Shipping to Japan
 

Can I get some "heads up" on shipping a bike to Japan... which carriers to consider, cost approximations, any special packing requirements, any customs issues on the shipping side, any pitfalls to avoid, etc. This would be a small bike (51 cm). I know freight costs have gone all over the place what with the volatility of fuel costs and the crappy economy. Any advice and guidance related to costs and procedures would be greatly appreciated as I have never dabbled in overseas shipping before. Thanks!

I've never shipped overseas, but I can tell you that the smallest possible box you can fit it in will reduce costs. You may want to remove the fork and zip tie it to the rear stays. Use bubble wrap or pipe insulation. I can't believe the bike you shipped me came through relatively unscathed.

There are a few threads on packing in the forum. One has pictures of a shipper from Europe and how he packs his frames.

What did you sell, a Merckx?

Offer the buyer to disassemble the wheels or cut the spokes , that way, you might me able to fit everything in a frame box. The diffrence in shipping cost ( for air freight) should more than cover the cost of wheel reassembly.