Has anyone ever rented or bought a shipping container?
 

I'm planning ahead for 2014. With one or two friends, we will visit Normandy which will be

- the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings, aka le Debarquement

- the 80th anniversary of the launch of the Traction Avant, the iconic car which in France is like the 57 Chevy and the Model T combined.

During that time, I'm going with two other car guys and we are seriously thinking of spending some money to bring back a car and a lot of parts.

My plan is to restore several Citroens from among a possible 90 which I will have the pick of. So I'll need some parts from cars in France.

My question: WHO HAS EXPERIENCE with purchasing and/or shipping a container to/from Europe?

I'd like to know costs, timing planning needed, documentation etc.

All FACTUAL assistance appreciated.

Thanks

I'd check on Expedition Portal. People there use shipping containers for vehicles.

Keep an eye on the price of these things.

Our company just bought the one we've been renting since '08.

Long story short, the law of supply/demand is well and alive within the container world.

When the economy was "good" - lots of containers were transporting between the continents...now that the economy isn't moving as fast, hardly any containers to be had and the pricing is reflecting that.

BTW, our container is a 40'er...cost us around $3K. Rental was approx. $125.00/month (excluding use tax).

GL on what you decide.

Thanks, this is the kind of info I need.

Last I checked, $3K for a 40'. Last I bought was $1800 delivered. Price is up substantially.

If you know anyone involved with auctions they may have experience with shipping cars to/from Europe. That was the source of the last, best advice I got.

Last time I wanted to ship a motorcycle back from Germany, prices were way up and it was too expensive to make it work.

Spend a little extra and get one rust-free.

If you buy one to make it into a shop or usable storage get a refrigerated unit. Sell the cooling gear or buy one without. I've heard horror stories of normal containers leaking, being incredibly hot, and they do not keep the weather out.

Good luck

They are incredibly hot if the sun shines on them, cold in winter. Metal walls offer no insulation.

If the unit is in good shape it is very tight as far as moisture. It is made to go to sea on an open deck. A dehumidifier in a tight one easily controls the unit.

I'd contact a freight forwarder/broker. Probably one located in Eurpoe where your shipment will originate. Try Savino del Bene (sp).

20'/20 metric tons from Europe is ~$3500-4000 shipping to the West coast. You'd probably want a 30' or 40'.

I doubt you'll find someone who wants to load and ship your personal container on their boat. Might be wrong.