Shipping overseas

[Four - Twelve]

Hi all,

I'm trying to send a big package overseas to a mate in Belgium. By big I mean 70kg, 107x99x27cm (a camping box for his Patrol). So far the best direct transit quote I have is about $1100. I would accept that this is what it costs except a UK comparison site has quoted 300 GBP (approx. $600) to the UK, then another 100 GBP to Belgium. They won't do direct to Belgium, I guess because as a British company some part of the transit needs to be British. 

Based on this UK quote, I am surprised I can't find anything from the Aus companies direct to Belgium that is a bit closer to $600. Anyone have any suggestions?

I had a search both in Google and here with no avail.

Regards,

John

[Duncan]

Are you in Australia? No location in your profile and its not clear from your post.

I just had the joy of sending 4x 18" wheels to japan, best quote was pack and send at about $950, UPS $1500, Fedex $2,214. Startrack and a couple of others refused to ship to Japan atm.

The world of shipping has gone to shit, just like everything else, because there are no commercial planes flying where they can just chuck it in a corner of the hold. There are still dedicated cargo flights but way less capacity so prices are going up

[GTofuS-T]

6 hours ago, Four - Twelve said:

I am surprised I can't find anything from the Aus companies direct to Belgium

I would suspect this is because there is no direct link to Belgium, even passanger flights stop somewhere else in Europe (UK for example) or Qatar for some reason... the first quote is just likely not telling you the exact route being taken.

Also, Pack and Send want $400 to send a front bar from Sydney to Gold Coast... if anything trucks should be cheaper now as the roads are empty

[Four - Twelve]

I'm Australian but I am based in Germany. I would have logistics in Aus handled by a friend or relative. 

I didn't really factor in the current situation much as I would have thought any companies that can still operate would be. But making the point that commercial airlines aren't running makes sense. 

It is also a good point that the Aus UK route is much more common than to continental Europe which would also explain the cheaper quote direct to the UK.

Thanks both for your input. As the delivery is not urgent, I will wait to see if prices drop when the world recovers. I just wanted to ensure there wasn't something I was missing regarding getting a good quote. 

Cheers,

John

Edited April 30, 2020 by Four - Twelve