Shipping bows internationally

[BrownA5]

Has anyone ever shipped a bow to Slovakia?  I have a guy interested in purchasing a bow from there but have little experience shipping international.

[Bjorn]

Really depends on length. First you will have to check if you can ship bows to Slovakia-PO can tell you. If it is a 3 pc you will be OK. Post office won't anything over 60". So then you are looking at places like Fedex and that would be 200-300 bucks. The Customs paperwork is no sweat. Don't take anything except Paypal and make sure the payment has actually cleared in Paypal-4 days minimum. Leave nothing to chance and forget 'trust'!!

[Flying Dutchman]

I live in The Netherlands and  never had any problems getting my bows I bought in the US over here. Even longbows from 62 inch weren't a problem. For shipping I had to pay between the 35 and 100 US $. Like Björn told, lengt can determine shipping rates.
I certainly wouldn't accept excessive  shipping rates like 200 to 300! That is not necessary and the PO informs you wrong then.
You could ask to bowyers how they do it and what they use. Most of them sell on a regular base to Europe. You could ask to  Abe from Caribow, he has experience in this.  I am sure he will help you along!

[JRY309]

When I have shipped Internationally the Post office won't ship anything over 60" max. length.If you are shipping a T/D the post office has the best rates.If over 60" long you will have to ship with UPS or FedX and can get real expensive depending where you are shipping to.I shipped a 70" Hill to France around 6-7 years ago and it was $122.50 back then,I'm sure rates have increased a lot since then.You could measure the package you plan to ship in and go to USPS Postage calculator and enter the spec's to get an idea of the cost if you can ship with them.You will also need to fill out a customs form for shipping Internationally.

[Jack Shanks]

Looks like $59.85 60"x3"x7" 4# box valued at $400.

 http://ircalc.usps.com/MailServices.aspx?country=10379&m=7&p=4&o=0&MailingDate=10/23/2013&MailingTime=8:00%20AM&l=60&w=3&h=7&g=0&r=True&dv=400

[shedhunta]

I agree. The post office has the best rates by far for international shipping for take downs.  Have not had a problem with them either.

[carlo1404]

Hi, I'm Italian.
I will spend my cent to let you know that Bows and Arrows in Italy are considered "Sporting Goods" and not Weapons or similar, so no export/import problems.
In the last 4 years I received from USA a lot of bows (I think about 30) all shipped via USPS Priority Intl Mail.
I payd they only via Paypal (I have a controlled and certificate address) and never lost anything shipped via this delivery method.
The only thing who I lost was one package (2 years ago) shipped via USPS First Class (not trackable) from one **** Archery Shop (I received full rembursement from paypal) and another one via International Envelope (not trackable) that contains a couple of T-Shirt and little spare parts for my Bear Mag (I'm waiting it from last August but I think it's lost or stolen)
The lenght of the item are "variable" (the maximum lenght available for Italy is 62") and the costs are between US$ 40/60.... it's depend by the weight.
One time I receive one onepiece LB 64" without problems, one time the seller encounter big difficults to send 60" onepiece bow.
I think it's depend for the knoledgement on the "right procedures" by the postmen.
Days ago I received one proposal to trade my 66" Celtico by V. Marchi longbow to USA and due to the lenght I asked to UPS how much is the cost... WOW hey are CRAZY .... about US$ 300.
Slovakia is a new Eurozone country and I think there are no big problems to send bows to...
Ciao
Carlo

[Flying Dutchman]

That connects nicely to my experiences Carlo, as hubi's as well. He lives in Germany, same story. 200 to 300 dollars is outrageous, till 100 is normal. 50 would be a good average...

[BrownA5]

Thanks all for the responses.  I have not been on the site much in the past week so I almost forgot I had made this post! (LOL)  The information has been very helpful!