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International Shipping from Australia (Melbourne)

3903 Views 8 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  erich, 
O
Hey guys,

I haven't done much research into this but I've heard international shipping rates from Australia are EXPENSIVE. I am starting a tshirt store online and intend on selling the majority of my stock to the US....but if shipping ends up costing 50% of the retail purchase price, then that's a bit rough on the customer and would be a major issue.

Are there other people currently running online stores and selling to the US market? If so how are you dealing this this? Are there any reasonably priced shipping solutions out there for us in Melbourne? If so what?
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cookiesa
I have found in the past that Australia Post are pretty good on the shipping rate, domestic and international. The trick is to learn the best way and a small agency versus a big post office are often a better source of information. (Eg most of the time it is much cheaper to send via a bag than box due to cubing)

They produce a booklet on shipping charges which also covers some international. It is free from most post offices and some agencies.

At the moment remember although the freight rate may look high due to the exchange rate it is still favourable.
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P
Check Out TNT's rates. We use them a bit andthey have "Pak" rates.
Otherwise Post is often the cheapest option as cookie suggested if you are only sending small orders.
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zhenjie
Have you looked at the Australia Post website? If you have the measurements and weight of your t-shirts you can calculate it accurately using their website.
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M
ongr2001 said:
Hey guys,

I haven't done much research into this but I've heard international shipping rates from Australia are EXPENSIVE. I am starting a tshirt store online and intend on selling the majority of my stock to the US....but if shipping ends up costing 50% of the retail purchase price, then that's a bit rough on the customer and would be a major issue.

Are there other people currently running online stores and selling to the US market? If so how are you dealing this this? Are there any reasonably priced shipping solutions out there for us in Melbourne? If so what?
Click to expand...
Does anyone else have any comments about this. To me Australia post looks like the best option.
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zhenjie
Australia Post is the best choice for regular airmail. IN fact, like any governernment backed postal service its the only choice :)

There is one possible alternative though, and that is to use a consolidated postage service like Skippy Post - Home. Skippypost is used by most book sellers for international post, but is quite suitable for t-shirt sellers as well! (small items).
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M
Skippy post looks interesting, but it seems like a slow but cheaper option. Ill have to do some more looking around. Thank you!
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J
AUSTPOST is the easiest and safest way to send your parcel to overseas. The alternative courier/logistic companies such as DHL, TNT, FASTWAY COURIERS, AUSTRALIAN AIR EXPRESS, COURIERS PLEASE, and PACK & SEND etc, but, they will also cost similar to AUSTPOST. All you need to do that first, get a quote from them and better ask whether you can track your parcel by online or not.

Good Luck !!
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erich
all the suggestions made here are very valid.
do some research and contact various courier services.

Small parcels can be cheap enough to send and will still allow you to be profitable regardless.

In any case, the US market is much bigger than the Australian market, so it becomes an enconomy of scale scenario.

You may end up paying a little more for freight but you should also be able to attract more business.

I dont think you can loose
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