sending boxes overseas?

[panda[cRx]]

i already posted this on ozhonda but figured i may as well try here too...

my gf & i need to send clothes etc for our move over to japan. does anyone have any freight companies they recommend? (or not recommend)

on the few websites i have looked at it all looks rather expensive =/

i'm guessing by sea would be the cheapest option? (not too fussed on speed)

[eug4emi]

Auspost by sea is cheap but takes up to 1-2 months, that's your best bet to save $$

Don't even bother with pack send etc.

Wow moving to Japan, sounds fun, work?

[Dominik]

You can go by air freight, which is where they put boxes on regular passenger planes, and its cheaper than express post and around the same speed. I sent a set of coilovers to the US that way for around $500 (47kg total), cheapest i could get anywhere else was around the $1k mark. I had to go through a freight forwarder though (cant remember the agent i used)

Then there is unaccompanied baggage:
http://www.qantas.com.au/freight/dyn...mpaniedBaggage

And i'm sure you have see the Japanese magazines which have freight services for WH'ers returning home (though they are not *that* cheap)

[[J]]

Another type of freight you might like to try is something like excess baggage - Plenty of companies can be found by Googling the term.

If you shop arround, there are actually some that are quite reasonable (cost wise).. Might be worthwhile moving a few things with that method and the remainder by sea if you not that fussed about the shipping time.

(excess baggage can also be handy for car parts )

[panda[cRx]]

thanks guys, much more helpful than ozhonda so far lol

Wow moving to Japan, sounds fun, work?

well i will work but goin over with the gf/fiancee so i'm treating it like an extended working holiday

[eug4emi]

Saved up heaps eh

[Dominik]

If you do find some other good ways, do post back on here. I am moving there next month for a 6 month work contract (as long as my visa comes back in time lol)

Btw, be careful if you are going on a tourist visa and intending to work; they are supposed to be pretty strict on illegals. Visa process is sllloooooowww too, so dont leave it till the last minute like i did

[panda[cRx]]

lol i know the deal with the visas there, and how unhelpful the japanese consulate is here in melbourne

[import_bible]

As you said before your in no rush. I would recommend ground shipping (but takes a long time maybe...3-8 weeks to japan). not sure which companies are available to you, Fed Ex has always worked well for me.

[super_nerd]

go "pack and send"
they are pretty good and not that expensive.
they give you boxes, you fill them up, and they send them there. check it out.

[TurBIce]

If you use AUS POST, there is no sea mail for ASIA.
but what u can do is. air mail it. then insure it for the minimum $100 just so you get a tracking number and someone has to sign for it at the other end.

[Dominik]

lol i know the deal with the visas there, and how unhelpful the japanese consulate is here in melbourne

Luckily mine is all being handled by a professional in Tokyo (though i had to translate my resume for them!). Now all i can do is wait... I thought 3 months was plenty of time, but i'm starting to get anxious