Shipping from the states

Chute55uk

Retrobike Rider
GT Fan
Anyone ever had a frame sent from the states? A user on here MIGHT sell me his frame and forks (my unicorn) but are struggling to find a decent cost effective means of getting it from the states to the uk (frame and forks) anyone got any ideas?
 
Try to pack it as small as possible. If the length + girth of the box can be reduced to 108" or less, you can use USPS, which is a lot cheaper.

I sent one TO the States recently, and paid around £50 via the postal service. If the box were 2" longer in any direction, I would have had to resort to a courier. Those generally quoted anywhere between £350 and £450.
 
It's going to hurt because it'll need to be adequately insured - then you'll cop the Duties this end from HMRC... :?
 
So the length plus the height of the box shouldn't exceed 108"?
Chain stays around the 17 inch mark, top tube around 19 inches plus the seat post and head stock so say 40 inches end to end 19 inch frame so say 21 inches top to bottom plus the 40 I got 61 so say 70 inches to be generous I'm good right? Or am I missing something?
I'm so close to bagging my prize I feel like flying there myself and bringing it back with me lol damn you having no money :D
 
Mfh do you have experience in this being a gold trader? Could I get you to talk to the guy for advice?
Regards
And thanks to bulls and stevo for the input
 
I had a bike (minus wheels sent from the states)

A very kindly member got it and forwarded it on carefully packing it down as small as possible - i paid something like $150 - 200
 
no, length + GIRTH. So basically length + (2x height) + (2x width)

Also keep in mind that you need to properly protect it with bubble wrap etc. The packaged frame may well be 2" longer, wider and taller after that.

What I did to further protect mine, was to take a broom handle, cut it down and put it between the rear dropouts.
That way, even if they would put it on its side and place a big box on top of it, the rear end couldn't be bent during transport.
I did the same thing on the other end as well, even if the fork was removed from the frame and put in the box sideways.

I also duct taped pieces of wood and broom handle into the box for further strengthening.
The extra bit of weight doesn't really make a difference, but it may very well protect the frame if the people at USPS, Royal mail or the airport are a bit careless.
It's a long trip, so lots of opportunities to get damage if you don't do your homework.
 
A frame in quite a large frame box full of cardboard and lagging cost me about £90 with usps last year. If I remember rightly you will pay 14% duty on second hand bike parts and I think that duty is paid on the price of the item and shipping combined so getting the courier price down can make quite a difference to the landed price. Of course that was last year and my memory is only accurate for a day or two so this might well be utter bollocks.
 
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