I need some help with shipping a bass overseas. ANyone ever had any experience in this? What's the cheapest way to ship INSURED a bass overseas, specifically to Europe? And what would I have to do concerning customs? Any help ASAP would be greatly appreciated
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HELP!!!! Shipping overseas
- Thread starter OmegaZ27
- Start date
Good luck in advance!
You will have to first find out the size restrictions for the country you are shipping too...
USPS will probably be fastest and cheapest... but usually has smaller size restrictions...
UPS is best if you can use it... its expensive, but worth the extra money, very reliable...
FEDEX just plain and simply DO NOT USE! They release items without collecting taxes and duties... They then invoice the receiver, and they usually deny paying them and then you get stuck with the bill...
If you can avoid not shipping over seas... do it...
You will have to first find out the size restrictions for the country you are shipping too...
USPS will probably be fastest and cheapest... but usually has smaller size restrictions...
UPS is best if you can use it... its expensive, but worth the extra money, very reliable...
FEDEX just plain and simply DO NOT USE! They release items without collecting taxes and duties... They then invoice the receiver, and they usually deny paying them and then you get stuck with the bill...
If you can avoid not shipping over seas... do it...
Agree with the previous poster re USPS. I've used them to Australia many times, incl about 10 for basses, and they were fast, reliable and cheap. Neck off for a BO is a great option if there is no hardcase and the buyer is OK with it. Makes for a smaller package that is much harder to damage.
The USPS website has got an excellent calculator that I've used may times to estimate costs and it's been good, as well as indicationg package/weigh/insurance size restrictions which vary between countries, even in places that are supposed to be more 'uniform' like the EU.
I'd suggest telling the buyer the USPS calculator price, plus a bit for error. If paid via paypal, refund any excess. Might cost you a dollar in fees, but shows integrity.
EMS is a good option if available: check your PO or the USPS website. Between the couriers and USPS in cost, but closer to the latter. Got a bass from Japan thru EMS yesterday. Not a mark on the box and took 5 days to my door.
The courier companies are more expensive, and depending on the destination, can be faster or slower. In Australia it usually takes a few more days as it has to clear their stores and contact you for collection of fees etc. I know horror stories about in the US re UPS/Fedex, but I've not had an issue with them here at all, and all the packages have been processed efficiently and come through with minimal marking. Fedex give a great free collection and pay at your door service (if you have the correct money)
In other countries (outside NA) UPS/Fedex/DHL/TNT et al are usually carriers with their own bonded stores area. This means they handle their own Customs clearance and duties collection which will need to be logged as processed, and any duties, fees collected from the buyer. I don't see how as the previous poster implied that the sender can be liable for any of these. Has never been the case with anyone, anywhere that I know about. Apart from a few instruments, I've shipped several tons of audio and vintage audio gear all over the world, both by post and couriers and I've never, ever been contacted or queried about paying duties at the receiving end, and esp since 2001, you need to prove ID when sending the packages, so I'm easily contacted. Think about it as to why. Customs are usually the biggest revenue source for a Government so they're pretty tight on their licenced carriers to get it right, and the carriers are likely to see the brunt of any problems rather than an individual (purchaser). For your own security, pay any fees etc at the time of collection via CC and then you have a record there as well as the reciept, but again, never had an issue as ALL the carriers are extremely cautious about releasing the package to the sender until all the paperwork is correct and the monies collected.
Pakage the bass very well. Leave it tuned up in the case (also consider neck off for BO's). Mark the box learly on the two large sides the adressee and sender details (incl phone numbers) and make sure these are waterproof, eg under clear packing tape. Best to declare it for full value, though the buyer might prefer otherwise.
I know lots of US sellers prefer not to ship internationally, but for those of us outside the US, it gives us a MUCH bigger range of instruments and better prices (and with the USD in the doldrums it's even better). I'll also often pay more than a US buyer, as even calculating shipping etc, I may be better off doing this on cost grounds. Plus it may be the only way I'll ever get access to the bass otherwise. For example, I'm after a nice pre-82 Peavey T40 in natural. There are lots in the US, but incredibly rare here, so I have to import.
Last thing; make sure the buyer does the investigating at thier end re fees, duties etc as they vary btween countries and you cannot possibly know. Make sure it is clear to them that once you package and ship, all costs after that are the buyer's concern.
HTH
The USPS website has got an excellent calculator that I've used may times to estimate costs and it's been good, as well as indicationg package/weigh/insurance size restrictions which vary between countries, even in places that are supposed to be more 'uniform' like the EU.
I'd suggest telling the buyer the USPS calculator price, plus a bit for error. If paid via paypal, refund any excess. Might cost you a dollar in fees, but shows integrity.
EMS is a good option if available: check your PO or the USPS website. Between the couriers and USPS in cost, but closer to the latter. Got a bass from Japan thru EMS yesterday. Not a mark on the box and took 5 days to my door.
The courier companies are more expensive, and depending on the destination, can be faster or slower. In Australia it usually takes a few more days as it has to clear their stores and contact you for collection of fees etc. I know horror stories about in the US re UPS/Fedex, but I've not had an issue with them here at all, and all the packages have been processed efficiently and come through with minimal marking. Fedex give a great free collection and pay at your door service (if you have the correct money)
In other countries (outside NA) UPS/Fedex/DHL/TNT et al are usually carriers with their own bonded stores area. This means they handle their own Customs clearance and duties collection which will need to be logged as processed, and any duties, fees collected from the buyer. I don't see how as the previous poster implied that the sender can be liable for any of these. Has never been the case with anyone, anywhere that I know about. Apart from a few instruments, I've shipped several tons of audio and vintage audio gear all over the world, both by post and couriers and I've never, ever been contacted or queried about paying duties at the receiving end, and esp since 2001, you need to prove ID when sending the packages, so I'm easily contacted. Think about it as to why. Customs are usually the biggest revenue source for a Government so they're pretty tight on their licenced carriers to get it right, and the carriers are likely to see the brunt of any problems rather than an individual (purchaser). For your own security, pay any fees etc at the time of collection via CC and then you have a record there as well as the reciept, but again, never had an issue as ALL the carriers are extremely cautious about releasing the package to the sender until all the paperwork is correct and the monies collected.
Pakage the bass very well. Leave it tuned up in the case (also consider neck off for BO's). Mark the box learly on the two large sides the adressee and sender details (incl phone numbers) and make sure these are waterproof, eg under clear packing tape. Best to declare it for full value, though the buyer might prefer otherwise.
I know lots of US sellers prefer not to ship internationally, but for those of us outside the US, it gives us a MUCH bigger range of instruments and better prices (and with the USD in the doldrums it's even better). I'll also often pay more than a US buyer, as even calculating shipping etc, I may be better off doing this on cost grounds. Plus it may be the only way I'll ever get access to the bass otherwise. For example, I'm after a nice pre-82 Peavey T40 in natural. There are lots in the US, but incredibly rare here, so I have to import.
Last thing; make sure the buyer does the investigating at thier end re fees, duties etc as they vary btween countries and you cannot possibly know. Make sure it is clear to them that once you package and ship, all costs after that are the buyer's concern.
HTH
I'll echo what Dharmabass posted- use USPS if you can- although they have size restrictions and my lastest bass shipped from the US to NZ was too large to use them. I ended up having to use FedEx.
Fedex and UPS are just plain expensive depending on where you want to get it sent. Don't try to skimp on the customs declaration or the insurance. I've never had a bass lost or damaged in transit, but you don't want to be caught short if/when it eventually happens.
Fedex and UPS are just plain expensive depending on where you want to get it sent. Don't try to skimp on the customs declaration or the insurance. I've never had a bass lost or damaged in transit, but you don't want to be caught short if/when it eventually happens.
How about with the payment? What kind of payment should I accept that is secure BESIDES credit card?
Quadzilla
Supporting Member
Ditto on above, USPS is the best way to go whenever possible (I've shipped about a dozen overseas over the years). As for payment, I've only had experience using paypal with overseas payments and have yet to have an issue. When using this method, I look for:
- Feedback here on TB or Ebay
- Paypal verified w Confirmed address
- Paypal user has had other paypal tranactions
Hope this helps
- Feedback here on TB or Ebay
- Paypal verified w Confirmed address
- Paypal user has had other paypal tranactions
Hope this helps
PayPal (which may be what you mean for taking credit card). I wouldn't accept anything else. Their take is worth it to me for the piece of mind.
Any check has the danger of being returned for quite a while. There is a dangerous misperception that checks "clear" after a few days. That is not true. The bank is required to credit your account after a few days, but they have recourse. If it is returned to them later (it can take an amazing amount of time in some cases) you are liable for the amount plus penalties and if it is in your account they will take it. If it isn't, they will charge still more penalties and come looking for you.
