Liferaft courier to Spain - Recommendations?

[colind3782]

I want a new 4 man liferaft in a canister. The best deal seems to be the Ocean Standard but I've been quoted £150 for shipping.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a cheaper courier? It's 28kg, probably 30kg with a cradle.

 

[capnsensible]

Are they that much cheaper than buying local?

 

[colind3782]

Yes. Although I will investigate further when I'm out there next week.

 

[capnsensible]

How about over the border in France?

Thinking out loud!

 

[colind3782]

How about over the border in France?

Thinking out loud!

That's one of the options I'll check but Uship, which is about as French as you can get, is a lot more expensive.

 

[brainstorm]

Norwest Marine in Liverpool charged me £70 delivery to Sardinia for a 4 man Seasafe liferaft, that was in December 2016. Very good firm to deal with.

 

[GrahamM376]

Try Alicante Freight - http://www.alicantefreightservices.es/

Alternatively, get a quote from Marine Safety Gibraltar, they're agents for SeaSafe who, IIRC make one of the Ocean Safety rafts. http://www.marinesafetygibraltar.com/

 

[colind3782]

Norwest Marine in Liverpool charged me £70 delivery to Sardinia for a 4 man Seasafe liferaft, that was in December 2016. Very good firm to deal with.

But expensive to start with, unfortunately

 

[Graham_Wright]

Take it with you? Maybe impossible but https://www.skyscanner.net/news/airline-bike-fees-cost-bringing-your-bike-onboard may help.

 

[Neil_Y]

Cheapest freight options are through Interparcel.com they use TNT,DHL,UPS etc but get a better price than booking direct.

It works well and when there have been problems customer support at Interparcel is easy to get hold of and very good at sorting things quickly.

 

[penberth3]

Take it with you? Maybe impossible but https://www.skyscanner.net/news/airline-bike-fees-cost-bringing-your-bike-onboard may help.

Gas cylinders (and flares?) could make this difficult.

 

[capnsensible]

That's one of the options I'll check but Uship, which is about as French as you can get, is a lot more expensive.

Was thinking more of local chandlers. Perpignan is a big town?

Anyway, hope it all works out!

 

[colind3782]

Take it with you? Maybe impossible but https://www.skyscanner.net/news/airline-bike-fees-cost-bringing-your-bike-onboard may help.

20kg max on Ryanair

 

[colind3782]

Cheapest freight options are through Interparcel.com they use TNT,DHL,UPS etc but get a better price than booking direct.

It works well and when there have been problems customer support at Interparcel is easy to get hold of and very good at sorting things quickly.

Thanks for that. Lowest price was DPD at £18.90 up to £202.80 for express delivery with TNT. I'll definitely keep that site in mind!

 

[MikeCC]

A liferaft is hazardous goods UN 2990, class 9. If you send it via a carrier without telling them it could get very expensive, including destruction and/or prosecution. Unfortunately that's why it costs £150 due to documentation and special handling. Sea or air bit makes it worse of course.
One of the UK-Spain direct vans may be able to do it but probably still need to advise ferry crew.

 

[MikeCC]

The other thing to consider is that the model you choose can be serviced locally to wherever you are in 3 years time.

 

[colind3782]

A liferaft is hazardous goods UN 2990, class 9. If you send it via a carrier without telling them it could get very expensive, including destruction and/or prosecution. Unfortunately that's why it costs £150 due to documentation and special handling. Sea or air bit makes it worse of course.
One of the UK-Spain direct vans may be able to do it but probably still need to advise ferry crew.

That did occur to me and I will talk to any courier before booking.

 

[colind3782]

The other thing to consider is that the model you choose can be serviced locally to wherever you are in 3 years time.

That did occur to me and I'll shop around locally too.

 

[MikeCC]

That did occur to me and I will talk to any courier before booking.

Most (all?) of them will only take dangerous goods from contract customers. If you know someone at a company that already sends DG they might be able to document and send for you.
It is a pain for something that is intrinsically a safety device.

 

[Sea Devil]

These Chandlers sell life rafts and service them https://www.promonautica.com/.
Based in Spain in Barcelona will courier anywhere in Spain or near France for around 15€ I think
Sell anti-fouling cheaper than anyone else I know of in Spain/Gibraltar and speak English