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May 2009
Posts: 325
Location: Utica, NY | I ask this with great trepidation having just read through the UPS delivery problem but I have an opportunity to ship a bass to a nice guy in Finland. I'd love to make this work for him but would like some direction in what route to take regarding international shipping carriers and methods. I have a FedEx account and have gotten some wildly different quotes from what I can calculate online vs. what I got at the local terminal counter tonight.
Anyone with any experience with this? Your input and direction would be very helpful
Thanks |
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November 2002
Posts: 3664
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Actually, the most economical method would be US Postal Service. Just make sure the combined dimensions are under 108 inches (Length-plus-girth).
Pack it well, and take pictures, before shipping, though. |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | a bass may be tough because of the dimensions.
usps is the best I do it all the time |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | take the neck off and pack them separately, same box but pad them up on their own. |
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March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | usps is the best I do it all the time +1
...International Priority....as Al said, Bass Package dimensions may be too much...go online (usps.com) and you can determine the dimensions added to weight of package will = the cost to ship (remember to enter the country shipping to) |
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January 2009
Posts: 379
Location: Alagoas, Brazil | You also have to check the requirements by the Finland Mail. USPS will not accept a package that won't be handled later by Finland Mail. I know, for instance, that to send a guitar to Brazil you'll have to send it through UPS or FEDEX, because our mail service won't accept it. Maybe the best way is ask the guy in Finland to check Customs and Mail regulations there. |
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May 2009
Posts: 325
Location: Utica, NY | The USPS option was unexpected. Those rates are very favorable compared to what I have from FedEx. I am also right at the 108" max so I could be OK. Can't take the neck off, it's a neck through and there's the case to factor as well.
I do see a $650.00 max insurance though. Anyone have any qualms with the ability to track or their insurance should it be needed?
Thanks all for the quick and helpful responses. |
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May 2006
Posts: 4236
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Well, the UPS thread was mine, so I'll add my 2 cents.
USPS is the way to go international if you can meet the restrictions for insurance and for final destination, but that's been covered already. I've sent quite a few guitars to Europe and a couple to Canada over the last four or five years. One to Canada got damaged, and one to Europe got totaled. The postal service paid both times with no fight other than the paperwork and the seemingly mandatory 60-day waiting period. There are threads about both guitars somewhere on the OFC. Both owners are pleased with what arrived from the factory after their patient waiting.
All that being said, like most shipping companies, most of their packages get where they are going just fine. I'll stick with USPS because, other than the red tape, they lived up to their liability when they had to. (So far anyway. Forgive me if I'm a little cynical after what Ryan and I just got drug through.)
Best of luck! :) |
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May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | For France, Italy and Germany I use FedEx International Economy. Runs about $125. |
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December 2004
Posts: 1673
Location: SoCal | I sent a 1773LX to Finland via USPS.
Combined dimension limits vary by country and were provided on the USPS website.
I slip-fit the Ovation box into another box for extra impact resistance. It just made the combined dimension limit.
I supplemented my shipping insurance through the carrier that Lady Noah uses.
If you can, remove the neck like Beal said. |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | I have sent instruments with the max insurance 500-650 that were valued higher.
the buyer must understand that you do that at a risk and if anything happens they are S*** outta luck
with that said no reason to declare the package for more than the insured value |
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December 2004
Posts: 1673
Location: SoCal | One thing I really like about sending USPS International...
You honestly fill out the declaration form, pay the postage, and send the item on its way.
The Postal Service takes care of all export/import tasks.
Once the item arrives at the destination post office, it is the recipient's responsibility to settle up on the import fees/duties/etc. at delivery time. |
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May 2009
Posts: 325
Location: Utica, NY | You folks have saved the buyer a few bucks and learned me something new at the same time. Thanks all. |
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May 2009
Posts: 1433
Location: Right now? | Dave,
Why do you use FedEx in particular for France, Italy and Germany over the USPS?
When I shipped an Adamas to England a few months ago via USPS it was pretty easy, except for trying to decipher (it was my first Int'l shipment) which customs form to fill out ... THAT was a bit of a P.I.T.A. ...
;)
Willa |
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May 2009
Posts: 325
Location: Utica, NY | Just an update. USPS was by far the best value. Doing the paperwork and shipping label online was both good and bad (but still far better than doing them the old fashioned way with pen to paper). I know the errors that I made and won't make them next time. Honestly, the tracking was not so bad and it safely reached Finland in a very acceptable time frame. Thanks to everyone again for the education. |
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September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Just to add a note ... I recently sold and shipped a guitar to Hawaii. UPS and Fedex were both about $280, where USPS EXPRESS Mail was only about $125 (insured for $1,000) The delivery was guarantied for a third day from Michigan, but made it there in two, with an attempted Saturday delivery. All went well and save him lots of moolah. |
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International Guitar Shipping
