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  1. #1
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    Default Overseas purchases - USA.

    Hello All,
    I am looking to purchase some (small) overseas items that need to come by sea freight.
    I recall that some years ago, information was provided about ways and means to do this
    through a Freight Forwarder is the US. (Shipito?) Can anyone provide up to date details
    that I can examine and advise on experiences and costs (likely weight 5-8 kgs). Thanks for
    any help. Drillit.

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  3. #2
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    Default

    As far as I know, if the items are coming from the US, Surface mail is no longer an option.
    If the items can't be sent by air mail, you may find that any savings will evaporate once you factor in the costs of sea freight.

    the US postal service has a flat rate box option to Australia $95.95 USD,
    Box size 23-11/16" x 11-3/4" x 3" or 12" x 12" x 5-1/2" Maximum weight 20 pounds.
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  4. #3
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    Default

    I have heard in some circles that Shipitto is no longer what is was in terms of service and price - though I cannot speak for certain as I've not dealt with them myself.

    I have used a different freight forwarder - US to Oz (US to OZ - Shipping to Australia) - this is a small business, owner runs the show and truly provides great service (is an expat Aussie living in USA).

    Their site will let you calculate costs, and they will give you a few options for your shipment, including the ability to combine shipping and so forth.

    No affiliation other than an extremely happy customer.

  5. #4
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    Default

    Thank you Ian. They have to come by sea freight as
    apparently in Australia there is exclusion on any potential flammable type of
    product by air freight. I understand that worldwide, Australia and NZ
    have this rule, but not others? Anyways I will further explore and let everyone know.
    My recall went back to when Brett? was ordering Thompson tools etc from US some
    years ago? Regards, Drillit.

  6. #5
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    Default US-OZ freight costs.

    Thank you Midnight Man. I am pursuing this option. Seems like the go.
    Very much appreciated. As I said to ian, I will publish for all in due course,
    particularly costs/time etc. However, from the website they look like they
    have had considerable experience in forwarding freight to Australia. Regards, Drillit.
    Last edited by Drillit; 1st December 2017 at 09:53 AM. Reason: syntax

  7. #6
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    Default

    For a low cost option that is truly excellent try ShopAndShip - https://www.shopandship.com/

  8. #7
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    Default

    Thanks for that Woodpixel. After looking at the site and their “steps”, I would worry that if I buy an item - Step 3: then at Step 6 I receive a massive extra cost that I wasn’t aware of when buying.
    I always like to know any additional costs up front before buying. Is there a way you can get a quote from them before buying?

    Cheers

  9. #8
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    any potential flammable type of product

    What exactly are you bringing in.
    Paper is a potential flammable type of product but has no restrictions. If the product is flammable it will be classed as DG (Dangerous Goods) and will cause you or the shipper no end of grief if and when it hits Australian shores.

    DG can be shipped by air but needs special packaging. We paid over $1,000 to ship 12 x 250ml bottles of Shellawax to our agent in Taiwan. USA isn't much better. No airlines will ship hazardous or dangerous goods without special packaging, even by sea it has to put into a specific DG Container on the ship away from others and away from other DG that might react with it if they were to meet in an accident.

    Oils 'ain't oils and potentially flammable isn't necessarily flammable.

    It's a little bit more complex than it appears on the surface. I'm speaking from experience as we ship DG all around the world.
    I once asked FedEx what their criteria was to determine Flammability and was told 5 seconds in front of a blow torch. That's absolute garbage but that was their test and they said they would stick by it. Stupid criteria.

    If you can get a UN Number for the product it will help you with flammable it is and from there you can find out how it can be shipped or packed for shipping, etc.

    Just be warned almost every item coming into Australia is now subjected to strict scrutiny and it could be a very expensive exercise if it has been wrongly shipped.

    Hope this is of some help.

    Cheers - Neil

    PS Five seconds in front of a blow torch will set almost anything on fire 3 seconds sent me to hospital for a week and off work, with daily visits from burns nurse to change dressings, for over a month and I still have problems with with burnt legs some 10 years later.

    However I can travel on an aeroplane because I'm not really flammable I just crisp up on the BBQ.
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  10. #9
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    Default

    Just adding to the above.

    Make sure whoever you get it sent through is fully aware of what is in the package being sent.


  11. #10
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Drillit View Post
    ...
    My recall went back to when Brett? was ordering Thompson tools etc from US some
    years ago? Regards, Drillit.
    I did a couple of the Thompson orders and an intermediary wasn't required
    Doug sent them straight over

    PS I'm sure they didn't come by sea as they didn't take that long to get here
    regards
    Nick
    veni, vidi,
    tornavi
    Without wood it's just ...

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
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    San Antonio, Texas, USA
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ubeaut View Post
    Just be warned almost every item coming into Australia is now subjected to strict scrutiny and it could be a very expensive exercise if it has been wrongly shipped.
    Hi Niel,

    I'm going to be shipping some stuff to Aus soon, do you know of an online source for additional information as to what exactly to do and not do?

    Thanks,
    Rob
    Innovations are those useful things that, by dint of chance, manage to survive the stupidity and destructive tendencies inherent in human nature.

  13. #12
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    Default

    Sorry.... Not meaning to be smart or anything here but people (this includes Drillit) need to stop being vague and say what it is they are having shipped or going to ship as the shipping could be as straight forward as going to the Post Office or as complex as hiring a freight forwarder or a number other different ways to ship between the 2 extremes.

    It will all come down to a few basic things....
    • First & most important: What are you shipping? Tools, pamphlets/books, timber, dangerous goods, eg: paint, oils, volatile products, etc
    • Size: usually LxWxH to give cubic metre/meter
    • Weight: Mostly done in KG for Australia


    Once you have all this info you then have something to work with. Without the most important bit nothing can be done legally. If you say it isn't dangerous goods and have even the smallest amount of volatile product in there the entire shipment can be in trouble if caught during screening and could cost the shipper a ship load of money in fines and worse.

    EG: one of our suppliers had a very large consignment of lathes being shipped in a container. To save on freight he included a box of Shellawax with the shipment. This was picked up on a scan and cost the shipper a few thousand dollars as it made the entire shipment DG and they had to pay the DG surcharge plus fines and everything they shipped from then on was put on to a close scrutiny watch. At least two others have been banned from using the postal services for similar offences.

    Hope this is of some help.

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  14. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
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    Canberra
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    Default Dangerous Goods - how to order?

    It would be nice to know how to get volatile things here. I often have wanted to buy finishes from StuMac, Behlan or Rothko and Frost in the USA... guitar finishes, etc.

  15. #14
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    San Antonio, Texas, USA
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    Default

    I've had a look at Aus govt. sources and what I've encountered is anything but clear on anything hazardous except firearms.

    As to flammable and combustibles USPS does a decent job giving useful information: https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c3_021.htm

    I recall Bushmiller had a problem with a finished wooden item inbound from USA recently.
    Innovations are those useful things that, by dint of chance, manage to survive the stupidity and destructive tendencies inherent in human nature.

  16. #15
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    Default

    I can only speak with experience on freight forwarders regards Shipito. Midnight man is correct that it is not what it once was and this is for a couple of reasons. The first is no fault of Shipito. When I was first shipping the exchange rate was at parity with the US dollar so it was relatively easy to come to terms with the freight cost. However today the A$ in round figures only buys US$0.75. Makes everything look bad! That is the same for any freight company. My problem with Shipito ultimately was that their cheapest option for general goods had been removed and the cost of shipping increased by about 50%. Then there is a method they call the "Preferred Carrier." This fundamentally uses Australia Post, but only at the Aussie end of course.

    This method was easily the cheapest, but excluded wood products: Not with Australia post, but with whoever Shipito used at the US end. The issue Rob Streeper referred to was where I had shipped metal and plastic goods including some files. My benevolent seller of files threw in a timber file handle for free. I got slugged for an extra $70! On reflection I should have instructed them to throw it away, but I did not think of that at the time. The Australia Post option is also limited to 20Kg

    One point I should mention is that the forwarding companies really only come into their own when you are buying multiple goods from different sellers. There is the double advantage of collecting a number of parcels and then when they are sent the cost has been reduced as it is not a pro rata scale. For example, 1Kg might cost US$50, but 20Kg might be $250. This assumes that the forwarding company is prepared to remove surplus packaging and then re pack in a larger box to accommodate many goods. Shipito does do this, but there are small charges along the way. These reasons combined are why I have stopped using them.

    Drillit, if you are buying several goods from the same company it will be cheaper to arrange shipping direct from them to you.

    Lastly, do look carefully into the restricted goods. Some you may not have considered. For example, lithium batteries are an issue. You may be allowed to ship two lithium batteries but any more and it will be a NO! Do any of the purchased products have a lithium battery in them? Some digital gauges may come into this category.

    Good luck.

    Regards
    Paul
    Bushmiller;

    "Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"

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