tips on shipping

[justin]

has anyone out there had any experiences (good or bad) shipping heavy
items overseas?
can anyone recommend a reasonably priced shipping meathod (all online
calculators seem pretty limited, options wise)
you americans get all the deals, australian prices can often be more
than double.

specifically, im looking to buy a medium sized console (soundcraft
probably)

any tips would be greatly appreciated

thanks,

justin

[Galen Watts]

justin wrote:
> has anyone out there had any experiences (good or bad) shipping heavy
> items overseas?
> can anyone recommend a reasonably priced shipping meathod (all online
> calculators seem pretty limited, options wise)

Find a company that specializes in overseas shipments, they're worth the
money especially when your shipment sails through customs instead of
sitting in some international impound for six weeks. I've used FedEx to
Russia, but not for something as big as a console, the bigger stuff we
shipped via a local freight broker and I think they used Airborne.

> specifically, im looking to buy a medium sized console (soundcraft
> probably)
>
> any tips would be greatly appreciated

Crate it, even if it has a road case. If it doesn't have a road case
wrap it in plastic and cardboard before crating. Put plenty of
padding/packing between the case and the crate, keeping in mind Customs
on both ends will want to open it for inspection, probably more than
once. Indicate which screws to take out of the lid to open the crate,
the inspector(s) will be much gentler when they get inside, and include
some spare screws in a plastic bag stating 'spare lid screws' attached
to the inside of the lid.

Sometimes Customs on the shipping end will allow you to have it
inspected before you seal the crate but you usually have to do that at
the airport because they put steel bands with Customs seals around the
crate and take it away as you watch.

[Pooh Bear]

justin wrote:

> has anyone out there had any experiences (good or bad) shipping heavy
> items overseas?
> can anyone recommend a reasonably priced shipping meathod (all online
> calculators seem pretty limited, options wise)
> you americans get all the deals, australian prices can often be more
> than double.
>
> specifically, im looking to buy a medium sized console (soundcraft
> probably)
>
> any tips would be greatly appreciated

We've found that anything that gets airfreighted ( regardless of shipping
agent ) gets dropped / thrown / generally treated badly. It can typically
bend chassis panels and heavy items like power tranformers will add to
the problem. Even on lighweight items I've seen chassis screws shear off.

Very thorough packing is the only way to minimise risk of damage.
Consider using a 'box inside a box' even and use 'foam rubber' to absorb
impact energy. In comparison hard packing like 'foam polystyrene' crushes
and breaks and then offers no further protection


Graham