International Shipping

[nervous]

I am looking for some advice and direction on international shipping. Best carriers, services, methods, etc.? Your experiences, pitfalls, insurance, duty, and all.

I know a lot of folks do it but I never have and may have the opportunity soon.

Thanks

[nervous]

No one?

[rodl2005]

I dunno re TO the USA- I've got basses sent FROM the US to AUS a few times & there are international 'intermediaries' called BONGO US.com & ship it to.com that send things FROM the USA to other parts of the world but may be worth contacting them re INTO the US.
Otherwise FED EX has been the best I've dealt with so far. Most $$ too tho.

[Joospocks]

I recently sent my Fender P to California in a trade deal for a Cirrus; I used Canada Post and he used USPS. We each paid approximately $70 for our shipping (with no tracking). Both basses arrived unscathed after about 10 calendar days. I paid $30 in duties, I'm not sure about him though. I put $500 insurance on mine for that price and had the option to add more... perhaps USPS is similar?

This is the only time I've ever sent a bass in the mail, so I have no experiences with other carriers. Any other details I've forgotten?

[nervous]

Originally Posted by rodl2005

I dunno re TO the USA- I've got basses sent FROM the US to AUS a few times & there are international 'intermediaries' called BONGO US.com & ship it to.com that send things FROM the USA to other parts of the world but may be worth contacting them re INTO the US.
Otherwise FED EX has been the best I've dealt with so far. Most $$ too tho.

It is outbound from the USA. Thanks for the tips. I am seeing that the USPS is considerably less expensive than FedEx right now and I have a FedEx account.

[nervous]

Originally Posted by Joospocks

I recently sent my Fender P to California in a trade deal for a Cirrus; I used Canada Post and he used USPS. We each paid approximately $70 for our shipping (with no tracking). Both basses arrived unscathed after about 10 calendar days. I paid $30 in duties, I'm not sure about him though. I put $500 insurance on mine for that price and had the option to add more... perhaps USPS is similar?

This is the only time I've ever sent a bass in the mail, so I have no experiences with other carriers. Any other details I've forgotten?

While I am not 100% in love with using them the USPS is coming in quite reasonable right now. They are $650.00 max insurance though and their tracking and insurance make me nervous.

[jzbass6]

Originally Posted by nervous

It is outbound from the USA. Thanks for the tips. I am seeing that the USPS is considerably less expensive than FedEx right now and I have a FedEx account.

I agree, I just shipped to Korea USPS and it cost $162.00 including insurance, I was quoted $450 to $500 using UPS and Fedex

Originally Posted by nervous

While I am not 100% in love with using them the USPS is coming in quite reasonable right now. They are $650.00 max insurance though and their tracking and insurance make me nervous.

I was able to insure for what the stated value I declared.

[nervous]

Originally Posted by jzbass6

I agree, I just shipped to Korea USPS and it cost $162.00 including insurance, I was quoted $450 to $500 using UPS and Fedex



I was able to insure for what the stated value I declared.

I like what I am reading here. Thanks all.