Suggestions on shipping to Australia

[chas427fe]

Looking for economical/practical way if possible to send some hand tools, etc to my brother. He moved to near Bega in New South Wales and left behind his socket sets, wrenches and misc. hand tools and I'm looking for a way to ship them to him. Any ideas greatly appreciated. Thanks, Chas

[RedBarchetta]

I once sold some AVO coilovers to a nice guy down under. I used UPS and it was no problem.

-Dean

[FWB]

they must be some great tools...i would just send a check to buy new ones. may be cheaper

[alffie]

USPS is the best way to send stuff. Ups is hopless

[chas427fe]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Time is not important so either of them will work. He just tells me that his choices are limited and that recently he bought an Estwing hammer and it was over $100.00. This same hammer sells for less than $35 in the US. He says that the local hardware store gets $25 for a Chinese knock off hammer. His tools are Sears Craftsman which are real decent tools. Are there other options in Australia to purchase because it appears he is not really near a large city and has very limited options?

[Beejay]

Bega is a fair way from Sydney, but if he wants to save some money it would be worth the trip. Good tools are not cheap, but it would probably be cheaper than sending heavy tools from the US.


Cheers,

Ben

[Rob. Smith]

SNAP ON !!! about the same price as postage of tools from the USA. I learnt off a tightwad at work that if you declare the parcel is a 'gift' there is a reduction in postage costs.( ask the postal service) The tightwad got a warning letter noting that his brother had three birthdays in one year and he should refrain from sending any more 'gifts' before he prematurely ages his brother to an early grave. The postal mob have a sense of humour. There was a mention of a fraud charge too.

[*Cobber*]

Bega just send it express post and it will be there by cheesday.

Just package them up in a tea chest and send them sea freight if he's not in a rush.

Good quality tools are expensive here and the cheaper stuff seems to made of cheese.

[chas427fe]

Again thanks for the replies. I checked with the post office and they have a box which with up to 20 lbs. is $42. This didn't sound bad when considering the value of 20 lbs. of sockets and rachets. Do I have to declare a value since they are his tools. Or is this where I should claim them as gift? Also I am not familar with the tea chest idea. What exactly is this?

[*Cobber*]

You will have to put a value on the parcel but as long as the value is under $1,000 no tax or duty is payable. If it's over $1,000 you / your brother will have to fill out customs forms that the items are un accompanied personal effects, pain in the A$$. I would suggest just keeping each parcel below $1,000 (AU) in value.

PS Bega is a brand of cheese here in Oz.

[Aussie Mike]

Make sure it's less than AU$1000 including the shipping costs. This can be a bit of a trap if you aren't careful.

Cheers

[chas427fe]

Thanks. It looks like the USPS package will work. Each package will be less than a $1000.
My brother worked at a cheese factory in Bega so maybe that is where the cheese comes from.

[*Cobber*]

Love my cheese.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3KBuQHHKx0

I was born in Gloucester

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOyQBSMeIhM

[LoBelly]

Originally Posted by chas427fe

...His tools are Sears Craftsman which are real decent tools...

I don't know why but I hadn't thought of looking in the US for tool-sets.

A few years ago all my tools were stolen - they were mostly quality items that I had collected over several years, particularly annoying with regard to the low usage specialist tools that you build up over time. Anyway the insurance company denied the claim (tools stolen from the unoccupied house we had just purchased)

Since then I have have been looking at tool kits from time to time

I had not heard about Sears Craftsman and it looks like its worth following up

for comparison
this:
http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_101...ame=Tools+Sets

vs this:
http://www.justtools.com.au/prod4350.htm

I know they're not exactly the same components but you get the idea

thanks

LoBelly

[chas427fe]

LoBelly, just watch the weight of what you order because the shipping can go up sharply. The USPS parcel for $42 for 20 lbs. goes up to $132 for 21 lbs. or more. Chas

[Tenrocca]

Originally Posted by chas427fe

LoBelly, just watch the weight of what you order because the shipping can go up sharply. The USPS parcel for $42 for 20 lbs. goes up to $132 for 21 lbs. or more. Chas

Chas - not sure where you got that info? The 21lbs looks about right, but 20 lbs is only about $5 less. Heres all the rates to Australia (in the link)
Usps has been very good for me, but I have used Fedex economy for heavy items (wheels\tyres).

http://pe.usps.com/text/Imm/ab_012.htm

[stephen low]

Tenrocca

What form of shipping is the Fedex economy? Ship or plane? And what sort of transfer time?

Am asking in advance of any potential future parts movement.

Cheers

[chas427fe]

Tenrocca, thanks for the link. I went there earlier and l it had a link where you chose a package and entered the weight and it gave a result. When I put in amounts up to 20 lbs. it came back $42. When I entered 21 lbs. and higher it came up with the higher amount. The chart makes a whole lot more sense than what the query gave. Chas

[Tenrocca]

Slowy, Fedex economy is by air. Took about a week which is still pretty quick. As a guide (Im searching the memory bank here) I think the shipping for 4 tyres was around $250US (tyre rack - I think Fedex give them a good rate) , and the wheels were around $450US.

Cheers

[stephen low]

Thanks Tenrocca gives me some ideas to work on.

Cheers