OT: Shipping from US to Australia??

[f/stopblues]

I know we have a lot of members around the globe, so maybe you guys can help. Someone has inquired about a lens I have for sale, asking about shipping rates to Melbourne, Australia. What is the best way to do this? I checked out a couple big couriers and things were running near $60 USD. USPS has a bunch of lower rates, but I don't know what makes a package qualify for those rates. Any help from people with more experience than me? I've googled myself into a wall!

(BTW, the whole package will weigh about 2 lbs. and I haven't found a box yet, but it should be pretty small.. small enough for a 20mm Nikkor. Going from Kansas City, MO 64111 to Melbourne, Australia)

Thanks as always!
Chris

 

[akalai]

Hi Chris,
...as someone who regularly gets things shipped to OZ your best bet is USPS, go to their postage calculator here:

http://ircalc.usps.gov

Select, "Australia" + "Package" and I typed in 3lbs to cover your shipping box and got these results:

Global Express Mail (EMS) 3 - 5 Days $28.00

EMS would be my first choice as it comes with a tracking number that works within Australia, I have heard its not so in Canada...weird...but in Australia when something is sent EMS I can check on the USPS tracking site and tell if my package is out for delivery or if its reached my local post office etc.... you can also use the Australia Post tracking website (http://ice.auspost.com.au) to check it's where abouts but believe it or not the USPS site seems to be updated more often. My record was 60 hours for door to door service from the Mid West to Australia. Oh and delivery also requires a signature.

Global Priority Mail Flat-rate Envelope (Large)4 - 6 Days $9.00

This would be my second option, I usually use it for books, but you can use it for items that aren't too expensive as well. The flat rate is for anything upto 4lbs so its a budget good option, if you have a smaller item you can send it via the "Small" Envelope which only costs $5, the cheapest and fastest way to send something to OZ.

Customs Declaration: Make sure you write it is a "second hand camera lens/parts" and declaring the value is upto you. Keep in mind Australia has some interesting Custom rules....like you can send $1000AUD worth of items via regular Air Mail without any taxes being levied, BUT the maximum value of items you can send via a "Courier Service", and this includes EMS, is $250AUD. Ofcourse the Catch-22 is that if you had something worth $1000 you would want to send it via EMS as it has both tracking and insurance AND is so fast it rarely has time to go "missing". Also any levied value on EMS in Australia includes the cost of shipping, yep we get taxed on the shipping which really annoys me as its a service originating outside of Australia which has been taxed already and paid for by the sender.

OK hope this helps.

 

[ChrisN]

I've had more than twenty items shipped from the US to Australia. Best value for money is USPS Global Priority. Reliability has been 100% so far. Delivery takes about 10 days or so, plus any delays if the parcel is held by Customs for inspection and/or duties and taxes. Anything with a declared value of $250 or more is likely to attract the attention of the Customs people (for import duties etc.). UPS would be my last choice. I'd stick with USPS - make the parcel as small and light as is possible consistent with a safe amount of padding.

 

[thedilettante]

I've used both EMS and regular USPS airmail and never had a problem with either. EMS is better ( and quicker - typically 3 - 5 days into Sydney from most places vs 10 -14 for airmail ) as it's trackable. I think it's worth paying the extra cost but you do have to be aware of the difference in allowable value as noted above. I've never been pulled up for duty but I have had packages ( notably Diafine ) opened and inspected by the quarantine service.
Ben

 

[Laika]

Another vote for USPS here.

Avoid Fedex and UPS as customs this end will be all over it with tax and fees. I've had several cameras, lenses etc sent by USPS and have yet to get slugged any tax or have any other problems.

 

[rover]

I have shipped a number of items to Australia, a small package can be sent Air Letter Post, 3 lbs is showing a cost of $20.30.

http://ircalc.usps.gov/intl_speed.asp?CID=10013&MailType=package&Pounds=3&Ounces=0

As a rule, I never use UPS, they are expensive and slow, USPS is the only way to go. If you send the package via Global Express you may be able to send it with confirmation and insurance for an extra cost if you wish. Check with the post office to confirm that.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Global Express includes the first $100 of insurance and tracking at least within the US. Tracking outside of the US is "spotty". I have had very good luck with them. Air letter post cannot be insured.

 

[f/stopblues]

Thanks so much guys! That sounds much more reasonable than UPS's crazy rates.

 

[kiev4a]

I've shipped stuff to Europe and Asia, always used air letter post and never had a problem. Don't hink I've ever shipped to Australia, however. ALP isn't insured but in areas where theft is a problem, insuring a package may just draw attention to it. I've been told by several people that shipping to Mexico is almost impossible--the stuff nearly always disappears en route.

 

[hugivza]

I received a package today from the US via USPS. It took 11 days to travel from Mass to Western Australia (probably at the continental extremities in terms of distance). Absolutely no problems, and although I had to collect it from the Oz Customs, I paid no duty (around $US 300 declared value). USPS works fine. I just wish the Russians could invent such a system - I have been waiting since early August for my Kiev!

 

[Poptart]

All the stuff I ship to Oz goes air letter post. What it costs depends on the exact weight. If you want it insured you have to ship air parcel post + pay an extra fee; it works out to about 3X ALP, and not many of my buyers go for that.

 

[f/stopblues]

Well after all that, someone sniped my auction with about 6 or 7 seconds to go.. and he lives in Washington!

I do appreciate the help though!

Chris