Do your research. In the past, contacts like JD, Ausheads and Azcoupe (FSP) have been able to stay in touch with the forum, and be acountable for there shipping. Not everything has gone on without problems, and that is despite great credentials.
There are plenty of other options, but its the old rule. We trust those who have never done us any wrong, and a new face who tells us what we want to hear is often believed more than an old friend who has stuck with us through a tough situation.
My strongest suggestion is to use a reputable supplier. The waters are full of sharks. The good name of the supplier is reflected in the cost.
There are over 2000 members here looking out for one another, and there have been a few well documented instances of things going wrong.
Risks:
1. Less checking is done.
Loading is a one time prospect into a container, then the port authority organise there unloading to there schedule, not yours.
2. Cost is not high but risks are
Thats because your 2v head is just one fish in a pre-paid container. Unlike the shipping of freighted goods on the road, things in containers are never backloaded. Backloading is a technical term for offsetting cartage costs by having the returned journey paid for. The shipping industry is risk ridden, and they have wisely chose not to backload containers, as there may not be a return journey. The cost is fairly cheap for shipping, but the risks are a greater. The goods are not checked, and what happens at the ports is something you need to cover. Jack noted some protocols a while back on this.
3. Ports have protocols which you need to be aware of.
It's your responsibility to do the follow up on the logistics, and you can't blame the port for problems unless you know what's involved. It doesn't matter if you have an agreement that you think is cast iron.
It's not that the suppliers are uncompetitive, or anything suspect. If you have good experiences with importing other equipment, or have relatives the other side of the ditch, then go for it.
