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Parcel Motel equivalents for importing from USA?

  • 30-03-2014 12:18am
    #1
    micka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 63 ✭✭


    Folks,

    Would like to get costings on the purchase of a Acer C720 Chromebook from the USA including postage and VAT but AMazon.com will not ship this (and many other tech items to Ireland). Price before shipping and VAT is €150.

    Wondering if there are 'ParcelMotel' type operations in the US where you ship item to US address and then its forwarded on from there.

    Any recommendations for freight forwarders?

    Cheers,

    Mike N.


Comments

  • #2
    aidan_walsh
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,208 ✭✭✭✭aidan_walsh


    There were lots of recommendations for US Unlocked for a time. haven't needed a service like this for a while so not sure if they're still any good mind.


  • #3
    yoyo
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 11,017 Mod ✭✭✭✭yoyo


    Moved from Comp & Tech.

    My Beer Glass collection site 🍺

    My Irish Callcards site



  • #4
    Nody
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 18,375 CMod ✭✭✭✭Nody


    Only keep in mind the additional cost you'll incur on the import side of things once it arrives here in your comparisons (i.e. shipping cost from parcel hotel + value of item + duties & charges).


  • #5
    micka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 63 ✭✭micka


    For the Acer Chromebook i'm buying it worked out at 175 euro inclusive of postage and import duties versus €250 in Currys.


  • #6
    Nody
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 18,375 CMod ✭✭✭✭Nody


    micka wrote: »
    For the Acer Chromebook i'm buying it worked out at 175 euro inclusive of postage and import duties versus €250 in Currys.
    You said 150 EUR with shipping which I assume would be to the local delivery location. Add in another 30+ shipping (their handling fee + shipping cost + mandatory insurance due to value, did a quick look at one site qouting me 63 USD shipping cost alone for a box of about right size) and you're at 180 EUR. Now add in 15 EUR handling fee (charged by the company in Ireland) and you're closing in on 200 EUR before VAT and customs and you're looking at pretty much a similar price.

    All the above assumes you don't need a US CC; that would easily add on another 25+ EUR cost in fees and charges (15 USD set up, 0.5 USD per transaction, 4USD + 4% of total amount sent etc.)


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  • #7
    micka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 63 ✭✭micka


    Once the chromebook arrives, i'll give a breakdown of all the related charges..


  • #8
    LonelyExPat
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8 ✭LonelyExPat


    Hi everyone,

    Have often wondered if there is a site which ships from US where you don't have to predict weight/size of item? When I go to most of the sites to get a quote they are looking for that info.....anyone used a site where you don't need this or is there an option I'm not seeing within the sites mentioned above?

    Thanks a mil


  • #9
    rightoldpickle
    Closed Accounts Posts: 119 ✭✭rightoldpickle


    Are you looking for something like the US Buyersclub?

    http://www.usbuyersclub.net


  • #10
    recipio
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,804 ✭✭✭recipio


    If you do a search on Boards there are loads of posts on this. There are a number of US agencies doing this. You get the item shipped to them, they send you a photo of the box ( or the item if you like ) and you are given a menu of postage options. I use www.shipito.com - probably the best website.
    I only use them if there is something I absolutely can't get in Europe. If the customs man gets his hands on it takes the value out of - and you need to keep on eye his figures - they are not always correct.


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