In respect of sea freight LCL an abbreviation for “Less than Container Load”. This term is commonly used in the sea freight industry and by international moving companies to describe a sea freight service that designed for shipping boxed, crated or palletized cargo that cannot fill an entire 20 or 40 foot sea container.

FCL – an abbreviation for “Full Container Load”. This term is commonly used to describe a sea freight service that is designed for shipments of cargo where shipper has exclusive use of sea multi-modal container. As a rule containers are loaded and sealed by shipper at the shipper's facility. Then it transported by ocean, rail and/or truck directly to the point of final destination.

The earlier, the better. It's wise to give your moving company from two to three week's notice, if possible. The more lead time you can give, the more likely we will be able to meet your preferred delivery schedule.

All moving companies, for their standard type of service, require alternate pick-up and delivery dates. We'll do our best, of course, to comply with the dates you prefer or the nearest possible alternatives. You will be notified in advance of the loading date for your goods and of the estimated date of arrival.

If your pick-up and delivery dates are critical due to such factors as a lease expiration or a real estate closing, you may choose an extra-cost service which will enable us to accommodate a more precise, reasonable schedule. You should discuss your specific pick-up and delivery requirements with the agent, who can advise you regarding the types and costs of services available.

Our agent will make a pre-move survey of your household goods to be transported. A pre-move survey is needed to determine the approximate cost of a move and the amount of van space your goods will occupy. Our agent will compute the approximate cost and give you a written Estimate/Order for Service. An accurate estimate cannot be calculated without a visual survey of the goods to be moved. There is no charge for the estimate.

Keep in mind that estimates (household goods surveys) are only guidelines. On interstate shipments, you must pay the total charges as determined by the actual weight of your shipment, the distance it travels, and the services that you authorize or which become necessary to handle your shipment.

By default all shipments with us go on express releases. Express = telex release = means that you do not have to provide originals Bill of Ladings in order to recover your goods at the destination. Shipment on express release should be released at the destination upon providing a copy of the B/L received from us in e-mail. No originals required.

• One cubic meter is a considerably large volume.
• A cubic meter is a measurement of volume, equal to space that is one meter wide, one meter long, and one meter high.
• One metric meter = 3.28 metric feet.
• ONE CUBIC METER = 35 CUBIC FEET.

Palletized and shrink-wrapped cargo has much higher probability to reach its destination without damages or loss. However additional charges for palletized cargo will appear:

There are no hidden costs on ocean freight offered in quotes and booking confirmations from us. Your rated bill of lading will verify carrier’s ocean freight and surcharges on your shipment as well.

If you would like to get an extra protection for your valuable shipment from the USA, then we can obtain an Insurance Certificate for the goods.

In order to obtain an insurance certificate on your international ocean freight shipment, a Commercial Invoice (for commercial shipments) or detailed Valued Packing list (for international personal ocean freight shipments) must be submitted in advance.

It is wise to insure a shipment for the cost to replace it in the country of destination. Additionally, it is possible to insure for the cost of re-shipping a lost or damaged item. A Customer Service representative at Gandhi International Shipping will assist you with more details of insuring your shipment.

Automobiles can be shipped to any country that allows import. Many of the developed countries make import easy and inexpensive. Some countries discourage import by assigning high taxes and duties. You will need to provide your original title, as well as the year, make, model, color and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the vehicle.