Shipping and Insurance

Q. Who organises the shipping?

A. In general, due to the volume of equipment involved, SEIS-UK will organise the outgoing shipment using their preferred shippers (Despatch Point) who will collect the equipment direct from Leicester. The user will need to supply a contact and/or shipping agent in the country of destination who will organise customs clearance. In general the user will be invoiced direct for the shipping even when it is arranged by SEIS-UK. It is recommended that the user does not ship the equipment to themselves c/o a shipping agent: It is always best to have a local contact in the host country.

Q. What documents do I need to ship the equipment?

A. SEIS-UK will provide the shipper and importer with a packing list with weights and values and a "commercial invoice" and/or a "letter of ownership" proving ownership of the equipment.

Q. How much does it cost to ship to ... ?

A. There is a flat fee of approximately £200 for paperwork costs. The shipment is then charged per kilo depending on destination, around £4 per kilo each way is a reasonable estimate. Due to the high demand for the equipment airfreight should be used unless agreed otherwise by SEIS-UK. Depending on the customs procedures in the destination country a bond or carnet may be required. By working with institutions in the host country these fees can sometimes be circumvented e.g. by using a temporary import license.

Q. Do I need to insure the equipment?

A. All users are liable for the equipment for the duration of the experiement. Users are advised to insure the equipment for transportation to and from the field. We suggest that this is done on the University of Leicester's policy. The PI will then be invoiced by SEIS-UK for the costs incurred. Insurance in the field is much more costly and not a requirement of the loan. However, users must be able to prove that any loss or damage was not a result of their negligence. It is sad to say that site security is as important, if not more so, than site noise levels, and should be an overriding consideration during site selection visits. If an instrument is stolen then so is the data, and so is an instrument for any subsequent loans.

Q. How do I return the equipment?

A. In general the equipment should be returned to SEIS-UK. If SEIS-UK organised the outward shipment then the return shipment should be directed to: Despatch Point Limited, c/o John Gardiner Airfreight Limited, 'DGX' , London Heathrow Airport, Tel: 020 8894 3537. Address the boxes to: Alex Brisbourne, Geology Department, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK, Tel. +44 116 2523791, Fax. +44 116 2523918. Then, when you know the airway bill and the return flight times/dates, email them to SEIS-UK immediately. It is generally recommended that equipment is packed in the serial number order as was shipped out. Any stolen equipment will need a police letter to avoid customs charges.