Chuck, I have shipped rims to such places by mailing each rim individually in a close-fitting cardboard box. You can get under the 79-inch rule that way. Of course it means custom-making two boxes. For Priority mail with insurance, the postage ran about $40 for each box or $80 total.
I've heard of shipping rims without a box. I once rigged up a sample package to see how my local Post Office would regard it. Much to my surprise, they said they could accept it as a sub-79-inch package, and insure it. I never had the nerve to actually send such a package because I suspect a damage claim would be ultimately be rejected due to inadequate packaging, no matter what the postal clerk said or thought. Also, I just think it irresponsible to mail a pair of irreplaceable vintage rims without some kind of protective packaging.
It's crazy that the Postal services would rather handle two separate packages, of greater combined weight, for less than half the fee of their next available option, Global Express Service. Besides, we don't need express service, anyway. To other destinations, like Japan, with the more generous 108-inch rule, a pair of rims in a spacious box will ship via Priority Mail for about $42 total.
Best of Luck, John Hurley Austin, Texas, USA
Chuck wrote:
I need to ship some tubular rims to Taiwan, but because of 'Dimensional Weight' and destination, the USPS will only ship via Global Express, and
the cost is ~$195.00!! I checked FedEx and DHL and they are even higher.
Does anyone have a more reasonable way to ship something like this to Taiwan? I know there are some countries where certain items are just not cost effective (or even possible).
Thanks for any assistance.
Chuck Brooks
Malta, NY NEUSA