Container Shipment
Overview
What is a Container Shipment?
A container shipment is the right choice when shipping a whole house of goods. It is exclusively yours and will not be loaded with any one else’s goods.
Your household goods are loaded directly into the container and will stay there until your container arrives in Israel. For security, a seal is attached to the container door (SEAL). Shipments with difficult access or requiring storage are loaded from our agent’s warehouse.
If the container is not filled completely a wall is made to eliminate shifting (WALL).
Here is a list of containers available, the approximate volume, the home size they’re appropriate for, and dimensions.
| 20′ Container | 40′ Container | 40′ HC Container |
| 1000 Cubic Feet | 2000 Cubic feet | 2400 Cubic Feet |
| 1400 Sq Ft Home | 2800 Sq Ft Home | 3200 Sq Ft Home |
| 7.75′ x 7.75′ x 19.5′ | 7.75′ x 7.75′ x 39.5′ | 7.75′ x 8.75′ x 39.5′ |
Containers are periodically checked by the shipping lines for water-tight integrity.
Temperatures inside the container vary depending on season, route, and placement on the vessel. Temperatures have had little-to-no effect on our client’s shipments.
Two Types of Container Shipment?
We offer two types of container shipments — full-service packing and self-packing — as explained below.
Full-Service Packing Container Shipment
Full-service packing container shipments are overwhelmingly the most popular container shipping option — for obvious reasons.
This full-service shipment includes all the boxes and wrapping supplies to completely pack and wrap your household goods. It also includes full delivery services in Israel.
Click HERE for a crisp diagram of a full-service container shipment.
Self-Packing Container Shipment
Self-packing container shipments are a great way to save money — assuming you have the skills to do it successfully.
Assuming there is access and room for parking, a self-packed container is brought to the residence for loading. Our crews can load a 20′ container in 3 to 4 hours.
Self-loading is also available. We allow 4 hours of loading time or, if possible, drop off the container for a couple of days of loading.
Full-service delivery is included with a self-packed container shipment.
International Shipping
International shipping is accomplished via a network of qualified moving and shipping agents located throughout the world.
In large, densely-populated Jewish areas like NY/NJ, Philadephia, Baltimore, Miami, Los Angeles, and Toronto Jewish-owned aliyah-based shipping agents cater to our unique needs.
All other locations are serviced by affiliated moving agents like an Atlas agent or an equivalent. Their services are also highly professional.
Aliyah Lift Shipping started in 2009 as an independent shipping company — not an agent of another company — with our own network of trustworthy agents.
We are grateful that our agents, their amazing crews and office support have helped us to become a leader in the aliyah shipping industry.
Aliyah Based Agents
Our network of aliyah-based agents consistently provide amazing, high-quality services in the following locations:
- East Coast : Local NY/NJ, Philadelphia, Baltimore/DC, Allentown, New Haven, and Boston.
- Florida : Southern Florida, Orlando, and Atlanta.
- Los Angeles : Almost all of California.
- Canada : Toronto and Montreal.
The following applies to our aliyah-based agents :
- Container shipping charges are a flat rate.
- If required, warehouse storage is available before shipping.
- You receive 30 days of free warehouse storage.
- Customs clearance and delivery services are handled by a trustworthy, English-speaking Israeli company.
Affiliated Moving Agents
Our network of affiliated moving agents provides excellent packing services in areas not serviced by our aliyah-based agents.
Our network includes United and Bekins agents, but the majority of our local packing services are with Atlas agents. They provide quality services at reasonable rates — a winning combination.
The following applies to our affiliated moving agents :
- Packing charges are based on weight.
- If required, warehouse storage is available.
- Customs clearance and delivery services are handled by a trustworthy, English-speaking Israeli company.
Household goods weigh between 6 and 8 lbs per cubic foot. A 20′ container weighs between 6000 and 8000 lbs.
The Process
Packing & Loading
With our aliyah-based agents, your container shipment includes full-service packing, including all the boxes and supplies (VIDEO) — everything.
An organized home and a clear understanding of what is being shipped are optimum for efficiency and accuracy. An inventory of your shipment will be made. Tips are always appreciated.
You may ship more or fewer items than originally planned as long as everything fits in the container.
IMPORTANT : Secure all important documents, passports, visas, tallit/tefillin in a location where the crew will not be working.
IMPORTANT : It is crucial to do a walk-through before the crew leaves to ensure everything has been packed and loaded.
Self-packed boxes should be left unsealed so the contents can be verified for the inventory. Self-packed items cannot be insured for damages. (Most people only self-pack goods that aren’t broken like books or clothes.)
Your container will be loaded at your residence unless storage is required or it’s not possible to position a container at your home or any other extenuating circumstances.
IMPORTANT : The coronavirus has had an impact on the shipping industry resulting in chassis and/or container shortages, sailings being canceled, inconsistent port regulations and procedures, and more.
Shipping to Israel
Once your container has been loaded is returned to the local port or rail depot.
Rail depots throughout North America transport containers to the port. The rail travel times adds on approximately one week.
Travel times vary depending on the port and the shipping line. You can learn more about travel times HERE
Port Storage
Container shipments are allowed 4 days of free storage at the port. However, since most deliveries are 5 to 8 days after arrival port storage charges will apply — even if you are prepared to receive your shipment.
In our proposal, we recommend budgeting $150 for a 20′ container and $250 for a 40′ container for the extra days of port storage.
Potential Delivery Charges
There are industry-standard potential delivery charges based on situations that exceed a normal delivery Please keep them in mind when looking for your home in Israel.
- Delivery above the 2nd floor without an elevator. (This included outside steps as well.)
- Carrying a long distance from the container to the residence.
- Shuttle delivery due to the inability to position the container reasonably close to the residence.
- Difficult access where normal delivery is not possible. (Like in the Old City or the need for an outside elevator.)
- Extra heavy items like a piano or safe.
Customs Clearance & Delivery
The customs clearance process is the completion of the following forms :
- Declaration of Personal Import of Goods
- Power of attorney
- A form describing the delivery details of your residence.
- Gas grill permit — if applicable.
- Non-electric bike or scooter form — if applicable.
Learn more about tax-free, taxable, and items forbidden to be imported HERE
Customs clearance is completed via email.
An industrious crew will unload your shipment, putting your boxes and furniture in the rooms of your choice, unwrapping large pieces of furniture, and assembling three basic pieces of furniture.