Hi,
I have read several thread about US Forwarding agent. Just wonder whether there is a good-old postal service by sea? Friends paid something like $100 for one box under 20kg, which I think is far too expensive.
When we were in Malaysia we found this to be super-cheap and efficient. Afterall, we dont really need those items in a hurry, and from memory it arrived within 8 weeks.
Sea Mail USA to Oz
Pumpkin_rrr on 29/12/2013 - 14:32
Comments
I guess if people are transferring their whole house and family they'd use sea mail. I'd look at the Yellow Pages and see what you can find. That's how I sent a lot of stuff to Canada once.
I wouldn't use it unless it had tracking and insurance
How much stuff are you moving (weight)
And, what cu mtrs is it?
Hi Benji and Anna, thanx for your responses.
What weight and Cubic- this is a catch-22 situation. I will have to see whether I can ship them back economically. Currently I have no target items to buy in our coming USA trip. There are a lot of discussions on what to buy in USA so I am going to compile a list based on others' recommendations. But if I find out seamail or any other shipping mode is economical, I might buy say some pots and pans, dinner set, boots, Thermomix, iRobot (?), camera, iPad, Christmas tree, knife block, etc etc. A lot of my shopping are not planned; you go to a shopping centre or market, and come home with some stuff that not only surprise yourself, but your spouses too, haha. Of course I need to look into duties and all that.
Having said all that, I think it has to be at least 20kg to make it worthwhile, and the Dollar value has to be high too. Not shipping 2 pillows no matter how cheap they are, do you agree?I can see that you need to have all sorts of simultaneous info before deciding: If freight available and if so how much and where does it deliver to / customs inspection / duty - presumedly you may be req'd to attend the opening of the 'box'; what duties payable; electrics OK to work here etc etc.
I'd try a few calls to importers as they may know who to talk to next. Sometimes, I think people share containers - how and who to talk to about that etc etc. It sounds like a lot of research to be done and I think that people have decided that it's all too much. Esp now that there are so many sales, free postage even from the US. Also, now that the AUD is heading toward 85c USD, it's not such a good deal as when you could've got 25% more value on the AUD.
What do others think?
Once upon a time, USPS offered sea freight to Australia. But that disappeared years ago. AFAIK, there is no sea freight option at this time.