Date:         Wed, 2 Jan 2008 23:19:23 +1300
Reply-To:     Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Subject:      Re: Considering scrapping my project van after forking out over
              $26 grand
In-Reply-To:  <491622.38034.qm@web82703.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1; format=flowed

>I have been in import/export business for years. The cost of custom
>brokers at both end and local freight on both end will be very
>expensive comparing the cost of shipping between two countries.
>But I have figured out a work flow to reduce cost. Basically I
>import around half a ton (500 kg) at a time and ship by ocean freight.
>I usually pay a US broker about $100 and pick up the freight at
>a freight forwarder's warehouse near port of Oakland using my Westy
>as a cargo van. I usually pay about $50 to the freight forwarder.
>Ocean freight of 500 kg stuff usually costs less than $100. US
>Custom will charge some duty and X-Ray inspection fees. So overall
>it costs around $300 to import something around 500kg on one pallet.
>It will not be very cost effective if the cargo is a used engine
>or tranny. It would not be cost effective if the cargo is worth less
>than $5k. I am talking about shipping across the Pacific.
>
>Have you ever had to ship anything significant to/from another
>country?  It's a complete PITA if you're not a regular at it.  I
>bought a long block several years ago from a seller in Canada.
>Dealing with the customs paperwork, getting a broker to get it across
>the border, etc. was time consuming and expensive.  Then you have to
>deal with payment using some instrument that is acceptable to the
>currency exchange folks in the other country.  All in all, more
>trouble than it was worth, looking back on it.
>
>Allan

>True enough -- the seller had to complete some paperwork for the
>broker, IIRC, basically itemizing the contents on a declarations
>form, and of course get the block to the freight depot.  Was probably
>easier from his perspective, but still not quite as simple as
>dropping a package off at UPS.
>
>As I recall, anything small enough to go parcel post through the
>postal service avoids a lot of the customs headaches.
>
>Allan

Yes, the postal system from the US works well, with minimal fuss.

However for larger items sent to me: No brokers, nothing for the
sender to do but ship within the US. Not even a Customs form to fill
in. I have a "tame" container shipper operating from LA; he lives up
the hill from me.

The seller sends the item(s) to the container depot, where it's
loaded. The shipper handles all paperwork. The container comes to NZ
and the shipper notifies me. I pay him his shipping fee (for these
items it would probably be $50NZ) and 12.5% tax on whatever I tell
him was the purchase price. That's it.
--
Andrew Grebneff
Dunedin
New Zealand
Fossil preparator
Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut
‚ Opinions stated are mine, not those of Otago University
"There is water at the bottom of the ocean"  - Talking Heads