Shipping internationally (oil tank)

[cds72911]

Hi all,

I sold the oil tank and related parts from may car to a really nice porsche guy that happens to live in Canada (I'm in the USA). After cutting pieces of my car apart and a long delay with trying to send this thing out we've discovered that UPS doesn't want to ship this part because it once had oil in it.

Actually they tell me it is a gas tank and although I explained in great detail the workings of the porsche dry sump lubrication system, they still don't seem to care - "it looks like a gas tank". In any case, they say since it had gas or oil in it they won't ship it internationally. The lady from UPS tells me some mumbo-jumbo about customs not letting it through because it once had oil in it. Meanwhile this fellow porsche fan has been waiting way too long for the parts and now I can't get it to him...

So, people must send used parts that had once contained oil across the border all the time (i.e. motors, oil pans, oil coolers, etc.). How do they do it? Not through UPS I guess. Is there another way I can get the oil tank and related parts shipped across the border to Canada?

Thanks for any ideas!

[BKOMAR]

Does FEDEX ship to Canada? I just had a Go Kart shipped to me for my kids and it had an engine with oil and a gas tank. These things are shipped regularly from the manufacturer and they didnt seem to mind. BTW: I am having more fun on the Kart than the Kids. This is what my wife and I call a "combo gift" one that the giver enjoys as much as the receiver. *grin* The shipping was quite reasonable too...$68.00 for 3 large boxes (an entire Kart with roll cage) Brian

[Bill Douglas]

Hi Charlie. How about getting it really clean so it doesn't stink, seal it up well in a taped up plastic bag and put it in a box and label it as a late Christmas cake. As long as the buggers at UPS don't try to eat it you should be fine Bill '79SC

[Rot 911]

I did something similar to what Bill is saying when I returned a core fuel pump one time. When I told UPS it was a fuel pump they wouldn't ship it, but when I later just said it was a pump, they shipped with no problem!

[cds72911]

Just got off the phone with a supervisor - I quote "Even if it is cleaned up completely like new, we can't ship it since it had oil in it once ".

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

I find this to completely idiotic. I can't tell you how many things I have shipped UPS (including internationally) that had oil in them at one point or another - oil pans, oil coolers, superchargers, valve covers, etc., etc. without a single comment from them about it not being acceptable.

I'll wait to see if the buyer wants to try fedex, thanks for the tip. They'd be surprised if they tried to sneak a bite of this "cake"... Funny thought, but I could't live with the guilt of lying about it.

Thanks! Keep those ideas coming.

[Joe Bob]

First off UPS sucks for international shipping. To Canada then bend ya over on customs....ask me how I know. Made the mistake once and it cost me, I covered it because it was MY mistake.

FEDEX is the only way to go, unless you use Parcel Post/USPS.

Call it a water overflow purge tank...let them figure it out....

[gaijinda]

Unless you want to get involved with lots of customs paperwork at both ends, I would try very hard to send it via the postal system.

Yes, clean it up real good and try the "water tank" bit. In fact, I would declare a real low value and send it as a "gift" or a "sample".

The problem with Fed Ex, UPS or a freight forwarder is that 99.9% of their shipments are of business goods, so all shipments get routed through Customs and are charged duties & etc. You want to avoid that if possible.

[Early_S_Man]

Charlie,

Get the tank steam-cleaned and tape over every opening in the tank with double layers of duct tape, and pack it in a sturdy box, such as what a 27" TV came in ... tape in place internal braces of folded cardboard and fill with popcorn so that it doesn't shake around one bit! Cover the box completely in HD wrapping paper, and send it by USPS, insured for a nominal amount.

[Tim Polzin]

Warren and a couple others were right on the money. DO NOT EVER SEND ANYTHING TO CANADA VIA UPS, EVER! Even prepaid items will cost the receiver big bucks in UPS handling fees, broker fees, and GST on everything to boot. I've had a prepaid $15 parcel cost over $50 in additional fees through UPS. (remember we have a free trade agreement, so why do they charge Brokerage Fees?)

On the other hand, Canada Post and USPS do a great job.

[davis911s]

Use USPS (Canada Post) I sent the exact thing-Oil tank from a 70 to a guy in the US from Canada. I gave it to him, he paid shipping and Canada Post had NO PROBLEMS, pack it well and send .

UPS and FED EX suck for cross border shopping

Shawn

[Ads912]

I do quite a bit of shipping across the Canada/US boarder. I agree with the above Canadian guys. Do your Porsche guy a favor, mark the package as 'used car parts' and send it by parcel post/mail. It will arrive fairly quickly and not cost him any UPS/FEDEX handling fees.