[Jan]

What is the story behind those absurd shipping costs from the US to Europe?

I'm rebuilding a Toyota BJ40. For the yanks: that's a FJ40 on diesel, but eventually electric.

Since it's not a very popular car in Europe, a lot of parts I need new, are incredibly expensive locally. At least, compared with the US. Simple bushings for example are a dollar a piece in the US, and something like 5 euro locally.

But what makes me cry every time, are those insane shipping costs. 24 bushings, would cost me 150$ shipping. Or a disc brake kit would have cost me almost 2000$ shipping.

I finally learned, I have to look at Australia. They are a slightly more expensive than the US, but offer free shipping. Even for pretty heavy parts.

So, what's the story behind those shipping costs? Is it the government? Or just a very lucrative market?

[dragonsgate]

I get parts for my 1970 FJ40 through Spector Off Road. They are a pretty big outfit and have just about everything. Their phone # 1 818 882 1238. Web. www.sor.com

[Jan]

Hi Dragin,

My problem is not finding parts, and I already found SOR. The problem are those insane shipping costs.

I better rent a private jet and get everything I need at once by myself.

[TigerNut]

Hallo Jan,
Are those shipments via UPS or regular mail? The problem I have with getting stuff to Canada from the US, is that UPS (United Parcel Service)is that everybody uses it because it is a cheap and fast way to get things around the United States, but as soon as you go out of the country, the cost goes way up. If you can get the shipper to use US Postal service then it might be significantly cheaper.

Other options, for stuff that's large enough to require a pallet, are to find a dedicated freight forwarding service. It seems that UPS is in the middle somewhere. Not really freight and not really post, and so they charge a lot for large and heavy stuff.