Shipping US to China - HELP! :)

[kathimac05]

I need some help with best way to ship a pair of altec lansing cabinete speakers to China. I've check UPS and the cost (air) is more than the speakers. I'm not familiar with the global shipping program. The weight will be about 200 lbs, crated, from US 37405 to Yulin China, 537000. Can anyone give me some direction on what would be least expensive way to ship these speakers to China? Should I check the global shipping box so that is an option?  I did uncheck it when first appeared bc it was messing things up but have shipped to many countries overseas, including Asia, with no problems. I've never shipped anything this heavy. Surely there is a way that is not so expensive. Thanks in advance for any help or direction you can give. kathi 

PS - The prospective buyer wants " Use wooden and packing blanket, fixed box tray."

[iowa_east_coast · Accepted solution]

The Global shipping may be the cheapest for you, but may cost the buyer more. What do you have for a shipping charge? Those would cost a lot to ship I would think.

[a_c_green]

This is a recipe for disaster. I see that you have not yet actually sold the speakers, so I would strongly recommend re-listing them for Local Pickup Only, with no Shipping method offered. 

The odds of the speakers arriving safely in China are slim to none, and the chances of your having to refund on the basis of claimed shipping damage, either real or fictional, are high. I would suggest not pursuing that possible sale any further, as I very much doubt that it would end well.

[chrysylys]

The best way is to not do it at all.

I can't imagine it working out for you.

[chrysylys]

And a $1,700.00 item to boot?

[kathimac05]

Oh my, I sure am glad this forum is here and you, experienced sellers, are willing to share what you know. As said, I've shipped many things internationally and all have gone well but nothing this heavy or by frieght. What I've gotten so far is air (UPS) around 2000. and site that says they're 80% cheaper for 3700. (ha!). Shipping Quest gave quote arount 960. I'd have to do more research on this as it looks like that price the buyer has to pick it up at the dock. 

[lintbrush*]

Too heavy for GSP.  66 lbs max to China

http://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/shipping/global-shipping.html#m17-2-tb4

[brad62853]

@kathimac05

I would tend to agree with what a_c_green has stated, this has the potential for ending badly for you. That being said though and should you decide to pursue the sale then I would suggest talking with FEDEX and inquiring about their International Economy Freight services.

There are numerous issues to consider in addition to the shipping cost when shipping from the US to China. Does the item meet China's import restrictions? Will the fact that these are made of wood present a problem with those restrictions or that it might be considered a used electrical item? These are things that FEDEX could likely provide insight along with all the information they have available about shipping internationally to China from the US.

https://smallbusiness.fedex.com/international/country-snapshots/china.html?gtmcc=us

[lintbrush*]

And I'm going to join on the bandwagon that I wouldn't ship these internationally by freight. 

If I were an independent business who was heavily into the international trade with freight experience, then yes.  But not when someone else [eBay] has a say in my financial transactions.

I see it as a sure fire way to gamble with 3k. That wouldn't hurt a multi-million dollar company much, but it would hurt me a lot.

[kathimac05]

Thanks, I was just looking at that but if sent separately, they are around 60 lbs each, may work. What is DIM 103 lbs? Would that be weight with packing?

[kathimac05]

Thanks - I looked at FedEx bc I have an account of long standing with them but what I found on international said Mexico and Canada only. Your link will help a lot. 

[chrysylys]

Why do you seem so determined to lose both the items and a lot of money?

[lintbrush*]

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@kathimac05 wrote:

Thanks, I was just looking at that but if sent separately, they are around 60 lbs each, may work. What is DIM 103 lbs? Would that be weight with packing?

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You would have to list & sell them seperately then.  All items from a single listing have to be shipped in one box..  That's how the GSP is set up and they calculate the buyer's international charge and customs fees for ONE package.

[brad62853]

@kathimac05

DIM is short for Dimensional Weight which is based on the cubic volume of the freighted item within it's packaging.

Multiply the length by the width by the height to obtain the cubic inches (cm). To obtain the dimensional weight in kilograms, divide the cubic inch result by 366. To obtain thedimensional weight in pounds, divide the cubic inch result by 166.

[kathimac05]

There is no correclation between my willingness to research shipping and wanting to lose anything. When I listed these, I was actually doing so in hopes of finding an Asian buyer as I had seen others like this sell on eBay to buyers in Asia. I was hoping someone who had done so might see this post and let us know if it worked out for them. I appreciate all input, especially the cautions, as a loss of this mangnitude would devestate me. And I want to be fair to the potential buyer who made good faith inquiry. Thanks to all, kathi