Am I crazy - getting a huge car part from Australia

[GE90]

Hi everyone

Need help only a petrolhead could provide!

It’s not very rational, but to complete the matching interior change in my car a friend in Australia has a rear seat for me build. Rare and I am ready to jump on it. However, the steering committee needs convincing that postage would be reasonable, so think it was I checked..

Oh dear! £1.5k! Probably needs a pallet. Slow post is fine. I reckon say 150 x 100 x 50 once packaged, and say 30kg.

Anyone posted anything this far before? Any help,appreciated..

I guess customs too?

Thanks.

[gazza285]

Yes. When I had a Mk1 Escort I used to send six clock dash tops to Australia regularly, as theirs had a tendency to crack due to the heat. I also sent a pair of front struts, complete with hubs and brakes to the US. It’s been a while though now, the struts cost just short of £200 to send via UPS.

[anyoldcardave]

Yes, bought parts and sent them, the last was fragile new early MK1 escort washer bottles, well NOS.

Had 6 , 4 went to Australia, no problem at all well packaged.

Size limits might beat you though.

Cars do come here out of Australia, can you not look up the shipping companies?
Always space around cars in containers.

[ChocolateFrog]

Sounds like the kind of thing that would go in a car.

Wonder if you could tie up with an importer of Australian cars, if there is such a company.

Could be mutually beneficial.

[colin79666]

HubNut needs an AC compressor. Bound to be others needing stuff moved. Clubbing together should get the cost down.

[GE90]

Some great suggestions for me to work on, thanks. It’s just finding them.

The cheapest option is still currently circa £1k, which even with my man maths just isn’t viable.

[gazza285]

Do you need the whole seat? Could the cover be removed? Then again, you might end up paying an upholsterer what you saved in shipping.

[roltyid]

You might be better looking at shipping of personal effects rather than a courier. I've used Seven Seas Worldwide to relocate stuff to and from Australia and although shipping times can be long (60-90 days) it's much cheaper than sending stuff via a courier and they are geared up for shipping of awkward items , like furniture, bikes etc so likely better suited to your requirement

[GE90]

gazza285 said:

Do you need the whole seat? Could the cover be removed? Then again, you might end up paying an upholsterer what you saved in shipping.

Now that sir is a great idea! I should have thought of this. I've asked whether they would remove the covers for me. Not sure how much an upholsterer would charge, but surely even at London prices it'll be less than postage.......

That's so much - so glad I asked for ideas!

Cheers

[Zed Ed]

Had my Jeep soft-top shipped by UPS air from the US, probably 200x20x70cm box at least, 40-50kg; was about 300 USD.

Possibly size less important than weight, or shipping contract with the supplier but didn’t seem unreasonable

[GE90]

Zed Ed said:

Had my Jeep soft-top shipped by UPS air from the US, probably 200x20x70cm box at least, 40-50kg; was about 300 USD.

Possibly size less important than weight, or shipping contract with the supplier but didn t seem unreasonable

That’s a great price.

[GE90]

Some great suggestions for me to work on, thanks. It’s just finding them.

The cheapest option is still currently circa £1k, which even with my man maths just isn’t viable.