Wooden lift-vans are utilized for LCL-less than container-loads of Household Goods and Personal Effects.


C- The volume of a standard lift-van runs about 196 to 210+ cubic feet. Sometimes we can use half and quarter sized liftvans as well. Often it simply depends on what is on hand. They are made so they fit into an ocean container and also so they can easily stack --in case the goods are to be held in storage for an extended period of time at either origin or destination.

How is a well made liftvan built? Will it be properly "climate controlled"? This question is asked, when there are items that can be damaged due to moisture. Expensive pianos can get warped if unprotected. If a shipment is packed into wooden liftvans - and it is sent to a hot moist tropical place like Singapore, further steps can be taken to better protect the property. The roof of the liftvan can be tarped, basically using the equivalent to roofing material. And when the liftvan panels are placed together, the packers can staple inside large sheets of heavy duty plastic. This way the inside walls of the liftvan are totally covered with plastic. Further, after the liftvan is closed shut, caulking is applied to the ends of the liftvan to further seal it from moisture. Finally, the liftvan has steel bands applied to the outside so everything is completely tight and secure. That's the best sort of "climate control" for a liftvan.

If the liftvan is going to be held for a period of time in storage overseas - and if its going to a tropical moist place, then you might want to ask for "climate controlled" warehousing. Some movers we work with (Singapore, etc) have both regular storage, and air-conditioned storage. The rates for air-conditioned storage is naturally higher than regular warehousing. But for very fragile items, like antiques, artwork, etc., this added protection is recommended.

photo above: Ed Sherman Movers warehouse
located in central Indiana


Agents around the world use lift-vans for SIT storage in transit.







D- The photo below, shows an imported liftvan. Notice how a king-sized mattress is transported inside the liftvan. Shipping mattresses by themselves has always been problematic. If sent in your own 20-ft or 40-ft container, that works well. But if sent using the LCL less-than container load method, the problem has always been its unwieldy size. When a mattress is loaded on its side into a liftvan, its a much safer way to ship.

Some moving companies re-use imported liftvans, for export shipments. Its no problem with a crate being re-used. Its called "turning around" a used box. The cost to turn around a used liftvan, is less than building a new liftvan crate using fresh plywood. The markings on the outside can be changed. As long as its sturdy, it will serve the purpose.

More about mattresses...

Here's the story of "An American mattress in Paris."

One of America's best, yet least recognized exports, is the mattress. Evidently, the mattresses in Europe and elsewhere aren't quite up to snuff, sorry to say. People seem to love those high quality American mattresses.
The only problem is: how to ship them?

They don't fit well on a pallet or "skid". Too big.

Here's the decision process one often finds:

People moving overseas will go through a cost/benefit analysis regarding if its going to be worth sending their furniture or not. Sometimes people will "ditch" the furniture and pare things down to just the personal effetcs (in cartons), PLUS (???): the mattress.

Cartons are square and fit well onto a pallet.
But mattresses do not transport well on pallets.

Pallets are very cost effective and safe for shipping stacked cartons.

However in an overseas move, the mattress is the last item of "furniture" that people want to save - to include with the cartons of personal effects.

What are the export packaging implications in this decision?

Including the mattress can mean the difference between shipping (cartons only) on pallets, or cartons + mattresses in a wooden liftvan.

Liftvans are great for sea-shipping household goods, but they cost more in terms of the added outside gross volume that they take up.
Also, the cost is more for actually packing the goods into liftvans (using a mover) vs. loading onto skids (and shrink wrapping) cartons only - which practicaly anyone can do.
So what to do?

Either decide to go ahead and take the cost and added protection of using a liftvan, or take a FCL full container load and just fill it to its capacity. Or ditch the mattress and stick to the cartons only, palletized "on skids".

Ultimately, if its your property, it will be your choice what to do. Include the mattress - or not? Buy a new mattress - or keep the good one you already have, or get rid of it? Maybe even send it by air? (Do you have a budget for this?) Bottom line: Is it worth it?

Well, just think about spending one third of your day -- at your overseas destination-- lying on top of a horse-hair filled sack better suited to a barnyard. Then picture having the best sleep of your life on a 1-800-mattress "dream maker special". Then decide.

You'll be surprised to know how many people decide to bite the bullet, and fill their liftvans or containers with super high quality mattresses. The answer is: "A lot."

Sophisticated places like France may arguably have the best food on earth, and in the African jungle the lion may be still be king, but there is one thing Americans seem to do absolutely right -- there is one product made in the USA that so far seems to have few rivals; this victor in the global marketplace remains, the unbeatable and ultra-comfortable American mattress.

Either Americans must love to laze about and sleep, or they just know how to make a damn good mattress.

Either way, that's the story, about "An American Mattress in Paris".

---

More about liftvans and crates...

SEFCO has sources around the country for buying new liftvans and specially manufactured crates.

If you are not inclined to purchase several lift-vans directly from the manufacturers that we refer to, then lift-vans many be available by purchasing the packing/loading services plus the lift-van(s) from a nearby professional mover. You can arrange packing and delivery to our nearest designated export receiving/shipping terminal for an economy service move, or if you prefer, we can arrange for full service packing/pickup using the packing agent best suited for your needs.

Sefco works with O/A origin agent export packers/movers throughout the USA and oveseas. If you have the budget for a premium service move, let us help you in choosing the right packer and selecting the best ocean carrier and route for your cargo. As freight forwarders, Sefco can handle the entire job from A to Z, in addition to handling the critical export documentation and bookings with the ocean carriers and agents. Read through our web site for an explanation of the two basoc types of service available: Economy Shipping, and Premium Door to Door Moving.

The photos below show:

(1) a standard Type 2 (overseas) wooden liftvans

(A) Outside Dimensions: 87"L x 45"W x 87"H
Inside Dimensions: 86-1/4"L x 44-1/4"W x 81"H Cube: 196 cu.ft.

(B) Outside Dimensions: 87"L x 47"W x 87"L
Inside Dimensions: 86-1/4"L x 46-1/4"W x 81"H Cube: 206 cu.ft

(2) a special "sofa box"

Outside Dimensions: 10'L x 6'2"W x 7-1/2'H

(1) (2)

These crates are manufactured in Jacksonville, FL.

Sefco Export "courtesy referral" to Lift-Van manufacturers:
www.jaxbox.com (based in Jacksonville, FL)

Additional contact for Lift-Vans:
www.kontane.com (based in Hickory, NC)

Want to pack, load and purchase your own liftvan?
See our Liftvan Guide /whse.htm
to get a general idea of the cost.




Crates and cases
can be custom made to order.


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