Author Topic: Any Reasonable Way to Ship a Guitar Case From Germany to U.S..? (Read 189 times)

lbpesq · « **on:** February 12, 2014, 11:03:39 PM »

I've been looking for a guitar case for a Daion Power Mark XX and found a guy who has one in Germany. Is there any cost effective way to get it to California?

Bill, tgo

sonicus · « **Reply #1 on:** February 13, 2014, 02:50:49 AM »

Bill,
What monetary parameters constitutes cost effective for you ;
What do you want to pay ? I had German relatives who used worked on the bridge aboard ship and in the land office for a German merchant vessel company . Sometimes you can get parcels shipped on a slow boat across the Atlantic and then via fright company to a local warehouse where you have to go to pick it up. Your seller would have to take it to them in Germany and then they figure out what ever expense the process might generate including customs , etc ... ... . My parents once received an entire shipping container of furniture and the such that way in the 1960's. I don't know how much the process has changed since then but this might be just one possibility . You might be able to add your little item to someone's container inventory ! If you need a German speaker I am fluent in German ____
Wolf

jazzyvee · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2014, 04:16:22 AM »

If it's more expensive than my air fare round trip to SF, have it shipped to me and sort out my ticket and I'll bring it over.... :-)

I love helping out forum members..... :-) :-)

Jazzyvee

lbpesq · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2014, 07:48:43 AM »

Gee, info about how to send a shipping container fifty years ago, and a request for 12,000 miles worth of airline tickets! I LOVE you guys! Keep 'em coming!

Bill, tgo

sonicus · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2014, 08:03:30 AM »

Seriously though Bill ! Boats still float on water like they did 50 years ago___ My suggested method just might just float your empty bass case to you dirt cheap _____ There are still many merchant ship lines in business. The Port of Oakland is next door ___

Wolf

tbrannon · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2014, 09:00:38 AM »

Bill,

I sent many packages to/from the US to NZ using the 'land/water' transport method.

I'd usually take it to USPS and ask them the cheapest way to get it there and typically the response was, 'as long as you don't mind it taking 4-6 weeks, we can ship that box by boat.'

I'm not sure how sending it from Germany would work, but the land/water thing was always the cheapest I found.

keith_h · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2014, 10:21:58 AM »

I was going to say the same thing as Toby but I got cut off by another power failure due to storm. In my case I was sending something to the UK and found using the various countries postal services was the least expensive. In my case it was about a three week trip.

You also should consider where the case was manufactured. If its' origin was in the US there will be no duties or taxes as long as it was declared by the shipper when sent.

Keith

mica · « **Reply #7 on:** February 13, 2014, 12:05:39 PM »

I'll echo Keith. Just a case is probably cheapest to send by the post office. I am horrified any time a case with a bass or guitar shows up at the front door with the postman! It does take forever, and the tracking isn't terribly reliable.