Shopping bike stuff in the US online

[flying_b8ker]

Hey guys, I want to buy something for my bike in the US online, the problem is they ship only to the US. What services can I use that will enable me to shop in that stores and then would send the package to NZ? Thx

[mulletman]

some discussion here

https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/183167-You-shop

[Voltaire]

I've used YouShop ( NZ Post).

Bought a front wheel and it was US only but free post in upper 48

Sent to Youshop address and cost about $40 NZ to get here.

Did a comparison with a Ducati shop I use for a test and works out about the same on small stuff..

Post/courier from US is a rip off...but hey its helping making America grate.:msn-wink:

[Jeeper]

I've used YouShop and buyusa.co.nz over the years. Both have been good

Sent from my F8331 using Tapatalk

[Mike.Gayner]

Good experienced with Youshop, though it can get expensive pretty fast. Their calculator is good and most sites will give you an accurate parcel size so you'll know what you're in for.

I once brought in about a grand worth of leathers and unfortunately it got stopped at customs and I got whacked for GST. They also tried to charge me duty but I successfully argued that motorcycle gear doesn't fit the definition of "clothing".

[Jeff Sichoe]

They also tried to charge me duty but I successfully argued that motorcycle gear doesn't fit the definition of "clothing".

Hey that's pretty clever, did you just say it was safety equipment or something?

[Mike.Gayner]

Hey that's pretty clever, did you just say it was safety equipment or something?

Yep exactly.

[pete376403]

shipito.com. Basic membership is free, gives you P.O. Boxes in California, Oregon (tax free) and IIRC Austria. I have used them a fair bit. For a bit extra per month there is an account that will allow consolidation, ie pack multiple different packages into one box. Doing this recently dropped shipping for three separate items from $297 via FedEx to one package at $94 (also via FedEx)
They also send photos of the items as they receive them, highlighting any damage.

https://www.shipito.com/en/help/faq

[AllanB]

Hey that's pretty clever, did you just say it was safety equipment or something?

Motorcycle gear falls under this category. I questioned it a few years back and some nice customs lady e-mailed me the list which included MC clothing - jackets gloves etc.

[AllanB]

shipito.com.

https://www.shipito.com/en/help/faq

Highly recommend - I've used them for years.

[pritch]

Youshop offer useful service beyond just forwarding your latest lust object. Guy I know was restoring a Ford Escort and he sourced parts from all over the UK, maybe twenty items in all. He told Youshop UK that there were multiple items coming. Each time something arrived they'd advise him and he'd ask them to hold it. When he was advised that the final item had arrived he asked them to pack the whole lot up and send it. I thought that was pretty cool.

[flying_b8ker]

Highly recommend - I've used them for years.

Thanks! I've checked out Shipito.com - they have good reviews, but aren't they too expensive? I was looking for some competitors and the cheapest one is PlanetExpress.com (do you know them too?) and their shipping rates are very low. 1lbs, 10x10x10inch package to Wellington with Shipito usps express costs $83 while with Planet it's only $26 with same shipping method - interesting

[Swoop]

Youshop offer useful service beyond just forwarding your latest lust object. Guy I know was restoring a Ford Escort and he sourced parts from all over the UK, maybe twenty items in all. He told Youshop UK that there were multiple items coming. Each time something arrived they'd advise him and he'd ask them to hold it. When he was advised that the final item had arrived he asked them to pack the whole lot up and send it. I thought that was pretty cool.

Yes, "consolidation" services. Very useful and has been around for a while.
Saves a bit on shipping costs if you know that you can get suppliers to get their stuff to the depot on time.

[MarkH]

Thanks! I've checked out Shipito.com - they have good reviews, but aren't they too expensive? I was looking for some competitors and the cheapest one is PlanetExpress.com (do you know them too?) and their shipping rates are very low. 1lbs, 10x10x10inch package to Wellington with Shipito usps express costs $83 while with Planet it's only $26 with same shipping method - interesting

I haven't found shipito to be expensive (I've had them send me over a dozen consolidated packages) as they tend to charge little more than the actual shipping costs. I'm certain that they don't use shipping that costs them $26 and turn around and charge $83 - this make me think that there is something different or wrong between your two prices, either one is slow surface mail or one is incorrectly quoted.

I really like the fact that I can choose Fed Ex, DHL, UPS, USPS or whatever shipping service I want when I have a package sent to me. I can go with faster or cheaper or one I've found to be more reliable or whatever.

My latest package is 2lbs, 8" x 8" x 5" with a value of US$175 and a cost to me of US$54.64 total fees for consolidating the original 4 packages into this one and sending it to me by Fed Ex.

[Swoop]

I can go with faster or cheaper or one I've found to be more reliable or whatever.

That is a nice option.
Also bare in mind that going for the "faster & expensive" option can put you over the customs limit.

A dopey bint was fuming over the cost of a package, but she had wanted "here, IMMEDIATELY!" courier option and got financially arse raped at the border by customs. :rolleyes:

[MarkH]

That is a nice option.
Also bare in mind that going for the "faster & expensive" option can put you over the customs limit.


Very true, I'm always mindful of the value of my packages that I consolidate and don't like them too close to the limit because shipping could then push them over that limit.

With Shipito you can leave a package in your virtual mailbox to send with the next lot of stuff if you are worried that its value would push the total up too high. It can be handy to have 60 days of free storage sometimes.