Freight from the US of A

[johnnyC]

I'm looking at having a piece of kit sent out from the USA and the shipping options are USPS, UPS or FEDEX - increasing in cost in that order.
I don't mind the cost but want reliability.
Any recommendations ?

[serioushifi]

If its under $400nzd, USPS or UPS will do. We have to use UPS for shipments from norway and the customs agents here(fliway) are slack ass. FEDEX is always good.

[neil]

Yep, Fedex is the shizzle. But not cheap... depends on what's being shipped.

[johnnyC]

Thanks guys. Looks like FED$$EX it is.

[johnnyC]

Yep, Fedex is the shizzle. But not cheap... depends on what's being shipped.

Something reassuringly expensive ;)

[wizard]

Had no problems with USPS.
Had Denon MC 301 MrkII ($258 USD + postage) cartridge and Jelco Tonearm ($300 USD) sent via USPS ($25 USD from memory) no problems safe and sound with tracking. Usually come via Courier Post which is DHL, sign for etc. Depoends on the packaging etc. All mine have been bomb proof so much bubble rap and paper etc. Depend also on how long you can wait.
Years back had a circuit board for a Mellenium 246 DTS decoder set via USPS - all good.
Recently a plastic kitset sent from Florida USPS - big box tooo - no problems safe and sound.
Even had a Denon 304 sent from Hong Kong parcel post - tracked of cause. How that was so well packed box with in a box within a box then layers of bubble rap.
3 days it took for Hong Kong to NZ.

[neil]

Something reassuringly expensive ;)

A consignment of very hard drugs?

[wizard]

Americas national debt?

[kaka]

My experiences with USPS are not so sanguine - the problems being at this end. If NZ Post get involved in collecting customs, then the fees they add on for themselves are ugly, and it is slow.

Fedex gives me a call direct, and then uses my customs number. Their service cost is covered in the charge for the freight

[got tinnitus]

Something reassuringly expensive

Is it an Adidas All Blacks shirt? :D

[TonyD]

I recently had package handled by Fedex ... excellent ... in contrast to DHL who took six days to get a similar, but lower value, package through Customs clearance at the airport ... and then I had to pick up from the airport to avoid an additional 1-2 days to deliver.
You will need an NZ Customs Importer Number if value over NZ$1000 I think.

[Owen Young]

Hi Guys,
Yup, Fedex is efficient, door to door.
Cheapest way with Fedex is to use their 10kg or 20kg standard boxes.
Cost should then be around <NZD200 & 300 respectively from USA (need to check current rates).
In order to do this you may need to sign up as an account holder & have box delivered to sender.
Fedex is worth it if high value item, esp if not too bulky, ie high 'volumetric weight'.
Note: Insurance cover is minimal with airfreight, but Fedex system is relatively secure, fast & tracked.
That's my experience with them.

[MarkH]

DHL Global Forwarding are very cost effective and reliable,. They deal with heavier stuff and the service is a little slower than DHL Express or FedEx but much cheaper for anything bigger than a bread box.

[too_tall]

The hassles I have had with DHL mean that I would never, ever contemplate them again, at any cost ( or saving )

USPS has been fine for me, as have fedex. But never, ever, will I deal with DHL ( Lost a DSLR and several canon L Lenses, lost a laptop, speaker drivers damaged in transit ( how the hell do you manage to crush a package so badly that a 5" driver with a cast basket is so distorted that the cone wont move?!?!? ) In the same shipment I even managed to get a couple of transformers damaged. Impressively incompetent.

[quentin]

I'm looking at having a piece of kit sent out from the USA and the shipping options are USPS, UPS or FEDEX - increasing in cost in that order.
I don't mind the cost but want reliability.
Any recommendations ?

If it is going to be more than 400, I suggest you go to the NZ Customs House, and apply for a Customs Client Code. It is basically a reference number for all import and export that you made.

In the Customs clearance form of the either USPS, UPS or Fedex, they will ask you for the Customs Client Code reference.

Since you are in Wellington, it is very easy. NZ Customs House is next to the Sakura restaurant. Download the form online, fill it in and hand it over to them. They will process it and email you the reference number in a couple of hours.

[guitardude]

I've had guitars shipped from the Us both by Fedex and USPS. USPS is definately cheaper but big dealers in the states can get fedex at a better rate, so if it's a dealer it would pay to ask. PM me for more details which I wont disclose here....

[curious_george]

I've had stuff sent by USPS and it's been pretty reliable. Normally smaller stuff IIRC.

Zu speakers came via Fedex, also very good. Nice tracking service.

Haven't had any experience with UPS or DHL.

[MarkH]

The hassles I have had with DHL mean that I would never, ever contemplate them again, at any cost ( or saving )

USPS has been fine for me, as have fedex. But never, ever, will I deal with DHL ( Lost a DSLR and several canon L Lenses, lost a laptop, speaker drivers damaged in transit ( how the hell do you manage to crush a package so badly that a 5" driver with a cast basket is so distorted that the cone wont move?!?!? ) In the same shipment I even managed to get a couple of transformers damaged. Impressively incompetent.

It's funny the different experiences people have. We have used DHL Global Forwarding at work for the last ten years, 2-3 shipments a week from Australia, Europe, USA, and we've not had any problems. I have found DHL Express customer services locally is pretty bad though, but the Express and Global Forwarding divisions are quite separate.

[johnnyC]

If it is going to be more than 400, I suggest you go to the NZ Customs House, and apply for a Customs Client Code. It is basically a reference number for all import and export that you made.

In the Customs clearance form of the either USPS, UPS or Fedex, they will ask you for the Customs Client Code reference.

Since you are in Wellington, it is very easy. NZ Customs House is next to the Sakura restaurant. Download the form online, fill it in and hand it over to them. They will process it and email you the reference number in a couple of hours.

Customs have moved closer to the Stadium on the waterfront, behind the new BNZ and next to the Dept of Rugby building

[johnnyC]

Americas national debt?

Size of US debt

http://usdebt.kleptocracy.us/

[johnnyC]

A consignment of very hard drugs?

Six days door to door - except I wasn't at the home door when it came by !

Inside the boxes will be :D :D :D

[studio1]

I've been importing all manner of stuff from the US for over 10 years and so far had no real issues with USPS.

What is important however is that the item is REALLY well packed, and I mean PACKED, not just thrown in a box and hope for the best!

I don't know what it is with some people in America, but they seem to think that posting something half way around the world is the same as posting it just around the corner. In the earlier days of getting stuff sent here, a lot of it arrived damaged - and it looked as though it had literally been pushed out the door of the plane and dropped 30 feet onto the tarmac.

I kid you not. The damage was severe. Invariably the units I was bringing in had mains transformers in them (which are somewhat heavy) and as a result of poor packing, the corners of the cases were the areas that suffered the most damage.
Bent and broken rack mount ears on pro gear was also a concern.

In many of these cases, the item had been tossed into a flimsy cardboard box, smothered with those 'foam peanuts' (which shift and move if not packed really tight) allowing the item to gravitate to the edge of the box, where it has NO protection at all.

These days I insist that all items are double boxed, foam-shrink packed or packing of an equivalent nature and that rack units with ears have multiple layers of bubble-wrap taped firmly around the protruding corners etc.

One company I deal with over there will only use FEDEX, the service is good but it's a lot dearer.

[johnnyC]

Item was professionally packed in new double boxes, with fitted polystyrene around the cloth wrapped CDP, and the outer box with inner poly edging strips to keep the inner box in place. Was so keen to get it all open that I forgot to take pics...but safe arrival.

Fedex were great on the phone when I arranged for re-delivery the next day and arrived bang on time.

And the little beauty inside is singing sweetly. :)

[Owen Young]

OK, you know the rules around here... PPOIDH

(Pics Please Or It Didn't Happen :))

Edit: Oops, didn't spot your post above...more details please!

[neil]

^^^+1!

[johnnyC]

^^^+1!

Ok ok. I'll show you my three Ears !

I'll move this discussion over to the member systems ;)

[wizard]

Nice kit. Hope you didn't step on any local agents feet by ordering direct.

[Hutch]

I am confused, I thought Ear was English, but you have imported from the US?

Regards

Hutch

[johnnyC]

I am confused, I thought Ear was English, but you have imported from the US?

Regards

Hutch

Yes EAR is English. This is a second hand item, made in the UK, but for the US market. It has a voltage selector on the rear.

[johnnyC]

Nice kit. Hope you didn't step on any local agents feet by ordering direct.

Second hand item