iContainers, the online forwarding company, has recently joined IAM. The company has launched a new campaign for all IAM members offering special introductory discounts for both $100 FCL and $50 LCL for all new customers.

To apply for the discount it is necessary that they ask the iContainers sales team to request a discount for the first shipment.

It is unusual for any forwarding company to handle household goods. The nature of the shipments, with all the emotion and personal contact with customers involved, doesn’t fit forwarders’ business models. However iContainers is taking a different approach. Jose Antonio De Los Rios is the global team leader for the moving industry. He’s working at the US head office in Miami. He admits that it’s unusual but explained that once you know the regulations, it is straightforward. “It’s just another commodity,” he said.

The company has provided household goods shipping services for 17 years and, according to Jose, handles thousands of shipments (relocations) for private individuals who find out about the company’s international moving services online. The company says that using its online platform, customers can get quotes, track and manage shipments 24/7.

iContainers handles all the documentation and places the containers at residence or customers’ locations.  It allows the customer 2-3 hours for loading. Customers handle the packing and loading themselves with iContainers providing a door-to-port or door-to-door service as required. The company does what it can to help customers estimate the capacity of containers in advance of their moving day, to advise on whether goods are appropriate (or legal) to take to their destination, and whether duty will have to be paid. Overflows, when they occur, are shipped LCL.

Jose explained that iContainers has a need for specialist service partners to handle the origin services for customers who would like professional packing and loading, and destination services worldwide. That’s why it joined IAM. The company also provides forwarding services to those movers. Although most larger international moving companies will handle their own shipping, there are some that would prefer to subcontract this part of the service to a specialist. Even those companies that are experienced in shipping might find the service useful for part-load consignments (where no HHG groupage service is available) or for poorly served destinations.

Jose said that the IAM special offer will be maintained indefinitely.

Photo: iContainers has a need for specialist services, like professional packing and loading.