Shipping Overseas 498 pounds w/3 wooden crates - Wilson Audio Alexia 1's via FEDEX for $495.82 "Last Minute Rate"

[Vintage_Tube]

Maybe this will be interesting to some, especially when it comes to shipping large, heavy items from USA to overseas locations. I had my Wilson Alexia 1's up for sale as I ordered Alexia V which are coming up to being shipped in early May '24.

I posted them for sale on several website and had interest from an individual in China. Conversing via WhatsApp made it convenient and expeditious. The main issue was the cost of shipping & transit time. I contacted Team Worldwide who is the exclusive shipper for Wilson Audio specialties and asked for a quote -- door to door service from my garage to his home in China. After a week, the quote came in at $3,500 with 5-day travel time. The individual in China was he-hawing about and after another week of WhatsApp messaging, with no clear acceptance by him to absorb the shipping quote; cancelled any further conversations.

The following day, I received another inquiry from an individual living approx. 50 miles Northwest of Tokyo. He was hot to trot and so, I obtained a quote from TWW which came in at $4,840 with 5–6-day transit time. Thinking that was outrageous - I passed it on anyways and went about my mission for the day -- audition some Borresen X1 monitors that could tie me over with speakers until the Alexia V arrive.

Driving to Chapel Hill area, I arrived at the individual's home who offered to facilitate my audition (thru a friend of a friend of a friend). The X1's are $5,500 and $1,100 for the wooden stands. They actually blew me away - especially considering their footprint - but, that ribbon tweeter was fast and they had incredible slamming bass. As I ended my auditioning, somehow the subject changed as I mentioned to the owner how I was trying to ship the Alexia 1's overseas, I.E., Japan and how expensive it was.

To my surprise, he was a FedEx Overseas Freight VP and informed me that within FEDEX website, they offer a quote for overseas shipments in which he referred to as "International Priority Freight, Door to Door (DTD), LAST MINUTE RATE." Once the search of Last Minute Rate is processed on their website; up pops a link to request a quote.

Once back home, I found the link and completed the form with all weight and dimensions, pick up address and destination address. The following day, I received a quote. To my surprise it was $495.82 and transit time was 7 days.

Alerting the buyer in Japan of the freight quote - we adjusted final costs (speakers & freight costs) and he began sending the wire. Once the wire was received in total, I processed the FEDEX quote with a Commercial Invoice & WBA (Waybill) - and printed off 3 tracking labels and 3 copies of the Commercial Invoice.

After which I contacted FedEx freight and scheduled a pickup date with booking number & confirmation number. The shipment was scheduled for pickup on 24 April and delivery to apartment 403 in Japan on 30 April. As I was coming down the stairs with tracking labels and commercial invoices freshly printed; the doorbell rang.

Opening the door, I see a FEDEX lady sporting a FEDEX t shirt, and I noticed the 39-foot trailer across the street, lift gate and pallet jack at the ready. Surprised, I said can I help you? She responded, I'm here to pick up 3 crates for international shipping. I explained, I just got off the phone with freight scheduling and it is not supposed to be pickup up for another 4 days or so. She was surprised and showed me her handheld which said pickup is ready -- she was at the nearby Home Depot store, which is approx. 2 miles away.

I didn't really care when they were picked up but was concerned if they are picked up outside my requested date, would I only be charged $495.82 and not at a much greater rate. She made a few calls and confirmed the rate $495.82 would stand. I gave her the go ahead to start loading.

Tracking the shipment that evening, they made it to Memphis and afterwards were enroute to Japan. The speakers arrived at the Japanese customs point & FEDEX couriers in Japan walked them thru. The new owner apparently met them and paid the import duties, and they were loaded on a truck to his apartment. The problem arose in that the couriers, 2 of them were 110-pound wet noodles and could not get them off the truck and hand carry up 4 flights of stairs; so, the truck departed & returned the next day with more helpers & the new owner also paid to have a professional moving crew on site to assist. They made it, 195-pound crates (2 each & one 108-pound crate) to his living room.

Success -- at .79 cents per pound was the deal of the century.

Oh BTW, I ended up buying Borresen X2 3-way Foor standers which it appears was another very smart move.

Best to all,

Bob

IMG_5004.JPG
IMG_5005.JPG
IMG_5006.JPG
IMG_5007.JPG
IMG_5010.JPG

In the guys Japanese apartment,4th floor

IMG_8456.PNGIMG_8456.PNG

[mxk116]

Wow, good for you. I have seen significant discounts even in domestic air freight rates on the FedEx app (not in store though). Just have to shop around it appears.

[crwilli]

Fun story Bob. Glad it worked out.

[Mr Peabody]

That is unreal, I paid over $600.00 for one box that included an amp maybe the box was 70lbs. to Hawaii.

[Vintage_Tube]

I or anyone interested should see if FEDEX offers a domestic "LAST MINUTE RATE" for shipping heavy items within CONUS. Have no clue at this point - but when I have some time, I'll check.

Apparently FEDEX is just looking for shipments to fill a plane is the jist of it.

I shipped a dCS Rossini from NC to CT Via FEDEX Home -- $475.00. Jeeze.

Bob

[Elberoth]

I ship a lot of stuff int'lly and that rate is simply unreal, even with all the discounts that I have! Good for both of you!

[puroagave]

That is unreal, I paid over $600.00 for one box that included an amp maybe the box was 70lbs. to Hawaii.

was that USPS? they have the best rates from the mainland to the islands, by far.

[Mr Peabody]

No, I believe I actually used UPS. I don't think I checked USPS but I did do some comparative shopping.

was that USPS? they have the best rates from the mainland to the islands, by far.