First time ever

[goldtop0]

Just bought another gibson coming in from the US and the freight rates as quoted to the guy I'm getting it from were through the roof per Fedex, DHL or UPS.......cheapest was UPS at US$795. Previously say 18 months ago it was around US$380-$450
I'll qualify this by saying that the chap is a guitar trader on Reverb and operates out of his home in New Jersey so he's not a store and mightn't send items internationally a lot and most probably doesn't get discounted rates from the carriers.
My point being that currently for the first time ever it's most probably cheaper to buy an instrument from our local retailers than bring one on yourself which is what a few of us here have done over the years, and our $NZ sucks against the US right now.
You'll laugh when I tell you this. I contacted Fedex here in Auckland about bringing a guitar in from the States recently and was quoted $2160 Economy which is their cheapest rate.
Anyways, mine is a fat necked '14 ES 330 and will get here next week or so per USPS International Parcel Post, will post pics etc when it arrives.

[sizzlingbadger]

Freight from Europe seems to be way cheaper than the USA.

[robthemac]

Obviously smaller than guitars, but shipping on pedals via Reverb is still very variable. I've had plenty offer shipping from USA/Europe for NZD$50 or even free with $300-600 pedals.

But yeah, fuck shipping guitars... Cheaper to fly and get it yourself.

[goldtop0]

Obviously smaller than guitars, but shipping on pedals via Reverb is still very variable. I've had plenty offer shipping from USA/Europe for NZD$50 or even free with $300-600 pedals.

But yeah, fuck shipping guitars... Cheaper to fly and get it yourself.

I'm going to the States later this year and am checking with my travel agent what the cost is to bring a gat back with me.
It'll be interesting to see what he says.

[robthemac]

Obviously smaller than guitars, but shipping on pedals via Reverb is still very variable. I've had plenty offer shipping from USA/Europe for NZD$50 or even free with $300-600 pedals.

But yeah, fuck shipping guitars... Cheaper to fly and get it yourself.

I'm going to the States later this year and am checking with my travel agent what the cost is to bring a gat back with me.
It'll be interesting to see what he says.

I'm going to get travel allowances through work from next year. Might have to see if there are some conferences in Tennessee or Chicago...

[GrantB]

Obviously smaller than guitars, but shipping on pedals via Reverb is still very variable. I've had plenty offer shipping from USA/Europe for NZD$50 or even free with $300-600 pedals.

But yeah, fuck shipping guitars... Cheaper to fly and get it yourself.

I'm going to the States later this year and am checking with my travel agent what the cost is to bring a gat back with me.
It'll be interesting to see what he says.

Just load it as luggage? Have brought a few back like that, no issues. When I got my '57 Special, I upgraded to Premium Economy and just took it on as hand luggage in a soft case.

[Mattress5]

I just bought a guitar from Casino Guitars in the US and they charged me $150usd. They said that it would actually cost them closer to $350usd to send it.

[goldtop0]

Obviously smaller than guitars, but shipping on pedals via Reverb is still very variable. I've had plenty offer shipping from USA/Europe for NZD$50 or even free with $300-600 pedals.

But yeah, fuck shipping guitars... Cheaper to fly and get it yourself.

I'm going to the States later this year and am checking with my travel agent what the cost is to bring a gat back with me.
It'll be interesting to see what he says.

Just load it as luggage? Have brought a few back like that, no issues. When I got my '57 Special, I upgraded to Premium Economy and just took it on as hand luggage in a soft case.

Was yours US$150 Grant or no cost at all.

[GrantB]

No cost - for checked in luggage. Premium Economy was $750 more for the seat, but worth it given the value of the instrument

[werdna]

Obviously smaller than guitars, but shipping on pedals via Reverb is still very variable. I've had plenty offer shipping from USA/Europe for NZD$50 or even free with $300-600 pedals.

But yeah, fuck shipping guitars... Cheaper to fly and get it yourself.

I'm going to the States later this year and am checking with my travel agent what the cost is to bring a gat back with me.
It'll be interesting to see what he says.

I used to fly them back as baggage two at a time wrapped together as a single item. Put two cases side by side and taped cardboard around them. If you get two items of checked luggage with your flight cost then one is your bag for clothes and the other is the guitars. If you're travelling with someone, they can bring in a couple as well and you end up with four.

[Litterick]

A current thread on The Gear Page, "Does it really cost do $50-$100 to ship a guitar + case within the US?," reveals that shipping a guitar interstate will cost about 100USD.

[Mr Bungle]

Japan is your best bet and fast.

I had a Strat delivered from the US last month and shipping was US$400. Took about a month to arrive.

I also purchased a vintage 60's Fender trem/rev footswitch last month. No shipping to NZ, so sent to my Kiwi mate who runs a hotel in Chicago. He got the concierge to ship it on. Cost over NZ$400 for a box 150 x 150 x 150mm. He tried to stop it, but was too late. Shipping really is all over the place.

[NippleWrestler]

Japan is your best bet and fast.

I had a Strat delivered from the US last month and shipping was US$400. Took about a month to arrive.

I also purchased a vintage 60's Fender trem/rev footswitch last month. No shipping to NZ, so sent to my Kiwi mate who runs a hotel in Chicago. He got the concierge to ship it on. Cost over NZ$400 for a box 150 x 150 x 150mm. He tried to stop it, but was too late. Shipping really is all over the place.

Ishibashi DHL shipping isn't much better. You're looking around the same in USD from them. It shot up drastically in 2022 from around $180 to the $350 ish it is now. Ems is around $230 but is also a bit less reliable so you take more of the risk.

[goldtop0]

Japan is your best bet and fast.

I had a Strat delivered from the US last month and shipping was US$400. Took about a month to arrive.

What shipper was used for your Strat.

[GrantB]

If I was buying something valuable/vintage, I would be simply flying there (USA say) and collecting.

Japan does seem cheaper.

I remember the good old days of $80 shipping from USA. Not that long ago.