International Postage/Shipping Costs (in Particular to the UK)

Ldrongodave on 15/10/2013 - 20:12

Hi,

I'm originally from the UK and it's getting to that time of year when I'm thinking about buying presents for my family in the UK.
I'm always stunned by the outrageous charges at Australia Post for sending parcels internationally.
I was wondering whether any Ozbargainers out there have know of alternative cheaper ways to send packages internationally?
I've also considered Sea Mail as an option in the past. I believe this can take up to 3 months and was wondering whether anybody has any experience of sending by sea mail. If so, I'd be keen to find out how long it actually took.

I'm sure I'm not the only Ozbargainer who would be interested in finding out cheaper ways to ship Internationally, so I thought I'd create a Forum topic.
Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Drongo

General Discussion

Comments

  • robbyjones on 15/10/2013 - 20:37

    Too late for sea post closed on September 20. I have used it in years past and the packages always got there weeks ahead of Christmas. Perhaps you could use UK based stores that will gift wrap and send them out, I have done that in the past too. Australia Post always seemed to work out cheapest however it still adds significantly to the cost.

  • sane on 15/10/2013 - 21:36

    You could try http://www.packsend.com.au/ they claim to be "26% cheaper than Auspost".

    However I would definitely be looking at ordering and delivering in the UK/to the UK. It's an occasional thing that's cheaper to buy here, generally it's cheaper in the UK, even with the 20% VAT. Amazon.co.uk , with free delivery and the option of giftwrapping for most stuff.

  • sparkles on 15/10/2013 - 22:17

    I've sent from the UK to here via Sea Mail and packages took three months or even more in some cases. I even wrote one package off as lost it took so long, but it arrived eventually.

    Like others have said, order online from shops in the UK, plenty to choose from and get it delivered direct. I sent one Steelbook Blu Ray to the UK fairly recently and it cost about $25 via airmail - the postage rates to the UK are crazy. From the UK they are not so bad, being subsidised by the govt.

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