We purchased a lacquerware chest that we are trying to get shipped to the US. The chest will be coming to the US from Singapore. I have been contacted by the shipping agent - I am terribly confused by the process. I live in Chicago and the chest is supposed to come to a port on the west coast. I am not clear on how customs gets handled, and how I get it from the west coast to chicago. I obviously need someone to inspect it on the west coast then deliver it to me. Any advice?
Help...trying to have lacquerware shipped to US from Singapore
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You need to hire an expediter. They will get it through customs and ship it on to you in Chicago. To get it shipped to Chicago from the west coast will likely cost as much as having it shipped from Singapore to the West coast.
and the total shipping will cost way more than the chest unfortunately..
A freight forwarder in Singapore should be able to handle the whole process, including customs on arrival and delivery to your home. I'm not sure about the inspection part. Aside from making sure the packing materials are secure, inspection is not a normal part of the procedure.
Depending on the size of the item sending by air may turn out to be about the same as sea/surface, but either way it's expensive.
The freight forwarder should also be able to give you a range of prices. The store that sold you the chest should be able to recommend a forwarder. If not, ask the concierge at your hotel.
Thanks all. After many emails it appears that the chest is arriving in NY but will be sent to Chicago by some method. The charge for that is $520 as agreed. Getting it from the warehouse to downtown Chicago- plus a myriad of other fees is about another $500. It is a large heavy chest of drawers so I am ok with it. It has taken 3 weeks of emails to figure this out. Assuming it arrives as described its worth it. Thanks again for the help.
let us know how it all works out