First time ever

[Timoes]

Youshop (NZPost) ? Seems alot of the time the charge for shipping in ConUS is cheap or free. I have found Youshop reasonable with their charges. Just takes a bit longer.

[GrantB]

It’s when you work out the youshop to nz that the eyes water.

[Timoes]

Ive had a few good turns at youshop. Way better option than any of the other US to NZ services. But have to say the good ol days of scooping up a dealio and getting it shipped USPS for under a hand shandy USD are over. Snif sniiiiff... .

[Mr Bungle]

Japan is your best bet and fast.

I had a Strat delivered from the US last month and shipping was US$400. Took about a month to arrive.

What shipper was used for your Strat.

USPS. I was reasonably ok with $400.

A year ago I got a quote of US$1500 shipping for an US$1800 Strat.

[goldtop0]

Japan is your best bet and fast.

I had a Strat delivered from the US last month and shipping was US$400. Took about a month to arrive.

What shipper was used for your Strat.

USPS. I was reasonably ok with $400.

A year ago I got a quote of US$1500 shipping for an US$1800 Strat.

Same here USPS, and so far for me it's proved to be efficient.
Yes importing into NZ with any of the worldwide cos is a problem.

[goldtop0]

Um.........waiting for it to clear Customs, been 4 working days now since arriving in Auckland and it may be a while longer if Mr Bungle's experience is anything to go by........we'll see.

[Mr Bungle]

Um.........waiting for it to clear Customs, been 4 working days now since arriving in Auckland and it may be a while longer if Mr Bungle's experience is anything to go by........we'll see.

My most recent arrival, the Strat, took a month all up from shipping to arrival to me. Took 4 days to clear NZ customs.

NZ Customs seem under the pump right now. Not sure why. NZ Post website claims less flights arriving are backlogging Customs. Too much arriving at once perhaps? I can't figure it out.

I currently have some tools from StewMac awaiting border clearance that have been there since 9th June. No payment required either due to low cost.

I had a US Jazzmaster delivered from Japan August last year. Fed Ex rang while the flight was in the air, paid the duty then and there and the guitar seemed to only take a day to clear customs.

Unsure what has changed since or if it's luck of the draw.

[goldtop0]

Um.........waiting for it to clear Customs, been 4 working days now since arriving in Auckland and it may be a while longer if Mr Bungle's experience is anything to go by........we'll see.

My most recent arrival, the Strat, took a month all up from shipping to arrival to me. Took 4 days to clear NZ customs.

NZ Customs seem under the pump right now. Not sure why. NZ Post website claims less flights arriving are backlogging Customs. Too much arriving at once perhaps? I can't figure it out.

I currently have some tools from StewMac awaiting border clearance that have been there since 9th June. No payment required either due to low cost.

I had a US Jazzmaster delivered from Japan August last year. Fed Ex rang while the flight was in the air, paid the duty then and there and the guitar seemed to only take a day to clear customs.

Unsure what has changed since or if it's luck of the draw.

I put it down to the big increase in prices to ship per Fedex etc having a flow through effect of people sending per the cheaper USPS postal service, the proof is in the eating with this. Many more packages and cartons sent per international airmail causing the backlog for clearance at the postal centres.
I've only ever had guitars shipped by Fedex etc over the decades and those big cos have an efficient prompt delivery procedure, USPS is a new experience.

[Jay]

Um.........waiting for it to clear Customs, been 4 working days now since arriving in Auckland and it may be a while longer if Mr Bungle's experience is anything to go by........we'll see.

My most recent arrival, the Strat, took a month all up from shipping to arrival to me. Took 4 days to clear NZ customs.

NZ Customs seem under the pump right now. Not sure why. NZ Post website claims less flights arriving are backlogging Customs. Too much arriving at once perhaps? I can't figure it out.

I currently have some tools from StewMac awaiting border clearance that have been there since 9th June. No payment required either due to low cost.

I had a US Jazzmaster delivered from Japan August last year. Fed Ex rang while the flight was in the air, paid the duty then and there and the guitar seemed to only take a day to clear customs.

Unsure what has changed since or if it's luck of the draw.

I put it down to the big increase in prices to ship per Fedex etc having a flow through effect of people sending per the cheaper USPS postal service, the proof is in the eating with this. Many more packages and cartons sent per international airmail causing the backlog for clearance at the postal centres.
I've only ever had guitars shipped by Fedex etc over the decades and those big cos have an efficient prompt delivery procedure, USPS is a new experience.

Shipped a few guitars with USPS over the last decade and never had an issue.

[goldtop0]

My most recent arrival, the Strat, took a month all up from shipping to arrival to me. Took 4 days to clear NZ customs.

NZ Customs seem under the pump right now. Not sure why. NZ Post website claims less flights arriving are backlogging Customs. Too much arriving at once perhaps? I can't figure it out.

I currently have some tools from StewMac awaiting border clearance that have been there since 9th June. No payment required either due to low cost.

I had a US Jazzmaster delivered from Japan August last year. Fed Ex rang while the flight was in the air, paid the duty then and there and the guitar seemed to only take a day to clear customs.

Unsure what has changed since or if it's luck of the draw.

I put it down to the big increase in prices to ship per Fedex etc having a flow through effect of people sending per the cheaper USPS postal service, the proof is in the eating with this. Many more packages and cartons sent per international airmail causing the backlog for clearance at the postal centres.
I've only ever had guitars shipped by Fedex etc over the decades and those big cos have an efficient prompt delivery procedure, USPS is a new experience.

Shipped a few guitars with USPS over the last decade and never had an issue.

As I found out today, there are no emails from NZ Post or prompts from them or the USPS tracking system to tell you that your package has passed through NZ Customs and is due for payment of GST or otherwise. You've got to contact NZ Post on a daily basis after your package has arrived and see if it's been processed. Given that they're getting increased business I think NZ Post and NZ Customs need to smarten up their act.
Their current modus operandi is that they send you out a letter with an invoice to pay the GST, and then they eventually release your package for delivery to you. That's so draconian this day and age.
In my case I supplied my Importer Code, email and mobile number...........not impressed.

[Litterick]

USPS is short of staff. The mail service is struggling. In addition, both USPS and FedEx are reporting problems with mail across the Mid-South because of winter weather.

[jeremyb]

Had a parcel from ebay aus via Aus Post, it sat in Auckland for a week before it was handed over to courier post, whhheeeeeeee....

[Mr Bungle]

I put it down to the big increase in prices to ship per Fedex etc having a flow through effect of people sending per the cheaper USPS postal service, the proof is in the eating with this. Many more packages and cartons sent per international airmail causing the backlog for clearance at the postal centres.
I've only ever had guitars shipped by Fedex etc over the decades and those big cos have an efficient prompt delivery procedure, USPS is a new experience.

Shipped a few guitars with USPS over the last decade and never had an issue.

As I found out today, there are no emails from NZ Post or prompts from them or the USPS tracking system to tell you that your package has passed through NZ Customs and is due for payment of GST or otherwise. You've got to contact NZ Post on a daily basis after your package has arrived and see if it's been processed. Given that they're getting increased business I think NZ Post and NZ Customs need to smarten up their act.
Their current modus operandi is that they send you out a letter with an invoice to pay the GST, and then they eventually release your package for delivery to you. That's so draconian this day and age.
In my case I supplied my Importer Code, email and mobile number...........not impressed.

Yes, it’s antiquated in that part. But you need to use the USPS tracking number on NZ Post tracking. I did every day until it updated to show me duties were required. I followed the online links and paid online. That was easy. I just didn’t get notified after giving my email address so lost a day between checks.

[Mr Bungle]

Had a parcel from ebay aus via Aus Post, it sat in Auckland for a week before it was handed over to courier post, whhheeeeeeee....

My StewMac gear to aid setup of my already received Strat cleared for courier two weeks after arrival. No duties required either. Painful.

[goldtop0]

Shipped a few guitars with USPS over the last decade and never had an issue.

As I found out today, there are no emails from NZ Post or prompts from them or the USPS tracking system to tell you that your package has passed through NZ Customs and is due for payment of GST or otherwise. You've got to contact NZ Post on a daily basis after your package has arrived and see if it's been processed. Given that they're getting increased business I think NZ Post and NZ Customs need to smarten up their act.
Their current modus operandi is that they send you out a letter with an invoice to pay the GST, and then they eventually release your package for delivery to you. That's so draconian this day and age.
In my case I supplied my Importer Code, email and mobile number...........not impressed.

Yes, it’s antiquated in that part. But you need to use the USPS tracking number on NZ Post tracking. I did every day until it updated to show me duties were required. I followed the online links and paid online. That was easy. I just didn’t get notified after giving my email address so lost a day between checks.

Yes that's the reality of it, daily checks.
Mine's now apparently on the way to me via their courier so delivery on Monday I hope, fingers and toes crossed