International shipping- cheapest method?

[TitanDiddly]

If I wanted to ship, say, case of ramen that weighs 3.5lbs to the UK, what would be the more inexpensive way? Zip code 75602 to M24 1UH in Manchester. I've never shipped to the UK before, and FedEx tells me $100- doesn't sound right. Any ideas?

 

[swtethan]

usps

$35 3-5 days

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: swtethan
usps

 

[Kipper]

USPS, by sea. It will take a while to get there, however.

 

[TitanDiddly]

Originally posted by: swtethan
usps

$35 3-5 days

Right you are.

 

[SynthDude2001]

Good info. I may be sending something to Dug soon. :evil:

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
Good info. I may be sending something to Dug soon. :evil:

:shocked:

 

[bleeb]

Post office air parcel post.

 

[vegetation]

Originally posted by: bleeb
Post office air parcel post.

Incorrect. Use LETTER air post, NOT parcel post. Big difference in price structure. If you ask for parcel air post you'll be raped. You can use letter post up to 4lbs. You cannot purchase insurance with letter post but if it's just for something equivalent to ramen noodles then that wouldn't be any issue.

 

[biostud]

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
Good info. I may be sending something to Dug soon. :evil:

remember to cut airholes so you can breathe during the transport.

 

[TitanDiddly]

Originally posted by: vegetation

Originally posted by: bleeb
Post office air parcel post.

Incorrect. Use LETTER air post, NOT parcel post. Big difference in price structure. If you ask for parcel air post you'll be raped. You can use letter post up to 4lbs. You cannot purchase insurance with letter post but if it's just for something equivalent to ramen noodles then that wouldn't be any issue.

It is ramen.

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: PhasmatisNox

Originally posted by: swtethan
usps

$35 3-5 days

Right you are.

Lol, where did you get the 3-5 day figure? I have never shipped to the UK but we have shipped 5 packages USPS from Seattle to Japan. The fastest arrived in 25 days and the longest was 41 days, not exactly quick service. Also the cost was well-over $50 (I don't know for certain because I did not pay the bills) for each shipment, the items in questions where always boxes measuring approx 12x12x10, so a little bigger than a shoebox.

FedEx, DHL, and us (UPS) will ship in 2-4 days depending on service but it will cost your dearly. The main international shipping we do is bulk (by sea through subsideraries and other freight forwarding companies) and by air for small stuff. Most companies that due international just do letters and stuff (paychecks, displays, small items) by air as they are time-critical and realativly cheap. larger items will cost you an arm and a leg due to high costs of fuel, tarriffs, customs, etc...

USPS is the best choice for a single item from a consumer as they allow you to ship via air. About the only time the big carriers are good is time critical stuff and shipments to Canada. We (UPS) ship to Canada via ground so it's MUCH cheaper than air to UK or Japan.

-spike

EDIT* I just saw where you got that 3-5 day figure, I would still question it and call before I shipped. Also make sure to add several days to that so the packages can make it to the shipping point, then from the import in the UK to it's destination. I believe that 3-5 day figure is from the US to UK, not including transit within both contries.

Just a FYI, UPS, FedEx, and DHL are all considered express packaging companies which means they ship fast compared to domestic services. You are paying for speed and garunteed delivery which is why there is such a huge price disparity.

$85 to ship international expedited via UPS. If you shipped today it would arrive by Friday at the latest.