(edit title) Intercontinental MOVE FROM SWEDEN to U.S.? From Malmö to Seattle, Washington U.S.A. Options

[Sati7]

Hallå! I realize that people make similar inquires repeatedly here, so I am assuming my post is redundant. Still, I’m having trouble finding what I’m looking for with the search engine. Please tell me, is there possibly a sticky post on one of the forums with details and ADVICE ABOUT INTERNATIONAL MOVING via SHIP CONTAINER?

Here are the DETAILS of my situation:

Locations: Malmö --> Seattle, Washington (Both port cities)
Space: Approximately half a container in terms of volume
Weight: No idea
Date of departure (from Malmö): End of February 2012
Date of arrival (in Seattle): Irrelevant (In fact, the longer it takes, the better.)

Here is a brief SUMMARY of my situation:

I am a US / Swedish citizen. After several years back in Sweden, I left and returned to the US abruptly. My belongings have been with a friend for more than a year since that time. He is now moving and I need to plan to have my things shipped to me here in Seattle, Washington from Malmö ASAP.

I have attempted to look into this in the past and found the entire procedure incredibly daunting, but I am 100% decided to progress with the decision to ship, and have too many things to consider air freight. Unscrupulous shipping companies, theft, damage, customs, expense... Oi. It must be done, and within mere weeks.

I am NOT planning to return to Sweden to collect my things. They are all in standard moving boxes currently, aside from the large items which are mostly wrapped in blankets, but I am sure more padding would be required for more fragile items. I have heard that things can really shift and must put up with a good deal of abuse.

This is an urgent situation and I need to have my things out of Skåne by the end of February. Any advice and / or links would be so greatly appreciated. I would love to hear about positive (and negative) experiences. I am hoping to keep costs at a minimum, since finances are a true concern for me.

Tack så mycket!

[Marmi]

I can highly recommend Alfa Moving.

Contact them for a quote.

[Sati7]

Thank you, Marmi! I will, indeed, contact them

Did you use Alfa yourself for a move?

[Marmi]

Yes, I did (Sweden to US East Coast). I also know of many many others who have also used them (based on info from several US/Sweden forums), and I have never read anything bad about them.

[Monark540]

My most recent mover, ICM Kungsholm, has recently discontinued their international removal service and their web page points to Alfa, so another vote for them!

[Sati7]

If only it was just across the Atlantic... I wonder how much longer it will take to make it to SEA.

Thanks again. I'd still appreciate more feedback if anybody has any

[Petalpusher]

I just contacted Alfa Moving. Not sure what their deal is but we got quoted three times the prices from other companies. They also gave us a space of three times the amount of volume space we actually need. When asked to correct it, they ignored the question (along with all our questions), and said there's no change in the price.

I'm confused because I do read good things but from the emails (my husband has been conversing in Swedish - language is obviously not a problem) they seem like complete morons.

Has anyone worked with them in person? Or another company?

[PDX]

I'm confused because I do read good things but from the emails (my husband has been conversing in Swedish - language is obviously not a problem) they seem like complete morons.

Sounds like there may have been morons involved but not on the shipping company's side .

In any case, check out a big international specialist such as Sefco Export, they have tons of information on their site:
http://www.sefco-export.com

~~~PDX~~~

[cattie]

I'm confused because I do read good things but from the emails (my husband has been conversing in Swedish - language is obviously not a problem) they seem like complete morons.

Sounds like typical "post-midsommar until august" quality in Sweden. The regular estimator is on vacation and will be for the next few weeks. They do not want to tell you that the person answering your questions actually has no clue whatsoever. If you called in May, it would be a different response.

[Svensksmith]

We used Sterling International to move from Öland to Illinois. This was seven years ago so I'm not sure this info is still relevant. Here is their phone #: 502 426 7050