Case study - USA to West Yorkshire

Quick Summary

When TRANSEO MEDIA LIMITED needed to ship two 600 kg pallets of printing materials from Minneapolis, USA, to Yorkshire, UK, Pallet2Ship arranged a tailored door-to-door sea freight service. Sea freight was chosen over air freight due to the high weight, saving significant cost.
Pallet2Ship handled everything from local collection in Minnesota to UK customs clearance and final delivery, while the customer focused on their business with complete peace of mind.

When TRANSEO MEDIA LIMITED, based in West Yorkshire, needed to ship paper materials for printing from the USA to the UK, they turned to Pallet2Ship for a reliable and cost-effective solution.

In June 2025, Managing Director Neil found Pallet2Ship via Google and explored the instant quotes on our automated online platform.
He saw that for shipments from the USA we provide instant pricing for door-to-door air freight, as well as sea freight options such as port-to-port and port-to-door. However, door-to-door sea freight was not available for instant quoting.

This is common across the industry, as sea freight involves more handovers than air freight. Costs such as local collection, waiting time, and delivery to port vary by supplier, making instant quoting impractical.

Neil was shipping two pallets, each 600 kg (127 x 112 x 80 cm). With a total weight of 1.2 tonnes, air freight would have been significantly more expensive. In general, sea freight only becomes cost-effective for consignments over 200 kg — below that, air freight is usually more competitive.

Recognising this, Neil contacted us directly by email to request a door-to-door sea freight service. Our quotation team arranged a tailored solution:

• Collection from Minneapolis, Minnesota.


• Delivery to New York port, where the goods were loaded for sea transport.


• Arrival at Newcastle upon Tyne port in the UK.


• Customs clearance and final delivery to Yorkshire.

Although Neil was not aware of all the technical details behind this process, he received a clear and competitive price, which he accepted. Pallet2Ship managed the full logistics chain, allowing him to focus on running his business without worrying about the shipment.
While transit time was longer than air freight, the sea freight option offered a substantial saving. For added peace of mind, the shipment was also insured.

What They Did Right - Booking & Documentation

• Provided accurate pallet weight and dimensions, avoiding discrepancy charges.


• Recognised when to request a custom quote for a door-to-door sea freight service.


• Entered all addresses and contact details completely, including full names, phone numbers with country codes, and valid email addresses.


• Gave a clear description of the goods and included detailed product-level information in the commercial invoice (paper materials for printing).


• Submitted the commercial invoice immediately after booking and uploaded clear photos of the goods, enabling quick processing and added protection in case of a claim.


• Responded promptly to carrier queries and ensured duties and taxes were paid immediately, avoiding delays and storage charges.


• Chose to insure the shipment, protecting against unforeseen risks.

What They Did Right - Physical Preparation

• Used ISPM 15-certified, sturdy pallet bases capable of supporting the weight and dimensions of the goods.


• Packed and secured the items carefully with cardboard boxes, straps, and shrink-wrap.


• Had the goods fully ready on the collection day, with someone on-site during the full collection window (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and clear driver access.


• Printed and attached four copies of the commercial invoice and four copies of the airwaybill/barcode labels in clear plastic wallets securely affixed to the pallets.


• Used clear, legible labelling to ensure customs officers could identify shipment details without confusion.


• Followed up proactively with Pallet2Ship to confirm collection if the carrier did not make contact beforehand.

What to Do vs What Not to Do

Do This

• Use accurate pallet weight and dimensions during booking.


• Read all service information and booking instructions carefully.


• Provide full contact details, including phone numbers with country codes and valid email addresses.


• Submit documents and photos immediately after booking to avoid delays.


• Secure goods firmly to a pallet with straps and shrink-wrap, or place them inside a crate with foam and straps for extra protection.


• Print and attach four copies of the commercial invoice and four copies of the airwaybill/barcode labels in clear plastic wallets securely affixed to the pallets.


• Have the goods ready early in a suitable location — such as a loading bay or kerbside — and ensure someone is on-site during the full collection window.


• Liaise closely with overseas suppliers to ensure all official documents are completed promptly. Fast, clear communication between international shippers is paramount; it prevents delays in arranging collections, deliveries, and customs clearance.

Avoid This

• Guess pallet size or weight — this leads to extra charges and possible rejection.


• Skip reading service details — you may miss key rules on vehicle size, notice periods, or surcharges.


• Leave out essential contact details like phone numbers or valid emails.


• Delay paperwork submission — late invoices or missing photos create avoidable hold-ups.


• Allow goods to shift in transit — poorly packed or unsecured pallets risk damage.


• Print too few or unclear copies of invoices/labels — missing paperwork may cause delays.


• Leave pallets in hard-to-access areas — such as blocked driveways, inside buildings, on gravel, or on a slope — as restricted access often causes failed collections.


• Treat communication superficially — unclear or slow exchanges with suppliers or customs agents are one of the main causes of international shipping delays.

Conclusion

Thanks to TRANSEO MEDIA LIMITED's thorough preparation — combined with Pallet2Ship's complete handling of the international logistics chain — the shipment cleared customs smoothly and arrived without delays.
This case highlights how Pallet2Ship supports businesses with tailored international freight solutions, combining cost savings with reliability and freeing customers to concentrate on their core operations.