Hi Scott, You must be looking at something else - cut and pasted below is the size info for international priority and it lists Japan as a specific exception which permits length and girth up to 108 - and not the 79. I also received an email from someone who confirmed that they have sent packages above 84length and girth but below the 108 to Japan by postal priorty. So - maybe there is something I'm missing, but it appears that the mega expensive global express is not the only way. Hopefully this helps - or let me know if this is somehow wrong. Mike Kone in Boulder CO
235.2 Size Limits 235.21 Rectangular Parcels Minimum length and width: 5-1/2 inches x 3-1/2 inches. Maximum length: 42 inches. Maximum length and girth combined: 79 inches. 235.22 Circular Parcels Maximum girth (measured along diameter): 64 inches. 235.23 Exceptional Size Limits The maximum size limit for rectangular-shaped parcels of 42 inches in maximum length and 79 inches in maximum length and girth combined applies to all countries except as follows: Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches. Canada Hong Kong
Maximum length: 60 inches Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches. AndorraMacao AustriaMalta AzerbaijanMarshall Islands, Republic of the BelgiumMicronesia, Federated States of DenmarkNetherlands FinlandNew Zealand FranceNorway GermanyPoland GibraltarPortugal Great Britain and Northern IrelandSan Marino GreeceSlovak Republic (Slovakia) IrelandSpain ItalySweden JapanSwitzerland LiechtensteinVatican City Luxembourg
>
\r?\n> Hi Mike, Yes, they do allow 108" boxes. Unfortunately, 108" boxes are only
\r?\n> allowed via "Global Express Guaranteed®" This service is through
\r?\n> Fedex--the Post Office's International partner. All of the other services are
\r?\n> limited to 79." Try clicking on " Show Dimensions," above all the shipping
\r?\n> options. A typical 15 pound frame box (39 x 8 x 25") to Japan costs about
\r?\n> 270.00. Or they will discount it to 243.00, if you pay for postage online. Any
\r?\n> suggestions for alternatives? Scott Davis, Twin Cities, MN USA
\r?\n>
\r?\n>
\r?\n>
\r?\n> ate: Mon, 21 May 2007 23:14:10 +0000
\r?\n> From: hersefan@comcast.net
\r?\n> To: "Eric Phillips" ,
\r?\n> Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
\r?\n> Subject: Re: [CR]Not "Going Postal" for International (Large Boxes)
\r?\n> HUGE
\r?\n> INCREASE
\r?\n>
\r?\n>
\r?\n> I went to the postal website and for international priority mail there
\r?\n> is a link to size restrictions - and Japan is among the countries for
\r?\n> which the 79" rule appears not to apply - instead there is a 108" length
\r?\n> girth limit with 60" maximum length. If I am reading this correctly,
\r?\n> it would imply that sending a frame box to Japan would be well under the
\r?\n> $130 price you mention to send rims.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> If for some reason my reading of this is in error, please let me know.
\r?\n> Otherwise, it looks like shipping a frame box to Japan by priority
\r?\n> isn't much more painful then sending a box across the US.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> This shipping stuff in any case is getting much more costly than it was
\r?\n> years ago.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Mike Kone in Boulder CO
\r?\n>
\r?\n> -------------- Original message --------------
\r?\n> From: "Eric Phillips"
\r?\n>
\r?\n> > On 5/21/07, scott davis wrote:
\r?\n> > > The P.O. has eliminated Sea Mail and Parcel Post Air. They also
\r?\n> apparently
\r?\n> > turned all international shipping over to their partner, FEDEX. So
\r?\n> all large
\r?\n> > boxes (larger than 79" Length + Girth) have gone to dimensional
\r?\n> pricing and
\r?\n> > can only be shipped via Guaranteed Express Mail.
\r?\n> > >
\r?\n> > > This means a typical rim box, which is 84" total and weighs 1.5 KG
\r?\n> will now
\r?\n> > cost about 130.00 to Japan--a little less to Europe. And a typical
\r?\n> frame box
\r?\n> > weighing about 7 KG will cost approx 230.00 to 275.00 to Japan and a
\r?\n> little less
\r?\n> > to Europe. Even rates to Canada are about 1/2 of above.
\r?\n> > >
\r?\n> > > See Postal Calculater for details:
\r?\n> > > http://ircalc.usps.gov/
\r?\n> > >
\r?\n> > >
\r?\n> > > Know of any cheap shipping alternatives?
\r?\n> >
\r?\n> > For Canada, I'd almost suggest a relay, send it to one of us near the
\r?\n> > border, smuggle it over, then ship it once inside.
\r?\n>
\r?\n>
\r?\n>
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