SDC international Shipping - Sherman Oaks, California

George C.

Kifr Cohen’s online catch phrase is, “Moving beyond expectations”. We believe a more appropriate catch phrase for SDC International Shipping would be, “Moving that is below the lowest of all reasonable expectations…..”
We moved a handful of furniture items, boxes of common household good items, and an All-Terrain Vehicle from Tucson, AZ to Ambergris Caye, Belize. SDC charged us $27,423.00 plus $1,345.51 for insurance ($28,768.51 TOTAL ).
(1) On the day our shipment was loaded into the shipping container, one of SDC’s “international packing experts” showed up “tweaking” on some type of chemical stimulant. Among other issues, this day worker: (A) Was initially aggressively confrontational with me; (B) Got into a confrontation that almost became physical with one of my neighbors who is a Law Enforcement Officer; (C) Dropped 4 large plastic shipping containers off his hand truck to the ground more than half way up the shipping container loading ramp; and (D) Walked on the face of a large, packed, glass front, picture box
(2) Hours after our household goods and vehicle had been loaded and taken away, SDC International asked us to “certify” statements that were substantially different than the vehicle pre-loading instructions we had been given by SDC weeks earlier.
(3) The individual SDC International Shipping chose to act as our Customs Broker was not familiar with the proper procedure for obtaining the required Duty Exemption Forms, nor did the individual know he needed written authorization from us to act as our Customs Broker.
(4) The Broker insisted we would incur additional storage and demurrage fees if we did not accept delivery of our shipment and return the empty shipping container on 18 July 2024. This turned-out to be a lie. (See #8 below.)
(5) On the morning of Thursday, 18 July 2024, a flatbed trailer carrying our shipping container was disconnected and dropped-off across the street from our housing area. There were no locks or other device(s) securing the shipping container doors.
(6) When it came time to unload our shipment, 20 of SDC’s “international packing experts” (actually 20 untrained construction workers and a supervisor from a construction project next door) came to unload our belongings. Their method of transporting our belongings the distance from where the shipping container was left to our home, was in multiple dirt and dried cement-caked construction wheel barrows (pictures attached). No ramps or other appropriate tools were brought to unload and transport our household goods or to off-load our ATV.
(7) Despite our contract with SDC stating the delivery personnel would remove and take away the paper and cardboard packing materials used, we were denied that service and told, “We don’t do that”.
(8) The empty shipping container sat across the street from our housing area all day Friday, 19 July 2024 and was not taken away until sometime Saturday afternoon, 20 July 2024.
(9) Broker returned to us the completed Customs Documents we needed to license and register our ATV via air courier, COD. Well-over $27,000.00 we paid for this relatively straight-forward overseas shipment and the Broker returned the final documents we needed COD.
(10) We sustained an estimated loss of approximately $4,895.00 due to damages that probably would never have occurred had the proper tools, equipment, and appropriate personnel been available and utilized at both ends of our move.
In reviewing other critical reviews, SDC’s owner concerns himself with threatening his unhappy customers with legal action for “slander” and is prone to trying to publicly discredit his unhappy customers by playing the “race card”. We find such behavior to be a disturbingly desperate basis for a business model.
Should consumers paying premium prices for “premium services” take a chance on an organization that provides inferior service, public veiled threats of retribution, and personal insults of racism?
THE BOTTOM LINE: At this point, we would not entrust SDC International Shipping to carry our trash bin to the curb on trash day.

MokA

I was making a big move abroad and called around for various quotes. When I got to SDC and spoke with Marlene, she reassured me throughout the whole process, from start to finish.
The whole SDC team has been communicative, and diligent in helping me with such a daunting task.

They scheduled my shipment promptly, were timely, and super helpful from start to finish. My items arrived right when they said it would, and they held my hand through the whole process.

These moves can be costly, and SDC was highly competitive with regards to rates, their service I found to be unmatched. The SDC team attentiveness reflected the company's ability to provide this type of complex move.

I cannot recommend Marlene and her team enough!!! She listens and addresses any and all concerns, and her team as well.

Thank you SDC for doing such great work!!! Highly recommend!!!

Heidi H.

One of the most expensive and stressful aspects of my international move was dealing with SDC. I think I paid them roughly $15,000 and several priceless belongings were "lost" along the way with no explanation and no investigation. They're just gone. Things that can never be replaced. They have no explanation for why this happened nor did they offer any. I bought their insurance but I have a feeling it will be an ordeal to deal with making a claim. Just proceed with caution. I think all the international shipping companies are probably like this. They have no control over your belongings and no way to secure them once they leave US land.

Shlomi H.

My husband and I recently relocated from Los Angeles to Paris, and our experience with SDC International Shipping was exceptional. Moving precious items across the globe can be daunting, but thanks to Lisa and her team, the entire process was smooth and worry-free.

Upon Lisa's recommendation, we opted for a full container move, and we're so glad we did. The team that came to pick up our belongings was incredibly professional, taking great care to pack all fragile items securely and crate our art and statue collection with precision.

Throughout the journey, we had a dedicated personal guide who kept us informed every step of the way, from the departure of the container to its arrival. Yvette played a crucial role in handling the entry documents for the destination port, ensuring a seamless customs clearance process.

Upon arrival in France, delivery was flawlessly executed by SDC International Shipping's affiliate company. All items arrived safely at our new residence in Paris, and we are delighted that everything was delivered as promised.

Joanne M.

SDC went above and beyond in safely transporting my grand piano to Germany. The professional crating ensured that the piano was well-protected throughout the journey, and it arrived in pristine condition. The customer service was excellent and the delivery was on time. I highly recommend this company for any delicate or valuable items that need to be shipped internationally. Thank you for your exceptional service!!!

Yury E.

Our experience with SDC International Shipping was nothing short of exceptional. Moving internationally, especially from Miami to Guanacaste, Costa Rica, felt daunting at first, but SDC made the entire process smooth and stress-free.

From the initial consultation to the final delivery, the team was professional, attentive, and incredibly organized. They provided clear guidance on customs paperwork and logistics, ensuring that everything was handled efficiently. The crew was friendly, careful with our belongings, and packed everything securely.

What really stood out was their constant communication. They kept us updated every step of the way, from the pickup in Miami to the arrival in Costa Rica. All our items arrived in perfect condition, and the unpacking process was a breeze thanks to their excellent preparation.

We are so grateful for SDC’s expertise and dedication. Moving internationally can be overwhelming, but their team made us feel confident and well cared for. If you're planning a move to Costa Rica—or anywhere else—SDC International Shipping is the company to trust. Thank you for making our transition to Guanacaste so smooth! 🌟

Anderson S.

The packing team was amazing. They arrived on time and worked quickly but carefully. They packed all of our furniture, electronics and fragile items with great care, using high-quality materials to ensure nothing would be damaged. I was especially impressed with how they packed our glassware and artwork—everything was wrapped securely and labeled clearly.

Alison C.

My boxes arrived exactly as they were packed, without any damage. Lia was responsive throughout the process and made sure I had all the support I needed. Overall, it felt very smooth and made a big task seem manageable with their help.