Airmail shipping question/concern

I'm planning on buying a consolized MVS system from Supergoose. My question is, how reliable is airmail shipping from Germany to the USA? Apparently EMS shipping is not an option in Germany.

Is there a tendency for stuff to get lost or damaged using this method? Can one get insurance on an airmail package? Are there better, more reliable shipping options from Europe to the USA?

Normal air mail gives about 90% delivery in good condition imho (in PNG it often gets to the wrong address). EMS is better but you dont have that option.
Check out TNT or DHL air freight sevice. Then you get a consignment note and can track the shipment.
I sent a bunch of board sets overseas the other day by TNT and it worked out cheaper than surface mail.

<small>[ February 03, 2003, 08:31 AM: Message edited by: ttooddddyy ]</small>

BTW
EMS should be available in Germany

ttooddddyy:
BTW
EMS should be available in Germany

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Really? Let me check with Supergoose. He said that airmail is about the only option.

Airmail is more reliable and a lot faster than people make it out to be. I've sent at least 30 things to the US and various parts of europe via standard Airmail and nothing has never gone missing and the goods arrived within 2 weeks of sending.

Plisken:
Airmail is more reliable and a lot faster than people make it out to be. I've sent at least 30 things to the US and various parts of europe via standard Airmail and nothing has never gone missing and the goods arrived within 2 weeks of sending.

Click to expand...

i agree. i never had a problem with "deutsche post" and i sent lots of stuff during the last years.

regarding ems :
i asked at our local post office and they didn't even know about ems. they've got their own speed service with tracking numebers, but those prices are insane.

regarding damaged stuff :
i used lots of bubble wrap and newspapers.

btw, before someone mentions UPS : i'd have to walk about 1.5 to 2 hours just to get to their office. (never been there, but i know where they're located.)

anyway ...
i asked the daddelkingz.de members before i shipped the consolized mv-1fz and all of them stated, that "deutsche post" airmail is the best option.

afaik, it's also insured up to 500€ (~ $500) and the last package was delivered in about 7 or 8 days. don't know for sure. just ask CDiablo.

<small>[ February 03, 2003, 11:48 AM: Message edited by: supergoose79 ]</small>

Thanks for your responses. They've been very helpful.