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Topic: Shipping Steel to Asia |
Douglas Schuch
From:
Valencia, Philippines
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Posted 18 Apr 2012 4:02 am |
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I purchased a Zum U-12 from Tony Glassman back in Feb. and arranged shipping on this to me in the Philippines. It arrived this week in great condition, and Tony suggested I post as maybe it would put more people at ease for shipping outside one's home country.
The burden for planning shipping is with the purchaser, as is any issues with custom. The Philippines charges very high customs fees (often 100% or more); however, there is a loophole in the law that allows certain companies to bring in personal (not for resale) goods duty-free. This is the method I used. Tony shipped the guitar to Los Angeles where the freight forwarder examined the guitar for any damage, re-boxed it, and shipped it on to me. It is possible to ship via air and get it faster, but the price goes way up.
When shipping LCL (Less than Container Load), you are charged by the size of the box, not weight, as ships can carry lots of weight, so pricing is by container. The shipping company needs to know how much space your box will occupy. Fees are pretty low: mine was about $100 NOT INCLUDING INSURANCE, which is extra.
It is usually best to find a freight company that is based, or at least well established in the destination country as they will know best what the issues with customs and duty are.
Obviously, you do not want to purchase an instrument without complete confidence that the person you are dealing with is honest and reliable as it may be some time before you can inspect the instrument. After some checking, I decided Tony was a known factor in the board, I knew he had the instrumeht he claimed to be selling (I found the earlier ad where he bought it from the original owner) so we made the deal. I have since learned that Tony once worked for Sierra making pedal steels, so his skills go beyond the average player/seller. I knew he had gone through the guitar thoroughly and made some changes to the coped.
As well, I decided that for all the trouble and hassle to get an instrument to me in the Philippines, and the difficulty involved should it ever need repair or service, I should stick to a top-end instrument of recent vintage (this one is a 2001) even though it cost more than some others I was looking at. My skill level may not justify this fine an instrument at this point, but I have gotten past the beginner stage enough to know I am sticking with it.
So, I am a satisfied buyer, and I think Tony would say it was no more trouble selling to me in the Philippines than to someone in the US but requiring shipping. With some thought and patience, it can be done!
Coincidentally, there is one other forumite steeler who will be arriving in the Philippines next month... and his new house is only a few miles from my apartment here. So, everyone make plans for the first Negros, Philippines Steel Jamboree!
Doug (who is enjoying some beginning explorations of the B5 side of life) |
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Andy DePaule
From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
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Posted 18 Apr 2012 7:23 pm Who was the shipper?
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Hi Doug,
Who was the shipper?
I just took the 72 Sho Bud Professional to Viet Nam on United and got had badly.
$70.00 for the Extra (2nd) bag, $200.00 for over weight and $200.00 for oversized.
Total of $470.00 and they smashed one wheel and two metal corners off the case.
At least the guitar arrived in good shape.
When I took my SD-10 o Viet Nam on China Airlines they only charged me $130.00 and it arrived in perfect condition with me.
Andy
_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project. |
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Harry Johansen
From:
Kvalsund.Norway/Valencia Dumaguete,Phils.
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Posted 18 Apr 2012 10:55 pm
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| HI ya neighbour.I will also later bring my steel down there,so Im intereseting how you did it.Talk to you there after 1.may. |
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Tony Glassman
From:
The Great Northwest
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Posted 18 Apr 2012 11:55 pm
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Doug is right. It was no more hassle than shipping anywhere in the US. The customs forms/charges were Doug's responsibility, and he paid me prior to shipping.
His shipping agent checked the guitar in L.A., and after that, the guitar became the shippers responsibility. |
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Douglas Schuch
From:
Valencia, Philippines
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Posted 19 Apr 2012 6:38 am
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The company I have used for several orders is called POBOX.PH, and is a division of ForexWorld Shipping. I believe they only deal with shipments to the Philippines. Harry, this would work for you, if it is to get your new guitar from Canada. They do not have an agent in Norway, though. As I say, this particular type of shipping is due to the unusual customs laws of the Philippines, and is a rather slow means of getting one's stuff, but reasonably priced. For other countries, it might work to search LCL shipping countries with the destination country in the search.
Shipping international is not easy...but it is do-able.
Andy: the last few times I've taken airlines, I felt pretty smashed-up myself...and I don't mean the luggage! If they treat the passengers so poorly, I have no reason to hope they would treat an instrument much better!
_________________
Bringing steel guitar to the bukid of Negros Oriental! |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 19 Apr 2012 7:13 am
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United is legendary.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 19 Apr 2012 6:25 pm
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I've used Bax GLobal to get guitars out here to NZ ... but the last few I have flown home with me as luggage.
I believe Bax has undergone a name change but can't remember it ! John Fabian of Carter guitars used them a lot for international orders.
_________________
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases. |
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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Posted 21 Apr 2012 5:54 am
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Thanx for bringing the subject up Douglas
Shipping abroad is no big deal
the most common problem is that most often, US sellers have no idea on going about it
thank goodness, some buyers & vendors know the ropes & run it down to them
also, since the buyer/ vendor pays shipping he is entitled to call the shots on which carrier to use - that is if it's all within the right framework & budget
| Quote: |
| I believe Bax has undergone a name change but can't remember it ! |
Paddy, it's a German company now :
German Railroads & Schenker
http://www.dbschenker.com/site/logistics/dbschenker/com/en/start.html |
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