Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Has anybody here shipped a guitar to Australia?

Who provides the best, safest service and how much will it cost.

It will be sent from New Hampshire to Melbourne.

Thanks for your help.

In my case (pun not intended), far too many, Shane!

I've had gear shipped via both Fedex and UPS. The last few I had shipped were by Fedex and they came in at around $350 USD from California. The last couple via UPS were from Virginia and they were around $450 USD.

There have been many discussions over here regarding USPS (United States Postal Service) and size limitations - these are set by Australia Post, not USPS. The maximum overall dimensions just happen to be slightly below your average guitar case. In my experience USPS will not accept goods for shipment to Australia if they exceed those dimensions. For example, A Rick vintage case to suit a 325 or 350 (which I think is about as small as they come) is unacceptable. Even your standard Strat or Tele case seems to be too big. Pity..... you'd only be up for around $135 via USPS!

However, there have been exceptions, so my advice would be to have the parcel taken to a US post office and see what happens. If you're shipping a bass, forget USPS!!!

Then, of course, if it's valued at over $1000 AUD, you've got customs fees and GST to deal with!!

Thanks Howard, I didn't think it would be cheap !!!

When I finally decide what to get, I'll have my daughter to take it to the local USPS office and see what happens. Failing that, we will just have to use UPS or Fedex and adjust the budget !!

Or maybe I could just take another holiday and see a bit more of the USA !!!

At least our dollar is getting stronger!!

Shane check out EMS service at the post office ..gets there in about 3-5 days..cost you about $175..check the size limitation as mentioned by Howard...should be on the USPS site...I've shipped to Japan with this service

EMS will not ship guitars to OZ. I went around and around with the local PO and the dimensions are too big for OZ shipping. Ended up with FedEx. UPS was out of sight pricewise.

And I appreciate your efforts greatly, Paul!

One other possibility..... buy something with a bolt on neck, ship it (in two pieces if necessary) and get a case here!!

Thanks George and Paul. I'll get my daughter to shop around but it looks like I'll have to brace myself for the shock. Even at $US450, all up its still cheaper than buying one out here.

Howard, great idea, you're not just a pretty face !!!

You've yet to set eyes on it, Shane...... pretty just ain't the word!!

Thanks George and Paul.

Wonder if John and Ringo are gonna chime in??!

Shane, If you'd like a detailed lesson in bringing in a guitar (or more!)to Oz, write to me at the email address in my profile and I'll fill you in on all the necessary pitfalls and tricks.

The idea of the US holiday makes perfect sense once you reach a certain number of guitars or value.

Howard, now you've got me worried !!!!! You do have all your teeth don't you ???!!!!!

Darren, please check your email.

Missing 3 at last count, Shane.....

Darren's had far more experience than me in this area and I have no doubt he'll be able to get you up to speed on some of his 'systems' pretty quickly!

BTW, where I said 'two pieces' in my earlier post, I meant 'two packages'.

Shane, email replied to!

As we speak, I am in the process of attempting to have my (err.. I mean a friend of mine's!) '79 StingRay shipped from Miami to Melbourne using FedEx. A few things of note:

1) The guitar is being sent to my address (care of me), but with the same name as the person who is currently holding it in the US. I am officially just looking after it until they return home.
2) They have had it in their possession for more than 12 months.
3) They will be filling out an "UNACCOMPANIED PERSONAL EFFECTS STATEMENT" from The Australian Customs Service, stating that the guitar has been owned by them for more the a year, and as such, no GST will need to be paid.

Not easy to organise from the other side of the world, but I'll keep you posted.

Howard, I hope they're not the front ones !!!

Mark, how ya going !!!! I'll be interested to see how your delivery pans out.

Front ones are OK, Shane........



Hope it goes well, Mark. Keep us informed, eh?