I have noticed this, too, in items shipped from the continent - and not just bicycle-related items. I'm veering dangerously close to OT here, but is this due to the fact that the UK has opted out of the common currency and the ERM? I'm asking out of curiosity. Not trying to fuel border wars or the like.
Freek Faro wrote:
>Interesting to read about the huge shipping cost from the UK to the USA.
>Now I (living in the Netherlands) have shipped several frames to the US in
>the past year. I pack a frame rather extensively, and use extra cardboard
>inside for protection. Weight comes out at 8 kgs, + or - a couple of hundre
>d
>grams. I don't want to do it otherwise just to save a few bucks. Cost has
>been 65 to 70 USD, depending on valuta rate fluctuations. Not bad, compared
>to the cost mentioned for UK-USA shipment. That is for a weight between 5
>and 10 kgs, so there's still room for small parts. The size requirements ar
>e
>exactly right for even bigger frames.
>So much for EU harmonization, last time I checked, the UK was closer to the
>USA than continental Europe. Although the guy at the post office told me
>that my parcels would probably be flown to Milan (from Amsterdam), and
>then across the Atlantic!
>
>Anyway, consider this a shameless promotion for Dutch bikes, like my Gazell
>e
>Champion Mondial that's still for sale! (and more to come?)
>
>Freek (aspiring exporter) Faro
>Rotterdam Netherlands
>
>
>
--
Phil Sieg
Knoxville, Tennessee