Shipping package to US from Australia?

[VinceAtReal4x4s]

Has anyone done any package shipping from Australia to the US? I'm looking for a way to avoid a $420 air-freight charge on a box of parts, which seems really, really high. (From North Rockhampton QLD Australia to Cal. US)

[CentAr712]

Contact a shipping agent in the nearest port if the parts are near the coast, they can arrange for it to share space in a partially filled shipping container and have it go by ship. It will take a longer time, but in my experience, shipping anything from overseas using any method can end up taking a long time. Just a suggestion. Modern Ro-Ro ships also usually carry a small amount of break-bulk cargo and a shipping agent could possibly get it on a ship that way. These are moot suggestions if you or the parts are located too far from a sea-port. I don't know how feasible it would be for you, but I just figured I'd suggest it since so many people are unaware of the ocean shipping options available.

[krick3tt]

It costs $1700 to fly a person...the man from Arkansas has a point. Sharing cargo space is an option if time is not a factor.

[VinceAtReal4x4s]

Thanks. As you might know, I imported Pinz/303's, Rovers and lots of parts for years but it was always from Europe, UK or Sweden. Australia is another beast it seems.

Ideally if I can find someone that does Aus. related parts sales in the US, I could hitch a ride for a fee.

[mad_as_hec]

Hey Vince, do you know who the carrier was going to be/what weight and size the parcel is? I have shipped a lot of motorbike parts to Europe/Japan/USA using Australia Post. If it is a 20kg (44lb) package, the prices are listed as follows:

Express Courier International Merchandise
$417.55

Express Courier International Documents
$408.65

Express Post International
$360.50

Air Mail
$354.75

Sea Mail
$205.20

Extra Insurance is available on all services. Most people who send stuff overseas just use AustPost because it is the easy option. No travelling to a freight terminal or organizing courier services. All prices are quoted in $AU not $US so add a couple of percent extra.

[undysworld]

How big is your stuff? USPS ships international too. Here's 12x12x5 max. 20lbs to Austria for $60.95:

http://ircalc.usps.com/MailServices.asp ... &o=1&mt=11

[VinceAtReal4x4s]

Thanks for the help guys. I'll check to see if they can try Aus. Post via sea.

This is FROM Aus. to California. I don't think USPS is an option.

The package is mainly a set of coil springs so its not that small, but not exactly huge either. DHL has a sea-freight consolidation service that might be possible too... calling on Mon.

[undysworld]

Oh, duh. I guess you made that clear the first time.

Never mind.

[mad_as_hec]

This is FROM Aus. to California. I don't think USPS is an option.

The package is mainly a set of coil springs so its not that small, but not exactly huge either. DHL has a sea-freight consolidation service that might be possible too... calling on Mon.

USPS operates in Australia as of 2011. Seen a few of the black/brown vans running around. May be worth a try. NOTHING is cheap with postage from Aus.

[krick3tt]

This is about shipping from US to Austraila:

May be the same in reverse order.

I am visiting my kids in San Diego and overheard my daughter speaking with someone in Sydney that was ordering motorcycle parts from their company and she was discussing the cost of shipping the stuff to them.
It seems to be, as Vince discovered, quite pricey. By sea is less but the time is 3 to 4 weeks. Depending on the size, 20 x 22 x almost 40 is about $500. Sometimes the shipping is more than the parts cost. Boxes can be grouped for less cost but the min apparently seemed to be three. Container shipping is apparently the better of the options but, the wait time can be an issue for some. Most want the stuff before it is even ordered.