International travel help needed!

iksrazal · Post by **iksrazal** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:56 pm

Hi all,

I bought an oasys 88 keyboard with 2GB of memory and a SKB case on ebay for $6K and sent it to my parents house. However, I'm an American expatriot living in Brazil. My parents are comming to visit me next month, and amazingly enough they agreed to bring the oasys for me. Typically bringing in used items, and particularly from gringos, doesn't get stopped in customs.

I pretty much have to do it this way, as Brazil has enormous import tarrifs. The one place that sells it in Brazil, Hendrix music, charges around $10,700 !!!

The problem: American Airlines and just about everybody has this restriction:

"Items that are larger than 115 inches and 100 lbs. will not be accepted as checked baggage. Contact a freight forwarder for assistance with these items."

Best I can tell, the oasys 88 weighs 70.99 lbs and the SKB case weighs 31 pounds, just over the limit! 115 inches shouldn't be a problem.

This is a one time travel need only so perhaps with enough bubble wrap and a non-hard case I can get under the 100 pound limit safely? This would be at my own risk though:

"Instruments may also be transported as checked baggage, however, due to their fragile nature AA does not accept liability for damages and has limited liability for loss. AA is also not liable for any damage to checked musical instruments not presented in a hard-sided case. If the outside of the hard-sided case does not have visible damage, AA is not liable for any damage to the musical instrument inside the case."

Can anyone share their experiences?

Thanks!
Robert

kenackr · Post by **kenackr** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:17 pm

Have you checked with UPS or Fed Ex, etc?

What about buying an extra seat on the plane and strapping it in?

Ken

Kevin Nolan · Post by **Kevin Nolan** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:49 pm

Heed this carefully - very carefully -

Ship any synthesizer in anything less that absolutely water tight conditions and you run a significant risk of wasting ALL of your investment. I'm speaking from hard learnt experience.

Even when I was unbelievably careful in shipping a restored CS80 from London to Dublin - as in paying a haulier who ships pieces of art for Sotherby's and Steinway Grand Pianos, they still managed to destroy my CS80 in transit. I subsequently paid a private van owner £1900 (that's nearyl $4000) to ship it from Dublin-London-Dublin to have it re-restored - and he managed to cause serious damage to it. The only option for me was to drive it to London myself - wrapped in no less that 7 King sized Duvets.

Another story - I was buying a Prophet T8 2nd hand from a well known keyboard player a few years ago and ALL of his studio equipment was damaged in his expensive shipment, including the T8 which was written off.

You're ONLY option is to wrap your OASYS in a Duvet, then in buble wrap and then have it boxed or crated. There's no other way. Even sturdy flight cases are useless - they do not protect against vibrations.

THE name of the game in owning and shipping synthesizers is patience - as in waiting months or even years until you have the best option researched, and the funds, to ship absolutely properly.

So - forget about shipping your OASYS on the cheap - either cough up the money now to ship it properly, or wait until you do.

The only company I recommend to ship for you is Rock-it Cargo (in the UK). They specialise in shipping musical instruments for all the major acts and they are exquisite.

Good luck - you'll need it - and I'm saying that to help you!!

Kevin.

SCHWEATS · Post by **SCHWEATS** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:22 am

IF your parents haven't already bought and paid for their airfare,
you might consider netjets.

If the cost of shipping your Oasys is a couple of thousand US, check into
the netjets. Maybe, maybe, maybe you could find a deadheaded jet going to
Brazil providing a vehicle with no baggage handler nonsense AND
your parents would be thrilled flying in a private jet.

You can learn more at www.netjets.com … and no, I don't work for them.

HTH - Schweats

ausser · Post by **ausser** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 8:20 am

Mad suggestion I may make - but re. Kevins story - why would you want to chance throwing away close enough to $10,000?
After what Kev said, I would book a fortnight to a month off -
Get out a map.
Get on the net and find....

1) a reputable truck/van/closed Pick-up/decent comfortable car dealer.

2)Work out miles per day and note down the stops - then book the overnights - what about a winnebego?

Drive up to your parents and get it.
Drive back to Brazil.

I have no idea how long it might take you - 2 weeks - 3 weeks round trip?
But unless that O travels 1st class - that is exactly how I would do it if I were you - after Kevins tale that is...
Even with insurance - all the hassle and the wait should your 'O' be destroyed.

---------------------------------------------

Kenackr suggested the possibility of strapping it into an extra seat on the plane.
You could check it all out with whatever airline - if they aren't full - they should be able to accommodate you - for an extra fee even.

--------------------------------------------

iksrazal - after saying all that - dont forget that Korg also has to ship Oasii to and from locations - I wonder could they help you out or suggest?
All in all I hope you decide on the most ecconomically safe method.

Please let us know how you got on.

Peace
Ausser.