Choosing the right service provider when shipping a container or auto to Hawaii is crucial for a successful transit.
We encourage you to consider these tips and helpful information when selecting a service provider for your move.
Do I need a service provider?
Booking your container or auto shipment through a trusted service provider (broker) is strongly recommended. A good broker will provide excellent communication prior to your booking and after completion of booking. They will take the time to answer your questions, address your service needs, and any logistical concerns you may have.
No two moves are the same- having a broker that is dedicated to finding the best fit for your needs is essential.
Understanding Your Service
There are only two types of household goods shipping: full container shipping and less than container load (LCL) shipping. Full container shipping guarantees you have the entire container to fill and your goods will not be consolidated. PODS, crate/palletized shipping, and lift vans are all variations of LCL shipping. Quotes based on weight or cubic volume (or both) are also considered LCL.
In addition, there’s only two ocean shipping companies who are authorized to ship goods and vehicles via ocean, to or from the Hawaiian islands and the mainland: Matson Navigation and Pasha Hawaii (with the exception of Lynden who provides barge service to/from the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, Canada, and Hawaii). Matson and Pasha both utilize cargo ships which produce faster transit times than barge services. Any broker you choose will be quoting you for either full container or LCL service, and will most likely be using either Matson or Pasha to ship your goods. Kona Container Guy proudly ships with Matson Navigation as a long time, known service provider.
How do I choose a service provider?
Not all service providers are created equally. Please see our recommendations for things to be aware of when selecting a service provider and obtaining a quote:
Weight Based Quotations: Quotes based on weight are notoriously inaccurate, and are the source of many shipping-related horror stories. Unless you are shipping via LCL service, your quote shouldn’t be generated based on weight or cubic volume. These quotes can be misleading if the actual volume or weight differs from the quote issued. The quote may look attractive initially, while the cost could drastically increase once your consignment is measured and/or weighed. If your quote is issued based on these variables, we encourage you to ask how overages in quoted volume or weight are assessed.
The Kona Container Guy Difference: The quotes we issue for full container service are transparent and not based on weight- no surprises. LCL quotes are based primarily on cubic volume, with weight being a minimal factor in the pricing. Once your quote is booked, we provide an Industry–Leading 120-Day Rate Lock Guarantee, allowing you to book and ship with peace of mind, even if your move dates fluctuate.
Supporting Local Businesses: Don’t be fooled by companies with “Hawaii” in the name. Shopping locally is not only appreciated, but crucial to obtaining necessary logistical information. Service providers based in Hawaii are more likely to have advanced knowledge of port operations and potential logistical challenges on island. Determining accurate availability dates, container access in tricky locations, and other logistical factors, requires extensive understanding of the area and expertise.
The Kona Container Guy Difference: Based on the Big Island of Hawaii since 1999, Kona Container Guy maintains strong relationships with the Hawaii port facilities, in-network trucking services, and more, to provide you with the most reliable service. Shopping locally provides a service experience like no other.
Reliable Timeline Targeting: Accurately targeting your auto and container timelines for arrival is difficult, given the nature of the shipping industry. Knowledgable brokers should be aware not only of the cargo ship departure and arrival timelines, but also the inter-island vessel timelines. Inaccurate timelines are costly as they can produce additional expenses. Beware of “Guaranteed” timelines, as there is no such thing in the ocean shipping industry.
The Kona Container Guy Difference: Our team works closely with Matson as well as port facilities on all major Hawaiian islands to ensure precision timeline targeting. We pride ourselves on providing accurate target timelines to meet your deadlines, whether it be a closing date, pet travel date, job start date, etc.
Kona Container Guy is dedicated to informing you about possible delays in advance, so you can plan for them accordingly- no surprises.
