best international shipping

callahwj

callahwj

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Hi, I don't know if this is really appropriate here, but I just set up a trade with a forumite in australia, and I was wondering what carriers you have experience with in international trades. He reccomended EMS, but I can't find any info about them or any local office or station or whatever you call it. Input?

reliability is my number one priority here, but speed and conveniece would be nice too.
 
EMS stands for "Express Mail Service" and it is run by the country's postal service. It is equivalent to "USPS Global Express" in the US.

Hope this helps ;)
 
I have customers in Austria and Saudi that buy knives from me on a regular basis and always USPS International Express Mail. Not cheap, nearly $25 per package, but havent ever had any problem whatsoever.
Stopped using UPS as they are gouging their customers AND have become very antigun in their shipping policies.
BTW-The USPS IEM is auto insured to $500
 
Working at Blade Art I ship quite a few knives out of the country.

I have found that USPS Global Priority and Global Express Mail(EMS)are the least expensive and (so far) the best. The difference between the two is in the cost; generally Global Priority is cheaper, but is not trackable. EMS is more expensive but IS trackable, in the participating countries. It's pretty easy to check it out for yourselves, just go to www.USPS.com. You will need the TOTAL weight of the package (knife wrapped and boxed up).

I have used UPS to Canada and Hong Kong but it is VERY expensive. But somtimes there is no other way to get a pacakage where it needs to go. Size restrictions and all, this is mostly when shipping swords tho. Fed Ex is about the same, in cost, as UPS.

Hope this helps!

Vince
:D
 
I was under the impression that EMS was a service unto itself. I understand now, thanks alot everyone. USPS Global express sounds like the way to go.
thanks,
 
I' ve had similar experience as Vince had. I have successfuly shipped a few packages to Canada via Global Express mail service from USPS. At least the insurance is covered for the first $500 dollars and the package can be tracked. Average was about 3-5 days to Vancouver BC. Not at all bad. But be aware of the duties the recipient needs to pay upon receiving. :(

Nakano
 
Another vote for USPS xpresspost.I have had a lot of knives come this way and not had a problem yet.As far as brokrage and dutie fees go ,Nakano is right you will have to pay but the fees are a lot less than say with UPS.
 
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