mel_t_vin

Looking into shipping an engine to Australia.

For those that have shipped bulky parts via pallet/freight, with which carriers have you had the most success/satisfaction? Do you recommend boxing/crating the engine, or simply strapping to a pallet with multiple ratchet straps?

morghen

Bulkiest part I ever got from AU was 5 grams but I did import an engine from Canada to Eastern Europe. I think I had a good deal with FedEx then but now they are uber expensive and perhaps its better to search for local shipping companies who may have already bought the shipping of an entire container and have room to spare/sell in their already scheduled to ship container.

V2Rocket

for international i would definitely crate it up.
DHL is very good at this sort of thing and not too expensive, if you have a facility of theirs nearby (which I imagine you do being in the greater DC region).

I highly suggest you ask around and see if you don't know a company who does overseas shipping - having a shipping account cuts the shipping rates about in half vs standard retail.

I shipped a 944S2 short block to England for about $300 on a Fedex account in a crate.

mel_t_vin

Space to sell from a container...good idea, Morghen.

Spencer, did you custom build that crate, or did you find something that worked off the shelf?

V2Rocket

built it from plywood and 2x4...

sweetskillsrk

+1, crate it for sure. I've seen too many things get damaged because the shipper didn't prep it well or because the shipping company was rough. Caterpillar uses Conway (now XPO) primarily and sometimes Estes and we've always had a good experience with them. I would quote those guys as well of DHL turns out to be a little pricey.

mel_t_vin

Thanks.