Breathing space

I now know that I don’t need to go to the port. The logistics company handling the shipping at this end will take the 40 ft container in which there is the crate containing my excavator plus over 400 other items to their bonded warehouse in Marseille and empty the container out. They charge a fee for doing that. As I also now have to use the services of an agent their fee will go on top of that. When I’ve paid the total amount I will be able to go and pick the excavator up from the logistic company’s warehouse.

The CMA CGM Cedrus is still moored up this morning in Barcelona Port and its ETA in Marseille is now Saturday 07 March at 04.00 am, four days later than originally planned. So although I didn’t think in the beginning that I’d be grateful for it, I’ve got a little bit of breathing space in which to arrange for customs clearance and release for pick-up of my new excavator.

The first quote I’ve received is more than I’d hoped to pay but not out of the ballpark and still makes it worthwhile importing the excavator myself rather than just buying one locally which would have been of inferior spec as mine is ‘top of the range’ and is coming with a large range of extra tools and accessories. I’m hoping to receive at least two more today so I can make a final decision and then relax and get back to building the excavator’s garage which is half-complete.

I’ve already contacted the person who has the large trailer for hire which I wish to use to bring the excavator up from Marseille and all he needs is confirmation of the dates. I can tell you that I’ll now be very relieved when the crate in which it’s contained is standing in the driveway outside my house. 😕