Shipping Parts!

[alan]

Shipping Parts

I recently shipped some parts to members in the UK and New Zealand.  I priced UPS, DHL, FedEx and the US post office. The US post office was 300% cheaper than anyone else, but there are some down sides to shipping US post office. First you can only track the package till it leaves the US and if you fill a claim for a lost package you must wait 30 to 45 days. Also it can take 3 to 4 weeks to arrive at the destination.

The real surprise was that if you insure the item the duties are computed on the insurance value not the price you sold it for.  I thought that it would be a good idea to insure the item for what it would cost to replace it, if it gets lost including the shipping which can be many times the amount of the used part. So be careful shipping stuff to other members or they may get stuck with duties 2 to 3 times the amount you sold the item for!

Alan

[kiwikx500]

Thanks again Alan for virtually giving me the parts and all your running around back and forth to the post office - Top bloke as always! Motor still at the shop, should not be too far away.

The cut off for New Zealand re tax is $400 New Zealand dollars, so long as the goods are insured for less than $400 no duty will be charged. Other countries most probably have a cut off point too, worth finding out to get the balance of insuring for as close to the cut off point but pay no expensive duty.

[Wizzy214]

just a heads up. when shipping out of the US. when you fill out the customs form theres already a tracking number on the customs form.  the postal workers try and get ya on that one...so if they say the never recieved it just look at your receipt. its saved me so many times through paypal.

just my 2 cents

[alan]

That is correct, the custom's form has a number, that is the tracking number and you can look it up on the web, however ind it will tell you where and when it left the US! Real helpful!