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Palleting a machine

Wintonmartin

Wintonmartin

Registered
5Years
Joined
Mar 28, 2020
Messages
443
Location
Formby
Morning

Need to package up TMNT to send over to another member in Ireland.
Got the usual straps, pallet wrap, some additional cardboard for protection, and of course, a pallet.
I have an idea of how im going to do it but has anyone got any examples or do's or don'ts?

TIA
 
When I have recieved games on a pallet they normally come tombstoned with cardboard over the front (coin door) of the cab then the whole thing covered in pallet wrap, one strap securing the head then two more to securing the cab to the pallet, one over the top and one from the side.
 
Try to put card over the corners of backbox and main cab as that is where it could get a knock. Copious pallet wrap. Take a photo just before they load it to show buyer your handy work
Touch wood, I've never had a pinball sent or delivered by pallet suffer damage
 
Also consider when putting on the straps you have to allow for the fork lift forks to enter under the pallet.
Put the pin on the pallet so when it is lifted by a fork lift the game has the backbox to the front.
I pack and wrap the machine first with cardboard and pallet wrap, and then put that onto the pallet - and using at least three straps fix it down.
Have sent a bubbker jukebox to Ireland before on a pallet and not had an issue, and that is much more delicate as a pinball,
You can never have enough card, bubble wrap, straps and pallet wrap.
 
20220911_131048.jpg

This is where the forks will go so either the back or the front. This is the way I'd have put the straps through as the stronger side. Or would you recommend strapping from underneath?
 
Take the balls out. They can fall out of the trough and damage plastics.
Tape keys to the glass
Wrap legs individually and then wrap all 4 together.
Certain toppers I would remove, carefully wrap and place inside the cabinet. I’ve had a dr who dome rip off in transit.
Jiffy foam is a good substitute for cardboard. But you can usually get cardboard free from a big box appliance store.
 
I normally stick legs in a separate box.

Leg bolts, manual etc in cash box.

You can never have enough cardboard.
 

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That is very well wrapped!

It got picked up Monday and arrived in Ireland today unscathed.

Crazy delivery times. Possibly have my Pole Position going to Norway with the same company!

20220912_095833.jpg
 
Pop Bumper Pete said:
For next time, put a rubber ball on top, this prevents the shipping company putting something else on top of your game
Click to expand...
I put an empty box on the top and wrote all over it.

It's also an option to tick when filling in the form as to whether the pallet is stackable or not.
 
I also do this. If sending to places like Japan I'll do it in both English and Japanese.

Put it on opposite sides and always include sender and recipient info incase of logistics balls up.
 

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What shipping companies have people used?
DB schenker are now saying they only deal with business customer even though the TMNT sale was private.
TIA
 
I tend to use Seko Logistics but nearly all logistics companies shipping to Europe prefer or ask for business now since brex****.

I could get two pins on a pallet from Italy to my door for £200 inc vat. Now it's £500-700+vat plus a giant import vat raping on value on pins.
 
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Good to see this thread, I'm also interested in importing.
I have got in touch with few guys in Italy about pinballs, so I m heading there at some point to view them and then the idea was to ship then here.
I'm kind of new to this, so great to see how you guys place the Pin on the pallet and what to do with the balls, keys, protecting the pin, strap it etc.!
The taxes, hmm.. what a dilemma!
Of course I wouldn't want to declare less and be screwed by the insurance, but buying expensive pins, also means considering at least £2000 for shipping and taxes.
I wonder if anyone has been considering driving back to UK with a pin in an estate car?
I know you'd have to declare it, still, but perhaps you wouldn't have to declare the full value?
 
You must legally declare.

Customs if they see a pinball come through at £100 will pull it to one side to investigate. One Google search away from finding out true value.

Driving over you again have to declare it with paperwork.

I haven't imported any games since we officially left the EU after two disastrous shipments just after we left. One was going to be shipped back to Italy as they had no provision to ship to private individuals without an EORI number (luckily managed to get one from a friend at the 11th hour), and the other I was hit with tons of additional charges.

It's the wild west now where you need EORI numbers and all sorts and if you are a private individual then there's just tons of red tape.
 
Alpha1 said:
You must legally declare.

Customs if they see a pinball come through at £100 will pull it to one side to investigate. One Google search away from finding out true value.

Driving over you again have to declare it with paperwork.

I haven't imported any games since we officially left the EU after two disastrous shipments just after we left. One was going to be shipped back to Italy as they had no provision to ship to private individuals without an EORI number (luckily managed to get one from a friend at the 11th hour), and the other I was hit with tons of additional charges.

It's the wild west now where you need EORI numbers and all sorts and if you are a private individual then there's just tons of red tape.
Click to expand...
Some couriers will do all the paperwork for you (built into the price) couriers more so than hauliers (guess they can’t be bothered for such a small job)

we (in Northern Ireland) have to do the paperwork even if we are shipping from mainland U.K. because we are euro adjacent (south of Ireland still being in the eu) with no border checks between North and South of Ireland.
 
ok, good to know that.
I wouldn't declare £100 on the pinball to import, but not even the real price.
Perhaps import it as a faulty one for half price and pay on top of that whatever the charges are.
I mean, I'm not against having to pay something, but having to pay charges for personal use , second hand and a one off, I don't think it's fair.
I can't find the one I want here, there is little offer (TAF).
I appreciate your tips, I would have to be ready for being hit with charges I guess.
 
Nilos said:
mean, I'm not against having to pay something, but having to pay charges for personal use , second hand and a one off, I don't think it's fair.
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Welcome to the post brexit world. It’s the will of the people.
Similar taxes apply to other countries importing pins from the EU; Canada, Australia etc.
Perhaps your best bet is to find someone living in Europe moving to the UK. No tax on personal goods if the move is permanent.
 
Hey 7Oxford, yes, it is awkward to buy stuff from EU now.
It'll be difficult to find someone moving to UK whom I can trust, but it's a possibility.
Last thing I want is to organise the shipment and then they will ask for things I can't provide, like the EORI number, like Apha1 said. I definitely can't get hold of anybody who can help.
I'll try and speak to customs today and see if they can explain the process, I see they have an online chat available.
 
Nilos said:
Hey 7Oxford, yes, it is awkward to buy stuff from EU now.
It'll be difficult to find someone moving to UK whom I can trust, but it's a possibility.
Last thing I want is to organise the shipment and then they will ask for things I can't provide, like the EORI number, like Apha1 said. I definitely can't get hold of anybody who can help.
I'll try and speak to customs today and see if they can explain the process, I see they have an online chat available.
Click to expand...
I’d recommend contacting a freight forwarder to do the admin side for you. Get quotes and work with an outfit you are comfortable with. There will be plenty who are use to dealing with small consignments, single shipments etc. try these guys. They ship second hand cars etc and I know they have also done pinballs previously.

Wavecrest - Port Agency Services. London Medway Whitstable.

Wavecrest port agency services for London Medway Whitstable. All vessels accomodated: bulk carriers, general cargo, reefers, cable layers, jack up rigs, research vessels etc.
www.wavecrest.co.uk
 
7oxford said:
I’d recommend contacting a freight forwarder to do the admin side for you. Get quotes and work with an outfit you are comfortable with. There will be plenty who are use to dealing with small consignments, single shipments etc. try these guys. They ship second hand cars etc and I know they have also done pinballs previously.

Wavecrest - Port Agency Services. London Medway Whitstable.

Wavecrest port agency services for London Medway Whitstable. All vessels accomodated: bulk carriers, general cargo, reefers, cable layers, jack up rigs, research vessels etc.
www.wavecrest.co.uk
Click to expand...
Thank you.
That's exactly what I have done.
Yesterday I contacted customs and duty , they confirmed that an EORI number is not needed for private shippings. However it all depends if the shipping paperwork is done correctly at the sender side with the shipping company.
I will shipping from Italy luckily I have my brother's garage to prepare the pallet. I found a great video on youtube on how to load a pinball machine on a pallet.
I got quotes from Italian shipping companies and UK ones too.
Like Alpha1 said most large shipping companies nowadays only ship for commercial purposes, but some still do private shippings and do all the paperwork for you.
I thought that the UK ones might be more used to do these things with the brexit customs rules being on this side. For a non-stackable pallet, it's possible to ship from £500-700.
My fear is, if for whatever reason customs are going to ask for an EORI number (they shouldn't but you never know), I'll be screwed, I don't know anyone who's got that.
I'll try that shipping company you suggested too and see what they quote, it will definitely help with the mission, :) .
Thank you 7oxford,
👍🏼
 
Scheduled a called with SEKO today. Tried a couple of other companies and they said they couldn't help. One quote came in at £2,000!!!

I've noticed you ship a few overseas @steve brum. Who do you use?

Thanks
 
Wintonmartin said:
Scheduled a called with SEKO today. Tried a couple of other companies and they said they couldn't help. One quote came in at £2,000!!!

I've noticed you ship a few overseas @steve brum. Who do you use?

Thanks
Click to expand...

As I say I gave up - shipping from Europe is absolutely horrible. Was so nice and easy and cheap before :(
 
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