Shipping questions regarding importing arcade machines

[jtkauff]

I'm looking at importing a dedicated arcade machine or two from Japan, and have some questions regarding international shipping, which I've never even begun to deal with before. Perhaps this is a bit more than most BYOAC readers have dealt with, but I figure it's worth a shot.

To begin with, a disclaimer: I'm totally clueless on this entire subject. I've never dealt with freight of any kind - if it can't be sent post office or FedEx/UPS I've not dealt with it. So please, so bear with me if some of these questions are downright stupid.

- Do exporters normally arrange shipping themselves? I've seen at least one that simply has their shipping info as "FOB Japan" which seemed to imply that I was to arrange it once it hit the port.

- Does the shipping normally cover just port to port, or to an inland location via truck? I'm assuming the former, but figure this is worth asking.

- Assuming that it is to an inland location, will I likely expect a semi/delivery truck to pull up with a crated machine or two? I obviously don't own a forklift (just a wheeled appliance dolly), so would there at least be a ramp to wheel it down? Would it even be my responsibility to do so? I've never dealt with domestic freight either (all my machines were within driving distance) so again, I feel rather clueless here.

Any direction at all would be helpful here. And if there are any game exporters that people have found good to work with, please feel free to let me know.

Thanks in advance!

P.S. And yes, I know to expect four-digit shipping costs. Right now I'm just  concerned about how feasible any of this is logistically.

[scorpio1968]

FOB actually means free on board-this means you are responsible for everything once the cabs are delivered to the port.

Ocean freight can be arranged in a couple of ways Port to Port- this means the seller will deliver goods to the port in Japan, and the shipping company will deliver the goods to a US Port.  You would then be responsible for any additional freight charges to deliver the goods to your site(Door)

You can get quotes for shipments that are door to door of course they cost more.  If you choose the door to door method yes a large truck will show up with your cabs and you will be expected to unload the truck your self.

Just to clarify a few things.
1. Shipping an cab from Japan will be expensive a rough idea of the cost is a 20' ocean container door to door will cost you about $3500-$4000. Plus taxes, duties, harbor fees and customs clearance fees.
2. Since I am sure that thee would ship via Ocean freight make sure the seller is going to wrap machines in plastic, crate and band.  Ocean shipments get alot of abuse so make sure the cabs are well protected and water tight
3. I think you will find this is really going to cost more than it is worth. But if you still want to go forward I would recommend using a Customs broker/Freight forwarder to help you.  It will add a few extra bucks but worth it in the end.

I have been importing goods from around the world for 7 years now and find that each and every shiment is extremely different.  especially now with homeland security international shipping has become a much bigger headache then ever before.

Alos make sure to find out what kind of taxes and duties you will have to pay to enter these cabs into the US.  It could be more than you think

If you need more help let me know where you live and I can hook you up with a customs broker and or freight forwarder

Good Luck
Scorpio

[jtkauff]

Thanks for the info. The freight charge is about what I was expecting for a container. I'll PM you about some other things that I had questions about. Obviously not something for the hobbyist, but I knew that when I started looking into it