Port shipping from international sellers

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kdn

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Topic # 58333 9-Mar-2010 18:54

Was checking some listings on ebay and came across something I wanted to buy, the seller said free port shipping worldwide.. seemed a bit good to be true since he was in hong kong and the item is around 40kg.

Anyways, he asked what my nearest port was, i said Auckland he said no problems and it will take 25-30 days.

Anyways, has anyone used this method before, I don't quite understand how it works, am i able to go to the port and pickup it up myself? Do I need a courier to go and get it from the port, any taxes or fees in doing so?

andysh

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Reply # 305780 9-Mar-2010 20:17

I haven't got anything "port shipped" but maybe this will help? http://www.poal.co.nz/shipping_cargo/downloads/Service%20Charges%20A4%20Grouped.pdf

nate

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Reply # 305784 9-Mar-2010 20:48

kdn: Anyways, has anyone used this method before, I don't quite understand how it works, am i able to go to the port and pickup it up myself? Do I need a courier to go and get it from the port, any taxes or fees in doing so?

What shipping company are you using? In my experience it's best to stick with the well known ones such as UPS, FedEx, DHL etc as though it's more expensive, there are far less headaches.

Get the seller to ship the goods to your home, or a more central Auckland location to save on costs. Depending on the value, I would have the items insured (boats sink, planes crash, items get lost) plus you may have to pay Import GST on the item depending on what it is. More info from Customs is here.

kdn

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Reply # 305815 9-Mar-2010 23:54

nate:
kdn: Anyways, has anyone used this method before, I don't quite understand how it works, am i able to go to the port and pickup it up myself? Do I need a courier to go and get it from the port, any taxes or fees in doing so?

What shipping company are you using? In my experience it's best to stick with the well known ones such as UPS, FedEx, DHL etc as though it's more expensive, there are far less headaches.

Get the seller to ship the goods to your home, or a more central Auckland location to save on costs. Depending on the value, I would have the items insured (boats sink, planes crash, items get lost) plus you may have to pay Import GST on the item depending on what it is. More info from Customs is here.

Well usually when I buy goods from the USA they come in via fedex UPS.. never had issues with them.

In this case, the cost of having them sent directly to my home will cost me an additonal 420$ USD so its not feasible.

For me, if I can get this item port shiped for free I will buy it off ebay, but if I have to pay a lot for shipping I can just buy something local and pay the huge retail price.

wazzageek

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Reply # 305844 10-Mar-2010 08:08

kdn: when I buy goods from the USA they come in via fedex UPS.. never had issues with them.

In this case, the cost of having them sent directly to my home will cost me an additonal 420$ USD so its not feasible.

For me, if I can get this item port shiped for free I will buy it off ebay, but if I have to pay a lot for shipping I can just buy something local and pay the huge retail price.

To me, it sounds suspiciously like the seller is going to be responsible to getting the goods on an Auckland bound container ... and that you would have to worry about all the rest of the work (clearing customs, getting the goods off the container, getting the goods out of the port)

For an additional USD 420 shipped to your door - makes it sound like a pretty serious purchase - you need to be aware of import duty as well (I know it's already been said, but I think it needs to be said again).

You're not buying a classic car, are you ;-)

bazzer

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Reply # 305881 10-Mar-2010 10:25

A 40kg miniature classic car?

grant_k

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Reply # 305882 10-Mar-2010 10:27

kdn: Anyways, has anyone used this method before, I don't quite understand how it works, am i able to go to the port and pickup it up myself? Do I need a courier to go and get it from the port, any taxes or fees in doing so?

I think you have misunderstood. What this seller probably meant was "Free On Board" (FOB) shipping to the nearest port. This means that he pays the local pickup fee and taxes to get the item on board a ship, and you pay all the other costs at your end. This will include the shipping cost from Hong Kong to Auckland as well as GST, Import Duty (if applicable) and various other NZ government charges. There are a host of charges for Sea Freight, many of them are not that much, but it is complicated, so you will need to employ a Customs Broker to process the clearance for you.

Here is a website with lots of useful information for importers:

http://www.silva.co.nz/

This company can also handle the clearance processing for you. It would pay to obtain a quote first.

In a previous life, I imported goods from Taiwan for many years, and "FOB" was the common way it used to work. I do not think that any seller on eBay would include "Free Shipping to any port around the world" because the costs vary hugely, and it would be impossible to cover them with one fixed price. Most likely, he is talking about FOB (free shipping to his nearest port, rather than yours).

wazzageek

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Reply # 305886 10-Mar-2010 10:39

bazzer: A 40kg miniature classic car?

Oh ... yeah ... oops! (Completely forgot that bit in the OP)

kdn

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Reply # 306033 10-Mar-2010 18:25

This is from the listing: ( I love number 5!)

Shipping Terms:

1.This item will be shipped by sea, Port To Port. you will get informed for the collection by local shipping agent before it arrives. Shipment will be normally made on Fridays.

2.The default Shipping cost listed is for shipping to typical ports ONLY. Don?t hesitate to tell me your closest shipping port to confirm the actual cost before purchase. If Express Shipping is needed, feel free to contact for the shipping cost.

3.Please confirm your address on Ebay account before purchase.
4.We are not responsible for any uninsured items' lost or broken during shipment.

5.Buyers are responsible for additional charges, like Customs' handling fees, and Import Duty etc. We JUST do the shipping for you. Usually we will declare a much less value on documents.

6.We accept payment via PAYPAL and direct bank deposit.

7.Shipping will be within 5 business days after receiving the cleared payment,and will take about 25-35 days to arrive.

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR CONTACT NUMBER FOR RECEIVING ITEM, BECAUSE THE COURIER NEEDS TO CONTACT YOU WHEN THE ITEM ARRIVES.

nate

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Reply # 306151 11-Mar-2010 09:13

kdn: 1.This item will be shipped by sea, Port To Port. you will get informed for the collection by local shipping agent before it arrives. Shipment will be normally made on Fridays.

I have to admit I've never heard of port to port shipping, and we used to bring in high volumes of equipment, but it was door to door.

kdn

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Reply # 306360 11-Mar-2010 18:31

c71931f: Are you buying one of these?
ebay auction
If you are,i'm surprised they are paying for the shipping

oversized heatpress.. yes thats why I am so interested!

kdn

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Reply # 306558 12-Mar-2010 11:58

yeah i emailed him and said new zealand and he came back and asked my nearest port, I said auckland and that was on available for free shipping.