Shipping From Germany To The United States - Assistance & Or Information Requested

[launderess]

Here's me finally bidding and winning a long sought item from Germany (kaltmangel), and with so much going on during the weeks before the auction ended forgot to inquire about overseas shipping (am an idiot aren't I?).

Was that well pleased with myself for winning the thing for under 50 Euro, but nearly fainted when the invoice arrived for shipping.

401.00 Euros! That is right lads, over four hundred euros for "express" shippming via a Germany shipping company called "Iloxx.de". Apparently eBay.de and Iloxx.de have some sort of arrangement going regarding shipping of auction items.

Part of the problem is the vintage kaltmangel weighs 40kg,but is about 60cm long. German postal service forbids international shipping (ground or air) for over 20kgs. Also found out just as with the USPS, "ground" shipping for international parcels (which mainly involves trains and or trucks to a dock, then onto a ship), has been mostly replaced by major European postal carriers for items as well. Most everything goes via air.

Have strongly been encouraged to put away the whole project, after offering the seller an amount to cover losses. No one we know is either going over to Europe soon, nor coming to the States. Besides can hardly see someone taking such a thing aboard a plane as "carry-on" luggage.

Any ideas?

 

[ronhic]

It would be a ....

...shame to not have it in your collection though.

Surely there is someone that knows someone that is moving maybe moving back to the US that could arrange to have it packed with their items?

 

[panthera]

Laundress,

Write me.
I may know a solution.
No promises, it is a tough-y. But maybe.

 

[58limited]

Do you know anyone in the U.S. military who is stationed in Germany? They pay regular U.S. postage rates, not international rates.