Shipping heavy T parts to Australia- any ideas?

[AdminJeff]

I have a guy who wants me to build 3 12volt starter conversions and a generator and then send them to Victoria Australia. He's legit and the past president of the club there. I just sent a generator to New Zealand last week and the guy paid $150 via FedEx. Wow.

4 units will weigh about 150 lbs! Does anyone have any good ideas about shipping heavy Model T stuff there? Someone must have crossed this bridge in the past... I can't even imagine what FedEx would charge for 150 lbs...

Is there a way to hitch a ride in a container perhaps? I know that would take a month but it might be worth it.

AdminJeff

[TXGOAT2]

If you can locate a Sea Turtle bar, you might talk one into taking them over for you after a few drinks.

[Kevin Pharis]

I think you are looking for a “freight forwarder”. I shipped a wheel to AU several years ago... the customer arranged the forwarder, I just had to UPS the crate to Long Beach, where it was staged until the container was shipped. The freight company wanted a wood crate, UPS wanted a cardboard box... so I built a crate, then wrapped it with cardboard. If you do build a crate, it may have to be made from kiln dried materials to go international. And use lots of corrosion prevention. I suggest desiccant pouches and pallet stretch wrap for each individual item, that way if the crate gets wet the stuff should still survive the voyage

The company was sumpin like Kiwi Freight...? I’ll dig thru some emails for more specifics...

[KimDobbins]

I just took an early engine down to Wilmington CA yesterday to ship by container to Australia. The shipper is Russel Holden, I've shipped other items with him before. I'll get his contact info if your interested.

[Kevin Pharis]

Found it!

https://classicandamericanimports.com.au/

[Mark Gregush]

You might try posting on Fordbarn in the Model A section. There are a number of guys in that part of the word that post there. Someone there might put you in touch with someone that is putting a container of parts to be shipped, properly form Long Beach, Ca. You might have to provide an international bill of lading covering what you are shipping. (Don't know if international is different than domestic)

[TRDxB2]

What people often miss is the shipping price thresholds that increase dramatically on weight/volume. For example it may be cheaper to split this. into two or more packages. Shipping charges are based on density + handling. Also using the carries "boxes" vs your own. Then there is the issue of added packaging weight to maintain stability of the items being shipped. I shipped 4 wire wheels to Tennessee, 2 to a package (bolted together and wrapped in cardboard) and kept the weight below the magic 45 lb cut off for half the cost of shipping 4 on a pallet.
--
Not sure how you arrived at 150 lbs unless its an example of needing a crate. I'm estimating starters to weigh about 22 lbs and generators about 16lbs. I will bet that shipping all 4 packaged together weighing 150 lbs will be well over $1,000. So if you get some quotes, do it for 3 possible configurations individual, 2 together and 4 together. Don't forget to include the cost of the packaging material.
--
If someone had a Cargo Container going to Australia - first it would need to boxed in wood at 150lbs on a pallet at some point and that would effect the costs too -there would be a shipping cost to get it to them + what they may charge you (repackaging?) + then the shipping charge to the end destination once landed. Communication & coordination on what needs to be done and by whom is an issue as well.

[Allan]

It is usually far less problematic if the consignee organises the shipping. That way any country of destination requirements like customs and duties payable etc etc etc are worked out to suit, and all the vendor has to do is deliver it to the shipper.

A word of caution! Shipping on a wooden pallet may/will attract the attention of quarantine officials at the receiving end. Manufactured timber products like plywood or chipboard may be acceptable, but a moulded plastic pallett is the best bet. For a 150 lb consignment, I would pack it in a metal trunk, screwed to a couple of spacers [not wood] so it can be shifted with a forklift. Be prepared for a loooong delay with shipping these days.

Allan from down under.

[Michael A]

What state do you want to ship from Jeff.
Cheetah Imports from Indianapolis into Victoria.
Classic American imports from Richmond CA into Adelaide.
Would be many others out of the US.
Internal shipping each country can be pricey.
Both ways could be up to six months to get to the destination by sea.
Anything over $1000 AU total customs fees apply.
Hope this helps.

[AdminJeff]

What state do you want to ship from Jeff.
Cheetah Imports from Indianapolis into Victoria.

Well, I'm in Idaho but could ship the boxes to a freight forwarder in another state flat rate usps which isnt too bad. Less than $100 for all 4 packages.

I'd be shipping it to Victoria, Australia. Do you have contact info for Cheetah?

EDIT: I found them. Email sent.

http://cheetahimports.com.au/contact-us

Jeff

[AdminJeff]

Found it!

https://classicandamericanimports.com.au/

Perfect. I'll contact him as well. Thanks Kevin.

Jeff

[John E. Guitar]

I imported a car from Los Angeles to Sydney with Kiwi Shipping in 2020. That went very smoothly. They also do smaller stuff.

https://www.kiwishipping.co.nz/

[TRDxB2]

In 2020 there wasn't a supply chain issue. Friend just shipped a cargo container to Australia loaded with automobile and 1950's memorabilia, had to wait months to get the container.
FROM USPS reported 3-1-22 maybe effecting all methods
Australia Post advises that there are disruptions to its daily operations, in particular in the states of Queensland and New South Wales, because of severe storms, heavy rain and flooding across the country. Processing and delivery of inbound and outbound mail items are affected. As a result of road closures and access issues, implementation of safety measures and closure of several post offices, delivery to certain postcodes is limited in flood-affected areas. The list of affected postcodes areas is updated daily and is available on Australia Post’s
website at www.auspost.com.au/service-updates/dome ... d-flooding.