Door-to-port shipping

Modena · #1 (**permalink**) 05-25-2011, 05:47 PM

I'm getting a fairly large load shipped from the USA, and the door-to-port shipping option is $1200 cheaper than door-to-door. The vendor in the USA is organising the shipping.

Has anyone done door-to-port, and what does it entail? Can I just rock up at some local shipping depot and pick up my stuff? Any charges to pay?

The goods are made in the USA, so customs fees will not be huge.

Can anyone offer any advice? Obviously I'd rather a couple of hundred in local costs rather than $1200 extra!

sambo · #2 (**permalink**) 05-25-2011, 07:28 PM

I used DB Schenker to ship my wheels door to port and it cost me a few hundred more than if I'd arranged door to door - plus I had to visit them near the airport where they took their sweet time organising the paperwork, picking the order and forking it out to the car park (allow half a day). They said something about extra handling fees to release goods at DB Schenker rather than freighting it on to the final address - made no sense to me. But during the process of picking it up I asked for a comparative door to door quote to metro Melb and it was definitely a few hundred less. Not sure how that works out with larger orders such as yours. I think with the "made in USA" clause you will only avoid 5% duty, all other charges remain.

Merv and Sharon · #3 (**permalink**) 05-26-2011, 04:01 AM

I used DB Schenker as well Paul, but had the door to door option. They were pretty reasonable I thought at the time. They even called when it arrived. As you say, the letter saying that the goods were made in the USA is essential - it must accompany the goods.

Rob. Smith · #4 (**permalink**) 05-26-2011, 05:35 AM

Years ago I imported a lathe from the States and the critical part was the arrival in Australia at the port (Sydney) I had to minimise my pick up time, as the cost for holding the thing at the port rose by the day. Customs were pretty curious as well. My shipper was glad to see the end of the process

Krait · #5 (**permalink**) 05-26-2011, 05:43 AM

Schenker brought my wheels in too, door to door. No issues, very helpful.

Can't quite say the same of Schenker in Saudi Arabia but that's another story

Cheers