Canadian Courier

[James]

Hello all

 

I purchased a sword from a dealer in Canada but he is having trouble finding a decent rate to send the sword from Canada to Australia.

He first quoted me US$223 and I did a search and found a rate of about US$135, but this seems far too much considering I had 3 swords shipped from the US to AU in one package and the total was US$70.

 

Can any of the Canadian members here give some direction or advice to me that I can pass on to the dealer?

[Brian]

James,

 

I have had this happen before, and I'm afraid that it seems that this is the truth. Canada has very high shipping rates, and I think we are often spoiled by the USA postage rates which are very reasonable. EMS and Priority International from the USA get a sword anywhere for around $40 to $75, but other countries don't have EMS and it often goes over $125 for a sword (Japan is ok too I think)

Purolator and the other methods from Canada are going to be around that rate imho. Just lucky that the USA is still cheap compared to other places.

 

Regards,

Brian

[drbvac]

I sent a blade by Fed ex, overnight and it was 60 bucks with 500 dollars insurance and I prayed for it all the way there. It only went a 2 hour plane trip from home! It would have been 275 with 5 grand insurance and even that wasn't enough so you take the chance it will get there or pay through the nose. Purolater isn't much better and UPS is no good at all. The Canada Post courier may be a bit quicker but it surely isn't inexpensive,

 

That said if you want to insure the heck out of it and don't care how long it takes I am sure there are cheaper alternatives - combination of speed and insurance is what drives up the cost. I figure the longer in the system and more people handle it the more chance of loss or damage - good luck!

[James]

Thanks guys. I'll just pay the high rate then.

[remzy]

A wakizashi sent from canada (Qc) to USA (Hawaii) cost me about 80$ with Fedex, insured etc.

[Walter]

The problem with Post Canada is that you can insure the shipped item only up to $1,000.00

Also, sometimes when you declare the "sword", they may refuse to accept the package for shipping as "dangerous item".

It happened to me already few times ... so I always have with me some old shipping receipt where "sword" is mentioned just to show them that I've shipped some in the past without problems.

When you ship the sword you always want the tracking number - in this case you need to ship with Expedited Parcel or XpressPost.

Few weeks ago I wanted to ship the really small packet with tsuba to Australia ... the shipping price was ... $50.00 !!!

[loui]

$223 is a bargain - take it and be glad. That will probably include tracking and will be there in a few days. It might include insurance but unless it has a recent appraisal by a certified appraiser insurance is useless when shipping swords and antiques - thank ebay for that. Don't get me wrong, you can buy insurance but good luck getting money from a claim with UPS.

 

If you want a cheaper method that doesn't have door to door tracking and signature required then you are asking for trouble. I have all but stopped shipping to Australia because of the nonsense I have been dealing with.

 

Good luck.

 

Louis

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

Hello all

 

I purchased a sword from a dealer in Canada but he is having trouble finding a decent rate to send the sword from Canada to Australia.

He first quoted me US$223 and I did a search and found a rate of about US$135, but this seems far too much considering I had 3 swords shipped from the US to AU in one package and the total was US$70.

 

Can any of the Canadian members here give some direction or advice to me that I can pass on to the dealer?

 

U$ 223 seems fair.

Just arrived the Fedex invoice of my last purchase : 217 Eur (15 being custom fees, labeled antique, single long sword).