Shipping costs to Oz...

[RodKirby]

Over the years I've had to accept that "stuff" costs to send to Australia.

In most cases I just try to "grin and bear it", but this one just blew me away In this case: size DEFINITELY matters...

I got interested in the link to the Mustang plane video someone posted and decided I'd look around to see what plastic model kits were available - this looked great: : http://www.modelaircraftstore.com/product/P51-Mustang-Model-010-18-001 BUT, they don't ship outside North America

So - I contacted my USA friend who is coming here for a visit in about 3 weeks - no problem and he suggested he bring it as checked luggage. I thought it would be a hassle for him so I asked him to cost via FedEx or USPS - both methods wanted US$350 This explained why they don't ship outside North America -and- why I said I would be extremely grateful if he would bring it with him

[Ed62]

So you think the cost is a little excessive? I guess it pays to have friends.

Ed

[cgallery]

If I were you I'd have him bring TWO, one for you, one to sell.

[Alex Franke]

I thought it would be a hassle for him so I asked him to cost via FedEx or USPS - both methods wanted US$350

Did you mean UPS? I believe USPS (the government postal service) has some pretty good sized flat-rate boxes, up to 20 lbs or so shipped internationally for maybe $40.

I also wonder if FexEx and UPS are including import tariffs or other fees. I know that shipping something from Europe to the United States via UPS with a declared value over $100 or so can trigger import taxes and additional fees from the carrier to handle the import paperwork. Maybe there's something like that going on there...

[crokett]

Two of the guys on my team at work are flying over there this Thursday. Practically my whole team volunteered for this assignment for some reason. I think it is a little late to ask one of them to bring it though.

[Uncle Cracker]

I have used US Mail to ship books before to Oz. The cost was not anything like what you were quoted, Rod. Something like 28USD, as I recall. The only problem was that there is no tracking beyond where the USPS hands off the package to the Australian Post.

EDIT: Just went back and checked my records... Last November I sent a book to Australia, bubble-wrapped in a cardboard sleeve, 2+ pounds, insured for $100us. Cost via US Mail was $30 (International Priority Mail), after quotes by UPS, DHL and Fedex for the same package of between $75 and $80us... Was pleasantly surprised that the package arrived in six days.

[cabinetman]

I have used US Mail to ship books before to Oz. The cost was not anything like what you were quoted, Rod. Something like 28USD, as I recall. The only problem was that there is no tracking beyond where the USPS hands off the package to the Australian Post.

EDIT: Just went back and checked my records... Last November I sent a book to Australia, bubble-wrapped in a cardboard sleeve, 2+ pounds, insured for $100us. Cost via US Mail was $30 (International Priority Mail), after quotes by UPS, DHL and Fedex for the same package of between $75 and $80us... Was pleasantly surprised that the package arrived in six days.

I've had the same experience when shipping small packages out of the US. USPS is lower by a considerable amount.
.

[LinuxRandal]

When mailing something to Canada, I put tracking on it. USA tracking stops at the border, then you have to use the Canadian post office site. UC, did you try that method with the OZ post?

[Pappy]

I just looked it up and Rod is right. The shipping carton is 12x12x36 and 12.5 #. $351 thru the mail.

Blew my mind!

[herb fellows]

Hmmmmm. So if I can solicit a dozen packages or so that would fit in my suitcase...hello free vacation:-)

[cgallery]

I just looked it up and Rod is right. The shipping carton is 12x12x36 and 12.5 #. $351 thru the mail.

Blew my mind!

Yep, I did that, too. I think the 36" dimension is the killer.

[RodKirby]

As you guys discovered, the length was the problem - isn't it always

The weight wasn't an issue

[Uncle Cracker]

I just looked it up and Rod is right. The shipping carton is 12x12x36 and 12.5 #. $351 thru the mail.

Blew my mind!

12x12x36??? Oh. I didn't know the model was full size...