My sister in law lives in Brazil. We have small packages gone astray fairly often. If the customs form lists something interesting, clothing for instance, it will not make it to the destination.
Brazil is a very large self contained country that does not need the USA very much. They are very sensitive about slights. If a Brazilian wants to visit the USA they have to jump through all kinds of hoops, as Americans we don't see this very much when we travel abroad. So, the Brazilian government makes Americans have to pay something like $170 for a visa just to give us a little idea how it feels. They also have really high duty on some imports. One of the few countries in the world still playing the import substitution strategy. So things like clothes are mostly made in country and are expensive. I think this expensive shipping cost has something to do with the difficulty of doing business in Brazil.
That said, Brazil is a wonderful place to visit. Not a real strong bike culture, but there are bikes there. I met a guy who was a Specialized bicycle enthusiast. He wanted me to come back with my bike to ride in a National Park near where he lives. If one did that in the USA it's jail time. Bikes are expensive there, that would explain the buyers lack of concern about the high shipping cost.
Jim Merz Big Sur CA
On Sat, Jan 29, 2011 at 8:48 AM, Anthony Taylor <ajft1942@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I have just sold a bicycle, destined for Brazil. Never, never, never
> again!!!
> Brazil has the most punitive restrictions I have encountered. It is just
> not
> worth all the flaming hoops one has to jump through.
>
> The ebay shipping calculator showed almost $900.00
> USPS restricts the package to 79" length + girth. One wheel cannot get
> within
> this!
> UPS wanted $965.00 for just the wheels, saddle, and pedals in one box. The
> frame
> would have been even more.
>
> I found a company called "Air Parcel Express" Their quote was $391.00, with
> buyer arranging customs clearance, and collection. I will use UPS to
> deliver to
> the terminal.
> I can't believe the buyer is OK with this.
>
> If you end up selling a valuable bike or frame overseas, this might be
> worth
> checking.
>
> Tony Taylor
> Manchester, NH