heroshmero Posted June 15, 2010 Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 I'm considering buying a board from somebody in Australia and having it shipped to USA. Does anyone have any recommendations on which shipping company would be cheaper/better to use? Any other tips on shipping it and getting it through customs, etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dantheman0177 Posted June 15, 2010 Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 I've only ever shipped the other way, but I think they all came USPS/AustPost and arrived just fine. The key is to declare them as used personal equipment, value less than $100, and make sure they are super well packed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patmoore Posted June 15, 2010 Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 I'm unfamiliar with shipping from Australia to the US but if the same policies exist as in the opposite direction, you could face challenges. I ship a lot of gear to Australia but it's mostly boots. Skis and boards exceed the length limit of 42 inches imposed by USPS. Ironically New Zealand will accept up to 60 inches but that's still too short for anything but kids gear. Some customers have opted to use UPS but it's very pricey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heroshmero Posted June 15, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 I've only ever shipped the other way, but I think they all came USPS/AustPost and arrived just fine. The key is to declare them as used personal equipment, value less than $100, and make sure they are super well packed. Thanks for the tips. I looked at the auspost website and it looks like I have some options for shipping. Do you have any experience with the Air Mail or Sea Mail options? I'd be wiling to send Sea Mail because I don't need the board any time soon. Anything I need to worry about with that? Why is it important to declare the value as less than $100? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Gendzwill Posted June 15, 2010 Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 I've used seamail from Japan lots for martial arts gear, works fine but takes at least a month, some people report two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heroshmero Posted June 15, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 And what about maximum parcel size? Will auspost even ship a snowboard? It looks like their maximum parcel size is: Length - must not exceed 105cm. Girth - parcel must not exceed 140cm. Found on this page: http://auspost.com.au/personal/parcel-dimensions.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heroshmero Posted June 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2010 Looks like auspost doesn't want to ship a snowboard sized package out of Australia but they will deliver one sent into Australia by USPS. Quotes I've generated from UPS and DHL are over $400 AUD ($350 USD)! That seems crazy expensive. Any other ideas as to how I can send a snowboard from Australia to USA without breaking the bank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dantheman0177 Posted June 18, 2010 Report Share Posted June 18, 2010 That's really ridiculous. But I have no other suggestion really. Unless you could find someone to bring it over as luggage, but that's not likely to be a realistic option, I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heroshmero Posted June 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2010 Looks like PackSend will ship it for $240 AUD. Anybody know of any reason I shouldn't use them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dantheman0177 Posted June 19, 2010 Report Share Posted June 19, 2010 Never heard of them, but that doesn't mean anything. Sorry, I also forgot about the $100 question. I just got told by a friend who worked in quarantine and customs here that you should call everything used personal equipment and less than $100 because then they are less likely to bother inspecting it. If they do, you get charged inspection fees, plus it delays delivery. Also if you claim it is new and/or worth considerably more, you may get import duties imposed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heroshmero Posted June 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2010 Thanks for the input. I decided against doing it. It looked like the cheapest quote for shipping was $310 AUD. Seemed too expensive and complicated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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