Good luck and happy packing!

    If we can answer questions about packing, shipping or freight, please call Pack n Send in Houston  at 713-266-1450. We sell discounted boxes and packing supplies in our Houston area storefront.

    Box <br  />Boite carton d\'emballage
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    Tags: Shipping Houston, Packing Houston

    Houston Freight Packer/Crate Builder Offers Instructions

    Posted on Tue, Aug 16, 2011

    custom crate pallet There are some very basic questions you need to ask before you contract someone to build a crate.

    You will need ask if they can supply the wood for both domestic and international shipping.

    Can they build reusable crates?

    Do they have experience with both large and small items.

    Have they crated delicate or valuable items in the past? Be sure and ask for examples of these items.

    Do they know the proper amount of padding to add inside the crate for different types of items. High value painting with glass require different preparation and padding from artistic statutes.

    How do they bind the crate? Do they nail it or use screws to close the crate? Do they secure the crate with metal banding?

    For an experienced crate builder and freight shipper with over 25 years experience, contact Pack n Send in Houston for your next freight or shipping job. Please cal us at 713 266 1450 if you have any questions about building a crate.

    Photo credit bjornmeansbear

    Tags: Houston Freight, Houston Shipping, Houston Crate

    Rail Freight versus Truck Freight-Houston Company Looks at England

    Posted on Tue, Aug 16, 2011

      Delano, Jack,, 1914-, photographer.  Santa Fe R.R. freight train about to leave for the West Coast from Corwith yard, Chicago, Ill.  1943 March   1 transparency : color.  <b>Notes: </b> Title from FSA or OWI agency caption. Transfer fr...Notes: Title from FSA or OWI agency caption. Transfer fr..." title="Santa Fe R.R. freight train about to leave for the West Coast from Corwith yard, Chicago, Ill. (LOC)" class="draggable ui-draggable" style="top: auto; left: auto;" />

    US – Across the world supporters of its undoubted advantages view rail freight as a magic bullet which will take huge swathes of trucks from their nation’s roads and reduce energy consumption and pollution simultaneously. Whilst reality may never reach the giddy heights of expectation, certainly in smaller countries like the UK, sending bulk cargo by rail is preferable, and more practical for the greater part of larger journeys.

    In India and Eastern Europe for example the development of rail infrastructure makes sound financial and ecological sense, and a favorable commercial environment may be sensible route to future success. But what of those countries which have been shipping long haul cargo for decades? There appears to be a growing lobby in the US to take a hard look at this method of shipping goods, primarily because of pricing policy.

    When Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway group swept in for Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad last November it came as a surprise to many. Mr Buffet however would not go ‘all in’ on a deal for the country’s second largest rail freight company unless he saw a future profit, and uppermost in his mind may well have been the way the freight rail tariffs are arrived at.

    We have seen the anti trust authorities sweeping through other parts of the shipping world relentlessly of late, funded principally by the fines they extract from the guilty parties but two sectors have remained above it all, container shipping through permissible ‘stabilisation agreements’ and rail freight.

    Much of the health of cargo carrying railways is due to Harley O Staggers senior who saw his bill to deregulate the rail carriers pass into law just three months before he left office in 1981. The Staggers Act opened up what had been an ailing system by allowing the free negotiation of freight tariffs without state interference or approval as long as a monopoly did not exist.

    Now it seems that a hearing on federal rail policy before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation is about to reconsider the Act. Chair of the committee which convened on Wednesday, John D Rockefeller, has already commented on a report named “The Current Financial State of the Class I Freight Rail Industry,” and his views are transparent.

    Senator Rockefeller states that whilst the rail operators plead poverty, they are in fact statistically one of the richest industries in the country. Operators still seek large sums from the federal authorities to fund infrastructure improvements, usually with favorable results. Expect sparks to fly as the truck lobby faces up to the rail contingent yet, as anyone who understands the complexities of freight understands, these two need each other in what will become an increasingly intermodal world.

    The rail freight report prompted a stern response from the Association of American Railroads but there is of course no right and wrong in this situation in that the rail groups need money for considerable maintenance and improvement costs but opponents argue that these are very long term investments and the rates currently charged to customers are way above the level needed to produce a reasonable return. It is unlikely messrs Buffet and Rockefeller will be dining together for a while.

    Pack n send has taken this article from the Handy Shipping    Guide.  Watching the changes in the freight industry always interesting to pack n send. 

    As old as this industry is, it always exciting to see new developments in freight shipping in the United States.

    For more information about freight shipping in the United States please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Freight Houston, Cargo Shipping Houston

    Packing for Shipping or a Move-Houston Co Offers Advice

    Posted on Tue, Aug 16, 2011

    Packing a box for shipping is a science. You need to keep in mind the weight, size, and even how you tape it up. Here are a few tips for packing a box for shipping. 

    1. Choose the right size box. Don't pick a box that's too large -- you'll end up paying much more than necessary for shipping costs. Be sure your box is the right strength. There are different kinds of cardboard thickness. On the bottom of the box should be its weight capacity. The minimum weight limit should be two hundred pounds per square inch.

    2. Tape it up right. Tape your box where the 2 smaller ends are folded first and then the 2 larger flaps after. That way you can have one whole strip of tape across the whole bottom and top of the box. Running the tape across a couple of times is a good idea as well as across the ends. Masking tape, duct tape and scotch tape are not strong enough to hold boxes with UPS and Federal Express. Packing tape is not expensive. It is worth getting a roll of clear or tan packing tape.

    3. Make sure your box is full. All boxes should be packed fully. Leaving no extra space within the box is the best way to ensure safe arrival. If your box is too big, cut it down or fill it with paper. Imagine a 50 pound, 70 pound or 100 pound box landing on your box. Could it withstand the impact without caving in? This is surely one of the most important things you should keep in mind.

    Imagine when these boxes get on a conveyor belt, one box after another, landing at the bottom, your box should withstand bigger and heavier boxes being stacked on top.

    Use quality, strong boxes and tape, bubble your fragile items and pack the box fully. If you can sit on the box and it caves in a bit, add more filling. As full as you might think it is, it will shift during transit and lose a lot of its fullness by the time it gets to the destination.

     If we can answer any of box  packing questions, please call Pack n Send at 713-266-1450. We sell discounted  boxes and packing supplies in our Houston area storefront. Pack n send in Houston can also help you with our unpacking, freight and crating services.

     

    Tags: Shipping Houston, Packing Houston

    Freight Delays Expected-Houston Shipper Notes Glacier

    Posted on Thu, Aug 11, 2011

     

    By Jeremy van Loon -

    A chunk of ice four times the size of Manhattan broke away from Greenland and may drift toward shipping lanes in the North Atlantic and off the Canadian coast, researchers said.

    The 100-square mile ice island, with enough stored water to keep the Hudson River flowing for more than two years, split off from the Petermann Glacier last week, according to Andreas Muenchow, an associate professor of ocean science and engineering at the University of Delaware.

    The ice is the largest to detach from an Arctic glacier since 1962 and follows the six warmest months on record. Glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica are melting faster than predicted, accelerating their march to the sea and adding to the rising ocean levels that threaten coastal communities worldwide, according to many scientific studies.

    “So far, 2010 has been the hottest year on record, and scientists agree Arctic ice is a canary in a coal mine that provides clear warnings on climate,” said U.S. Representative Edward Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts and chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, on the panel’s website.

    The ice island has been drifting in the sea lane between Canada andGreenland since Aug. 5, Muenchow said on the university’s website. It may block the channel, break into smaller pieces or hit land, he added.

    Real Islands

    The ice will encounter real islands in the Nares Strait and may drift along the coast of Canada’s Baffin Island toward Labrador, eventually reaching the Atlantic in about two years, Muenchow said.

    The Petermann Glacier covers about 500 square miles. Researchers at the Byrd Polar Research Center at Ohio State University are monitoring a rift in the ice, according to NASA. Over a two-week period last summer, the glacier lost 11 square miles, NASA said.

     

    Pack n send  has republished portions of  this article by Jeremy van Loon. We try and keep out customers up to date on worldwide shipping. During the past few months, the  pirate activity seems to have decreased while glacier activity has been on the increase.

     

    For information about Houston shipping, moving, packing or freight, please feel free to call pack n send at  713 266 1450.

     

     

    Tags: Freight Houston, Shipping Houston, Moving Houston

    Moving Tips-Use a Mover or Freight your Goods

    Posted on Tue, Aug 09, 2011

    For those summer moves , pack n send  have a few handy moving  tips.

    You can either use a traditional mover for in city moves, or use a freight company to load your items on a pallet and deliver to your curb. For small amounts of furniture, this may help you keep your price low.

    Here are a few packing tips.

    Start to pack early.  Do not wait until the day of the move to begin your packing.

    When possible, pack one room from start to finish. Mark each box clearly with the room your box will be delivered to, as well as the items in each box.

    Pack heavier items on the bottom of the box. Be sure to use lots of packing materials.  Peanuts, bubble and newsprint are a good start.  Newsprint is better than a used newspaper, as there is no ink to damage your goods.

    If you have just a few items to ship, pack n send can freight your furniture.  We can even send your furniture via cargo over seas. We ship via cubic meters as well as containers.

    For any moving, furniture freighting, or cargo shipping questions, please call pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

     

    Tags: Freight Houston, Shipping Houston, carating and packing houston texas

    Freight Your Furniture, Office or Household goods

    Posted on Thu, Aug 04, 2011

    We are continually looking for ways to save our customers money.  With our furniture freighting service, we can  pick up anywhere in the United States, put your furniture on a truck, and have your furniture delivered to your home or office. We have many repetitive customers, but if you are a one time shipper, that is fine too.

    There is not a minimum weight requirement as there is with more traditional moving services. We offer both curbside delivery, and inside delivery.  The curbside delivery saves the most amount of money. If you need a lift gate truck at either the pick up or delivery, we will provide it.

    We make sure of your items will be items being shipped are properly and securely packaged.

    The freight shipment will be packaged, crated, or stacked and secured onto a palletpallets with metal  banding. Labels will be placed on every freight piece of freight.

    We will provide you with your bill of lading number.  We offer full value coverage for your shipment for both loss and damage.

    We deliver to homes, business, apartments, estates, farms, and construction sites.  All we need is an address and phone number. We call ahead of time to arrange delivery.  Once the pallet arrives, all you need to do is inspect all of your items, sign for the shipment, and you are done.

    The unpacking of the freight can be accomplished on your own time schedule.

    All you need to do is let us know the pick up, delivery address, items that you need to ship and value, and we will handle your freight shipment.

    We freight office furniture, home furnishings, purchases made for designers and just about anything else.  Of course for individuals or businesses requiring white glove service, we offer our moving services.

    If you would like to freight your furniture, please feel free to call us at 713 266 1450.

    www.pack-n-send.com

     A large truck drives over the bridge. <br>See more <a href="http://www.pbase.com/hull_m">photos by Matthew Hull</a> at PBase. <br>See my portfolio at <a href="http://www.istockphoto.com/matthew_hull"&...
    See more photos by Matthew Hull at PBase.
    See my portfolio at

     

    Tags: Houston Shipping, Freight Houston

    Houston Freight Shipper Notes Downturn

    Posted on Mon, Aug 01, 2011

    The downturn is due to Natural Disasters and  the General Economic Climate

    WORLDWIDE - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has published its findings on air freight traffic for June based on results gleaned from the organizations 230 members. Year on year air cargo fell globally by around 3% for the month meaning freight volumes have not grown since July-August 2010. May 2010 was the post-recession re-stocking peak, compared to which the June 2011 international freight market was 6% smaller. While world trade is expanding at 7% a year, the benefit is being realized more by modes of transport other than air according to IATA.

    The Asia Pacific group of carriers are the biggest players in the air freight sector with a 40.5% market share and a downturn in Chinese economic growth plus the disastrous earthquake and tsunami which impacted on supply chains in Japanare blamed for a 5.8% fall in traffic levels. IATA say the strength of the region however is shown in the maintenance of the highest load factors (58.6%) well ahead of the 45.7% industry average for the month.

    Of the losers Europe was least affected having already suffered falls over recent months and only a 1.3% drop against June 2010 was recorded. The US market fell off 3% whilst more positive news came from air freight carriers in the Middle East, Latin America and Africa showing year-on-year growth for June, recording demand increases of 3.7%, 2.8% and 0.3% respectively. Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO commented:

    “Compared to May both passenger and cargo markets contracted by about 1%. For passenger traffic, this is a speed-bump in a gradual post recession improvement. But air cargo continues in the doldrums at 6% below the post-recession peak.

    “The industry is living in several different realities. With high load factors and an upward growth trend, the passenger business is doing better than cargo. But regional growth patterns are shifting. The Middle East carriers have moderated to a single digit expansion and tighter economic conditions have slowed China’s growth. Meanwhile, Latin Americais leading the industry expansion followed by Europe which is growing strongly despite its currency crisis. And North America is underperforming the industry on growth but leading on load factors.

    “What is clear is that the rising jet fuel price is putting pressure on the bottom line. The average price for the second quarter was $133/barrel which is an increase of $10 over the first quarter. With an expected profit margin of only 0.7%, the ability of airlines to recoup this cost is critical to staying in the black for the year. Slower economic growth makes these challenges all the more difficult. It is certainly not the time to burden the industry with increases in other costs, including taxation.”

    IATA is forecasting an industry profit of $4 billion for 2011 which is a 78% fall from the $18 billion that the airlines made in 2010. On anticipated revenues of $598 billion, this translates to a net industry margin of 0.7%. Based on a forecast average oil price of $110/barrel for 2011 and a jet fuel price of $126.5/barrel, the industry fuel bill is expected to be $176 billion which accounts for 30% of costs.

    Pack n send has reprinted this article from The Handy Shipping guide as a service to our customers. We have noted in past blogs that freight companies continue to be optimistic and are continually adding to their fleets.

     For more information about freight, cargo and moving out of Houston, please fell free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Houston Freight, Houston Shipping

    Cargo and Freight-Houston to Cuba? Someday Maybe.

    Posted on Tue, Jul 19, 2011

     

    With Cuba opening and improving ports US exporters are waiting for Cuba to open as a viable trading partner. While other countries help with port development, the US can only hope to take advantage of these updated ports when free trade between the countries is established.

    PSA scoops Mariel deal

     

     

    PSA International will manage and operate the container terminal being built at the Cuban  port  of  Mariel.

    The terminal is part of a larger scheme to developMarielBay, 28 miles west of  Havana, into the  Caribbean  country’s most important cargo hub and light manufacturing centre.

    PSA won a bid to manage the Mariel terminal last year and had since been in negotiations with master developer Zona de Desarrollo Integral de Mariel, part of Almacenes Universal SA, which is linked to the Cuban Army.

    Local sources said  PSA   International would now actively participate in planning the terminal, which is scheduled to open by 2014 when ships up to 14,000 TEU will begin traversing thePanama Canal.

    Mariel will initially have a 700m berth with a depth alongside of 15m. It is ideally situated to handle  US  cargo if the American trade embargo is eventually lifted, and will receive US food exports already flowing into the country under a 2000 amendment to sanctions.

    The Brazilian government has pledged US $800M so far to finance construction of infrastructure and port facilities already under way in conjunction with the Odebrecht group.

     World Cargo News published this article July 2011.Pack n send has republished this article for our international customers. At some time in the future, we anticipate that US based companies and individuals will be able to use this improved port for cargo shipping.

    For information about freight and cargo shipping fromHouston,Texas, feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

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    Tags: Houston Shipping, Moving Houston

    Freight from Houston and US. Unions on the Rise World Wide

    Posted on Mon, Jul 18, 2011

    Pack n send feels that this article is relevant because it once again demonstrates that air carriers both for freight and cargo are doing business in a world wide economy. One country or airline no longer effects the entire industry.

    Air Carriers Threatened By Union Intervention

    WORLDWIDE – Air freight and passenger services have seen major disruptions to services in the past few years caused by bad feelings between the management and staff over terms and conditions of employment and such perks as free or reduced rates when traveling. The situation has been exacerbated of late where carriers have joined to form alliances with differing employment conditions applicable to their individual employees, despite similar routes and services.

    Now a new body representing workers in the Oneworld alliance of airlines has made an offer on problem-solving and labour negotiations for what it terms a ‘constructive partnership’ between trade unions and management. The  letter, signed by the Council’s coordinator, John M Conley, says:

    “I am writing to you to introduce the One World of Labour Council, a global group that comprises trade unions representing workers across the Oneworld alliance member airlines.

     “At present, industrial relations are clearly strained in a number of airlines within the Oneworld group and our unions have pledged to support each other during these challenging times. Nevertheless, we wish to express our commitment to problem-solving and negotiating in good faith with those among our management counterparts who are wiling to do the same. To this end, the Labour Council would like to invite you and your fellow leaders within Oneworld to open channels of communication with us as soon as possible, both at the national and global levels.”

    Given the disparate nature of the airlines involved, the carriers will argue that an alliance of this type is a straightforward commercial agreement covering a part of their collective business, a marriage of convenience, not a deep seated and irrevocable amalgamation, nor a ‘de facto merger’ which should be reflected in changed terms of contract for the likes of cabin crew, pilots, ground staff, baggage and cargo handlers.

    We have published portions of the article above from the Handy Shipping Guide because of our interest in world wide freight shipping. For information about freight and cargo shipping fromHouston, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

     Free photo - map light motion available in our free stock photos

     

    Tags: Freight Houston, Packing Housotn

    Shipping with Iran Air? No way notes Houston Freight Company

    Posted on Fri, Jul 01, 2011

     THE US has declared Iran Air and its subsidiaries, which includes Iran Air Cargo, a “proliferator of weapons of mass destruction”. Now no US individual or company can do business with the carrier and any assets it has within US jurisdictions will be frozen.

    The US alleges Iran Air gave material support and services to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL). Specifically the US claims the airline shipped mechanical and electronic parts and equipment for the IRGC and the MODAFL and titanium sheets that could be used in the manufacture of rockets.

    “Rockets or missiles have been transported via Iran Air passenger aircraft, and IRGC officers occasionally take control over Iran Air flights carrying special IRGC-related cargo,” the US Treasury Department added, saying the carrier had also transported missile and rocket components to Syria.

    In March 2008, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution that asked any country to inspect cargo on aircraft owned or operated by Iran Air Cargo if they have reasonable grounds.

    Air Cargo News keeps its readers up to date on events in the Air Cargo Industry.  Pack n send has republished this article from its website as a service to our customers.

    Pack n send usually reports upbeat news in the cargo, freight and moving industries, but feels that negative events also effect world wide shipping.

     For information about shipping, packing crating and freight within the United States, please call pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Houston Freight, Houston Cargo

    Freight Company Supports Sports for Disabled-Houston Co. Notes

    Posted on Thu, Jun 30, 2011

    Another example of how Freight Companies help with charities has been exhibited by The Woodland Group. UK - Proving it delivers much more than logistics solutions, the Essex-based Woodland Group has become corporate sponsor of the national disability sports charity, the Panathlon Challenge. The brainchild of fellowEssex resident Ashley Iceton, the Panathlon Challenge is now in its 10th year of delivering sporting opportunities and “mini-Paralympic” type competitions for disabled youngsters.

    Woodlandhas agreed to provide substantial funding over the next two years, as well as access to professional services andWoodland’s infrastructure ofUKoffices and staff members.

    Commenting onWoodland’s sponsorship, Ashley said: “Support like this is game-changing for a small charity and will enable us to recruit a full-time fundraiser and a part-time events manager.

    “More importantly, the fund will provide a level of stability and a professional platform to help us develop our activities. The investment will mean we can help hundreds more disabled young people.”

    Kevin Stevens, chairman and CEO of the Woodland Group, added: “Panathlon is a fantastic charity which relies on Ashley’s hard work and the kind support of its donors.

    “We are delighted to help the charity grow in the lead up to the Paralympics and are confident that our efforts will make a real difference to this highly-regarded organisation.”

    One of the most important events in Panathlon’s events calendar is theLondonregional final, which this year took place on June the 16th. Team Newham finished first with 50 athletes from 10 schools bagging their first Panathlon London title.

     This article was published by The Handy  Shipping Guide and is another example of freight companies helping out worldwide.

    For freight, moving and shipping information in Houston and the United States, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     They re-painted the handicapped spaces at the local movie theatre

    Tags: Houston Freight, Houston Shipping

    Think- Houston Freight Co. Notes Bankruptcy

    Posted on Mon, Jun 27, 2011

      Think is a producer of battery powered automobiles. Some of their cars had been used  as cargo vans and as taxis.  From 1999- 2003 it was owned by Ford Motor Company, but has struggled on it own since then.

     Think filed for bankruptcy in Norway.  

    From the article  printed in the LA Times, it looks as if the high price of the car was the determing factor in the companies downfall.  The car could travel 100 miles based on one charges. The batteries for these cars were made in Indiana.

     Pack n send tracks worldwide green thinkers and green companies.  As a recylcler for over 25 years we are constantly looking for new ideas to help the enviornemnt.

    For information about shipping freight-Freight Shipping & Receiving, moving, or packing please call pack n send at 713 266 1450.

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    Tags: Houston Moving, Houston Freight

    Is Packing Boring?- No Way Says Houston Freight-Moving Company

    Posted on Fri, Jun 24, 2011

    Packing may sound like a boring topic, but when you pack correctly, you can have your items arrive in perfect condition.

     Even thin signs that can easily dent or fold can be packed properly. 

    We are blogging about the correct way to pack an aluminum sign. If you follow our instructions you sign will arrive in pristine condition and you will be a happy sign owner.

    Aluminum sign packing requires special attention.  Due to the tendency for aluminum to dent or fold we have a few packing steps to recommend.

    First, for the signs smaller than   24 inch x   24 inch  x  1 inch.

    In order to protect the sign during shipping, place  a double wall cardboard over the front and back of the sign.

    Then, place plywood that is  3/16 inches thick on the top of the cardboard.  Use 3 inch  packing tape to completely wrap the outside to the plywood. Make sure that all of the outer sides of the plywood is completely covered by your packing tape.

    For aluminum signs larger than  24 inch x   24 inch  x  1 inch, you may  need to build a crate.

    The wood for the crate should be   3/16  inches thick.  Line the sides of the crate with one inch of Styrofoam and double wall cardboard on  the top and bottom.  You also need to protect the corners of the sign with Styrofoam padding.

    For more information about the proper packing and shipping of items, please feel free to call pack n send at 713 266 1450. 

     

    We can also help with your moving, crating and freight needs.

    www.pack-n-send.com

    Tags: Small Moves Houston, Houston Freight, Houston Cargo

    Upbeat Outlook for Houston and US Freight

    Posted on Wed, Jun 22, 2011

    US-Started in 2nd Quarter of 2008, the Transport Capital Partners’ (TCP) quarterly Business Expectation Survey acts as an indicator of the state of the American freight trucking market by canvassing industry executives across the country. The company’s most recent study, for the second quarter of this year, found the carriers’ responses have essentially remained unchanged for the last four quarters on capacity plans. The carriers were generally reserved about increasing haulage capacity via acquisition or truck purchases, and the survey attempts to highlight the reasons.

    When carriers were asked if they had been able to find reasonable credit, over 80% indicated they had.TCPPartner Richard Mikes, founder of the survey feels this indicates that the credit constraint issue is behind most truckers compared to the first quarter of 2009 when only half the carriers reported reasonable credit and points out most new truck orders are for replacement vehicles.

    “TCPexpects the second half of 2011 to likely show a greater capacity gap as freight volumes expand and carriers remain conservative on additions” remarked Lana Batts,TCPPartner and the survey concludes that larger carriers (over $25 million in revenue) are more conservative with 32% not adding any capacity compared to 24% reported by smaller carriers. Thirty-nine percent of carriers intend to add some capacity with one quarter acquiring contractors.

    Batts and Mikes note that this level of additions indicated in the survey result in truck supply conditions forecast in an earlier TCPwhite paper and are generally still on target favouring carriers. Both partners with extensive experience in transportation directed the survey and analyzed the findings. TCPcouples the survey results with conversations they hold with carriers and others in the industry to present an insightful dialogue on key issues. Interested parties can see more details on the TCP website.

    Pack n send has taken this article from the Handy Shipping Guide. We are constantly following trends in the freight industry.  With thirty- nine per cent of carriers expecting to add some capacity during the second half of 2011, this indicates an upbeat attitude for freight shipping in theUnited States.  This  follows the outlook forEuropeas well.

     

    For information about freightFreight HoustonMoving Houston, moving, cargo shipping and container loading fromHouston, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Freight Houston, Cargo Houston, Crating Houston

    UPSreporting delays-United Kingdom-Houston Freight Co Notes

    Posted on Fri, Jun 17, 2011

     Some of these facilities haven been taken offline due to security concerns expressed by British Security. UPS is addressing this situation, but cannot discuss the measures that are being taken to correct the deficiencies that the government noticed. They do not discuss specific details about their security procedures.

     This shutdown does not affect all of UPS processing center in England. It is affecting some of the air shipments only at this time.  UPS is working to correct these deficiencies.  They will post on their website when United Kingdom operations are up to full speed.

     For information about world wide shipping, of small packages and freight, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Houston Shipping, Container Loading Houston

    Moving or Freight for Furniture Shipping

    Posted on Wed, Jun 15, 2011

    Pack n send in Houston, TX. has a recommendation to businesses and individuals with small amounts of furniture or office equipment.

    Instead of using a traditional mover, it may be cost effective to look for a company that is willing to build a custom pallet and freight your furniture. The furniture or office equipment can be sent via freight to its destination. Your items can be valued for loss or damage during shipping. This is usually a money saver, because it involves less manpower.

    When you receive your freight shipment, inspect it before the driver leaves. Make sure as you would in a move that everything has arrived in good condition.

     

    If you do not want to use freight, then you should look for a mover that puts more than one individuals belongings on a truck and does multiple multi city moves at one time. The truck driver will pick up and deliver your goods either inside your home or business. Your items can be valued for loss or damage during shipping.

    This is an alternative to using a large mover that requires a minimum dollar amount be spent, or a minimum number of pounds be shipped.

    For more information on freighting furniture or moving small amounts of furniture in a truck,  please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

     

    Tags: Small Move Houston, Freight Houston, Freight Forwarding Houston, Small Moves

    Another Big Win for Air Cargo – Freight

    Posted on Mon, Jun 13, 2011

    Lufthansa Report:

    During the last quarter cargo traffic was stable for capacity up by 2.6 per cent, leading to a 1.8 per cent drop in load factor to 67.7 per cent. Unit revenue per available tonne kilometre was up 11.4 per cent. Revenues amounted to €769 million (US$1.1 billion), 14.1 per cent, while the operating result was close to break-even, a loss of €9 million ($12.8 million) compared with a loss of €63 million ($89.9 million) a year earlier.

    For the year, cargo traffic progressed by 2.5 per cent for slightly lower capacity (-0.3 per cent) leading to a rise in load factor of almost two per cent to 68.4 per cent. Total cargo business revenues for the year were up 29.5 per cent.

    “We have seen a contrasted year, with on the one hand a more favourable economic environment, but on the other a number of exceptional events affecting our operations,” Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, chief executive officer, commented. “Nevertheless, the strategic actions launched last year enabled us to return to profit in spite of a €1 billion euro ($1.43 billion) rise in our fuel bill and the impact of the various crises. The improvement of some €1.4 billion euros ($2 billion) in our operating result required a significant mobilisation by all the group’s employees.”

    This article was taken from Air Cargo News. Pack n send tries to publish article that show trends in  freight, cargo and moving businesses.

    For information about moving, freight, and cargo shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

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    Tags: Houston Freight, Houston Mover, Houston Cargo

    Large Freight Truck Order in India

    Posted on Fri, Jun 10, 2011

    Pack n send is happy to report new purchases in the freight industry worldwide.

     INDIA- Surat-based Siddhi Vinayak Logistics Ltd. (SVLL) has made the largest order for medium and heavy trucks by any single operator in India by purchasing 1,111 such vehicles from Tata Motors with all the vehicles to be delivered by March, 2012.

    SVLL currently operate a fleet of over two thousand vehicles and advertise themselves as one of the fastest growing companies in the field of road freight transportation in the country, moving diverse products from steel and cement to military hardware and planned expansion into the perishable produce sector.

    Mr. Vinod Sahay, Head of Sales & Marketing (M&HCV Trucks) at Tata Motors said, "We are delighted to receive this order and would like to thank SVLL for their continued trust in our brands. We will be commencing deliveries in this month and plan to complete the order by the end of this financial year."

    Though the value of the sale has not been revealed it is thought to be in the region of 1.5 billion rupees (£20.5 million / $33.5 million).

    Mr. R C Baid, Founder and Director of Siddhi Vinayak Logistics Ltd said that:

    "We purchased the first Tata vehicle in 1988, and since then have been purchasing their trucks. We appreciate the quality of Tata products, customer engagement initiatives and their extensive service network. We would like to continue our association and expand our business with Tata Motors vehicles. It is in this light that we have placed a bulk order of 1,111 vehicles."

    The sale is the latest success for Tata, which states that the company’s sales rose by 12% in May. With increased foreign interest from the likes of Daimler and Scania in the Indian truck market, maintaining its position with such customers as SVLL will be increasingly important for the Indian manufacturer.

     This article is from the Handy Shipping Guide. 

     For packing, shipping, moving, freight and cargo shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     [b]Pallets - November Scavenger Hunt [/b]Thank you for your interest in my photos. You\'re welcome to use them! I\'d love to know how they are being used. Please send me a note at ronnieb51@gmail.com, or a message telling me how you use ...

     

    Tags: Cargo Houston, Shipping Houston, Freight Forwarding Houston

    Good News In the Air Freight Industry

    Posted on Thu, Jun 09, 2011

     

    HONG Kong International Airport (HKIA), the world’s biggest hub for cargo, is evaluating the need for a third runway to accommodate the rise in freight traffic.

    During the first quarter of 2011 cargo volume rose to 944,000 tonnes.

    National airline Cathay Pacific also became the world’s largest international air cargo carrier. Cathay chief executive John Slosar says Hong Kong has become a victim of its own success as the two runways are likely to be insufficient to meet demand by 2020, rather than 10 or 20 years after that, as previously thought.

    An increase in passengers and a new one-day record of 1,003 flights are putting on the pressure for a third runway. Cargo airlines say that in order to stay competitive the third runway must be built.

    Every development is not without its controversy. To build a third runway would involve reclamation of 6.5km2. This means the runway would be built on areas currently in the sea, which could have a negative impact on the endangered white dolphin.

    The new runway is expected to cost about 80 billion Hong Kong dollars (US$10.3 billion). A public consultation period has just begun.

    HKIA overtook Memphis (US) as the world’s biggest air cargo hub in 2010 due to exports from southern China’s Pearl River Delta.

    Air Cargo News reported this on June 2nd. This is good news for the worldwide freight economy.

     For information about shipping air freight from Houston, Texas, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

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    Tags: Freight Houston, Shipping Houston

    Houston Mover – Freight Co sees Hiring Improvement

    Posted on Wed, Jun 08, 2011

     

     Con-way Truckload, the U.S. road freight subsidiary of international logistics operator Con-Way Inc., has announced that due to expanding demand they are to reopen their driver orientation site in Phoenix, Arizona.

    The site closed in 2009 as a retrenchment measure, but now Con-way intends to recruit 30-50 experienced drivers a month from Arizona, California, Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico.

    Drivers joining Con-way undergo a five-day program where they complete the required paperwork and road test, learn about policies and procedures and take the Department of Transportation-mandated physical exam, among other activities.

    Prior to the reopening, drivers in the Western states had to conduct this at Con-way’s Lancaster, Texas facility. Now the Phoenix site will allow drivers from the Western states joining Con-way to conduct their orientation closer to home.

    "The Phoenix site offers area drivers the opportunity to attend our orientation program in their own backyards before hitting the road with a company recognized for superior service, rewarding career opportunities and strong commitment to safety," said Bert Johnson, senior director of human resources, Con-way Truckload.

    "With a growing customer base, competitive pay package and new equipment, there has never been a better time to join Con-way Truckload."

    This article was taken directly from the Handy Shipping Guide.

    Pack n send monitors both freight industry news as well as environmental improvements in the shipping industry.

    For more information about shipping freight, packing and moving in the United States and Houston, Texas, please feel free to call pack n send at  713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Houston Shipping, Freight Houston

    Freight Plane Increase Noted by Houston Company

    Posted on Thu, Jun 02, 2011

    More Upbeat News from the Freight Industry

    ETHIOPIAN Airlines is adding to its fast-growing freighter fleet by dry leasing two 777Fs from GE Capital Aviation Services.

    The 10-year lease agreement for the new aircraft will begin when they arrive from Boeing Manufacturing in Seattle (US), at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (Ethiopia) in September and October 2012.

    Ethiopian has also ordered five 777s, two of which have already arrived; a third is expected in June. The airline is still waiting for its 10 787s.

    In March Ethiopian announced plans to double capacity at its Bole International Airport cargo hub. The airline is also gearing up for the opening of a new hub in Zambia. From 1 May the carrier began flights with cargo capacity to the Chinese city of Hangzhou.

    Over the last five years the amount of cargo handled by Ethiopian Airlines has more than doubled from 42,000 tonnes to 110,000.

     CHINA Southern Airlines is giving Boeing's order book a boost with an agreement to buy six 777Fs.

    The aircraft, to be delivered between 2013 and 2015, have a list price of US$1.58 billion with the purchase being funded by bank loans and China Southern’s operating fund.

    The 777Fs will boost the airline’s cargo capacity, measured in available tonne kilometres, by 8.4 per cent.

    China Southern is not a new customer for Boeing. Earlier in May the Chinese firm announced that its Xiamen Airlines subsidiary would buy six 787 Dreamliners costing $1.1 billion. The aircraft are due to be delivered between 2014 and 2015.

    In November 2010 China Southern had agreed to buy 36 aircraft from Airbus for $3.78 billion. Rival Air China said in March this year it would buy five 747-8 passenger aircraft with a combined list price of $1.54 billion.

     Pack n send has reprinted these articles from Air Cargo News.  They show that the world wide economy is improving.

     For information about cargo, moving and freight shipping, please contact pack n send at 743 266 1450.

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    Tags: Houston Mover, Freight Houston, Cargo Houston

    Pet Shipping Tips: From Houston Freight / Moving Company

    Posted on Wed, Jun 01, 2011

    1. You will need to give your shipping company the following information:  City, country and closest airport.

    2. You will need to give your shipping company the following information: City, country and closest airport.

    3. Date of Travel: Does your pet have a set or flexible travel date?

    4. Do you have an approved airplane crate?

    5. Does your pet need transportation service to and from the airport? Does your pet need overnight boarding?

    6 Some airlines allow you to take small animals inside the cabin. Some only allow your pet to be shipped as cargo.

    7. Remember, your pet will need customs clearance if traveling outside the United States.

    8. Make sure that shot records are up to date, both in the United States and for the country your pet is traveling to.

    For more information on pet shipping please contact pack-n-send at 713 266 1450.

    We had a rare rain the other day in So. Cal. Yoshi and I were walking through the park and he went into this puddle. I snapped the pic quickly.

    www.pack-n-send.com

    Tags: Houston Mover, Freight Houston, Crate Houston

    Volvo FM MethaneDiesel Truck- Houston Freight Company Notes

    Posted on Tue, May 31, 2011

     EUROPE – Volvo trucks has announced it has just launched their new Volvo FM MethaneDiesel truck. The new vehicle is powered by a combination of diesel and methane gas which according to Volvo could potentially reduce CO2 emissions from heavy and long-distance freight and logistics operations by a considerable amount.

    The new trucks have already undergone field-testing with a number of companies in Sweden and the positive reactions to this has encouraged Volvo to commit to the new fuel, the first major European truck manufacturer to do so.

    “The sales start of our methane-diesel model creates new conditions for the gas truck market. By using liquefied gas in an efficient diesel engine, we make it possible to use gas-powered trucks in heavier and longer-distance transport operations, making us the first manufacturer in Europe to do so,” says Claes Nilsson, President Europe Division at Volvo Trucks.

    According to Volvo, the use of natural gas fuel results in a 10 percent reduction on CO2 emissions over a conventional diesel engine. However, compared with conventional gas-powered spark-plug engines, Volvo’s gas technology offers 30 to 40 percent higher efficiency, and this in turn cuts fuel consumption by 25 percent. This means that if a Volvo gas-powered truck is run on biogas, emissions of carbon dioxide would be able to be cut by up to 70 percent compared with a conventional diesel engine.

    Powered by up to 75% natural gas or biogas the new Volvo’s engine is based on a conventional diesel equipped with a special fuel tank that keeps the gas liquefied and chilled to -140 degrees Celsius, and a catalytic converter. By using liquefied gas, more fuel can be stored in the tanks compared to if the fuel is compressed. This gives the methane-diesel truck a far greater range than that of traditional gas-powered trucks that utilise spark-plug technology. In a truck with a gross weight of 40 tonnes, the fuel tank holds enough gas for a range of up to 500 kilometres in normal driving.

    The new Volvo FM MethaneDiesel is offered with a 13-litre engine producing 460 horsepower and 2300 Nm of torque. The fuel consists of up to 75 percent liquefied gas and the rest diesel, but the proportions can vary depending on how the vehicle is used.

    In addition, should one fuel run out then the engine simply switches to the alternative, the driver only being made aware of this by lights on his instrument panel.

    Though the initial sales of the new truck will be limited to Sweden, the UK and the Netherlands due to those countries more extensive network of natural gas refuelling stations, Volvo firmly believe that the potential savings for hauliers through greater fuel economy and the significantly lower prices of natural gas will soon the new technology much more widely accepted.

    “Natural gas is attracting considerable interest in many countries and regions the world over. This interest is being largely driven by environmental considerations as well as by concerns over the secure supply of energy. In the USA and parts of Asia, Europe and South America, gas power is either already in use or decisions have been taken to invest in this power source. Thailand, for instance, is well to the fore with an established infrastructure and good availability,” says Lars Mårtensson, Director Environmental Affairs at Volvo Trucks.

    Pack n send found this article in the Handy Shipping Guide. We are constantly on the look out for environmentally friendly business practices. For information about shipping, freight, moving, and containers from Houston, Texas feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Freight Houston, Shipping Houston, Moving Houston

    More Facts About Port of Houston from Houston Freight Company

    Posted on Fri, May 27, 2011

    Pack n send found this information on the Port of Houston website and have reprinted it for our customers to read.  With the expansion of the Panama Canal, it is expected that the Port of Houston will see even more use. This is second in our series of blogs about the Port of Houston.

     

    • Containerization was born when the world’s first container ship, M/V Ideal X, sailed with 58 containers from New York/New Jersey and unloaded at the Port of Houston in April 1956.

     • Developed by the Port of Houston Authority, the Houston World Trade Building was the first facility of its kind in the U.S. The $3.5 million building opened January 29, 1962, and was designed as a central location for international trade interests including consular offices, transportation companies, importers and exporters. 

    • In 1962, Houston became the first choice of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for the site of its new headquarters. 

    Houston was selected for the manned space program partially because of the fact that our ship channel and port facilities provided an excellent means for transporting bulky space vehicles.

     • Use of the double-stack train was introduced at the Port of Houston in 1981. By placing one container on top of another, transportation costs were greatly reduced. 

    • In July, 1983 the Houston Foreign Trade Zone became the first multi-site zone approved by the U. S. Foreign Trade Board in Washington, D.C. 

    • In 1990, the fast-loading Sprialveyors were installed at Jacintoport, making it the first facility of its kind in the country. 

    • Also in 1990, the Beneficial Uses Group – affectionally called the BUG was formed to address ways dredge material from the Houston Ship

    Channel could be put to an environmentally friendly use. A 250-acre

    demonstration marsh was built, which surpassed anything ever attempted in marsh restoration. Over the 50-year life of the deepening and widening project, an unprecedented 4,250 acres of marsh, a six-acre bird island, the 3,000-foot long Goat Island and Redfish Island will be built. Redfish Island was the first marsh island to be completed; it was dedicated in March 2003.  

     For information about freight and  shipping from the Port of Houston, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    aerial1212

    Tags: Freight Houston, Shipping Houston Texas, Crating Houston

    Facts About Port of Houston from Houston Freight Company

    Posted on Thu, May 26, 2011

    Pack n send found this information on the Port of Houston website and have reprinted it for our customers to read.  With the expansion of the Panama Canal, it is expected that the Port of Houston will see even more use. 

    The Port of Houston Delivers

    First and Foremost from the Very Beginning The Port of Houston and the Houston Ship Channel have an impressive list of “first” accomplishments.

     • The Houston Ship Channel was the first project to have a local match component. In 1909, Houston Mayor Horace Baldwin Rice and Congressman Tom Ball presented the “Houston Plan” to the U.S. House of Representatives Rivers and Harbors Committee. Congress approved it, and every port constructed in the U.S. since 1910 has followed this concept, which guarantees local financial support.

     • The first direct shipment of cotton to Europe was 23,719 bales that left the Port of Houston in November 1919 on the M/V Merry Mount.

     • By 1930, the Port of Houston had surpassed all its Texas rivals and ranked third in the U.S. for foreign exports. 

    • In 1937, the Port of Houston reached the status of second only to New York in tonnage and importance, according to Fortune Magazine. Its position slipped slightly during World War II, but by 1948, the Port of Houston was once again No. 2 in overall tonnage.

     • Synthetic rubber was mass produced for the first time in 1943 by two new Houston area plants and shipped for use in World War II through the Port of Houston.

     • After World War II, development of the petrochemical industry along the Houston Ship Channel accelerated, resulting in the Port of Houston becoming home to the nation’s largest petrochemical production complex and one of the largest in the world.

     For information about freight and  Port of Houston, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    aerial1212

    Tags: Freight Houston, Cargo Houston

    More Pirate Stories posted by Houston Freight Company.

    Posted on Wed, May 25, 2011

    Ocean Freight Vessels May Have Armed Escorts Through Pirate Waters.

     Wheels of Power Slowly Turn Toward Private Security Option

     SOMALIA – UK – WORLDWIDE – The scourge of piracy, particularly in the Gulf of Aden and the waters beyond, would seem to be facing a threat of its own as the powers that be tire of the continual attacks on merchant shipping and their inability to respond effectively. Privately armed security detachments accompanying container, general cargo and bulk freight vessels travelling through the danger zone seem to have been given tacit acceptance, if not approval, after long discussions at the London headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in past weeks.

    The IMO met between the 11th and 20th May and interim guidance on the employment of privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships transiting the high-risk piracy area off the coast of Somalia and adjacent waters was approved by the 89th session of the IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC). Two documents were produced, one aimed at ship owners, ship operators, and ships masters, the other at flag states, both aimed at addressing the complex issue of the employment of private, armed security on board ships.

    Despite a note of caution regarding the possibility vessels may also come under the jurisdiction of port and coastal states’ law, ship owners are advised that flag state laws and regulations apply when private security is employed aboard. Flag states in turn are reminded that they should have a clear policy on the employment of privately contracted armed security personnel (PCASP) aboard their vessels. They should also take into account the possible escalation of violence which could result from the use of firearms and carriage of armed personnel on board ships when deciding on their policies.

    The IMO is at pains to point out that its interim advice should not be considered as an alternative to the Best Management Practices and other protective measures to deter piracy off the coast of Somalia and in the Arabian Sea area. The organization is openly worried about an escalation of violence if the use of armed guards increases but, as most attacks occur from fast skiffs attacking with machine gun and rocket propelled grenades being fired into the targets superstructure, many may consider the pirate gangs fair game. Certainly a reciprocal volley of tracer fire from the deck of a tanker into a light skiff is likely to be more frightening, and effective, than the assault on the larger vessel.

    The IMO are also keen to avoid these advices as an endorsement of the use of violence against the pirates and point out the potential legal ramifications of such tactics, however they have been forced to act in an attempt to impose some sense of order to what promises to otherwise be a free for all with different nations, and indeed shipping lines, adopting ad hoc policies in their response to the threat. More statements on the subject can be expected at the IMO’s September meeting.

    Pack n send has reposted portions of this article taken from the Handy Shipping Guide. We still find articles about pirates amazing in this time and age.

    For information about freight and cargo shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Freight Houston, Cargo Houston

    Mississippi Rover Reopened for Freight and Cargo

    Posted on Wed, May 18, 2011

     The Houston Chronicle in an article written by Holbrook Mohr and Allan Sayre  is reporting that the Mississippi river was reopened on Tuesday  north of New Orleans on Tuesday.  This  allows cargo vessels to pass through slowly. 

     The  river was closed at Natchez, Miss on Tuesday  delaying ships going towards the Golf of Mexico. It also blocked vessels heading north. 
    Since this is one of the nation’s busiest waterways, this closure has the monetary  of millions of dollars every day that this water way is closed. 

     The Coast Guard is monitoring the river and advising that all vessels steer along the middle of the river.

    Traffic is advised to proceed slowly to decrease the strain on levees.  At this time, some of the barges can not proceed on the river because the water has submerged some docks and other docks are at the level of the river.

     Pack n send will continue to monitor the water level on the Mississippi River and it effects on freight and cargo shipping  in the coming weeks. We will post updates on our blog.

     For information about freight and cargo shipping both domestically and internationally, please feel free to call pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Freight Houston, Cargo Houston

    Freight Company notes Money Raised for Tsunami Victims

    Posted on Mon, May 16, 2011

    MOL Shipping Employees and Partners Raise Money for Tsunami Victims   JAPAN –

    Mitsui O.S.K. Lines today reported that it has donated a total of about ¥55 million (US$680,000) to the Japan Red Cross Society and Central Community Chest for the Great East Japan Earthquake relief efforts.

    MOL raised the donation among MOL Group executives and employees through a massive, group-wide effort to support victim relief and reconstruction of quake-stricken areas, in which many of them participated.

    Immediately after the earthquake, MOL donated ¥50 million as a company and then launched the fundraising drive within the group. The donation initiative started in Japan, but soon MOL Group subsidiaries and affiliates, ship management companies, business partners, and others around the world threw their support behind the effort, with eventually a total of 88 companies took part.

    Pack n send has reprinted this article from Handy Shipping Guide as a service to our customers.

     Pack n send continually look for freight and cargo companies worldwide who go above and beyond normal freight service.

     For information about shipping freight and cargo from Houston, Texas, feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

     

    Tags: Freight Houston, Shipping Houston

    Estate Shipping- Houston Freight Company Gives Advice

    Posted on Fri, May 13, 2011

    Antique desk on display at the old courthouse museum in Tombstone, Arizona.

    Shipping an estate can be quite complicated. An estate may include cars, furniture, and other large pieces. Items may need to be shipped to various different addresses of friends and family members.

    For this reason, we recommend you follow these four tips to help you find a shipper, but also send goods to multiple receivers. 

    1. Your estate shipper should send it all. When looking for a company to ship items for an estate, it is important to make sure that they can ship everything, including your fragile goods, as well as furniture and cars. 

    2. Your shipper should send to multiple addresses. Your estate shipper should pick up your estate items and deliver them in the city, or that ships both domestically and internationally.

    3. Find a shipper that brings supplies. Do you have the boxes and packing materials needed for your estate? Your shipper should have those goods on hand, just in case you want to save money and pack your own goods.If your shipper can bring boxes and supplies, family members can pack items should they choose to do so. This gives them the opportunity to save on packing costs. Items like clothes and books usually do not need professional packing. 

    4. Tell the truth on value. Value the items for what they are actually worth, not at an inflated sentimental value.

    If we can answer any of your  estate shipping questions, please call us at at 713-266-1450 or contact us for a  free shipping quote.

    Tags: Estate Packing Houston, Estate moving Houston

    Freight and Cargo-Port of Houston Clean Air Strategy

    Posted on Fri, May 13, 2011

    The Clean Air Strategy Plan (CASP) is the Port of Houston Authority's ongoing plan to reduce maritime and port-related emissions. The Port Authority's environmental management program employs proactive approaches that protect, conserve and integrate sustainable goals and strategies into recommendations and guidance that yield measurable results. The CASP was initiated with the realization that the Port Authority has an important role in facilitating and encouraging significant emission reductions and promoting air quality awareness along the Houston Ship Channel and throughout the region.

    The purpose of the CASP is to develop and implement a voluntary plan to reduce emissions from maritime and associated transportation sources servicing ship channel industries. This plan benefits the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria community; assisting the state of Texas and EPA in reducing the harmful health effects of multiple pollutants and potential economic repercussions.

    The focus of the CASP is to strategically develop economically feasible ways to implement emission reductions from maritime-related interests in the greater Port of Houston area. As a distinction, the Port of Houston includes the Port Authority as well as 150-plus private industries along the Houston Ship Channel. The majority of the properties along the Houston Ship Channel are privately owned by industries that create the second-largest petrochemical complex in the world.

     Pack n send has reprinted this article from the Port of Houston Authority. 

     We monitor environmental improvements world wide. 

    For information about freight shipping and receiving, pallet and container shipping please feel free to contact us at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Freight forwarding Houston Texas, Shipping Houston Texas

    Tips from a Freight Company for Small Office Moves

    Posted on Wed, May 11, 2011

    When you are in the process of  moving a home office, you may discover the process can be more complicated then moving your entire home. Packing an office requires some tedious preparation and organization.

    Your home office probably has a lot of items that you may or may not need throughout the moving process. You never want to find yourself searching through many different boxes in search of one thing.

      Organizing yourself before you begin the packing process is key to having a smooth move.

     The first thing you will want to do is write out a list of items you know you'll need throughout the move. These are going to be the very last things you pack. Then you will want to develop a list of non essential items that you can pack up and not need throughout the process. 

    It may seem like no items are non essential, but you'd be amazed on the numerous items you'll pack up. Usually the items that are not generally needed at all times are such things as printers, writing tools, paper (leave some out just in case), files and various items that generally sit and grow dust. 

    Another thing you'll want to consider when doing a small home office move is going through and getting rid of the things you no longer need or use. This will help minimize the number of things you are moving.

    When you are moving to a new location this could mean you have the opportunity to do many upgrades to your office equipment and supplies. Take this as an advantage point for you and your business. 

    Keeping yourself organized with a small home office move can seem like a very difficult process, but it can be done. If you're worried that the process may be overwhelming for you, consider hiring us to  help you move.

      Pack n send  can easily get you packed up, moved and unpacked quickly. The entire process can be managed for you, making your move worry-free.

    We know how hard it can be moving an office, a home and any other space requiring a move. This is why we've dedicated ourselves to helping people nationwide with their moving needs. We will take all the hard work out of it for you. You have the option to utilize our packaging services or purchase discounted   packing and moving supplies. Your move will become much less complicated with Pack n Send helping you through each step of the process. 

    Organization is key to a smooth move and we will do exactly this for you and your   small home office move.

    For more tips on moving your office, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Freight Houston, Houston Packing

    Freight and Cargo Numbers Worldwide Look Good

    Posted on Thu, May 05, 2011

    Once again we are able to report positive signs in freight and air cargo shipments. 

    During the past few  weeks past, we have reported the purchases of new air planes by major air freight carriers.

     We are now able to show increases in the shipping percentages on a world wide basis. During March, airfreight traffic rose three point seven  per cent according to Air Cargo News.  Considering the disaster in Japan and the tumultuous Middle East, these numbers are both surprising and encouraging. 

    Latin American carriers and Middle Eastern carriers reported increase in air shipping over March of 2010. 

    With fuel prices on the rise, these increase show pent up demand for goods world wide. We were both surprised and encouraged by these numbers. 

    While tracking purchases both domestically and internationally, the world wide economy seems to be moving in a  slow but steady increase.

     The only noted part of the world with a decrease in air cargo for March appears to be for the African carriers. We should report that air cargo traffic is expected to increase for North Africa.

     For information about international freight , container packing and loading, shipping, moving and  cargo shipping please call pack n send in Houston  at 713 266 1450.

    At the Shuttle Landing Facility, cranes help offload the Italian Space Agency&squot;s Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Donatello from the Airbus "&squot;"Beluga"&squot;" air cargo plane. The third of three for the International Spac...

    Tags: Freight Shipping Houston, Air Cargo Shipping Houston

    Move Your Furniture with a Mover or Via Freight

    Posted on Mon, May 02, 2011

    Moving furniture can be a true trial for some, especially if they do not have the strength or vehicle to do it. This can pose some complications and leave you unable to move your furniture on your own. 

    There are options available that could help you with furniture shipping more easily, which is a much better and stress free option for you. 

    Shipping your Furniture Easily 

     Furniture Shipping has become a lot easier with the help of many shipping companies nationwide, but many of them require you to hit a certain freight load to ship. This isn't the case with Pack-n-Send. You can still utilize their shipping services with a less than load freight without being presented with an un-sightly fee. 

    If you are worried that your furniture may get damaged consider having the items placed into crates or protected with various blanket protectors, Styrofoam for smaller pieces and any other packaging protection that Pack-n-Send offers. 

    Crating is a beneficial option for those delicate pieces such as glass items, antique items, stemware, paintings and any other damageable item. 

    Options for Moving Furniture Long Distances

    If you are planning a move consider having Pack-n-Send assist with the process. They offer many different moving options, whether it is a small move, local move or international move they could assist with international shipping to get your furniture at the new location easily. 

    You won't have to deal with the worry that the items will not get there or will be damaged with the protection and security behind the crating, packing and shipping abilities that Pack-n-Send has been offering since 1981.  For more information, please call us at 713 266 1450.

    My parents bought this chair and love seat about 38 years ago, soon after they got married. The original upholstering was a very 70s brown-and-gold plaid; this plaid is more mid-80's style. There used to be a three-cushion-long couch, but tha...

    Tags: Houston Mover, Freight Houston

    Freight Your Furniture

    Posted on Fri, Apr 29, 2011

    Moving furniture can be a hassle for some business and individuals. You need both  the strength and/or vehicle to handle a move. This can pose some complications and leave you unable to move your furniture on your own.

    Look for  available options  that could help you reduce your stress level when shipping furniture for both businesses and individuals.  

    Ship Your Furniture Via Freight

    When you have a small amount of furniture, it may make more sense to let a company pick up your furniture and then load it on to a wooden pallet. The furniture is protected during shipping and   delivered curbside at your residence or business. For just a little more the furniture can be unloaded and taken into your house or business.

    Crating should also be considered when freighting items that are considered fragile or delicate.  High value paintings, sculptures and equipment can be crated.

    Options for Moving Furniture Long Distances

    If you are planning a move consider having pack-n-send assist with the process. They offer many different moving options, whether it is a small move, long distance or  international move.  With an international move they can assist with international shipping to get your furniture at the new location easily. Containers are available for international moves, as well as per cubic meter shipping

    For more information on furniture freighting, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Furniture Freighting Houston, Shipping Houston

    Freight Problems in China Resolved for Now

    Posted on Fri, Apr 29, 2011

     CHINA – Strikes undertaken by Chinese truck drivers in Shanghai are reported to have been wound down on Sunday after the local government ordered container shipping and freight distribution centres to cancel or reduce fees for unloading containers, road tolls, and night-time loading.

    Local observers report that the waiting lines of vehicles are now moving and logistic services in the city, one of China’s major freight hubs, are returning to normal.

    The strikes, which began on Wednesday last week, were in response to rising costs that are being experienced by the country’s freight sector due to escalating inflation, pushing many truck drivers earnings down substantially.

    The rapid reaction by the Chinese government is seen as a further sign of how concerned the ruling Communist party is with the economic situation, with inflation reaching 5.4 percent in March, almost the highest level in the last three years.

    However, the underlying problems caused by increasing inflation, as well as the alleged corruption amongst freight forwarders seeking to add additional charges to truckers, are largely unresolved and means that it is entirely possible that we shall see renewed industrial action within China’s logistic industry in the future.

    Pack n send has reprinted this article from Air Cargo News as a service to our customers.  If freight disruptions occur worldwide, pack n  send attempts to keep our customers informed.  From this article, it there may be interruptions in the future as China adjusts to its robust economy.

     For freight or cargo shipping from Houston, Texas, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Freight forwarding Houston Texas, Cargo Houston

    Crate Building Advice from a Houston Freight Company

    Posted on Thu, Apr 28, 2011

    When looking for a custom built crate, you will need to ask many questions.

    First, ask if they can supply the wood for both domestic and international shipping.

    Can they build reusable crates?

    Do they have experience with both large and small items.

    Have they crated delicate or valuable items in the past? Be sure and ask for examples of these items.

    Do they know the proper amount of padding to add inside the crate for different types of items. High value painting with glass require different preparation and padding from artistic statutes.

    How do they bind the crate? Do they nail it or use screws to close the crate? Do they secure the crate with metal banding?

    Is a full wood crate really what you need for the shipment?  If the item is something like an engine, you can probably strap it to a pallet and not incur the cost of a full wood crate.

    Make sure that the crater has many options available so that  you can analyze your choices and pick the best one for your shipment.

    For an experienced  crate builder and   freight shipper with  over 25 years experience, contact pack n send at 713 266 1450 for your next freight or shipping job.

    Tags: Freight Houston, Crate Houston

    eBay Selling-Tips to Finding the Right Store-Advice from Freight Co.

    Posted on Wed, Apr 27, 2011

    Finding a reputable store to list your eBay items can be time consuming. Consumers need to know the right questions to ask.

    Does the store know how to place the correct title and category on your item?

    Does the eBay seller list and ship your eBay item? Proper and timely fulfillment is essential to successful eBay selling.

    Does the eBay seller only accept items that are allowed to be sold on eBay? If they're breaking eBay rules, their account could be suspended and your investment of time and money would be lost.

    Does the eBay seller research each item to make sure they are both pricing your item correctly and checking on what prior items have sold for? Proper research is required in order for your items to sell and to make you as much profit as possible.

    Does the eBay seller list multiples of the same items? You do not want your items to be bidding against themselves.

    Does your eBay seller re-list if your item doesn't sell the first time? At this time, you can tweak both your price as well as your description.

    Does your eBay seller have positive reviews from customers in past eBay sales?

    Does the eBay seller take their own pictures, or try and copy pictures already on eBay? Stock pictures often do not show any special markings or enhancements of an eBay item. Customers need to see the exact item they're buying. Better pictures will always sell the product faster and usually at higher prices.

    Make sure the eBay seller asks you for a truthful description. If an eBay item has defects or is not in operating condition, then the item needs to be listed with these defects. Buyers should know exactly what they are purchasing. A returned item due to dissatisfaction is not a good eBay sale. All blemishes and defects should be listed for any eBay item.My six month old laptop with broken LCD screen, it was cheaper to buy a new one... I could have bought a Nikon D50 with the money! If a computer screen is broken, this needs to be shown in the picture and described in the listing.

    If you are trying to sell a car on eBay, does the eBay seller ask you to see the title before the sale? Do they let you know that the vehicle needs to be ready for a purchaser to see, touch and take the auto to a garage for an inspection?

    Does the eBay seller have a secure, safe location to store your eBay items? Does the store provide an alarm system and carry insurance on their store. If you are shipping furniture, can the company you list with ship your furniture as freight.

    These are just a few questions you should ask when researching a store that will sell your eBay items. Pack n Send has helped individuals sell their personal items and family estate profitably on eBay. If we can answer any of your eBay selling questions, please call us in Houston at 713-266-1450.

     

    Tags: Shipping Houston, freight furniture houston

    Freight Your Furniture-Save Moving Dollars

    Posted on Tue, Apr 26, 2011

    Have you ever had to move small amounts of furniture, household items, or office equipment cross-country? Have you ever considered Less-Than-Load freight?

    Most major moving companies require a large amount of furniture and a large dollar amount for moving furniture across throughout the United States.

    There are other ways to send small amounts furniture. LTL (less than load) shipment consolidates freight from other customers on the same truck. Small amounts of freight from various customers are shipped at a savings all over the country.

    When requesting LTL it is good idea to ask for the days when discounts are provided. Companies that book your shipment should pass these savings on to you, their customer.

    Another factor to consider is the length of time it will take your shipment to reach its final destination. Most carriers provide an expedited service at an additional cost.

    You can take out coverage for the value of your shipment due to loss or damage by the carrier.

    The process for freighting your furniture is relatively simple. Your furniture is packed carefully on a pallet, surrounded by 1 x 4’s shrink wrapped and sent out as freight.

    The freight company will call the day before to set a delivery time that fits in with your schedule.

    When your furniture is delivered, you can request an "inside delivery" for a few dollars more.

    Furniture freighting is the best way for you to ship small quantity of furniture.

    For more information about freighting furniture or for a price quote contact Pack n Send at 713 266 1450.

    Kitchen-table 4A modern kitchen-table. Many thanks to Zela for the picture on the wall :), and for having to endure my bad temper, (sorry for that Zela).	  Architecture / Interiors

     

    Tags: Furniture Freighting Houston, furniture shipping

    Going Green With Freight Trucks

    Posted on Mon, Apr 25, 2011

    Houston Freight Company Sees More Environmentally Correct Freight Practices in the Future. 

     In Europe a firm with nine partners and assistance from the European Union are analyzing a new generation of electric vehicles. The next generation of batteries will be used for freight deliveries.  These batteries are expected to be placed in cars, vans and small delivery trucks.

    With reduced vehicle weight and reduced charges for the cost of the batteries, a win situation is expected for the environment. 

     They anticipate a twenty kWh battery pack that will have twenty five percent more power than the standard batteries currently to be found in electric vehicles.  They also anticipate a reduced size and weight of these more powerful batteries. 

    While the distance for the batteries is 140 miles per charge, this is still better than the current batteries.

    The information above was found on Handy Shipping Guide website.

    Pack n send is currently monitoring. information on both trends in the freight industry.  We look at both new purchases equipment as well as going green initiatives. Since freight and cargo are a precursor to economic activity world wide, we feel that these articles will help other companies plan for future freight shipments. Pack n send has been environmentally conscious since we opened almost thirty years age.

     For more information about freight and cargo shipping from Houston, feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Environmentally sound choices being made by freight and cargo industry.

    A large truck drives over the bridge. <br>See more <a href="http://www.pbase.com/hull_m">photos by Matthew Hull</a> at PBase. <br>See my portfolio at <a href="http://www.istockphoto.com/matthew_hull"&...

    Tags: Freight Houston, Cargo Houston

    Container Loading and Crating

    Posted on Fri, Apr 22, 2011

    Pack n send loads containers  

    for both household good and business shipping.  While we pack and wrap goods before they go inside the container, we also label our palletized items for easy unloading.

    Businesses are shipping office furniture, files and machinery over seas on a steady basis. While some of our households and individuals are returning to their home countries, we also ship for people just shopping in the United States. They have their brand new furniture and goods delivered to our warehouse, and then we load and ship the container for them.

    Some of our best customers are locating overseas for a few years. When their job assignment is complete, we will then ship back their belongings.

     Businesses are busy purchasing machinery as well as entire plants and requesting overseas shipping.

     Our last commercial container had a Caterpillar 120 taken apart and then loaded into the container.

     Our automobile shipping is steady.  We offer containerized shipping to most countries. We are able to offer a lower cost roll on roll off service to certain locations.

     For customers that do not have enough goods to fill a container, we offer shipping by the cubic meter.  For our much smaller shipments we offer regular shipping services.

     We custom crate items, as well as box or palletize shipments. Our crating service handles fragile or delicate items priced form one hundred dollars to over one million dollars.

     If you need any over seas shipping, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Box <br />Boite carton d\'emballage

     

      

    Tags: Freight Forwarding Houston, Cargo Loading Houston

    More 777’s to Service the Freight and Cargo Industry

    Posted on Thu, Apr 21, 2011

     Yesterday we reported purchases of 777’s by Qatar Airways.  Today we are reporting purchases of 777’s by Fed
    Ex. 

     As we report more and more purchases of airplanes to ship cargo and freight both in Houston, and world wide, it give us a glimmer that the worldwide economy is looking up.

     Fed Ex has purchase the 777’s for use in the northern part of India. Business for auto, clothing jewelry and gems  are on the rise in this part of India.  Also, increases have been noted in the are of hi tech items.

    With these lighter 777’s the fuel emissions will decrease about 20 per cent.  Companies worldwide are trying to decrease the effect on the environment with these new lighter and fuel efficient aircraft.

    Pack n send continually monitors world wide cargo and freight trends. Last year companies were spending money retrofitting trucks that were already on hand to improve fuel efficiency.

    This year we are noting increases in equipment purchases that already have incorporated fuel and environmental savings.

     For information about packing, crating, freight and cargo shipping, container loading, and freight receiving  in Houston Texas and thought out the United States, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Some giant military cargo jet's engine.

    Tags: Houston Shipping, Freight Forwarding Houston

    Qatar- New Purchases of Freight Airliners

    Posted on Wed, Apr 20, 2011

    Once again pack n send is able to report new purchases for airplanes used for freight transpiration.  As reported by Air Cargo News, Qatar airlines has ordered two new 777’s.  This combined with its previous order bring the total to five new air freighters.

     These planes are both fuel efficient and cost twenty per cent less in operating costs. It is  nine teen percent lighter, and this translates into the cost savings.

     Qatar’s first order for 777 came in just 2007.

    Pack n send continually monitors worldwide purchases both airplanes and cargo ships.

     The past few months have provided a continuation of the ordering improvement that began in the fall of last year. Freight and cargo shipment are a prediction of the worldwide economic environment  Seeing companies continually  increase orders in these areas is a positive economic signal.

     For information on shipping freight, cargo and containers from Houston Texas, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Crating and packing Houston Texas, Shipping Houston Texas

    International Freight and Cargo Shipping from Houston

    Posted on Tue, Apr 19, 2011

    Shipping News Feature

    Pack n send usually discusses international news on our blog.  Since we have customers calling in to ask about our international shipping services, we are making a change for this blog and discussing some of our international shipping services.

     We do pack and load household goods for shipping out of the Port of Houston.  We do ship all over the world. We have a network of shippers and do arrange shipments for our customers out of other ports as well. We will determine if you need a twenty foot or a forty foot container for your shipment.

     Besides house hold goods, we also load and pack machinery, airplanes, cars and assorted other items into containers for both individuals and companies.

     We  also freight furniture through out the fifty United States as well as through out the world.  If you do not have enough furniture for a twenty foot container, then we can ship your furniture on a pallet. We ship this by the cubic meters. After you have over ten cubic meters, it becomes more cost effective to order a twenty foot container for you.

     We fill in the paper work for you, as well as prepare the bill of lading for your shipment.

     We will try and answer more questions for you  on our blog or you can call us at  713 266 1450 so that we can help you.

    Tags: Container Loading Houston, Cargo Loading Houston

    Possible Nigerian Freight Scam

    Posted on Mon, Apr 18, 2011

    Possible Nigerian Freight Scam

    NIGERIA – With the eyes of the world are fixed on a country in the grip of election fever, according to local press reports a major investigation by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) is under way after several local freight forwarding agencies were accused of forging import documents to enable shipping containers to pass into the country without being scanned. Recently local agents have claimed goods are being cleared much faster than previously and cynics say fraud may be the reason why.

    The dangers of such activities are obvious and the penalties likely to be swingeing with directors of the companies involved liable to arrest and prosecution if a prima facie case can be made against them. Twenty seven agencies in Tin Can Island Port have reportedly had their licences suspended after the accusation that they had been using the supposedly secret passwords of Customs officers to allow their Single Goods Declaration forms, and thus their import boxes to pass into the green lane where no scanning is required.

    The Tin Can Island chapter of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Clearing Agents (ANLCA) is no stranger to controversy, in recent days it has been accused of violence toward demonstrations

    Until Africa can change not only its ways but its image, this attitude from the US, European and Asian communities will persist and must be frustrating for those on the continent who are trying daily to bring about a modern, untainted freight and transport infrastructure.

     Pack n send is republishing  parts of an article from the Handy Shipping Guide. We try and report both positive and sometimes negative occurrences in the freight and  cargo industry.

     For information about shipping freight and cargo from Houston, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Houston Mover, Freight Forwarding Houston, Cargo Shipping Houston

    Free Port Of Houston Tour-See Cargo Up Close

    Posted on Fri, Apr 15, 2011

    The Port of Houston offers an up close look at cargo shipping. Pack n send is posting the information  taken from the Port of Houston website as a service to our customers.

    Get ready for an unforgettably spectacular waterborne tour of one of the busiest ports in the world aboard the Port of Houston Authority's free public tour boat!

    Named for the legendary military commander who led the fight for Texas independence from Mexico and later statehood, the M/V Sam Houston offers free leisurely 90-minute round-trip cruises along the Houston Ship Channel.

    Embarking from the port's Sam Houston Pavilion, visiting sightseers can enjoy passing views of international cargo vessels, and operations at the port's Turning Basin Terminal. Measuring 95 feet in length and 24 feet in width, the boat carries a maximum capacity of 90 passengers with air-conditioned lounge seating and additional standing room on the boat's rear deck.

    The M/V Sam Houston has been operating as the Port Authority's public tour vessel since its inaugural voyage on July. 30, 1958. By 1979, a total of 1 million passengers had taken the tour.

    No food or beverages are allowed to be brought aboard the boat or into the pavilion. However, a free beverage is provided on the boat during the trip. We want all of our visitors to enjoy the tour experience in a clean and safe environment, therefore picnics in the pavilion are not allowed.

    The tour is free; however reservations are required 24 hours in advance of the planned tour. Enhanced port security measures require government-issued photo identification for passengers ages 18 and older. Examples of acceptable identification are state-issued drivers license, state of Texas Identification card, or passport.

    Register online anytime, or call 713-670-2416, Monday through Thursday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Please note: a maximum of 45 reservations is allowed for any one group. Also, a maximum ratio of one adult per four children under the age of 12 will be enforced.

    SECURITY NOTICE

    Because of heightened security measures, regularly scheduled tours aboard the M/V Sam Houston may be canceled without advance notice. Before making the trip to the Port of Houston for a tour aboard the Sam Houston, please consult this Web site for information on the status of your tour.

    Security regulations also prohibit the carrying of any camera equipment aboard the M/V Sam Houston and the taking of photographs from aboard the ship is strictly prohibited.

    Also, large baggage such as backpacks and oversized purses are not allowed on board. Passengers' personal belongings may be subject to searches in accordance with federal regulations. The PHA reserves the right to refuse passage to board the vessel to any person for any reason at any time.

     We advise that you arrive at least 15 minutes, preferably half hour, before your tour launches to assure that you have plenty of time to check in through security and to board the vessel.

    Tour Times

    Monday

    Closed

    Tuesday

    10 am & 2:30 pm

    Wednesday

    10 am & 2:30 pm

    Thursday

    2:30 pm only

    Friday

    10 am & 2:30 pm

    Saturday

    10 am & 2:30 pm

    Sunday

    2:30 pm only

    Holidays

    Closed

     

    For more information on international shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Cargo Shipping from Houston, Cargo Loading Houston

    Houston Freight Company Notes Collision on Danube

    Posted on Wed, Apr 13, 2011

    AP has reported that a cargo ship on the Danube River has collided with a cruise ship carrying tourists.

     The tourists are being picked up by another boat. The Cargo ship that was carrying corn did not sink, but is badly damaged.  It appears that no one was harmed in this occurrence.

     Pack n send tries to report both good and bad news in the shipping and cargo industry. Pack n send tries to track all incidents worldwide that have an impact either on shipping or on the environment.

     For information about shipping, moving or freight forwarding, please contact pack n send at  713 266 1450.

    Cazanele Dunarii

     

    Tags: Cargo Shipping from Houston, Freight Forwarding Houston

    Houston Cargo Company Sees Environmentally Friendly Trucks

    Posted on Tue, Apr 12, 2011

    Container ship unloads its contents at the Port of Los Angeles

     Port of Los Angeles signs contract with Vision Motor

    The Port of Los Angeles has signed a $1.4m contract with Vision Motor of El Segundo, California, a manufacturer of advanced zero emission hydrogen fuel cell hybrid electric commercial heavy-duty trucks to retrofit 15 Port owned electric trucks.

    The company said that the retrofits would upgrade the Port's electric truck's battery only system with its range extending, hydrogen fuel cell electric hybrid system.

    The Port will initially issue a purchase order for six retrofits and the remaining retrofit orders are contingent on the availability of other grant funding.

    The intent of the retrofits with the company's hydrogen fuel cell system is to extend the driving and operating range of the Port owned fleet of battery only electric trucks.

    Thus alleviating operating down-time caused by range limitations of battery only trucks pulling heavier cargo loads.

    Vision CEO Martin Schuermann said the company's technology combines the superior power of an electric drive train with the extended range of a hydrogen fuel cell system and it allows for zero emission operations without sacrificing driving range.

    Vision Motor vice-president of business development Rudy Tapia said the company is pleased to provide a solution that enables the Port of Los Angeles investment in zero emission trucks to meet the demanding needs of the commercial market place as well as furthering the Ports commitment to improving air quality by reducing emissions.

     Pack n send has republished this article taken from the Los Angeles Times as another in our series of articles on the freight industry’s concerns with improving the environment.

    For information about freight and cargo shipping and packing and unpacking, please contact pack n send at  713 266 1450.

     

     

    Tags: Houston Mover, Container Loading Houston, Freight Houston, Cargo Houston

    Pod-Freight no, Living yes- Houston Firm Sees Alternative Use

    Posted on Mon, Apr 11, 2011

    Pack n send has been following alternative uses for containers used in freight and cargo shipping. This article from NBC news caught our attention because the the term “pod” housing. 

    Huang Rixin, a spritely 78-year-old former engineer turned Beijing landlord, has made a name for himself in recent months  producing cage like  21.5 square-foot living spaces dubbed  " capsule apartments  ” for the capital’s burgeoning class of jobless and underemployed college graduates.

    Two Chinese men sit in their own small spaces in capsule apartments in Beijing, China, in a photo taken June 12, 2010.

    Taking Japan’s famous  capsule hotels for inspiration, Huang has improved on previous iterations of his pod houses by doubling the size of the rooms and including more shelf space. Huang views his pods, with rent of about $51 a month, as a cost-effective way to house the estimated 3 million recent university graduates seeking employment or earning less than the  average starting salary  of approximately $400 a month.

    In many ways his capsule apartments highlight the social and economic problems that belie China’s gaudy GDP numbers.

    Even as the national economy surges, China’s per-capita income has simply not kept pace, and millions of people have been left out of the nation’s economic miracle.

    While China’s liberalized economic policy has certainly pulled hundreds of millions of people out of poverty and transformed the country into an industrial dynamo, little of that prosperity has trickled down to the majority of would-be Chinese consumers – the very people who many economic experts insist will fuel China’s growth well into the 21st century.

    In essence, China is still the largest market in the world for virtually everything, and despite claims otherwise, Chinese consumers are very willing spenders. However, Chinese wages are currently so low that consumers simply are unable to contribute to domestic consumption unless serious wealth redistribution or salary adjustment occurs.

    Whether that economic stature is fleeting – as it was for the Japan – or relatively more long-term, as it has been for the U.S., will bear close watching.

    Pack n send has reproduced portions of this story from NBC News' Arata Yamamoto contributed to this report from Tokyo.

    For more information on shipping freight and cargo from the United States, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Houston Freight Shipper Notes More Airline Purchases

    Posted on Fri, Apr 08, 2011

     Qatar Purchases more aircraft

     US – QATAR – Boeing confirm they have received an order for three of their 777 freighters which have been sold to Qatar Airways. The cargo carriers will be added to the Qatari fleet of twenty five 777’s, two of which are the long range freight version. The 777 Freighter order was previously accounted for on Boeing's Orders and Deliveries website as unidentified in 2010.

    The announcement came at the time of the Business & Investment in Qatar Forum in New York in the presence of H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, US Secretary of Transportation Ray Lahood and the US Ambassador to Qatar, Ambassador Joseph LeBaron. The agreement was signed by Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways' CEO and Tony Valentine, sales director, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The forum, of which Boeing is one of the sponsors, is held under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Hamad and aims to promote Qatar's emerging role as a political, economic and cultural hub in the Middle East.

    Boeing spokesman Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales & Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes enthused over the agreement saying Boeing looked forward to a continued partnership as the Arabian airline expands its position on the international stage and said the agreement confirmed the 777 as an outstanding success and underlined the strategic relationship that the USA and Qatar have forged on the industrial and economic front.

    This article taken from Handy Shipping Guide is yet another in as series of articles in 2011 that shows increases in airline purchases  and a positive outlook for the worldwide shipping industry.


    For more information about shipping freight, cargo and containers from Houston, Texas, feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    an old Boeing 747-200 \"Iran Air\" gets airborne HAM / EDDH (Hamburg, Germany).

    Tags: Crating and Packing Houston, Air Cargo Shipping Houston

    Art Work Shipping Needed by Companies Selling off Art

    Posted on Thu, Apr 07, 2011

    The Associated Press has an article about companies selling off art work.  While some are using the money to pay off debt others are re evaluating their art colletions.

    First it was individuals selling art work, then Universities, now banks and companies.  At pack n send we have put on ebay art work for customers.

    While it has sold, the customers have asked substantially less than the appraised value.  As clients also need cash, they are  delving into their art reserves as a way to make quick money.

    We have seen companies that are closing put up both their high value art work as well as their framed posters and  prints.  It has been good for both the sellers and the buyers.

    At pack n send we build custom crates for the higher valued pieces, and box the lower priced  items.  Delicate statues are crated, while the less expensive, less valuable statutes are double bubbled,  put in a box with peanuts and then put inside another box for shipping.

    For more information about pack n sends crating and art shipping please contact us at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: crating packing shipping, crating, crate

    Houston Freight Company Sees Couple Traveling the World as Education

    Posted on Tue, Apr 05, 2011

    Pack n send  is reprinting parts of this article by Harriet Baskas.  The reason we find this article fascinatining is that we ship and move individuals and businesses world wide without ever seeing the destinations that we ship to.  The Zapps are seeing these beautiful countries and educating their children at the same time.  

     

    Imagine traveling around the world with your family, by car, for 11 years straight.

    For some it would be like a dream come true. For others, it would get old pretty quickly.

    But Herman and Candelaria Zapp, along with their four children — all born on the road — are living the dream.

    The Zapps are childhood sweethearts; they met when she was 8 and he was 10. The couple spent their first few years of married life putting down roots in  Argentina, where Herman had his own computer and telephone IT company and they had a nice house with a swimming pool.

    “Our family was happy with us. We had it all,” said Herman Zapp.

    But something was missing: that around-the-world trip they had talked about while courting — and children. So, the couple set out in 2000 on a pre-baby road trip from   Buenos Aires  to Alaska.

    “We were thinking if we have kids, we will never be able to travel. So we set a day to leave for Alaska and [planned to] have our kids when we come back,” Zapp said.

     “Our family was saying that we wouldn’t make it," Zapp said. "The most optimistic were giving us a week’s journey. No more.”

    Not only did the couple complete their nearly 44,000-mile initial journey, but they decided to keep going.

    Since then, they’ve been to more than two dozen countries and traveled at least 145,000 miles.

    For informaiton about moving, packing and shipping from Houston Texas,  please call pack n send at  713 266 1450.

       

    Remodeling Can Be a Moving Experience- Ask a Houston Freight Shipper

    Posted on Mon, Apr 04, 2011

     

     

    Ed Bullock, AIA

     

    Architect at CEBArchitecture        www.cebarch.com

     As an architect who designs new homes, additions and remodels, I often work with homeowners who need to deal with the logistics of accommodating a construction project into their lives. In an extensive remodel or even just a kitchen renovation, families, especially those with small children, sometimes find it necessary to temporarily move out of their home to avoid the noise, mess and hazards of construction as well as to give the contractor room to work without damaging the homeowner’s belongings or peace of mind. In considering whether to live or stay in the home while it is being renovated, one needs to consider several factors.

     

    First determine if the home will be livable during construction. Will the kitchen, bath room and other areas critical for habitation be available for your use? Will electrical power, heating and air conditioning be working when you need it? If you cannot use the parts of your home that are critical to your lifestyle for an extended period, it may make sense to find temporary lodgings elsewhere.

     Secondly, weigh your tolerance of the noise, dirt and debris that comes with construction. If you and your family are not around while construction activities take place, then noise is not an issue, at least for you. Dirt, debris and exposure to weather can be isolated to the areas under construction in some cases, but sometimes it cannot. Be prepared to discuss this early in the design process rather than waiting to find out during construction that your belongings are covered with drywall dust or soaked by leaking water and your piece of mind is shattered. Safety is another matter and the most important. There are plenty of ways to get hurt at a construction site, especially if it is your home. Do not stay in a hazardous location if you can avoid it.

     Third, consider whether moving out of your home to accommodate or speed the renovations will justify the additional cost of finding temporary lodging. If you want to consider it, the cost of moving and renting another home or apartment would need to be factored into the overall project budget.

     

    There is value in working with knowledgeable and experienced professionals in the design and construction of a home improvement project. While some people prefer to do the work themselves, skilled professionals can speed completion and assure quality of the work while minimizing damage to the existing construction. It also makes sense to consider experience and reliability in finding someone to deal with the packing, transporting and handling of large, heavy or valuable belongings. Just as I would want a skilled carpenter, plumber or electrician to handle the challenging work of construction, I would also look for someone qualified to do the heavy lifting of my belongings as well.

     Pack n send has reprinted this article from Ed Bullock, AIA.

     Ed’s  website is www.cebarch.com. As an experience architect, Ed’s advice is important to consider when remodeling your home or office.

     For advice on moving or preparing your home for a remodeling job, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: packing houston texas, Moving Houston

    Swiss Worldcargo Upbeat News-Good for Houston & Worlwide Cargo

    Posted on Wed, Mar 30, 2011

    30-Mar-2011

    EXCLUSIVE to Air Cargo News, Swiss WorldCargo reveals its 2010 performance and highlights what is in store for 2011.

    Volume load factors for 2010 reached around 83 per cent, the company said, with the first two months of the year resting at an 80 per cent average.

    Swiss WorldCargo only markets the belly capacity of the Swiss fleet, comprising 80 aircraft – 26 for long and 54 for medium and short haul flights.

    The aircraft fall into two categories: widebody aircraft such as the A330-223 and A340- 300, which are used on long-haul flights and when fully loaded can carry up to 23 tonnes of freight in addition to passengers; and narrowbodies, which are used on short and medium-haul flights and have a maximum freight capacity of around three tonnes.

    These capacities are augmented by the belly capacity of the Edelweiss Air fleet (3xA320, 1xA330-200 and 1xA330-300) and by a finely meshed trucking network in Europe and North America.

    New Swiss WorldCargo destinations launched in 2010, thanks to the cooperation with Edelweiss Air, included Goa, Kilimanjaro, Mauritius, Plata, Pristina, Puerto, and Skopje.

    New destinations to be launched in summer 2011 in cooperation with Edelweiss Air are Anchorage, Beijing and Beirut.

     Pack n send has reprint this article from AirCargo News as a service to our customers. Pack n send is constantly looking for upbeat news in worldwide shipping.

     For information about shipping from Houston Texas, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450 for your freight, cargo and container needs.

      

     

    Tags: Cargo Houston, Shipping Houston

    Lufthansa Cargo Looks to Future-Good for Houston and U. S.

    Posted on Tue, Mar 29, 2011

    After a strong 2010, Lufthansa Cargo will further grow its fleet and network alongside a modernisation campaign.

    The company posted an operating profit of €310 million (US$439 million) in 2010 with €2.8 billion (US$3.97 billion) in revenues, rising to near pre-crisis levels.

    The Germany-based carrier has big plans for the next four years. Its five new Boeing 777Fs are slated for delivery between 2013 and 2015. Lufthansa Cargo is also preparing for modernisation of the cargo centre at its home base at Frankfurt Airport. In addition it will modernise its IT infrastructure to replace paperwork in airfreight completely with electronic documents.

    The company has also started sending freighters to China. From 29 March Lufthansa Cargo is to operate its MD-11 freighter services on the Shenzhen-Frankfurt route three times a week.

    International Cargo Centre Shenzhen, a joint venture air cargo terminal between Shenzhen Airport and Lufthansa Cargo, is ready to handle its cargo warehousing in Shenzhen Airport.

     

    AFTER a strong 2010, Lufthansa Cargo will further grow its fleet and network alongside a modernisation campaign.

    The company posted an operating profit of €310 million (US$439 million) in 2010 with €2.8 billion (US$3.97 billion) in revenues, rising to near pre-crisis levels.

    The Germany-based carrier has big plans for the next four years. Its five new Boeing 777Fs are slated for delivery between 2013 and 2015. Lufthansa Cargo is also preparing for modernisation of the cargo centre at its home base at Frankfurt Airport. In addition it will modernise its IT infrastructure to replace paperwork in airfreight completely with electronic documents.

    The company has also started sending freighters to China. From 29 March Lufthansa Cargo is to operate its MD-11 freighter services on the Shenzhen-Frankfurt route three times a week.

    International Cargo Centre Shenzhen, a joint venture air cargo terminal between Shenzhen Airport and Lufthansa Cargo, is ready to handle its cargo warehousing in Shenzhen Airport.

    Pack n send has republished this article from Air Cargo News as a service to our customers .We try to highlight positive signs in the worldwide cargo industry.

    For more information about air cargo, container shipping and freight from Houston, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Airplane Wing

    Tags: Crating and Packing Houston, Air Cargo Shipping Houston

    Article about Port of Houston -Cargo and Khamis Gadhafi

    Posted on Mon, Mar 28, 2011

     Gadhafi Son Wooed in Houston Port Ahead of Revolt

    Khamis Gadhafi Toured a Major U.S. Port, American Universities a Month Before Protests Began in Libya

    By BRIAN ROSS and WAYNE DOLCEFINO

    March 25, 2011 

    Moammar Gadhafi’s son Khamis meets U.S. business executives at the Port of Houston in Texas just a month before a popular revolution threatened to topple his regime.

    This week, U.S. officials were describing Khamis as the "bloodthirsty" commander of an elite unit of the Libyan Army. Unconfirmed reports said he may have been killed after a maverick pilot flew his plane into military headquarters in Tripoli.

    Khamis' tour of the U.S. was sponsored by an American engineering firm that does business in Libya, AECOM of Los Angeles, according to business executives briefed on the event.

    In Houston, Khamis was given a tour and briefing by officials at the city's Port Authority, according to documents and photographs obtained by ABC News, as part of what a spokesperson called "an educational visit" connected to an "internship associated with his Masters of Business Administration" at an unnamed university. The tour included a maritime security presentation by a former U.S. Coast Guard Commander.

     Pack n send is republishing this article as part of our series on events and occurrences at the port of Houston.

     For information about shipping freight, cargo and containers please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Cargo Houston, Freight Forwarding Houston

    Houston Freight Shipper Reports Scholarships

    Posted on Fri, Mar 25, 2011

    With ocean freight coming more and more under the environmental spotlight Florida based Crowley Maritime Corporation, which offers a full range of marine services from break bulk and liner shipping to containers, logistics and salvage, can take credit for pursuing their policy of providing further education for students of maritime matters. Students Ali Stevens and Michael Roy are getting the chance to attend the Maritime Studies Program of Williams College and Mystic Seaport this spring, thanks in part to Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarships recently presented by the company.

    The Williams-Mystic Maritime Studies Program at Williams College is a one-semester interdisciplinary ocean and coastal studies program integrating marine science, maritime history, environmental policy and literature of the sea.

    Since 1984, Crowley has provided more than half-a-million dollars in scholarship funding for approximately 200 students studying at maritime academies and other select institutions. The company has also donated more than $2 million over the years to support other educational programs.

    In 1994, Crowley Chairman, President and CEO, Tom Crowley Jr., established the Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarship Program, in honour of his father, who guided the company to extraordinary heights before passing away in 1994. The company continues to give scholarship dollars to deserving students in the U.S., Alaska and Puerto Rico. In 2006, the program expanded to Central America and to date has provided financial assistance to 30 students in that region.

    In the fall of 2009, Crowley expanded the scholarship program with the Maritime Studies Program of Williams College and Mystic Seaport, increasing its donation from $10,000 to $20,000 a year for deserving and need-based students in the program. This has allowed four students, two in the fall and two in the spring semester, to take part in the program, instead of one student per semester.

    Handy Shipping Guide has posted this article on their website. Pack n send has reprinted portions of this article. The article demonstrates that the freight community is forward thinking and always looking to improve itself.

     For information about freight, cargo, containers and moving from Houston, feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Text with biological words

    Tags: Crating and Packing Houston, Container Loading Houston, Freight Forwarding Houston

    Pack n Send in Houston reports Relief Freight Headed to Japan

    Posted on Wed, Mar 23, 2011

    The world’s largest freighter aircraft has joined the effort to fly relief supplies to Japan.

    Air Partner has chartered the An-225 aircraft to carry 145 tonnes of blankets, food, water, medicines and respirators from Chateauroux in France to Tokyo Narita Airport. The flight was organised by Antonov Airlines.

    Today Lufthansa Cargo begins its participation with the EU Commission by providing an MD-11 freighter and the crew for the flight free of charge. The aircraft will be flying around 70 tonnes of relief supplies to Tokyo.

    The supplies, especially blankets, will be transported by road from Tokyo to the earthquake-stricken areas. Apart from the EU Commission and Lufthansa Cargo, the mercy mission is supported by Denmark, the Netherlands and Lithuania.

     

    Air Cargo News release the story printed above.  Freight shipments headed to the disaster zone are a sign that companies are beginning to assist the Japanese.

    Pack n send in Houston will post updates for freight and cargo shipping to Japan as we receive them.

    For information about cargo, freight, moving and container shipping from Houston, Texas, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

     

    Tags: Freight forwarding Houston Texas, Crating and Packing Houston, Container Loading Houston

    Houston company Update- Japan Cargo and Freight

    Posted on Tue, Mar 22, 2011

    shipping containers at clyde

    JAPAN – 2011 may well be remembered as an annus horribilis by those in the freight and passenger industries with the unsettled situation in North Africa now breaking out into an international conflict to add to the earthquakes which have rocked New Zealand and Japan in recent days. Good logistics are essential when one is faced by a disaster of the scale faced currently in Japan where the tsunami has devastated large areas and caused a major nuclear alert as well as disrupting container and bulk freight shipping schedules.

    According to the latest information available from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), World Health Organization, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the World Meteorological Organization, the International Maritime Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization, international flight and maritime operations can continue normally into and out of Japan’s major airports, including both Haneda and Narita, and all sea ports excluding those directly damaged by the tsunami.

    Other conflicting reports say that services at the main airports are being restricted due to a limited fuel supply. Japan produces 3-4% of global jet fuel supply, some of which is exported to Asia. Some of this refinery capacity has been lost due to damage caused by the earthquake and ensuing water damage. This supply restriction, coupled to the current Middle East situation could lead to higher jet fuel prices.

    Already reports are coming in from Malaysia to the effect that intra Asian air cargo rates are up between 50 and 60% and ‘emergency’ surcharges are being imposed on ocean freight containers within the week. It is said that emergency bunker charges will be imposed on all air freight cargo unless destined for Japan itself.

    Currently available information indicates that increased levels of radiation have been detected at some airports, but these do not represent any health risk. In the meantime US import officials are increasing the levels of scanning inward containers for radiation. This is routinely done anyway but the authorities are insisting on extra vigilance.

    The US Coast Guard have issued a notice to all shipping en route to America to avoid passing within 50 miles of the damaged nuclear reactors. Ships which pass within the radiation buffer zone must report for inspection before sailing to within 100 miles of the US coastline (details HERE). The U.S. Coast Guard site will provide an updated notice as additional guidance becomes available but ship owners and operators should keep abreast of information being provided by the Japanese Government relating to any further developments.

    Container sailing schedules are being adapted as the situation unfolds, the ports at Hachinohe, Hitachi, Hitachinaka, Ishinomaki, Kamaishi, Kashima, Ofunato, Onahama, Sendai-Shiogama and Soma have all suffered serious damage and shippers are advised to check with their carriers directly for updates and news of re-routings. It is likely that the difficulty of maintaining fuel supplies, plus the need to utilise all available port facilities for the urgent import of emergency aid will continue to impact on the ocean freight sector for some time.

    Meanwhile Mitsui OSK Line (MOL) who we reported on last week, have issued more details of both the aid they have so far provided plus news on how they will continue efforts to try and mitigate the problems afflicting their home country. MOL Ferry Company Ltd., a Mitsui subsidiary, transported about 2,700 Japan Self-Defence Forces (JSDF) personnel and about 930 emergency vehicles from Tomakomai in Hokkaido to Aomori, the capital of Aomori prefecture, on the main island of Honshu. The transport support was accomplished with four ferries, which made eight trips in total as part of MOL’s ongoing effort to provide aid to the quake- and tsunami stricken areas.

    The group is to provide containers for relief supplies to container yards at their normal available loading ports before the end of May 2011. As shipping capacity is limited, transport of those supplies will be on a first-come first-shipped basis. This offer covers grant aid supplies from public institutions such as governmental institutions and municipalities, or government-approved aid organizations to be shipped to disaster areas like the earthquake affected Tohoku district. However, some of the items such as dangerous articles, animals, and other regulated items may not be accepted.

    Portions of this article were taken from the Handy Shipping  Guide.

     As improvements are made in Japanese freight, we will post these improvements on our website.  For information about freight, cargo and container shipping from Houston and the Untied States, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Freight forwarding Houston Texas, Crate Houston, Container Shipping Houston

    Japan and Medical Equipment Shipping and Production

    Posted on Thu, Mar 17, 2011


    With hundreds of thousands camped out in temporary shelters, at least 10,000 feared dead, more than a million without running water, and many desperately scanning survivor lists to learn the fate of loved ones, the fortunes of the global medical device industry are the last thing on most Japanese minds and rank almost invisibly low on the scale of human importance.

    But with the world's third biggest economy and one of the most important markets for medical devices, the devastation wrought by Friday's tsunami and the 9.0 earthquake that triggered it, the biggest in Japan's recorded history, could affect the industry, according to reports.
    Already, fears of a catastrophic meltdown of reactors at the Fukushima power plant have caused stocks to plummet, with Tokyo's Nikkei, its version of the S&P 500 list, down by more than 16 percent Tuesday, John Cassidy wrote in his Rational Irrationality column at the New Yorker. "Not that it matters much in the scheme of things, but in the past two days the Japanese stock market has suffered the biggest fall in any major market since the Wall Street crash of October, 1987," he wrote.

    And according to Deutsche Bank (as reported by Reuters), Japan accounts for nearly one-tenth of the combined sales of the top dozen U.S. companies.

    Edwards Lifescences Corp.'s Japanese sales are 17 percent of total revenue, Boston Scientific Corp.'s are 12 percent, St. Jude Medical Inc.'s 11 percent and Stryker Corp.'s 10 percent, according to Deutsche Bank.

    Becton Dickinson, with around 5 to 6 percent of total sales in Japan, has more invested in the country: it runs a syringe manufacturing facility located in Fukushima, the same town that's home to the damaged, and possibly leaking, nuclear power plant. The company told Reuters its factory, outside of the 20-kilometer "exclusion zone" surrounding the power plant, has been shut down, pending a safety assessment. All of its 550 workers, employed in Fukushima and 155 miles to the southeast in Tokyo, are safe, the company said.

    CNN reported that AIR Worldwide, a research group, estimates the quake will top Hurricane Katrina as the most expensive natural disaster in history. The 2005 hurricane that washed over New Orleans resulted in losses of around $125 billion, according to CNN.

    Pack n send has reprinted portions this article on the dot med website. This article was written  by: Brendon Nafziger, DOTmed News Associate Editor

      While in the past used medical equipment is shipped country wide,  and up north to Canada, we can for see shipments of equipment now heading towards Japan. 

     Pack n send ships medical equipment world wide, as well as freight, cargo and container of goods.

     For information about shipping medical equipment to Japan, please contact us at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Crating and Packing Houston, Electronics Shipping Houston, Shipping Houston, Freight Forwarding Houston, Packing Houston, Crating and packing Houston Texas, Medical Equipment Shipping Houston

    International Shipping Tips and Guidelines-From pack 'n send Houston

    Posted on Wed, Mar 16, 2011

    international shippingInternational shipping can become confusing, time-consuming, and costly if you don't know the ins and outs. There are a few basic questions to ask when arranging an international shipment.

    Will the country you are shipping to accept the item you are attempting to ship?
    Every country has a list of items that they will not accept. Use the UPS Country Regulations tool if you are unsure about the items you're shipping.

    Can the company you choose send both small amounts of goods as well as large shipping containers?
    If you choose a company that offers the full range of services, they should look for the least expensive way to ship all of your items.

    Does the shipping company have experience shipping to Africa, as well as South America?
    With different cultures and shipping requirements, it is worth looking for and experienced company. France, for example, has different restrictions from Burkina Faso.

    Is the company willing to spend the time to price each of your shipments individually, so that they can analyze the best alternative for each shipment?
    Fuel surcharges are constantly changing, and certain days of the week often offer less expensive shipping charges than other days.

    Pack n send has been in business since 1981 and offers a full range of shipping options for inidividuals and businesses. We ship a wide variety of items to countries all over the world. Contact us to see what we can ship for you today.

     

    Photo credit shelbychicago

    Tags: Furniture Freighting Houston, Crating and Packing Houston, Freight Forwarding Houston, Shipping Antiques Houston

    Air Freight not going to Narita Airport

    Posted on Wed, Mar 16, 2011

    Air cargo news has released the following news update:

    FOLLOWING an assessment of local issues, FedEx has pulled airfreight bound for Japan's Narita airport.

    Widespread destruction, a lack of fuel and infrastructural problems have urged FedEx to reverse its decision on 11 March to continue accepting freight to Japan.

    “We don’t want to fly freight in and have to store it because we'll run out of storage space,” Jim McCluskey, a FedEx spokesman, commented, adding that FedEx will continue to monitor the infrastructure in eastern Japan to see when deliveries can resume.

    FedEx also has stopped taking deliveries bound for the US territory of Guam; Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa, in the Ryukyu Islands south of Tokyo.

    United Parcel Service (UPS) resumed Narita flights over the weekend of 12 March while deliveries in some parts of Japan remain suspended.

    The Japanese authorities were forced to close Narita and Haneda airports following the earthquake and tsunami. They were reopened on 12 March. Only Sendai Airport, which was directly hit by the tsunami, can be expected to remain closed for some time to come.

    Pack n send in Houston is trying to keep our customers updated on worldwide shipping updates.  As airports and land transportation opens up in Japan we will post it on our website.

     For freight, cargo, moving and packing out of Houston, Texas, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Increase in Freight Orders Reported Again

    Posted on Tue, Mar 15, 2011

    BOOMING demand from Asia is keeping aircraft manufacturers happy, with the likes of Hong Kong Airlines and China Eastern Airlines ordering freighters at a rapid pace.

    China will help the Asia-Pacific region account for a third of global plane deliveries over the next 20 years, Boeing said. Rival Airbus said it expects airlines in Asia to take delivery of 8,560 aircraft in the next 20 years, representing a third of the global total.

    In early March, Hong Kong Airlines agreed to buy six 777 freighters from Boeing. Meanwhile, Boeing’s 747-8 freighter version has won 74 orders from customers including Cathay Pacific Airways, an Air China affiliate.

    Also this month, China Eastern Airlines, which operates a mix of Airbus and Boeing freighters, has revealed a massive expansion plan of 250 extra aircraft by 2015. In four years the fleet will total 588 units comprising 531 passenger aircraft, 30 freighters and 27 utility aircraft. As of 30 June 2010, the Shanghai-based carrier operated 338 aircraft, comprising 320 passenger aircraft and 18 freighters.

     Pack n send continues to track the increase for freight aircraft orders.  With worldwide ecoconomies struggling to come out of the recession, good news is report worthy.

     The article above came from Cargo Shipping News and is the second time in less than a week that new aircraft orders have been reported.

     For information about shipping freight, cargo and containers from Houston, Texas, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Shipping Houston, Freight Forwarding Houston, packing houston texas, Cargo Loading Houston, Shipping Antiques Houston

    Japan – Freight and Shipping Company Assistance

    Posted on Mon, Mar 14, 2011

     JAPAN

    At the request of the Japanese government, a subsidiary company, MOL Ferry has cooperated to transport members of the Japan Self-Defence Forces (JSDF) who were assigned to rescue operations in northeast Japan. This afternoon, four ‘Sunflower’ ferries, Sapporo, Furano, Shiretoko and Sunflower Daisetsu, started taking on the task of transporting vehicles and members of the JSDF from Tomakomai in Hokkaido to Aomori, which is close to the quake-stricken area.

    Regarding the status of MOL vessels the company tell us the only vessel directly affected from their fleet was the MOL-chartered C.S. Victory (Flag: Panama, 20,212 Gross Tonnes),which was swept toward the breakwater by the tsunami and now rests on the bottom of the shallow harbour at Ishinomaki (Miyagi prefecture). All the crew members left the vessel on orders of the harbour master, and none were injured. None of the cargo of kaolin or fuel oil has spilled from the vessel so far.

    MOL will announce further developments regarding the aid program as they unfold and we shall publish them as they happen. Together with MOL we at the Handy Shipping Guide of course express our heartfelt sympathies to the families and friends of those who lost loved ones in the earthquake.

     Pack n send has reprinted the portion of the article describing sea assistance from Handy Shipping News.

    For further  updates on assistance offered by freight and cargo companies, pack n send in Houston will try and keep our blogs updated for our customers.

     For other assistance in shipping, freight and cargo preparation in Houston, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    image: Japan earthquake ocean freight container shipping multi modal vessel status

    Tags: Houston Medical Equipment Shipping, Cargo Shipping from Houston, Crating and Packing Houston, Container Loading Houston, Freight Houston, Cargo Houston, Shipping Houston, Container Shipping Houston

    Possible Freight Monopoly Affecting Houston and US

    Posted on Fri, Mar 11, 2011

    US – There are rumblings of discontent in Washington at the moment about the behaviour of the rail freight carriers, some of whom are being accused of monopolistic behaviour. At a recent hearing of the Surface Transportation Board (STB) rail freight customers demanded federal intervention in a move which may be seen to be taking the industry back where it was before the 1981 Staggers Act.

    The Act removed government intervention and led to a recovery of an industry which had been in the doldrums for a decade whilst theoretically protecting against anti trust behaviour. Now, in the intervening years, there has been a degree of polarisation with buy outs and failures resulting in an almost baronial system with little competition on vast sections of track. Dozens of independent railroads have now been distilled down to a handful of mega carriers.

    When Warren Buffet made his move for BNSF in 2009 critics said he paid billions of dollars over the book price and now those same opponents say his Berkshire Hathaway group has a monopoly over a large client sector which will be forced to pay a premium rate for cargo by rail as they do not have access to an alternative carrier.

    Certain industries, principally coal, chemical and agricultural products, have the ability to appeal the rates they are charged before the STB but the waters are muddied by dozens of exemptions such as container traffic where competition is deemed sufficient and the Association of American Railroads, which represents such industry giants as BNSF, Union Pacific, CSX and Norfolk Southern will have a fight on its hands as the economic noose tightens on producers and consumers alike. Now the veteran leader of the Senate anti trust committee, Sen. Herb Kohl, 77, has this week sworn to make it a priority that his team push for more control over the behaviour of the rail carriers and they will need to defend themselves vigorously to convince the sceptics.

    The general feeling amongst many objectors is that the pendulum has swung too far in favour of the rail companies. The industry reply is that not only have the train companies spent billions on getting where they are, the need for infrastructure investment is a pressing one and more regulation will simply lead to a poorer service for the future.

    Pack n send is constantly tracking trends and news reports in the domestic and international freight markets.

    This article appeared in Handy Shipping News. Pack n send is reprinting this as a service to our customers.

    For more information about shippingfreight from Houston, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Delano, Jack,, 1914-, photographer.  Santa Fe R.R. freight train about to leave for the West Coast from Corwith yard, Chicago, Ill.  1943 March   1 transparency : color.  <b>Notes: </b> Title from FSA or OWI agency caption. Transfer fr...

    Tags: Freight Receiving Houston Texas, Shipping Houston, Freight Forwarding Houston, Cargo Shipping Houston, Shipping Antiques Houston Texas

    Houston- Texting While Trucking Freight to be Banned

    Posted on Fri, Mar 11, 2011

     While the texting while driving has been a hot topic for about a year, it looks as if the courts are finally stepping in at the Federal level and making new rules. Due to deaths while texting, this appears to be beneficial to both consumers and businesses.

    This article from the March and September Transport   Topics outlines the progress the progress that the Office of Management and Budget is taking.

    A federal rule banning truck drivers from texting while driving has been sent to the Office of Management and Budget, in advance of Tuesday’s distracted driving summit being hosted by the Department of Transportation in Washington.

    The rule, sent late last week to OMB, follows DOT’s proposal of the regulation in March. that would ban texting by interstate commercial truck and bus drivers.

    OMB’s review was completed Friday, according to its website.

    Details of the regulation are likely to be released in conjunction with the summit, being hosted by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who has made laws against texting and driving one of his primary goals.

    The Governors Highway Safety Association said Monday that 12 states have passed texting bans for all drivers since last year’s distracted driving summit.

    The rule regarding distracted driving would make permanent an interim ban DOT announced in January, DOT said. It does not affect operation of navigation devices or other in-cab tasks.

    For information on shipping freight in the United States and worldwide cargo shipping, please feel free to call us at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Shipping Freight Houston, Crating and Packing Houston, Container Loading Houston, Shipping Houston, Freight Forwarding Houston, carating and packing houston texas, packing houston texas

    Increase in Freight Orders- Good for Houston and World Economy

    Posted on Thu, Mar 10, 2011

    Three is the magic number. Turkish Airlines has signed an order for three A330-200 freighters to add to its existing A330-200F and four A310 freighters.

    The airline has a further 27 aircraft on order with Airbus from contracts placed in 2009 and 2010. Turkish Airlines has also signed an order for 10 passenger aircraft.

     Air cargo news reported this order on its website.  While three freighters does not seem like a high order, the fact that these orders have been placed adds to the impression that the worldwide economy is improving at a slow but steady pace.

     Pack n send is continually monitoring both air and ocean orders of equipment as a way to monitor economic improvement.

     Pack n send is located in Houston Texas. For assistance with your freight preparation, freight receiving, crating and packing please feel free to contact pack n send at 716 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Shipping Freight Houston, Freight Shipping Houston, Crating and Packing Houston, Container Loading Houston, cargo shipping, Electronics Shipping Houston, Shipping Houston, Freight Forwarding Houston, Crate Houston, packing houston texas

    Worldwide Cargo News-Good for Houston and Asia

    Posted on Wed, Mar 09, 2011

      

    BOOMING demand from Asia is keeping aircraft manufacturers happy, with the likes of Hong Kong Airlines and China Eastern Airlines ordering freighters at a rapid pace.

    China will help the Asia-Pacific region account for a third of global plane deliveries over the next 20 years, Boeing said. Rival Airbus said it expects airlines in Asia to take delivery of 8,560 aircraft in the next 20 years, representing a third of the global total.

    In early March, Hong Kong Airlines agreed to buy six 777 freighters from Boeing. Meanwhile, Boeing’s 747-8 freighter version has won 74 orders from customers including Cathay Pacific Airways, an Air China affiliate.

    Also this month, China Eastern Airlines, which operates a mix of Airbus and Boeing freighters, has revealed a massive expansion plan of 250 extra aircraft by 2015. In four years the fleet will total 588 units comprising 531 passenger aircraft, 30 freighters and 27 utility aircraft. As of 30 June 2010, the Shanghai-based carrier operated 338 aircraft, comprising 320 passenger aircraft and 18 freighters.

    Once again, Cargo Shipping News has reported upbeat news about shipping in the Asian sector. This article taken from Cargo Shipping News does bode well overseas economies. Any increase in demand is felt worldwide. Pack n send continues to scour the web for upbeat information about cargo and freight.

     For packing crating, shipping, freighting or moving services from Houston, TX, feel free to call pack n send at  713 266 1450.

    Tags: Freight forwarding Houston Texas, Crating and Packing Houston, Container Loading Houston, Cargo Houston, Shipping Houston, Packing Houston, Crating Houston, Cargo Loading Houston

    American Airlines Makes Cargo Move

    Posted on Fri, Mar 04, 2011

     AMERICAN Airlines (AA) has opened a new freight facility in the Dominican Republic and started a new route to Japan.

    The new facility is now operating at deposit no. 3 of the Las Americas International Airport. It is owned and run by national freight player Caribetrans.

    In the US, American Airlines Cargo has launched a daily Boeing 777 service between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and Japan's Tokyo International Airport at Haneda.

    Haneda has recently developed cargo infrastructure thanks to ready investment. AA expects the Haneda service to attract high-value commodities, including pharmaceuticals, consumer electronics, and auto parts.

    AA intends to use the new service to move consignments of flowers from South America to Asia, as well as auto parts and construction equipment from Asia to destinations like Sao Paulo, Brazil.

    Pack n send has reprinted this article from Air Cargo News. Pack n send is constantly searching the internet for positive signs about increased air freight both out of Houston and world wide. This is just one article in a series pack n send has published showing economic improvement in the freight and cargo industries.

     For information about air cargo shipping, freight forwarding and shipping, crating and packing in Houston, TX, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Cargo Shipping Containers -New Use

    Posted on Fri, Mar 04, 2011

    Pack n send looks world wide for alternative uses for cargo shipping contaniers.   Douglas  Britts column in the Houston Chronicle discussed “unorthodox porposes as a cooperative, self sustaining village make largel of shipping containers.” We found the following detailed story by David Theis.  Enviornmentally smart construction and alternative use of shipping containers is always of interest to pack n send. 

    By David  Theis

    In Houston, there are visionaries, and then there is Nestor Topchy. At least, that’s the impression you get when you hear him talk about the  Hive  project. Hive is his brainchild, but it’s one that others have eagerly agreed to share.

    Hive is an ambitious undertaking, but the concept behind it is surprisingly easy to grasp. Topchy and friends hope to construct a sort of self-contained urban village out of shipping containers. The proposed design, which Topchy worked out with architect Si Dang and others, calls for a square exterior wall comprising shipping containers stacked two deep.

    The large space inside the walls (right now Hive is projected to cover 6.5 acres) will be filled green space, including trees and ponds, a few plazas, and the piece de la resistance, the “inner Hive,” a swirling, circular labyrinth made of six layers of stacked containers. The inner Hive containers will be connected by gradually sloping, wheelchair-accessible ramps.

    Topchy and friends want Hive to be as self-contained and village-like as possible. So they’re hoping that containers in the outer walls will become home to a wide range of activities, from shopping to car repair to music making, while the inner Hive will be dedicated to quiet activities, such as writing, painting and meditation.

    On the other hand, if worse comes to worse, and society does actually collapse, they’ll be able to close the Hive walls, medieval style, and plant a big garden. Survivalists and artists, no place but Texas. Topchy’s timeline  calls for the Hive to be completely finished by 2015.

    For more information on  container shipping as well as freight shipping, please call pack n send at  713 266 1450.

    News_David Theis_Nestor Topchy_Hive_shipping container_city

    A rendering of what the Hive would look like if the dream comes true.

     

     

    Tags: Houston Medical Equipment Shipping, Shipping Freight Houston, Crating and Packing Houston, Container Loading Houston, Shipping Houston, Freight Forwarding Houston, Packing Housotn, Cargo Shipping Houston, crate houston texas

    More Good Shipping News for Houston

    Posted on Mon, Feb 28, 2011

    January continued the relatively strong performance of December across all sectors of Port Authority business, CEO Alec G. Dreyer reported at the February 22 Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority meeting.


    Ship arrivals at the container facilities and in the Turning Basin were essentially flat, comparing January of this year to last year, and barge traffic was up 30 percent for the first month of the year. But TEU volumes were up 5 percent, unit counts were up 4 percent and container tonnage was up 7 percent.


    “Put simply, we had the same number of ships arriving between years, but each ship was moving substantially more cargo,” he said.


    Steel started the year well with 243,000 tons as compared to 154,000 tons in January 2010: a 58 percent increase. Dreyer said other commodities also showed nice gains for the month, with an overall increase in general cargo of more than 21 percent.
    Container revenue was up 8 percent, reflecting the growth in TEUs for the month. Turning Basin revenue was up 24 percent in January, due primarily to the amount of steel handled this year over last.

    This article was taken from the Port of Houston Authority.

     Once again, pack n send is reporting more upbeat numbers for shipping from Houston.

     For information about packing, shipping, freight and moving from Houston, Texas, please contact pack n send at  713 266 1450.

    Antique Shipping Houston- A Special Service

    Posted on Wed, Feb 23, 2011

     

     Antique desk on display at the old courthouse museum in Tombstone, Arizona.

    Antique shipping and moving is a very specialized service.  When you want to move just a small amount of antique furniture, you can have it custom crated and then freighted. 

    Some pieces of antique furniture can go on a pallet, surrounding the furniture with protection and stretch wrap, and shipping the furniture via truck to its new city.

    Some pieces will need to be custom crated. The crate will need to be built specifically to fit your antique.

    The crating company should have years of experience both handling and valuing antiques. Remember: every crate will need to be built to specifically fit your individual item.

    If you have many pieces of antique furniture you may use a special mover that specializes in moving antiques.

    Make sure they know how to properly pack and prepare the furniture for your move.  Some of it may be blanket wrapped, some of it may be wrapped in flexible cardboard and some may need to be crated for the move.

    You will want to make sure that you have a current appraisal before valuing the antique for shipping.

    If you are shipping antique sculptures or art work, look for a firm that specializes in packing and crating high value items from one city to another.

    Finding a company that can offer varied services when shipping antiques will help save you money.  You want to make sure that your antiques arrive in pristine condition.

    For help with antique furniture shipping or if you have any questions about shipping antiques, please feel free to contact pack n send at  713 266 1450.

    Tags: Artwork Shipping Houston, Shipping Freight Houston, Chandelier Shipping Houston, Freight forwarding Houston Texas, Crating and Packing Houston, Shipping Antiques Houston Texas, Shipping from Houston

    More Information about Improved Shipping from Houston

    Posted on Tue, Feb 22, 2011

    Exports from Houston and Galveston increased to $95billion last year from $75 billion in 2009, and that's higher than the $90 billion exported from the region in 2008. Oil led the exports, bolstered by stable, relatively high prices. Crude ended the year at $91.38 a barrel, up about $10 from the start of 2010.

    Last year's imports of $117

    billion, while up from $92 billion in 2009, were below the $151 billion recorded in 2008. Oil also led the gains on the import side.

    Rise in drilling equipment

    Higher oil prices helped drive more demand for drilling equipment and cargo that crossed the Port of Houston's docks last year.

    Houston's Palletized Trucking has moved more oil field equipment, containers and other cargo lately, and now it's hiring truck drivers again.

    It's also planning to increase rates 5 percent to 7 percent this year as prices have increased for fuel, trucks and labor, said Michael Rex King, Palletized Trucking's president and CEO.

    His sales were up 20 percent to 25 percent in January compared with the same month in 2010.

    For the full year of 2009, sales dropped by 40 percent.

    Joachim said World Trade Distribution's business has picked up 15 percent since last October, but it is still 15 percent less than 18 months ago.

    "That's still a significant hit," Joachim said.

    As trade rebounds, companies must react to find equipment and space on vessels after shippers reduced capacity in the last 18 months.

    Pack n send has republished portions of this article written by Houston Chronicle journalist Jenalia Moreno.  We look for positive upswings in the Houston and US economy for both freight and cargo.

     For more information about packing, crating, cargo and freight shipping from Houston, Texas please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Freight Shipping Houston, Container Loading Houston, Cargo Houston, Shipping Houston, Freight Forwarding Houston, Packing Houston, Crating and packing Houston Texas, Shipping Antiques Houston, Cargo Shipping Houston, Container Shipping Houston

    Shipping and Imports -Visible Houston Improvements

    Posted on Mon, Feb 21, 2011

     

    Ships are full, containers are picked over and truck drivers are in demand.

     Houston's trading community is moving more cargo these days as higher oil prices and a rebounding economy have driven up  exports  and  imports.

    We're definitely seeing the wheels of the economic engine starting to turn," said Jeff Joachim, president of World Trade Distribution, a Houston company that provides warehousing, trucking and container storage, among other services. "You're starting to see people stock inventory again."

    Houston's trade with the world rebounded by 26 percent last year compared with the doldrums of 2009, according to a recent report by WorldCity, which tracks trade data.

    But it still hasn't reached the levels of 2008, a banner year for many in the local shipping business.

    Last year, Houston traded $211.5 billion in goods with the rest of the world, up from $167.5 billion in 2009, WorldCity reported. That's still less than the record $240.8 billionthe Bayou City traded with world markets in 2008.

    Nationwide, trade increased to $3.2 trillion in 2010 from $2.6 trillion in 2009. Last year's numbers were still below the $3.4 trillion in trade during 2008.

    Like much of the rest of the U. S..Houston imports more than it exports and had a trade deficit of about $22  billion in 2010.

    Pack n send has republished portions of this article written by Houston Chronicle journalist Jenalia Moreno.  We look for positive upswings in the Houston and US economy for both freight and cargo.

     For more information about packing, crating, cargo and freight shipping from Houston, Texas please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Artwork Shipping Houston, Cargo Shipping from Houston, Houston Shipping, Freight forwarding Houston Texas, Crating and Packing Houston, Freight Houston, Electronics Shipping Houston, Houston Cargo, Crate Houston, packing houston texas, Cargo Loading Houston, Container Shipping Houston

    Freight from Houston and US Market

    Posted on Fri, Feb 18, 2011

    A large truck drives over the bridge. <br>See more <a href="http://www.pbase.com/hull_m">photos by Matthew Hull</a> at PBase. <br>See my portfolio at <a href="http://www.istockphoto.com/matthew_hull"&...

    Pack n send is monitoring freight  and  cargo shipments both within the United State and worldwide. While we specialize in Freight Shipping and loading and shipping cargo, we also like to keep our customers informed of industry trends. This article taken from Handy Shipping   Guide highlights new strengths seen in US shipping markets.

    Long Beach, California based  UTI a non asset based 3PL supply chain specialist turned in better than expected results yesterday following a general upward trend for the industry. With over 23 million square feet of warehousing in 23 countries the US company shows a pattern that seems fairly typical for the freight market at the moment. The CEO however offered a customary word of caution in today’s volatile conditions.

     Eric W. Kirchner, chief executive officer, speaking of the second quarter results said in a statement:

    "Our improved results were primarily driven by strong volumes and better operating margins. Airfreight and ocean freight volumes continued to grow faster than the market and were higher than volumes recorded in the second quarter two years ago, prior to the financial crisis. Results remain tempered by yield pressure due to continued high transportation rates, and we expect these rates to remain volatile on many trade lanes for the rest of the year. We are also expecting volume growth to moderate during the second half of the year due to a slowing global economy and more difficult comparisons to the prior year.

    "We continue to be encouraged by improvements in our contract logistics and distribution business, which reported solid revenue growth and higher operating margins. Client volumes improved in the quarter, particularly in retail and consumer markets, and we continue to manage our operations more efficiently. Our transformation initiatives remain on schedule and we are making good progress in all areas."

    UTi saw increased operating costs, up 9% against last year but it seems although traffic volumes were higher, rates were more competitive dragging profits back somewhat. Net revenues were up 12% for the half year against 2009 at $379 million.

     For more information on Houston shipping, freight and cargo shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Crating and Packing Houston, Shipping Houston Texas, Medical Equipment Shipping Houston, Packing Housotn, shipping freight houston texas, Cargo Loading Houston, Shipping Antiques Houston, Shipping Artwork Houston

    Chandelier Shipping Houston

    Posted on Fri, Feb 18, 2011

     

    Swarovski crystal chandelier

    With new homes adding chandeliers as enticement to purchase homes and older residences  adding chandeliers as an  enhancement,  chandeliers are now being shipped throughout the world

    Most chandeliers are now made out of crystal, wrought iron, wood or ceramic.  

     For shipping purposes specialized crates must be for each chandelier. The crates need to be lined with Styrofoam, and then the chandelier must be  hung for shipping. The chandelier needs to be braced or fill the space with peanuts for safe travel.

     For crystal and glass chandeliers pieces will need to be cushioned separately with soft Styrofoam or bubble wrap. Each and every chandelier will need to be looked at separately to determine the safest way to pack it for safe shipping. Designers and private individuals ship chandeliers as well as individuals purchasing chandeliers for overseas shipping.

    Office buildings throughout the country are hanging chandeliers in their atriums.

    In Texas, deer antler chandeliers are popular.  These also require special wrapping and packing before placement inside specially made crates.

    When looking for someone to crate your chandelier look for a company that has expertise shipping delicate and high value items.  Make sure that you chandelier is fully valued for both loss and damage.

    For more information on safe chandelier shipping, please fell free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Freight Receiving Houston Texas, Shipping Freight Houston, Chandelier Shipping Houston, Shipping Houstn Texs, Container Loading Houston, Cargo Houston, Freight Forwarding Houston, packing houston texas

    Information Update-Air freight From Yemen

    Posted on Thu, Feb 17, 2011

     Once again, The United States is accepting airfreight from Yemen. Back in October of 2010 two Untied States bound parcels that originated in Sana’s International Airport were discovered. This was part of a bomb plot that has been blamed on Al-Qaeda.

     It appears that security measures are now in place at Yemen’s airports.  A team from the Untied Sates has looked at Yemen’s s airports and determined that air cargo originating in Yemen can be shipped safely.

     We are still waiting to obtain updated information if other countries are also accepting freight from Yemen.  The United Arab Emeritus had also tightened security at its airports in order to closely monitor goods from various countries including Yemen.

     Even though the air embargo on Yemen has been lifted, al Qaida in Yemen can still try and move its operations to other countries in order to circumvent embargoes.

     While pack n send does freight receiving, we have not received packages from Yemen at this point in time.

     For information about freight shipping and/or receiving in Houston, Texas, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.  We can also assist in  world wide cargo shipping, freight forwarding and crate building.

     

    Tags: Houston Medical Equipment Shipping, Freight Receiving Houston Texas, Freight forwarding Houston Texas, Crating and Packing Houston, Container Loading Houston, Cargo Houston, Shipping Houston, Crating and packing Houston Texas

    Art & Sculpture Shipping-Houston

    Posted on Wed, Feb 16, 2011

    Renoir. 1883. Oil painting. 21x25Art work and sculpture shipping entails very detailed experienced preparation and packing. You can ship any  artwork of high or low value, so long as you use the certain packing and shipping methods. You can ship anything from framed posters and paintings to  museum pieces worth millions of dollars.

    We ship porcelain statutes, oil paintings, photography prints, and 3D media all of which require special preparation and packing. You can ship life size oil portraits  as well as very small and delicate pieces of art work.

     

    Some artwork needs to be protected with a special paper used specifically for shipping before boxing or crating these pieces. By using this paper you are adding an extra layer of protection, which allows for even safer shipping. 

    Custom crates are usually needed for high value artwork and sculptures .Pack n Send ships for galleries throughout the world. When artwork is going to a show, we  recommend building  reusable crates for easy shipping and reshipping.

     While every piece of art work needs to be evaluated individually, you need to look at both the value of the item as well as analyze if the piece is delicate in order to determine the safest method for packing and shipping your artwork.

    For advice on packing and shipping artwork, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450 or fill in our contact form online.

     

     

    Tags: Art & Sculpture Shipping

    China, Crystal & Stemware Shipping-Houston

    Posted on Wed, Feb 16, 2011

    When shipping china, crystal and stemware, special care must be taken in the packing. It may be heirloom china pieces or wedding and anniversary gifts that you plan to ship cross country.

    Each piece must be delicately handled each with care. We recommend using bubble, then a box, then double box your delicate item to get it to its selected destination safely.

    .

    Estates, moving companies, businesses, and individuals   pack up their china and stemware. We recommend using a company that specializes in handling delicate items to pack stemware and crystal for you.  Sellers on eBay also need assistance with packing these valuable items.  Families who are downsizing often send china and crystal to relatives.. After a wedding, newlyweds may need help in shipping their wedding gifts. It is advisable to find a company that will come to your location and pick up your delicate items.  The company should then ship it out and offer full value coverage as well during both the pick up and shipping of your item.

     

    Here are some easy steps to follow when Packing & Shipping China, Crystal, & Stemware:

     

    1. Carefully double box and bubble wrap each china and crystal piece
    2. Place the bubble-wrapped pieces in an inner box.
    3. Place the inner box into a larger double walled box packed fully with peanuts.
    4. Peanuts are often used for stemware packing along with the bubble wrap.

    This process ensures a safe and smooth shipment regardless of the destination.

    For advice with shipping your china, crystal & stemware, please feel free to contact pack n send or call us at 713 266 1450.

     fancy dining rooms ideas

    Tags: china shipping, crystal shipping, stemware shipping

    International Container Shipping-Houston

    Posted on Wed, Feb 16, 2011

    Container Loading for Household goods requires using a knowledgeable company that has experience with both packing as well as shipping international goods. Each country has a separate list for goods that are not allowed into the country. A company that can accumulate your items as well as pack and load them is a good way to start the process.

      Look for a company that has experience with container loading. Certain items will need to have cardboard wrapping for protection. Other items will need to be bubble wrapped and put inside boxes for protection.  High value or delicate items may need to have special crates built.

     Blocking and bracing will need to be done inside the container. A complete list of items  will need to be kept to be presented to customs.

     Customs documentation will need to be filled in.

     Ask if the company can provide you with a commercial bill of lading. They will also need to provide you with contact numbers when your shipment is delivered to your destination port.

    Ask them for a quote up front for the pick up, packing and shipping charges.


    If you need any advice for your next international move, please feel free to contact pack n send  at 713 266 1450.
     
    Sea Shipping Cargo ContainersSea Shipping Cargo Containers	  Transportation / Water / Ships and Boats

     

    Tags: Over seas Household Good Moving, Cargo Shipping from Houston, international shipping

    Cargo Carrier Ordering New Planes

    Posted on Wed, Feb 16, 2011

    RN Air, a US-based cargo carrier, will put the first freighters in its fleet renewal programme into service later this year.

    The company aims to replace most of its 14 747 freighters over the next three years with 747-400s. The carrier also operates two 777Fs with four more on order.

    Southern Air has committed to leasing five 747-400SFs, with two to be delivered this year and three next year. The carrier is also looking at a potential third aircraft for 2011 and a fourth for 2012.

     Once again, pack n send is able to report more good news in the freight, air cargo and shipping industries for the United States.

     With the purchase of airplanes it shows that companies are now planning on increasing fleets and are anticipating more robust business in the near future.

     We think that infrastructure purchases along with the last few months reports of increase in domestic freight shipping bodes well for both the United States and world wide economy.  While we are optimistic, we are constantly watching fuel price increases to see how they affect the shipping industry as a whole. Air Cargo New originally printed the article above.

     For more information about air cargo, crating and packing and sea freight please cotact pack n   send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Freight Shipping Houston, Container Loading Houston, Cargo Houston, Shipping Houston, Packing Houston, Crating and packing Houston Texas, Container Shipping Houston

    Daytime Air Shipping into Egypt

    Posted on Tue, Feb 15, 2011

     

    The situation in Egypt continues to be precarious.
         An embargo was imposed most of last week and the week before. It just got lifted but mostly for day-time flights. There is apparently no service permitted at night.
         Exports from Egypt have come to a standstill.
    The few imports mostly on belly space are by and large medical and essential drugs.
         It looks as long as this status quo continues we may have an on/off situation.
         Some airports are sitting on backlogs.
         What should companies prepare for? Well, wait and see what happens and when things start to normalize, the first thing which is likely to take place is the influx of the much needed supplies and the clearance of back logs.
    Not to forget the exportable items, which will need to move.

    Since pack n send ships cargo and freight worldwide we try and provide our customers updated on shipping trends throughout the world. In most cases, the shipping disruptions are weather related. In this case, since Egyptian airports are now opening to air cargo during the day to incoming shipments, we felt it important to keep our international customers updated. The update above was prepared by Air  Cargo News. As shipping improves both to and from Egypt, pack n send will post updates on our bog.

    For packing, shipping, freight preparation and freight forwarding from Houston Texas, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Weather Affects Freight and Shipping World wide

    Posted on Mon, Feb 14, 2011

    In response to delays in England due to bad weather, some companies are heading over to sea shipping entirely.  This may have a ripple effect to the United States as shipping companies have routinely taken all guarantees for on time delivery off the table due to weather related conditions.

     WHILE the sea-air cargo movement has flourished in recent years, some businesses are looking to cut the air option out all together when the weather turns bad.

    Heavy snowfall in December hit Heathrow hard, resulting in African business investor Lonrho pulling out of its air cargo arrangement and heading for the sea.

    Lonrho previously used aircraft to transport its Africa-grown produce to European retail giants such as Marks & Spencer and Tesco.

    The John Deere retailer-to-hotels conglomerate said that its Rollex business, which from its base in South Africa exports fruits and vegetables from throughout the continent, had lost £700,000 (US$1.129 million) in turnover to December’s chaos at Heathrow, which was closed by snow for four consecutive days.

    Rollex has since approached shippers to guarantee deliveries to its European buyers, which also include the likes of Sainsbury’s, TFC Holland and Univeg. This back-up to airfreight has been enabled by refrigeration advances.

     Pack n send has reposted this article from Air Cargo News as a service to our customers. While it is important for us to follow trends, it is also important for pack n send to keep our customers up to date on events happening outside of the United States.

    For information about shipping overseas, cargo and container shipping as well as packing and shipping in the United States, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Furniture Freight- Furniture Moved Cross Country on Pallets

    Posted on Thu, Feb 10, 2011

     Just my new armchair, originally edited with white background for my convenience, but others may benefit as well.

    If you need to move small amounts of furniture from one city to another, it may be less expensive to freight the furniture than to put it on a truck and move it.

    Furniture freighting involves securing the furniture on a pallet, surrounding the furniture with protection and stretch wrap, and shipping the furniture via truck to its new city. Antiques can be shipped this way, as well as office furniture and household goods.

    As an ultimate price saver, the furniture can be delivered on a pallet to your curb or loading dock, and you can unload it. Of course you have the option for the freight company to unload the pallet and bring the furniture into your home or office.

    Furniture is shipped this way to market.  By securing your furniture to a pallet, there is minimum human contact with the furniture. The furniture is moved via lift equipment. Items are custom packed for safe and secure shipping.


    This is just another way to save money when shipping with Pack n Send. Do you have furniture to move somewhere in the country? Contact us for a free furniture shipping quote. We can freight your furniture anywhere in the country, or any where in the world.

     Please call as at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Container Loading Houston, Cargo Houston, Shipping Houston Texas, freight furniture houston, packing houston texas, shipping freight houston texas, crating and packing houston texs

    US Ports Race to Keep up with Bigger Panama Canal-Shipping

    Posted on Thu, Feb 10, 2011

     With larger ships coming into and leaving the Panama Canal, east coast US ports are struggling to improve their shipping capabilities. Ports will need 50 feet of water to navigate when ships are fully loaded.

     Ports like Savannah, New York and Miami are working in expansions so that they can handle new larger ships. Federal monies will be needed to complete these projects. This is at a time when “earmarks” for one state over another is frowned upon.  Widening and deepening ports along the US east coast is good for both jobs and the nation as a whole.

     The government does not anticipate that every east coast port will need to have the deeper depth as well as wider dimensions.

     Any improvements to United States shipping will help the US economy as a whole.  Dredging and widening these ports will also mean more us jobs.

     Pack n send tries to keep our customers informed about freight forwarding from Houston, Cargo shipping from Houston, and shipping and packing from Houston. As we watch the Port of Houston grow and improve, improvements to east coast ports can only help the US economy.

     For information about shipping from Houston, and the Port of Houston, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: freight shipping, Crating and Packing Houston, furniture freighting, Freight Forwarding Houston, Crating and packing Houston Texas, Crating Houston

    Houston Furniture Shipping- Freight Forwarding Houston

    Posted on Thu, Feb 03, 2011

    When looking for a company to ship your furniture, either domestically or internationally, look for a shipping company that will give you shipping options. Make sure that they can crate your furniture or palletize it and ship it with freight companies. You also want to make sure that they offer an option  of blanket-wrapping domestically so that it can be sent with movers. Check to see if the company you are using has a minimum pound or size limit. You need to look for a company that will let you ship even a single piece of furniture.   

    Ask if the company can pack small furniture and send it via UPS, FedEx, or DHL. If you are sending furniture via freight, make sure that the company can  pack the furniture completely and protect  it   on a pallet before freighting it.  

    If you need to ship furniture overseas, check and see if the company has the capacity to send the furniture via cubic meters or via containers. See if the company has experience packing the furniture for international shipping. If you have delicate items make sure that the company has expertise in making custom crates with wood that is good for international shipping.

    For more information on furniture shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: furniture moving, freight forwarding houstn, Crating and Packing Houston, furniture freighting, Packing Houston, Shipping Houston Texas, Crating Houston, furniture shipping

    Cargo Shipping Hong Kong on the rise

    Posted on Wed, Feb 02, 2011

    With freight shipping from Houston, and the United States, it is important to watch other countries that are recovering from the economic recession.

     ASIA-Pacific airlines saw cargo demand grow by 24.2 per cent in 2010, helping to position Hong Kong International as the world’s largest cargo airport.

    The airport’s cargo alone grew 23.4 per cent to 4.1 million metric tons, while Memphis International Airport, holder of the largest cargo airport title for the last 18 years, grew only 5.9 per cent to 3.9 million metric tons.

    Cathay Pacific Airways became the world’s biggest international air cargo carrier last year thanks in part to escalating exports from China’s Pearl River Delta. The airline’s cargo traffic rose 23 per cent to 10.2 million ton-kilometres, beating Korean Air Lines, previously the largest.

     Cathay expects to boost cargo capacity about eight per cent this year. The carrier is also forming a cargo venture with affiliate Air China to access hubs in Shanghai and Beijing, while also building its own freight terminal at Hong Kong airport.

    China’s economy expanded 10.3 per cent in 2010, the fastest in three years. The growth of production in the Pearl River Delta, which neighbours Hong Kong, has lured investment from international air cargo carriers, including FedEx and United Parcel Service, which have both opened hubs in the region.

     Pack n send has republished this article from Handy Shipping News as a service to our customers. 

     For more information about cargo shipping, freight forwarding, packing and shipping from Houston, feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: crating and packing texas, Freight forwarding Houston Texas, Shipping Houston Texas, packing houston texas, shipping freight houston texas, Shipping Antiques Houston Texas

    Shipping from Houston-Take a Boat Tour

    Posted on Tue, Feb 01, 2011

     

    Pack n send crates and packs in Houston Texas.  We ship freight and cargo in Houston.  We also prepare and ship pallets in Houston.  But…one of the most exciting locations in Houston is the Port of Houston.  Their free tours are quite a treat both for the locals and visitors alike.  We have listed the details below for our customers and highly suggest you take both your customers and families on this tour.

    Named for the legendary military commander who led the fight for Texas independence from Mexico and later statehood, the M/V Sam Houston offers free leisurely 90-minute round-trip cruises along the Houston Ship Channel.

    Embarking from the port's Sam Houston Pavilion, visiting sightseers aboard the M/V Sam Houston can enjoy passing views of international cargo vessels, and operations at the port's Turning Basin Terminal. The 95-ft. vessel has capacity for up to 90 passengers and features air-conditioned lounge seating as well as standing room outside on the boat's rear deck
    .
    The M/V Sam Houston has been operating as the Port of Houston's public tour vessel since its first voyage on July 30, 1958. In 2010, the vessel received new low-emission fuel engines and a new generator. The environmental upgrades were made possible through grants from the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding through EPA's National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program.

    Make your reservations now for this rich educational experience.

    COST
    The tour is free.  Reservations on a first-come, first-serve basis are required at least 24 hours in advance. 

    RESERVATIONS
    Register online any time, or call 713-670-2416, Mondays through Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

    Pack n send has reprinted this information from the Port  of Houston website as a service to our customers.

     

    For more information about shipping, packing, crating and freight forwarding in Houston, Texas, please call pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

     

     

    Tags: Freight forwarding Houston Texas, Crating and packing Houston Texas, Shipping Houston Texas, packing houston texas, shipping freight houston texas

    Freight and Cargo Security Houston, US and UK

    Posted on Mon, Jan 31, 2011

      US – UK – After the   recent discovery of explosive devices in freight consigned via passenger aircraft at two airports there was a review of security by politicians of both countries with British Home Secretary Theresa May and Transport Secretary Philip Hammond meeting with  U S Homeland  Security  Janet Napolitano during her London visit last week, to discuss the overall situation and the implementation of new techniques and procedures for verifying cargo safety in the future.

    Last week Ms Napolitano announced the scrapping of the much derided ‘Traffic Light’ system for identifying security threat levels and its replacement by a threat specific alert christened the ‘National Terrorism Advisory System’ and the high level discussions are believed to have concentrated on establishing unified programmes for cargo inspection centred around securing the supply chain.

    New procedures and initiatives agreed with the World Customs Organization (WCO) and with the cooperation of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), whose Secretary General Efthimios Mitropoulos also had talks with the Homeland Security secretary whilst she was in the UK, are the first step in ever tightening controls.

    The main thrust of the new initiatives seem to be designed to improve the odds for the security services who are currently very dependent on what Ms Napolitano describes as the ‘better intelligence streams’ the authorities are benefitting from by introducing a ‘Trusted Shipper’ programme and redoubling efforts to inspect any freight that lacks a spotless pedigree.

    Such a programme may well weigh heavily against smaller freight forwarders who lack the muscle of the major shipping groups to whom the loss of such status might prove catastrophic. The scheme will parallel the trusted traveller schemes in which US residents can volunteer large amounts of personal information, including biometric identity, to ensure a rapid transit through airport passenger security checks.

    Pack n send has reprinted this article taken from the Handy  Shipping News as a service to our customers.  With increasing worldwide security, we try and provide our customers with the latest adjustments in shipping.

     For more information on Houston shipping, packing, crating, cargo, freight and container shipping, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Box <br />Boite carton d\'emballage

     

    Tags: Freight forwarding Houston Texas, Container Loading Houston, Cargo Houston, Packing Houston, Crating and packing Houston Texas, Crating Houston, Crate Houston, shipping freight houston texas

    Freight Hiring is on the Upswing

    Posted on Fri, Jan 28, 2011

     While this article taken from the Handy  Shipping Guide pertains to the UK, it is another indicator that worldwide freight shipping is once again on the upswing.

    UK – Shipping and Forwarding is still the industry for those with the right qualifications according to one of the country’s leading operators. Despite the economic doom and gloom Davies Turner group chairman Philip Stephenson says school leavers and graduates looking to take their first career moves in the logistics industry have again been attracted to his company. Despite the influx of well qualified, fresh faced youngsters however other supply chain specialists still seek the right candidates for more senior jobs. Stephenson says:

    "Summer and autumn are the best times to recruit graduates and high-flying school leavers to our organization and the 2010 candidates were particularly strong - we were surprised both by the number and the standard of the many applications. The most recent trainees have joined us at an exciting time as global recovery powers the freight industry and we are preparing to expand further our portfolio of services for UK exporters and importers."

    The trainee scheme is in operation nationwide at Davies Turner's main hubs. The successful applicants are between 18 and 24 and have been recruited from appropriate websites, as well as training and educational establishments. The full programme lasts two years, and participants spend time in all operating divisions as well as Davies Turner Air Cargo and group accounts.

    Whilst Davies Turner say they offer the promise of a rapid rise into management for the right candidates it seems middle management and senior staff are harder to come by. DHL are still seeking suitable staff to develop their expanding road freight network (APPLY HERE) and indeed even the Handy Shipping Guide is struggling to find suitable sales staff in several countries, including the UK (we shall be including a Job Board within the Directory in the very near future with opportunities for those who have recruitment requirements).

    Meanwhile Mr Stephenson is more than happy that the way to ensure high quality senior staff is to train them yourself wherever practical whilst ensuring those already in place are encouraged by ongoing in house training. He concludes:

    "To me, the success of our scheme will be the number of trainees who remain with us after their two years induction is complete. We have an enviable track record here - on a recent visit to our Dartford terminal, I recognised several members of staff in key positions who joined us as trainees over ten years ago. In the past we have had traditional apprenticeships but have now made our training more professional with in-depth courses based both on our in-house resources and those accredited by BIFA. We are in no way neglecting our current staff and have increased training at all levels in the company. Customer service quality depends on the expertise and professionalism of all our personnel."

    Pack n send has re published this article as a service to our customers. For information about freight shipping Houston, and packing and unpacking services in Houston, please contact us at 713 266 1450.

    A large truck drives over the bridge. <br>See more <a href="http://www.pbase.com/hull_m">photos by Matthew Hull</a> at PBase. <br>See my portfolio at <a href="http://www.istockphoto.com/matthew_hull"&...

    Tags: Shipping Freight Houston, Freight Houston, Freight Forwarding Houston, Shipping Houston Texas, Crating Houston, packing houston texas

    Cargo Growth Slow but Looking up

    Posted on Thu, Jan 27, 2011

     MORE than three-quarters of IATA members reported an increase in cargo business during Q4 2010, the association says amidst a cautiously positive forecast for this year.

    While IATA members expect a profit for 2011, factors such as rising fuel prices mean confidence in further significant improvement has taken a hit, the association’s quarterly survey finds.

    By November 2010 the volume of international freight tonne kilometres was up more than 20 per cent on a year-to-date basis compared to the same period in 2009. The recovery in traffic, driven by the pickup in world trade, has almost been as sharp as the fall experienced going into the recession.

    Freight volumes reached a new post-recession peak in May 2010 but dropped back by mid-year as the restocking phase of the inventory cycle came to a close. Since then volumes have stabilised in line with the level seen immediately prior to the recession.

    In the latest survey the proportion of respondents expecting further improvement in airfreight volumes over the 12 months ahead remains around 60 per cent – indicating that continued growth beyond restocking stimulus is seen as likely this year.

    Expectations for cargo yields over the 12 months ahead point to stability with 57 per cent of respondents reporting ‘no-change’ likely. Freight growth is moderating back towards the rate of global trade growth while capacity is entering at a faster rate which will put downward pressure on load factors and temper further rises in yields.

    Pack n send has reprinted this article from Air Cargo News as a service to our customers.

     Any article showing improvements and upward swings in the worldwide economy are good for both Houston shipping and shipping worldwide.

    For more information about packing, crating, cargo shipping and freight from Houston Texas, feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    7/01/05  This 727 from Falcon Air Cargo decided to Go Around at this altitude. He was landing at Rwy. 08 on the north section of the airport (SJU). From what I recalled this happened due to a bad approach. He came in high and wasn't going to ...

    Tags: pallet houston texas, Shipping Houston, Freight Forwarding Houston, Crating and packing Houston Texas, packing houston texas, Shipping Antiques Houston, Cargo Shipping Houston

    Freight Preparation From Houston-Ask Questions

    Posted on Tue, Jan 25, 2011

     

    Please watch our video about  preparing freight on a pallet for shipping. We would like to show you first hand how to  stack items that will go on the pallet. We then demonstrate the way to protect the freight and ready the pallet for shipping. Please note the black wrap we use.  We prefer black so that the items on the pallet are not visible from the outside.

    When looking for a company to prepare freight for you, ask a few general questions. Does the company deal with multiple freight carries so that they can shop around for the best price for you, the customer?  Does the company receive discounts from the freight companies due to their shipping volume?

    When looking for a company to  ship your international goods, look for a company that uses both common carriers as well as cargo companies.  Make sure that the company can ship boxes, pallets and containers internationally. Ask if the company can prepare a quote for your specific need.  Ask for a list of the countries that the company can ship to.

    If the company is palletizing you shipment, make sure to ask for black protective wrap so that no one can see inside your pallet as it is moved throughout the freight system.

    The pallets will need to be built using wood that is stamped and heat treated for foreign shipping.

    Ask if pallets are build using a protective frame of 1 x 4’s.

     Check to see if the company as experience loading containers for international shipping. Can the company you choose offer full value coverage for your goods from the time your items are picked up, until the time that they are delivered?

     For more information about freight shipping both domestically and internationally, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Palette 2Palette de transport	  Business / Offices

    Tags: Domestic Freight, International Freight, Houston Freight

    Freight Shipping Houston and the World- Cargo Guidelines

    Posted on Tue, Jan 25, 2011

    Sea Shipping Cargo ContainersSea Shipping Cargo Containers	  Transportation / Water / Ships and Boats

    Boite d\'emballage en cartonWe have reprinted portions of  this article from the Handy Shipping  News as a service to our customers.

    WORLD WIDE - The largest air freight bodies have joined together to present a united front to regulatory authorities globally and ensure their views carry the maximum weight. Michael Steen, Vice Chairman of The International Air Cargo Association  on behalf of the Chairman, Des Vertannes, Global Head of Cargo of the International Air Transport Association ,Jean-Claude Delen, President of , the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations,, and Peter J. Gatti, Executive Vice President of the U.S. based shipper organization, The National Industrial Transportation League  speaking on behalf of the Global Shippers’ Forum  have signed a letter of intent committing to work towards the formation of an industry advisory group facilitated by TIACA to ensure the air cargo industry has a strong, unified voice.

    The agreement commits TIACA, GSF, FIATA and IATA to work together to look at their current positions on issues such as security, customs reform, e-Commerce, and the environment and to try to find common ground to best protect and promote the interests of the air cargo industry, the organizations and its customers. The review will also look at the associations’ respective resources committed to industry affairs and consider how to make the most effective use of the existing and growing relationships TIACA, GSF, FIATA and IATA have with relevant government departments and other regulatory bodies.

    The associations will also discuss the involvement of other global industry groups in the air cargo supply chain and seek the support of bodies such as the World Customs Organization (WCO). Michael Steen said:

    “TIACA, GSF, FIATA and IATA will continue to operate as they do today in terms of how they support their respective memberships. This initiative is to look at how we can combine our respective strengths, contacts and resources in the area of regulatory affairs. We are delighted that both FIATA and IATA have so readily committed to this important initiative for our industry, and that GSF has joined this effort. We all hope for a positive outcome over the next few months.

    “Collectively we represent the most powerful grouping of all parties involved in the air cargo supply chain. We all share a common goal to protect our members against costly and sometimes unnecessary changes in legislation and to have a practical input into any future regulatory challenges before they become mandatory. We also want to have the strongest possible voice when it comes to highlighting to policy makers the vital role air cargo plays in world trade, in employment, in consumer choice and in the growth of developing markets.”

    IATA boss Giovanni Bisignani added:

    “By value 35% of goods traded internationally travel by air cargo. In volume, that’s 26 million tons of cargo annually. Without air cargo, the global economy cannot function. The industry is working together to improve efficiency with programs like IATA e-freight. But governments have not always received clear signals from industry on what is needed for efficient global air cargo operations. A strong and unified industry voice through the Global Shippers Forum is a step in the right direction. IATA looks forward to working with FIATA, GSF and TIACA to make it an effective industry tool.

    “But we cannot be successful without an effective regulatory environment. We have been proactive in representing the airline industry and we would have a great deal to offer to a wider group representing the interests of the entire air cargo supply chain and customers. We believe FIATA and TIACA would be strong partners to work alongside, as well as the GSF. We are keen to approach our discussions positively. Clearly, regulators will see us as having a more powerful voice as a group than as individual associations when it comes to industry affairs and we hope they will be even more willing to listen to us and to work with us.”

    For more information about freight and shipping and custom packing in Houston, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Houston Freight, Houston Shipping, Houston Cargo

    Cargo Shipping Houston Not Interrupted

    Posted on Tue, Jan 25, 2011

    This article has been reproduced form Handy Shipping   News as a service to our customers.

    SOMALIA – SEYCHELLES – Notable victories for the EU NAVFOR Somalia force this week with the warship SPS Galicia supported by a Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) able to locate and disrupt two groups of pirates in Kenyan waters. After two attacks on a merchant vessel on the 2nd November the Galicia, which was patrolling the shipping lanes some 75 miles distant was able to answer the distress calls and intercept two skiffs with eleven suspected pirates aboard.

    The coordination between the EU NAVFOR French Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) and EU NAVFOR Spanish SPS Galicia’s helicopter made it possible to relocate one skiff. The warship’s helicopter successfully intercepted this skiff with the ship’s boarding team. One fuel drum, several jerry cans, ladders, and 7 people were found onboard the skiff. Quantities of weaponry and one orange tarpaulin were seen being thrown overboard by the helicopter team.

    Early the following day, the helicopter of SPS Galicia was able to sight two more suspicious skiffs, sailing with ladders, jerry cans and powerful overboard motors. One of the two skiffs was quickly intercepted by the Galicia’s boarding team. Further attempts to stop the second skiff by the helicopter continued, in vain.

    In total, 11 suspected pirates and 2 skiffs were intercepted; one further skiff fled the scene. The absence of flagrante delicto did not make it possible to pursue prosecution. One skiff was confiscated and suspected pirates were sent back to Somalia in the second one. This disruption hampered pirate action and avoided highly probable attacks on merchant and vulnerable vessels.

    On the 3rd November the EU NAVFOR operation saw a further notable victory when the first judgment yesterday in a Seychelles prosecution in connection with the interdiction of a pirate group by an EU NAVFOR warship resulted in guilty verdicts being handed down on eleven Somali men accused of acts of piracy. The judge, His Lordship Judge Burhan, delivered the verdict at the Seychelles Courts on 3 November, sentencing all eleven pirates to prison sentences of six years each, with a reduction for time spent on remand.

    Major General Buster Howes, Operation Commander of EU NAVFOR Somalia commented:

    “This first conviction of pirates transferred by EU NAVFOR to the Seychelles marks an important step in the co-operation between European Union and the Republic of Seychelles in the suppression of acts of piracy off the coast of Somalia.”

    The conviction relates to the attack on the Spanish Fishing Vessel Intertuna 2, on 5 March 2010. The pirate gangs activities detected in the Somali basin, approximately 350 nautical miles off the Somali Coast, led to an immediate response by the EU NAVFOR French warship FS Nivose which was tasked to investigate in the area. She eventually intercepted and boarded two skiffs and a whaler, in an area clearly linked to the unsuccessful attack on the fishing vessel. The whaler was destroyed and the warship took on board the two skiffs, detaining the suspected pirates. With the evidence gathered and presented to the Seychelles authorities, it was approved for the 11 detainees to be flown on 17 March from Djibouti to the Seychelles for prosecution.

    Prosecution was conducted by a Prosecutor of England & Wales who is qualified to appear in the Seychelles Court and played an important role in the timely and efficient management of the trial. The Defence Counsel was appointed by the United Nations - this is a common practice to help ensure the suspect persons have access to free legal representation and thus a fair trial. The case was conducted in English. However, language interpreters were present for the Somalis, as well as for the Spanish, Italian, and French witnesses.

    The maximum sentence upon conviction for piracy offences in Kenya is 30 years; under Seychelles Law – and indeed as a precondition for all suspected pirates being transferred by EUNAVFOR – capital punishment is not available. The good news was somewhat dulled by a report that the Comorian flagged MV Aly Zoulfecar had been seized by pirates as it travelled between the Comoros Islands and Tanzania the same day. The vessel carried nine crew plus twenty passengers, but on attempting to sail to Somalia she ran out of fuel and demands were made for the Tanzanian authorities to resupply her. We await further news as to her fate.

    Photo: Rear-Admiral Bauza (former EU NAVFOR Deputy Commander) and French Ambassador H.E. Philippe Delacroix inspect items seized from the pirate gang sentenced yesterday.

    For information about cargo shipping from Houston, please contact us at  713 266 1450.

    Tags: Houston Freight, Houston Shipping, Houston Cargo

    Postal Service Consolidation-Shipping Effected

    Posted on Tue, Jan 25, 2011

     This article from the Wall Street Journal has peaked our interest. While freight and cargo carrriers are consolidating operations and making green choices, the USPS is now taking huge steps for more efficeint and cost effective operations. 

    HOLMES MILL, Ky.—The U.S. Postal Service plays two roles in America: an agency that keeps rural areas linked to the rest of the nation, and one that loses a lot of money.

    Now, with the red ink showing no sign of stopping, the postal service is hoping to ramp up a cost-cutting program that is already eliciting yelps of pain around the country. Beginning in March, the agency will start the process of closing as many as 2,000 post offices, on top of the 491 it said it would close starting at the end of last year. In addition, it is reviewing another 16,000—half of the nation's existing post offices—that are operating at a deficit, and lobbying Congress to allow it to change the law so it can close the most unprofitable among them. The law currently allows the postal service to close post offices only for maintenance problems, lease expirations or other reasons that don't include profitability.

    The news is crushing in many remote communities where the post office is often the heart of the town and the closest link to the rest of the country. Shuttering them, critics say, also puts an enormous burden on people, particularly on the elderly, who find it difficult to travel out of town.

    The postal service argues that its network of some 32,000 brick-and-mortar post offices, many built in the horse-and-buggy days, is outmoded in an era when people are more mobile, often pay bills online and text or email rather than put pen to paper. It also wants post offices to be profitable to help it overcome record $8.5 billion in losses in fiscal year 2010.

    For information about freight, cargo and furniture shipping, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Three Layer envelope

     

    Tags: Cargo Shipping from Houston, Freight forwarding Houston Texas, Crating and Packing Houston, Packing Houston, Crating and packing Houston Texas, Cargo Loading Houston

    Cargo Shipping-Innovation

    Posted on Mon, Jan 24, 2011

    Taken from handy shipping guide WORLDWIDE – Ever the innovators  Dhl Global Forwarding have come up with two solutions to an age old problem. Exporting or importing a car without any of the serious damage that can result even after the smallest bodywork scrape. For decades this particular cargo has been the bane of many a freight operator’s life and now refinement of a double rack system, plus a new innovative box built for motor vehicles, may well prove the answer for many.

    The collapsible C3SB transport box and the double car rack facilitate the loading of vehicles and increase efficiency in using transport capacity. In addition, both systems offer protection against damage due to external factors during transport by air, sea and road, such as turbulences, heavy seas or poor roads. Both transport solutions have now been patented by the German Patent Office, (the freight forwarding side of DHL is of course a division of Deutsche Post DHL).

    Racks to transport two cars within one container have of course been around a long time but the new model has a movable intermediate level enabling the car rack to be used to not only to store two sedan-sized vehicles on top of each other in a container but also two cars also need only one space in the main cargo hold of a freight aircraft.

    Both systems provide for more efficient transport, and therefore increased environmental efficiency, than conventional containers. The advantages of these novel shipping concepts become evident particularly in multimodal transport. Cars no longer need to be unloaded and reloaded during combined road, sea and land transport, since the C3SB box and the car rack are equally suitable for all transport methods.

    DHL automotive experts based the C3SB box on the principle of the collapsible boxes used in many households. Their sides fold inward to rest on the bottom of the box. This represents a major further improvement of efficiency compared to the previous C2SB model already successfully used. The movable walls and the cover of the so-called "Customized Car Safety Box" already provided sufficient space and the required flexibility needed when loading the vehicles and making them safe for transport. The C3SB version with its collapsible walls now enables several empty boxes to be piled on top of each other, which therefore occupy only one space during transport.

    Hermann Ude, Chief Executive Officer DHL Global Forwarding, Freight said of the new systems:

    "The transport box and the car rack offer clients from the automotive sector top-end solutions in terms of safety and flexibility of transport. They again underscore our comprehensive competency with respect to logistics for one of the most important industry sectors worldwide.”

    Pack n send has take this article from Handy Shipping  Guide. It is another in our series of article about improvements and efficiencies  in freight and cargo shipping.

     For information about packing freight and cargo in Houston Texas, contact pack n send at  713 266 1450.

    Tags: Shipping Freight Houston, cargo shipping, Packing Houston

    Cargo bomb originating in Namibia -Adjustment to Cargo Shipping

    Posted on Thu, Jan 20, 2011

     

    As reported in Air Cargo News, the worldwide air cargo industry must be ever vigilant  when placing cargo on airplanes.

    NAMIBIAN police have discovered a suspected bomb while loading the cargo hold of an Air Berlin flight departing Namibia.

    “A subsequent X-ray [of the luggage] revealed batteries that were attached with wires to a detonator and a ticking clock,” the German authorities said in a statement. “Only the ongoing forensic investigation will show whether this was a live explosive.”

    Thomas De Maiziere, Germany’s interior minister, said the country had been warned it would be targeted for its role in the Afghan war. “There is reason for concern, but no reason for hysteria.”

    Pack n send is awaiting notice of new embargoed countries at this time for  air cargo shipping.

    As we are notified, we will update our blog.

    For safe air cargo shipping, or questions about air cargo, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Freight Shipping Houston, cargo shipping, Cargo Shipping Houston

    Cargo Shipping Update-Yemen

    Posted on Thu, Jan 20, 2011

      BOLSTERED by the news of the UAE lifting its ban on accepting cargo shipments, Yemen held fresh talks on 16 January to lift the EU ban.

    In an effort to alleviate concerns the minister of transport Khaled al-Wzir briefed the EU delegation on Sana’a International Airport’s attempts to strengthen security, handling and personnel programmes.

    New security equipment has been installed at passenger and cargo areas. Additional security measures are in place, including a full physical search of all employees entering or leaving the airport and a 100 per cent search of all packages and cargo by means of explosive detectors. X-ray equipment and detaining of all packages and cargo for 48 hours prior to shipping have also been endorsed.

    Staff at the airport including 260 security and customs personnel and 10 maintenance and technical equipment personnel recently partook in US-led training programmes on operating the explosive detectors.

    In December the UAE lifted its ban after supervising a five-day training course for 26 air cargo and air shipping security personnel at the airport. The ban was imposed in October after the discovery of a plot to use explosives hidden in freight shipments to blow up cargo airliners bound for the US.

    In January talks with the EU the minister made it clear that relationships with shipping companies have been re-addressed as well as regulations, licenses and procedures required in order to allow such companies to carry out safe shipping operations.

    We have reprinted this article from Cargo  News as a service to our customers.

     For assistance with cargo shipping from Houston, palletizing and crating feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Shipping Freight Houston, Crating and Packing Houston, Cargo Houston, Freight Forwarding Houston

    Shipping Freight from Houston/Europe Improved Structure of Ships

    Posted on Tue, Jan 18, 2011

     

    EUROPE – Flagship, the Pan European maritime transport project part funded by the EU, claim they have now developed software that can forecast the condition of a ship’s hull over time to help improve the efficacy of surveys and reduce the amount of time a vessel is out of service. The consortium of various stakeholders from the freight and shipping and academic sectors say their new hull condition assessment is designed to accurately predict the condition of a vessel’s structure, coating and components, enabling ship owners and operators to schedule maintenance in a more efficient manner and thereby reduce maintenance costs while improving safety at sea.

    The system, known as Flagship-HCA is intended to extend the life of the existing fleet of Tankers and Bulk Carriers by up to five years, with a 10% to 20% reduction in service repair costs for ships throughout their life-cycle. One of the primary concerns for ship owners and Class societies is that of corrosion of the ship’s structure and this is the target of the new system.

    Flagship-HCA includes three primary tools which enable the ship owner and classifier to exchange hull data in real time, based on crew inspections and maintenance work as well as periodic measurement campaigns. Firstly, the toolset includes the Survey Advisor Tool (SAT) which advises surveyors where individual ships are most vulnerable and therefore where they should concentrate their investigations.

    Secondly, the Hull Health Programme Advisor (HHA) optimises the survey and maintenance programme taking in to consideration the vessel’s work schedule and the predicted structural integrity of the vessel. Finally, the Corrosion Parameter Prediction Tool which takes the results of a survey or set of surveys and update a database if corrosion parameters associated with every aspect of a ship’s hull – based on observed rules and results.

    Designed to assist ship owners and surveyors Flagship-HCA enables ship owners to schedule vessel maintenance and ship replacement more accurately than has been possible to date. Its objectives include not only optimising existing asset lifecycle and investment decisions but can also provide the Class Societies with more robust data upon which to base their rulings.

    The project was led by the BMT Group in the UK and was supported, delivered and trialled in conjunction with Marintek of Norway; Bureau Veritas and Sirehna of France, Germanischer Lloyd of Germany and Portline - Transportes Marítimos Internacionais, of Portugal. Mr Herman de Meester, Coordinator of Flagship, commented:

    “Flagship has pursued the twin objectives of reducing still further both risk and the environmental impact of the world’s commercial fleet whilst generating the opportunity for real commercial benefits. Flagship-HCA is a tangible example of the maritime industry collaborating to improve performance and efficiency in everyone’s best interests.”

    By extending the life of ships, we can all help our environment.  We have reprinted this article from the  Handy  Shipping  Guide as a service to our customers.

     

    For more information about shipping from Houston, Texas and freight forwarding Houston, Texas, please feel free to contact pack n send at  713 266 1450.

    Delano, Jack,, 1914-, photographer.  Pennsylvania R.R. [Railroad] ore docks, unloading iron ore from a lake freighter by means of "Hulett" unloaders, Cleveland, Ohio  1943 May   1 transparency : color.  <b>Notes: </b>...

    Tags: Texas, cargo shipping, Shipping Houston, Crating and packing Houston Texas

    Houston Shipping to Improve

    Posted on Mon, Jan 17, 2011

      Trucks Burst Through Ribbon, Officially Opening Cargo Bay Road

     This article taken from the Port of Houston Press release highlights continuing innovations and improvements at the Port of Houston.

    Three trucks dramatically burst through a ceremonial red ribbon, opening the Cargo Bay Road truck entrance to the Port of Houston Authority’s Turning Basin Terminals. The new entrance on the northeast side of the main terminal officially opens for business on Monday, January 17.

    “Every minute saved is valuable in keeping goods moving in and out of this port,” said Port Commission Chairman James T. Edmonds, who opened the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “Our job is to find ways to keep cargo moving so that we can remain competitive in this global marketplace.”

     

    Port Authority CEO Alec G. Dreyer remarked, “The completion of this Cargo Bay Road project marks a significant step taken by the Port of Houston Authority to help improve the environment, alleviate congestion and strengthen security at this terminal in a logical and efficient manner.”

    Houston City Council Member James Rodriguez, whose District I includes several Port Authority operational facilities, also joined the celebration. “The Cargo Bay Road project is also a perfect example of how small businesses work together to make a big difference,” said Rodriguez.

     

     

    From l. to r.: Dan Saucedo, North American Controls Corporation, Andrea Cheng, TSC Engineering, John Betancourt, Triple B Services, Terry Cheng, TSC Engineering, Enrique Del Cid, Reliable Signal and Lighting Solutions, Rev. Rivers Patout, Port of Houston Authority CEO Alec G. Dreyer, Houston City Council Member James Rodriguez, Port Commissioner Elyse Lanier, Don Mann, Forde Construction, Port Commission Chairman James T. Edmonds and Port Commissioner Jimmy Burke

     

    After a brief presentation on the brisk, cold day, followed by a blessing from Father Rivers Patout, they joined Port Commissioners Jimmy Burke and Elyse Lanier and many of the prime and subcontractors involved in the multi-million dollar project to cut a portion of the ribbon before the trucks made their dramatic entrance.

    The prime contractor for construction for the secured truck entrance canopy structure and associated utilities is Jerdon Construction, and subcontractors are Anchor Fence, Heights Electric and Execute Projects. North American Controls Corp. was the consultant for the canopy structure and the utilities. The prime contractor for construction was Triple B Services, and Apcon Services, BECO Construction, Main Lane Industries and Reliable Signal and Lighting Solutions were subcontractors.

     

    TSC Engineering was responsible for project design. Forde Construction, with subcontractors Cherry Demolition and George Hedge Contractors, were responsible for rail work. In addition, Wilson & Company, Inc., Engineers & Architects was the railroad consultant that designed the four railroad crossings on Gate 1 Road under a separate design effort.

     Port Commissioners Jimmy Burke and Elyse Lanier, Port Commission Chairman James T. Edmonds and Houston City Council Member James Rodriguez

     Presently, trucks transport about 75 percent of the Port of Houston’s inbound and outbound cargo. The new truck entrance will help improve traffic flow with three inbound and two outbound lanes. It will be open around the clock and staffed by contract security personnel. With the main gate closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily, all traffic during those hours will be routed to Cargo Bay Road.

    Representatives of the Customs & Border Protection (CBP), Houston Pilots, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), International Longshoremen’s Association, Port of Houston Authority tenants, and stevedoring companies attended, and trucks from Waggoner Auto Transport, All Trans Port Services, Palletized Trucking Inc., and Richway Transportation Services trucking lines took part in the ceremony.

    For information about shipping from Houston Texas, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    A tanker ship partially shrouded in fog/mist. I thought it was spooky. I think this could be put to good use to evoke a spooky seafaring mood.

    Tags: Freight forwarding Houston Texas, shipping from Houston Texas

    Cargo Like This? Not Houston Cargo

    Posted on Thu, Jan 13, 2011

    freight forwarding houston texas  

     If we had not seen the attached picture, I  am not sure that we would have even read the attached article. In the United States companies are diligent and meticulous about weighing containers more than once to make sure that ships are weighed correctly. We are reprinting portions of this article and the picture from Handy Shipping Guide so that our customers can see what happens in other areas of the world. image: UK shipping container tonnage freight FCL

    Shipping Container Weights-A Freight Fraud that Can Cost Lives

     

    UK – WORLDWIDE – Once upon a time it was cube cutting that was the fraud of choice for the world’s freight forwarders but with the burgeoning trade in full load containers (FCL’s) over the past few decades, often stuffed with consolidated cargo from different consignors, a new and potentially much more dangerous, problem has arisen.

    Under declared tonnage in shipping containers, deliberate or not, has the potential to put lives at risk. Gantries, fork lift trucks and other handling equipment may not be up to the strain and, in worst case scenarios, ships can be incorrectly loaded leading to instability.

     “On the 1st December, the World Shipping Council (WSC) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) announced that they were urging the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to establish an international legal requirement that all loaded containers be weighed at the marine port facility before they are stowed aboard a vessel for export. This has major ramifications for ship owners and terminals alike as the IMO is unlikely to ignore these two powerful bodies.

    “Implementation of any legislation on this subject is clearly some years away but terminal operators would do well not to leave everything until the last minute. As the WSC/ICS announcement makes clear, this information should be made available to ship planners and will mean modifying the data links between the machine weighing the containers and the terminal’s operating system.”

    The organisers of the conference have expressed a belief that because this is recognised as an important safety issue, some carriers may be prepared to pre-empt any IMO legislation by voluntarily introducing weighing at certain terminals. The general consensus at the conference was that those carriers who operate their own terminals would be best placed to do this, followed closely by those terminal operators with particularly strong links to specific carriers.

    One point stressed by several delegates was that it is important to weigh ALL containers, including empties. Apparently there have been a number of cases where ‘empty’ containers have been found to be loaded with waste products and to put these on board a vessel in a stack containing genuine empties could easily initiate a stack collapse. It was also pointed out that there was a strong case for weighing unaccompanied trailers before they are loaded on freight RoRo vessels. This is already mandatory on RoPax vessels carrying 12 or more passengers.

    Security experts also point out that an explosive device placed in an empty container would stand a better chance of being detected if empties had to be weighed. So far, the WSC and ICS have only shown concern regarding overweight containers. They should expect representations from various quarters demanding that all containers should be weighed. The real issue here is actually the misdeclaration of container weights, not just under declaration of cargo.

    The UK P&I Club’s Communications Director, Nick Whitear says he feels stakeholders should start to consider their options immediately commenting:

    “Any new legislation will require carriers to change their systems so that they can accept this new data and be ready to act when inaccurate weights are detected. Also, if they are not doing so already, ship owners need to start educating their customers about the importance of making accurate weight declarations so as to avoid any problems in the ports.”

    For assistance with freight forwarding houston texas , please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Freight forwarding Houston Texas, Cargo Houston, Cargo Shipping Houston, Container Shipping Houston

    Packing Houston- Reduced Cost # 1 Reason to Outsource

    Posted on Wed, Jan 12, 2011

     wood packing

    With the economy showing signs of improvement, now is the time to look at outsourcing. Pack n send offers professional packing services for artwork, and antiques.  We also provide packing and unpacking service for companies and individuals that are moving.

    We have posted this information taken from mfrtech.com as a service to our customers.

    By outsourcing, many businesses have been able to slash their business expenses, boost their bottom line and enhance shareholder value.

    Still, not every company considers outsourcing as a viable alternative. During down times, some try to save money by completing all tasks in-house, even those outside their core function. In some cases, skilled workers are required to perform menial tasks or handle assignments beyond their knowledge or skill level.

    But that is not an efficient way to operate. Every minute that skilled employees spend on such activities is wasted effort. Their employer is not capitalizing on their knowledge, experience or skill in order to add value to the organization. Employees could spend their time more wisely and efficiently by streamlining processes, improving product quality or developing creative solutions that enhance overall customer satisfaction.

    For more information about outsourcing your custom packing Houstonand crating needs in Houston, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450. Remember, pack n send offers crating and packing in Houston, Texas.  Pack n send specializes in freight shipping.

    Tags: Artwork Shipping Houston, Freight Houston, Packing Houston, Artwork Packing

    Moving Beer Vats- Large Freight Project in Canada

    Posted on Tue, Jan 11, 2011

    Out of Gauge Beer Vats Make a Spectacular Sight

    Shipping News Feature

      CANADA – Project forwarding contracts are often the most exciting part of what is often, let’s face it, a pretty tedious business. Nothing gets the blood pumping in a dyed in the wool freight man (or possibly woman) like the site of some huge piece of gear aboard the  deck of  a ship  or balanced  a top a low loader  in what can appear an almost impossible manner.

    Despite this there are few such projects which attract as much attention as the current movement of six huge beer vats from the Canadian Great Lakes  Port of Hamilton to Molson Coors Brewery, near Pearson International Airport. The move has been dogged by ill luck having been postponed four times in December due to bad weather and technical problems but now is inching its way toward its destination.

    There have been numerous route changes, each of the tanks are capable of containing six million bottles of beer and, at seven metres wide and over eight metres high when loaded, every cable en route has to be manoeuvred over the tops of the six trucks. Ironically the very bulk of the things meant that from the start all major roads had to be excluded from the route plan, one can cut and reconnect a cable or pipe but road bridges remain immutable and immoveable, so only minor roads could be considered. At forty five metres long the difficulties of the logistics are obvious and thus the variations in route resulting in each turn sometimes taking over an hour.

    The carrier, Challenger Motor Freight, has featured here before and is well versed in the movement of out of gauge and heavy lift projects but even for them this one is exceptional. So exceptional in fact, that the company has promoted an inch by inch transcript of the journey on Twitter.

    The convoy finally left the docks on the 7th January and estimates were it would take five days to complete. With weather causing further delays for the utility company responsible for rerouting overhead wires the estimate was soon almost doubled. As is usual with these giant convoys travel can only be undertaken from 9pm to 6am to ensure daytime traffic is not affected so, like a giant wagon train, the convoy has to sit the days out at any convenient spot.

    Overall the move should take until the weekend to complete, a journey of around 110 kilometres in well over a week (the freeway route is about 65 kilometres and normally takes an hour or so).

     Pack n send has posted this article taken from Handy  Shipping Guide as a service to our customers. For information about freight and cargo shipping from Houston, please contact us at  713  266 1450.

     

    Tags: Houston Shipping, Freight Shipping Houston

    Houston Freight Normal-Freight from Australia Effected by Floods

    Posted on Mon, Jan 10, 2011

     Delano, Jack,, 1914-, photographer.  Pennsylvania R.R. [Railroad] ore docks, unloading iron ore from a lake freighter by means of "Hulett" unloaders, Cleveland, Ohio  1943 May   1 transparency : color.  <b>Notes: </b>...

    With weather presenting difficulties for freight movement throughout the US, and Europe, and Australia, the southern part of Texas is a shining light for freight movement at this time.

    The article below from the Handy Shipping   Guide highlights some of the difficulties that Australia is now facing.

     AUSTRALIA – The first estimates of damages caused by the continuing flooding have started to appear in press reports as heavy rain spreading from Queensland into New South Wales is predicted. Rail freight carrier QR National say they cannot yet estimate the cost to the company as mines resume some activity after strenuous efforts to pump water from the coal workings, but logistics industry analysts are estimating the cost to the company will be around A$45 million, assuming the waters start to recede this week.

    Logistics in the region have been devastated as 4,000 people have needed evacuating from the hundreds of kilometres of countryside inundated so far. Since we reported some companies trading under force majeure many more have had to declare the same terms as exports of coal fell by around half a billion Australian dollars each week. Politicians are estimating the overall cost of the disaster as up to A$5 billion considering the loss of production of crops as well as coal.

    The effect of the cessation of exports via the Blackwater freight rail service to Gladstone Docks has meant bulk carrying vessels lying offshore awaiting loads whilst QR’s other three rail freight coal carrying lines, the Newlands system through to the Abbot Point Terminal near Bowen, the Goonyella rail system through Dalrymple Bay and Hay Point coal terminals, near Mackay and the Moura coal rail system to domestic customers and to Gladstone port are still operating.

    In the general freight business, Queensland’s North Coast Line remains closed from Brisbane to Cair

    For information about shipping freight and cargo from Houston, TX, feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Houston Shipping, Freight Houston

    End of 2010 Brings Mixed Results for Freight Traffic

    Posted on Fri, Jan 07, 2011

    INTERNATIONAL freight traffic rose 5.4 per cent in November 2010 leaving the volume for the November equal to pre-recession levels of early 2008. Freight load factor ended at 55.2 per cent for the month.

    This is an apparently rapid slowdown from the 14.5 per cent growth in freight in October. However, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) says its figures were partially skewed because of the exceptionally rapid rise in traffic volumes recorded during the fourth quarter of 2009. However, when viewed in absolute terms, air travel fell by 0.8 per cent and airfreight fell by 1.1 per cent between October and November last year.

    This slower growth does not necessarily signal a negative trend. Even with the decline in November, passenger and freight traffic are still expanding at annualised rates of between five to six per cent, which is in line with the industry’s historical growth trend.

    “The industry is shifting gears in the recovery cycle. Growth is slowing towards normal historical levels in the five to six per cent range,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s chief executive officer. “Relative weakness in developed markets is being offset by the momentum of economic expansion in developing markets. We see a strong end to 2010 that boosted the year’s profit forecast to US$15.1 billion. Slowing traffic growth is in line with our projections for a reduced profit of $9.1 billion in 2011. That’s a 1.5 per cent margin. More hard work will be needed in the New Year to achieve sustainable levels of profitability.”

    Asia-Pacific carriers showed a 4.1 per cent year-on-year increase, a similar amount to that they did at the pre-recession peak of 2008. Middle Eastern carriers saw 12.4 per cent year-on-year growth for November, 14 per cent more than the pre-recession peak in early 2008, North American carriers showed 1.5 per cent year-on-year growth in November, but overall volumes remain 7 per cent below the pre-recession levels of early 2008. European carriers experienced a similar pattern with 6.6 per cent year-on-year growth in November but overall volumes remaining 12 per cent below pre-recession levels.

    Pack n send has reprinted this article from Cargo News as a service to our customers. For information about cargo and freight shipping, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Boite emballage cartonBoite d'emballage en carton	  Objects / General

    Tags: Freight Shipping Houston, Cargo Houston

    Port of Houston Shipping not Affected by Beef Fat

    Posted on Wed, Jan 05, 2011

    A picture of the dock at Manzanillo Port in Panama where our household goods will be offloaded from the ship TMM Oaxacha coming from Houston, Texas. Imagine almost everything you own is in a metal box on a dock in Panama. 

    As reported on news stations in Houston, Texas, the port of Houston had a spoill of beef fat.  The spill of 15,000 gallons came from a ruptured storage tank according to the United States Coast Guard.  The beef fat spilled into a water way. Due to the location of of the spill, there will be minimum interruptions to the flow of ships.

    There has been no notificationas to when the  northern  end of the Houston Ship  Channel will re open.  The  affected sections is less than a mile in length.  No reports of delays have been reported at this time. The beef fat is expected to be cleaned up quickly and without much delay.

     We are providing information below about the Port of Houston. This information is taken directly from their website and is helpful when planning shipments out of the port.

    The Port of Houston is a 25-mile-long complex of diversified public and private facilities located just a few hours' sailing time from the Gulf of Mexico. The port is ranked first in the United States in foreign waterborne tonnage (14 consecutive years); first in U.S. imports (19 consecutive years); second in U.S. export tonnage and second in the U.S. in total tonnage (19 consecutive years).

    The Port of Houston is made up of the Port of Houston Authority and the 150-plus private industrial companies along the Houston Ship Channel. All together, the port authority and its neighbors along the ship channel are a large and vibrant component of the regional economy.

    More than 220 million tons of cargo moved through the Port of Houston in 2009. More than 7,700 vessel calls were recorded at the Port of Houston during the year 2009. The Houston Pilots navigate each vessel through the Houston Ship Channel.

    The Port of Houston has an impressive listing of firsts, from unloading the world's first container ship to becoming the country's first port to receive ISO 14001 compliance.

    For more information about shipping cargo out of the Port of Houston, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

     

    Tags: Freight Houston, Cargo Houston

    Freight Houston Sees Positive Purchase-Electric Freight Trucks

    Posted on Tue, Jan 04, 2011

    90 Year old Electric Freight Truck Manufacturer Sold to US 

    Pack n send is reproducing this article from Handy  Shipping Guide as part of our series on freight shipping that positively affects our environment.

    UK – US- As we reported  back in March the British company Smith Electric Vehicles  a partially owned subsidiary of the Tanfield Group, have been sold to their US counterpart this week. The offer came  only mohths after Smiths ventured into the rapidly growing American electric powered truck market by opening a division there together with associated company, SEVUS and being paid a licence fee for every truck sold, demonstrating the rapid growth in the market.

    The purchase of its parent company will mean Smith Electric Vehicles will be firmly established as the world’s largest manufacturer and industry leader of commercial electric vehicles. The $15million sale will be effective Jan. 1, 2011. The Tanfield Group, will retain 49 percent equity in Smith Electric Vehicles U.S. This percentage is subject to dilution as Smith raises additional equity capital.

    Smith U.K. has been a leading manufacturer of zero-emissions battery-electric commercial vehicles in Europe since the 1920s. It operates a U.K.-wide service and support network that already maintains more than 5,000 vehicles for major fleet operators with the Edison model based on the Ford Transit and the Newton range of heavier trucks being the world’s largest electric delivery vehicle with a top speed of 55 mph and 100 mile range on a single charge. The Newton is powered exclusively by battery, runs without noise or vibration, and stores electric energy during stopping through a process called regenerative braking.

    Bryan Hansel, CEO of Smith Electric US commented:

    “Being in a position to unify Smith’s divisions after less than two years of operating in the United States is evidence that the market for affordable, sustainable commercial fleets is fertile. The unification of Smith Electric Vehicles will create operational efficiencies and market synergies that will make Smith more financially sound and productive.”

    Darren Kell, CEO of The Tanfield Group Plc, said:

    “The board of Tanfield believes that the structure of this transaction offers the best possible deal for all parties. Tanfield’s Powered Access Division benefits from additional working capital and we create a single, global electric vehicle business that is a market leader in both Europe and North America. Most importantly, Tanfield - and therefore its shareholders, retains a significant stake in the combined Smith Electric Vehicle business, with its future potential for an IPO.”

    For more information about freight shipping from Houston, Tx, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    A large truck drives over the bridge. <br>See more <a href="http://www.pbase.com/hull_m">photos by Matthew Hull</a> at PBase. <br>See my portfolio at <a href="http://www.istockphoto.com/matthew_hull"&...

    Tags: Houston Freight, Houston Cargo

    Sell on eBay-Shipping Houston

    Posted on Mon, Jan 03, 2011

     

     go shopping 2none	  Objects / GeneralNow that Christmas is over, there may be gifts you received that you really cannot use. Why not list them on eBay and use your profits to buy something that you really would like to own.

    eBay is one of the largest online auction websites world-wide with millions of sellers and buyers. You can just bring in your items to pack n send in Houston, TX and they will list your eBay item for you. Other cities have other eBay listing stores where you can take your items for listing and sale.

    Make eBay Shipping Easy

    With Pack n Send we'll take all the hard work out for you. We will take the time to research the items you want to sell, get photographs of the items, list the items, get you top dollar for the items and lastly, ship the items to their buyer for you. We will help you get your eBay listing seen and sold at an astounding amount. 

    Houston eBay Shipping Services

    For those located in Houston, Texas you can now take advantage of Pack n Sand’s Houston eBay shipping. Our shipping services have been designed to help you get exactly what you need at a price you'll be able to afford. 

    If you don't actually have anywhere to store your eBay listings while you are waiting for them to sell consider making you of Pack n Sand’s inventory storage options. Pack n Send can store your inventory within their local warehouse until the eBay listings are sold.

    We want to make the overall process for you uncomplicated. It can be hard keeping things organized and on time, especially if you have large amounts of sales occurring each and everyday. Let Pack n Send make the process easier for you so you can enjoy your eBay business even more and get all those eBay listings selling. 

    Time is everything when it comes to eBay. You want to ensure your items are shipped quickly and the price is affordable. This is possible when you have Pack n Send assisting you with the overall process. 

    For more information about listing items on eBay, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: international shipping, Houston shipping companies

    RFID Technology used in Freight and Cargo Shipping

    Posted on Thu, Dec 23, 2010

     This is a project that never quite got finished.  The goal was to make a dog door for my dogs that would unlock only for them and not other dogs, skunks, coyotes, etc.  So I built an RFID reader that could detect a tiny tag on the dogs' colla...

    RFID technology is being tested and implemented for both freight and cargo shipping. Both location monitoring and temperature monitoring of shipments are being tested. Pack n send is supplying this article from Handy Shipping  Guide as a service to our customers.

     WORLDWIDE – Many freight forwarders and shipping lines are familiar by now with the relatively new technology known as RFID, radio-frequency identification. There are three systems employed in the identification of tags carrying chips loaded with whatever information is required; passive, active and battery assisted passive. Up to now their use has been limited to such things as identifying cargo to upload information such as current position etc. into freight tracking systems using mostly passive chips, but now the potential uses of these systems is being explored more thoroughly.

    At the cutting edge of RFID is German company Siemens who are investigating in several different fields, all relevant to the freight and haulage industries. Since 2008 scientists at Siemens Corporate Technology have been exploring a research project known as SKRIBT — (German acronym for “Protection of Critical Bridges and Tunnels on Roads”) in which ten partners from government agencies, industry, and research institutes are participating in a three year scheme funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research.

    Put simply when a truck hits a bridge, or ignites in a tunnel, the damage can be almost incalculable; when a truck caught fire in the Eurotunnel under the English Channel in November 1996 temperatures reached 1,000 °Celsius, causing immense structural damage and suspending full operations for six months. The problem is being addressed by using thermal imaging technology but the situation is greatly compounded when hazardous goods are involved.

    By using new RFID transponders developed by Siemens, sensors can analyse the information on a trucks Hazchem plate which carries the relevant chip. This can be done several kilometres before the tunnel entrance and the information sent instantly to the tunnel control centre which is then equipped to respond in exactly the right way should an incident occur or to prevent the truck entering if other unsuitable goods are already transiting the tunnel.

    The new system is ‘active’ and can transmit its signal to the unit’s reading device over a distance of around 50 metres as opposed to a conventional ‘passive’ system, with a six metre range, as is used in many cargo monitoring systems. The hazardous plate’s chip has a built-in battery and transmits in the high-frequency range of 2.45 gigahertz. To ensure the battery lasts as long as possible, the transmitter in the transponder sleeps until it’s woken by a radio pulse issued by the reading device at the checkpoint.

    Siemens use a cryptochip employing an encryption technique they previously developed for passive RFID chips which ensures the RFID data cannot be intercepted or falsified. This is not the only way RFID is finding its way into the supply chain however.

    In a separate project and in cooperation with other partners Siemens are pioneering an RFID system that provides continuous monitoring of sensitive consignments. The technology is already used by DB Schenker to monitor the condition of extremely delicate air freight cargo. Temperature of some items is the vital factor and the new chips react if this varies beyond predefined limits. The chips are currently being used in several German hospitals to monitor arriving blood supplies to ensure they have been maintained at a tolerable temperature and that they are within the usable dates.

    It seems that RFID technology is only just starting to make itself felt within society and, once again, the freight and supply chain industry is liable to be at the cutting edge as it develops as was the case with other advances such as popularising facsimile machines, bar coding etc.

    For more information about freight and cargo shipping in Houston and the US, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

     

    Tags: Freight Houston, Cargo Houston, Shipping Houston

    Freight Shipping From Houston and US to Increase

    Posted on Mon, Dec 20, 2010

     Free photo - industry warehouse machine available in our free stock photosPack n send is reprinting portions of this article  from mfrtech.com as a service to our customers. With manufacturing expected to increase during 2011, both freight and export cargo shipping should also increase.

    U.S. manufacturing sector will grow in 2011, with manufacturing revenue increasing by 5.6% according to the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) semi-annual,  forecast released.

    The overall forecast projects optimism about the U.S. economy for 2011. The manufacturing sector, overall, is positive about prospects in 2011 with revenues expected to increase in 16 of 18 industries. ISM also predicts that business investment, a major driver in the U.S. economy, will increase substantially in the manufacturing sector.

    The 16 manufacturing industries expecting improvement over 2010 — listed in order — are: Primary Metals; Fabricated Metal Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Transportation Equipment; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Furniture & Related Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Machinery; Textile Mills; Wood Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Chemical Products; and Paper Products.

    "Manufacturing purchasing and supply executives have expectations for continued growth and are optimistic about their organizations' prospects as they consider the first half of 2011, and they are even more positive about the second half," said Norbert J. Ore, CPSM, C.P.M., chair of the ISM Manufacturing Business Survey Committee. "While 2010 has been a year of recovery in manufacturing, our forecast sees improvements in both investment and employment in 2011. Respondents expect cost pressures in 2011 to be somewhat greater than in 2010. Manufacturing growth is now in its 16th consecutive month as measured by and reported in the monthly Manufacturing ISM Report On Business®."

    In the manufacturing sector, respondents report operating at 80.2% of their normal capacity, up from 72.8% reported in April 2010. Purchasing and supply executives predict that capital expenditures will increase by 14.5% in 2011, compared to a 5.9% increase reported for 2010. Survey respondents also forecast that they will reduce inventories in an effort to improve their purchased inventory-to-sales ratio in 2011. Manufacturers have an expectation that employment in the sector will increase by 1.8%, while labor and benefits costs are expected to increase an average of 1.9% in 2011. Manufacturing purchasers are predicting strength in exports and imports in 2011. They also expect the U.S. dollar to weaken on average against the currencies of major trading partners.

    The panel also predicts the prices they pay will increase 2.7% during the first four months of 2011, and will increase an additional 1.3% during the balance of the year, with an overall increase of 4% for 2011. Survey respondents expect to realize supply chain improvements through improved inventory/asset management; cost reduction; supplier development/better metrics; supplier consolidation; and better risk management.

     

    For more information about freight and cargo shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Cargo Shipping from Houston, Cargo Loading Houston

    Santa Delay- Freight Forwardingand Mail & Airport Delays

    Posted on Fri, Dec 17, 2010

    Christmas BowA gold Christmas bow attached to a present.	  Seasonal and Events / ChristmasThis update is a reprint of an article from Bloomberg.  Other European countires affeted by this snow are: The Netherlands, Switzerland and Ireland. There are reports of undelivered and late Christmas mail and packages in these countries.

    Bloomberg December 17, 2010, 6:37 AM EST  By Mike Gavin

    Dec. 17 (Bloomberg) -- Germany’s transportation system dug itself out this morning after heavy snowfall overnight, as Deutsche Lufthansa AG said it expects a large number of flight cancellations throughout the day.

    The snowfall has created “considerable disturbances” in European air travel, with Fraport AG’s Frankfurt airport among the hardest hit points, Lufthansa spokesman Thomas Jachnow said by phone.

    Fourteen centimeters (5.5 inches) of snow fell at Frankfurt airport from early evening until early today and as much as 40 centimeters in parts of North Rhine-Westphalia from yesterday afternoon until this morning, Joerg Meinhold of the German Weather Service said by phone.

    Only 10 of the usual 43 hourly landings at Frankfurt had been cleared to go ahead as of mid-morning, Jachnow said, citing snow which has remained on apron and aircraft-parking areas. Delays and cancellations also occurred in Munich and Berlin, Jachnow said. Lufthansa expects to avoid cancellations on all long-haul flights.

    Fraport spokesman Thomas Uber said runways were clear, though there have been 222 flight cancellations so far today, many due to problems at other European airports. The airport’s website showed extensive delays.

    Operations were “relatively stable” on Germany’s national railroad as weather improved, said Kathrin Fellenberg, a spokeswoman for Deutsche Bahn AG. Trains were not being cancelled although the weather has caused delays in many parts of the country, she said.

    Road Traffic

    Snowfall and ice caused disruptions to road traffic in many parts of Germany, especially the southwest and the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia, according to news reports. Bild newspaper said treacherous driving conditions caused traffic jams this morning.

    -Weather forecasters predicted a gradual improvement in conditions. “The snow front is still cavorting around in southern Germany, but we expect it to ebb away during the day,” Dorothea Petzold, a spokeswoman at the German Weather Service in Frankfurt, said by phone.

    Switzerland’s Zurich Airport was forced to cancel 40 flights as a result of snowfall and expects more disruptions today, spokeswoman Jasmin Bodmer said by phone.

    “Teams have been out clearing runways since last night,” she said. “There is so much snow that each time they finish they have to start over.”

     For information about freight and cargo shipping, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Freight and Shipping, Electronics Shipping Houston, Equipment Shipping

    Rising Freight Cost In England

    Posted on Thu, Dec 16, 2010

    Free photo - industry warehouse machine available in our free stock photos                    With freight costs rising in England, inflationary fuel prices will affect freight deliveries throughout Europe.  The cost of fuel is a major component of the cost of freight deliveries. As companies worldwide try to recover from the Recession, increased costs will only help to raise cost of goods world wide.

     UK – Costs for British road hauliers rose by 4.9% in the 12 months to October 1, according to the Road Haulage Association’s annual cost movement survey, even discounting fuel, costs rose by 1.7% and rising diesel commodity prices and duty increased costs by a further 3.2 percentage points. The Road Haulage Association warns that its survey of what members are paying for diesel shows an increased in this core cost of 4% in just a fortnight. The price has risen by 3.88 pence a litre to 104.78 pence (before VAT) from an already high level. The RHA cost movement survey is based on the costs of operating a 44 tonne articulated truck.

    RHA Director of Policy Jack Semple commented on the hike and warned the Government that the continual rises would have a detrimental effect on truck freight in the country saying:

    “The issue for government is to consider whether it can afford to go on adding to the economy’s business taxes with further diesel duty increases planned in the New Year and then again in April. The UK already has much the highest diesel duty rate in the EU. The RHA’s message to the Chancellor is, it is time to stop adding to the tax burden.

    “ These increases further threaten the viability of firms who have been caught in a ‘perfect storm’ of rising prices, reduced credit terms and a credit squeeze, often made worse by customers taking longer to pay their bills. On top of all that, in the past couple of weeks, many hauliers have faced an additional business risk; the greatly reduced productivity and increased costs resulting from the appalling problems on the roads has hit many firms’ profitability and cash flow.

    “Diesel is around 32% of operating costs. With fuel prices rising and becoming increasingly volatile, we strongly recommend those companies that have not already done so, to implement a mechanism that links diesel prices to rates. Customers can be reluctant to agree to such terms but we would urge them to recognise the importance such mechanisms can have for the sustainability of their haulage suppliers.

    “Operating costs though are not simply about diesel. It is clear from our survey that other costs have also risen and this should be acknowledged. Overhead costs can be a particularly important area for customers to recognise. In looking ahead to the coming year, it seems that the only way haulage costs are going to move is upwards, with fuel, truck, driver and insurance costs all under pressure."

    Pack n send  has published this article found in the Handy  Shipping Guide as a service to our customers.  As companies prepare budgets for 2011 fuel inflation will help in determing cost of goods sold.

    For information about freight, cargo and general shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: freight shipping, Freight Houston

    Optimistic Future Seen For US Manufacturing-Good for Freight Industry

    Posted on Wed, Dec 15, 2010

    Title: Cold & Frigid When: 4:21pm Where: Future Shop at West Broadway What's it to ya?: salesman: "Excuse me sir.  No photography allowed.  It's store policy."

    The U.S. manufacturing sector will grow in 2011, with manufacturing revenue increasing by 5.6% according to the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) semi-annual forecast released.

    The overall forecast projects optimism about the U.S. economy for 2011. The manufacturing sector, overall, is positive about prospects in 2011 with revenues expected to increase in 16 of 18 industries. ISM also predicts that business investment, a major driver in the U.S. economy, will increase substantially in the manufacturing sector.

    The 16 manufacturing industries expecting improvement over 2010 — listed in order — are: Primary Metals; Fabricated Metal Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Transportation Equipment; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Furniture & Related Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Machinery; Textile Mills; Wood Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Chemical Products; and Paper Products.

    "Manufacturing purchasing and supply executives have expectations for continued growth and are optimistic about their organizations' prospects as they consider the first half of 2011, and they are even more positive about the second half," said Norbert J. Ore, CPSM, C.P.M., chair of the ISM Manufacturing Business Survey Committee. "While 2010 has been a year of recovery in manufacturing, our forecast sees improvements in both investment and employment in 2011. Respondents expect cost pressures in 2011 to be somewhat greater than in 2010. Manufacturing growth is now in its 16th consecutive month as measured by and reported in the monthly Manufacturing ISM Report On Business®."

    In the manufacturing sector, respondents report operating at 80.2% of their normal capacity, up from 72.8% reported in April 2010. Purchasing and supply executives predict that capital expenditures will increase by 14.5% in 2011, compared to a 5.9% increase reported for 2010. Survey respondents also forecast that they will reduce inventories in an effort to improve their purchased inventory-to-sales ratio in 2011. Manufacturers have an expectation that employment in the sector will increase by 1.8%, while labor and benefits costs are expected to increase an average of 1.9% in 2011. Manufacturing purchasers are predicting strength in exports and imports in 2011. They also expect the U.S. dollar to weaken on average against the currencies of major trading partners.

    Pack n send has reprinted this article from Mfrtech.com. It highlights and optimistic future  in 2011 for the manufacturing sector of the US economy.

     

    For information about shipping commercial and residential goods as freight and cargo, please feel free to contact pack n send at  713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: furniture shipping, Shipping from Houston

    New Type of Air Freight

    Posted on Tue, Dec 14, 2010

     With the development of unmaned aircarft  Boeing is at the forefront of using unmaned aircraft. Pack n send is posting this on our website so that  our customers have a look at the future of freight shipping.  We found this article in the  Handy Shipping  Guide.

    US – This week saw a genuine first in the field of air freight, no strangers to logistics the Boeing Corporation faced a new challenge when it came to shipping one of their latest exotic creations across the country. Boeing have been developing the unmanned Phantom Ray aircraft for less than ten years, using entirely their own funding and with the intention of pushing back the barriers of what is possible using craft without crew. Primarily designed as a weapon of war the Phantom was constructed at the Boeing facility in St. Louis but will shortly undergo its first test flight at the Dryden Flight Research Centre at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

    There remained the problem of getting a 36 foot long aircraft with a 50 foot wingspan the 1500 plus miles to the test site where it will undergo ground and high-speed taxi tests to prepare for its first flight in early 2011. Never ones to take chances Boeing staff decided it was necessary to ensure they could ship the Phantom Ray successfully to California and embarked on a test run.

    The photograph shows the result, wheel out a NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA), a modified Boeing 747, never used before to carry anything but the space shuttles, and conduct a 50 minute flight carrying the unusual cargo in preparation for the real thing. Craig Brown, Phantom Ray program manager for Boeing commented:

    "This is exciting not just because it's the first time that an aircraft other than the space shuttle has flown on the SCA, but also because it puts Phantom Ray that much closer to making its first flight."

    The SCA flights with Phantom Ray are being conducted under a Boeing-funded, commercial Space Act Agreement with NASA. Phantom Ray is one of several programs in Boeing's Phantom Works division that are part of the company's rapid prototyping initiative to design, develop and build advanced aircraft and then demonstrate their capabilities. The new aircraft will be used as a test bed for the latest technological advances in on board and remote systems and surveillance equipment.

    For information on more conventional freight and cargo shipping, please feel free to contact pack  n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Freight Shipping Houston, Shipping Houston

    Freight and Cargo Shipments delayed world wide

    Posted on Mon, Dec 13, 2010

    Fork LightningFork lightning, a thunder-storm at night.	  Nature / Skies and Clouds

    With the holidays rapidly approaching, nature is unleashing dramatic weather events world wide.  Pack n send is posting this in order to keep both our Houston, US and international shippers updated on current weather events.  This article is reprinted from the Handy   Shipping Guide.

    WORLD WIDE – After  suspending truck drivers hours of servicece in Scotland due to heavy snowfalls in the past weeks comes news of unseasonal weather elsewhere affecting the logistics sector across the globe. One of the worst hit areas is Queensland where continuous rain has caused major disruptions, particularly to coal deliveries as rail operator QR National has just reinstated rail freight services between the mines and the export terminals at Hay Point .

    The extreme conditions have meant that several mines have issued notice of force majeure meaning that forces beyond their control may cause them unable to fulfil their contracts and upward of thirty vessels are believed to be waiting off the coast for loading. Despite the reintroduction of services QR have put speed restrictions in place as a safety measure.

    Also in Queensland cotton farmers are facing up to the loss of millions of dollars as this years crop is devastated by floods. Rivers have risen several metres and inundated thousands of hectares of farmland.

    In the US and Canada up to 60 centimetres of snow has fallen in the past few days bringing deliveries to a standstill in many area and, most shocking of all, areas of the Middle East have witnessed snowfalls and storm conditions which caused the closure of the ports of Tartous in Syria and Alexandria and Nuweiba in Egypt.

    The storm swept through the Mediterranean killing several people in Egypt and Lebanon and sinking a Moldovan registered dry bulk carrier off Ashdod. The MV Adriatic was carrying iron ore, her eleven man Ukrainian crew being rescued by a Panamanian freighter. At least one other vessel needed assistance in the area as waves, reportedly up to ten metres, battered the coastline wreaking havoc in harbours in Lebanon and Israel.

    The entire region has been suffering drought conditions for several months causing the recent devastating fire in Israel and, whilst sandstorms continued to sweep parts of Egypt and Jordan yesterday Lebanese truck drivers battled frozen roads. Several vessels were refused access to the Suez Canal during the worst of the weather which seems to be clearing in most areas today.

    For updates on shipping delays for both freight and cargo, please feel free to contact pack n send at  713 266 1450.

     generic, thermometer, below zero

    Tags: Shipping from Houston

    Cargo Shipping Security- Houston and the World

    Posted on Fri, Dec 10, 2010

    OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAPack n send is posting this article  from Air  Cargo News. It is another in our series of articles about air cargo and freight shipping security. It presents  a logical argument to the question about 100 per cent air cargo screening.

     “KILLING the airfreight industry with draconian security procedures would be giving the terrorists a result they would long to see,” says Andrew Traill, managing partner of Shippers’ Voice, a logistics advocacy and information portal.

    He says 100 per cent scanning of airfreight would not only harm international trade, it would be ineffective,

    “The most effective way to detect and deter anyone intending to use airfreight to carry out an attack is through intelligence,” he says. “There are regulations now in the US and Europe, that require information about the freight, its origins and destination, the people handling it and its route to be sent in advance of its arrival.

    “This means in practice that most air cargo carriers will not want to even take off before being sure that the freight they carry has been cleared by the security authorities.”

    Traill says that enabling people in the chain to perform security checks and maintain the security through the transport chain, (themselves authorised to do so based on the systems and practices they deploy), is not a weakness of security but a strength.

    “Provided the system is properly policed, this multi-tiered approach to security in air freight is far more effective than scanning everything, especially when we know the technology is not perfect, and watching the airfreight industry collapse under the weight of delays and excessive costs.”

    He admits that some of these programmes are still being implemented around Europe and indeed elsewhere around the world. “But the industry and the authorities are getting their act together, and increasing the quantity, standard and variety of security procedures being implemented. Now is not the time to undermine these initiatives in any knee jerk reaction to the latest threat,” he says.

    “The industry must be robust in its defence of current and developing practices or else risk facing unworkable, costly and pointless security measures which will be no better and possibly worse than what we have and are developing today.”

     For more information about air cargo and freight shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Cargo Houston, cargo shipping, Cargo Loading Houston

    Freight Figures in Houston and US Rising Slowly

    Posted on Thu, Dec 09, 2010

    Freight is one of the figures that is an leading economic indicator of economic recovery.  With improvement showing in the freight statistics, this bodes well for the US economy.

    We have reprinted the article first published in the Handy   Shipping  Guide as a service to our customers.

     

    US – Yesterday saw the release of the monthly Freight Transportation Services Index (FTSI) figures from the U.S. Department of Transportation's  Bureau of Transportation Statistics. The Index provides a good long term insight into the output of logistics services provided by the for-hire freight transportation industries but, as with most statistics, predictions based on them depend on one’s own interpretation of them.

    The FTSI is a seasonally adjusted index that measures changes from the monthly average of the base year of 2000. It includes historic data from 1990 to the present and included in the figures are such transportation methods as for-hire trucking, railroad freight services (including rail based intermodal shipments such as shipping containers on flat cars), movements by inland waterways, pipeline transportation and airfreight. The index does not include international or coastal waterborne movements, private trucking, courier services, or the US Postal Service.

    Yesterdays report shows a 0.2% rise in traffic during October from its September level, rising for the second consecutive month. The FTSI has risen 5.7 percent over the last 17 months, starting in June 2009, after declining 15.3 percent in the previous 10 months beginning in August 2008 with the Index increasing in 13 of the last 17 months. Overall however the first ten months of this year witnessed a fall of 0.7% after that 2008 crash and although the index rose 3.2 percent from October 2009 to October 2010, it remains below the level of every other October since 2001.

    Used in conjunction with other economic indicators and observations the movements of the FTSI can be a useful tool in analysing the relationship of changes in the US transportation output to changes in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Release of the November index is scheduled for the 12th January and with numerous factors such as the mid term results and seasonal variations to consider observers will be keen to see if the slight upward trend of the FTSI is sustained.

     

    For more information about freight shipping, please fell free to contact pack n send at   713 266 1450.

     

     

    Tags: Freight Shipping Houston, Freight Houston

    Cargo Shipping Update-European Union

    Posted on Wed, Dec 08, 2010

    Pack n send is posting this article from Air Cargo News as an article in our continuing series on cargo and freight security.  While this article does not offer specific regulations, it does show that the European Union is working in a diligent and thoughtful manner before instituting new measures.

    EUROPE plans to introduce tough new security regulations in the wake of the airfreight bomb scares last month.

    EU transport vice-president, Siim Kallas (right), is taking part in a series of high-level meetings to discuss the changes.

    “We need new rules on security controls of cargo and mail from third countries, so I intend to propose legislation early next year on transfer cargo originating outside the EU,” he said.

    “We must also move more quickly to tighten EU requirements for supply chain security. We must expand inspection programmes, to ensure that these requirements are implemented properly,” he added.

    Fortunately, Kallas is building a reputation for reasonable solutions, unlike many other politicians and members of the popular press around the world.

    “We should not fall into the trap of overreacting with new across-the-board screening and control procedures,” he said. “That would paralyse both the aviation industry and our economies, which rely on fast and reliable air cargo services. That would be a victory for our opponents, who would probably still find another loophole somewhere. We must be confident but not complacent.”

    For more information on shipping from Houston, the United States and Europe, please feel free to contact pack n send at  713 266 1450.

    Tags: Cargo Houston, international shipping

    Deal with South Korea good for Houston Shipping and US Shipping

    Posted on Tue, Dec 07, 2010

    Pack n send is posting this article to show the opening of trade with South Korea during 2011. This is a good sign both for US exports and US jobs.

    US – SOUTH KOREA – With the EU’s Free Trade agreement scheduled to begin with Korea next July, the United States has moved to negate the terms agreed with the Bush administration over car and truck exports which has engendered much anger amongst American manufacturers. Simultaneously terms are to be discussed regarding US shipments of beef and other products with a view to negotiating an agreement similar to that of the European model.

    Chairman of the  President's Export  Council and the Business Roundtable Trade Committee and boss of  Boeing, Jim McNerney, welcomed the opening up of the Korean market and agreed with the President’s statement that US producers would benefit from increased exports, saying:

    "The agreement on beef, autos and other issues that the Administration announced earlier today with the Republic of Korea is great news for the U.S. economy and American workers. The announced breakthroughs on some very difficult issues remove the final barriers to enactment of a U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement that will set the stage for a dramatic increase in trade between the United States and Korea, and spur job-creating economic growth here at home.

    "The agreement gives American workers a chance to compete by eliminating numerous impediments to the sale of U.S. goods and services to Korea. For instance, U.S. exports to that country currently face an applied tariff of more than 11 percent, which puts U.S. companies and workers at a big disadvantage when competing against companies and workers from nations that already have free trade agreements in place. By levelling the playing field with this agreement, U.S. government officials estimate that American exports to Korea will grow by nearly $11 billion – which means more work and more jobs here at home.

    "The Korean economy is dynamic and presents tremendous opportunities for the sale of American manufactured goods, agricultural products, and services. We urge Congress to make ratification of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement a top priority. Doing so will spur the kind of export-driven economic activity we need to create American jobs—an important goal of the Administration under its National Export Initiative."

    President Obama found himself under enormous pressure to renegotiate Bush’s un-ratified terms when US auto makers ridiculed the agreement originally proposed with Ford claiming in the national press that the imbalance meant the US exported only one vehicle to the Koreans for every fifty two imported to the States.

    Disputes over the imbalance of safety levels and tax benefits for larger and more fuel efficient trucks and cars were resolved with the manufacturers’ figures indicating that up to 70,000 US jobs could be dependent on the negotiation of more balanced terms driving the agreement.

    This article was taken from the Handy   Shipping Guide and posted on our website as a service to our customers.

     

    For more information about shipping from Houston, and other US cities, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Delano, Jack,, 1914-, photographer.  Pennsylvania R.R. [Railroad] ore docks, unloading iron ore from a lake freighter by means of "Hulett" unloaders, Cleveland, Ohio  1943 May   1 transparency : color.  <b>Notes: </b>...

     

    Tags: freight shipping, Shipping from Houston

    Shipping and Helping the Environment

    Posted on Thu, Dec 02, 2010

    Pack n  send is posting this article from the Handy  Shipping Guide as a continuation on our series on environmentally correct companies in the shipping industry.

    FRANCE – WORLDWIDE – Many companies in every industrial sector are aware of the importance of not only reducing their carbon footprint but announcing their efforts to the world. No part of world trade is under more scrutiny in this respect than the carriage of air and ocean freight. Now leading container shipping line   CMA  and CGM have released figures to demonstrate how successfully they are battling the problem and their commitment to continue on the same path with an eye to lowering the amount of pollution produced for every kilo of freight per kilometre.

    The CMA CGM Group has made climate change one of its main concerns. In the last five years, the Group has taken numerous measures which have enabled it to reduce CO2 emissions from its fleet (both owned and chartered) by 35%. Among the wide variety of actions taken, the most notable was the company’s decision to equip its new vessels with the latest environmental technologies (electronically controlled engines, improved hydrodynamics, waste recycling, etc.) with the result that these vessels discharge only 52 grams of CO2 per km/TEU.

    Overall the fleet have also achieved notable reductions. “Since 2005, we have been steadily reducing our CO2 emissions down from 116 to 86 grams per km/TEU. In line with our environmental strategy, we aim to continue our efforts to reach 82 grams by the end of 2011,” explains Philippe Borel, Environment Director of the CMA CGM Group, emphasising that the switch to slow steaming has played a major part in the performance.

    We have highlighted previously some of the other measures the group is taking to improve its environmental credentials such as the use and trials of more    ecologically friendly boxes and reefers  and offer a lead for an industry bound to be subjected to even more pressure from the Green lobby in the future.

    For more information about shipping, cargo and freight from Houston, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Houston Freight, Houston Shipping, Houston Cargo

    Christmas Shipping from Houston to APO/FPO/SPO

    Posted on Wed, Dec 01, 2010

     Cutoff dates for Priority Mail

    Cut off for Christmas Delivery to the following zip codes is December 10, 2010

    APO/FPO/DPO Zip codes 962-966

    APO/FPO/DPO Zip code 340

    APO/FPO/DPO Zip codes 094-098

    APO/FPO/DPO Zip codes 090-092

    stars and stripes

    Cut off for Christmas Delivery to the following zip code is

    December 14, 2010

    APO/FPO/DPO Zip code 093

    Pack n send is updating Holiday shipping dates for our customers. As we receive more current or updated information, we will continue to update our blog.

    For information about shipping machinery, computers and freighting of furniture both within the United States and world wide, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Christmas Shipping, APO Shipping, Houston, Shipping

    DHL Christmas Shipping from Houston

    Posted on Tue, Nov 30, 2010

     While DHL has not posted the exact dates for holiday shipping for 2010, they do not offer any guarantees the week before Christmas.

     For shipping with DHL, pack n send would recommend shipping out side the United States by December 17 due to the high volume of packages they ship this time of year.

     While most countries take about three business days to ship during the holiday season, individuals and businesses shipping to Kazakhstan will probably need to allow at least  5 business days.

     

    We will try and update our customers on a country by country basis as DHL we are provided with more information by DHL.

     We have included a complete list of the countries we ship to for our customers needing help shipping outside the United States.

    If you need shipping times for specific countries, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     Countries we ship to:

    A-G
    H-Q
    R-Z

    Afghanistan
    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Bahrain
    Bangladesh
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Cambodia
    Cameroon
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    |Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Denmark
    Djibouti
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Georgia
    Ghana
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana

     

    go shopping 1none	  Objects / General

    Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Kenya
    Kiribati
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Macedonia
    Madagascar
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Morocco
    Mozambique
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    |Palau
    Palestine
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar

    Republic of Nevis
    Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Rwanda
    Saba
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Syria
    Tadjikistan
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Truk
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America
    U.S. Virgin Islands
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia
    Zimbabwe

    Loading...

    Tags: Houston Shipping, international shipping, countries we ship to

    Freight and Cargo Consolidation Article

    Posted on Mon, Nov 29, 2010

     Shipping News Feature

    We are reprinting this article from the Handy  Shipping  Guide as a service to our customers. It  highlights worldwide the concerns of citizens about “ business in their backyard.”

    AUSTRALIA – We regularly have to highlight the pro’s and con’s of the development of multi modal freight terminals   in the UK and   elsewhere  as, world wide, the onus switches to less polluting methods to transport cargo. For every bright eyed developer there is usually to be found a bunch of local residents desperate to prevent the scheme. Cries of ‘profiteer’ and ‘Not in my back yard’ resound and the result is usually a long drawn out battle which may take years to resolve.

    Now a plan to develop just such an intermodal shipping terminal on former defence land at Moorebank, New South Wales, with an estimated cost around half a billion Australian dollars, is already dividing local opinion. The attractions of seducing 40% of freight traffic from the roads onto rail, with the dual virtues of less pollution and congestion are obvious to all but the local mayor has been quoted as saying that the rail track operating 24/7 will affect residents unduly due to its proximity to a major urban area.

    Now the authorities have confirmed there will be a full consultation procedure and yesterday confirmed that the Freight Infrastructure Advisory Board, a joint    N W W Government-stakeholder committee, in 2005 stated that 83 hectare site is a key component in meeting Sydney’s intermodal capacity needs. The scheme targets container traffic to and from   Port Botany and government estimates say it will create 1,700 jobs.

    The terminal is the brainchild of the Sydney Intermodal Terminal Alliance (SIMTA), a consortium made up of property giants Stockland, Qube Logistics and QR National and Planning Minister Tony Kelly said the Department of Planning will now assess the SIMTA project under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act. Before making any decision SIMTA must:

    • Undertake a comprehensive consultation with the community, particularly nearby residents, as it develops plans.

    • Develop a proposal to be placed on public exhibition for at least 30 days, after addressing the relevant key issues outlined by the Department.

    • Respond to submissions

    Critics of the scheme have already commented on concerns that the extra local traffic generated will cause problems on parts of the already congested Highway M5 and interested parties are advised to keep track of developments as they occur.

    Photo: Port Botany Container Terminal

    For information about Houston shipping and shipping from the Port of Houston, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Houston Freight, Houston Shipping, Houston Cargo

    Holiday Shipping Deadlines for Houston and The US

    Posted on Tue, Nov 23, 2010

    Pack n send is posting the important ship dates for your holiday gifts for the gifts you are shipping with in the United States and for international destinations.

     

    At the current time we have we are able to provide Fed Ex and UPS holiday deadlines. As soon as DHL releases their shipping deadlines either by region or country we will post them on our blog.

    While overnight shipping is always an alternative, we suggest that whenever possible that you bring in your holiday shipment early. This will help save you money and avoid the holiday shipping lines.

    Any UPS Next day air packages picked up on December 24 will be delivered on December 28.

    UPS packages shipped December 24 will have normal delivery service of air, international and ground packages.

    UPS has suspended the Ups Ground and Ups Standard package guaranteed delivery for picked up or scheduled for delivery December 13-December 25.

     Packages delivered on December 24 are guaranteed as transit day only for UPS air and International packages only.

    There will be no UPS ground pick up service on December 24.

    Federal Express Guarantees are as follows:

    Last day for guaranteed delivery of overnight packages- 12/23 ship date

    Last day for shipping fed Ex 2 Day- 12/22 ship date Last day guarantee for shipping Fed Ex Express saver 12/21 ship date

    Last day for guaranteed shipping Fed Ex ground or Fed Ex home delivery 12/17

    We have listed only ground and air carriers.

     For information about freight, cargo, or container shipping deadlines, please feel free to email us at sales@pack-n-send.com  or use our phone number provided below.

    For more information about holiday shipping or holiday shipping deadlines, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450 or use the email address provided above.

    PresentPresent	  Seasonal and Events / Christmas

    Tags: Freight Houston, Cargo Houston, holiday shipping

    Container and Bulk Shipping Awards-Houston Shipping

    Posted on Fri, Nov 19, 2010

     

    As reported in earlier blogs, the shipping industry looks towards environmental concerns when shipping cargo.  This article found in the Handy Shipping  Guide highlighs Maersks efforts to improve our environment.

    FRANCE – DENMARK – This week the fourth annual European Business Awards held in Paris saw shipping group  A. P.  Moller- Maersk scoop the “Environmental Awareness Award” in recognition of their policies, strategies and innovations in the field. In common with many freight and logistics groups Maersk have shown themselves to be prepared to explore every avenue in an attempt to reduce the impact of their activities on the environment.

    The winners were chosen by a select jury of politicians, entrepreneurs, academics and industrialists of different nationalities who reasoned the award with Maersk's integration of environmental sustainability into the business strategy, and especially Maersk Line’s commitment to transparency and open innovation. Søren Stig Nielsen, Head of Maersk Line Sustainability, accepted the award on behalf of the Group.

    Slow steaming, where vessels slow down to conserve fuel, has contributed significantly to Maersk's environmental goals, and the work continues. Maersk Line's aim is to cut CO2 emissions, per container transported, by 25% in 2020 compared with 2007 levels. The company say one added benefit of slow steaming is that it allows the box carrier to schedule its deliveries more precisely because vessels can slow down or speed up in order to arrive on time.

    The Handy Shipping Guide has frequently highlighted the efforts by Maersk to improve shipping’s ecological image in fields from   fuel experimentation and   ship design container handling equipment to  and many in the freight industry will feel it is good to see such sterling work by at least one logistics specialist group rewarded.

    The European Business Awards define the Environmental Awareness Award thus:

    ‘This award goes to an organisation that can best demonstrate a company-wide commitment to minimising its impact on the environment, alongside significant success in minimising its carbon footprint. Judges look for evidence of a clearly articulated, widely communicated environmental strategy embedded into the company’s business practices. Policies that improve business performance from an environmental perspective and innovative approaches to environmental management will be rewarded. Judges will also look for measurable evidence of how organisations have actively reduced their carbon footprint.’

    Photo: Søren Stig Nielsen accepted the award in the company of Jules Kortenhorst (right) CEO of the European Climate Foundation.

     For more information about cargo shipping from Houston and the Port of Houston, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     12.21  martedì 25 gennaio 2005 Gita a Erzelli 25012005(002).jpg

     

    Tags: Shipping Freight Houston, Port of Houston Shipping, Houston Shipping0, Crating and packing Houston Texas

    Cargo More Information on Increased Airline Security-Shipping

    Posted on Wed, Nov 17, 2010

     Cargo Plane FrontThis is a retired cargo plane on display in Yellowknife, NT, Canada.  	  Transportation / Air

    The U.S. Department of Homeland Security  has taken action to increase airline security fall all inbound aircraft coming to the United States.

     There is a complete embargo  for  all cargo that begins or passes through the countries of Somalia and Yemen.

     These embargoes are much more extensive  than the prohibition issued last week for toner and cartridges.

     While the coordination of these security measures are implemented, there may be delays in air cargo shipping into the United States.

     

    For more information about cargo shipping to the United States, Houston cargo shipping, and worldwide cargo shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

     

    Tags: Freight Houston, Cargo Loading Houston

    Ebay Shipping Houston-List soon for the Holidays!!!

    Posted on Mon, Nov 15, 2010

    Gifts 5Gifts on red carpet	  Concepts / Love

    Have you been someone following all the hype behind online stores and want to get involved with it? Now the opportunity is even easier then before with the sell and ship options available from pack n send.

    Ebay is one of the largest online auction websites world-wide with millions of sellers and buyers

    Make Ebay Shipping Easy

    With Pack n Send we'll take all the hard work out for you. We will take the time to research the items you want to sell, get photographs of the items, list the items, get you top dollar for the items and lastly, ship the items to their buyer for you. We will help you get your Ebay listing seen and sold.

    Houston Ebay Shipping Services

    For those located in Houston, Texas you can now take advantage of pack n sand’s  Houston Ebay shipping. Our shipping services have been designed to help you get exactly what you need at a price you'll be able to afford. 

    Pack n send will store your inventory within their local warehouse until the Ebay listings are sold.

    We want to make the overall process for you uncomplicated. It can be hard keeping things organized and on time, especially if you have large amounts of sales occurring each and everyday. Let pack n send make the process easier for you so you can enjoy your Ebay business even more and get all those Ebay listings selling. 

    Time is everything when it comes to Ebay. You want to ensure your items are shipped quickly and the price is affordable. This is possible when you have pack n send assisting you with the overall process.

    For more information on Ebay selling in Houston, and Ebay shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Houston Ebay, Ebay Houston

    Changes to Cargo Shipping Houston and the US

    Posted on Fri, Nov 12, 2010

    Changes to Cargo Shipping

    Pack n send has republished this article taken from  Voice-Air, Cargo News. We are putting this in our blog as a reminder that there are different ways to protect the cargo coming into and leaving the United States, and that much work on improving these systems still need to be accomplished.

    “KILLING the airfreight industry with draconian security procedures would be giving the terrorists a result they would long to see,” says Andrew Traill, managing partner of Shippers’ Voice, a logistics advocacy and information portal.

    He says 100 per cent scanning of airfreight would not only harm international trade, it would be ineffective,

    “The most effective way to detect and deter anyone intending to use airfreight to carry out an attack is through intelligence,” he says. “There are regulations now in the US and Europe, that require information about the freight, its origins and destination, the people handling it and its route to be sent in advance of its arrival.

    “This means in practice that most air cargo carriers will not want to even take off before being sure that the freight they carry has been cleared by the security authorities.”

    Traill says that enabling people in the chain to perform security checks and maintain the security through the transport chain, (themselves authorised to do so based on the systems and practices they deploy), is not a weakness of security but a strength.

    “Provided the system is properly policed, this multi-tiered approach to security in air freight is far more effective than scanning everything, especially when we know the technology is not perfect, and watching the airfreight industry collapse under the weight of delays and excessive costs.”

    He admits that some of these programmes are still being implemented around Europe and indeed elsewhere around the world. “But the industry and the authorities are getting their act together, and increasing the quantity, standard and variety of security procedures being implemented. Now is not the time to undermine these initiatives in any knee jerk reaction to the latest threat,” he says.

    “The industry must be robust in its defence of current and developing practices or else risk facing unworkable, costly and pointless security measures which will be no better and possibly worse than what we have and are developing today.”

    For more information about cargo and freight shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     Some giant military cargo jet's engine.

    Tags: freight shipping, Freight Shipping Houston, cargo shipping, Cargo Shipping Houston

    Cargo Restrictions Added by United Kingdom, Houston and US

    Posted on Wed, Nov 10, 2010

    The United Kingdome has added additional security measures in response to toner  and ink cartridges coming from Yemen.

     The increased aviation security is as follows:

     For air flights both in and out of the United Kingdom,  toner and ink cartridges weighing more than seventeen point five ounces, or five hundred grams have been suspended.  The United Kingdom Department of Transportation has issued these rules. 

     If any equipment is shipped with these cartridges inside, the restriction will also apply. 

     Pack n send will try and keep their customers updated as new security measures are put into place by various countries.

     

    For more information about cargo and freight shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Free photo - head person pc available in our free stock photos

    Tags: cargo shipping, Cargo Shipping Houston, Announcements

    Air Cargo Rules About to Change

    Posted on Tue, Nov 09, 2010

     

    Shipping of toner and ink cartridges will now be banned  if they weigh over one pound. This new rule will apply to cargo that is shipped on passenger flights.

    Cargo shipped from and coming from the countries of Somalia and Yemen will also be banned. Germany and England have also instituted a ban on cargo from Somalia.

     

    Cargo considered high risk will also be prohibited from US passenger planes. At this point, the US government has not stated what is considered high risk cargo. The high risk cargo can be opened or screened with x rays, although the specified details of exactly what needs to be screened and the method of screening has not yet been determined.

    For information about cargo shipping from Houston, TX and the United States, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

     

     

    Tags: Freight Houston, Cargo Loading Houston, Cargo Shipping Houston

    Marble Shipping Houston-Ask Questions

    Posted on Tue, Oct 26, 2010

    interior from the other sideMy house from the other side	  Places / Home

    When shipping marble furniture, there are a few important things to consider.  First and foremost if it the marble can be removed from the piece of furniture.  You need to look for a company that has the capability to remove the marble. They also must have the ability to custom build a crate to place the marble in for shipping. Below we have listed some standard guidelines for crating the marble.

    Depending on the size and fragility of the piece the crater should use up to 3 inches of Styrofoam on the bottom of the crate and 1-2 inches of Styrofoam on the sides and top. Before putting the piece into the crate, make sure that the marble has double or triple bubble surrounding it.

    The crate should be closed with staples on the bottom and screws should be put on the top for easy opening.

    Metal banding should be secured  around the crate.

     The company that you choose to crate your marble should offer both on site crating as well as crating at their facility.  The company should have a preferred list of shipping companies, as well as preferred movers for your delicate marble.  The company needs to offer valuation protection for your marble piece.

     For more information on marble shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Shipping Freight Houston, Cargo Shipping from Houston, Freight Forwarding Houston, Packing Houston, Crating and packing Houston Texas, Crating Houston, Cargo Loading Houston, Shipping Antiques Houston, Antique Shipping, Mable Shipping

    Medical Equipment Shipping Houston-Ask Questions

    Posted on Mon, Oct 25, 2010

    When you need to ship medical equipment look for a company that has experience packing and shipping high value and delicate items.

     Seek out a firm that ships for doctors offices, universities, hospitals and medical centers. Ask if they can box, crate or even wrap and palletize the shipment.

    Do they have the capability to value your equipment for pick up and delivery?  Have they asked you if the equipment can be taken apart for less expensive shipping, or does it need to be kept completely set up and ready to use?  If the equipment can only be moved as a whole piece, can the company you choose send it in a truck for you? 

    Due to the delicate and expensive nature of medical equipment, care must be taken when choosing a shipper.

    Some of the more commonly shipped pieces of medical equipment that are shipped are:

    high value diagnostic equipment

    autoclaves

    microscopes

    physical therapy equipment

    Ask if the company can box, crate and freight medical equipment.  Since each piece of medical equipment is handled differently, the company will need to look at each piece individually.  There may need to be protection on the lenses, arms, or feet of the equipment.

    If you need to ship the medical equipment internationally, you will need to make sure that company you choose has experience with international shipping.

     

    For more information about shipping medical equipment both domestically and internationally, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Hospital RoomHospital room with full body xray on lightbox.High resolution format available.	  Places / Medical

     

    Tags: Houston Medical Equipment Shipping, Shipping Freight Houston, Freight Shipping Houston, Crating and Packing Houston, Freight Forwarding Houston, Packing Houston, Cargo Loading Houston, shipping from Houston Texas

    Advice for Car Shipping-Houston and the US

    Posted on Mon, Oct 11, 2010

    When looking for someone to ship your car, make sure that they can ship for dealers, companies, and individuals.

    Individuals taking vacations during summer may want to ship their vehicle to the destination as well as have it returned at the end of the stay.  This helps teenagers learning to drive continue to practice on the car that they will drive when going back to school in the fall.

    If you are shipping overseas, make sure the auto shipper researches both containerized shipping as well as roll on roll off service.  Need the car shipped back to the states? Make sure your shipper has this capability as well.

    Some other reasons for vehicle shipping may include:

    • Corporate relocation
    • Private or dealer auto sales
    • Death of a family member 
    • A cross-country or international move

    No matter what the reason for your car shipping needs you need to locate someone with experience. If the price you are offered is too low, you may want to consider doing research on the company offering this low price.

    Door to Door Vehicle Shipping

    Convenience and customer satisfaction  should be the companies highest priorities.

    Make sure to get an auto shipping quote before you ship your car.  If you request that the car be placed inside a container, make sure the company you are using has experience shipping cars.  The company you are contacting should always ask for make, model and year of the car.  They also need to let you know that the modifications to the vehicle must be taken off before loading.

    No personal goods may be placed inside the car for shipping. 
    The gas tank must contain less than 1/8 a tank of gas.

    Pick up and delivery times should be scheduled by the shipping company.

    1. Make sure that when shipping domestically, you are offered both door to door and  terminal to terminal service.

    For more information about auto shipping both within the United States and internationally, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: International Shipping Houston, Car Shipping Houston, Freight forwarding Houston Texas, Container Loading Houston, Cargo Houston, Packing Houston, Crating and packing Houston Texas, Shipping Houston Texas

    Cargo Shipping Houston, Delayed

    Posted on Wed, Oct 06, 2010

    Delano, Jack,, 1914-, photographer.  Pennsylvania R.R. [Railroad] ore docks, unloading iron ore from a lake freighter by means of "Hulett" unloaders, Cleveland, Ohio  1943 May   1 transparency : color.  <b>Notes: </b>...

     Pack n send is posting this article from the Houston Chronicle.  This is the most current update on the closure of the Houston ship channel.  While it was anticipated that the ship channel would be open this morning, it looks like there is a slight delay.

     Ship Channel closure could be lifted today

    By ZAIN SHAUK and JENALIA MORENO
    HOUSTON CHRONICLE

    Problems clearing electrical tower delayed plans to reopen sooner

     After encountering unexpected difficulties Tuesday in clearing a damaged electrical tower from the Houston Ship Channel, workers hope today to end a three-day bottleneck at the Port of Houston.

    At least 70 ships, including 33 oil tankers, were waiting Tuesday to leave or dock at the port. The U.S. Coast Guard cut off access to about three-fourths of the 150 terminals Sunday after a tug pushing three barges crashed into the 300-foot-tall electrical tower.

    An average of two dozen vessels move through the port daily, generating about $322 million in economic activity.

    Houston-area refiners receive crude oil shipments through the channel and have said that so far they've been able to continue operations using oil already on hand.

    "Certainly having the Ship Channel open will improve conditions for everyone and we're eager to see the channel opened as quickly as possible," said David Harpole, a spokesman for LyondellBasell.

    Valero had not expected a crude shipment before today, and a spokesman said its operations were not affected.

    Unexpected delays

    The Coast Guard and CenterPoint Energy, which owns the tower, had hoped to reopen the channel Tuesday night, but faced delays in cutting down some of the 14 cables — including 12 high-voltage wires — from the damaged structure, which was leaning precariously on one of the barges involved in the collision

    An investigation continues into the cause of Sunday's accident.

    Tuesday afternoon, a crew of 40 using four barges, two cranes and three tugboats was removing a cable from the tower when the cable hung up on other equipment, one of several unexpected delays, said Capt. Marcus Woodring, the Coast Guard's sector commander in the Houston-Galveston area.

    "That's going to take a little while to untangle," he said. "It's not a showstopper, it'll get untangled, but it's just one of those unforeseen things."

    No electricity was flowing through the lines.

    After removing the cables, CenterPoint was expected to begin an operation to sever the steel tower from its crumpled base in the waterway, Woodring said.

    "We have a shearing tool — like a hydraulic cutter — that hopefully will cut through the legs very easily and then we'll be able to lay the tower down on a barge," he said.

    "We have a shearing tool — like a hydraulic cutter — that hopefully will cut through the legs very easily and then we'll be able to lay the tower down on a barge," he said.

    Some optimism

    Meantime, shipping companies awaited word on when they can resume transiting the channel.

    "Every day that goes on, it gets more and more serious and there are more backups," said Niels Aalund, vice president of the West Gulf Maritime Association, which represents 183 shipping industry firms. Still, he said, "there's optimism that this can get opened up quickly."

    Buffalo Marine Service, a Houston bunkering company, continues to work in terminals that remain open in Galveston and Texas City. But its business in the closed area of the channel has come to a halt.

    "If there aren't any ships coming in that need fuel, we don't have much work to do," said company Vice President Chuck King.

    For information about Houston shipping, crating and freighting, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Artwork Shipping Houston, Small Move Houston, Chandelier Shipping Houston, Crating and Packing Houston, Container Loading Houston, Electronics Shipping Houston, Packing Houston, Crating and packing Houston Texas, Shipping Houston Texas, Medical Equipment Shipping Houston, Cargo Loading Houston

    Cargo and Freight from Port of Houston Delay

    Posted on Tue, Oct 05, 2010

    Delano, Jack,, 1914-, photographer.  Pennsylvania R.R. [Railroad] ore docks, unloading iron ore from a lake freighter by means of "Hulett" unloaders, Cleveland, Ohio  1943 May   1 transparency : color.  <b>Notes: </b>...This article posted on the KTRK website highlights the diffuculites that ships are having with the temporary closure of the Houston Ship Channel.  Pack n send will try and post daily updates for our customers until the Port of Houston is fully operational once again.

     HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The Coast Guard is working to reopen the Houston Ship Channel after a barge collided with a highline tower. Due to the accident, the Ship Channel is closed to marine traffic and it will remain closed until at least Tuesday or possibly Wednesday.

    Related Content

    The accident basically shut down the entire Ship Channel from mile marker 105 to124. So unless you are in a local vessel that is conducting business between those two markers or if you are outside of those two markers, you are basically out of luck. This could be the case until Tuesday or even early Wednesday, according to the Coast Guard.

    That's a big problem because there are 18 inbound vessels waiting at the Ship Channel and 14 outbound. The longer this repair takes, the more that number will grow.

    On Sunday at around 6am, a tug boat owned by American Electric Power was pushing three barges carrying scrap metal when it collided with an electrical tower that was fortunately under repair, so the lines were not live at the time.

    Nineteen miles of waterway are affected by the Ship Channel closure. The Port of Houston says $322 million are lost each day it's closed. The Coast Guard has two cranes performing the work to try to clear the Channel as fast as possible. One of them is called 'Big John.'

    "We have the crane, Big John, on scene and the Big John is going to connect to the tower to take the tension off the tower. Right now the tower is sitting partially on the barge and is probably being supported a little bit by the power lines that are there between the other towers," said Captain Markus Woodrings with the U.S. Coast Guard. "Once the Big John hooks up and takes the load on the tower, then CenterPoint energy can get up there, disconnect the line and reel them in and then we can cut the base of the tower, pick the tower up and put it over on the bank and get the Ship Channel open."

    According to the Coast Guard, the six tug boat crew members were not injured in this accident. They have been tested for drugs and alcohol. However, those results have not yet been released. The incident is still under investigation. The tug boat's owner will be responsible for repairs.

     There are 30 yachts that are stuck in downtown Houston, members of the Houston Yacht Club who can't get out because of the closure.

    The channel is the lifeline to the Port of Houston, the nation's leader in foreign waterborne tonnage and imports and runner-up in U.S. export tonnage and total tonnage.

    For more information on shipping cargo out of the Port of Houston, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Shipping Freight Houston, Freight forwarding Houston Texas, Container Loading Houston, Shipping Houston, freight furniture houston, Packing Housotn, Crate Houston, carating and packing houston texas, Cargo Shipping Houston, Container Shipping Houston, Shipping Antiques Houston Texas, crate houston texas

    Shipping and Cargo Delay at Port of Houston

    Posted on Mon, Oct 04, 2010

    Delano, Jack,, 1914-, photographer.  Pennsylvania R.R. [Railroad] ore docks, unloading iron ore from a lake freighter by means of "Hulett" unloaders, Cleveland, Ohio  1943 May   1 transparency : color.  <b>Notes: </b>...  Pack n send is reprinting this article from today’s Houston Chronicle. Since this will directly impact both incoming and out going ships, it is important to note that there will be cargo delays at the Port of Houston this week.

     By ZAIN SHAUK
    HOUSTON CHRONICLE

    A set of barges crashed into an electrical tower Sunday in the Port of Houston, prompting the U.S. Coast Guard to shut down most of the nation’s second-largest maritime shipping complex, possibly until Wednesday.

    A towing vessel pushing three barges of scrap metal through the Houston Ship Channel about 6 a.m. hit a 300-foot-tall electrical tower, which carries lines across the artery, said Petty Officer Richard Brahm, a spokesman for the Coast Guard. No injuries were reported.

    The crash happened at the narrowest point in the waterway, leaving three-fourths of the port’s terminals inaccessible.

    “Maybe if it was wider we could have got boats around it, but it’s not, so it’s a logistical problem,” Brahm said. “It’s a bad place for it to happen.”

    There was no risk of electricity-related injuries or effects to the power grid, which is owned by Houston-based CenterPoint Energy, because lines in the area were deactivated prior to the crash for maintenance work, said Penny Todd, a spokeswoman for the company.

    CenterPoint was in the process Sunday of moving equipment needed to clear the steel tower and cables from the waterway — work the company expects will be completed Wednesday, she said.

    The 25-mile-long port complex is a major economic engine for the region and in 2009 handled more waterborne tonnage than any port in the country, according to the Port of Houston Authority.

    About 60 ships carrying $322 million in goods and resources — ranging from crude oil to finished products in containers — move through the port each day, said Chief Warrant Officer Lionel Bryant, a spokesman for the Coast Guard.

    19 miles closed

    Items shipped through the Port of Houston move to and from destinations in every state, which could mean delays for companies with vessels in the water.

    Those ships will have to drop anchor and wait until the steel electrical tower, which was propped up by the barges after the accident, is removed.

    At least eight ships were waiting in an anchoring area outside the port after the crash. Five others were waiting to leave.

    The Coast Guard closed 19 miles out of the 54-mile-long ship channel, leaving more than 100 terminals — including those for oil giants Shell and Valero — cut off from the sea.

    Further delays possible

    The few accessible terminals are mostly for container ships and will not be usable by most companies that would need other infrastructure for loading and unloading or that had planned to arrive at terminals north of the crash site, said Tom Pace, presiding officer of Houston Ship Pilots, a labor association.

    Three days of backups could result in further delays, even as traffic begins moving through the port again, Pace said.
    “It’s going to take probably three days to get everything back to normal after that,” he said.

    Crew members from the towing vessel, the T/V Safety Quest, were removed from the boat and tested for drugs and alcohol.

    It was unclear how the accident occurred, but the tower’s location has long been known to ship pilots who work in the port, Pace said.

    It was one of six towers in the channel, but was the closest to the preferred waterway for traffic.
    “The one problem is the tower’s really close to the navigable channel,” Pace said. “That’s probably one of the reasons it had happened.”

     

    For more information about shipping cargo and freight receiving through the Port of Houston, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

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    Shipping and Freight Delayed Somalia

    Posted on Thu, Sep 30, 2010

    SOMALIA – In yet  another  pirate attack, the most southerly reported this year so far in the region, a UAE owned tanker was seized around 100 miles South of Dar es Salaam after unloading its cargo of bitumen at Mombasa in Kenya. The attack follows three previous attacks this week on freight vessels off the Tanzanian coastline.

    The vessel was once again Panamanian flagged and was manned by an all Indian crew of 15 according to local reports. We have had no word so far from the vessels owners Bitumen Invest. The ship is the MT Asphalt Venture an asphalt carrier en route to Durban when radar observation showed her turn suddenly and set a course for Xaradheere, about 300 miles north of Mogadishu on the Somali coast.

    We have no reports of any contact with the vessel at this time since she altered course early this afternoon. With the seasonal increase in pirate raids, vessel owners and operators are warned by the  authorities to be extra vigilant and take all possible precautions against attack.

    Pack n send found this article in the Handy Shipping  Guide. Since we ship worldwide freight and cargo, we constantly monitor the shipping lines throughout the world.  With ships being detained on a regular basis, we look for lines that offer the best possible routes.

    For more information on cargo and freight shipping from the United States, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Delano, Jack,, 1914-, photographer.  Pennsylvania R.R. [Railroad] ore docks, unloading iron ore from a lake freighter by means of "Hulett" unloaders, Cleveland, Ohio  1943 May   1 transparency : color.  <b>Notes: </b>...

     

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    Truck and Freight Shippers Misuse of Physicals-Houston not Pleased

    Posted on Wed, Sep 29, 2010

     Freight Hauler Royalty Free Stock Photo  

    Pack  n send is posting this article written by Ryan  Phillios at News 21  as a service to your customers. We found the entire article published on msn.com.  While the trucking industry is making improvements, it looks like the DOT still has a way to go as far as monitoring its own policies.

     

    Trucker Bob Caffee needed a medical card fast. His certificate from the U.S. Department of Transportation was to expire in two days, and he was in Southern California, halfway across the country from his regular doctor. So Caffee headed to one of the medical clinics that have sprung up at truck stops across America.

    The clinic in Ontario, Calif., where Caffee stopped, is housed in a small, rundown building next to a Travel Centers of America truck stop. A sign advertises "DOT Physicals" next to a picture of a red truck.

    "You say, 'I need a DOT physical,'" and the assistant says, "'OK, come back here and I’ll call the doctor,'" Caffee said.

    About this project

    1. This project was reported by journalism students in the Carnegie-Knight  News 21 program in collaboration with the Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit investigative journalism organization.

    The two of them checked his blood pressure, urine, breathing, hearing and vision. Caffee remembers that he had trouble reading past the top two lines of the eye chart. "I told her I wear glasses, and she OK'd me," he said, even though his driver's license didn’t say he was required to wear glasses.

    The whole thing was over in 20 minutes, and Caffee emerged with a medical certificate that states he is healthy enough to drive a commercial truck for the next two years. Cost of exam: $30.

    The exam Caffee underwent is required for all interstate commercial drivers. However, in many states, almost any health professional, including chiropractors, physician assistants, osteopathic doctors and advance practice nurses, can issue medical certificates for truck drivers. There are no training requirements and only minimal standards for what to check.

    If a trucker is denied by one doctor, he can easily try another. There is no database to check whether medical certificates are valid, or whether a driver is "doctor shopping."

    Drivers can download a medical certificate from the Internet and fill it out themselves. Others don’t bother getting a medical certificate — genuine or false. Few are ever caught. A trucker caught without a certificate is often given a fine — and allowed to drive on.

    Deadly consequences
    The problem of medically unqualified commercial drivers first drew national attention in 1999 when a bus driver veered off Interstate 610 near New Orleans, struck a guardrail, went through a chain-link fence, vaulted over a golf cart path and rammed into a dirt embankment, killing 22 of the 43 passengers on board.

    The driver, who had a current medical certificate, had been in and out of the hospital the day before for treatment of his kidneys. He was released less than eight hours before reporting to work, according to an NTSB report. Post-accident tests were positive for marijuana and an over-the-counter sleep medication that can cause drowsiness and dizziness. A passenger reported seeing the driver "slouch down" prior to the accident.

    Conclusions

    1. Findings of the News21 investigation include:
    • The National Transportation Safety Board has essentially given up on 1,952 of its safety recommendations – one of every six it has made since 1967.
    • Federal agencies, states and transportation industries are taking longer than ever to act. Over the past decade, the average number of years to implement recommendations went from 3.4 years to 5.4 years.

    The accident prompted the National Transportation Safety Board to issue a series of stern recommendations in 2002 to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, whose primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.

    Specifically, the board directed the FMCSA, part of the Department of Transportation, to "prevent medically unqualified drivers from operating commercial vehicles" and "establish a medical oversight program for all interstate commercial drivers."

    Mitch Garber, a NTSB medical officer, said the FMCSA’s response to the board’s calls for tougher medical standards has been disappointing. The agency has addressed a few problems, but the approach has been piecemeal and largely ineffective, he said.

    "It’s no more difficult for a medically unqualified driver to drive today than when the recommendation was made," Garber said.

    For information on freight and cargo shipping from Houston, TX, please call pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: crating packing shipping, cargo, cargo shipping, cargo containers

    Freight Not in Houston- on the Other Side of the World

    Posted on Tue, Sep 28, 2010

     Pack n send is publishing this article taken from the Handy   Shipping News to show that weather and natural delays in freight do not only occur in the Untied States.

    NEW ZEALAND – After our story  earlier this month  on the hardships endured in South Island in the wake of the earthquakes there were immediate disruptions the following day (15th September) when landslips on North Island in the Manawatu Gorge closed State Highway 3 to all traffic, including freight trucks. At that time the road was swiftly cleared and reopened within a few hours.

    NEW ZEALAND – After our story earlier this month on the hardships endured in South Island in the wake of the earthquakes there were immediate disruptions the following day (15th September) when landslips on North Island in the Manawatu Gorge closed State Highway 3 to all traffic, including freight trucks. At that time the road was swiftly cleared and reopened within a few hours.

    Now however the Gorge is closed to rail freight for the next two days at least after a further slip caused a train carrying a cargo of 400,000 litres of milk to derail yesterday (Saturday). The freight train was heading for Palmerston North from Hawkes Bay when upon rounding a bend the driver saw the blocked track. Despite efforts to stop in time the KiwiRail train ran into the earth slip, fortunately with no injuries to the crew. Another train also hit a slip at Taumarunui on Saturday morning, fortunately again with no injuries and no reports of major delays.

    Further interruptions to cargo have occurred due to the persistent bad weather which closed State Highway 73 to high sided lorries and caravans when high winds threatened to overbalance tall vehicles and heavy snowfalls occurred in some mountain areas. The outlook however is good for the next few days with dire weather warnings lifted. Meanwhile the stricken milk locomotive remains stranded after the wagons were removed and towed via an alternative line to their destination and efforts to clear the earth fall using other trains continue whilst the main line at Kaikoura is due to open later today after almost two weeks following the massive landslip there.

    Now however the Gorge is closed to rail freight for the next two days at least after a further slip caused a train carrying a cargo of 400,000 liters of milk to derail yesterday (Saturday). The freight train was heading for Palmerston North from Hawkes Bay when upon rounding a bend the driver saw the blocked track. Despite efforts to stop in time the KiwiRail train ran into the earth slip, fortunately with no injuries to the crew. Another train also hit a slip at Taumarunui on Saturday morning, fortunately again with no injuries and no reports of major delays.

    Further interruptions to cargo have occurred due to the persistent bad weather which closed State Highway 73 to high sided lorries and caravans when high winds threatened to overbalance tall vehicles and heavy snowfalls occurred in some mountain areas. The out look however is good for the next few days with dire weather warnings lifted. Meanwhile the stricken milk locomotive remains stranded after the wagons were removed and towed via an alternative line to their destination and efforts to clear the earth fall using other trains continue whilst the main line at Kaikoura is due to open later today after almost two weeks following the massive landslip there.

    For information on freight and cargo shipping, please contact  pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Shipping News Feature

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    Cargo Shipping-Port of Houston Appointment

    Posted on Mon, Sep 27, 2010

    Sea Shipping Cargo ContainersSea Shipping Cargo Containers	  Transportation / Water / Ships and Boats

    Cargo Shipping-Port of Houston Appointment

     Good news for the Port of Houston.  The Port is reporting that Kase Lawal will serve along side President Obama.  Having someone from the Houston area working within the administration can only help the Houston economy. Pack n send monitors news and happenings at the Port of Houston, and tries to provide our customers with updated information.

     We have reprinted this press release from the Port of Houston as a service to our customers.

     Port Commissioner Lawal Receives Presidential Appointment

     Port of Houston Commissioner Kase Lawal has been tapped to serve as a member of the White House Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations (ACTPN). President Barack Obama announced Wednesday that Commissioner Lawal would be appointed to this important post.

    Administered by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the ACTPN provides information and advice with respect to U.S. trade agreement negotiation objectives and bargaining positions, the operation of trade agreements, and other matters related to the development, implementation and administration of U.S. trade policy.

    “It is an honor to serve President Obama as a member of this advisory committee,” Commissioner Lawal said. “I remain a dedicated steward to opening markets throughout the world and lending my expertise to shape policies and strengthen opportunities.”

    Houston Mayor Annise Parker remarked, “As an international city that is home to a port that is ranked first in foreign tonnage, we are, naturally, very interested in matters that impact trade with other countries. Mr. Lawal’s strong knowledge of these areas will make him a productive asset to the ACTPN. President Obama could not have made a better choice.”

     Lawal has served on the port commission since June 1999 as an appointee of Houston’s mayor and city council. He has served as the commission’s vice chairman and is a member of the board of pilot commissioners. He was instrumental in organizing and serves on the board of the Port of Houston Authority International Corporation (POHAIC), which provides management consulting and technical assistance to foreign ports. Commissioner Lawal also helped establish the port authority’s Small Business Development Program, which has an aggressive goal of awarding at least 35 percent of all eligible contracts to certified small businesses.

    Port Commission Chairman James T. Edmonds applauded Lawal’s appointment. “Kase Lawal relies upon his international business acumen to help lead the port authority, and our port is all the stronger because of his leadership. He works diligently with his colleagues to accomplish our objectives, and I am confident that he will be a tremendous asset to the White House Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations.”

    Professionally, Lawal is chairman and CEO of CAMAC International Corporation, a global energy corporation with interests in oil and gas exploration and production, engineering services and crude oil and refined products trading. He is also the chairman of Allied Energy Corporation, vice chairman of Unity National Bank and vice chairman of the Houston Airport System Development Corporation. Active in developing international trade relations, Lawal has been an appointee to the U.S. Trade Advisory Committee on Africa and has served on the board of the Corporate Council on Africa. Additionally, he has participated in several trade missions to Africa.

    Lawal earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Texas Southern University and a master’s degree in business -Freight Shipping & Receiving administration, finance and marketing from Prairie View A&M University. He was awarded an honorary doctorate in philosophy from Fort Valley State University and a doctorate of humane letters honoris causa from Texas Southern University.

     For more information on shipping freight and cargo out of  Houston and the Port of Houston, please contact pack n send at  713 266 1450.

    Tags: Cargo Shipping from Houston, Houston Freight, international shipping, Announcements

    Houston Ebay- Time to list

    Posted on Thu, Sep 23, 2010

    As the holidays approach, it is a good time to list your unwanted items on eBay. This helps put extra money in your pockets for this holiday season.

     At pack n send our customers come from all over the world. Once we sell an item on eBay, we expertly pack it, do any customs paperwork and ship the item, all from one location.

     We prefer to use pay pal, as it is a fast and accurate way to pay. We also receive customer shipping information as soon as the sale is complete. We are notified as soon as the payment is made so that we can quickly ship out eBay items.

    We are able to use freight lines for large eBay sales, and UPS and Fed Ex, and DHL  for the smaller items.

    We provide tracking numbers to the purchaser.

    Here are some quick ideas if you are listing your own items on eBay.

    Always tell the truth. If there is a flaw, discuss it, take a picture of it and let a potential buyer know about it.  You do not want a purchaser to return an item because it was not what was in your listing.

    Always answer emails immediately.  If possible post your email to show in your listing to everyone. This will prevent you from having to answer a question more than one time.

    Try and make your listing as detailed as possible. This will  give the buyer more incentive to purchase an item from you.

    For more information on eBay selling, freight shipping, or Fed Ex and UPS shipping please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: package shipping, Shipping Houston, Shipping, pack

    Cargo and Freight Imports Higher Than Exports

    Posted on Thu, Sep 16, 2010

    Image Ref: 11-47-14 - US Flag, Viewed 10408 times

     While US consumers have opened their pocket books, other countries such as Japan and China are still slow to import as freight and cargo US goods.   Imports of foreign made goods are coming into the United States at a faster rate than last  year. While the President envisions increasing US exports, there is no evidence that this is occurring at a rapid pace.

     Part of the problem appears to be the undervaluation of Chinese currency.  Once their currency is allowed to rise to a more realistic level, the Chinese will have the ability to purchase more goods. This will also of course  increase the cost to US  consumers of Chinese goods.

     While pack n send exports goods for businesses and inviduals, it also monitors currency flucuations around the world. As United States goods become  more reasonably priced in comparison to other countries goods, exports of US made goods will defiantly rise.

     This will be good for US workers and their families.

     For more information on exporting goods made in the United States, please contact pack n send at  713 266 1450.

     

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    All Cargo Airline Assisting with flood relief in Pakistan.

    Posted on Wed, Sep 15, 2010

    image: Luxembourg Pakistan floods air freight cargo freight

     PAKISTAN – LUXEMBOURG – The catastrophic floods which have swept through Pakistan bringing misery to millions prompted the people of the Duchy of Luxembourg, encouraged by an appeal from the local Pakistan Consulate, to initiate a countrywide collection resulting in around 600 boxes, containing used clothes, sheets, shoes, plus tinned foods being donated.

    Now Europe’s largest all-cargo airline, Cargolux, will transport these charity boxes free of charge on board its B747-400 freighter to Karachi on 14 and 21 September 2010. From Karachi, the shipment will be forwarded to the flooded areas by the local relief organization Edhi International Foundation.

    Coordination and documentation were done by Cargolux’s Charity Committee at head office Luxembourg, taking care of the company’s worldwide charity activities, in line with the available space on Cargolux freighters.

    Free storage room was offered by Streff, Luxembourg, who will also take care of the delivery of the boxes to the Luxair Cargo Centre, while Luxair Cargo arranges for free security screening of the Cargolux charity shipments.

    On behalf of the People of Pakistan, The Honorary Consul General, Mr. Mark Samuel, extended his sincere gratitude to Cargolux Airlines, enterprise Streff, Luxair Cargo, and the People of Luxembourg at large for contributing generously with their valuable donation to help the floods affected people in Pakistan.

     

    Pack n send has reprinted this article from the Handy Shipping   Guide as a service to our customers. Freight, cargo and airline companies consistently assist with disaster relief.

    For information on cargo, and freight shipping from the United States, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: freight shipping, cargo, cargo shipping, cargo containers

    Improved Freight Service for Houston and US

    Posted on Mon, Sep 13, 2010

    Shipping News Feature

    Pack n Send is reprinting this article posted in the Handy  Shipping Guide.  Seeing the United States plan ahead and have freight systems ready when up date to the Panama Canal is complete is quite an accomplishment.

    It is  true; they do thing US – It’s s bigger in the States. In the olden, golden days of pioneering it was the railroads that opened up the country enabling the shipping of vital supplies to all parts of the territory, no matter how remote. This week saw the first freight containers carried on a tortuous, winding route through the Appalachian Mountains to Columbus, Ohio on a track that previously could only cope with the old, low height, coal carrying gondolas.

    In an ambitious project costing almost $200 million (train operator Norfolk Southern put up half the money, matched by the federal government with a little help from the state authorities in Ohio and Virginia) they scooped out twenty eight tunnels, shifting power cables and strengthening bridges to accommodate rail cars loaded with double stacked shipping containers, cutting a day off the transit time and saving the nations roads from around 150 truckloads, half a double stacked freight train load.

    The entire project, known as the ‘Heartland Corridor’ is part of a battle to upgrade and improve services and increase competition with road haulage services and to prepare for the $5.25 billion worth of improvements to upscale the Panama Canal which will be completed in 2014-15. The canal operators are enlarging capacity in an attempt to increase traffic before the viability of the North East passage becomes a reality for many of the freight carriers.

    Norfolk Southern intend to seize their share of the extra containers carried in via Panama, as do intermodal rivals CSX in Florida who have a similar tunnel excavation scheme in progress to increase their own efficiency.

     For more information about freight shipping within the United States and international cargo shipping, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

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    US Marines Save the Cargo Ship-Houston Freight Company Proud

    Posted on Fri, Sep 10, 2010

    image: Somalia US pirates AK47 dry cargo freight container

     

    Somalia-News just in as 24 US marines operating in the Gulf of Aden stormed a freight vessel today and, without firing a shot apparently, capturing the nine pirates and rescuing the eleven man crew. The German owned M V Magellan Star, an 8,000 tonne DWT general cargo and sometime container ship flagged in Antigua & Barbuda was en route from Spain to Singapore when she was intercepted transiting the Gulf.

    When the pirates swarmed aboard the crew had already put out a distress call and retreated to a safe room in the engine compartment where they communicated with the ships agents by satellite telephone link after killing the engines. The pirates were confused when they used an emergency link to speak to the managing agents who apparently told them the crew were ‘on holiday’.

    The pirates then apparently went on a wrecking spree presumably frustrated by their lack of success and inability to control the ship. Meanwhile a team from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Maritime Raid Force aboard the USS Dubuque, and heading for an joint exercise with Jordanian troops, rerouted, arriving near the captured vessel during the night. Before daybreak two dozen marines in fast RIB’s and supported by two helicopters, launched their own attack.

    As the helicopters flooded the ship’s deck in light the troops scaled the hull of the Magellan Star, much as the pirates had, and succeeded in capturing the dazed and divided villains without having to shoot anyone. The problem came when the US marines first had to find the hidden crew, then convince them their ordeal was over.

    Reportedly the crew only condescended to open up when the Americans cut an access hole and pushed through a stars and stripes uniform patch through the steel panel. The troops took a number of AK 47’s from the pirates and now have the problem of what to do with them. There have been similar successes before but mostly by foreign troops unattached to the EUNAVFOR anti piracy mission or pirates caught in the open.

    Pack n send has reprinted this article from the Handy Shipping   Guide. Pack n send ships freight and cargo worldwide and commends the US marines for their fast and safe actions.

    For more information about our international freight shipping, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Freight forwarding Houston Texas, Cargo Houston, Crating and packing Houston Texas, Shipping Houston Texas, Crating Houston, freight furniture houston, Medical Equipment Shipping Houston, Packing Housotn

    Keeping Houston Freight Safe-Pack n Send Reports

    Posted on Wed, Sep 08, 2010

    Pack n send is re printing this article first published by the Port of Houston.  Keeping the Port of Houston and Houston Waterways clean is just one way to protect the environment. Maybe even more important, it protects ships from damage due to floating debris, and keeps cargo moving safely and efficiently through the Port of Houston.

     -Freight Shipping & ReceivingTwo events in August showed that keeping trash out of Houston area waterways is an important part of environmental stewardship for Port Commissioner Elyse Lanier, the Port of Houston Authority, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, the city of Houston and several other public agencies and private organizations. 

    The August 7 Eco Bash on the Bayou brought out more than 200 volunteers — including 20 Port SupPORTers — who helped bag sand for hurricane preparedness and collected debris along the Sabine Promenade of Buffalo Bayou.

     

    Shell Oil Company and PHA were the anchoring partners of the August 13 celebration on Houston’s East End that marked the start of the fourth year of the Clean & Green Port of Houston Program. The ongoing public-private partnership uses community service workers from the Harris County judiciary system to clear debris from the banks along Buffalo Bayou and the Houston Ship Channel. Buffalo Bayou Partnership is the managing partner with support from the Greater East End Management District, Harris County Constable Precinct 6, and the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department.

     

    For more information about cargo shipping and cargo loading from the Port of Houston, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Crating and Packing Houston, Container Loading Houston, Electronics Shipping Houston, Shipping Houston, Packing Houston, freight furniture houston, Crate Houston, Cargo Shipping Houston

    Houston Freight Shipping Update -Port of Houston

    Posted on Tue, Sep 07, 2010

    Ghost ShipA tanker ship partially shrouded in fog/mist. I thought it was spooky. I think this could be put to good use to evoke a spooky seafaring mood.	  Transportation / Water / Ships and Boats

     Pack n send is reprinting this article about safety at the Port of Houston as a service to your customers who ship cargo out of the Port of Houston. It was posted in the August edition of the Port Report.

     NTSB Chairwoman Deborah A.P. Hersman (right), Capt. Doug Mims (left) and Capt. Thomas C. Pace, Jr. (rear) in M/V Sam Houston wheelhouse during Houston Ship Channel tour.

    Recognizing the Port of Houston’s national importance, National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Deborah A.P. Hersman discussed vessel traffic safety and toured the Houston Ship Channel during her August 19 visit to the Port of Houston Authority. She was accompanied by fellow NTSB member Dr. Earl F. Weener.

     PHA Marine Department Manager Ruben Arredondo and Sr. Capt. Mike Usher facilitated a discussion addressing the NTSB leaders’ interests in oversight of pilots, traffic control, risk assessment, contingency planning and response capabilities. Hersman and Weener also met Commander Rob Smith, chief of the prevention department for the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Houston/Galveston, and Capt. Thomas C. Pace, Jr., presiding officer of the Houston Pilots, who served as a guide during a tour aboard the M/V Sam Houston.

     “Safe vessel operations — particularly in the vicinity of busy ports — have long been a concern of the Safety Board,” Hersman said. “Having the opportunity to get a close-up look at the Port of Houston’s waterways and facilities has provided us with a fuller picture of the complexity of major port operations.”

     For more information on shipping from the Port of Houston, please feel free to contact pack n send at  713 266 1450.

    Tags: Crating and Packing Houston, Freight Forwarding Houston, Medical Equipment Shipping Houston

    Freight Industry Outlook Good in US and Houston

    Posted on Fri, Sep 03, 2010

      Shipping News Feature      

     Pack n send is monitoring Freight and Cargo Shipments both within the United State and worldwide.  This article taken from Handy Shipping   Guide highlights new strengths seen in US shipping markets.

    Long Beach, California based UTi, a non asset based 3PL supply chain specialist turned in better than expected results yesterday following a general upward trend for the industry. With over 23 million square feet of warehousing in 23 countries the US company shows a pattern that seems fairly typical for the freight market at the moment. The CEO however offered a customary word of caution in today’s volatile conditions.

     Eric W. Kirchner, chief executive officer, speaking of the second quarter results said in a statement:

    "Our improved results were primarily driven by strong volumes and better operating margins. Airfreight and ocean freight volumes continued to grow faster than the market and were higher than volumes recorded in the second quarter two years ago, prior to the financial crisis. Results remain tempered by yield pressure due to continued high transportation rates, and we expect these rates to remain volatile on many trade lanes for the rest of the year. We are also expecting volume growth to moderate during the second half of the year due to a slowing global economy and more difficult comparisons to the prior year.

    "We continue to be encouraged by improvements in our contract logistics and distribution business, which reported solid revenue growth and higher operating margins. Client volumes improved in the quarter, particularly in retail and consumer markets, and we continue to manage our operations more efficiently. Our transformation initiatives remain on schedule and we are making good progress in all areas."

    UTi saw increased operating costs, up 9% against last year but it seems although traffic volumes were higher, rates were more competitive dragging profits back somewhat. Net revenues were up 12% for the half year against 2009 at $379 million.

     For more information on Houston shipping, freight and cargo shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

     

     

    Tags: Houston Freight, Houston Shipping, freight, cargo, cargo containers, Shipping, urniture freighting

    Hurricane Earl- Possilbe Delays in Freight Deliveries

    Posted on Thu, Sep 02, 2010

     During  Hurricane Isabelle

      

    Pack n send is posting part of the information posted by MSNBC.  While we are in the process of adjusting freight shipments for our customers, and rescheduling when necessary, we are keeping an eye on the storm.

     HATTERAS ISLAND, N.C. — Hurricane Earl was barreling toward the Eastern Seaboard Thursday with winds swirling at around 145 mph, as forecasters issued a new warning for New York's Long Island and tried to work out how badly North Carolina would be hit.

    With the storm expected to start hitting North Carolina later Thursday, officials expanded mandatory evacuation orders across new areas of the state's low-lying barrier islands.

    The orders affect all visitors throughout Dare County as well as residents and visitors to the popular town of Nags Head, county emergency relief officials said.

    Mandatory evacuations, similar to those already in effect for Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island, were also ordered for the beach communities at Morehead City, authorities said.

    The National Hurricane Center in Miami issued a tropical storm warning early Thursday for the coast of Long Island and a hurricane watch was issued for areas of Massachusetts. A hurricane warning was already in effect for the North Carolina coast.

    Canadian officials also put parts of the Nova Scotia coast under a tropical storm watch.

    Category 4 storm Earl, which has maximum sustained winds near 145 mph, was located about 410 miles south of Cape Hatteras, N.C., and was moving north-northwest near 18 mph.

    Forecasters said the storm had strengthened slightly, but expected gradual weakening to start later Thursday. Hurricane-force winds extend outward 90 miles from its center.

    Watches and warnings were posted along the Atlantic coast for most of North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and part of Massachusetts, alerting residents that hurricane and tropical storm conditions were possible within 36 to 48 hours.

    No storm has threatened such a broad swath of the U.S. shoreline — the densely populated coast from North Carolina to New England — since Hurricane Bob in 1991, National Hurricane Center spokesman Dennis Feltgen said.

    The last Category 4 to approach the Outer Banks was Helene in 1950, NBC News Meteorologist Bill Karins reported.

    'Very significant impact'
    Large swells roiled the coastline and experts warned Earl would bring dangerously high seas.

    The first winds were expected to reach the North Carolina's barrier islands by Thursday afternoon and gain force during the night, though the hurricane is then expected to start weakening, the NHC said.

    Tourists were largely gone from North Carolina's Outer Banks, but those resolute residents who stayed behind said they were prepared to face down the powerful hurricane. The islands jut out into the Atlantic and are frequently smacked by hurricanes and storms.

    "There is still concern that this track, the core of the storm, could shift a little farther to the west and have a very significant impact on the immediate coastline. Our present track keeps it offshore, but you never know," Feltgen said.

    The storm was forecast to pass just off Cape Hatteras, bringing wind gusts of up to 100 mph and several feet of storm surge both from the Atlantic and the sounds to the west of the islands.

    Evacuations continued Thursday with residents and visitors leaving a barrier island in Carteret County, N.C.

    Emergency services director Jo Ann Smith, of Carteret County, said she wasn't sure how many people were affected by the order to leave the Bogue Banks areas.

    Unlike some of the barrier islands on the Outer Banks who had to take a ferry, Smith said people could simply leave in their cars.

     For more information on freight and cargo shipping, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

     

     

    Tags: Houston Freight, Houston Shipping, freight, cargo, cargo containers, Shipping, urniture freighting

    Positioning among Cargo Carriers-News from Japan

    Posted on Wed, Sep 01, 2010

     Shipping News Feature

    This article is taken from Handy  Shipping   News.  Why is this so interesting?  With changes happening so quickly in container shipping, Mitsui OSK Lines is once again thinking ahead and changing the cargo that they carry via ocean.

     

    JAPAN – When international oil prices jumped in the 1970’s Mitsui OSK Lines cancelled tankers and moved swiftly into container shipping, just as the seemingly unstoppable rise in trade using 20’ and 40’ boxes gathered momentum. Now, with much of the world in the grip of recession, the Japanese group seem, once again, to be ahead of the game.

    Although known by most freight executives today as a container carrier MOL have rebranded and changed markets several times in their long life. Now, with uncertainty surrounding both bulk and container markets the company has made some strategic changes regarding its carriage of natural gas vessels.

    Tokyo LNG Tanker Co. is a company jointly owned by MOL and the Tokyo Gas Co. and today they announced that Tokyo LNG Tanker will receive a minority stake (1.5%) in two SRV companies owned by MOL (48.5% shareholders) and Höegh LNG (50%). This means Tokyo LNG Tanker have a share in two SRV vessels, the “GDF Suez Neptune” and “GDF Suez Cape Ann”, both on long term charter to serve the Neptune LNG Deep Water Port terminal off Boston on the U.S. East Coast. The Lief Höegh line was the first shipping group to venture into gas carriage and they have unrivalled experience in the field.

    For those not familiar with SRV carriers (Shuttle and Regasification vessels) these ships take on liquefied natural gas (LNG) at loading terminals and upon arrival at destination, regasify it onboard, and transfer it to shore via pipelines built on the seabed. SRVs can also serve as conventional LNG carriers, transporting LNG to discharge at receiving terminals.

    This versatility allows SRVs to serve LNG importing nations without requiring the construction of new or additional LNG terminals on shore, a key point for today’s emerging markets. The SRV is considered by many as a cutting edge innovative LNG transport and delivery technology.

     

     

    Tags: Crating and Packing Houston, Freight Forwarding Houston, Shipping Antiques Houston

    Freight Trains Derailment in Dallas-Pack n send in Houston Notices

    Posted on Tue, Aug 31, 2010

    Picture of GBRF Coal Train - Free Pictures - FreeFoto.comWhile freight train derailments are unusual in Texas, this article show that more than freight can be affected.  Since both passenger trains and freight trains share the same rails, service interruptions can occur when either service is halted.

    Most small freight from our warehouse is taken via truck and boat.

    FORT WORTH — A freight train derailment overnight has interrupted Trinity Railway Express commuter rail service between Fort Worth and Dallas.

    Three of seven cars carrying coal overturned near downtown Fort Worth around midnight Sunday. The cars were part of the BNSF freight train, which shares the Union Pacific tracks with the TRE.

    The transit agency, which is jointly operated by The T and DART, says it will be Wednesday morning before regular service resumes.

    Trains will operate no further than the Richland Hills station until then. Buses will ferry TRE passengers between Richland Hills and the rail line's ITC and T&P stations in downtown Fort Worth.

    TRE officials say commuters can expect delays until regular service is restored.

    Pack n send ships most of its small freight via truck, air and boat.

    For information about freight and  cargo from Houston, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     This  article is taken from ABC news in Dallas.

     

     

     

    Tags: Crating and Packing Houston, Container Loading Houston, Cargo Houston, Freight Forwarding Houston, Shipping Antiques Houston, Shipping Packing Houston

    Worldwide Shipping Company Helps With Disaster Aid

    Posted on Fri, Aug 27, 2010

    Shipping News FeaturePAKISTAN - Following the heavy Monsoon floods that first hit the North of Pakistan, the country is now facing a similar impact on the South. As the floods sweep down from the North, thousands of Pakistanis seek refuge to escape the water and so increase the overall number of displaced people. DHL have sent a team to start the set up of a provisional warehouse and will help with the logistical handling of relief goods at the military part of Islamabad airport. The DRT will work free of charge and in close cooperation with the UN, in particular with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the World Food Programme (WFP).

    Both incoming goods of the World Food Programme as well as bilateral contributions from governments to Islamabad airport will be handled by the DHL Disaster Response Team on the ground. After the dispatch l of the initial team to Islamabad on the 25th August the Disaster Response Team is expected to stay up to three weeks on the ground. Throughout this time a total of 20 to 25 DHL employees from different business divisions is expected to help unload and pallet goods for further distribution. The teams will alternate on a weekly basis, working with 4-5 team members at a time.

    Chris Weeks, Head of Humanitarian Affairs commented:

    "Millions of people are affected by the water and are in particular need for food, tents and tarpaulins. We have set up basic logistics at the airport in order to facilitate the further transport of the goods over the next couple of weeks."

    The amount of people being cut off by the floods is estimated to be 800,000 by the UN, with a total of 17 million people directly affected and 1.2 million homes destroyed. The delivery of goods to those stranded in remote areas as well as to displaced people is the biggest task over the next couple of days.

    Following an agreement with UN departments in 2005 DHL maintain three Disaster Management Teams of around 240 employees who have volunteered to take part in the pro-bono humanitarian efforts. The teams can be deployed to a crisis area within 72 hours and for a period of up to three weeks. By that time, the initial wave of international charter aircraft bringing in aid supplies has normally subsided to a level that is manageable by local authorities

    The reprinted article above was taken from Hancy  Shipping News.

    For more information about shipping and cargo from Houston and other US cities, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Houston Shipping

    More Changes in Store for Freight Company

    Posted on Mon, Aug 23, 2010

    Shipping News Feature

    With the ever adjusting economy, pack n send is monitoring changes in both the freight and cargo industries. We are reprinting this article from The Handy Shipping Guide as a service to our customers. For information on freight and container loading, please contact us directly at 713 266 1450.

    US- UK – WORLDWIDE - Having peered into the financial abyss last year YRC, the US less than truckload (LTL) haulier have continued their policy of refinancing by selling off their logistics arm. YRC Logistics has been purchased by Texan venture capital firm Austin Ventures, known for start up and company growth capital investment. The deal, mooted in June, was completed last week for $38.7 million and the investors immediately re branded the group as MIQ Logistics.

    Former president and CEO of BAX Global Inc. Joey Carnes was installed as Kansas based MIQ boss and the group will revert to the original MIQ name which was changed by YRC Worldwide in 2007 to emphasize the YRC brand having originally been successful as Meridian IQ logistics. Since that time it has been an uphill struggle for YRC who have had to improve liquidity by strategic redundancies, sale of property and assets, a debt to equity swap in December and a deal to cut salaries negotiated with the unions.

    It seems that these drastic measures may have settled the tension surrounding the stock as YRC reportedly took $33.6 million in cash whilst settling YRC Logistics company affairs for payments totaling $11 million. YRC Worldwide is also apparently to retain the potentially lucrative Chinese logistics interests but the bulk of all freight forwarding and customs operations will be transferred back to MIQ.

    The deal includes the transfer of the Hampshire based operation which only opened a new 6,500 square foot warehouse in Totton in December citing a big increase in business for the expansion. YRC Logistics has a presence in Asia, North America, South America and Europe and operates from six sites in the UK in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Hemel Hempstead and Glasgow as well as Southampton.

     

     

    Tags: cargo shipping, cargo containers

    Pod Not Used For Shipping But For Living

    Posted on Thu, Aug 19, 2010

     Photo by Wang Yish/Imaginechina

    Pack n send has been following alternative uses for containers used in freight and cargo shipping. This article from NBC news caught our attention because the the term “pod” housing. 

    Huang Rixin, a spritely 78-year-old former engineer turned Beijing landlord, has made a name for himself in recent months producing cage-like, 21.5-square-foot living spaces dubbed “capsule apartments” for the capital’s burgeoning class of jobless and underemployed college graduates.

    Two Chinese men sit in their own small spaces in capsule apartments in Beijing, China, in a photo taken June 12, 2010.

    Taking Japan’s famous capsule hotels for inspiration, Huang has improved on previous iterations of his pod houses by doubling the size of the rooms and including more shelf space. Huang views his pods, with rent of about $51 a month, as a cost-effective way to house the estimated 3 million recent university graduates seeking employment or earning less than the average starting salary of approximately $400 a month.

    In many ways his capsule apartments highlight the social and economic problems that belie China’s gaudy GDP numbers.

    Even as the national economy surges, China’s per-capita income has simply not kept pace, and millions of people have been left out of the nation’s economic miracle.

    China’s per-capita income, at around $6,600, is closer to that of Turkmenistan or El Salvador, rather than to the U.S.’s $46,000 or even Japan’s $33,000.

    While China’s liberalized economic policy has certainly pulled hundreds of millions of people out of poverty and transformed the country into an industrial dynamo, little of that prosperity has trickled down to the majority of would-be Chinese consumers – the very people who many economic experts insist will fuel China’s growth well into the 21st century.

    In essence, China is still the largest market in the world for virtually everything, and despite claims otherwise, Chinese consumers are very willing spenders. However, Chinese wages are currently so low that consumers simply are unable to contribute to domestic consumption unless serious wealth redistribution or salary adjustment occurs.

    Whether that economic stature is fleeting – as it was for the Japan – or relatively more long-term, as it has been for the U.S., will bear close watching.

    Pack n send has reproduced portions of this story from NBC News' Arata Yamamoto contributed to this report from Tokyo.

    For more information on shipping freight and cargo from the United States, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Cargo Shipping from Houston, cargo

    Freight and Cargo Seminar

    Posted on Wed, Aug 18, 2010

    Pack n send is publishing this article from Handy  Shipping News as a service to our customers.

    Shipping News Feature

    US - Always keen to promote  innovation  and  education throughout the shipping industry, German heavy lift and oversize project freight specialists Beluga  Shipping  GmbH is the latest company to support a short  course designed to fast-track project cargo management skills that otherwise may take years to acquire.

    Beluga will join the sponsors supporting the Certificate of Achievement in Project Cargo Management that will be offered during the education component of the 21st Annual JoC Breakbulk Americas Transportation Conference & Exhibition at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston from 12th to 15th October.

    Port Corpus Christi is also a sponsor of the training that will be run over two days from October 14-15 and is a joint venture initiative between the JoC Break Bulk Conferences (a division of UBM Global Trade) and international over dimensional 3PL network, Project Professionals Group. Course trainer and the general manger of the Project Professionals Group, Kevin Stephens, said the support from the project forwarding industry was much appreciated and showed that they were committed to education and training that delivered a higher standard of handling services for clients:

    “Understanding how to manage multimodal project cargoes is extremely challenging and increasing skills through practical training is in everybody’s best interests to ensure the successful delivery of the freight.”

    For more information about freight and cargo shipping as well as household goods shipping overseas, please fell free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Cargo Shipping from Houston, cargo shipping, crating

    Port of Houston Boat Tour- See your cargo up close

    Posted on Mon, Aug 16, 2010

    The Port of Houston offers an up close look at cargo shipping. Pack n send is posting the information  taken from the Port of Houston website as a service to our customers.

    Get ready for an unforgettably spectacular waterborne tour of one of the busiest ports in the world aboard the Port of Houston Authority's free public tour boat!

    Named for the legendary military commander who led the fight for Texas independence from Mexico and later statehood, the M/V Sam Houston offers free leisurely 90-minute round-trip cruises along the Houston Ship Channel.

    Embarking from the port's Sam Houston Pavilion, visiting sightseers can enjoy passing views of international cargo vessels, and operations at the port's Turning Basin Terminal. Measuring 95 feet in length and 24 feet in width, the boat carries a maximum capacity of 90 passengers with air-conditioned lounge seating and additional standing room on the boat's rear deck.

    The M/V Sam Houston has been operating as the Port Authority's public tour vessel since its inaugural voyage on July. 30, 1958. By 1979, a total of 1 million passengers had taken the tour.

    No food or beverages are allowed to be brought aboard the boat or into the pavilion. However, a free beverage is provided on the boat during the trip. We want all of our visitors to enjoy the tour experience in a clean and safe environment, therefore picnics in the pavilion are not allowed.

    The tour is free; however reservations are required 24 hours in advance of the planned tour. Enhanced port security measures require government-issued photo identification for passengers ages 18 and older. Examples of acceptable identification are state-issued drivers license, state of Texas Identification card, or passport.

    Register online anytime, or call 713-670-2416, Monday through Thursday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Please note: a maximum of 45 reservations is allowed for any one group. Also, a maximum ratio of one adult per four children under the age of 12 will be enforced.

    SECURITY NOTICE

    Because of heightened security measures, regularly scheduled tours aboard the M/V Sam Houston may be canceled without advance notice. Before making the trip to the Port of Houston for a tour aboard the Sam Houston, please consult this Web site for information on the status of your tour.

    Security regulations also prohibit the carrying of any camera equipment aboard the M/V Sam Houston and the taking of photographs from aboard the ship is strictly prohibited.

    Also, large baggage such as backpacks and oversized purses are not allowed on board. Passengers' personal belongings may be subject to searches in accordance with federal regulations. The PHA reserves the right to refuse passage to board the vessel to any person for any reason at any time.

     We advise that you arrive at least 15 minutes, preferably half hour, before your tour launches to assure that you have plenty of time to check in through security and to board the vessel.

    Tour Times

    Monday

    Closed

    Tuesday

    10 am & 2:30 pm

    Wednesday

    10 am & 2:30 pm

    Thursday

    2:30 pm only

    Friday

    10 am & 2:30 pm

    Saturday

    10 am & 2:30 pm

    Sunday

    2:30 pm only

    Holidays

    Closed

     

    For more information on international shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: cargo, cargo shipping, cargo containers

    More Challenges for the Cargo and Shipping Industry

    Posted on Wed, Aug 11, 2010

  • Global Warming
  • Now that a one hundred square ice piece has broken off a glacier, the cargo ships now face a new peril. 

    After dealing with pirates and colliding ships this floating island is another worry for boat captains.

     This ice island break off follows six months of unusually warm record.  These past six months have recorded the warmest temperatures since 1962.

    Since glaciers are melting faster than any one had anticipated, they are adding to threats of flooding coastal cities all over the world.

    It should take approximately two years for this latest breakaway piece of ice to melt. At this point, the worry is that the iceberg may head toward shipping lanes off of the Canadian Coast, and also in the North Atlantic Ocean.

    By monitoring the progress of this large ice mass, ships should be able to adjust their course during the next two year time period.

    For information about freight and cargo shipping, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

      

     

     

     

    Tags: cargo, cargo shipping, cargo containers, custom packing, crating

    Cargo Ship Collides While Loaded With Freight

    Posted on Mon, Aug 09, 2010

    Picture of Cargo Ships - Free Pictures - FreeFoto.comTwo ships registered to Panama have collided off the coast of India.  The cargo on one of the ships has been seen floating in the water. 

    We do not have any more information a bout the collision at this time, but will keep you updated as we receive more information.

     Pack n send regularly ships out of the Port of Houston. For information about our container loading and freight shipping, please call pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: cargo, cargo containers

    Custom Crate Building for Shipping-Watch our Video Below

    Posted on Wed, Aug 04, 2010

    Pack n send builds custom crates for both commercial and residential customers.  While we crate art work and sculptures, we can also crate your delicate machinery.  We are posting this quick video of a very simple crate for artwork. 

     Since we have been in business since 1981  we can offer advice on how to prepare items to be placed inside a crate, and the best way to build a crate.

     There are some very basic questions you need to ask before you contract someone to build a crate.

    You need to  ask if they can supply the wood for both domestic and international shipping.

    Can they build reusable crates?

    Do they have experience with both large and small items?.

    Have they crated delicate or valuable items in the past? Be sure and ask for examples of these items.

    Do they know the proper amount of padding to add inside the crate for different types of items. High value painting with glass require different preparation and padding from artistic statutes.

    How do they bind the crate? Do they nail it or use screws to close the crate? Do they secure the crate with metal banding?

    If you would like to  use and experienced  crate builder and  freight shipper  with over 25 years experience,  contact pack n send  at 713 266 1450 for your next freight or shipping job.

     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLsuPd4aVik

    Tags: freight shipping, freight, Freight Houston

    Different Use for a Shipping Container

    Posted on Mon, Aug 02, 2010

    Sea Shipping Cargo ContainersSea Shipping Cargo Containers	  Transportation / Water / Ships and Boats

    As we reported earlier on our blog, a shipping container was being used to house a subway restaurant. We have found another innovative use for shipping containers in the country of Haiti.

    In Haiti, 20 foot containers are now serving as independent housing units with many going on to provide shelter for the survivors of the January earthquake. The earthquake cost the lives of around 230,000 people. We have commented previously on the innovative uses of the ubiquitous container but with one million made homeless by the disaster this means a relief effort of gargantuan proportions is required and each 20 foot container is capable of carrying steel building sets for 50 homes

     There are  continuing efforts to bring some sort of normality back to the island most recently by transporting the emergency housing units to homeless families. Shipped in the containers and packaged into kits, the homes are assembled in country by trained Haitians and humanitarian aid workers.

    To date, there have been 68 containers shipped to Port-au-Prince. In all, the plan is to send 300 containers to relief organizations in Haiti. The temporary structures, which replace tents, measure 10 feet by 20 feet and are hurricane resistant, fire resistant and earthquake resistant and are the ideal structure for harsh environments and are being delivered to various aid organizations in Port-au-Prince and Leogane, including CHF International and the Lutheran World Federation.

    Logistics teams worked closely to ensure that fifty of the structures were loaded into each 20-foot container at a new 70,000-square-foot warehouse near the Jacksonville Port Authority's Dames Point Marine.

    The housing of displaced Haiti residents is still one of the toughest logistical challenges faced by many aid organizations according to individuals working in Haiti.  While the recovery in Haiti is expected to be slow, this is a great help in the restoration of normalcy in Haiti.

     Parts of this article have been taken from Handy  Shipping News.

    Pack n send prepares freight for shipping and ships cargo worldwide.

    For more information on freight shipping, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: freight shipping, Cargo Shipping from Houston, Shipping

    Common Sense Prevailed-Cargo Shipping through Port of Montreal

    Posted on Thu, Jul 29, 2010

     

    Canadian FlagsCanadian Flag flying in Vanier Park, Vancouver	  Objects / Culture

    CANADA – After harsh words had been exchanged over what the Innternational  Transport  Workers   Federation  (ITF) called last week “a needless overreaction” it seems talks are to resume at the  Port  of Montreal   which will possibly mean an end to the labor dispute which commenced in June. On the 27th of that month the dockworkers claim that employers changed the working conditions of 169 dock workers with the least seniority. The longshoremen responded by refusing to work overtime as of the 9th July.

    On Sunday the 18th July the union and employers met all afternoon and planned to continue ongoing negotiations during the following week. During the next 48 hours however there was a lockout preventing access to the port and infuriating union officials. The lock out was described as “incomprehensible and pointless. News of the lockout reached them they were in the middle of a general meeting to cancel the planned application of pressure tactics. They pointed out that overtime is voluntary and no reason to be excluded from work.

    Now it appears common sense has prevailed on both sides and they have agreed a protocol to return to work enabling the port to function whilst negotiations continue, with union representative Michel Murray saying that with both sides talking an agreement could be reached in the next few weeks.

    Shipping through the port, Canada’s second largest behind Vancouver and capable of handling one and a quarter million TEU’s per annum, has been diverted to other ports, principally Halifax, since the dispute started and the problems are causing delays and possibly the cancellation of new contracts and investments.

     Pack n send has reproduced portions of this article from Handy   Shipping News as a service to our customers.

    Pack n send monitors port operations throughout the world.  While most of our cargo shipments go via ship to ports in Central America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, any port closure or slowdown can affect freight shipments throughout the world.

     For more information on overseas shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: freight shipping, freight, cargo, cargo shipping, cargo containers

    All about pack n send in-Crating, Shipping, Packing Specialist

    Posted on Tue, Jul 27, 2010

    Title: Truck cargo transportation  

     Our services include:

    Packing and crating

    Domestic and international shipping

    Pick up and delivery

    Small moves- both local and long distance

    Packing and  unpacking

    Estate packing

    Document shredding

    Full value coverage

    Choice of delivery method

    Freight preparation

    Container loading

    Freight receiving

    Turnkey eBay Service

    Pack n send is located at 6214 Beverly Hill Street in Houston Texas.  We are between Fountainview and Hillcroft, at the light at Greenridge. 

    We operate an 8400  square foot facility and are open Monday-Friday from 9:00 am to 6 p.m. 

    Se habla  Espanol. 

     

    Please call us at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Cargo Shipping from Houston, freight, furniture freighting

    Not our usual Shipping blog- Delaware 2 way radios exempted by law-

    Posted on Tue, Jul 27, 2010

     

    In the closing days of the 2010 legislative session, Delaware lawmakers took quick action to exempt some mobile two-way radios from a pending law that would have barred their use by motorists.

    Legislation signed into law by Gov. Jack Markell on July 6 (HS 1 for HB 229) prohibits Delaware drivers from using hand-held cell phones or other electronic devices to hold conversations, send text-messages or access the Internet. The legislation also outlaws the use of two-way radios in moving vehicles.

    Schwartzkopf said that, while police and first responders were excluded from the original ban, he was embarrassed to admit that he forgot transportation workers and others still use the dated, but proven, technology.

    Delaware will be breaking new ground when the law is implemented. No other state in the country prohibits motorists from using CB radios installed in their vehicles.

    On the issue of hand-held cell phones, the First State will actually be the seventh state to enforce the prohibition on motorists. It’s already illegal for drivers to use the devices in California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Oregon, and in Washington, D.C., as it is in the Delaware municipalities of Wilmington and Elsmere. Maryland’s hand-free cell phone law will go into effect on Oct. 1.

    Additionally, 25 states have enacted laws prohibiting texting while driving.

    Supporters of the Delaware law point to the increased distraction caused by cell phone use and the hazard impaired drivers posed to their fellow motorists and pedestrians.

     “This new law is about improving safety for everyone who shares the road. We hope we can reduce the number of drivers who text and e-mail while driving, and therefore, reduce the number of distraction-related crashes. Just as we’re keeping our focus as a state on creating more jobs, we want drivers keeping their focus on the road,” Markell said.

    Violators would not accumulate any points on their licenses. Drivers would be permitted to punch in the phone number or activate the hands-free device, but then cannot have the phone in their hands.

    The bill also allows drivers to use a hand-held cell phone to report an accident, fire, reckless driver or another emergency.

    Sen. Karen E. Peterson (D-Stanton), who was the primary Senate sponsor of the bill, acknowledged that it was controversial.

    The new laws go into effect 180 days from signature – on Jan. 2, 2011.

    Portions of the article written by M.  Patricia   Titus,   

    Coastal   Point  News have been printed here as a public service.

    While pack n send specializes in freight preparation and cargo shipping, we are always looking for ways to keep our customers informed about new laws affecting drivers.

    For information about shipping furniture on pallets, please call us at 713 266 1450.

     

     

    Tags: Cargo Shipping from Houston, furniture freighting, cargo containers

    New Rules for Cargo

    Posted on Tue, Jul 20, 2010

    Travelers who slog through long lines at   airport  security just to reach their seats might be surprised to learn that not all the cargo beneath their feet has been screened for explosives. But that's about to change.

    As a result of the 9/11 Act endorsed by Congress in 2007, all cargo ferried aboard passenger aircraft originating in the United States must be screened, a mandate that federal officials say affects some 25 million pounds of cargo a day.

    The law has ramifications for metro-area shippers and freight forwarders, who moved 24,825 tons of cargo -- including 4,263 tons of mail, as well as chemical materials, fruits and vegetables, high-tech machinery and electronic equipment -- out of Portland International Airport last year on passenger flights. It wouldn't take much for that kind of volume to interrupt timetables and back up cargo.

    Next month, cargo headed for the belly of a passenger plane will be screened here before heading out through open doors in the back and down the tarmac for loading.

    The law requires screening at the piece level, which means that shipments that are bundled together and shrink-wrapped on pallets or packed in containers have to be taken apart and reviewed and then repackaged.

    The mandate also applies to shipments coming in from foreign countries, but  T S A not expect to meet that requirement any time soon. It does not apply to all-cargo companies such as UPS and FedEx.

    According to James Fotenos, a TSA spokesman, 47 percent of cargo is already being screened by certified freight forwarders.

    He said the agency doesn't anticipate any major problems once the law fully takes affect, though acknowledged that "There may be minor back ups in some of the major gateway airports."

    Shippers and air forwarding companies opposed the 2007 law, formally known as the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act, arguing instead for a "risk-based" system that would call for screening only when there was a known security risk, but Congress opted for the 100 percent solution.

     The law has been phased in. Last year, airlines were required to screen 50 percent of all cargo;in May of this year that went up to 75 percent.

    In fact, nearly all cargo going on narrow-bodied aircraft is screened now. Most of the remaining cargo to be screened is shipped in the hold of wide-bodied aircraft.

    The final 25 percent includes the most difficult to screen products, such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, and perishables.

    The mandate doesn't specify the method of screening and allows for hand screening, or X-ray and other scanning types of systems. It requires that the screening for cargo basically be the same as the   T S A expects for passengers' bags and carry-on items.

    A recent survey by the  Air Forwarders Assn. found that 64 percent of its members expect the airlines to handle the screening. But the airlines lack space and manpower, and airline officials have made it clear they will fly when they are ready, and if the cargo isn't screened, it will sit at the airport until it is.

    A March 2009 Government Accounting Office report said that participation in the Certified screening program may be cost prohibitive for small freight forwarders, which constitute 80 percent of the industry.

     In an effort to keep our customers informed about trends and laws in the cargo industry, we are publishing parts of the article written by Pack n send is publishing by James Mayer of the Oregonian.

     For more information on freight and cargo shipping, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Cargo Shipping from Houston, Houston Freight

    Temporary Shutdown of Freight and Oil Terminal

    Posted on Tue, Jul 20, 2010

    China– The North Eastern port of Dalian which had been closed to freight traffic has just reopened.  Friday there was  after a huge explosion and fire left the oil terminal there in flames. The explosion was caused by a pipe from the tanker caught fire.  The pipe exploded  and then burst  an adjacent pipeline which also ignited.

     There is a cleanup underway with about 800 vessels. It is reported that they hope to have the clean up completed by July 24th. At this point in time, due to heavy winds and rains, the 800 vessels have exited the area until the weather improves.

     Both Chinas oil and grain markets are affected by the closure of this port.

     Pack n send monitors ports throughout the world.  When we ship cargo and freight, we watch water ways and ports that are affected by both closures and personnel strikes.

     For information on packing, crating shipping and freighting, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.  We offer both domestic and international shipping.

     

    Tags: freight, Freight Houston, crating, crate

    Special Freight Trailers for Cargo

    Posted on Mon, Jul 19, 2010

     Pack n send is posting this article form Handy   Shipping  News.  As new ideas in freight appear on the market pack n send tracks their success.  As a company that recycles we are constantly tracking ways to save on fuel and improve freight shipping.

    Con-way Invests in New Trade Marked Double Stacking System

    US – Fitting a system of racking within a box or tilt trailer isn’t new but, as usual, they do things big in America, and they don’t come much bigger in the full truckload market. Conway Truck load a full truckload carrier and subsidiary of Con-way Inc. This week the company announced they have initially converted 100 of its standard 53-foot truckload trailers to their DoubleStack™ system, with additional unit conversions planned for later this year, based on customer demand. The racking system allows for loading of cargoes on two separate, adjustable levels throughout the length of the trailer, accommodating shipments of different dimensions while more fully utilizing the trailer.

    The advanced cargo loading and capacity management system which allows shippers to more fully and efficiently utilize space in trailers whilst a custom-designed strapping mechanisms unique to the DoubleStack system enable shipments to be securely tied down to prevent movement during transit and provide added protection against damage.

    "We are continually exploring ways to bring our customers advantages that enable them to obtain the highest value for the transportation dollar," said Herb Schmidt, president, Con-way Truckload. "With DoubleStack trailers, we're maximizing the available capacity customers can use and adding better protection systems to reduce claims, while driving benefits to our operations through more effective asset utilization."

    Con-way Truckload's DoubleStack trailers feature thick aluminum tracks attached to supporting vertical posts every 16 inches along the trailer walls, with adjustable bars, or cross beams, that clamp securely into each track. The metal cross beams are height-adjustable and can be set in a variety of horizontal track positions to accommodate freight pallets of different sizes, while maximizing the stability of loaded freight at any point in the trailer and ensuring optimum capacity use. The DoubleStack system is ideal for a wide variety of customer goods, including fragile products that must be segregated and traditionally cannot be double-stacked, or pallets with products of varying height dimensions and stability.

     

     

    Tags: freight shipping, freight, Freight Houston

    Freight - Electric Trucks-Obama to Visit Manufacturing Plant

    Posted on Thu, Jul 08, 2010

    US – Regular readers will know that we are always pleased to publish stories about the new generation of environmentally sound freight delivery vehicles (just type Electric into the News Search box as evidence) but today sees a special honor for one of the foremost companies in the field who are producing practical commercial vehicles every day.

    President Barack Obama is making a special trip to visit the Smith Electric Vehicles US Corporation (Smith US) facility in Kansas City, Missouri today where he will discuss the economy with the plant’s 50 workers. Smith US is the only company the President is visiting that day.

    Smith US, which is America’s first manufacturer of new technology, all-electric trucks, recently received $22m in grants from the Obama administration. The funding, which follows an initial $10m government grant, is helping Smith US to build more than 500 of its market-leading ‘Smith Newton’ electric trucks. Designed for urban operations, the Newton has a top speed of 50mph, a range of up to 100 miles on a full battery charge and payload capabilities of up to 16,000lbs (7,500kg).

    Smith US is an associate company of Smith Electric Vehicles UK (Smith UK), which was founded in 1920 and is the longest established electric vehicle manufacturer in the world. Based in Tyne & Wear, the company produces the world’s largest range of electric commercial vehicles (vans and trucks), in the Smith Edison van and minibus (electric Ford Transit) and the Smith Newton truck. Hundreds of these electric vehicles are now in service in the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, France, Hong Kong and Southern China.

    Bryan Hansel CEO of Smith US, said:

    “This is a very proud day for everyone at Smith Electric Vehicles. The Government has been extremely supportive of Smith US since we started work in Kansas City last year. This help is enabling us to quickly grow and develop our business, attracting new customers and already creating a significant number of jobs.

    “Electric trucks represent a fantastic opportunity for America to create green collar jobs, cut carbon emissions from the most polluting vehicles on our highways and reduce reliance on foreign oil.”

    The President will witness first hand the range of Smith’s electric commercial vehicles including the development of their latest project a purely electric version of the iconic London black taxi. Smiths US only began production in October last year and have already supplied vehicles to numerous blue chip companies

    Pack n send has reproduced this article originally published in the Handy   Shipping  Guide.

    Pack n send has recycles peanuts and boxes in an effort to help the environment.

    For information on international and domestic shipping and moving, please call pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: freight shipping, Cargo Shipping from Houston

    Strike Effect on International Shipping and Freight

    Posted on Fri, Jul 02, 2010

    The Los Angeles Times has reported that clerical workers  went on strike at several terminals in both Los Angeles Long beach. These workers are responsible for critical paperwork for ocean cargo in California.

    While the ports are fully functioning, there have been some picketing by workers at the port. 

    An arbitrator declared that the strike was improper and ordered the employees back to work. 

    The clerks who have walked off their jobs are responsible for export paperwork as well as transport documentation.

    This job action along with the governor call for minimum wage for all California state employees not currently under contract, could set a double whammy for the already beleaguered economy in California.

    Other ports around the nation that handle freight and cargo shipping have not been affected by this labor dispute.

    For information on shipping  freight and cargo from the Port of  Houston, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    www.pack-n-send.com

     

     

     

     

     

    Tags: cargo, cargo shipping, cargo containers

    China and Increased Costs of International Freight

    Posted on Wed, Jun 30, 2010

     

    Is Manufacturing Coming Back to the U.S.?

    Why is pack n send posting this article on our website?  If it costs us more to do business with China, it will be more expensive to import Chinese goods. If the US can pick up on this, we should be able to manufacture more in the US. This should enable the US to not only to manufacture more goods, but also export more goods to other countries! This will be good for not only pack n send, but other companies that prepare freight, and ship freight to other countries.

     

    By Jack  Stack Article  from New  York Times
    June 23, 2010
     

    If you haven't been paying attention to the news lately, you might have missed some interesting developments: the Chinese government has started allowing the value of its currency to fluctuate, and Chinese workers have begun striking in efforts to increase their wages. Both of those developments are likely to increase the cost of manufacturing in China, and here's another newsflash: the costs of shipping containers are also going up. Fast.

    Steve Crowder, the president of GuildMaster, an SRC affiliate that manufacturers and sells accent furniture, told me that the costs of overseas shipping containers have increased by 30 percent since the beginning of May - increasing from $4,000 a container to $5,200. And that doesn't fully account for the fuel surcharges that logistics and shipping companies have begun tacking on to take advantage of all the goods needed for an expected surge in demand for the upcoming holiday shopping season. The reason I point out these stories is that I'm seeing an emerging trend: the increasing cost of doing business in China.

    The upside of such a trend, of course, is that more and more companies like GuildMaster are taking a second look at United States manufacturers, something that's being called "near-sourcing."

    Personally, I've always seen off-shore manufacturing as a significant risk to a company's cash flow, something not enough people pay attention to. It used to be cheap and easy to borrow the money to finance off-shore manufacturing, but that's changed. Consider this example: Let's say you want to order a batch of widgets from a manufacturer in China that's charging 50 percent less than a manufacturer here in the United States. The price may be good, but you have to wire the money up front to pay for your order. Then you wait - up to 90 days while your product is produced and shipped across the ocean.

    When you finally get the product to your customer - let's say it's a big-box retailer - you then have to wait up to 90 days before you get your money. Think about that. The time between when you lay out your money to your manufacturer and when you finally receive a payment from your customer can be as long as 180 days. So, you might wait up to 225 days before you get your money back. That's a long time and a serious drain on cash flow. And that's assuming everything goes well. It's also possible that your product won't sell and your big-box client will return it. If that happens, you're stuck holding more inventory and waiting to get paid for it, possibly until the following season.

    But let's look at this scenario from a different angle. Suppose you choose to hire a domestic manufacturer instead of one in China. Now, rather than paying up front, you may well be able to negotiate terms where you pay your supplier 60 days after you receive your product - which amounts to a 60-day, interest-free loan. Ideally, you end up paying your supplier at just about the same time you receive your payment from your customer.

    The shorter supply chain also comes into play in a big way if you run into a quality problem or a shipping delay or if you have the happy problem of needing more product to meet customer demand. Several big-box retailers will penalize you if they sell out of your product and you can't resupply them immediately - what's known as a "stockout."

    When you source your product from China, and need to wait up to 90 days for each order, you have to carry extra inventory as stock-out protection - another big hit to your cash flow. When you use a domestic supplier, you can turn to FedEx or UPS to solve your problem overnight. That means you don't have to carry as much extra inventory.

    With a long supply chain, an entrepreneur faces tough choices because the company's cash is tied up with suppliers and customers. With credit still tight, companies can end up struggling to cover the inevitable cash shortfalls that come from growth. Some companies resort to doing things like factoring - borrowing off their accounts receivable at interest rates that can top 20 percent - or bringing in outside investors and private equity money, decisions that cut into either net income or equity.

    Then there are companies like Springfield Spring in Springfield, Mass., an open-book company founded in 1942 that makes precision-engineered springs and clips. Norman Rodrigues, the company's chief executive, says that domestic small businesses have long underestimated the true cost of manufacturing overseas, but he believes those costs are now becoming clearer.

    "Six years ago, everyone was falling over themselves to get into China to save money and maximize what they called their ‘shareholder value,'" Mr. Rodrigues told me. "But, when you begin to add up the cost of freight, the aggravation of delays, the lack of quality control, and the money you need to invest relative to cash flow, you're starting to see people in the boardrooms of the big corporations reconsider that decision."

    Of course, we don't have the same manufacturing base here that we used to. And, for certain products, off-shoring might still make sense. But, given the advantages that a domestic manufacturer can give its customers, like just-in-time delivery and better quality controls, maybe we'll see more opportunities for new businesses to take root in the United States in the near future.

     

    Pack n send already makes our custom crates for shipping in our  ware house. That way, each crate is specifically prepared to fit the individual order.

    For freight and cargo shipping please visit our website at http://www.pack-n-send.com/.  We have listed the countries that we ship to. Or, you can call us at 713 266 1450

     

     


    Tags: freight shipping, freight, Freight Houston, cargo shipping, cargo containers

    Warning about Overloading Freight

    Posted on Tue, Jun 29, 2010

    Most Common Offence Committed by Drivers of Small Commercial Vehicles

    UK -This week the Freight  Transport Authority  (FTA) offered a timely reminder to the owners and operators of vans about the problems and dangers of overloading cargo or equipment into small commercials. The FTA has published a best practice guide for transport managers on the safe securing of loads in vans. The intention is to provide realistic and practical advice, clarifying compliance standards for operators and helping them to improve their drivers' safety.

    Worryingly, yet unsurprisingly to many industry insiders, the LGV overloading prohibition rate found by traffic enforcers increased from 55.1 per cent in 2007 to 66.9 per cent in 2009 (VOSA) making it by far the most common offence found among light goods vehicles (LGVs). Often drivers are unaware of the actual carrying capacity of their vehicles and equally many shippers fail to provide accurate weights for consignments they consider too small to warrant proper attention.

    Additionally, many drivers are unaware that correctly distributed axle weights, even on small vehicles can be crucial to ensure the safety of their vehicles, and problems like this led the FTA to commission the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) to conduct a research project - jointly-funded by members of FTA's Utilities Working Group - which, unlike previous research, accounted for the typical forces experienced by an LGV and its load in a collision. While the Department for Transport's (DfT) code of practice on load retention only accounts for deceleration forces of 1G, as found in normal driving conditions, a serious collision can generate more than 20 times this force. FTA used TRL's unparalleled experience of analyzing road traffic accidents within the UK to identify the real risks of unsecured loads in everyday situations.

    James Hookham, FTA's Policy Director, said:

    "With many of its members running vans as well as trucks, FTA recognizes the strong need for consistent and clear guidance regarding the safe securing of loads, especially in the face of more onerous operator liability.

    "We wanted to fill the void in guidance with meaningful advice based on realistic data to not only improve the safety of drivers and passengers in commercial vehicles, but also remove any legal ambiguities, so that operators know exactly where they stand.

    This article has been partially reprinted from the Handy   Shipping  Guide.

    Pack n send prepares freight, and ships freight both domestically and internationally.  For more information about our cargo shipping and freight shipping services, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: freight shipping, cargo shipping

    Bargains in the Freight Industry

    Posted on Thu, Jun 24, 2010

    While pack n send has noticed an uptick in freight in both Houston and in the US in general, the article below from the handy shipping  guide highlights the precarious situation of the world wide freight industry.

    WORLDWIDE - Despite the fact that companies like  Maersk   Line tell us that they have container ships coming out of mothballs as the call for empty boxes comes from Asia to service increasing levels of export cargo, there is often a darker side to such tales to remind us of the parlous state which world trade sank to so recently. We now understand that at least one of the ‘container repositions' being undertaken will terminate with the scrapping of the carrying vessel, the ‘Sealand Performance' which, after ferrying the empty boxes between the US and China for redistribution, will remain there to be broken up.

    There are many other ship owners who still have spare capacity with freight vessels still idle after long periods anchored up in locations as diverse as Indonesian inlets and Scottish lochs and, never ones to report bad news, doubtless many owners will quietly follow the same course as Maersk with the ‘Performance' and realize what is left of their older assets. As we have   reported numerous times many new build vessels have been cancelled despite sizeable deposits which were then forfeited but lately several companies have invested in the excess stock with a view to increasing their fleets with a minimum outlay.

    It seems the situation can be just as hard in the airfreight market and now we hear of freight aircraft available for sale, hire or ‘wet lease', otherwise known as ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance)as life toughens up even in previously lucrative sectors. We spoke to Air Charter Agent Ray Bowyer who told us he has several   Anontov AN-12 (20 ton payload) and AN-24 (5 ton payload) freighters and PAX/freight combination aircraft available fresh from African and Middle Eastern oil contracts.

    So who will be proved right? Those disposing of underutilized assets? Or has the market in bulk and container vessels and used aircraft leveled out? Only time will tell, but as usual, the trick is sell high buy low; you just have to figure when things are at the bottom of the tide.

    For more information about shipping freight in Houston and freight shipping in the United States, please contact pack n send at  713 266 1450.

    Tags: Cargo Shipping from Houston, Houston Freight

    Harris County and City of Houston Reappoint James T. Edmonds to Sixth Term as Port Commission Chairman

    Posted on Wed, Jun 23, 2010

    Pack n send is posting this press release issued by the Port Authority of Houston.  Pack n send ships cargo and containers through the port of Houston. 

    Freight shipping from Houston has a major impact on the Houston economy.

    By unanimous vote, the Harris County Commissioners Court and the Houston City Council today jointly re-appointed James T. Edmonds as chairman of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority. County commissioners and city council members gathered at Houston City Council Chambers for the re-appointment vote.

    "I am deeply honored and grateful for the confidence Harris County Commissioners and the Houston City Council have expressed in me since I was first appointed chairman in 2000," Edmonds said. "I will work even harder over the next two years to ensure that confidence is well-placed."

    Initially appointed to the port commission in October 1996 to represent Harris County, Edmonds was first appointed chairman in 2000 by the city and the county. Edmonds is also a member of the board of commissioners for the Houston Pilots Association. Port of Houston Authority (PHA) commissioners serve two-year terms without pay.

    Under Edmonds' leadership as chairman, PHA has implemented some of the most innovative initiatives in environmental stewardship, security and facility operations while experiencing the most aggressive growth, capital expansion and profitability in the organization's 96-year history.

    "I'm glad to see Jim Edmonds reappointed for another term as chairman of the Port of Houston Authority," said Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. "It's in times of economic uncertainty like these that Jim's foresight and calm, steady guidance are most needed. All of us in Harris County benefit from Jim's experience and wisdom."

    The port authority made history in 2002, when it became the first U.S. port facility to implement an Environmental Management System (EMS) that meets the rigorous parameters of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 system. Under Edmonds' leadership, the port authority continues to set standards in environmental stewardship and security measures. In 2008, PHA became the world's first port authority to initiate a Security Management System worthy of certification for ISO 28000:2007. In 2009, the recertification of its EMS raised the bar yet higher, with the additional certification of the Bayport Container Terminal. Opened in February 2007, the Bayport terminal has added to PHA's capability to process 1.8 million in container TEUs annually.

    Houston Mayor Annise Parker stated, "I am pleased to join Harris County Commissioners and Houston City Council in reappointing Jim Edmonds as chairman of the Port of Houston Authority. He is a proven leader who has guided the port through a period of unprecedented growth and environmental advances. Keeping him at the helm will help ensure this progress continues."

    In addition to operating or leasing the public port facilities, the Port of Houston Authority is the sponsor of the Houston Ship Channel. In 2009, Chairman Edmonds worked closely with U.S. Rep. Gene Green and other members of the Texas congressional delegation to help the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers receive $98.8 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It was the largest single allocation of federal funding for infrastructure projects the channel had ever received. The waterway's impact on the region includes about 785,000 jobs and $118 billion in economic activity. Across the U.S., 1.5 million jobs and $285 billion worth of economic activity are related to the ship channel.

    Edmonds' leadership also enabled the port authority to play a major role in advancing railroad transportation efficiency by helping create the state's first Gulf Coast Rail District. The Houston Ship Channel Security District also gained state legislative approval during Edmonds' tenure. Both projects are highly regarded for setting standards of excellence in public- private partnerships.

    The completion of the $700 million Houston Ship Channel deepening and widening project in 2005 is considered a testament to Edmonds' strength in building coalitions among congressional members and various local stakeholders. In addition to enhancing navigational safety for commercial vessels, the project created more than 4,200 acres of wetlands and wildlife habitats.

    PHA's opportunities with small businesses also were elevated under Edmonds' leadership. In 2002, PHA created and implemented its Small Business Development program with a 35 percent participation goal and - since its inception - the program has awarded nearly $285 million in PHA eligible contracts to registered firms.

    In addition to his civic service with the Port of Houston, Edmonds also serves as a board member of the Memorial Hermann Hospital System, Gulf Coast Rail District, I-69 TxDOT Advisory Committee, and the Alliance for I-69 Texas. Edmonds is president of Edmonds & Company, a business consulting firm. business consulting firm.

    For more information on shipping freight through the Port of Houston, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: Houston Shipping, International Moving, international shipping, cargo, cargo shipping, cargo containers, countries we ship to, crating

    Furniture Freighting-Why not?

    Posted on Tue, Jun 22, 2010

    If you would like to save money, why not let pack n send move your furniture via freight?  We load your furniture onto a pallet ship it via freight, and deliver it to your door step.  For one item or more than one item, this is a great option.

    There are no dollar amount minimums, or pound minimums.

    Whether is an estate that your are dismantling, a student going off to college or a relocation, this is an inexpensive way to move furniture and household items. New job? We can help you're your move easy.  We will set up the delivery with you the day before, so that we make sure you are on hand to see your furniture unloaded.

    Corporations find furniture freighting as a very cost effective way to ship.  Documents, office files as well as furniture are a natural for freighting. We also offer overnight shipping of computers so that your office is up and running in a very short time period.

    If your furniture is large, small oddly shaped or very heavy, we can pack and ship it professionally so that it arrives in great shape!

    We have been packing and shipping since 1981, so please call us with any of your questions. Our staff answers each phone call personally. No answering machines to deal with. You can also email in your request for a quote. We can ship your items either domestically, or internationally. We even prepare all the international documentation.

     

    If you need a high value item crated for your freight move, pack n send is the company to call.

    Our phone number is 713 266 1450, and email address is sales@pack-n-send.com

     

     

     

    Tags: freight shipping, furniture freighting, furniture shipping

    Proposed Legislation for the Freight Industry

    Posted on Fri, Jun 18, 2010

    US - The Motor Carrier Protection Act just put forward by two Senators is causing ripples amongst the trucking and shipping industries. The bill proposed by Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar and Republican Olympia Snowe from Maine is designed to toughen up the criteria needed by companies wishing to take responsibility for cargo in their care and applicable to all freight brokers and freight forwarders.

    Industry critics say that this legislation merely increases the power of the larger carriers

    The draft outline of the proposed regulations are as follows; each licensee must lodge a broker bond for $100,000 (currently $10,000), the  FMCSA) to lay out specific guidelines for applicants plus tougher regulations overall. Licenses to be reviewed annually or be automatically revoked with costs of licenses set to cover the FMCSA's enforcement budget. The are proposing stricter penalties for defaulters, including an unlimited liability for freight costs against any unlicensed broker or freight forwarder.

    In addition each registration will be exclusive to each regulatory authority and documents for every transaction must show the license number and the authority which granted it plus the bond providers and their administration procedures will also be strictly controlled.

    Motor carriers will doubtless be divided on the issue. To some it will mean more cost and more administration, with one slip potentially costing them serious money, to others, it will remove completely the rogue elements that plague the industries lower end and feed off smaller haulers made desperate by difficult times.

    Pack n send has reprinted part of the article listed in the Handy Shipping Guide.  We closely monitor proposed legislation that will affect both  cargo shipping and the freight industry.

    For assistance in shipping both freight and cargo containers, please call pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    www.pack-n-send.com


    Tags: Houston Freight, Houston Shipping, Freight Houston, Shipping Houston, cargo containers

    It's Hot Outside-Time to Shred Your Old Documents

    Posted on Thu, Jun 17, 2010

    It is  hot to work outside.  Now is a good time to get rid of old bank statements, credit card bill and tax returns.

    Until July, 15, 2010, pack n send is offering $.65 a pound for shredding.  We want you to enjoy your summer. We offer personal service along with bargain shredding.

    Let pack n send shred your old unwanted documents.  Documents are shred at our warehouse. Drive up and we will help you unload your unwanted pieces of paper.

    Excerpts of an Article in the Chattanooga Time Free Press are reprinted below.  With summer already here in Texas, families are cleaning out garages, and businesses are purging old papers.  Pack n send is the perfect solution for your document shredding.

    Jun. 12--What do doctors, lawyers, insurers, banks, the police, most businesses and all taxpayers have in common? According to Chris Akers of Iron Mountain, they're all targets for data theft.

    "Consumers need to look at an overall responsibility strategy, really being confident of the fact that there are bad guys out there, and they'll use stolen data to their financial advantage," he said.

    As long as there are identify thieves, there will be a market for document destruction, said Sam Bicking."

     In fact, despite the advent of the digital "paperless" society, the need to shred paper records has increased on par with the increasing sophistication of identity thieves as well as emerging consumer privacy legislation.

    "The people at a typical business are not paid to be shredders; they're accountants, managers or secretaries." he said. "If you free them up from shredding, even if it's only 30 minutes a day, they can invest more time in what they do well, what they prefer to do, and what makes their organization more productive."

    For more information on paper shredding and freight shipping in Houston, contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    www.pack-n-send.com

     

    Tags: sredding, document shredding

    Improvements for Freight and Cargo Industry

    Posted on Wed, Jun 16, 2010

    Pack n send has republished this article from Handy Shipping   News.  We are monitor improvements in both freight and worldwide cargo shipping.

    PHILIPPINES - There will be a Diplomatic Conference held in Manila between the 21st and 25th June which is set to change the way seafarers are trained and certified to improve safety standards on freight and passenger shipping in the future. The Conference will be held under the auspices of the  International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for maritime safety and security and the prevention of pollution from ships.

    Technology and social requirements have changed vastly in the past fifteen years and the draft amendments to the STCW Convention and Code mark the first major revision of the two instruments since those adopted in 1995, which completely revised the original 1978 Convention and introduced the Code. It is anticipated that, once the proposed amendments have been adopted, the necessary global standards will be in place to train and certify seafarers to operate any modern, technologically advanced vessels well into the future.

    Among the measures due for adoption in Manila are a number of important changes to each chapter of the Convention and Code, including:

    • improved measures to prevent fraudulent practices associated with certificates of competency and strengthen the evaluation of Parties' compliance with the Convention
    • updated and expanded requirements on hours of work and rest and new requirements for the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as updated standards relating to medical fitness for seafarers
    • incorporation of new certification requirements for able seafarers
    • new requirements relating to training in modern technology such as electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS)
    • new requirements for marine environment awareness training and training in leadership and teamwork
    • new training and certification requirements for electro-technical officers and electro-technical ratings
    • updating of competence requirements for personnel serving on board all types of tankers, including new requirements for personnel serving on liquefied gas tankers
    • new requirements for security training, as well as provisions to ensure that seafarers are properly trained to cope in the event of attack by pirates
    • introduction of modern training methods including distance learning and web-based learning new training guidance for personnel serving on board ships operating in polar waters
    • new training guidance for personnel operating dynamic positioning systems
    • new training guidance for personnel serving on board off-shore support vessels

    The Conference will also consider 16 draft resolutions, relating, among other things, to the provision of accommodation for trainees aboard ships; attracting new entrants to and retaining seafarers within the maritime profession; promotion of the participation of women in the maritime industry; standards of training and certification; and ships' manning levels. The date for implementation of any changes will also be considered at the Conference.

    The propositions and the location of the Conference are of course timely, this having been declared ‘Year of the Seafarer' and with some of the dramatic events we have witnessed recently at sea, not least the ongoing Deepwater Horizon tragedy, and the huge upsurge in Piracy

    For more information on freight and cargo shipping, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    www.pack-n-send.com

     

    Tags: freight shipping, crating packing shipping, freight, cargo shipping

    Don't Forget About Hurricane Season

    Posted on Fri, Jun 11, 2010

    While pack n send has been concentrating on the effects of the oil spill in the Gulf, we need to remember how hurricanes can affect both Houston Shipping as well as general freight and cargo shipping throughout the region.

    US - CARIBBEAN - With the start of the hurricane season now officially upon us lives will doubtless be lost at sea, some unnecessarily, and the advice from the Texas  Coast Gurad applies equally to all at risk from a big blow. The   Marine Safety Information Bulletin  regarding severe weather safety planning issued by the Houston - Galveston sector this week offers sound advice to all mariners, and port side operators, likely to be at risk from the storms.

    Using the experience gleaned from other catastrophic storms such as Hurricanes Rita (2005) and IKE (2008) the Guard have compiled an eight point plan which, although specific to the area of their jurisdiction, would equally serve seafarers and dock operators anywhere in the ‘at risk' zones.

    A revised précis of the plan is as follows:

    1) Deep Draft vessels should leave port well in advance of a threatened storm.

    2) Such vessels unable to leave port should advise local authorities and issue a declaration of their intent to remain in port where necessary. These ships are generally at far greater risk whilst in port than on the open sea.

    3) Commercial boat and barge tows (tugs etc.) that usually ply their trade on intra coastal waterways should leave the threatened area completely as early as possible or, if unable to do so, to head inland as far as possible and make use of any available shelter. Cargo vulnerability (hazardous goods etc) should be given special consideration and local advice sought.

    4) Commercial fishing vessels should plan ahead for locations of safe shelter. During prior storms, vessels that sought sheltered moorings and kept a live watch onboard to tend lines and apply horsepower fared best. Once again when threatened by an approaching storm, commercial fishing vessels should leave port or find shelter as far inland as possible to avoid damage during a storm's passage.

    5) Skippers should establish if there are plans to relocate Coast Guard offices and other responsible authorities during the severe weather and ensure communications are possible.

    6) Facilities with storage tanks, missile hazards, dangerous cargoes, and container and pallet stacks are encouraged to take positive action to secure or remove these entities should they be threatened. Flying objects such as these pose a major threat to lives and property

    7) Waterfront facilities are encouraged to conduct an annual survey prior to the Hurricane Season. Also, each facility should have an emergency survey at their docks as soon as possible after a hurricane passes.

    8) Local authorities and those responsible should conduct inspections of all susceptible items prior to and immediately after a storm with attention paid to such items as hoses etc which should be drained and secured.

    This article was reprinted from the handy shipping guide.

    Pack n send will provide further hurricane preparation updates as we find are relevant to this hurricane season.

    For more information about Houston shipping and freight preparation, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    www.pack-n-send.com

     

     

     

    Tags: international shipping, cargo, cargo shipping

    Good News for New Orleans Cargo Shipping

    Posted on Wed, Jun 09, 2010

    -Freight Shipping & Receiving 

     Tanker Cleaned Offshore with Minimal Delays

    This news release is reprinted with permission of the Port of New Orleans.

    Mississippi River remains open and unrestricted

    Update no. 9-- A tanker heading upriver requested to be cleaned this morning after encountering oil. The tanker was cleaned by two offshore work boats outfitted with fire hoses. The cleaning process took about 30 minutes to complete, and was conducted roughly 4 miles away from the entrance to the Mississippi River at Southwest Pass around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

    The tanker was inspected further after it entered Southwest Pass, where two launch vessels equipped with pressure washers are stationed to conduct more detailed cleaning while the ship is slowly moving upriver. No oil was detected at the second cleaning site and the vessel proceeded upriver.

    The tanker was not calling the Port of New Orleans, but was headed to another facility elsewhere on the lower Mississippi River.

    A few other vessels were inspected this morning but did not require cleaning.

    The Mississippi River remains open to maritime traffic, and no ship calls have been canceled because of the spill.

    Pack n send has been paying attention to freight and cargo shipping out of the Port of New Orleans.

    With this press release, it looks like good News for the Louisiana coast.

    For information about shipping freight out of the port of Houston, or other ports throughout the world, please contact pack n send at  713 266 1450.

    Tags: freight shipping, international shipping, cargo, cargo shipping

    US Rail Software Will Optimize Freight and Passenger Movements

    Posted on Tue, Jun 08, 2010

    US - The use of new technology, rail computer software which analyses traffic flow information and planned schedules and then optimizing the routes that train should take has been undergoing tests on a 200 mile stretch of track in Georgia. The system, GE Rail Edge Movement Planner, was thoroughly trialed by rail giant Norfolk Southern after an approach from GE  Transportation, and the results appear remarkable.

    Norfolk Southern is expanding the technology's use to its entire 22-state rail network through 2012. Movement Planner will help Norfolk Southern increase the average network speed train velocity of its trains by 10-20 percent, representing a significant opportunity for cost savings and train delay reductions. The companies say that by integrating railroad logistics with traffic control systems, the technology projects expected track usage, based on train schedules, and then produces an optimized plan to get trains moving faster and more efficiently. By maximizing existing railroad resources, Rail Edge also improves railroad crew management availability.

    "With railroads, it's about scale," said Wick Moorman, CEO of Norfolk Southern. "GE's Rail Edge supports incremental routing and speed improvements down to the individual train level. That will add up to sizeable efficiency gains on a 2,500-train per day, 21,000-route mile system like ours. When we make the best use of our existing transportation infrastructure, that's a competitive advantage for our customers and for the country."

    Pack n send has  published this article from handy shipping guide as service to our customers. Pack n send has ships cargo from Houston as well as the rest of the nation. We also ship furniture via freight and ship internationally both via cubic meters and containers.

    For more information about the ways pack n send can help make your freight shipping easy, please call us at  713 266 1450.

    www.pack-n-send.com

     

     

    Tags: freight shipping, freight, international shipping, furniture shipping, countries we ship to

    US Truck Safety Event Scheduled For Next Week

    Posted on Fri, Jun 04, 2010

    US - The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) will conduct its annual Roadcheck event, June 8-10, at more than 1,500 locations across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial vehicles in the world. The event mobilizes thousands of federal, state, provincial and local inspectors to conduct comprehensive North American Standard (NAS) Level I Inspections and other related roadside enforcement activities.

    The CVSA is an international not-for-profit organization comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal motor carrier safety officials and industry representatives from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It has representation on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee and the mission of the organisation is to promote safety in the field of commercial vehicle safety.

    The majority of Roadcheck safety inspections are not performed at random. Inspectors target trucks and drivers for inspection based upon the safety record or previous inspection records of the motor carrier, the driver, or upon the observation skills of the trained inspectors.

    Last year, 9,683 CVSA and FMCSA certified inspectors at 2,145 locations across North America performed a record 72,255 truck and bus inspections. Of that total, there were 56,486 NAS Level I inspections, the most comprehensive roadside inspection. Road check 2009's record total of overall inspections and Level I inspections showed significant declines in vehicle and driver OOS rates, as well as a significant drop in safety belt violations. Data show the highest overall vehicle compliance rate - 80.4 percent - since 1996, and the highest overall driver compliance rate - 95.7 percent - ever. For NAS Level I inspections, the compliance rates of 77.8 percent (vehicles) and 96.1 percent (drivers) were both records for Roadcheck, and represented 7.1 and 20.4 percent improvements respectively over 2008's totals.

    The event is supported by a wide spectrum of interested commercial vehicle industry parties including the American Trucking Association's (ATA), FMCSA, state enforcement agencies, and other safety organizations all of whom will kick off the event at an international press conference at Fed Ex Field in Landover, Maryland at 10am on the 8th June.

    "ATA has supported CVSA's annual Roadcheck since its inception and has worked cooperatively with CVSA to determine emphasis areas," American Trucking Associations (ATA) Vice President of Safety Policy Rob Abbott said. "Roadcheck is a very beneficial program since it spotlights the importance of roadside enforcement and focuses limited state and local resources on unsafe operators. ATA looks forward to this year's Roadcheck results which we anticipate will reflect the industry's improved safety record, as they have consistently done in years past."

    This article was printed in Handy Shipping Guide. Pack n send has re printed it here as a service to our customers. If you or your company need help with domestic  or international shipping, crating and or freighting, please fell free to call pack ‘n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: freight, International Moving, less than load freight

    DHL to the Rescue-Guatemala

    Posted on Thu, Jun 03, 2010

    Pack n send is reprinting this article form the handy shipping guide. DHL is offering  humanitarian aid to Guatemala.

    GUATEMALA - The problems faced in Europe by the recent volcanic eruptions in Iceland, with the resultant ash clouds disrupting air traffic, pale into insignificance when compared to the disaster unfolding this week south of Mexico. The double disaster of Pacaya, the giant active volcano which sits less than 20 miles from Guatemala City erupting, coupled with tropical storm Agatha sweeping the region has left over 100 dead, thousands homeless and the country virtually cut off from international assistance.

    With the reopening of the main airport on Tuesday the DHL Disaster Response Team (DRT) for Americas were amongst the first to arrive to try to assist in alleviating some of the logistical problems associated with any such disaster. A team of 20 DRT volunteers deployed yesterday at La Aurora Airport in Guatemala City and began to set up a temporary, professional warehouse, including sorting facilities and making a full inventory of donated goods. Depending on the situation the mission is expected to last for 7-10 days initially.

    Due to its international presence in over 220 countries, DHL can deploy its trained volunteers quickly to any severely affected area around the globe. Out of the 450 DHL employees in Guatemala, 32 are trained DRT volunteers, essential in a country where volcanoes cause problems regularly, most of whom usually work in different business units of DHL Guatemala. Everywhere, the DHL DRTs work on a pro-bono basis as part of the companies Corporate Responsibility Programme.

    DHL can respond in this fashion partly because of the agreement they signed last year with the National Coordinator for Emergency Disaster Risk Reduction (CONRED). Once called on by the local authorities, this Memorandum of Understanding gives the DRT the option for a swift deployment as well as the immediate set up of the necessary logistics for the handling of relief goods at the airport.

    In 2005, DHL entered into a partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) in the area of Disaster Management. DHL's global DRT network consists of three teams which are assigned to a specific geographic region covering Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean and the Middle East and Africa. Each of these teams consists of a pool of about 80 specially trained DHL employees, who - in addition to their normal job - have volunteered to take part in the pro-bono humanitarian efforts.

    The DRT can be deployed to a crisis area within 72 hours and for a period of up to three weeks. By that time, the initial wave of international charter aircraft bringing in aid supplies has normally subsided to a level that is manageable by local authorities. Up to fifteen members of the team are present at any point in time during the deployment.

    Gilberto Castro, Disaster Response Team Manager for Americas, said: "Due to our global presence we have 32 DRT volunteers in Guatemala ready for an immediate deployment. In times of disaster, time is essential and we are glad to be able to provide a quick and efficient service to support the local relief efforts."

    Rainer Wend, Executive Vice President Public Policy and Responsibility, says: "It is important that the worst affected areas in Guatemala will receive essential goods such as water, food and aid material as quickly as possible. I am therefore glad that we have been asked by the Guatemalan government to bring in our logistics expertise at the main airport to help manage incoming goods and so make the relief efforts run as quickly as possible."

    For information on freight and cargo shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.  As more information is posted about the relief efforts in Guatemala, we will try and keep our customers updated on this situation.

     

     

    Tags: freight shipping, freight, cargo, countries we ship to

    Upbeat Article about the Economy

    Posted on Tue, Jun 01, 2010

    US - Once again the American  Trucking  Association advance seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage  Index  increased for the sixth time in the last seven months, gaining another 0.9 percent in April. Together with a 0.4% increase in the previous month means the Index hit its highest level since September 2008 at 110.2 up six and a half percent in the last seven months. 2010's year to date tonnage is up six percent against 2009.

    ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said that the latest tonnage reading fits with a sustained economic recovery. "Truck tonnage volumes continue to improve at a solid, yet sustainable, rate. Tonnage is being boosted by robust manufacturing output and stronger retail sales." Costello also reiterated a statement from last month's release, saying: "For most fleets, freight volumes feel better than reported tonnage because the supply situation, particularly in the truckload sector, is turning quickly."

    The ATA say, with some authority, that truck freight offers a snapshot of the nation's health and serves as a barometer of the U.S. economy, representing 68 percent of tonnage carried by all modes of domestic freight transportation, including manufactured and retail goods. Trucks hauled 8.8 billion tons of freight in 2009. Motor carriers collected $544.4 billion, or 81.9 percent of total revenue earned by all transport modes. The ATA index has functioned for over thirty years and is based on responses from a sample of its 37,000 members who range from major national less than truckload (LTL) operations to small local carriers.

    Pack n send is posting this article on our website taken from handy shipping guide.  Once again we are able to post a positive article for the shipping and freight industry.

    For any questions about freight and cargo shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

     

     

    Tags: freight shipping, freight, cargo shipping, furniture shipping

    ~~~~This Memorial Day~~~

    Posted on Fri, May 28, 2010

    MAY GOD BLESS THIS AIRLINE CAPTAIN:

    He  writes: My lead flight attendant came to me and said, "We  have an H.R. on this flight." (H.R. stands for human remains.) "Are they military?" I  asked.

    'Yes',  she said.

    'Is there an escort?' I asked.

    'Yes, I already assigned him a seat'.

    'Would you please tell him to come to the flight deck. You can board him early," I said..

    A short while later, a young army sergeant entered the flight deck. He was the image of the  perfectly  dressed soldier.  He introduced himself and I asked him about his soldier. The escorts of  these fallen soldiers talk about them as if they are still alive and still with us.

    "My soldier is on his way back to Virginia,'  he said.  He proceeded to answer my questions,  but offered no words.

    I asked him if there was anything I could do for him and he said no. I told him that he had the toughest  job in the military and that I appreciated the  work that he does for the families of our fallen soldiers. The first officer and I got up out of our seats to shake his hand.  He left the flight deck to find his seat.

    We completed our preflight checks, pushed back and performed an uneventful departure.  About  30 minutes into our flight I received a call from the lead flight attendant in the cabin. 'I  just found out  the family of the soldier we are carrying, is on board', she said.  She then proceeded to tell me that the father, mother, wife and 2-year old daughter were escorting their son, husband, and father home.  The family was upset because they were unable to see the container that the soldier was in before we left.  We were on our way to a major hub at which the family was going to wait four hours for the connecting flight home to Virginia  .

    The father of the soldier told the flight attendant that  knowing his son was below him in the cargo compartment  and being unable to see him was too much for him and the family to bear.  He had  asked the flight attendant if there was anything that could be done to allow them to see him upon our arrival. The family wanted to be outside by the cargo door to watch the soldier being taken off the airplane.. I could hear  the desperation in the flight attendants voice when she  asked me if there was anything I could do.. 'I'm on  it', I said. I told her that I would get back to her.

    Airborne communication with my company normally occurs in the  form of  e-mail like messages.  I decided to bypass this system and contact my flight dispatcher directly on a secondary radio. There is a radio operator in the operations control center who connects you to the telephone of the dispatcher. I was in direct contact with the dispatcher..  I  explained the situation I had on board with the family and what it was the family wanted. He said he understood and that he would get back to me.

    Two hours went by and I had not heard from the dispatcher.  We were going to get busy soon and I needed to know what to tell the family.  I sent a text  message asking for an update.  I  saved the return  message from the dispatcher and the following is the text:

    'Captain, sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. There  is policy on this now and I had to check on a few  things. Upon your arrival a dedicated escort team will  meet the aircraft.  The team will  escort the family to the ramp and plane side.  A van will be used to load the remains with a secondary van for the family.  The family will be taken to their departure area and escorted into the terminal where the remains can be seen on the ramp.  It is a private area for the family only.  When the connecting aircraft arrives, the family will be escorted onto the ramp and plane side to watch the remains being loaded for the final leg home. Captain, most of us here in flight control are veterans.    Please pass our condolences on to the family.  Thanks.'

    I sent a message back telling flight control thanks for a good job. I printed out the message and gave it to the lead flight  attendant to pass on to the father.  The lead flight  attendant was very thankful and told me, 'You have no idea how much this will mean to them.'

    Things started getting busy for the descent, approach and  landing. After landing, we cleared the runway  and taxied to the ramp area.  The ramp is huge with 15 gates on either side of the alleyway.  It  is always a busy area with aircraft maneuvering every which way to enter and exit. When we entered the ramp and checked in with the ramp controller,  we were told that all traffic was being held for us.

    'There is a team in place to meet the  aircraft', we were told.  It looked like it was all coming  together, then I  realized that once we turned the  seat belt sign off,  everyone would stand up at  once and delay the family from  getting off the airplane. As we approached our gate, I asked the  copilot to tell the ramp controller we were going to stop  short of the gate to make an  announcement to the passengers.   He did that and the ramp controller said, 'Take your time.'

    I  stopped the aircraft and set the parking brake.   I pushed the public address button and said,  'Ladies and gentleman, this is  your Captain speaking I  have stopped short of our gate to make a  special announcement.  We have a passenger on board who deserves our honor and respect.  His Name is  Private XXXXXX,  a soldier who recently lost his life.   Private XXXXXX is  under your feet in the cargo hold.  Escorting him today is  Army Sergeant  XXXXXXX.  Also, on board are his father, mother, wife, and daughter.  Your entire  flight crew is  asking for all passengers to remain in their seats to  allow the  family to exit the aircraft first. Thank you.'

    We continued the turn to the gate, came to a stop and  started our shutdown procedures.  A couple of  minutes later I opened the cockpit door. I  found the two forward flight  attendants crying,  something you just do not see.  I was told  that  after we came to a stop, every passenger on the aircraft  stayed in their seats, waiting for the family to exit  the aircraft.

    When the family got up and gathered their things, a  passenger slowly started to clap his hands.   Moments later more passengers  joined in and soon  the entire aircraft was clapping.  Words  of 'God  Bless You', I'm sorry, thank you, be proud, and other kind   words were uttered to the family as they made their  way down the  aisle and out of the airplane. They  were escorted down to  the ramp to finally be with  their loved one.

    Many of the passengers disembarking thanked me for the  announcement I  had made.  They were just words, I  told them,  I could  say them over and over again,  but nothing I say will bring back  that brave soldier.

    I  respectfully ask that all of you reflect on this event  and the sacrifices that millions of our men and women  have made to ensure  our freedom and safety in these  United  States of AMERICA .

    For more information about this post, please call us at 713 266 1450.

     

     

     

    Tags: Announcements

    President Obama Pushing For Higher Fuel Standards

    Posted on Mon, May 24, 2010

     

    President Obama Pushing For Higher Fuel Standards

    US - Much lobbying from  freight trucking interests culminated in a White House meeting on Friday when President Obama signed a presidential memorandum before industry leaders including carriers, engine manufacturers and truck builders, directing the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop national standards for fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions for heavy- and medium-duty trucks. The  (ATA), who recommended the benchmarks be adopted in their Sustainability Task Force (STF) recommendation two years ago, was well represented at the ceremony.

    ATA Chairman Tommy Hodges, who chaired the STF for three years, said:

    "I would like to thank the members of the Task Force, and the ATA Board of Directors, who created the Task Force in 2007. They had great foresight, and they have positioned ATA well to be at the front of the fuel economy issue. They have put ATA on the road to affecting a solution that is beneficial for the environment, the public, and for all of trucking.

    "President Obama told us this morning that this could be a model of industry and government cooperation in developing beneficial regulations," Hodges said. "We set out in 2007 to have the trucking industry become leaders on this issue when the EPA would begin to regulate truck fuel economy. Today we reached one of our goals. ATA's members and staff have given the industry an opportunity to have significant input on this issue."

    After a meeting with EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson he continued:

    "She acknowledged that the trucking industry has made huge advances in reducing the emissions of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides from trucks. Unfortunately, some advances have come at the cost of a reduction in fuel economy and a slight increase in carbon dioxide output. Now we have the opportunity to fix that and substantially increase our fuel economy."

    The intention of the ATA is to correct what they see as unproductive truck and combination weight categories, standardize the national speed limit at 65 mph, with governors to ensure compliance on trucks, update the interstate highway system and various other measures to make vehicles more productive.

    President Obama himself said that products and technologies available today could improve fuel economy by 25 percent and that the new regulations should be completed in 2011 and go into effect starting with model year 2014 equipment. The move is considered an important first step toward a big reduction in emission levels coupled with a countrywide reduction in fuel consumption for trucks shipping freight across the country. This memorandum follows last year's instructions for a similar program for smaller vehicles.

    "Instead of fighting higher standards, auto manufacturers are engaged in a race to meet them. And over the next five years, we expect fuel efficiency standards in cars and light trucks to reach an average of 35.5 miles per gallon," he said.

    "Today's announcement is an essential part of our energy strategy, but it's not a substitute for other necessary steps to ensure our leadership in a new clean energy economy," he added, reiterating his support for Senators' Lieberman and Kerry's energy and climate change bill.

    Pack n send has printed this article taken from Handy Shipping Guide.

    Pack n send is constantly looking for ways to improve the environment, and ship our cargo in a safer more efficient way. For  information about out recycling efforts, or freight shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: freight shipping, freight, cargo, furniture freighting

    Way to clean up the Oil Spill

    Posted on Thu, May 20, 2010

     

    Containment and recovery (Civilian Flotilla)

    By pgray

    May 19, 2010, 9:32PM

    By pgray

    May 19, 2010, 9:32PM

    A large and growing chunk of the Gulf is covered with a layer of $70 per barrel oil. If you have a sea-worthy boat and maritime expertise, you can contain and recover AND SELL that oil.
    Anyone with a vessel suitable for deploying booms on the open ocean can assist in the containment of the Gulf Slick. You will need to deploy a chain of booms around an area of slick. You will then need a mechanism to tighten the boom chain, reducing the enclosed area and deepening the trapped oil. One method would be to support the boomline with 3/8 cable. To close your trap, thread the free end of the cable through the first boom and reel in the cable, detaching booms as you go. As the oil deepens, it will reduce wave action, preventing emulsification, as well as splashing and wind-borne spray. The excess booms can then be used to contain another portion of the slick. Extend a tube connected to your pump and storage tank beneath the boom chain. An auxiliary fuel tank with 5000 gallon capacity will hold almost 1200 barrels or $8400 worth of crude. On the end of this tube, fit a flat piece of material heavier than oil, but lighter than water such that it will support the mouth of the tube above the waterline, but immersed in oil. As the oil is recovered, continue to tighten the boom line to maintain the flow of oil into the pipe. It may be necessary to attach floats and weights to the tube to maintain optimum position in varying conditions. As lighter fractions are recovered, the degrading oil beneath the surface can be recovered. Adjustment of the intake depth may be required. Recovery vessels must be vented to prevent buildup of volatile gases.
    For those with barges, go for the mother-lode. Encircle the area where new oil surfaces. Employ multiple intakes to stop the slick.
    If you are interested, or know others who might want to get in on this. pass it on. If you have questions or comments, please respond Thanks Phil 903-780-5644

    Pack n send has been monitoring web sites with comments about the oil spill.  While most of them are discussing blame, we found this on the City of New Orlans web site. It is one of the comments listed that not only offered a possible solution, but also suggests a call to action.

     

    While pack n send can ship their cargo out of the port of Houston, businesses in New Orleans are directly impacted by this oil spill. Trucking of cargo to the port of Houston will cost businesses additional expenses that could have been avoided.

    Phil has sent this to Horizon support - a task force put together by the government and BP.  Phil is still waiting to hear if they are going to use his idea. The coast guard also puts their ideas through Horizon support. He is hoping that the government will raise the depth of the spill and then surround the spill with barges.  Private industry could help in this recovery since they already have 5000 gallon auxiliary tanks. 

     

    For information on cargo shipping out of the port of Houston, please contact pack n send at  713 266 1450.

    Tags: international shipping, cargo, cargo shipping

    More Freight delays due to Volcanic Activity

    Posted on Mon, May 17, 2010

    Pack n send is once again publishing reports of delayed freight shipments to the volcanic eruption in Iceland.

    While the winds had improved for much of Europe during the last few weeks, they have once again changed and are causing problems for both England and other parts of Europe.

    This travel disruption effects both human and cargo travel.

    The latest update was provided by Handy Shipping News.

    Pack n send is able to prepare your freight and cargo shipments for shipping. We are watching newscasts and keeping our customers up to date on cargo delays. A the current time we are able to store your freight as it awaits departure.

     

    UK - Another few days, or possibly weeks, of misery face UK shipping interests as warnings were issued today that the high altitude cloud of fine debris drifting in from Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano after another series of eruptions poured huge quantities of fine ash into the atmosphere, may suspend all passenger and cargo flight bringing despair to British exporters and importers, their suppliers and customers

    Once again our readers are referred to the websites of the relevant authorities. The current cloud is likely to start to encroach on British airspace from the North of Scotland moving rapidly to prohibit any traffic from the South East of England due to the prevailing winds. The area is likely to include all of Britain's main airports including Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.

    Yesterday we reported that the cloud had fallen to around 18,000 feet at it's highest point but the latest eruptions, encouraged by local weather, meant that the settled ceiling of ash has risen to around 21,000 feet although this should remain lower than a level which would seriously disrupt transatlantic travel for those not traveling to or from the affected UK airports. Above the volcano itself heavy quantities of ash reach over 27,000 feet (around 8 kilometres).

     

    For more information on international freight shipping, please feel free to contact pack-n-send at  713 266 1450.

    www.pack-n-send.com

    Tags: international shipping, cargo

    Countries We Ship To

    Posted on Wed, May 12, 2010

    Pack n send receives many phone calls about our international shipping services. We are providing the list of countries that we ship to so that our customers have a handy guide to look at.  We offer air, ground, cubic meter, freight  and container shipping options. Once you call us and let you know what you would like to ship, we can help you by providing  you with the most cost effective option for you shipping needs.

    Afghanistan
    Albania
    Algeria
    American Samoa
    Andorra
    Angola
    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Aruba
    Australia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahamas
    Bahrain
    Bangladesh
    Barbados
    Baruba
    Belarus
    Belize
    Belgium
    Benin
    Bermuda
    Bhutan
    Bolivia|
    Bonaire
    Botswana
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Brazil
    Brittish Virgin Islands
    Brunei
    Bulgaria
    Burkina Faso
    Burundi
    Cambodia
    Cameroon
    Canada
    Cape Verde
    Cayman Islands
    Chile
    China
    Colombia
    Congo
    Congo Republic of
    Cook island
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Curaco
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Denmark
    Djibouti
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    DPR of Korea Republic
    East Timor
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    Eritrea
    Estonia
    Ethiopia |
    Faeroe Islands
    Falkland Islands
    Faroc Islands
    Fiji
    Finland
    France
    French Guinana
    French Polynesia
    Gabon
    The Gambia
    Germany
    Georgia
    Ghana
    Gibraltar
    Ginvea-Bissau
    Ginvea-Exquatorial
    Greece
    Greenland
    Grenada
    Guadeloupe
    Guam
    Guatemala
    Guernsey
    Guinea
    Guinea Republic
    Guyana

    Haiti
    Honduras
    Hong Kong
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Iran-Islamic Republic of Tersey
    Iraq
    Ireland
    Israel
    Italy
    Ivory Coast
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Kenya
    Kiribati
    Korpa
    Kosovo
    Kosrae Island
    Kuwait
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lao People's Democratic Republic
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lebanon
    Lesotho
    Liberia
    Libya
    Libyan Arab Jamahiriy
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macao
    Macedonia
    Madagascar
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mali
    Malta
    Marshall Islands
    Martinique
    Mauritania
    Mauritius
    Mayotte
    Mexico
    Micronesia
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Mongolia
    Montenegro
    Montserrat
    Morocco
    Mozambique
    Namibia
    Nauru
    Nepal
    Netherlands
    Netherlands Antilles
    New Caledonia
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Nive
    Northern Mariana Islands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    |Palau
    Palestine
    Panama
    Papa New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Phillipines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Puerto Rico
    Qatar

    Republic of Nevis
    Reunion
    Romania
    Rota
    Russia
    Rwanda
    Saba
    Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
    Samoa
    San Marino
    Sao Tome and Principe
    Saudi Arabia
    Senegal
    Serbia
    Seychelles
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    Slovak Republic
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Solomon Islands
    Somalia
    Somaliand
    South Africa
    South Korea
    Spain
    Sri Lanka
    St. Barthelemy
    St. Croix
    St. Eustatius
    St. John
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    St. Vincent
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Swaziland
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Syria
    Tadjikistan
    Tahiti
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Tinian
    Tonga
    Tongo
    Tortola
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Truk
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Turkmenistan
    Tuvalu
    Uganda
    Ukraine
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    United States of America
    U.S. Virgin Islands
    U.S. Virgin Islands(Brittish)
    Uruguay
    Uzbekistan
    Vanuatu
    Vatican City
    Venezuela
    Vietnam
    Virgin Gorda
    Wallis and Futuna
    Yemen
    Zambia
    Zimbabwe

     

    For more information about international shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: international shipping, furniture shipping, countries we ship to

    More Freight Companies Either Purchasing or Leasing Cargo Planes

    Posted on Mon, May 10, 2010

    Good news for economic outlook

    Malaysia Airlines Cargo and Southern Air have announced that they have entered into a multi year aircraft lease agreement.

    Why is this good for the United States ?   Maskargo had a nine year absence from the US market.  They now have a viable plan in place enter the United State through China.

    This is a multi year deal. This shows their positive viewpoint that air freight volumes in both the Asia-Pacific and Americas is about to recover.

    They want to restart flights to the United States of
    America after a nine year absence. As quoted by on Sharma Suleiman , "After looking at the US market very carefully we can find a viable plan with Southern Air to enter the US through China.

    Suleiman also stated "After a very comprehensive evaluation process, we have selected Southern Air to provide us with the freighter services capacity to meet our demands until the end of next year. As the air freight market has shown encouraging signs of growth in recent months, we are excited that we can offer our customers more value from our new partnership with Southern Air."

    At this point the  project is through the end of next year.

    Southern Air will provide, crews, maintenance, and aircraft.

    With the announcement that  Fed Ex  agreed  to purchase six additional B777F air freighters for its fleet it looks as if the larges air- cargo airline in the world is viewing the current economic downturn as merely a temporary business environment.  Fed Ex will purchase four B777fs from Boeing. They are planning on purchasing two additional B777F air freights from additional sources.

    Including this new order Fed Ex has placed orders for a total of thirty eight B777F aircraft.  Four of these have already been placed into service.

    It looks like Fed Ex is taking a forward looking stance on the worldwide economy.  The Asia-Pacific and Americas regions appear to be the target areas for Fed Ex's optimistic views.

    From our perspective, the orders placed over time, will give the worldwide economy time to heal and reboot before all of Fed Ex's orders are received.

    In our business we have noticed a current decrease in air shipping, and an increase in cargo going both by cubic meters and via containerized shipments. Customers appear to still be very price conscious and wary about expending funds.

    With two major companies announcing new air craft pack n send sees a very optimistic future in the  air freight shipping industry.

    For more information on international shipping and freight shipping, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: freight shipping, freight, cargo, cargo shipping

    New Service Offered for Freight and Moving Trucks

    Posted on Thu, May 06, 2010

     

    This network that is being set up to assist in freight shipping will help companies keep freight shipments on time. It also gives driver consistently priced towing services it they have problems with their trucks. Having reliable service when drivers are on the road is a great addition to the freight forwarding and moving industries.

    USA - Schneider National has joined a new, national towing group aimed at bringing greater collaboration and fairer pricing to the towing services available to motor carriers. One of the United States largest  truck load providers and a premier supplier of transportation, logistics and inter modal services, Schneider is the biggest member to date to join the towing network.

    Starting last month, and with 20,000 members, The Towing Network is a full-service, national heavy-duty towing and road service dispatch organization, providing towing services to motor carriers large and small.

    The organization is dedicated to bridging the gap that often exists between towing companies and motor carriers, offering fair and consistent pricing and giving motor carriers a one-call-does-it-all towing solution to meet their needs.

    "We are a company made up of towers supporting towers," said the Networks President, Jeff St. Pierre, a member of the towing industry for more than 12 years.

    "At the same time, we know that to be successful, towers need to build positive, lasting relationships with customers. We're going to do just that by providing a quality service for a fair price, sharing a like-minded approach to conducting business and promoting a professional image for the towing community."

    According to St. Pierre, the Towing Network's rates are established by a board of towing experts with an average of 25 years of towing industry experience. The group's model to make rates more predictable and improve service should provide welcome news to the motor carrier community, as fair and consistent pricing allows motor carriers can better plan for and budget their emergency and breakdown needs.

    "Standardizing the quality of service and the rates charged is long overdue in the towing community," said Rob Reich, vice president, Maintenance Operations, Schneider National.

    "We applaud the Towing Network for their efforts to raise the bar. Our drivers deserve top-notch service when there's an accident or disabled equipment. The Towing Network allows us to better support drivers when they need it most."

    The Towing Network is currently actively looking for partner towing companies with a solid reputation and the ability to serve large motor carrier customers with heavy-duty towing, recovery and road service services.

    Pack n send is posting this article from the handy shipping guide. Any services that we can offer drivers are  a plus to our industry.

    If you have any questions about freight forwarding, or moving, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    www.pack-n-send.com

    Tags: freight shipping, furniture freighting

    Freight Receiving Houston

    Posted on Thu, Apr 29, 2010

    Pack n send receives freight for both furniture manufactures and individuals. Trucks pull up to our warehouse, unload and then go on to their next destination.

    We receive both pallets and individual pieces of furniture.

    All our customer needs to do is give us the delivery address, and we set up the delivery appointment with the final recipient.

    We also receive merchandise for local stores and delivery it to their final customers.

    Pack n send also freights furniture all over the world. From everything to an individual piece of furniture, to and entire container, pack n send can handle your furniture freighting needs.

    For more information, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

     

    Tags: freight shipping, freight, furniture freighting

    Interesting article about freight shipping in the United Kingdom

    Posted on Wed, Apr 28, 2010

    Taken from Handy shipping guide

    UK - All too often we mean well when it comes to doing our bit for the environment. On a personal level the whole thing is comparatively simple, recycle, don't leave the taps running etc., but in truth most of those involved in shipping cargo around the country still trust it almost exclusively to road transport, and with good reason.

    Freight usually requires carriage by   truck at either or both ends of its journey, and the temptation is to employ the same method for the whole trip. Obviously rail gets a look in on the longer runs for bulk cargoes but the UK simply isn't big enough to warrant many commodities traveling this way.

    Not many people realize that since 2003 there has been a UK-based, not for profit organization, launched specifically to encourage and facilitate freight movements by water. Britain of course has a long history of using its canals and rivers to encourage and develop trade but with the advent of the railways and the haulage system it is now an underused resource.

    Freight by Water promotes the movement of UK domestic freight and near continental traffic using short sea, coastal and inland waterborne transport and is recognized by the Government as the UK's official short sea promotion organization. What might encourage more interest would be if potential users were aware of the whole panoply of  grants and incentives which are available to them to encourage more water based carriage, and for which Freight by Water can give advice and assistance.

    These financial incentives include Freight Facilities and Waterborne Freight Grants, Mode Shift Revenue Support Grant, the Marco Polo scheme and Trans European Network (TEN-T) etc.

    The organization points out that with 7,500 miles of coastline and over 300 miles of commercially navigable inland waterways still remaining this is a resource sorely under utilized. Potential users might be well advised to contact the organization and to research the possibilities of an inter modal shift for the sake of the environment and, potentially, their own pockets.

    Pack n send has been recycling for years. We are always looking at new and interesting ways to ship freight and protect the environment.

    For more information on Houston freight shipping and freight shipping worldwide, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: freight shipping, crating packing shipping, freight

    Time to sell on eBay in Houston

    Posted on Tue, Apr 27, 2010

     It is once again spring cleaning time.  For our eBay customers this means extra money in their pockets.

    Weather we are shipping pieces of furniture as freight from Houston, or wrapping and shipping fine china, we are able to help our customers sell their items on eBay.

    We even list items from estates and then ship them all over the country. 

    We can custom crate their sales, or just box up and ship the less expensive eBay items.

    We offer both domestic and international shipping for all eBay items.  If your final customer is in Kazakhstan, Italy or Omaha, we can ship your eBay sale.

    Our eBay customers drop off their items to sell. We do the research, list the item, answer all questions, ship the item, and then cut our customers a check.

    eBay selling in Houston is made easy at pack n send.

    For all your eBay needs in Houston and shipping needs, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    www.pack-n-send.com

     

    Tags: Houston ebay shipping, Houston shipping companies, furniture shipping

    Freight Shipping Returning to Normal in Europe

    Posted on Fri, Apr 23, 2010

     

    Pack n send is updating information about  freight movement throughout Europe.  With air traffic returning to normal freight is once again moving throughout Europe.


    As we receive updated information, we will continue to post it on our website.

    The current article was taken from Handy Shipping Guide 

    UK - One of the UK's largest  movers  of export airfreight shipments, Air Menzies International (AMI), has reported that they are getting shipments back on track after the disruption caused by the eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano last week.

    As more air lines re-establish normal operations in Europe, AMI state that they are rapidly clearing backlogged cargo at their warehouses, mainly thanks to their holding of large amounts of pre-booked space aboard flights, and are able to accept new booking and cargo consignments.

    Sharon Wright, AMI's Vice President Europe, said: "Now the airlines are flying again, our pre-booked allocations with most major carriers will help to move our customers' traffic quickly."

    She added that this situation should serve as a warning to both industry and the authorities on the importance of contingency planning saying that:

    "Hopefully we have all learned some lessons. Airlines - particularly freighter operators - need to look at ways of working around a problem like this, by quickly adopting alternative gateways outside the no-fly zone, which we could then feed by road.

    "On a government level, there must be a Europe-wide contingency  plan  in place, should such a situation ever arise again."

    For your freight forwarding or custom packing needs needs, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: International Moving, packing, send, custom packing

    Houston Air Shipping to Europe Experiencing Delays

    Posted on Thu, Apr 22, 2010

    Pack n send is still monitoring worldwide air shipping.  Our containers are leaving as scheduled, but air shipments to Europe are still delayed.   Some of the reasons for the delays in  passenger air and freight shipments are outlined in the article below.

    Sections of an article written by  JAD MOUAWAD and MATTHEW L. WALD are reproduced below

    As airlines were forced to ground flights for five days in the wake of the eruption of a volcano in Iceland, some criticized the European authorities as having overreacted and needlessly stranding millions of passengers and tons of cargo. But with flights scheduled to slowly resume Tuesday, the industry's record shows a very low level of tolerance for getting airplanes anywhere near volcanic ash.

    "We've been flying for over 100 years, but volcanoes have been around for a lot longer and frankly, they win," said Capt. Rory Kay, the head of air safety at the Air Line Pilots Association and a Boeing 757 and 767 pilot. "We have to treat them with the greatest respect."

    Even though volcanoes have always been a threat to aviation, there are no guidelines for dealing with volcanic ash clouds other than to avoid them - in contrast with the standards for dozens of other potentially hazardous situations like landing in low visibility.

    Jet engines are vulnerable to ash, which can cause engines to stall, or shut down. The ash, which acts like millions of pieces of shredded glass, can also scrape the paint off the planes or sandblast the windshield. Ash clouds are also tricky to make out, since they can resemble vapor clouds.

    "There is almost no day where there is no volcanic ash cloud somewhere in the world that people are tracking and trying to avoid," said Tom Murray, the director of the Volcano Science Center, part of the United States Geological Survey, in Anchorage. "It is that frequent. There is a lot of activity you need to keep track of."

    If you have any questions about Houston freight shipping or Houston container shipping, please feel free to contact  pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: freight shipping, less than load freight, Houston shipping companies

    Pack n send - Houston Freight Update

    Posted on Mon, Apr 19, 2010

    Pack n send is still waiting for definitive times for airport openings.  As seen by just a few sentences from A Reuters article, governments are working together in order to  open airspace. There has been no word from our freight forwarding partners as to when freight will move on schedule.

    Both Fed Ex and UPS are monitoring the situations on an hourly  basis, but have not yet established time timetable when freight will move on schedule.

    As soon as pack n send has this information at hand, we will pass it on to our customers.

    Part of an article from Reuters follows:

    BRUSSELS - European officials carved up the sky Monday, creating three zones to more quickly break the flight  deadlock caused by volcanic ash flowing from Iceland over Europe. Many more flights will be able to take off on Tuesday, the bloc said.

    European countries can resume airline traffic in designated "zones" where the threat of ash is considered less dangerous, French officials said after a meeting of the bloc's 27 transport ministers.

    Under the accord, one area - defined by the European air traffic control agency Euro control - will remain entirely off limits to flights. Another area will be open to all flights and a third area will be a caution zone in which some flights will be allowed.

    If we can answer any questions about Houston packing, Houston freight, or shipping internationally, please feel free to contact us at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: freight, International Moving, international shipping, furniture freighting, Houston shipping companies

    Freight and Personal Effects of Icelandic Volcano

    Posted on Fri, Apr 16, 2010

    As the Icelandic volcano has stranded passengers, the impact on freight forwarding and small package moving is bound to also be felt both in the United States and throughout Europe.

    Pack n send is waiting for notification from both Ups, Fed Ex, Dhl and our partners in freight forwarding in Houston in order to assess time delays for our customers.  As this information becomes available, pack n send will post the information on our web site.

    Until then we are posting the following article for our customers who may be using our luggage shipping to Europe.

    The article is By Richard Anderson , the Business reporter, BBC News.

    The fallout from the Icelandic volcano will be felt a long time after the ash has settled.

    For while the majority of flights may be back in the air by the beginning of next week, it will be many more days before the airlines have got their schedules back on track.

    And that means more delayed flights for thousands of passengers, many of whom may be under the false impression that, once the ash clears, planes will be free to fly as normal.

    "Airlines face a logistical nightmare," explains Barry Turner-Woods, contributing editor of Airlines World.

    Not only will there be a backlog of flights to clear, but planes are stranded across the world in destinations thousands of miles from where they need to be.

    Domino effect

    Flight schedules are intricate and complex, and the consequences of missing just one flight, let alone hundreds, can be far reaching.

    For example, as John Strickland, director of the aviation consultancy JLS Consulting, explains, an Air New Zealand flight from Hong Kong to London was forced to land in Frankfurt.

    As a result, it had to cancel the flight back to Hong Kong. Another of the carrier's aircraft got into London from Los Angeles before the airspace closure -but meaning it had to cancel a London to LA flight because that plane is stuck at Heathrow Airport.

    The domino effect only loses momentum once the airlines can start flying again.

    "This is a really big headache, especially for long-haul operators," says Mr Strickland.

    "Airlines rely on a carefully-planned sequence of flights. Once the sequence is broken, it is very hard to catch up, particularly on complex routes such as the UK to Asia or Australia."

    And as more airports fall under the volcanic cloud, the problem will only get worse, particularly when those airports are international hubs such as Paris and Frankfurt, both of which were closed on Friday.

    Jet lag

    The logistics involved in getting back on track are hard to grasp - it's not simply a question of waiting for the ash to clear and sending the planes on their way.

    "In some cases, airlines won't be able to stick with the same crew,"

    For updates on freight shipping in Houston and the rest of the United States, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: freight shipping, crating packing shipping, international shipping, Houston shipping companies

    Home Price Stabilization in Ca. good for business for Houston Mover

    Posted on Wed, Apr 14, 2010

    Pack n send is republishing parts of this article from the LA times. 

    We are seeing an increase in furniture moving - furniture freighting from Houston to California.  In good times shoppers from all over the country come to Houston to purchase small amounts of furniture. Pack n send, a Houston mover is able to freight or move small amounts of furniture all over the world.

     

    Excerpts of article written  By Alejandro Lazo  LA Times

     

    Southern California's housing market showed fresh signs of momentum in March with the median price and sales pace improving from the same month a year earlier as buyers hurried to take advantage of a soon-to-expire federal tax incentive, cheap prices and low interest rates.

    The median price paid for new and previously occupied houses and condominiums in Southern California jumped 14% in March to $285,000 from the same month a year earlier, according to San Diego real estate research firm MDA DataQuick. The closely watched median -- the price at which half the homes sold for more money and half for less -- rose 3.6% from February.

    In Orange County, the region's priciest market, the median rose 12.2% to $432,000 as the number of foreclosure properties on the market sank and more homes in expensive neighborhoods were sold.

    "There is no question that prices at the lower end of the market have stabilized and are showing some increases," said Esmael Adibi, director of the Gary Anderson Center for Economic Research at Chapman University in Orange. "While this is welcome news, the word of caution is people should not really see this as the values of homes changing. It is mostly the mix we are seeing change" as sales pick up in more expensive areas.
    The overall jump in the region's median reflects a rebound from the depths of the financial crisis a year ago, when fears of another Great Depression abounded and a glut of foreclosed homes hit battered markets such as the Southland. Those fears have receded, fewer foreclosures were in the region's sales mix last month, and more homes in higher-priced coastal markets were sold, contributing to the price jump.

    "It's almost like a boom-year figure," said Ed Leamer, director of the UCLA Anderson Forecast. "But the numbers over the last several years have been influenced by the number of bank-owned properties, and the banks were selling their homes at rock-bottom prices."

    Southern California's sales pace also improved last month from March 2009, up 5%, but not as robustly as usual for a March, DataQuick said. A total of 20,476 houses were sold in March, up from 19,506 sold in the same month a year earlier, but that was about 18% off the historical average.

     
    "Right now the question is not whether the housing market is in recovery. The real question is how sustainable that recovery is, and that is where the gray area resides," said Christopher Thornberg, principal of Beacon Economics. "The market is being driven by government policy and not by fundamentals, and now the government is starting to back off."

    Also, the Federal Housing Administration, which has stepped up its support of low-interest mortgages for first-time buyers, has tightened its lending standards.

    At the end of this month, a federal tax-credit program for first-time buyers and for some current homeowners is scheduled to expire. The program provides as much as $8,000 to first-time buyers and as much as $6,500 to current homeowners.

    Last month California lawmakers decided to add to the stimulus package and approved a credit of up to $10,000 for first-time home buyers and those buying newly built homes. The credit will take effect May 1.

    For more information on furniture moving from Houston,  or freight forwarding from Houston, please feel free to call us at 713 266 1450.



     

     

    Tags: furniture moving, freight shipping, less than load freight, furniture shipping

    eBay Sales in Houston Looking are Up

    Posted on Tue, Apr 13, 2010

    Pack n send has noticed the items that we are listing are getting more looks, more watchers and higher sales prices for our current eBay sales.

    Our customers come from all over the world. Once we sell an item on eBay, we expertly pack it, do any customs paperwork and ship the item, all from one location.

    We prefer to use pay pal, as it is a fast and accurate way to pay. We also receive customer shipping information as soon as the sale is complete. We are notified as soon as the payment is made so that we can quickly ship out eBay items.

    We are able to use freight lines for large eBay sales, and UPS and Fed Ex for the smaller items.

    We provide tracking numbers to the purchaser.

    Here are some quick ideas if you are listing your own items on eBay.

    Be Honest. If there is a flaw, discuss it, take a picture of it and let a potential buyer know about it.  You do not want a purchaser to return an item because it was not what was in your listing.

    Always answer emails immediately.  If possible post your email to show in your listing to everyone. This will prevent you from having to answer a question more than one time.

    Try and make your listing as detailed as possible. This will  give the buyer more incentive to purchase an item from you.

    We recommend writing your own listing, even if it is a commonly sold EBay item.  This may just give you a little edge over other eBay  sellers.

    For more information on eBay selling, freight shipping, or Fed Ex and UPS shipping please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: Houston ebay shipping, freight shipping, freight

    Freight Shipping 2010 vs 2009

    Posted on Fri, Apr 09, 2010

     A short synopsis of an article published by Ronald D. White

    Pack n send is summarizing this article. It  recaps some of the declines in the US economy in the freight industry during 2009.

    Luckily, indicators are showing more freight movement and an increase in drivers wages during the first quarter or 2010.

    Freight trains carried  20% less cargo in  2009 than in the previous year.

    The nations railroads had their worst year in decades in  2009.  This signified  a drop in demand for coal, lumber and other goods.

    Freight trains carried 20% less cargo during 2009 than in 2008 according to the Assn of American Railroads.

    Probably the most dramatic decline was  33% decline in lumber and wood products carried by train.  This does relate to the decline in new construction during 2009.

    Fewer car and auto parts were moved during 2009.

    Pack n send has noticed and increase in freight demand during 2010.

    For information on freight shipping and packing, please feel free to contact us at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: freight shipping, furniture freighting, packing

    Fleets Begin Boosting Driver Pay as Demand Rises, Study Finds

    Posted on Wed, Apr 07, 2010

    This headline form Transport Topics online shows an indication of the inflationary tendencies that the Federal Government is now discussing.

    A few fleets are starting to raise driver pay, as freight demand and the need for more drivers increase this spring, reversing the pattern of the past couple of years that kept    wages  steady or reduced them, the National Transportation Institute said.

    Pack n send has noticed an increase in factory orders. As these orders are delivered, more freight drivers will be added to fleets.  With higher demand experienced freight drivers will request higher wages.  Freight companies are still very cost conscious. As with the ocean shipments, freight trucks will try and ship only full loads. This will save on fuel costs.

    Companies are also watching speed, and fuel efficiency. New wheel covers used to reduce the drag, and thus improve fuel efficiency are being added to many trucks that carry freight.

    For more information on your freight,  and shipping needs, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Tags: freight shipping, freight, less than load freight, furniture freighting

    Report on Going Green- Fuel Consumption

    Posted on Tue, Apr 06, 2010

    This information recorded is being posted by pack n send. We attempt to track industry developments as well as the effect of going green and protecting the environment. The freight industry is attempting to control fuel emissions, as well as conserve gasoline.

    US - The National Research Council and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published their eagerly awaited report "Technologies and Approaches to Reducing the Fuel Consumption of Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles", a congressionally mandated report that assesses and recommends different approaches for improving fuel economy, increasing efficiency and reducing emission of greenhouse gases from medium and heavy- duty commercial fleets, including those of shipping and drayage companies.

    The report targets alternative methods to reduce greenhouse gas emissions including training vehicle operators in efficient driving methods, adjusting size and weight restrictions on trucks, developing intelligent vehicles, and improvements to the nation's highway systems. The report looks at carbon reducing technologies and concludes the high initial costs associated with such solutions, for example all electric trucks, have delayed their introduction and points out that truck owners should carefully calculate the long term cost of vehicles, including all fuel costs which will accrue during the life of the vehicle. Each sector of the haulage industry  needs. to assess their own working cycles as these can vary widely according to the services undertaken.

    The report has been praised by industry bodies such as the  American Trucking Association (ATA) who also came out this week to reconfirm their support for Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood for his continuing crusade to prohibit text messaging by drivers. The Department of Transport want to make a ban on text messaging using handheld devices by interstate truck and bus drivers a permanent measure. Many ATA member fleets have already adopted company policies designed to reduce distractions while driving and manufacturers of in-cab communication devices include mechanisms that "lock out" the device or system while the vehicle is in motion. The ATA have long insisted that the ban should extend to all motorists and ATA supported individual states' efforts to ban texting by all automobile drivers and say they will continue to work with affiliated state trucking associations and stakeholder groups to make that happen.

    As proof of the trucking industry's highway safety progress they point out that, over the last 5 years, the truck-involved fatality rate has declined 22 percent, the truck-involved injury rate has declined 25 percent, and both are at record lows.

    Portions of this article are taken from handy shipping news.

    For more information on freight shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

     

     

    Tags: freight shipping, crating packing shipping, freight

    Significant Step in International Cooperation_Freight

    Posted on Fri, Apr 02, 2010

    Pack n send is posting this article that was found in the Handy Shipping Guide.  It emphasizes that nations are now working together in order to protect worldwide freight shipments.

    SOMALIA - In a significant development the Chinese have agreed to integrate their anti-piracy patrols off of the Horn of Africa with those of the EU, NATO and the US. Up until now the Chinese had largely limited their operations to protecting their own shipping in the region and this latest move is a major step for international cooperation in combating the menace.

    The Chinese will now fully join the Shared Awareness and Deconfliction (SHADE) alliance which defends shipping in a protected route through the waters close to Somalia where attacks are frequent.

    The three Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships currently patrolling the area will now coordinate fully with other nation's convoy efforts and the Chinese will take part in the rolling chairmanship of the naval task force.

    The new level of consensus is part of a plan agreed last year and a result of an increasing awareness in China of the need for their military to play a greater role in world security issues in order to protect their interests internationally.

    The new agreement is also hoped to assuage the concerns of other nations in its own geo-political region, as well as the USA, who for several years have voiced concerns over China's navy turning from a modest ‘white-water', or largely coastal fleet, to one with significant power-projection potential.

    It should also help quiet the increasing clamor amongst the Chinese public who become increasingly vocal about their nations need to assert itself more fully on the international scene, especially after the seizure of the bulk vessel De Xin Hai last year by Somali pirates.

    Whatever the Geo-political reasons, any agreement that improves security in the waters of Somalia and Yemen will be welcome by those involved in the shipping industry. Last year saw  217 reported incidents and 47 vessels hijacked off of the coast of Somalia.

    For help with your international freight or Houston shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    www.pack-n-send.com

     

    Tags: International Moving, international shipping, furniture freighting, Houston shipping companies

    Rising Water Forces Evacuations, Rhode Island Braces for Flooding

    Posted on Wed, Mar 31, 2010

     

    Pack n send is posting this article by Eric Tucker.  Due to the flooding in the northeast, we anticipate both delays in freight deliveries, as well as small package deliveries. 
    We will try and keep our customers up dated on weather related delays as they happen.

    CRANSTON, R.I. - Flooding on a scale rarely seen in New England forced hundreds of residents from their homes Wednesday, overwhelmed sewage systems and snarled traffic as major East Coast routes washed out or transformed into a soaked labyrinth of detours and closures.

    As three days of record-breaking rains tapered to a drizzle, forecasters warned the worst of widespread flooding from Maine to Connecticut was still ahead as rivers and streams had yet to crest - for the second time in a month.

    In Rhode Island, which bore the brunt of the storm, residents were experiencing the worst flooding in more than 100 years. Stretches of Interstate 95, the main route linking Boston to New York, were closed and could remain so for days.

    Every resident of Rhode Island, a state of about 1 million, was asked to conserve water and electricity because of flooded sewage systems and electrical substations. Rising waters either stranded hundreds of people or sent them to shelters. Many of those who stayed behind appeared shell-shocked, still recovering from floods two weeks ago caused by as much as 10 inches of rain.

    By ERIC TUCKER , Associated Press

    For weather updates effecting both freight and moving, please fell free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    www.pack-n-send.com

     

     

     

     

    Tags: freight shipping, crating packing shipping, freight

    Growing Demand For Service

    Posted on Tue, Mar 30, 2010

     

    BG Freight Line Adds Second Freight Sailing Between UK And Europe  

    Pack n send looks at global trends.  Added service indicates an increase in demand. This is indicates  a significant change in business since last year. Any increase in the way that freight is moved is a good sign for the world economy.

    UK- BG Freight Line (BG) has launched a second weekly direct service linking Teesport with Rotterdam to meet rising demand on the route. The initial service had been established by BG, part of the Peel Ports Group, in April last year.

    David Robinson, group chief executive officer of PD Ports, says: "Such was the success of the initial service linking Rotterdam with Teesport, it was clear that a second service was needed to meet our customers'  requirements. This is a growing market and the need for extra sailings is both a vote of confidence in PD Ports to handle the additional traffic and in the North East as a place to do business."

    The service accepts all types of container and tank traffic. With the specially fitted vessels in the fleet, BG can offer space for 45ft long, 2.55m wide, high cube containers as well as any length tank or bulk container.

    The new rotation will see vessels depart from Rotterdam on Tuesdays and Saturdays and they will arrive in Teesport on Wednesdays and Sundays.

    Pack n send has reprinted this article from handy shipping guide.  We look for any signs of economic improvement in freight movement both internationally and in domestic freight movement.

    If you have any questions about freight packing and shipping, please feel free to contact pack n send at  713 266 1450.

    www.pack-n-send.com

     

     

     

    Tags: freight shipping, freight, International Moving, international shipping

    Houston Ship Channel 'earmark' good for economy

    Posted on Mon, Mar 29, 2010

     

    Pack n send is posting this article word for word from Chron.com.  Since  the Houston Ship Channel has a major impact on freight handling, we think this is a very timely article.

    By JIM EDMONDS - Chron.com editorial page

    Keeping the Houston Ship Channel navigable on an ongoing basis is of utmost importance to Houston, the state of Texas and the nation. Not only is the world's second-largest petrochemical complex located here, but the U.S. economy depends on the critical flow of waterborne commerce over the port's docks.

    The Port of Houston Authority partners with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to maintain the waterway's navigational safety. Each year, there are about 7,700 oceangoing commercial vessel calls and 150,000 barge movements at the PHA's cargo facilities. And there are 150 private properties in Houston's seaport complex. That level of traffic ranks the port first in the U.S. in foreign waterborne tonnage and second in overall tonnage.

    Unfortunately, we've fallen behind on federal funding for Houston Ship Channel maintenance, mainly due to increased competition for those dollars. That is despite strong and valiant efforts by our entire congressional delegation, which works on a bipartisan basis on those issues. Federal funding levels for Ship Channel maintenance activities just have not kept pace with the damage to the channel caused by storms and normal siltation. For 2010, the need was nearly $36 million, but Congress appropriated only $19 million. In 2011, because of shortfalls in previous years, more than $41 million will be required to catch up.

    And the Houston area isn't getting its fair share to begin with. Houston receives only 8 cents per ton of cargo, compared with other ports along the U.S. Gulf and East coasts that receive an average of 42 cents per ton. As a result, more than 80 percent of the Houston Ship Channel is either not as deep or not as wide as it is authorized to be.

    This is unacceptable. In response, we are taking a more direct and coordinated approach to this issue in Washington, where recently we met with regulatory officials and congressional members who represent districts throughout Harris County. We strongly stated our case for equalized funding for the Houston Ship Channel. Continued funding shortfalls could threaten navigational safety in coming years. Potential vessel incidents could result in human casualties, property damage or environmental harm that could lead to staggering liabilities for the PHA. Inadequate Ship Channel maintenance could also drive away current and potential port customers, which would put Houston at a competitive disadvantage in the marketplace and ultimately undermine PHA's state-chartered mandate to promote regional economic development.

    The news isn't all bad. In 2009, economic stimulus legislation provided $98 million in funding targeted to help make the Ship Channel more accessible. While those funds helped tremendously, the channel still needs more dredging.

    The long-term answer may lie with proposed legislation to ensure that all future annual revenue collected by the federal government and put into the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund is appropriated for its authorized purpose, which is maintaining the nation's waterways. Since 2002, there has been a growing gap between revenue deposited into the fund and the annual appropriations to waterway maintenance. Some $126.7 million in harbor maintenance tax is collected annually from the Port of Houston alone, yet the funds needed for adequate maintenance of the ship channel have not been made available. This needs to be addressed through federal legislation.

    Some in Washington seem to equate funding to keep the Ship Channel open with negative earmarks that too often are simply pork barrel politics. The infamous "bridge to nowhere" in Alaska comes to mind. But that is hardly the case here. Mother Nature's rains and human activity fill the channel, creating the need for regular dredging to keep it open. Make no mistake - funding for the channel is a bridge to somewhere - keeping commerce flowing strong for the benefit of not only the region but the nation as well.

    An enormous portion of the economy of Texas relies on the Port of Houston. More than 785,000 jobs throughout the state are in some way related to Ship Channel activity. The overall economic impact of the port on the region is nearly $118 billion. Nationally, the port generates $285 billion in economic activity, $16.2 billion in tax revenue and 1.5 million direct and indirect jobs.

    The build-out of PHA's Bayport terminal facilities will increase those impacts. The port authority has just received a 10-year extension from the Corps of Engineers that will allow the dredging and construction at Bayport to continue. As the economy struggles to recover, cargo levels at Houston's port facilities are rising. We already attract almost 70 percent of the containerized cargo that moves through the Gulf of Mexico, and our customers rely on our ability to provide quality facilities and service to move their goods to market efficiently and cost-effectively. We expect further economic growth, which is why we have $340 million in capital improvement projects planned for 2010 and 2011. That will lay the foundation for increased cargo volume in 2014, when Panama Canal expansion is expected to be completed. Conservative estimates are that volume will increase anywhere from 10 percent to 15 percent as a result of the canal expansion.

    To advance our foresight and preparation for economic challenges and opportunities, PHA has recently added to its management team a professional economist whose quantitative analyses are expected to provide powerful reinforcement to the focused direction of the long-term strategic marketing plans for the port. We are determined to ensure that the economic engine that is the Port of Houston continues to drive full steam ahead.

    Edmonds is chairman of the Port of Houston Authority.

    If you need to ship freight via ocean either by cubic meters or in containers, please feel free to  contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: freight shipping, freight, International Moving, international shipping

    Houston Ship Channel 'earmark' good for economy

    Posted on Mon, Mar 29, 2010

     

    By JIM EDMONDS - Chron.com editorial page

    Pack n posting this article word for word from Chron.com.  Since  the Houston Ship Channel has a major impact on freight handling, we think this is a very timely article.

    Keeping the Houston Ship Channel navigable on an ongoing basis is of utmost importance to Houston, the state of Texas and the nation. Not only is the world's second-largest petrochemical complex located here, but the U.S. economy depends on the critical flow of waterborne commerce over the port's docks.

    The Port of Houston Authority partners with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to maintain the waterway's navigational safety. Each year, there are about 7,700 oceangoing commercial vessel calls and 150,000 barge movements at the PHA's cargo facilities. And there are 150 private properties in Houston's seaport complex. That level of traffic ranks the port first in the U.S. in foreign waterborne tonnage and second in overall tonnage.

    Unfortunately, we've fallen behind on federal funding for Houston Ship Channel maintenance, mainly due to increased competition for those dollars. That is despite strong and valiant efforts by our entire congressional delegation, which works on a bipartisan basis on those issues. Federal funding levels for Ship Channel maintenance activities just have not kept pace with the damage to the channel caused by storms and normal siltation. For 2010, the need was nearly $36 million, but Congress appropriated only $19 million. In 2011, because of shortfalls in previous years, more than $41 million will be required to catch up.

    And the Houston area isn't getting its fair share to begin with. Houston receives only 8 cents per ton of cargo, compared with other ports along the U.S. Gulf and East coasts that receive an average of 42 cents per ton. As a result, more than 80 percent of the Houston Ship Channel is either not as deep or not as wide as it is authorized to be.

    This is unacceptable. In response, we are taking a more direct and coordinated approach to this issue in Washington, where recently we met with regulatory officials and congressional members who represent districts throughout Harris County. We strongly stated our case for equalized funding for the Houston Ship Channel. Continued funding shortfalls could threaten navigational safety in coming years. Potential vessel incidents could result in human casualties, property damage or environmental harm that could lead to staggering liabilities for the PHA. Inadequate Ship Channel maintenance could also drive away current and potential port customers, which would put Houston at a competitive disadvantage in the marketplace and ultimately undermine PHA's state-chartered mandate to promote regional economic development.

    The news isn't all bad. In 2009, economic stimulus legislation provided $98 million in funding targeted to help make the Ship Channel more accessible. While those funds helped tremendously, the channel still needs more dredging.

    The long-term answer may lie with proposed legislation to ensure that all future annual revenue collected by the federal government and put into the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund is appropriated for its authorized purpose, which is maintaining the nation's waterways. Since 2002, there has been a growing gap between revenue deposited into the fund and the annual appropriations to waterway maintenance. Some $126.7 million in harbor maintenance tax is collected annually from the Port of Houston alone, yet the funds needed for adequate maintenance of the ship channel have not been made available. This needs to be addressed through federal legislation.

    Some in Washington seem to equate funding to keep the Ship Channel open with negative earmarks that too often are simply pork barrel politics. The infamous "bridge to nowhere" in Alaska comes to mind. But that is hardly the case here. Mother Nature's rains and human activity fill the channel, creating the need for regular dredging to keep it open. Make no mistake - funding for the channel is a bridge to somewhere - keeping commerce flowing strong for the benefit of not only the region but the nation as well.

    An enormous portion of the economy of Texas relies on the Port of Houston. More than 785,000 jobs throughout the state are in some way related to Ship Channel activity. The overall economic impact of the port on the region is nearly $118 billion. Nationally, the port generates $285 billion in economic activity, $16.2 billion in tax revenue and 1.5 million direct and indirect jobs.

    The build-out of PHA's Bayport terminal facilities will increase those impacts. The port authority has just received a 10-year extension from the Corps of Engineers that will allow the dredging and construction at Bayport to continue. As the economy struggles to recover, cargo levels at Houston's port facilities are rising. We already attract almost 70 percent of the containerized cargo that moves through the Gulf of Mexico, and our customers rely on our ability to provide quality facilities and service to move their goods to market efficiently and cost-effectively. We expect further economic growth, which is why we have $340 million in capital improvement projects planned for 2010 and 2011. That will lay the foundation for increased cargo volume in 2014, when Panama Canal expansion is expected to be completed. Conservative estimates are that volume will increase anywhere from 10 percent to 15 percent as a result of the canal expansion.

    To advance our foresight and preparation for economic challenges and opportunities, PHA has recently added to its management team a professional economist whose quantitative analyses are expected to provide powerful reinforcement to the focused direction of the long-term strategic marketing plans for the port. We are determined to ensure that the economic engine that is the Port of Houston continues to drive full steam ahead.

    Edmonds is chairman of the Port of Houston Authority.

    If you need to ship freight via ocean either by cubic meters or in containers, please feel free to  contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

    Tags: freight shipping, freight, international shipping

    Course Now Offered for Business Safety

    Posted on Thu, Mar 25, 2010

    Pack n send is posting this article from handyshipping news. We found it enlightening that Universities are recognizing the needs for standards in the freight shipping and freight receiving industry.

    ABERDEEN / SCOTLAND - A new course has recently been launched by the Energy Centre at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, that is designed to fulfill industry requirements for a practical course delivering the benefits of applying a life-cycle approach to asset management.

    The  MSc Asset Integrity Management (AIM) is designed to equip students with the skills and competencies to manage assets whilst adopting a business, safety and compliance approach. One of the course leaders, Dr Jesse Andrawus, said that: "Ships and marine items have to operate as efficiently, safely and cheaply as possible in diverse geographical and political arenas, whilst keeping within maritime law and the classification requirements of their flag state.

    "AIM ensures that this occurs for the lifetime of the asset, including its decommissioning and disposal in a method very similar to an oil rig."

    The course is highly flexible and has been specifically designed to fit in with students in professions. It is available to study as online distance learning and online tutoring, with directed study and peer to peer forums. This allows students to learn, and to get immediate feedback on solutions to real-life work issues, by communicating with highly experienced tutors and industry professionals in the online forums.

    He described his experiences of the MSc AIM, stating that: "Expanding my knowledge in things I thought I knew a lot about is a nice feeling, but it's even better when I can quickly apply this new learning straight into a real working environment. I'm better armed to improve in my current role, and move myself forward into even greater challenges."

    For more information about worldwide freight shipping and receiving, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    www.pack-n-send.com

     

    Tags: freight shipping, freight, international shipping

    Adjustments for freight shipping on the the Judge William Seeber Bridge over the Industrial Canal, New Orleans, Louisiana.

    Posted on Thu, Mar 18, 2010

    Pack n send helps keep customers notified about road and bridge closures that may affect shipping. This article from handyshipping news details a bridge closing in New Orleans.

    US - Both shipping and road freight will be affected by the current closure of the Judge William Seeber Bridge over the Industrial Canal, New Orleans, Louisiana. The bridge will remain closed to vehicular traffic seven days a week, 24 hours a day, beginning March 15 and lasting until the beginning of May.

    The closure is part of a $6.8 million rehabilitation project to replace the wire ropes that raise and lower the bridge, refurbish the bridge's electrical system, replace damaged beams that were struck by shipping in the Canal and oversized trucks  replace the bridge decking which will improve skid resistance and eliminate the wave-action in the riding surface of the bridge. In addition, advanced signal notification features will be installed to provide warning to motorists when the bridge is about to be raised for marine traffic.

    There will be two five-day closures for marine traffic between March 15 and April 2. The first five- day, 24-hours- a-day, closure will tentatively begin on March 15, depending on the United States Coast Guard's (U.S.G.S.) evaluation on shipping schedules. Following the first five-day closure, a two-to-seven day window will be allowed to clear congested marine traffic and to coordinate shipping schedules. The second five-day, 24-hours-a-day, marine closure will begin immediately once marine traffic is cleared and shipping schedules are coordinated.

    For more information on shipping freight, please call pack n send at 713 266 1450

    www.pack-n-send.com

     

     

    Tags: freight shipping, freight, less than load freight

    Commerce is Showing Positive Upswing- Houston Freight Mover notes

    Posted on Wed, Mar 17, 2010

    Shipping Is Back on Missouri River

    As pack n send sees more products moving domestically, we see a signal that business are again starting to ship more goods. This article from Kansas City InfoZine demonstrates more cargo moving  on the Missouri River.

    Jefferson City, MO - Cargo is once again moving on the river! A newly energized shipping year begins by welcoming four barges onto the Missouri River.

    Thursday morning more than 6,000 tons of fertilizer began moving up the Missouri River to farms and retail locations in Central Missouri, signifying the start of the most promising shipping season the industry has seen in eight years. The four barges are getting pushed by the M/V Butch Bowman, a 2400 horse power shallow draft boat ideal for Missouri River navigation. This load is expected to arrive at AGRI Services of Brunswick on Sunday.

    Drought and low water levels the past eight years almost sunk Missouri River cargo shipping, but there's a rejuvenated focus to bring river traffic back. The Missouri Department of Transportation, along with agriculture and shipping partners, want renewed life on the Missouri River and have formed a unique partnership to increase  freight shipping, create  jobs and promote an environmentally friendlier way to transport goods.

    "We established our own barge services division when other providers moved off the river. The Missouri river is the best way to move freight." said Bill Jackson, AGRI Services of Brunswick. "This is a viable shipping option which can save money, lower carbon dioxide emissions and relieve stress on our crowded freeways."

    For more information on freight shipping and receiving, please contact pack n send at  713 266 1450.

    www.pack-n-send.com

     Delano, Jack,, 1914-, photographer.

Pennsylvania R.R. [Railroad] ore docks, unloading iron ore from a lake freighter by means of "Hulett" unloaders, Cleveland, Ohio

1943 May 

1 transparency : color.

<b>Notes:
</b>...Notes: ..." title="Pennsylvania R.R. [Railroad] ore docks, unloading iron ore from a lake freighter by means of "Hulett" unloaders, Cleveland, Ohio (LOC)" class="draggable ui-draggable" style="top: auto; left: auto;" />

     

     

    Tags: Houston Freight, Houston Shipping, Small load mover

    Trends in Small Furniture and Freighting Moves

    Posted on Mon, Mar 15, 2010

    As we continue to freight and move small amounts of furniture throughout the country. Pack n sends experience mirrors the trend noted by Edward Glaeser in his New York Times article  on  February 16, 2010. We are seeing more college students move back home after graduation, and  our younger customer moving back at least temporarily with their families.

    According to Glaeser, the Current Population Survey, only  four hundred thousand new house hold formed from March 2008 and March 2009.   While there were about a million new families, the number of non family households dropped by  three hundred thousand.

    This recession has been particularly hard on younger workers.  The number of jobs held by 20- to 24-year-olds declined four point five per cent in 2009, while the number of jobs held by people over the age of 25 dropped 1.8 percent.   Staying at home is an understandable response from younger workers to the labor market woes.   The rate of household formation also fell during the 1982 recession and the Great Depression.


    For more information on moving small amounts of furniture though out the country or worldwide, please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

     

    Tags: small home office move, furniture freighting, furniture shipping

    Big Apple Clean Trucks Air Quality Plan Gets Freight

    Posted on Fri, Mar 12, 2010

    We are posting excerpts from this article found on handy shipping guide.  It shows our industry's concern with both business and a cleaner environment.

    US - The American Trucking Assn. (ATA) praised the leadership of the Port Authority of NY and NJ for developing a Clean Trucks Program designed to improve air quality at the port.

    As from 1st January next year pre-1994 model trucks will no longer be able to call on Port Authority terminals; and on January 1, 2017, all trucks hauling freight from the port must meet or exceed 2007 federal emissions standards. This gives sufficient time for trucking firms to wind down their assets, and to assist with replacement vehicles.

    The Port Authority designed a $28 million program to help companies and drivers transition into cleaner vehicles. Drivers that regularly call on the Port's marine terminals are eligible for assistance. While NY/NJ moves toward full program implementation, ATA urges port officials to continue evaluating freight volume movements and projections to insure that sufficient operational revenues are indeed available to cover the new truck purchase obligations that now will be generated by the Clean Truck plan.

     While fully supportive of the clean air goals, the drayage industry is in a particularly vulnerable position that may counsel for a go-slow approach until the economic climate improves."

    Hopefully the changes, which all consider an essential step forward, given evidence of the harm to the health of the poorer communities who reside dockside, will proceed as scheduled. 

    For more information on going green and pack n send recycling efforts, please feel free to call us at 713 266 1450.

    www.pack-n-send.com

     

     

     

     

     

    Tags: freight shipping, International Moving, international shipping, furniture freighting, Antique Shipping

    Possible Disruption of Freight in India

    Posted on Mon, Mar 08, 2010

      INDIA - In a move that reveals the depth of frustration that Indian haulage drivers are feeling at the failure of the Indian government to deliver on previous promises to help their industry, the president of the,  has threatened to call all of their members trucks out of service on the 5th of April unless a number of issues of concern are addressed by the 31st of March.

    As the AITMC claim 

    the strike threatens to be immensely disruptive to the nation's trade and commerce.

    The heart of the dispute is taxation.The increase is described by the AITMC as "abnormal, unbearable and intolerable, which will further deteriorate the already dwindling condition of the Truckers."

    The AITMC went on to say that: "More than 85% of the trucking community constitutes owners with one or two trucks who are trying to survive in the present highly inflationary and competitive environment. The Government is well aware that when the vehicles of poor truckers are seized by bank officials because of non-payment many have taken the extreme step of committing suicide.

    The AITMC is also arguing that the current fees that  haulers pay in road tolls is also unfair and disproportionate, arguing that by already paying a multitude of  permit fees and taxes  the road haulage industry has already more than paid its fair share for road construction and maintenance.

    Combined with this is a great deal of anger that previous promises by the Indian government to deliver a ‘New National Permit Scheme' by the 1st of January this year, which they agreed to in February 2009 to solve a dispute with the truckers, have apparently not come close to implementation.

    "Therefore, if our demands are not addressed by the Government before March 31, 2010, we will be left with no alternative but to take action from midnight of April 5, 2010."

    Portions of this article were posted on the Handy Shipping Guide.

    As pack 'n send ships internationally, we try and keep our customers informed  about  issues that concern them  throughout the world.

    For help with international shipping , please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

     

     

    Tags: International Moving, international shipping

    Update for Freight going to Chile

    Posted on Thu, Mar 04, 2010

    CHILE - The huge earthquake that struck Chile on Saturday has dramatically affected a number of the key freight and logistic handling facilities that serve the country and which will impede international efforts to assist with relief efforts.

    Current information indicates that whilst the country's northern ports are operating fine, a number of other areas are closed due to damage and under curfew conditions due to problems with rioting.

    Here is a summary of the latest information available to us:

    CENTRAL PORTS: QUINTERO/LAS VENTANAS: A number of piers are out of action due to damage, though port still has some operations running and repairs will see increasing service restored over the next two weeks.

    SAN ANTONIO/VALPARASIO: Partially operative with some piers under evaluation for damage.

    SOUTHERN/CENTRAL PORTS: A curfew is in operation in this area and most ports /terminals are closed due to Tsunami and serious port damage. Details are not fully available at this time.

    Update provided by handyshippingguide.com

    Pack n send is keeping a close eye on when all ports in Chile will be fully operational.

    For more information on freight shipping, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    www.pack-n-send.com

     

    Tags: freight shipping, freight, international shipping

    Air Cargo Officials Doubt They Can Meet Aug 1 Screening Deadline

    Posted on Wed, Mar 03, 2010

     

    Congress two years ago set an August deadline as a way to ensure the security of every piece of cargo placed next to travelers suitcases, but the air freight industry isn't ready to meet the demands according to Brandon Fried, executive director of the Airforwarders   Association  a Washington, D>C.- based air cargo trade group.

    Since Feb1, 2009, the transportation Security Administration has required screening for all cargo placed on narrow -body, single-aisle passenger jets. The rule will be extended to all air cargo placed on wide-body jets beginning Aug. 1.

    In places like Los Angeles, this could be a big issue because that's where wide-body aircraft depart an that's where so much of the cargo is being processed" Fried said.

    "Some say the lack of cargo screening own-body jets is a weak link in security," Kyser said. "But we will have to see how it plays out this summer and if there are ay economic ramifications."

    This article was a summarization of an article that appeared in Daily Breeze.

    For more information on airfreight and cargo shipping, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450

    www.pack-n-send.com

     

     

    Tags: freight, international shipping

    Cargo Shipping to Haiti-Update

    Posted on Tue, Mar 02, 2010

    We have received  requests for ocean rates to Haiti, the ports were so damaged that no cargo was moving except via airfreight until now....
    We are now able to ship cargo of all kinds to Port Au Prince, Haiti. Prior to booking the shipment, we need you to make sure that the consignee  is capable of picking up the cargo and clearing their goods through customs. 

    Please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450 for all your shipping needs to Haiti.

    www.pack-n-send.com

     

    Tags: freight shipping, international shipping

    Clean Air Arguments for trucking industry-Houston Shipping Co Notes

    Posted on Tue, Mar 02, 2010

    US - Despite much wrangling the pollution statistics around the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles speak for themselves. Even critics of the way California has introduced clean air regulation, and these include trucking bodies who lost a Court appeal on Wednesday over the contentious issue of independents having to be employees of LA port approved organizations  must admit that the quantity of atmospheric pollutants in the air has fallen dramatically with newer or newly modified vehicles mandatory and improvements in  fuel grades employed by  companies.

    Now the same fight is being taken on by other major ports around the States.

    The next phase is to see a  nation wide standard for fuel. This is the only  way to ensure problems are not simply transferred around the country.

    We have taken excerpts of this article from Handy Shipping Guide. Pack n send has been at the forefront of maintaining a clean environment since opening business in 1981.

    For more information on both helping the environment and shipping, crating and freight, please contact pack n send  in Houston at 713 266 1450.

    www.pack-n-send.com

     Delano, Jack,, 1914-, photographer.

Pennsylvania R.R. [Railroad] ore docks, unloading iron ore from a lake freighter by means of "Hulett" unloaders, Cleveland, Ohio

1943 May 

1 transparency : color.

<b>Notes:
</b>...Notes: ..." title="Pennsylvania R.R. [Railroad] ore docks, unloading iron ore from a lake freighter by means of "Hulett" unloaders, Cleveland, Ohio (LOC)" class="draggable ui-draggable" style="top: auto; left: auto;" />

    Tags: Shipping Houston, Packing Houston, Cargo Shipping Houston

    Construction Sites Shut Down

    Posted on Mon, Mar 01, 2010

    We are posting this article to highlight today's changes in construction projects though out the United States.  While this halt may not affect you directly, it  may slow down both travel and shipping times for project that have been halted.

    USA - The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has furloughed almost two thousand employees without pay from today after a bill to extend a short-term extension of the Highways Trust Fund was blocked by Senator Jim Bunning.

    The Fund finances many national transportation programs such as works on highways, bridges, and safety inspections

    Due to the furlough a number of major infrastructure projects are to be suspended immediately as federal inspectors will no longer be available to oversee them. These include the $36 million replacement of the Humpback Bridge on the   George Washington Parkway  in Virginia, $15 million in bridge construction and stream rehabilitation in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, and the $8 million resurfacing of the Natchez Trace Parkway in Mississippi. The Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, has reacted angrily to the news, saying: "As American families are struggling in tough economic times, I am keenly disappointed that political games are putting a stop to important construction projects around the country.

    The furloughs will affect employees at the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Research and Innovative Technology Administration.

    Information derived  from USA article

    For more information, please contact pack n send at  713 266 1450

    Tags: furniture moving, freight

    United State Postal Service Update - Chile

    Posted on Mon, Mar 01, 2010

    According to the United State Postal Service packages and mail are still being sent to Chile. 

    As more updates are available, we will post them on our blog.

    For shipping internationally, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    www.pack-n-send.com

     

    Tags: international shipping

    Equipment Auction in Femont, CA

    Posted on Thu, Feb 25, 2010


    2 DAY ONLINE AUCTION FEATURING:

    WAFER, MAGNETIC HEAD & TEST EQUIPMENT
    (Formerly the Assets of SAE MAGNETICS)

    Online Bidding Ends: Thursday, Feb. 25 at 2:00PM PST / 5:00PM EST
    Online Bidding Began: Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 6:00AM PST / 9:00AM EST

    Preview: By Prior Scheduled Appointment
    Preview Location: 48890 Milmont Drive Suite 108-D, Femont, CA 94538

    Contact information for Auction

    Jeff Ritchie, President
    Disposition Services
    48890 Milmont Drive, Suite 108-D
    Fremont, California 94538

    Telehone: 510.656.6000
    Facsimile: 510.656.6008
    Mobile: 408.402.2436
    Email: info@dispositionservices.com


    FEATURED ITEMS:


    VEECO ASL 200 PRECISION LAPPING SYSTEM '07 
    TENCOR ALPHASTEP IQ SURFACE PROFILER ‘08
    MTI INSTRUMENTS PROFORMA 300 NON-CONTACT MEASUREMENT SYS
    TI INSTRUMENTS PROFORMA 200SA NON-CONTACT MEASUREMENT SYS
    ENGIS HYPREZ 28LM230VP PRECISION GRINDER
    ENGIS HYPREZ 3-AXIS EJW-460-SFA-AR KISSLAP
    GUZIK & CANON SPIN TESTERS
    NANOTECH NANOSCOPE INSPECTION TOOL 
    ZYGO "NEW VIEW" INTERFEROMETER    
    WYKO WAFER   INSPECTION TOOL  
    PHASE METRICS DYNAMIC FLYING HEIGHT TESTETS    
    OLYMPUS / PPL WAFER   INSPECTION TOOL   
    OSC OPTICAL SYSTEMS CORP WAFER INSPECTION TOOL
    ANZA TECHNOLOGIES, INC MODEL 260 & 275 WIRE BONDERS   
    TENNEY MODEL T-5 STR & CSZ ENVIROMENTAL CHAMBERS
    ULTRASONICS PW-10  ZAPPER
    LANSMONT MODEL 23S DROP VERTICAL DROP TESTER
    GHI SYSTEMS LSM-100 HORIZONTAL SHOCK MEASUREMENT  
    FORWARD TECHNOLOGIES SOLVENT CLEANING SYSTEM  
    LEICA, MEIJI   & BAUSCH & LOMB STEREOZOOM MICROSCOPES

    ATTENTION FACILITES & LAB FURNISHING BUYERS WE HAVE:
    SHOP TOOLS - TECH-BENCHES - LAB STOOLS DESICCATOR CABINETS LISTA & STANLEY VIDMAR TOOL & PART DRAWERS IONIZERS CHART RECORDERS GRANITE SURFACE TABLES BINS CARTS TABLES STORAGE CABINETS SHELVING METRO CARTS LAMINAR LAB FUME HOODS HAND TOOLS SHOP TOOLS ESD BOXES PUMPS & MORE!

    For information on equipment shipping, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    www.pack-n-send.com 

     

    Tags: auction, Shipping

    Mail to Haiti on Hold- Houston Freight Company Notes

    Posted on Wed, Feb 24, 2010

    The Postal Service has placed a temporary hold on all mail destined for Haiti.

    The decision was made following the cancellation of normal flight operations by air cargo contractors to the island nation, where emergency relief efforts are continuing in the wake of a devastating earthquake.

    Post Offices are continuing to accept letter mail and packages addressed to Haiti.  However, customers are informed that no decision has been made on when mail delivery will resume.

    For more information on when mail service will return to Haiti, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     Pack n send can help with your small load moving, packing and crating.

    www.pack-n-send.com

    Box open<br />Boite carton d\'emballage ouverte

     

     

     

     

    Tags: Freight Houston, Shipping Houston, Houston Cargo

    Cheaper Piracy Patrols off Somalia Neede -Freight Company Watching

    Posted on Tue, Feb 23, 2010

     

    This article  from Business Week  highlights some of the dangers now associated with  freight shipping.  It discusses the measures being taken to protect both cargo and lives.

     The U.S. says it wants to find cheaper options to battle pirates off the coast of Somalia, as an international naval force has pushed the seaborne brigands from the 1 million square miles of the Gulf of Aden into an area twice that size in the Indian Ocean.

    "The locus of pirate activity has shifted and we are trying to deal with it," Tom Countryman, the principal deputy assistant secretary of state for political   military   affairs, said in Washington today. "It's expensive, and that's why we feel strongly the need to pursue the lowest-cost options to deter piracy."

    Warships from more than 20 nations have kept a shipping corridor open and nearly free of attacks for the 30,000 cargo ships that pass through it annually, Countryman said. There were 198 attacks last year, 50 of them successful, and seven vessels with 160 crew members are known to be held by pirates, the State Department said in an e-mailed statement. There's been only one successful hijacking of a ship in the Gulf of Aden since last summer, Countryman said.

    Aerial drones, manned aircraft and satellite  surveillance  could help track shipping and pirate activity off the coast of East Africa, Countryman said.

    Defensive Measures

    Defensive measures taken by ship owners and crews are "the lowest-cost and most-effective way to deter pirate attacks," Countryman said. Measures can include using firehoses to fend off pirate skiffs, erecting barbed wire at entry points to the ship and   teaching   the crew to take evasive action when potential pirates are in sight.

    Rebuilding Somalia's economy, shattered by two decades of civil war, and going after the organized crime syndicates that finance the attacks are the best ways to halt piracy, said Countryman.

    "The economic situation in Somalia has led to a situation in which people will take these kinds of very high-risk efforts -- very high-risk criminal activities -- in order to feed their family," Countryman said.

    "The people deriving the primary benefit are not the poor Somali fishermen," he said. "They are the capitalists who have financed the acquisition of boats  and put these young men into the risky position of endangering their own lives in search of some money."

    For more information on safe freight shipping, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    www.pack-n-send.com

     Map shows the region that the U.S. Department of Defense's Central Command is responsible for. Countries are also indicated: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, ...

    Tags: Houston Mover, Freight Houston, Cargo Houston, Shipping Houston

    Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo -Info. from Houston Freight Co.

    Posted on Thu, Feb 18, 2010

    With this announcement by the Crowne Plaza Houston, we are busy preparing for the rodeo.

    With your belly more than satisfied, prepare for three weeks of world-class rodeo entertainment. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo runs from March 2-21, 2010 and hosts all the most popular events: bull riding, bareback bronc riding, saddle broncriding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, roping and more.  

    Even if traditional rodeo sports aren't for you, the excitement keeps on coming. There's plenty of fun for the whole family with dazzling performances, a multitude of wine events, a full-sized Carnival terrific shopping booths and fun activities just for the kids.

    Our out of town guests ask us to pick up their purchases both at rodeo venues as well as from Houston hotels.  We can pick up and ship all your purchases.

    Please call us at 713 266 1450 for all your rodeo shipping needs.

    www.pack-n-send.com

    Box open<br />Boite carton d\'emballage ouverte 

    Tags: international shipping, furniture freighting, packing

    Houston Freight Shipper Notes Tentative Agreement

    Posted on Mon, Feb 15, 2010

    The Airlines PilotAssociation, Int'l and FedEx Express have announced that they have reached a tentative agreement on a new labor contract.

    Details have not been released pending approval by both sides.  The negations were conducted since October 2005 under the guidance of the National Mediation Board.

    For any questions you may have about FedEx shipping, domestically or internationally, please contact pack n send at  713 266 1450. 

     Box open<br />Boite carton d\'emballage ouverte

    Tags: Houston Freight, Shipping Houston, Houston Packing

    UPS and Fed Ex adjust schedules- Houston Freight Company Notes

    Posted on Fri, Feb 12, 2010

    Due to the winter storm in various parts  of the United States, UPS and Fed Ex have adjusted their pick up and delivery guarantees and schedules. Houston Freight Company can answer questions about shipping.

    For your specific shipment, please feel free to contact pack n send for information. Our number is  713 266 1450.

     www.pack-n-send.com 

     

    Box open<br />Boite carton d\'emballage ouverte

     

    Tags: Cargo Shipping from Houston, Houston Mover, Freight Houston

    Safety, traffic concerns raised when 3.5-mile-long freight train rolls through L.A. Basin

    Posted on Thu, Feb 11, 2010

      

    An apparently unprecedented super freight train -- extending some 3½ miles -- rolled through Southern California over the weekend, catching state regulators off guard and prompting concerns about potential safety risks and traffic delays, The Times has learned.

    Union Pacific said the train was a test of equipment and ways to improve operating efficiency, but that the company does not have plans to run such trains regularly.

    Some officials are worried it may be a harbinger. "I will be asking a lot more questions," said Democratic Rep. Grace Napolitano, whose San Gabriel Valley district includes part of the train route.

    "If they're testing to increase the size of trains in L.A., I have a problem with that."

    The state Public Utilities Commission raced a team of personnel to Imperial County on Saturday to monitor the train as it wound its way toward the Inland Empire. The train originally left Texas on Friday night and reached its ultimate destination, a large intermodal facility near the Port of Long Beach, on Sunday. "We were quite concerned about it, which was why we scrambled our people to be out there Saturday to essentially find out what was going on," said Richard W. Clarke, who oversees rail safety at the state agency. There are no state or federal limits on the length of trains or requirements to notify agencies about unusually long train configurations, officials said. Union Pacific said it did alert local federal regulators, who observed the train's movement.

    The 18,000-foot-long train was two to three times the length of a typical freight train and the largest known to operate in the state -- and possibly the nation, Clark said.

    Tracks were cleared so the train could run up to 70 mph, said Tom Lange, Union Pacific's spokesman. He said it would take three to five minutes for the train to clear a grade crossing.

    The test was part of an effort to explore ways to "better serve our customers," he said. Such trains actually reduce the chances of derailment, he said, because locomotive power is distributed along the train, reducing stress on couplers and other equipment.

    In addition, while long trains may extend some waits, they reduce overall waiting time for motorists at crossings, Lange said. That's because crossing signals begin stopping traffic 20 to 25 seconds before each train arrives. The long train tested over the weekend was the equivalent of three typical mile-long trains, which would have added 40 to 50 seconds to total motorist wait time.

    In addition to concerns about lack of notice to state authorities, who regulate grade crossings, Clark said his agency wanted to ensure the massive train had adequate braking capacity and officials were on hand in case of extended delays for motorists and emergency vehicles, especially if the train was forced to stop for some reason.

    No incidents were reported, but the commission staff is continuing to examine issues raised by such operations, Clark said.

    The train, which carried furniture, clothing, electronics and other goods for export from Texas, was the longest ever assembled by Union Pacific, Lange said. Among other benefits, he said, such trains could remove hundreds of trucks from the road and save fuel compared to other modes of cargo transportation. Trains up to 12,500 feet--a little over two miles long--already are operated in the Los Angeles area, he said.

    He acknowledged longer trains can reduce costs of train crew requirements because the additional locomotives are controlled from the front cab.

    A spokesman for the California chapter of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen warned such "monster trains" raise a host of concerns.

    "Nobody I know of in the railroad industry ever has run a train this size," said Tim Smith, state legislative chairman for the union.

    "We're not trained for it. The longer the train, the more you have to consider the curvature of tracks...starting and stopping."

     

    Copyright © 2010, The Los Angeles Times

    For freight shipping via rail, ocean or air, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    http://www.pack-n-send.com/

     

     

    Mexican Freight Trucks May Be Permitted To Cross The US Border

    Posted on Wed, Feb 10, 2010

    Obama Regime to Examine Transit Programme 

    US - MEXICO - On a day when all talk seems to be of anti trust legislation and Competition Commission enquiries it seems apt to mention the word which chills the heart of all those involved in the freight and shipping industry, the ‘P' word, Protectionism, which lurks unbidden in the consciousness of truckers and bulk and container lines alike.

    To those of us in other parts of the world the American attitude has always seemed something of an enigma. Many in the USA seem able to maintain ambivalence toward the subject seemingly without any sense of irony. The difficulties in trade with China are well documented but what is less well known is the take on trucks which emanate from Mexico, a poorer neighbor than the more affluent community northward in Canada.

    Mexican trailers loaded with goods are allowed passage into the US. This rule however does not apply to the drivers and their trucks. Currently trailers are dropped at the border for Customs examination then hauled north by US trucking companies.

    In March last year Mexico announced additional tariffs on many US goods in retaliation for the recent suspension of funds by Washington to finance a test program to allow certain Mexican companies to continue into the States. Now it seems that a move is on the cards to reinstate the scheme. As long ago as 1992 the US signed the North American Free Trade Agreement which should have allowed access to US highways by the Mexicans within a maximum of three years along with Canadian truckers.

    Objections from the Teamsters Union and organised lobbyists confined the vehiclesto border stops until George Bush announced the test scheme in 2007 when it seemed access would be permitted. Objectors continued to state Mexican trucks were unsafe whilst the reply was that all vehicles entering the US were thoroughly inspected and the practice was a clear violation of the NAFTA scheme. In August 2007 the Court of Appeal in San Francisco declared a petition to the Court by the Teamsters, the Sierra Club and consumer group Public Citizen to be unwarranted which should have led to a lifting of the vehicle ban if funding had not been withdrawn by Congress in March 2009.

    Now, in the face of persistent Mexican objections, the Obama administration is working with Congress to thrash out a deal which will allow free cross border passage to all legal vehicles. US Trade Representative Ron Kirk said yesterday in a meeting with Mexico's MInister of the Economy "President Obama has made it plain that we would like to see this issue over the ability of Mexican trucks to move freely throughout the U.S. resolved as soon and as thoughtfully as possible.

    "With the offending language now being removed from the most recent appropriations bill, we have at least the green light to go forward and start those consultations with Congress and other interested parties"

    Mexican freight hauliers wait, given the history of the dispute probably more in hope than expectation.

    article taken frm handy shipping guide.com

    For information on shipping to Mexico please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450

    www.pack-n-send.com

     

     

    Valentines Day Shipping-Houston Freight, Moving Company Can Help

    Posted on Tue, Feb 09, 2010

    Packages are flying out the door filled with Valentine Day presents.  This year, our customers are sending candy, games, toys and cards.

    Today is a good day to ship your Valentine Day treats.

    For more information on Valentine Day shipping, please call pack n send.

    713 266 1450

    http://www.pack-n-send.com/

     Free photo - red flower rose available in our free stock photos

    Tags: Estate moving Houston, Houston Mover, Cargo Houston

    Houston Freight-Move Co notesn Improved outlook for imports

    Posted on Mon, Feb 08, 2010

    The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will receive a stronger surge in imports than expected in the first half of 2010, rising as much as 28% over previous year levels, as the long-awaited economic recovery continues to gather strength, according to a report released Monday by the National Retail Federation.

    Overall, imports into the nation's major container ports is expected to rise 25% during the first six months of the year, compared with the year-earlier period.

    The projection shows that at least some economists are expecting steady progress at a time when others are fretting over the possibility of a double-dip recession. Previous forecasts for the local ports and for the nation's busiest harbors for container cargo had predicted lukewarm improvement at best for the first half of the year.

    But Hackett Associates, which tracks import data every month for some of the nation's biggest retailers, said that it was noticing positive signs from a number of indicators. One of those was the fact that the record number of ships that were laid up or idled for lack of work last year has begun to drop substantially.

    "This forecast assumes that we are not in a double-dip recession and that a recovery is underway," said Ben Hackett, founder of the consulting firm. "The forecast for 2010 points towards growth."

    The National Retail Federation, which had previously been quite cautious about the pace of the economic recovery, let go of those inhibitions Monday.

    "This is a dramatic turnaround over what we've seen during the past two years," said Jonathan Gold, vice president for supply chain and customs policy for the retail federation.

    Gold cautioned that increases in import volumes don't mean that retailers will record the same improvement in sales. "But retailers are clearly expecting to move more merchandise this year," he said.

    Hackett's monthly report, called Port Tracker, covers imports at the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach - the nation's largest - as well as Oakland; Seattle; Tacoma, Wash.; New York/New Jersey; Virginia; Charleston, S.C.; Savannah, Ga.; and Houston.

    Those ports handled a combined 1.1 million containers in December, the latest month for which actual numbers are available. That was unchanged from November but represented a 2.6% increase over December 2008.

    Hackett said those numbers broke a 28-month streak in which monthly import totals were lower than the same month the year before. In 2009, the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach handled 6.75 million and 5.1 million cargo containers, respectively, their lowest totals in several years.

    • n Ronald D. White

     Article on Improved outlook for imports taken form the L. A. Times

    If you are looking at importing into the United States, or exporting worldwide, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    http://www.pack-n-send.com/

     Bandera americana: pin para solapa. 2004 Impresión Digital.  $51,7 millones es el valor total de las importaciones de Estados Unidos de banderas americanas en el 2001; algo más de la mitad de esta cantidad ($29,7 millones) corresponde a band...

     

    Tags: Houston Mover, Shipping Houston, Packing Houston

    Houston Freight Co Congratulates AABC Communications

    Posted on Fri, Feb 05, 2010

     

    John Tillis has returned to head up his companies operations after a one year leave of absence.   AABC has been serving Houston and the surrounding area  for over 25 years. To congratulate John directly feel free to call him at 713 877 8118.

     John started the business in 1986 as a telecommunications equipment company, and built the business providing, "reliable telephone service". 

    Through the years, his business has grown and his  product offering now includes, surveillance systems, business telephone systems, complete audio/visual solutions.

    AABC is  a leading supplier of all Panasonic Solutions including the KXTDE, TDA and NCP product lines. WeLink Systems. AABC  is also a Cisco Select Certified Partner and a Dell Gold Certified seller.

    AABC Communications is also a Panasonic Enhanced Communications Solutions Certified Dealer.

    AABC Communications holds many other certifications including  3M Fiber Optic, APC Select, Valcom, Vodavi and Triad. 

    AABC services and sells all business telephone system sand telephone equipment. They also sell and service voicemail systems from industry leading manufacturers. As short list of their systems: Avaya, Executone, Samsung, Nortel, Panasonic, Toshiba, Tie/Nitsuko, Vodavi, Inter-tel, Telrad, Comdial, NEC Polycom, Plantronics, Mitel.

    Pack n send has handled AABC Communications shipping needs for the past 24years.

    Once again, welcome back John!!

    Please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450. http://www.pack-n-send.com/

     

     talking

    Tags: Electronics Shipping Houston, Houston Packing Services, Shipping Houston

    2010 Olympics Service Update from Houston Freight Shipper

    Posted on Tue, Feb 02, 2010

    Service Update for pack n send customers: 

    The 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games are being held in Vancouver, British Columbia from February 12 -28. You should be aware of several UPS service changes that will be in effect February 1 - 28.

    Due to imposed security requirements and access restrictions related to the Games, the following service changes will apply in Vancouver, Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton, British Columbia:

    All shipments originating outside of Canada to the affected postal codes will have an end-of-day delivery commitment for the time period noted above. Delivery guarantees for international origin shipments of UPS Worldwide Express PlusTM and UPS Worldwide ExpressTM services will not apply.

    UPS Worldwide Express Plus, UPS Worldwide Express, and UPS Worldwide Express SaverTM shipments originating outside of Canada will require one additional day for delivery to Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton.

    • Service will be affected in postal codes beginning with the following three characters: Vancouver, British Columbia V6B, V6C, V6E, V6G, V6Z, V7G, V7H, V7J, V7K, V7L, V7M, V7N, V7P, V7R, V7S, V7T, V7V, V7W, V7X and V7Y Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton, British Columbia V0N and V8B

    If  you are going to the Olympics and need your audio visual equipment or computers delivered ahead of time, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

     

     We can ship it for you via freight and arrange to have it returned to you.

     

     

     

     

    Tags: Exclusive moves, Houston Freight, Houston Mover, Container Shipping Houston

    Mardi Gras 2010-Houston Freight Shipper Notes

    Posted on Tue, Feb 02, 2010

    Mardi Gras always falls on the Tuesday that is 46 days before Easter... always the day before Ash Wednesday, which is the start of Lent... February 16, 2010 - but that actually marks the end to all the "serious" partying. It's the season of revelry before Mardi Gras that draws the big crowds and one name says it all... Carnival! Carnival officially begins on January 6, which is known as Twelfth Night or King's Day, so named because it falls 12 days after Christmas on the day the Wise Men are said to have reached Bethlehem. By now it should be clear that the world's biggest party is also rooted in religion... well, amen to that and hallelujah, too!

    Carnival celebrations fall into two categories: public and private. The private celebrations are balls held by clubs or Krewes as they are known. Some Krewes are open to everyone while others are very exclusive and made up mostly of FONOF (fine old New Orleans families). The public celebrations take the form of parades, sponsored by the very Krewes that hold the balls for members only... and much the same as last year, this year's celebrations will embrace as many people as possible. New Orleans is still a city in "recovery" and that includes "recovering" its people.

    There will be however more parades this year than last! New Orleans' many Krewes have for the most part reassembled, redecorated and rededicated themselves to Mardi Gras. If you're looking for up to the minute information on the Krewes and their parade dates, check MardiGras.com... you'll find all things Mardi Gras right there!

    Mardi Gras 2010 marks the 154th year of the Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans. This year also marks another step in the giant plan to bring New Orleans back, and that includes everyone who made this city great... visitors and locals alike! If Mardi Gras can be a conduit for just a little healing... well then, why not party on and spread a little cheer just like past generations demonstrated when Mardi Gras returned after other tragedies... like the World Wars, for instance! Still... and for the very first time, the city's party image must also be balanced by one of financial responsibility. Bummer... but a reality nonetheless!

    At least the colors of Mardi Gras have remained untarnished: purple, green and gold, chosen long ago in 1872 by that year's Rex, or King of Mardi Gras . In 1892, the colors were given meaning - purple for justice, green for faith and gold for power. A special "cake" is also celebrated (and eaten) during Mardi Gras and Carnival Season: the king cake. Sweet, roll-like dough is shaped into a big circle, cooked and brushed with purple, green and gold sugar or icing. Then a plastic baby, representing the Christ child, is tucked inside. Whoever gets the piece of cake with the baby must, by tradition, provide the next king cake... (and avoid choking as well)!

    "Laissez les bon temps roulez" has never meant more in the city that never sleeps, and one thing's for sure... this year's party will be bigger and better than last... and that's a sure sign of a much needed return to normalcy, though the disaster that was Katrina will not soon be forgotten! One phrase still echoes throughout the Quarter, "It is the PEOPLE that make New Orleans great!" OK... we keep hearing that we are an integral part of the party... even of every day life in New Orleans, so it is more important than ever to support the city that recognizes our value! So, let's all meet in the Quarter and have a whole lotta fun... day and night... sound like a plan? Taken from trlpsmarter.com

     

    Pack n send has just shipped hats, banners and t-shirts for Mardi Gras promotions in New Orleans.

     

    If you are going to Mardi  Gras and need your promotional items shipped, or just need to ship some extra luggage, please contact pack n send at 713 266 1450. We ship freight, and cargo world wide. We can also blanket wrap your furniture.

    http://www.pack-n-send.com/         

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Tags: Antique furniture moving, Shipping Houston, Freight Forwarding Houston

    Updated Haiti Shipping Info- Noted by Houston Shipper

    Posted on Mon, Feb 01, 2010

    The following article is an update of UPS services to Haiti.

     UPS is working with the Red Cross, but at this time is not shipping personal packages directly to Haiti

    USA / HAITI - Atlanta-based freight and parcel carrier UPS has announced they are to donate more than $1 million worth of support to the international efforts to assist the survivors of the massive earthquake that hit Haiti yesterday.

    The contribution shall be made up of $500,000 in cash with the rest made up of in-kind support services.

    The assistance is to be split between The Red Cross, UNICEF and CARE to be used in their long-term relief efforts for the blighted country.

    Speaking of UPS' commitment Dan Brutto, president of UPS International, said that: "With hundreds of thousands of people affected, our hearts go out to Haiti.

    "Through our financial commitment and logistics expertise, UPS is positioned to respond quickly to the urgent needs and tremendous suffering that have been created by the earthquake. We felt it was critical that we act fast to support the relief efforts."

    UPS is also part of the World Food Programme's Logistics Emergency Teams (LETs), who deal with the rapid response and long-term logistic requirements that are created by disaster. The initiative involves providing "loaned" logistics experts to oversee on-site disaster response, normally for a deployment of three-to-six months and UPS has stated that is prepared for the activation of its team members.

    For more information on shipping into Haiti, please contact pack-n-send at 713 266 1450.

    www.pack-n-send.com 

     

    Tags: Cargo Shipping from Houston, Air Cargo Shipping Houston

    Container rates on the Rise-Per Houston Freight Company

    Posted on Thu, Jan 28, 2010

    Quotes for containers have been rising this year. As we look for ways to obtain excellent prices for our customers, we are faced with higher freight rates charged by shipping lines. Part of the explanation is stated in the article below.

    Container Rates from China surge 24 per cent

    Bruce Barnard | Jan 26, 2010 2:44PM GMT The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story

    Fast-paced change buoyed by surge in demand, shortage of containers

    Ocean container spot freight rates on the key export trades out of China to Europe and the U.S. east and west coasts soared by an average of 24 percent in the past three months.

    The rate of recovery is much faster than expected, buoyed by a surge in demand this month, according to Alphaliner, the Paris-based container shipping consultant.

    Continued high vessel utilization rates on certain trades, especially on services to Europe since Christmas, have also created shortages of empty containers in a number of locations, which in turn, has underpinned the higher freight rates.

    The steep rise in rates resulted from successive rounds of rate increases imposed by ocean carriers since October and the extension of the peak season surcharge until February.

    "It remains to be seen if the rates are sustainable as the Lunar New Year holidays in China in mid-February could lead to some weakening in freight rates," Alphaliner said.

    Spot rates from Shanghai to the U.S. West Coast have risen by 26 percent in the past three months and are 17 percent higher on shipments to the U.S. East Coast.

    Asia-Australia and Asia-Africa spot rates also have risen over the past three months, but rates to the Middle East, especially to the Gulf region, remain under pressure.

    The high spot market rates on the major trades from China to Europe and the United States have come at a key period as contract rates for 2010 have also strengthened, Alphaliner said.

    Twelve-month contract rates for the Far East-Europe trades starting in January or February 2010 are reported to be about 200 percent higher than last year, reflecting renewed optimism about trade prospects.

    For more information on international shipping and packing  please fell free to contact pack n send.

    http://www.pack-n-send.com/ 713 266 1450

     

     shipping containers at clyde

    Tags: Houston Shipping, Houston Mover, Crate Houston

    Freight Shipping Slow

    Posted on Fri, Jan 22, 2010

    US - The fourth quarter results for the two American rail freight giants were no better than anticipated. It is still likely that the sector will slowly recover, and indeed take a larger slice of business from the trucking community, but such events cannot happen overnight. North America still has a lot more investment to make in its rail freight and inter modal infrastructure before shipping via rail cars becomes preferable to trucks.

    For truck moving, you might want to look at furniture shipping via truck or on pallets using freight companies.  For small moves, there are companies that have no minimum weight or dollar amount.

    For more information please feel free to contact pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    A large truck drives over the bridge. <br>See more <a href="http://www.pbase.com/hull_m">photos by Matthew Hull</a> at PBase. <br>See my portfolio at <a href="http://www.istockphoto.com/matthew_hull"&...

     

    Tags: Freight Houston, Shipping Houston, Small Moves

    Fed Ex and UPS update on Haiti Relief Efforts-Freight Co Notes

    Posted on Thu, Jan 21, 2010

    The following is a FedEx and UPS updated press release: 

    SA / HAITI - FedEx has reported that it has successfully delivered over 180 tons in critical supplies for aid organizations which are endeavoring to assist survivors of the devastating earthquake that struck the Haitian capital of Port-au-Price last week.

    FedEx state that they managed to get one flight into Haiti on Sunday, January the 17th, carrying over ten tons of equipment including 25 critical solar-powered water purification units. In addition, the company has made three additional flights to Santa Domingo in the Dominican Republic with a large quantity of relief supplies on behalf of the American Red Cross.

    The company says that they have loads of medical supplies on behalf of Heart to Heart and Direct Relief International which they shall deliver as soon as landing slots become available either in Port au Prince or Santo Domingo.

    In common with an announcement made last week by UPS, FedEx also state that intend to contribute more than $1 million in cash and emergency freight logistics to the international relief efforts.

    For information on freight and cargo shipping, please call pack n send at 713 266 1450.

    Shipping and Cargo Leaving Ports Slowly- Houston Freight Co Notes

    Posted on Mon, Jan 18, 2010

    The New York Times last week covered the squeeze put on ports around the world as shipping companies try to save money by moving freight less often. Across the board in 2009, the world saw a decrease in freight activity at all major ports. 

    Fortunately, container imports at 10 major American ports are on the rise in 2010. Starting in February, after 31 months in decline, the National Retail Federation and IHS Global Insight expect a turnaround.

    Already here at Pack n Send, we're seeing a slight increase in freight activity. From international shipping and nationwide furniture shipping, to small eBay shipping orders and auto transport, we're already sensing a turnaround in the economy. There is no shortage of families moving to Houston, which might explain why we're keeping busy.

    Source: The New York Times

     

    Tags: Houston Shipping, Freight Forwarding Houston

    FedEx raising prices- Freight prices not affected.

    Posted on Fri, Jan 15, 2010

    With rising inflation and higher cost of oil, it should be no surprise that FedEx is raising their rates by 5.9%. These rates are usually announced by FedEx and UPS annually, so it's nothing too out of the ordinary. The rates apply to less-than-load shipments, so pretty much anything you send through FedEx unless it's a very large freight shipment. Read more at ABC News.

     

    Good news for shipping freight out of Houston and other US cities.

    An old and used carton box

    Tags: Shipping Houston, Houston Packing

    Freight Services Donated to Haiti from UPS-Houston Reports

    Posted on Thu, Jan 14, 2010

    The earthquake in Haiti is a tragedy beyond proportion. We are happy to hear of the UPS donation of a million dollars in free freight services offered to Haiti. UPS is offering these freight services through the Red Cross, UNICEF, and CARE in order to help deliver aid and supplies. Twitter rumors started popping up that UPS was offering the services for free to individuals to ship to Haiti, but this is not true. Be sure to give what you can to help the people of Haiti. We hope and pray for them.

    Read full article. 

    Tags: Freight Houston, Shipping Houston, Freight Forwarding Houston

    Furniture Freight Alternative to Moving- Houston

    Posted on Tue, Jan 05, 2010

    moving furnitureIf you need to move small amounts of furniture from one city to another, it may be less expensive to freight the furniture than to put it on a truck and move it.

    Houston mover and freight preparation company offers advice.

     

    Furniture freighting involves securing the furniture on a pallet, surrounding the furniture with protection and stretch wrap, and shipping the furniture via truck to its new city.

    As an ultimate price saver, the furniture can be delivered on a pallet to your curb or loading dock, and you can unload it. Of course you have the option for the freight company to unload the pallet and bring the furniture into your home or office.

    This is just another way to save money when shipping with Pack n Send. Do you have furniture to move somewhere in the country? Contact us for a free furniture shipping quote.

    Tags: Small nationwide moving, Partial moves, Expedited service moving, Antique furniture moving, Interior designer moves, Exclusive moves, Antique moving, Small Moves, Small Nationwide Moves

    Sell and Ship Your Ebay Listings -Shipping from Houston

    Posted on Tue, Jan 05, 2010

    Have you been someone following all the hype behind online stores and want to get involved with it? Now the opportunity is even easier then before with the sell and ship options available from Pack n Send.

    Ebay is one of the largest online auction websites world-wide with millions of sellers and buyers. Becoming a seller doesn't have to be the most complicated thing anymore. Many people look into starting an Ebay business each day, and many more don't know where to begin or how to get started. 

    Make Ebay Shipping Easy

    With Pack n Send we'll take all the hard work out for you. We will take the time to research the items you want to sell, get photographs of the items, list the items, get you top dollar for the items and lastly, ship the items to their buyer for you. We will help you get your Ebay listing seen and sold at an astounding amount. 

    Houston Ebay Shipping Services

    For those located in Houston, Texas you can now take advantage of Pack n Send's Houston Ebay shipping. Our shipping services have been designed to help you get exactly what you need at a price you'll be able to afford. 

    If you don't actually have anywhere to store your Ebay listings while you are waiting for them to sell consider making you of Pack n Send's inventory storage options. Pack n Send can store your inventory within their local warehouse until the Ebay listings are sold.

    We want to make the overall process for you uncomplicated. It can be hard keeping things organized and on time, especially if you have large amounts of sales occuring each and everyday. Let Pack n Send make the process easier for you so you can enjoy your Ebay business even more and get all those Ebay listings selling. 

    Time is everything when it comes to Ebay. You want to ensure your items are shipped quickly and the price is affordable. This is possible when you have Pack n Send assisting you with the overall process. 

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    Tags: Freight Houston, Shipping Houston, Houston Packing

    Send Furniture Across Country-Tips From Small Load Mover- Houston

    Posted on Sun, Jan 03, 2010

    Sending furniture anywhere nationwide can always seem like a difficult task.

     Whether you're moving an entire home or doing a small load move you are going to want to find the best options to send your furniture.

    It can be hard finding shipping companies that will assist in smaller moves without having a hiked up price. With Pack n Send there is a variety of shipping options available so that you can send furniture across the country easily and at a price you'll like. 

    Some options that are offered with Pack n Send's shipping and moving services include: 

    If you'd like full details on the variety of shipping services offered by Pack n Send please continue to Shipping Services in Houston, TX. Throughout this section you'll see a vast amount of shipping services available.

    If you'd like full details on the variety of moving services offered by Pack n Send please continue to Local & Long Distance Moving in Houston, TX. Throughout this section you'll see all the moving options available. 

    It can be hard finding a service that does everything you need. Pack n Send will do everything it can to offer you everything you need at an affordable price. 

    If you are looking to get a price quote to determine how much it would cost to send your furniture across country ensure to request a moving/shipping quote from Pack n Send

    Simple Shots of Furniture with Clipping Done.

    Tags: Moving Houston, Small Moves, Small Nationwide Moves

    Year End Holiday Shredding in Houston by Houston Freight Co.

    Posted on Tue, Dec 29, 2009

    It is time to get rid of all your old papers, tax returns and documents you want to dispose of. Clean out your closets and find your old bank statements, credit card bills, and tax returns.

    Protect your identity!

    You should shred all documents with personal information to protect your identity from fraud.

    Until January 15, 2010, Pack n Send is offering $.65 a pound for document shredding. We want you to start the New Year with a clean household.

    We offer personal service along with bargain document shredding services.

    Bring your old documents in bags, sacks or boxes and we will unload them from your vehicle. Please contact us with any questions. For information about packing, shipping, freight, and moving, please call pack n send  at 713 266 1450.

    April 28: Day 41 of Project 365  Had an important meeting interviewing a candidates for a new youth director. Had to shred the copies of the personal info.  Processed with Michelle Black's Moderna_All_over_Vamp raw preset.

    Tags: document shredding, Packing Houston

    Shipping Imported Swiss Chocolates for Christmas- Houston Shipper

    Posted on Wed, Dec 16, 2009

    Today we have the pleasure of shipping 50 boxes of truffles for Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland!

    We wish we could eat all of these chocolates ourselves, they smell so tasty. Teuscher Chocolates was founded over 70 years ago by one of the world's greatest chocolatiers, Dolf Teuscher. He searched the world for the finest cocoa, marzipan, fruits, nuts, and other ingredients. After years of experimenting, he skillfully blended them into his now famous recipes.

    Pack n Send can ship, move, and freight any item anywhere in the world. If you need a chocolate fix, visit the Teuscher Las Vegas website. If you need a shipping fix, call us at 713-266-1450 or request a shipping quote.

    chocolate truffles

    Tags: Houston Shipping, Freight Houston, Packing Houston

    Affordable Gift Shipping this Holiday Season-Advice from Houston

    Posted on Fri, Dec 11, 2009

    The holidays are now getting quite close, and getting all those gifts to family world wide is becoming slightly more tedious. No one enjoys spending a fortune to get the gifts to their families, which is why the hunt for cheap shipping costs is beginning.

    If you are one of the many wanting to find cheap shipping costs, you will be happy to know that it's actually possible and there are many ways you can minimize the amounts you spend this holiday season. 

    One of the best ways you can greatly diminish the amount you spend for shipping is combining packages. If you have several family members in one local area that you're shipping gifts to ship them all to one location. By doing this you are diminishing the amount of packages being sent out, meaning less postal fees. This is also a great way to ensure that your family is spending a little quality time together. 

    Houston Company recommeds that you should consider is shipping early.

    By shipping early you won't have to pay the added costs for expedited shipping to ensure the packages get there in time. Most people are known to wait until the last minute, but the holidays is the worst time that you could do this. 

    The holiday season is a time of year you want to enjoy as much as possible. The last thing you want to worry about is your family not receiving their gifts. Don't have this worry this year and do all your holiday shipping with Pack n Send. 

    Pack n Send dedicates themselves to cutting costs for you and also making sure that your family receives their gifts on time. It can be quite saddening to find out that they did not, so don't deal with this feeling this year. 

    Make this a holiday season you enjoy to the fullest and have Pack n Send help you relieve all that gift shipping stress. We will do everything we can to get your packages arrive on time and do it at a better price then your usual postal services. Christmas is right around the corner, so it is time to get those gifts out now before it is too late and we are working our way into New Years.

    Present

    Tags: Freight Houston, Shipping Houston

    Estate shipping: Advice From Houston Freight Company

    Posted on Wed, Dec 09, 2009

    Shipping an estate can be quite complicated. An estate may include cars, furniture, and other large pieces. Items may need to be shipped to various different addresses of friends and family members.

    For this reason, we recommend you follow these four tips to help you find a shipper, but also send goods to multiple receivers. 

    1. Your estate shipper should send it all. When looking for a company to ship items for an estate, it is important to make sure that they can ship everything, including your fragile goods, as well as furniture and cars. 

    2. Your shipper should send to multiple addresses. Your estate shipper should pick up your estate items and deliver them in the city, or that ships both domestically and internationally.

    3. Find a shipper that brings supplies. Do you have the boxes and packing materials needed for your estate? Your shipper should have those goods on hand, just in case you want to save money and pack your own goods.If your shipper can bring boxes and supplies, family members can pack items should they choose to do so. This gives them the opportunity to save on packing costs. Items like clothes and books usually do not need professional packing. 

    4. Tell the truth on value. Value the items for what they are actually worth, not at an inflated sentimental value.

    If we can answer any of your estate shipping questions, please call us at at 713-266-1450 or contact us for a free shipping quote.

    Tags: Shipping Freight Houston, estate, boxes, supplies, Houston Shipping, Shipping, packing

    International Shipping - Getting Your Gifts to Arrive on Time

    Posted on Wed, Dec 09, 2009

    Having family all over the globe can pose a problem during the holiday season. There are many ways you can cut the costs and ensure that you get everything to its destination on time. international shipping

    For those that are not overly familiar with international shipping, be aware that packages can take 2-3 weeks to arrive at their destination, so shipping ahead of time is key. When you give yourself the needed time to get things there in time, you'll be a lot less worried. 

    Another thing that you'll want to consider is the weight of the items you are shipping. A lot of postage is done by weight and distances. If you are shipping multiple items over seas try shipping everything together if possible. 

    Getting your gifts to arrive on time is important and with Christmas only a few weeks away you really should consider getting everything sent out very soon. Most items going internationally will have to go through customs as well so do not go above and beyond on wrapping just in case things have to be opened. 

    Also, you want to have your packages labeled displaying exactly what is in your packages. This will diminish the need to open up your packages and won't destroy any custom packing.

    If you need international shipping this year, consider having Pack n Send assist you with the process. We offer several options to get your packages shipped on time, safely and securely at an affordable price you will love. Make sure to check our list of Countries we ship to, to ensure that we can ship to the location you need. 

    Tags: Freight Houston, Shipping Houston

    Antique Shipping - Freight or Moving Recommended

    Posted on Tue, Nov 17, 2009

    When you own many antique items that are very fragile it can be quite worrisome and stressful trying to pack up all those items for any move, whether it is short or long. A simple bump could shatter an antique quite easily if it is not packaged properly, which is why you want to ensure you've done it right to keep them safe and secure from point A to point B.antique shipping

    Packaging Your Antiques Properly

    For those that are moving or needing to send an antique item you will want to consider understanding how to package them properly. It is not too difficult to do, but the slightest mistake could make or break your antiques.

    When packaging these items you want to ensure that you seperate all portions and wrap each item individually. It may seem easier to package items as a whole, but this could pose to be a problem. Utilizing bubble wrap, peanuts, styrofoam and if needed double boxing could help protect your items from any bump or movement. You want everything to fit securely in the boxes that are used for shipping leaving no breathing room for movement.

    Shipping Your Antiques Safely

    The shipment of your antiques could be a very stressful time for anyone. Antiques tend to be family heirlooms which have a lot of memory and value to your family, so shipping them properly is key to their safe arrival at the next location.

    When you are shipping your antiques you want to ensure that the company shipping them will handle the items properly and have zero mishandling. Not all companies truly pay attention to that "Fragile" sign on the side of boxes, so it is important to trust your shippers.

    Using Pack n Send Packaging & Shipping Services

    With Pack n Send you will be provided with some of the top shipping services that will ensure that your packages reach the next location safely. Antique shipping is something you want to ensure is done right. For those worried that they are not going to package their items properly Pack n Send can easily package your antiques for you safely and securely in their warehouse or your location. Every item will be packaged with the proper care and for larger items the use of crates is possible.

    You should never have to worry that your antique items are not going to reach the next location in one piece. By utilizing the packing and shipping services that Pack n Send offers for antique items you can be positive everything is going to reach the end location safely, securely and on time.


    Tags: Houston Moving, Houston Freight, Houston Shipping

    How to Find the Right Store to Sell Your Items on Ebay

    Posted on Mon, Oct 26, 2009

    Finding a reputable store to list your eBay items can be time consuming. Consumers need to know the right questions to ask.

    Does the store know how to place the correct title and category on your item?

    Does the eBay seller list AND ship your eBay item? Proper and timely fulfillment is essential to successful eBay selling.

    Does the eBay seller only accept items that are allowed to be sold on eBay? If they're breaking eBay rules, their account could be suspended and your investment of time and money would be lost.

    Does the eBay seller research each item to make sure they are both pricing your item correctly and checking on what prior items have sold for? Proper research is required in order for your items to sell and to make you as much profit as possible.

    Does the eBay seller list multiples of the same items? You do not want your items to be bidding against themselves.

    Does your eBay seller re-list if your item doesn't sell the first time? At this time, you can tweak both your price as well as your description.

    Does your eBay seller have positive reviews from customers in past eBay sales?

    Does the eBay seller take their own pictures, or try and copy pictures already on eBay? Stock pictures often do not show any special markings or enhancements of an eBay item. Customers need to see the exact item they're buying. Better pictures will always sell the product faster and usually at higher prices.

    Make sure the eBay seller asks you for a truthful description. If an eBay item has defects or is not in operating condition, then the item needs to be listed with these defects. Buyers should know exactly what they are purchasing. A returned item due to dissatisfaction is not a good eBay sale.

    If you are trying to sell a car on eBay, does the eBay seller ask you to see the title before the sale? Do they let you know that the vehicle needs to be ready for a purchaser to see, touch and take the auto to a garage for an inspection?

    Does the eBay seller have a secure, safe location to store your eBay items? Does the store provide an alarm system and carry insurance on their store.

    These are just a few questions you should ask when researching a store that will sell your eBay items. Pack n Send has helped individuals sell their personal items and family estate profitably on eBay. If we can answer any of your eBay selling questions, please call us in Houston at 713-266-1450, or visit our eBay Listing page.

    Tags: package shipping, ebay listing, estate shipping, ebay shipping, Shipping, packing

    What to do with $50,000 in gifts at your Houston wedding? Shipping from Pack n Send.

    Posted on Sun, Sep 20, 2009

    shipping for destination weddingOur shipping customers vary widely, from art dealers and hospitals to families and estates. However, shipping wedding gifts is among some of our most unique jobs.

    Shipping wedding gifts is a challenging task. Most gifts are given in their original packaging. For electronics and kitchen accessories, we keep the items in their original packaging and pack them in boxes with Styrofoam peanuts. For more fragile items, such as chinaglass, and crystal, we have to remove all pieces from the original packaging. Each item is carefully prepared for shipping to adhere to our strict standards.

    All packages are insured for their full value and shipped via FedEx or UPS. For weddings in Houston where the bridge and groom are moving elsewhere, we've handled the entire household in addition to wedding gifts.

    As a result of our 25+ years experience and friendly customer service, we've had many satisfied brides and grooms refer us to their friends and family. Let us know if you have a wedding approaching. We'll be happy to serve all your shipping needs. 

    Photo credit: coreyann

    Tags: wedding, crystal, stemware, glass, Shipping, packing