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US Freight Forwarders

grangrump

2-Jun-2011
10:57:36 AM

OK I use Rock Hardware and recommend it for quick service and no credit card etc exchange fees, given that they support running this site.

But I'm buying some snowshoes. MSR is typically not allowed for shipping direct.
Has anyone had good or bad experiences with a US freight forwarder to report?
Approximate shipping cost?
http://www.myus.com looks like ca $100 to ship.
thanks

ajfclark

2-Jun-2011
11:07:50 AM

Mattjr plugged shipito a while back: here and here

tnd

2-Jun-2011
11:32:13 AM

I'll also recommend Shipito, used them a couple of times with no problems. A few hoops to jump through to prove I wasn't a scammer - scanned and uploaded a couple of photo Id documents and/or documents with addresses.

citationx

2-Jun-2011
11:48:31 AM

On 2/06/2011 tnd wrote:
>I'll also recommend Shipito, used them a couple of times with no problems.
>A few hoops to jump through to prove I wasn't a scammer - scanned and uploaded
>a couple of photo Id documents and/or documents with addresses.

that's a third re: shipito.
I also have a friend who regularly imports things on a monthly basis from them. they can do one-offs, or you can set up an account with them.

Miguel75

2-Jun-2011
1:32:19 PM

Grangrump, I've had multiple experiences where I asked the retailer to send items that usually have international shipping restrictions (there's another thread on Chocky that lists a lot of them), and they've happily mailed the item off. I've yet to be refused..

Edit: I usually ask them to send packages via USPS.

strerror

2-Jun-2011
1:50:37 PM

i use myus.com and thoroughly recommend them. Will strip unnecessary packaging and if you join as a premium member (marginally more upfront fee's) you get discounted shipping rates, worth it if you're going to do it regularly. They also let you add a bunch of names to the account so you can, for example, let your mates use it as well with no problems. The premium DHL option is the same cost (to australia) as the normal DHL and normally get's to me within 72 hours of arriving at myus.com.
All that said, i've not used any other forwarders so I don't know how it compares.

grangrump

2-Jun-2011
2:24:14 PM

On 2/06/2011 Miguel75 wrote:
>Grangrump, I've had multiple experiences where I asked the retailer to
>send items that usually have international shipping restrictions (there's
>another thread on Chocky that lists a lot of them), and they've happily
>mailed the item off. I've yet to be refused..
The package was from Campsaver. They took the money but then emailed to say couldnt send MSR or BD to Australia.
Certainly policies on shipping BD (US->Aust) are erratic between US companies.

strerror

2-Jun-2011
2:32:54 PM

On 2/06/2011 Miguel75 wrote:
>Edit: I usually ask them to send packages via USPS.

I'd recommend against this. I had a mate who lives in America send me some sunnies via USPS. Despite the fact that they were insured for $250, when Australia post lost them after they cleared customs, I could only get $50 bucks back, as the insurance won't cover more then that from either Australia post or USPS. This happened just before xmas and I'm still waiting to receive my $50 from USPS. Bottom line, if what you're sending is valuable (define that yourself), then do it via a courier that has a better chance of not losing it and being able to FULLY insure it for the value if they do.

Miguel75

2-Jun-2011
5:35:08 PM

That's a bugger grangrump.

Sterror, that sucks your package was lost. My brother is a cop and imported a few special items, helmet, tactical vest and other cop things, which was lost somewhere between Utah and Tassie. His USPS insurance covered the lot, around $1300, if i recall correctly. I think if you check international insurance options on the USPS website you'll find plenty of insurance options up to ~$2499.

FWIW, I've been sending packages from the US via USPS since ~1994 with no major hiccups. Hope you get your cash, and or sunnies relatively quickly.

dane

2-Jun-2011
5:48:19 PM

I use Shipito on a fairly regular basis for importing ice hockey gear, 4 packages to date, varying from $300 to about $1000, no problems at all.
Generally about 4 days to get from them to Aus using fedex.
You need to join for a month to get the extra addresses, but the lack of tax inside the states, and again coming into Australia is generally worth it.
Just keep the package under a grand to avoid paying duty.

Dane

HumphreyG

27-Jun-2011
10:08:16 AM

I've just signed up with Shipto, and am looking at putting in an order on REI but it is trying to charge me US tax - is there any way to avoid this?

Dane - looks like you have but not sure how as it is getting sent to a US address??

Gavo

27-Jun-2011
11:16:52 PM

I really doubt they are going to not charge you US tax when sending it to a US address. I could be wrong, but I never altered my tax setups when ordering overseas.

gfdonc

28-Jun-2011
9:42:08 AM

The tax you refer to is probably a state tax. The rules vary if you are shipping out-of-state. Someone else might have some definitive information but my recollection is that the item is taxed based on your receiving address. California charges over 9%.

You might try a freight forwarder based in a low or no-tax state and see what happens to the charges. New Hampshire used to charge 0% state tax when I lived there, making it a popular shopping destination.

Dane

29-Jun-2011
9:27:59 AM

Yeah, that'll be a state tax. Check what state the business is in, get a premium account, and ship to one of the other addresses that they then open up for you.

The main warehouse is Cali, but the others are elsewhere, Nevada and somewhere else I think.
They shouldn't tax you

Dane

Ben_E

29-Jun-2011
6:50:47 PM

>The main warehouse is Cali, but the others are elsewhere, Nevada and somewhere
>else I think.
>They shouldn't tax you
>
>Dane

California need all the state tax they can get, make them a donation!

There are 15 messages in this topic.