Postage from USA to NZ prohibitively expensive - wat do?

[Blackshear]

I'm trying to post some non-bike related items from the US, a mate is going to give me some of his surplus computer stuff and I can't seem to find a way without it costing $120US for what is effectively a 15/10/5 parcel.
I've sent him stuff in the same dimensions and valued items for a paltry 17NZD, granted it was a 2-week economy deal.

What's the deal here, how do I make it not so horrendously expensive?

I ask here because I know quite a few of you do ebay stuff.

[Edbear]

I am trying to find a way to reduce the cost, too. I have to bring in some stock from my supplier but it is not coming direct from the factory. The freight cost was going to be three times the value of the goods! I got hold of FedEx and if they can take the items out of their boxes and fit them in a standard FedEx container the cost will drop by 2/3rds!

Yet I can export much cheaper from NZ to anywhere. I just sent a package to Tahiti for $50. And that was tracked, insured and certified goods. Weighed about 6kg.

[jasonu]

I'm trying to post some non-bike related items from the US, a mate is going to give me some of his surplus computer stuff and I can't seem to find a way without it costing $120US for what is effectively a 15/10/5 parcel.
I've sent him stuff in the same dimensions and valued items for a paltry 17NZD, granted it was a 2-week economy deal.

What's the deal here, how do I make it not so horrendously expensive?

I ask here because I know quite a few of you do ebay stuff.

Are your dimensions in cm's or inches? What will the package weigh and where in the states will it be coming from?

[James Deuce]

http://www.nzpost.co.nz/products-ser...kaging/youshop

[BMWST?]

us postal service by sea....

[jasonu]

us postal service by sea....

Sorry no such beast exists. USPS surface freight got canned years ago.

[jasonu]

I am trying to find a way to reduce the cost, too. I have to bring in some stock from my supplier but it is not coming direct from the factory. The freight cost was going to be three times the value of the goods! I got hold of FedEx and if they can take the items out of their boxes and fit them in a standard FedEx container the cost will drop by 2/3rds!

Yet I can export much cheaper from NZ to anywhere. I just sent a package to Tahiti for $50. And that was tracked, insured and certified goods. Weighed about 6kg.

Not a very fair comparison you are trying to make when the USA is 2 1/2 times further from NZ than Tahiti is from NZ.

[Hobbyhorse]

There are companies in the USA that will use their address as your USA address (cheap local postage rates) and then forward the goods to you. I have a mate in Mexico who uses them to overcome the extortionate shipping charges. Try http://www.shipito.com/

Not too sure if this is exactly what you want or need.

Cheers,

Rhys

[Blackshear]

I am trying to find a way to reduce the cost, too. I have to bring in some stock from my supplier but it is not coming direct from the factory. The freight cost was going to be three times the value of the goods! I got hold of FedEx and if they can take the items out of their boxes and fit them in a standard FedEx container the cost will drop by 2/3rds!

Yet I can export much cheaper from NZ to anywhere. I just sent a package to Tahiti for $50. And that was tracked, insured and certified goods. Weighed about 6kg.

I would just be satisfied knowing why the postage is just so ridiculously expensive with FedEx and UPS. It's absolutely criminal.

Are your dimensions in cm's or inches? What will the package weigh and where in the states will it be coming from?

Think a VHS-sized box, 500g max. California.

http://www.nzpost.co.nz/products-ser...kaging/youshop

Fantastic, bookmarked. Thank you very much/

us postal service by sea....

I can imagine the mailman riding the bow through blistering winds and rain!

Sorry no such beast exists. USPS surface freight got canned years ago.

Aww...

Not a very fair comparison you are trying to make when the USA is 2 1/2 times further from NZ than Tahiti is from NZ.

He made a good point, though. I've sent a rather small package to the US for $17, but the exact same size/weight package from US FedEx/UPS would cost just over $150NZ. Maybe this is a door to door service and I can't find the depot area?

There are companies in the USA that will use their address as your USA address (cheap local postage rates) and then forward the goods to you. I have a mate in Mexico who uses them to overcome the extortionate shipping charges. Try http://www.shipito.com/

Not too sure if this is exactly what you want or need.

Cheers,

Rhys

This along with the above link is exactly what I need.

[Brian d marge]

me to, I would love to know how they come up with the rates

seems like they go by the price of goods...for example ive just bought a laptop screen, 5k yen to buy, 4k to ship...doesnt matter what, graphic set...2 ft square 100 to buy 100 to ship more or less
one theory i heard was the profit was in the shipping, ie the company under sells the goods but raises the shipping costs
and it seems to be america, a sprocket from england ,4 pound in shipping costs, the sprocket cost 11 pounds


another reason to get the hate on for merrika
stephen

[Edbear]

Not a very fair comparison you are trying to make when the USA is 2 1/2 times further from NZ than Tahiti is from NZ.

I realise that, I was just gobsmacked at the cost from the US. NZ Post seems to have very reasonable rates.

[jasonu]

I would just be satisfied knowing why the postage is just so ridiculously expensive with FedEx and UPS. It's absolutely criminal.


Think a VHS-sized box, 500g max. California.
.

Should fit into a USPS flat rate box which costs about $17US, mabe a bit less if it weighs less than 4lb.
Get it sent to me (should cost no more than $10US and I will forward it on to you via USPS. My fee will be enough to cover the trip to the post office and a couple of beers for me ($20US) Paypal is good. PM if you want to do it this way.

[jasonu]

I realise that, I was just gobsmacked at the cost from the US. NZ Post seems to have very reasonable rates.

I would just be satisfied knowing why the postage is just so ridiculously expensive with FedEx and UPS. It's absolutely criminal.

He made a good point, though. I've sent a rather small package to the US for $17, but the exact same size/weight package from US FedEx/UPS would cost just over $150NZ. Maybe this is a door to door service and I can't find the depot area?

.

UPS and FedEx will get your stuff to you in a couple of days hence then large price. If you use USPS priority it will take up to 10 working days (usually a bit less) and you will pay a lot less.

[jasonu]

If anyone else wants stuff forwarded from the USA to where ever (no guns or drugs or wimmin) drop me a line. Shit I feel a new thread coming along...

[Edbear]

Are your dimensions in cm's or inches? What will the package weigh and where in the states will it be coming from?

I'm waiting for a reply from my supplier to see what they can do packaging wise, and see what the cost might be. I may get you to quote once I get the final spec.