How to ship a package to England?!?

[Joanne]

Hi all,

I need to ship a package to England. The box is about 13x13x8 and weighs about 25 pounds. I just checked UPS and DHL and the quotes were in the $300 range!! The item is only worth about $60 so I don't want to spend that kind of money for shipping.

Does anyone have experience shipping to England who can recommend a carrier?

Joanne

[swissarmygirl]

Did you check with the post office? I often send small packages overseas, and I use the good ol' post office, and the cost is not too bad. Of course, these packages are much smaller than what you are sending.

[Miriam C.]

You might find someone who is going over and pay the extra baggage. Don't know what that is now.

[Joanne]

Did you check with the post office? I often send small packages overseas, and I use the good ol' post office, and the cost is not too bad. Of course, these packages are much smaller than what you are sending.

Being the "Net Nerd" that I am, I went to their website for a quote. Like the other shippers, it appears that they only do airmail so the prices were about the same...waaayyyy too much!

I also tried Google and someone had posted that the post office used to do surface shipping but recently stopped.

Joanne

[Dean_A]

USPS would be about $95. Here's a rate calculator:
http://ircalc.usps.gov/
It's still not cheap, but it's not $300 either.

[Creamcracker]

Did you check with the post office? I often send small packages overseas, and I use the good ol' post office, and the cost is not too bad. Of course, these packages are much smaller than what you are sending.

Being the "Net Nerd" that I am, I went to their website for a quote. Like the other shippers, it appears that they only do airmail so the prices were about the same...waaayyyy too much!

I also tried Google and someone had posted that the post office used to do surface shipping but recently stopped.

Joanne

Nope put the package together and take it to the Post Office. Request "Surface Mail" -- it will take about six weeks. All my family live in the UK and we regularly send packages back and forth. Last package was bigger than that and cost me $32. I would be more than surprised if, as you say, they have stopped surface mail.
Philip

[Lesbest]

So instead of the Slow Boat to China, it is the Slow Boat to England.

Les

[dreadcptflint]

Try DHL. When I was in the shipping bussiness, they were often the cheapest guys around.

[toypusher]

Joanne,

I sent about 12lbs to Finnland for about $55.00 through the USPS.

[fireaunt]

Joanne,
So how much do you insure a box of rocks for?

When do you need it to go and where?

Marilyn

Joanne, did you get my pm?

[asianflava]

Joanne,
So how much do you insure a box of rocks for?

Hmmmm 13x13x8 and weighs 25lbs? Sounds like a Dutch Oven! She lives up to her name.

[rainjer]

I shipped a package USPS in December. I went to the Post Office and asked for the cheapest rate to England. They said it would take 4-6 weeks. It was there in 5 days. You may also call an airline and ask for the cost to ship counter to counter. Last time we did it at work, it eas a 6ft long tobe that was about 35# & it cost $75. (That was a couple years ago.)

Jeremy

[Joanne]

Hi all,

Thank you all for so much information. I'll head down to UPS and talk to a live person, then I'll know what it actually costs.

Rocky, I'm soooo busted! In fact it IS a Dutch Oven for a guy in England who can't find one locally. I don't want you on the jury if I'm ever on trial for something I actually did!!

FireAunt, I did get your PM. I'll reply there.

Joanne

[asianflava]

You may also call an airline and ask for the cost to ship counter to counter. Last time we did it at work, it eas a 6ft long tobe that was about 35# & it cost $75. (That was a couple years ago.)

We shipped things counter to counter all the time at work. I don't know what it cost but in our case, money was no object. When you are talking about a million dollar machine being down because the only available part is in Holland or Japan, they get the parts onsite ASAP. The only down side is that you have to go to the airport to pick it up.

[DJBear]

Joanne - If your UK friend is somewhat computer savvy, or knows someone that is, it may behoove them to try Amazon in the UK.

I found this dutch oven on the UK Amazon website (www.amazon.co.uk )

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lodge-Logic-Dut ... 125&sr=8-2

You may be able to save some time, postage and frustration if you go that route.

Just for future reference, I send stuff to my brother in England all the time. If you keep your items smaller (when you can), keeping the size of the box down to 9" X 9" X 12", and less than 2 Kilos (4.4 lbs), you'll do okay and get away on the cheap.

Best of luck, and Cheers, Luv!