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Seeking advice on international shipping - USA to Israel. FedEx has quoted two options: (1) Priority (105% of instrument asking price), and (2) Economy (65% of instrument asking price). Neither option is acceptable to the buyer, as expected. Any other options that would offer insurance, tracking, etc?

Unfortunately due to the size, Fedex, UPS, and DHL are going to be your only options. This is a tuba, correct?

International shipping is expensive, and there is no getting around that unfortunately. I would think someone in Israel who is looking to purchase items from the U.S.A. would be aware of that.

Your best best is to fly with the tuba to the destination. Most likely meaning the buyer comes to the US, gets the tuba from you, and then flies home with the tuba. They may or may not need a flight case, depending on if they can buy another seat for the instrument.

About 1.5 years ago, I bought a tuba that was located in Venezuela. The tuba got to the US because the seller flew via commercial airline from Caracas to Miami, and then stuck it on a Greyhound bus. If something can get from Venezuela to Minneapolis... I'd like to think that going from the US to Israel should be many times easier.

Will also be easiest to fly the tuba out of an east-coast airport like JFK. Back when I lived in NY, there were always a TON of people flying out of the international hub to return home to Israel, with a TON of boxes, crates, and luggage. I'm assuming that was because goods were cheaper, more available, or just different in the US than in Israel... but the amount of luggage was just incredible (especially as compared to domestic flights in the US where people are nickel and dimed into traveling with the bare minimum).

Yeah, I've had fairly positive experience with air freight, but it makes sense only for fairly high value tuba, like thousands of dollars.

A freight consolidator could be the solution you need. Try contacting http://www.usgroupconsol.com/air.asp" target="_blank" target="_blank
I used this company to make two shipments from USA to Australia about 8 years ago. They handled everything from pickup to delivery at a much lower cost than anybody else could provide.

Alternately, contact airlines servicing Israel and ask for recommendations for freight forwarders they deal with.

cherrm1 wrote:Seeking advice on international shipping - USA to Israel. FedEx has quoted two options: (1) Priority (105% of instrument asking price), and (2) Economy (65% of instrument asking price). Neither option is acceptable to the buyer, as expected. Any other options that would offer insurance, tracking, etc?

I was quoted USD 80 for a mouthpiece shipped from the US to Norway. The costs are outrageous, I would suggest finding a buyer nearer you, or maybe purchase an airline ticket and bring the instrument with you as luggage. I have done this a few times myself between Norway and the UK - the roundtrip ticket has always been cheaper than one way shipping cost for the instrument.