Shipping a bass from UK to USA

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 5:53 am

I have a bass that a fellow forum member is interested in and he has enquired about how much it might cost to ship it to his home in the USA from the UK.

I have never done this before. I searched around the internet and found that UPS can do it for 153.65 UKP on a bass valued at 999 UKP.

Does this sound about right? I have no account with UPS, would this be a problem, I don't mind driving to the UPS depot?

It would be really kind if anyone with experience of shipping basses to the USA could give me advice here. Thanks, Bob

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 10:02 am

Bob, Mr. Mole shipped a 4080 to me not to long ago.

There was a very simple customs form to fill out. I think if you go to the UPS outlet, they can guide you. It cost me about $500.00 USD when we did it.

thx1955 · Post by **thx1955** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 10:08 am

Bob,
I just shipped a 32Lb 3001 to the UK from the US, not including customs and VAT it was $382 via FedEx

8mileshigh · Post by **8mileshigh** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 10:25 am

Where's it got to go Bob? I might be able to take it out for you?

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 11:47 am

Thanks Graham, that is really kind. The answer is I don't know yet, I'll get back to you if it needs to be shipped to the US.

Thanks Dave & Jim, I hope the bass ends up within the forum.

thx1955 · Post by **thx1955** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 12:01 pm

In my case the 3001 is most defiantly staying in the Forum

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 1:42 am

I'm glad you asked this question as I may have to send a bass to a the US in the not too distant future myself, and I'd be interested to know.

8mileshigh · Post by **8mileshigh** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 3:01 am

UPS have been good for me. Pack it well, then add more packaging, then bubble wrap it, then put it in a box and then bubble wrap it some more. Kind of what I usually do. So far, so good. You don't need an account and they collect. Hope that helps.

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 3:59 am

Unbelievable how shipping costs have risen...

thx1955 · Post by **thx1955** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 4:54 am

I may have to send a bass to a the US in the not too distant future myself

Shaun, may be sooner than you think ....

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 6:47 am

Sounds interesting Jim! Keep me posted!

mgauction · Post by **mgauction** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 10:40 am

From the UK, post office shipping is considerably less expensive than shipping from the USA, where girth & size are always oversized, unless you are shipping something small, like a mandolin or a ukulele.

hen_jin · Post by **hen_jin** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 10:40 am

Check DHL. I had some amp heads sent from Germany to the US for $85. As well, a UK band who were recording in my area used DHL to send some of their gear over here. I also use them in the US - much cheaper than UPS.

leftyguitars · Post by **leftyguitars** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 11:55 am

Bob, I recently used 'Interparcel.com'. They were unbelievably cheap and came up with the goods too! They collected the guitar within 30 minutes of my online order and delivered it faster than I was expecting too.