International trade shipping advice.

Discussion in 'Trade Talk' started by Benlefou87, Feb 20, 2020.

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  1. Benlefou87

    Benlefou87 Initiate (0) Feb 4, 2020

    Hi, I've been looking to do some international trading with my US brothers (I'm based in the UK).

    Has anyone sent from the US to UK before? Doing a quick check on shipping rates throws some crazy numbers at me!

    Six cans from the UK > US would cost me roughly £20 to ship, the other way around US > UK and the same package is over $200!! Surely this isn't right? I tried both FedEx and UPS for quotes. Does anybody have any advice on doing this? Or shall I give up? So desperate for some US goodness!!

    Any help is appreciated, thanks!
     
  2. Snowcrash000

    Snowcrash000 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,041) Oct 4, 2017 Germany
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    International shipping with FedEx and UPS is crazy expensive, you will have to use USPS instead. Which is still expensive, mind you, but not nearly as expensive as with the other two. A medium flate rate box is $75, so best you can do is fill that up to make it somewhat worth it instead of just sending six cans.

    I've received a few USPS boxes already and there have never been any issues. Just make sure to pack everything REALLY well.
     
    Jaycase likes this.
  3. Benlefou87

    Benlefou87 Initiate (0) Feb 4, 2020

    Cool thanks for the information, how many cans would you be able to fit inside a medium sized box?
     
  4. Benlefou87

    Benlefou87 Initiate (0) Feb 4, 2020

  5. Snowcrash000

    Snowcrash000 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,041) Oct 4, 2017 Germany
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

  6. Snowcrash000

    Snowcrash000 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,041) Oct 4, 2017 Germany
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Also, instead of paying crazy shipping prices for US beer, why not simply order some UK beers online? There are plenty of world-class breweries in the UK and plenty of online shops to get them from.
     
    Padraig likes this.
  7. jhavs

    jhavs Grand Pooh-Bah (3,587) Apr 16, 2015 New York
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    A medium flat rate fits 8 sixteen ounce cans very snuggly. The large size can fit 16 sixteen ounce cans but it requires very little packaging material.
    12 oz cans are able to stand up in the Flat Rate boxes and you can fit a lot more if sending 12 oz cans or a combo.
    They have two styles, one is long and thin (can on its side thickness). The long thin boxes are actually easier to fit more bubble wrap and additional cardboard protection but could more easily be crushed or punctured.
    Additionally, remember that the Medium or Large international flat rate boxes have a maximum weight of 20lbs.
    For international flat rates also remember that the flaps need to be able to close within the normal folds of the box. For domestic use they don't seem to care if the box swells out a bit. This makes it difficult to use a lot of bubble wrap. Using semi rigid 4 pack can boxes with very thin foam seems to work well to get maximum amount without taking up too much space.

    The large boxes are $99.10
     
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  8. Benlefou87

    Benlefou87 Initiate (0) Feb 4, 2020

    Yeah I've been doing for years! We have easy access to basically all UK breweries and the city I live in is a "Beer city" so everything comes through our local bottle shops! We actually had a US brewery move over and open in my city! I can sometimes get the odd can of Trillium, Tree House, ect.. but I'm looking for a more steady supply of the US beers, I will continue to buy UK stuff too, you are correct that we have plenty of world class breweries!
     
  9. Padraig

    Padraig Zealot (526) Jan 14, 2013 New York
    Trader

    I can understand trading internationally for mead, pastry stouts, saisons etc. but at this point Verdant are 100% on the same level as the likes of Other Half, Monkish etc. but the grass is greener/tickers gotta tick.

    (I assume you’re looking to trade IPAs since you’re referring to shipping cans).
     
    #9 Padraig, Feb 29, 2020
    Last edited: Feb 29, 2020
  10. Snowcrash000

    Snowcrash000 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,041) Oct 4, 2017 Germany
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Not to mention Cloudwater...
     
    Padraig likes this.
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