International shipping services

[banksmiranda]

Sorry...I know this thread doesn't belong here, but I would like to know which may be the overall best carrier when having things shipped from overseas and billed to your account with one of these carriers - DHL, FedEx or UPS. For example, which is the quickest, which is the most reliable, which is least expensive? Best overall? Any suggestions?

 

[JohnMS]

I don't know if you live by a local university, but I ship from there because they have contracts with the carriers for a lower rate. That being said, the cheapest from my location is always DHL. Usually a pair of shoes can be shipped for about $35 to about anywhere and it's 3 days to Japan, 2 to Europe from the western USA. DHL is also the least expensive from my location. It also provides tracking capabilities.

The shipper told me that FedEx in his experience is the most difficult to receive compensation for lost packages, even with insurance. Their process he says is difficult.

 

[banksmiranda]

JohnMS, thanks for the info. There is a college campus nearby, and a FedEx center on campus. I also have a UPS drop-off location less than a block from where I live. I'll have to take a look at DHL.

 

[GBGB]

I have had good luck with FedEx for documents (primarily to and from Western Europe and Japan), but I have never used them for packages.  I've also had good luck with DHL for packages from some off the beaten path places.   DHL has offices all over the world and seem to be very good with packages.  I have never used UPS for international packages, so I can't comment one way or another.  Good luck.

 

[Carlo]

Whatchya shipping Banks?

Fedex is the most expensive and a real pain sometimes with customs. DHL and UPS are better but a lot depends on whether you are shipping a crate or an envelope. For bigger things, it is often cheaper to do it air freight from airport to airport and clear it through customs on your own. When I bring in 20 wardrobe boxes from Italy I really got raped on shipping charges due to not knowing the right tricks.

Checking with the university is smart too - Fedex rates go down with volume, like 1/3 the price for a really big account I hear. They afford that by screwing me I think

 

[A Harris]

DHL is cheapest and easiest of the three. USPS is significantly cheaper still unless you are really doing some volume.

 

[RIDER]

to/from Europe, DHL is the best, however Parcel Post is better still if you are shipping something small (up to 2 pair shoe example). Sartorialsolutions, why don't you use a forwarder? I use OTS and they do a great job. Send me a note and I will give you info if you want.

 

[banksmiranda]

Thanks guys. Chuck, my grandfather was thinking of sending me a few(maybe a dozen?) old books from overseas, so I wondered what might be a good(reliable) method, but not too expensive.

 

[FCS]

Books? Not sure what country they are shiped from, but usually postal services offer special rates for books.

 

[jcusey]

For what it's worth, I've received overseas packages (from Britain) via UPS, USPS (sent from Britain via Royal Mail), and DHL. The most satisfactory for me has been USPS. I have no idea what the experience was like for the sender, but my USPS/Royal Mail packages have gotten here faster and have had fewer hassles than either UPS or DHL.

(As an aside, does anyone else have negative reactions to UPS for domestic shipping? In my experience, it's been slower, more expensive, more unreliable, and more frustrating than either the USPS and FedEx.)

 

[A Harris]

Yep, I'm not a UPS fan. Very slow, and the customer service is as bad as FedEx. The only way to get worse service is to stand in line for an hour at the post office

 

[nyeko92]



to/from Europe, DHL is the best, however Parcel Post is better still if you are shipping something small (up to 2 pair shoe example). Sartorialsolutions, why don't you use a forwarder? I use OTS and they do a great job. Send me a note and I will give you info if you want.

send the info of the forwarding Service please

 

[gsugsu]

^ why don't you do a search or PM him. This thread is 8 and a half years old!

 

[jbayrock]

Does anyone have any experience/ideas/genius into shipping a pair of shoes from the US to Australia? Looking for most cost effective. Looks like USPS is coming in near $50-60. Anyone?