Importing parts - Air or Sea

[Russ]

Considering the size/weight of some things needed for vehicles, just curious as to peoples experiences of what can be sent from the States by air, and what has to be sent via sea?

Is it just a size issue? or is there a combined size/weight limit?

Specifically asking as I when I import my Challenger, I also want to import a 5 Speed Gearbox and conversion kit from Hurst Drivelines (http://www.hurst-drivelines.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=137&Itemid=123#). The idea is to ship it with the vehicle, but depending on how much I pay for the car, I may have to wait a few months before I can afford the box & kit.

Has anybody had a gearbox sent via air, or is it to big/heavy and has to be sent via sea?

UPS calculator says it's OK, but other factors may change that. FedEx says it's a no go (50lb limit I beleive).

I realise something like this via air costs a bucket-load, but hanging around weighting to put it into someone elses container could take months.


Any body that's had experiences with larger/heavier items care to chime in?

[blackoutsteve]

Most large/heavy items generally go by sea.. in a shipping container..
Most/all couriers including USPS (post) ship almost every thing via air now. When you do some shopping around on shipping a gearbox, I'm sure the price will detirmine your method of shipping.

Priority Mail International has a 66lb limit (30kg) and will cost as much as US$373.
Most couriers will require a re-mortgage on that kind of weight.
Consider sending via shipping container unless time is a factor.

http://pe.usps.com/text/Imm/ab_012.htm#ep1572941

[Russ]

Fortunately for the moment, time is not of the essence. But I have heard people waiting 6+ months on parts coming via container - only because multiple people are using it, and everybody ha s to wait until everybody has their crap together - but I guess that is more to do with the company they are using, or trying to hitch a free ride on someone elses container.

UPS has a 150lb limit, and according to their calculator, the gearbox (with a 105lb weight) will cost upwards of $1200 US to ship - then you have customs, GST, etc.

Pretty pricey!

Just seeing what options that are out there, and what others have done.

[cluxford]

Russ,

I had a crate motor done by sea AUD$400, but took over 8 months. I said bring it in whenever free space...no rush

Then I had a front sub frame brought over by sea. Less than 4 weeks, cost $700

Plenty of containers regularly leaving and doesn't take all that long if in a big hurry.

Way cheaper than air when weight starts to add up

[USA-69Z]

I was quoted $900 aus for a moser 12 bolt diff complete by air thru Dave at pontiworld, end up using a container myself to save money with some other parts.