Need to ship hifi speakers to Australia

[ddynx]

Hi guys,
I'd like to have some recommendations on any freight companies that can help me to ship my hifi speakers to Sydney. So far, the quotation I've been given are based on their minimum volume, which is still far greater than the space my speakers would take up, and it's going to cost over $1K!

so if someone can give me a cheaper alternative, i'd greatly appreciate it.

otherwise, i may just attempt to check them in as normal luggage the next time I fly back.

btw, the speakers could not fit into those DHL jumbo boxes..otherwise would have gone the courier way

[CardZeus]

So far, the quotation I've been given are based on their minimum volume, which is still far greater than the space my speakers would take up...

Surely the minimum volume IS the space your speakers take up... shurely shome mishtake here

[madwolfie]

Minimum volume as mentioned by ddynx may be correct.

Actual weight of the speakers may be "light" but quotations are based on whichever is heavier, volumetric weight or the actual weight.

I suppose ddynx's speaker must be of not so standard measurments, to have incurred that high a freight cost!

An alternative way is to check with someone (preferably big company) who has account with the freight forwarders. They may have some good discounts depending on their freight volume.

Since account holders are billed monthly, have an arrangement with your friend or company, to pay in cash. In this case, it will not reflect on the company's monthly freight bill.

Just my furry tail ends worth

[CardZeus]

volumetric weight or the actual weight.

and what exactly is 'volumetric weight'? This makes no sense...

Volume is measured in cubic metres (m3)

Weight is measured in kilograms (kg)

The relationship between the two depends on the Density (kg/m3) of the material.

[ddynx]

Hmm.. let me explain a bit.. the last quotation i got was more than a year ago, so I've forgotten most of the details (including the seemingly "exhorbitant" price).

Apparently these freight companies work by "volume" if we're shipping by sea. I guess it makes sense 'cos how heavy can our household items be when these cargo ships can carry hundreds of thousands of tonnes?

The quotations I've received are from those door-to-door companies, eg. KC Dat. They told me they quote by the volume that our items would take up. Given that I do not need an entire container, I have the option of "sharing" a container with others (forgot the correct term for that). But, there's still a "minimum volume" that we have to pay for, regardless we have enough items to fill up this "minimum quota".

[aus_xpat]

Have you tried getting a quote for air freight? For some things, it's actually cheaper, as they don't need to set aside a minimum amount of space in a container. Air freight is also based on weight, not size (usually!).

Otherwise, just put it in check-in luggage. If you're not carrying much other luggage, it probably won't cost too much. Just use HEAPS of bubble wrap.

[ddynx]

No, I haven't checked out air freight yet as I always thought it's cheaper by sea. Do you have any recommendation?

Yeah.. the last resort is to check-in.. but there goes my baggage allowance.. those speakers are 10kg each!