 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Have found something in the US that I need to buy. They will only ship within the US but have said I might be able to use a Freight Forwarder. Its not bike bits but it'll be about the size/shape/weight of a boxed up downhill fork. Any experience of doing this?
I've imported a lot of stuff from China before and they usually only make a guarantee to get your stuff to the port. I've then got DHL to collect it from the port and deliver straight to my house. Was safe and reliable although if its anything worth value, customs will charge you an import fee on delivery (your forwarder will pick up the bill and you pay on delivery).
Freight forwarding is normally for large amounts of cargo, I'm not sure if they'd help. I know there are mail forwarders who let you buy stuff online, ship it to them and they'll send it on to you.
https://www.shipito.com
any possibilities for getting the item elsewhere?
2 issues
suitable packaging
export documentation - copies of invoices - accurate descriptions
if they don't export you will struggle on both of above, packaging less so as US is big and stuff has to get around but no docs means will struggle to get a pick up as will only be hassle for the shipping co and for you as will get stuck at entry
As above, freight forwarding is for cargo and will be something like CFR (Cost & Freight paid) to a port or airport, from where you would need to get a clearing agent to clear and deliver it to you.
Send a courier to do it door-to-ddor and ask the seller to under-invoice, in other words declare a lower value on the package. Then a couple of weeks later you might get an invoice from HMRC.