Chainsaw Shipping Tips Wanted

[Bill G]

I've found the absolute worst country to ship to from here is Canada, the paperwork is insane and the border officials like to open stuff and look at it and they never put it back the way it was. I can ship items to Japan or Switzerland or even China (yes I do have customers in China) and it lands quicker than a Canadian shipment and why a lot of Canadians use a domestic forwarder to receive stuff. They all know how bad it is. I have a distributor in Geneva, Switzerland and he told me long ago that no matter what carrier I shipped with, it all landed on the same plane and not to spend an excessive amount on shipping. Ship the least expensive way just because of that.

Been playing that game for over a decade now so I know.

What method are you using?

 

[Bill G]

You have to have supplies in order to ship anything, especially saws. Once it is drained, cleaned, and dried (yes spikes and bar removed) double bag it in heavy garbage bags. Then tie the bags and tape them around the saw. Next generously and I mean generously shrink wrap the ***** out of it When you are done it needs to look like a turkey. Then choose a new double wall box that fits the saw. It has to fit and allow proper packing material but not leave too much room to fill. It is best to double box when possible. I then protect the corners with formed corner pieces. The choice of packing material is open but I am not a fan at all of peanuts as they allow shifting and compaction. The best is expanding spray foam. The downside is that the receiver will have a helluva time unpacking but it will be in good shape. also you have to be careful not to overfill and expand the sides. All box flaps should be glued with hot glue or construction adhesive. The downside of construction adhesive is that it does have an odor. That can be an issue internationally so hot glue is a better option. Prior to closing the box put an extra shipping label inside with a packing slip. If it is going outside the US put three additional copies of the customs forms in the box. Glue the top shut. Using a good visible marker write the sender and receivers address on the box in two locations that will not be covered by customs labels or the shipping label. This is in case they are damaged. Now tape the box generously and I mean generously with clear shipping tape. Yes filament/strapping tape is good but it cannot cover the written address. Now apply the label and tape it fully to prevent any moisture alteration or abrasion. The customs documents have to be in a heavy clear bag securely attached. Lastly if you have a plastic banding machine it is a good idea to also band the box.

 

[Bill G]

Supplies.

 

[Bill G]

Here are 4 saws that went to France. I had to cover them as I was afraid of sleet.

 

[patuxent_tool]

I've found the following combination works well for small and medium saws and is pretty cheap.

1. A 12"x12"x18" box from FedEx fits most power heads. I wrap bars in cut-up brown grocery bags and purchase a separate shipping label.

2. Lawn and leaf bags from Home Depot are a) really strong b) thick enough to absorb dirt and minor oil streaks without soiling the box. Obviously others have pointed out draining the bar oil and fuel reservoirs is a good idea. But in case bumps in transit force the remaining oil through the worm gear.

3. Stand the bag up and lower the saw in front first. Close up the bag around the saw and hold it by the handle through the paper.

4. Stand the box up on its long side. Slowly drop the bag in. The bag is much larger than the box and should crumple and fill the voids with a nice egg carton pattern if you do it right.

5. If the handlebar sits too tall to fit a 12"x12" section (tends to be true of larger vertically mounted cylinders), you can remove the cap screws and drop the handle down until it rests on the air filter cover. Tape the screws to the handle bar or put them in a zip-lock bag.

I can't say it's fool proof, especially if the saw is heavy and has felling spikes. But I have not heard any complaints about this packaging method and it costs maybe $5 or $6 for the box, bag, and tape.

 

[Mad Professor]

I use dry kindling and either my torch lighter or propane torch to get things moving. At 74, I want things to be as uncomplicated as possible.

I started with a piece of newspaper and butane lighter. 1 match will also do.

Pine cones come from a contractor bag. A plastic tote is full of dry broken twigs, AND the rest stored here.....

Kindling goes on top.

 

[dboyd351]

Was just packing a 346 yesterday.

Drain and air out for a day at least. Box with room to pas around. Wrap saw in bubble wrap and then a bag to seal again.

Water bottles make good cushion.

Remove spike and ship PHO.

If cant do that. Wrap both ends of bar up good and tape to bottom of box.

Some others to give you ideas.

I certainly hope you sent that 346 to me

 

[VinceGU05]

i was in Germany when the 462 first came out. so i bought one there and thought i would bring it back in my suitcase, but alas, customs wouldnt let me take it on the plane.

 

[Philbert]

Zip-tie the guide bar to a piece of corrugated cardboard, through the mounting holes to keep it from sliding around.

Then hot melt glue that cardboard to the box, or other corrugated.

Philbert.

 

[Yukon Stihl]

Add a dryer sheet in the box, just in case some evil oil or gas smells make it out of the bag the saw is in.
I have picked up saws where gas was leaking through the box.
DRAIN THE FLUIDS
I am in Canada and have never had one of my packages opened by customs
Charged fees by customs many times
Not sure what paperwork would have been so hard to fill out, but any courier could have their own.
I have heard of UPS charging extra broker fees to Canadian customers for customs.
You can broker your own shipment but they try to intimidate you into paying their fee

 

[dboyd351]

i was in Germany when the 462 first came out. so i bought one there and thought i would bring it back in my suitcase, but alas, customs wouldnt let me take it on the plane.

You could have "sold" it on eBay to someone you know and used their overseas shipping to send it to the USA. Took a really long time to get there, but I sold a Solo 680 to a gentleman in Italy thru eBay and used their shipping. I thought the shipping was expensive, but never having shipped a saw overseas, I don't have anything to compare it to.
The buyer paid shipping and seemed happy with the end result.

P.S. I like your attempt to carry it in the suitcase I probably would have tried that too!

 

[Philbert]

I bought a used, electric chainsaw on a trip, many years ago. Checked it through in my luggage.

TSA was really interested! They tore open all the careful packaging I had wrapped it in.

Maybe the electric motor looked interesting on the scan?

Philbert