I recently received a Carlton bike via surface mail from the UK to the USA, after a 6 weeks delay. The shipping cost was pd$84 (about US$147) by parcelforce, and apparently there were no customs problems, which is typical if you use the national shipping agent.
I recently shipped a Ritchey Mountain bike frameset _only_ in a drastically cut-down box to Taiwan, successfully, 10 pounds 4 oz. The only way to ship an oversize (> 79 inches L + girth) box to Taiwan is by Fedex 3 day service, it cost me $192.00.
It pays to cut down the box, this was an 18" frame !! When you go to the shipping depot, MAKE SURE to give the agent the "small" end of the box, on my second shipping attempt my charge was $8 cheaper !!
The box to Taiwan had reinforced rear dropouts, and a 4" circular piece of cardboard going through the main triangle, taped to both outside edges of the box, to oppose crushing forces.
I want to thank the CR and BOB archive people for helping me to complete both of these transactions successfully.
- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA