Quote:
Originally Posted by hatzie
The shipper needs an accurate scale and every piece needs to be weighed and then the final box needs to be weighed.
The nastiest part of international shipping, for me, has always been to discover what the "harmonized tariff code" is for the particular piece. A customs broker on the shipper and your side should be able to help but they cost money.
Getting your own customs broker on your end that can tell you exactly what paperwork is needed and how it should be filled out may save you headaches and save you Euros or Krone. Ask if they can look over copies of the shipping docs ahead of actually shipping the equipment so they can find mistakes and you can get them corrected. Some countries agencies don't like people doing this kind of pre-check on the paperwork. Probably because it cuts into additional income from unneeded fines. UPS and DHL seem to add unneeded dollars and time to the customs process. Our Canadian broker says it's because they try to cheat on customs and duties so they can pad their bottom line... He said this when he was in a foul mood so take that for what it is.
You may want to look into what the difference is if you get things shipped from Canada to Europe rather than the US to Europe. There are a lot of these trucks in the Midwest and Western provinces and the customs fees could be quite different.
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I hear you, it can be a mess! But it doesn't have to be
that complicated.
Usually when I order something off eBay or a company that offers international shipping, they just put it in a box and send it on it's way. When the package arrives at the Danish customs center they will calculate taxes/fees and send me a bill. Done deal.
Unfortunately some companies just like to make things difficult... A couple of examples from Summit, that sells through both eBay and their own webshop:
American Racing Outlaw II 15"x8" wheels
eBay price incl. shipping: $581.54
Webshop price incl. shipping: $833.43
Difference: $251.89(!)
http://peecee.dk/uploads/012016/Summit_wheels.jpg
Summit Racing G-9001 Headers
eBay price incl. shipping: $186.26
Webshop price incl. shipping: $329.49 (almost 3 times the US retail price!)
Difference: 143,23 ($23,26 MORE than the US retail price!)
http://peecee.dk/uploads/012016/Summit_headers.jpg
"So, what's the problem then? Just order through eBay and save a fortune!" you might say.
I would love to - if only they would offer me the right parts!
The wheels are available for international shipping with 5x4.75 bolt pattern, but not 5x5. They are listed
http://www.ebay.com/itm/American-Rac...380&rmvSB=true but I can't order them because of a 0.25" difference in bolt pattern.
Same goes for the headers. I need the G9006
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Summit-Racin...item4d2926d380 but I can't order the them. I can however order the G9001, and other variants that doesn't fit my truck.
I have contacted Summit and was told that "Ebay is for selected parts only" which doesn't make any sense in this case, so I'm still hoping for a solution.
If they refuse to play ball though, I will have to find someone that can forward my orders.