One-Off LCL Questions

[Citroënbender]

I’ve been looking a number of automotive parts I need, they’re not required in a hurry. Some would be used, some new. Origin either Europe (Poland) or the UK.

Panels, bumpers, windscreens. So you’d rely on a crating firm to receive and box the lot up suitably for LCL freight that was compliant at the receiving end.

Has anyone here been through an exercise like this, post-Covid? I use that for a timestamp as I assume biosecurity became more rigid and predictable thereafter. Related, has anyone experienced mishaps like a crate being damaged or loaded upside down/sideways/on end?

I’m also interested to hear of differing port and country costs. It’s early days but I need to build my understanding of the process and risks/costs.

[Franco Cozzo]

I did LCL sea freight but ex China, FOB incoterms from supplier.

I used McHugh Eastwood and they were super helpful.

Cost me about $325 for 5x cartons at 45kg, only worked out to be 0.125m3 but they handled all the customs bullshit and that sort of stuff. There was no import duties because of CHAFTA.

I just had to pay GST on the import side, then pick up from one of their warehouses where they stored my pallet for me in the interim.

These are the charges that came in:



If you're looking ex Europe I imagine the costs have risen dramatically if the Houthi's are still rocketing commercial ships going through the red sea, its going to add circa 30 days and associated costs with traveling alternative route around the horn of Africa to get to us from Europe.

Major carriers in the global logistics industry are already experiencing the impact of the Red Sea diversions as the Singapore port, the world's second largest container port, is experiencing major congestion. According to intelligence firm, Linerlytica, there are up to 450,000 TEU worth of backlogs and are warning companies that there is a wait of up to 7 days for a berth compared to the usual half day.

Red Sea shennanigans still at play.

[Citroënbender]

I see your chosen provider has an office in Sydney - worth investigating.

Off the top of my head, crate displacement would be about 2 cubic metres (1.8x1.0x1.1).

Your prices look sharper than the ones I used to see in the early nineties working with a fellow who imported a bit of exotic timber. Wouldn’t be surprised though, if landing up here increases costs a whole lot. I’ve also got the logistics to wear from purchase to consolidation.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

I see your chosen provider has an office in Sydney - worth investigating.

Off the top of my head, crate displacement would be about 2 cubic metres (1.8x1.0x1.1).

Your prices look sharper than the ones I used to see in the early nineties working with a fellow who imported a bit of exotic timber. Wouldn’t be surprised though, if landing up here increases costs a whole lot. I’ve also got the logistics to wear from purchase to consolidation.

Quote was from last year, back then the freight component was worth virtually nothing, FCL 40ft container ex China to Melbourne for $400 USD. It cost 7.5x more to get a 20ft container from Port Melbourne to my front yard than to send it from China to Melbourne.

LCL there's usually a minimum charge of 1m3 which is what I paid, then obligatory contributions to everyone down the line at the docks.

Can sellers palletize goods? Or are you buying from eBay sellers or something?

Worth a chat with McHugh Eastwood, made it very simple to get my goods.

[Citroënbender]

I’m not sure that putting windscreens on loose pallets would necessarily end well. :-)

Going to “park” this topic for a few months, there is not pressing urgency and I have other car stuff to sort first.

[kevino]

Fair bit of risk shipping lcl/fak with that type of freight
I worked in Lcl back in the eighties packing 20 ft boxes and when you are mixing different type of products in 20 ft 40 ft containers high chance of damage


I would look at the option of air freight as well - your products are low weight high cube.

It’s tricky - take it you can’t buy this stuff in Aus?

[FTE217]

Originally Posted by kevino

Fair bit of risk shipping lcl/fak with that type of freight
I worked in Lcl back in the eighties packing 20 ft boxes and when you are mixing different type of products in 20 ft 40 ft containers high chance of damage


I would look at the option of air freight as well - your products are low weight high cube.

It’s tricky - take it you can’t buy this stuff in Aus?

yep re LCL and consolidated shipments.
Sure IF you have a known supplier you buy from they can pack your skids as well as possible BUT from a one off order ?
Unless you have good discussion with them and send you pics, with Fragile No Top Loading stickers so as you can feel comfortable at least from pick up its the in between that concerns.
There is a NO Responsibility with Freight Forwarders.
Worse the forky drivers dgaf.
We have recieved countless shipments with damage over the years.
FCL is our safety net be it 20 of 40 boxs.
AF good mention, cost more but will arrive in one piece.

[Citroënbender]

I’d have to bring in a lot more stuff of decent value within the nominal 2 cube crate for airfreight to be justifiable. Have airfreighted bumpers in the past, fifteen years ago ex-UK. Used to strap several of the same type together.

But as I touched on earlier today, bleeding cash at present on the Alfa (TBH it’s partly catch-up maintenance) so the Frogstuff can wait a little.

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

CB, my sister is high up in a company that deals with importing freight. I can ask her if she can offer advice/assistance if you're interested. If you're interested, you know how to contact me directly

[kevino]

So you can’t get those parts here from Stellantis or Renault?
It’s a minefield bringing fragile freight all that distance.

[Citroënbender]

It’s outside of current production windows - pre 2010. So the local support is pretty minimal. Prices, too - ridiculously steep for what can be supplied.

[kevino]

Sellers market eh?
Mind you more likely to be intact and ok to be used if bought here.

Tricky

[hawke]

I ship 20 to 40 kg boxes of stuff from the UK once or twice a month, using an agent in London- Transglobal. The airfreight rates from them are between a third or a quarter of the best rates I can get from DHL. Works a treat.

Today’s shipment from the UK was 400 grams of small parts - $14 AUD - 6 days.

Certainly better and cheaper than LCL. Did that once, never again.

[FTE217]

Originally Posted by hawke

I ship 20 to 40 kg boxes of stuff from the UK once or twice a month, using an agent in London- Transglobal. The airfreight rates from them are between a third or a quarter of the best rates I can get from DHL. Works a treat.

Today’s shipment from the UK was 400 grams of small parts - $14 AUD - 6 days.

Certainly better and cheaper than LCL. Did that once, never again.

Yep DHL are brutal - rip off merchants.
Some companies must not care of the cost factor or pass it on.


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[hawke]

Originally Posted by FTE217

Yep DHL are brutal - rip off merchants.
Some companies must not care of the cost factor or pass it on.


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Maybe I wasn’t clear. Transglobal in London, still use DHL as the carrier, but do it for a quarter of the price I can get.

[FTE217]

Originally Posted by hawke

Maybe I wasn’t clear. Transglobal in London, still use DHL as the carrier, but do it for a quarter of the price I can get.

Ah ok misunderstood.
Trans must have a very good deal with DHL for normally they are at the high end of freight cost.


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[Citroënbender]

Transglobule, as we used to call them - £3183 plus customs and GST door to door air freight. Their sea freight £220 plus collection, plus customs and GST. Huge difference.

As I said, though, the idea is parked for now as I’ve got other projects needing my time first.

[Big_Daz]

Originally Posted by FTE217

Ah ok misunderstood.
Trans must have a very good deal with DHL for normally they are at the high end of freight cost.


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Yep, I work for a similar company to DHL and players like Transglobal (and there are multiple others) approach Us, as well as DHL Express, UPS and get pricing structure based on the huge amount of freight they will be sending and then pass that on, with some on top obviously, to smaller quantity/one off shippers who would otherwise have no hope in hell of getting similar rates.

As for OP, have you thought about FedEx or similar?? If you arent in a huge hurry and go for the cheapest (and slowest) service it may not be so bad. You need to take into consideration that the FedEx price includes everything (collection, freight, local AU charges, customs clearance and delivery to you in AU) except for Customs Duty/GST/Dec fee.

[Captain Stubing]

I sought a quote for an 8 ft long rust repair panel (style side ute panel) from the US. The Panel was about $400, but the shipping quote was about $2.5k. There's got to be cheaper options.

[Citroënbender]

In your case, someone who regularly fills containers with car stuff ex-West Coast and will sublet space, is a likely solution. I used to use a fellow, Jeff Rubin, who called himself “OzHemi” on various boards. Doubt he’s still trading but there will be others.