Shipping big stuff from the US

[petal666]

I have a problem. I ordered a bike trailer from a place in the US, so I can tow my son around the place on my bike. They don't ship to OZ so I got it sent to a friend in the US and was going to get it shipped via US postal service to OZ for about US$110 (it weighs 14kg). Problem is that the box is 48"x30"x12" and this is above the max size USPS will ship.

I've looked at the usual courier companies (Fedex,DHL, UPS) and their shipping rates are just insane. Most estimates come out at US$500 plus. Surely there is a cheaper option but I can't find it.

Anybody have any ideas? I've searched through quite a few sites who offer shipping and they are all expensive.

[fozzie]

petal666,

Contact Schenker Australia Pty Ltd in Brisbane to gain a quote to have the consignment consolidated in a 20' or 40' container and shipped by sea from the USA to Brisbane direct or via Sydney.

http://www.schenker.com.au/

[smac]

Petal666
You can contact a Freight Forwarding company and as fozzie says they will consolidate your LCL shipment (less than container load) with a 20' or 40' container coming to Australia. They will quote and charge either on volume or weight, whichever is the higher (in freight cost).

Good luck.

[MattC]

Petal666

I am curious to know which trailer you have purchased. Link??

[birddog114]

petal666

I have been dealing with them occasionaly with all my supplies came from the US (heavy & bulky stuff), minimum charges is US$300.00 + local GST and duties and only by sea, depend on but sometimes will take from 4 - 8 weeks to get it thru.
They have to consolidate it to one of their container.

[petal666]

THanks, I'll check some of these ideas out.

The trailer is a Chariot Cougar http://www.chariotcarriers.com/html_english/cougar1.htm

[birddog114]

petal666,
I wish you all luck to bring it back before Xmas, he's a lucky boy to own it. BTW, if someone comes from the US, they can fly it to you without the packaging, unpack and check-ins luggage, I have seen couple USAF staffs use them in Williamtown & Nelson Bay, Newcastle recently, Boeing now has their real huge office and facilities in the RAAF base and lot of the Yankees around the Bay lately.

[MattC]

I was going to ask why buy from the US when there is a pretty decent range of Phillips, Burley etc available locally. Just one look at this range says it all... Sweet! Lucky lad alright.