Guys, please help me ship a bow to Austria

[Three Arrows]

This buyer is reputable.  You can get ripped off by just about anyone so I do not make assumptions one way or the other.  I did get the money in PayPal and would have made sure it cleared first.  The only issue was the cost and complexity of shipping a bow longer than 60 inches, not the customer's integrity!

[GMMAT]

Three Arrows....

I'll also add that my potential Austrian buyers were NOT tradgang members (to my knowledge).

That would have certainly made a difference.

[LBR]

From the USPS International Mail Manual (I have a copy):  

Arms and weapons are prohibited (what is considered a 'weapon' is usually up to the customs official in Austria).

Air Parcel post (the most liberal with size restrictions) says the Maximum length is 60".  Maximum length and girth combined is 108".

That isn't one or the other.  The max length is 60", even if you are shipping a piece of 1/2" tubing.  A 65" package might get through, it might not.  It might get all the way there and get shipped back, with you paying the return shipping.  It might get hung up indefinately, or forever, because it's out of specs.

You should be able to go to the post office and ask for the mail manual and look it up yourself.  You risk loosing an over-size package all-together.

Chad

[Michl]

Hello,
I'm from Austria and imported 8 bows in the last 3 years. The last was a new RER arroyo 3 weeks ago.
The austrian custom officials are well trained and a bow isn't a weapon in our country. I 've heard from problems with Germany but never ever in Austria.

Greetings from the alps  

[jcar315]

If a bow isn't a "weapon" what is it?


Why all the teeth gnashing over this. Sell it to somebody here is the USA and forget about all the shipping hassles.

[Michl]

Its sport equipment and because of this reason allowed to import.
Weapons are forbitten.

[Dave Bulla]

Not too current on my geometry but would it be possible to build a crate like in DessertDude's post the other day but with a difference I'll describe below.  Here's the link.

   http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=077216  

Now, picture the same crate but wide enough to place the bow on an angle from corner to corner diagonally.  If you make the crate wide enough, the length will be short enough but the total dimension might exceed 108 inches.  It's worth trying though.

[Dave Bulla]

Just tried it with my 66" longbow and it can be done!

I laid the bow on the kitchen table and used a tape measure to mark where the 60 inch length limit was.  I had to angle the bow almost corner to corner on the table to make it fit but it's doable.  I ended up finding that you'd need about a 60 X 33 inch box.  That's 99 inches length plus width which leaves you up to 10 inches of thickness and a huge box but it meets the postal reg's.  

UNLESS they actually measure diagonally for the "greatest dimension" instead of using standard length and width and I don't know the answer to that.  To me, length is length.  Greatest dimension is something else.

[larryh]

dave, they measure the girth and add that figure to the length. you would be way out of spec. the girth on a 33" X 2" box would exceed 70". you would be at 130+ total.

[George D. Stout]

The max combined length for a  package to Australia is 79".  Using heavy, corrugated cardboard to shape a shipping container,  You can have a 68" Length, 4" width and 4" depth.  Total length plus girth 76".  Tape the daylights out of it and you still won't have six pounds.   My bows were all in the 60" range, so I used two arrow boxes..end to end..and bubble wrap, and shipped without issue.

The first time I tried the local Post Office they said I couldn't send over 60", so I called the 800 number to the home office of the USPS.  I was told there to use the USPS International Rates, and the combined measurements as I have described.  Sometimes the local post office people don't know the real rules.

I also list them as sporting equipment, archery item.  I've had no trouble.  Last one was about three or four months ago.

If you feel awkward about shipping then don't take any bids or money from overseas.

[Three Arrows]

I have no misgivings about selling or shipping bows to overseas.  Archery is for everyone to enjoy.  If I can send the bow as PSAV and the customer confidently says, I will.  I will let everyone know when the bow arrives safely... or not.  Thank you for the advice all!  I am green at the shipping game.  It seems like the first time every time!

[George D. Stout]

Sent you a PM,  Three Arrows