Guidance and help

Airfreight

Many customers that Abels relocate need specific items quickly. This is especially pertinent for the destinations that have longer port-to-port sailing times such as Australia (30-50 days), New Zealand (35-52 days), and the west coast of America (23-30 days). Therefore, for some customers airfreight is the only option.

Why Airfreight?　

Airline flight allowances are often not sufficient and so many customers prefer to send additional clothing, children’s toys, baby’s cot, office equipment, paperwork, etc which are needed urgently by airfreight. Please note that although airfreight is cost efficient for smaller volumes, sending larger consignments can become very expensive.

Transit Times

You must still allow up to two weeks transit time from collection to delivery. This is because only certain airlines allow commercial cargo within the hold of the planes and owing to the need for a thorough Customs clearance in the UK and at all destinations. Note that if the consignment is pulled by customs at destination, the transit period could be longer.

Security Requirements

Airfreight must be professionally packed - no owner-packed items are permitted for security clearance. No aerosols, liquids, ammunition or other restricted items are allowed - please refer to our guidance on unaccompanied baggage regulations for further guidance. The consignment will be X-ray scanned in the UK before loading into the Air-Igloos, and on receipt at destination. Should any restricted item be noticed, the shipment could be returned or opened and inspected, and fines levied.

Packing Services

Airfreight, Abels Moving ServicesYour possessions are packed into robust Abels cartons.

Moving using airfreight, Abels Moving ServicesCartons are then placed into a tri-wall outer air-module which has a pallet base to keep all packages together and protected. The pallet base is important to allow the airline to move the case easily (and avoid mis-handling).

Shipping belongings by airfreight, Abels Moving ServicesThe module is then over-wrapped in waterproof bubble, security banded to the pallet and taped.　 Customers name / destination and reference is listed on the outer for easy reference and logging.

Moving affects by airfreight, Abels Moving ServicesFor added protection a wooden frame or crate can be incorporated if desired, although not normally necessary. This will add greater transit protection for very fragile items.

Shipping by airfreight, Abels Moving ServicesA double airfreight module is used for the larger consignments. 　

Airfreight shipping, Abels Moving ServicesLarger volumes can be shipped by airfreight. We have shipped full households and even cars overseas by airfreight - should the need arise this is certainly possible.

Volumetric Weight 　

Airlines will charge on either the weight or the size of the consignment, whichever is the greater (for example, a tonne of feathers being a very large volume but a tonne of lead would be relatively small). Roughly speaking, two medium suitcase-sized cartons would have an airline chargeable weight of approximately 40 kilograms (unless the actual weight of the cartons was greater).

Please discuss any needs with your Abels Customer Liaison who will be happy to assist.