Thread: Wood to the U.S

Hi Chris, I have been sending boxes to the US with no problems.
From what i have read NZ and Canada have the strictest rules but as long as the sections are no greater than 5/8 thick with no bark or borer holes. So i use these guidelines for wherever i ship. I suppose they X-Ray parcels as i have never been informed that a delivery was unwrapped and checked.

One of my suppliers travels to the US and he checks in plastic tubs full of timber and he gets through US customs with no problems, declares it as lumber. He fills those tubs for the return trip and apart from a few cautionary questions nothing has been confiscated so far

Originally Posted by double.d

Hi Chris, I have been sending boxes to the US with no problems.
From what i have read NZ and Canada have the strictest rules but as long as the sections are no greater than 5/8 thick with no bark or borer holes. So i use these guidelines for wherever i ship. I suppose they X-Ray parcels as i have never been informed that a delivery was unwrapped and checked.

One of my suppliers travels to the US and he checks in plastic tubs full of timber and he gets through US customs with no problems, declares it as lumber. He fills those tubs for the return trip and apart from a few cautionary questions nothing has been confiscated so far

Thanks for your reply DD
So sections no greater than 5/8 thick allowed?

Log Dog

That is only for NZ and Canada and my boxes fall under that so no problem. I believe for small amounts of any size timber you should not have a problem, but you know, no bark or borers is a safe option

I have a MyPost Business Acc and insure overseas or expensive local packages

Originally Posted by double.d

That is only for NZ and Canada and my boxes fall under that so no problem. I believe for small amounts of any size timber you should not have a problem, but you know, no bark or borers is a safe option

I have a MyPost Business Acc and insure overseas or expensive local packages

Thank you so much for the info DD
Definately no borers bark etc
I believe Aus Post account comes with 30% discount on postage costs
Correct me if I'm wrong

Wish to enter U.S market asap so advice appreciated
Focus will be box and knife material so not necessarily large pieces at all.
Looking forward to the challenge

Log Dog

Hearing that postage costs are high to the U.S
Wondering if this applies to small volumes and if it is much cheaper to send bulk?

Log Dog

Log Dog

Postage is expensive in either direction. One problem is the relativity between the cost of goods and the cost of shipping. The other problem is the weight of your timber: I expect it is mainly the harder, denser timbers you are looking at.

You can do a search and calculation on the Australia Post wbesite:

Postage calculator & delivery times - Australia Post (auspost.com.au)

There are a few options. Some restrictions are weight (Economy Air) and others are time taken (Sea).


Postage to US.png


I don't know exactly where you are in QLD, so I plugged in Townsville. Actually, it probably wouldn't be any different to Brisbane. Using their packaging up to 5Kg (the maximum) you can see it is $108.65. You would have to see whether the timber you can fit in their package comes to that weight. I would guess it probably does. You can also plug in values for your own packaging, but it is rarely cheaper. For weights above 5Kg you need to use your own packaging. At 20Kg it costs A$327.65. It is a better rate, but a lot of money.

Package to US.png

The only other thing I would add is that postage to the US will seem less expensive to them as A$100 will be around US$64.

It may appeal to the knife makers, and box makers, if you have some spectacular specimens with a tight figure . Ahem, I think you know what I mean.

Good luck.

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

Log Dog

Postage is expensive in either direction. One problem is the relativity between the cost of goods and the cost of shipping. The other problem is the weight of your timber: I expect it is mainly the harder, denser timbers you are looking at.

You can do a search and calculation on the Australia Post wbesite:

Postage calculator & delivery times - Australia Post (auspost.com.au)

There are a few options. Some restrictions are weight (Economy Air) and others are time taken (Sea).


Postage to US.png


I don't know exactly where you are in QLD, so I plugged in Townsville. Actually, it probably wouldn't be any different to Brisbane. Using their packaging up to 5Kg (the maximum) you can see it is $108.65. You would have to see whether the timber you can fit in their package comes to that weight. I would guess it probably does. You can also plug in values for your own packaging, but it is rarely cheaper. For weights above 5Kg you need to use your own packaging. At 20Kg it costs A$327.65. It is a better rate, but a lot of money.

Package to US.png

The only other thing I would add is that postage to the US will seem less expensive to them as A$100 will be around US$64.

It may appeal to the knife makers, and box makers, if you have some spectacular specimens with a tight figure . Ahem, I think you know what I mean.

Good luck.

Regards
Paul

Wow
Comprehensive reply
Thank you Paul
Invaluable info

Log Dog

I agree with Paul.

Post / shipping costs post COVID have effectively killed off sending anything other than very high value items to the US due to the relative cost of the shipping to the item value. Same for many Euro destinations as well. This is particularly affecting Oz and NZ wood turners who had established a presence in the US market prior to the shipping problems from the pandemic.

Makes one wonder how shipping of items from China to Oz is so dirt cheap in comparison.

Originally Posted by Mobyturns

Makes one wonder how shipping of items from China to Oz is so dirt cheap in comparison.

Mobyturns

I think we have to assume it is accomplished with an astounding loss and is subsidised either wholly or partly by the state. Presumably this was to gain market share. The big question in my mind is exactly how long can they continue like this? I would think not for much longer, but who really knows.

Post covid (if post covid is a real situation) I detected a slight increase in the price of goods and some small concession/contribution towards postage. However, fundamentally your statement is correct.

The trick, for export, is to find low weight items with high value. Really it has always been that way, but has become more pronounced and more noticeable recently: Unfortunately!

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

The trick, for export, is to find low weight items with high value.

Regards
Paul

Absolutely
That's exactly what I intend to do Paul
No massive slabs rather small items like pen/ knife blanks along with highly figured sections for high end turning

Log Dog

I used to send a lot of stick to the US. I am glad I am not doing it these days. Freight is now a game changer. Particularly on small quantity. Items must be high value, low cost, high turn over to make any sort of money. Failure to meet even any one of these criteria can be the difference between profit or loss. IMHO export is for volume. Anything less can be flogged local.

Originally Posted by rustynail

Items must be high value, low cost, high turn over

Oakey doakey
Good to know!
Thanks for your thoughts RN
And of course establishing consistent sales by gaining a reliable and loyal cliental
Be a slow grind I suspects but I have the time and patience

Getting a good deal on freight no doubt equally as important
Has got me excited enough to have a go
Nothing to lose...everything to gain imo

But Yes
Low cost/High value and steady turnover seems to be the formula for success going forward

Log Dog

Be careful with those AusPost charts, they charge a cubic metre weight charge which is higher than the charts.

eg a 300 x 220 x 200, 2-3kg comes in at $90 give or take, more if want to insure it and add signature. The best thing with a MyPost account is the more you send the cheaper it gets.

But seriously, that kind of money to the US is nothing to them, if they want what yo got they will pay whatever amount, and who says you have to quote postage? my quotes are delivered price.