dogman dan
1 PW
Sounds like the advatage would be legal ground shipping, and anything arriving damaged could be shipped back the same way fairly cheap compared to shipping back to China. So you could actually return a dead on arrival pack.
Lithium Polymer via Air Shipping - Were in for trouble now!
- Thread starter mwkeefer
- Start date
liveforphysics
100 TW
mwkeefer said:
I think you would be pretty bumed. LiMn was even less exciting than LiFePO4 in water, and even LiCo, the most dangerous chemistry, was still nothing more than little bubbles. This was true even when the water was loaded with it's saturation limit of salt, and then even with Nitric Acid poured directly on the guts of the cells. (which did less than pouring it over tinfoil). Maybe if it's all ready on fire when I add the water it would be more exciting? Even in that case, getting LiMn or LiFePO4 to catch fire is quite the exercise in it's own right.
mwkeefer said:
5k is going to bring about 10kwhrs of LiPo. Enough for 5-10 decent packs. Seems like a lot of hassle for 5-10packs. I will kick in some cash, and we can at least fill up a pallet. Also, if they are telling you <10mOhm, I really hope they could also say <4mOhm, because 10 would be about 2.5x higher internal resistance than the 5.8Ah cells HK is selling. Be 100% sure on the Ri of the cells before spending any money, because 10mOhm cells would mean about 2.5x the voltage drop, cell heating, reduction in charge rate, etc etc.
mwkeefer
1 MW
Perhaps I misquoted - they are < 10 at the pack so < 10mohms / 5 || 6
The prices I am quoted from the manufacturers are about 30% lower than HK - in small orders, I am still waiting for samples but they sent them surface, now I see why they wouldn't send em air = )_
Now that I think of it, maybe I should send em to you for REAL 20+C testing eh? They would have to come ground transport
-Mike
The prices I am quoted from the manufacturers are about 30% lower than HK - in small orders, I am still waiting for samples but they sent them surface, now I see why they wouldn't send em air = )_
Now that I think of it, maybe I should send em to you for REAL 20+C testing eh? They would have to come ground transport
-Mike
liveforphysics
100 TW
<10mOhm pack, 2mOhm- 1.7mOhm per cell would be delightful. That would put it on par with the best. It's very uncommon that a place would refere to the pack's resistance rather than the cells resistance, but not impossible of course.
I would love to put your samples through the ringer, but if they can just be confirmed to be the same known-good cells HK is selling, that would be plenty good for me.
I've actually got a 15Ah BMI/LiFeTech cell and 8Ah headways "P" cell that I've gotta finish up testing some basic things on before I can take on other testing projects in my extremely thin spare time at the moment.
That would put it on par with the best. It's very uncommon that a place would refere to the pack's resistance rather than the cells resistance, but not impossible of course. I would love to put your samples through the ringer, but if they can just be confirmed to be the same known-good cells HK is selling, that would be plenty good for me.
I've actually got a 15Ah BMI/LiFeTech cell and 8Ah headways "P" cell that I've gotta finish up testing some basic things on before I can take on other testing projects in my extremely thin spare time at the moment.
dogman said:
True. Plus, I hope they're a bit better at packaging the shipment... maybe.
As a side note, I typically get 2 lb. ground shipments from fedex at around $8-9 from retailers who charge actual shipping cost. For something that weighs 1.5 pounds, they quote $21.56 for fedex ground.
Are these batteries getting hazmat treatment on ground shipments or something?
mwkeefer
1 MW
At those prices, HobbyPartz shipping was free for UPS ground service.
-Mike
-Mike
frodus
10 kW
by the time you mess with logistics, UPS is probably faster and easier.
I think you should be fine as far as shipping things, as long as you ship by the book and verify certs and label the packages right.
small amounts may be ok, I never checked, I was always shipping 10lbs of lifepo4 or more and always used UPS. It might need to be UN cert, which laptop batteries and power too batteries are. Our lifepo4 cells and a lot of the lipo cells I've seen, are not.
agreed, for the most part it is.... because they're insured, and 1 delivery person can easily get out. On a jet, its much harder to deal with it.
liveforphysics
100 TW
swbluto said:dogman said:
True. Plus, I hope they're a bit better at packaging the shipment... maybe.
As a side note, I typically get 2 lb. ground shipments from fedex at around $8-9 from retailers who charge actual shipping cost. For something that weighs 1.5 pounds, they quote $21.56 for fedex ground.
Normal Joe-Blow price at FedEx is about 3 times the price a corporate shipping acct pays.
mwkeefer
1 MW
Luke,
Now that's not nice, giving up the dirt on our additional profit margin - what do you think we are used car dealers?
Seriously though I know those who count that into their bottom line, show the customer the retail fedex and ups and then pocket the difference... but with all the BS Fedex and UPS can throw onto a commercial account for address redirections and so on... those little fees normally flatten any shipping profit margins.
-Mike
Now that's not nice, giving up the dirt on our additional profit margin - what do you think we are used car dealers?
Seriously though I know those who count that into their bottom line, show the customer the retail fedex and ups and then pocket the difference... but with all the BS Fedex and UPS can throw onto a commercial account for address redirections and so on... those little fees normally flatten any shipping profit margins.
-Mike
liveforphysics
100 TW
mwkeefer said:Luke,
Now that's not nice, giving up the dirt on our additional profit margin - what do you think we are used car dealers?
Seriously though I know those who count that into their bottom line, show the customer the retail fedex and ups and then pocket the difference... but with all the BS Fedex and UPS can throw onto a commercial account for address redirections and so on... those little fees normally flatten any shipping profit margins.
-Mike
I've also seen small ticket item places that price product at cost, then only clear margin on the shipping price differences between retail and corporate.
It's so easy to at least get an entry level FedEx or UPS account, it's kinda a no-brainer if you've got a bunch of things to ship.
I'm on the very rare side of things in this battery game, where my goal is to put as many good performing EV related items into the hands of people who will use them, and I'm not interested in making a cent from it. In fact, almost always I'm willing to spend my own cash/resources towards the goal of helping EV use reach critical mass rather than trying to make something on the side.
Open source for designs, cost+expenses for parts, and free at my own expense for development.
It's a terrible way to try to operate a business, which is perfect for me, because it's just a hobby.
mwkeefer
1 MW
Yea I know... we are similar but your downright dangerous
On the real side, I just wanted people to realize... price distribution or where the vendor puts how much of the pie (your money between product, shipping, handling, ,etc) may not make sense at first glance... I know other vendors (I've done this) who make a slush fund and every quarter anything left over in s&h profits goes towards FREE SHIPPING sales...
Just from a commerical perspective there are so many ways of slicing the pie
Not sure how things are down in your neighborhood but in West Chester, PA and Exton, PA (near me) in the past 6 months car dealerships have begun bringing in Alibaba eBikes (no shit, even the crap kind) and selling them.. I should say my friend, weve reached critical mass here in the suburbs (far suburbs of Philadelphia formerly known as Pensyltucky.
Either way.. for the next while I think LiPo is going to be scarce, at least the next few weeks which considering our apparent plans (we are both awaiting orders to build high V packs right?) really just sucks.
-Mike
On the real side, I just wanted people to realize... price distribution or where the vendor puts how much of the pie (your money between product, shipping, handling, ,etc) may not make sense at first glance... I know other vendors (I've done this) who make a slush fund and every quarter anything left over in s&h profits goes towards FREE SHIPPING sales...
Just from a commerical perspective there are so many ways of slicing the pie
Not sure how things are down in your neighborhood but in West Chester, PA and Exton, PA (near me) in the past 6 months car dealerships have begun bringing in Alibaba eBikes (no shit, even the crap kind) and selling them.. I should say my friend, weve reached critical mass here in the suburbs (far suburbs of Philadelphia formerly known as Pensyltucky.
Either way.. for the next while I think LiPo is going to be scarce, at least the next few weeks which considering our apparent plans (we are both awaiting orders to build high V packs right?) really just sucks.
-Mike
PedalingBiped
100 W
As a trucker with a haz-mat endorsement;
Class 9 is a miscellaneous category.
The placard is a diamond shape with white and black vertical bars in the top half with a "9" in the bottom corner.
I quote "No placard for highway or rail. Note if bulk package, orange panels are required"
Orange panels means that you put a sticker (orange) with the un number on it, below the original placard.
Class 9 just tells the shipper he needs to put the placard on his freight to let someone know, if there is interest, on what is inside.
I take freight to the airport daily.
They call haz-mat Dangerous goods (DG) The airlines charge $100 to process DG.
I see electronic equipment with a battery classified as DG. I've wondered why they don't pull the battery out and buy a new one on the other end.
Coast Guard has their own Haz-mat regulations that are more strict then highway haz-mat regulations.
But I don't know know what the Coast Guard says about lithium.
For Highway use, Lithium is a non-event. No placards required, no matter how much is in the trailer. There are no regulations restricting what other haz-mat can be on the same trailer. The only placarding is on the freight and not the trailer.
A Lithium Battery is UN 3090
Lithium Batteries, contained in equipment UN 3091
Lithium Batteries packed with equipment UN 3091
In the Haz-mat compliance pocketbook. (2007)
Note 29
a) ...not more then 100 cells are exempted from testing....lithium content less then 1.0 gram per cell ... and not more then 2.0 gram per battery
lithium -ion it is "1.5g per cell and 8 g per battery.
b)The outside package must be metal,plastic or wooden: box or drum
c) Each cell or battery is individually packed and surrounded by cushioning material that is non-combustible and non-conductive.
Note A100
Primary (non-rechargeable) are forbidden on passenger aircraft.
Secondary (rechargeable) can not exceed gross weight of 5 kg aboard passenger aircraft.
Note A101 and A102 pertain to batteries contained or packed in equipment. not to exceed 5 kg (11 lb)
I'll ask a DG person tomorrow how many batteries can go on a cargo only aircraft and edit this post then.
The limit on passenger planes is 2.5 kg per person.
Cargo planes can have 35 kg per parcel. No limit on parcels.
Here is the link for testing. UN Manual of Tests and Criteria http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/staticfiles/PHMSA/DownloadableFiles/Files/UN_Test_Manual_Lithium_Battery_Requirements.pdf
It looks like the manufacturer could get the tests done and then be covered even in battery packs.
And here is why the regulations are so strict on passenger planes
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techpolicy/2007-03-05-batteries-planes_N.htm
DOT regulations only cover "for hire" truckers. That's why you see some tractors pulling RV trailers with signs on their doors "not for hire"
As a private citizen, you can haul anything to anywhere as long as it is for personal use. You still need a CDL if it is over 26,000 lbs.
Class 9 is a miscellaneous category.
The placard is a diamond shape with white and black vertical bars in the top half with a "9" in the bottom corner.
I quote "No placard for highway or rail. Note if bulk package, orange panels are required"
Orange panels means that you put a sticker (orange) with the un number on it, below the original placard.
Class 9 just tells the shipper he needs to put the placard on his freight to let someone know, if there is interest, on what is inside.
I take freight to the airport daily.
They call haz-mat Dangerous goods (DG) The airlines charge $100 to process DG.
I see electronic equipment with a battery classified as DG. I've wondered why they don't pull the battery out and buy a new one on the other end.
Coast Guard has their own Haz-mat regulations that are more strict then highway haz-mat regulations.
But I don't know know what the Coast Guard says about lithium.
For Highway use, Lithium is a non-event. No placards required, no matter how much is in the trailer. There are no regulations restricting what other haz-mat can be on the same trailer. The only placarding is on the freight and not the trailer.
A Lithium Battery is UN 3090
Lithium Batteries, contained in equipment UN 3091
Lithium Batteries packed with equipment UN 3091
In the Haz-mat compliance pocketbook. (2007)
Note 29
a) ...not more then 100 cells are exempted from testing....lithium content less then 1.0 gram per cell ... and not more then 2.0 gram per battery
lithium -ion it is "1.5g per cell and 8 g per battery.
b)The outside package must be metal,plastic or wooden: box or drum
c) Each cell or battery is individually packed and surrounded by cushioning material that is non-combustible and non-conductive.
Note A100
Primary (non-rechargeable) are forbidden on passenger aircraft.
Secondary (rechargeable) can not exceed gross weight of 5 kg aboard passenger aircraft.
Note A101 and A102 pertain to batteries contained or packed in equipment. not to exceed 5 kg (11 lb)
I'll ask a DG person tomorrow how many batteries can go on a cargo only aircraft and edit this post then.
The limit on passenger planes is 2.5 kg per person.
Cargo planes can have 35 kg per parcel. No limit on parcels.
Here is the link for testing. UN Manual of Tests and Criteria http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/staticfiles/PHMSA/DownloadableFiles/Files/UN_Test_Manual_Lithium_Battery_Requirements.pdf
It looks like the manufacturer could get the tests done and then be covered even in battery packs.
And here is why the regulations are so strict on passenger planes
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techpolicy/2007-03-05-batteries-planes_N.htm
DOT regulations only cover "for hire" truckers. That's why you see some tractors pulling RV trailers with signs on their doors "not for hire"
As a private citizen, you can haul anything to anywhere as long as it is for personal use. You still need a CDL if it is over 26,000 lbs.
mwkeefer
1 MW
That's great information, especially the relavant stuff for InterHighway transportation - I assume the Highway law applies to commercial operators, ie truckers as opposed to "private citizens"? In other words, if I run a few keys (feels so wrong to write that) down i95 to deliver to a friend I wouldn't need any hazmat certification at all...
Thanks...
-Mike
Thanks...
-Mike
liveforphysics
100 TW
mwkeefer said:
I get goose-bumps and a huge smile hearing that Mike.
In my area (near Seattle), I've seen under 10 e-bikes in the wild over the course of my life. We are so very far from hitting critical mass here.
The climate may be an issue. When the weather sucks, most folks (including myself) would rather drive and ride, even if they had an E-bike. And the weather does spend quite a bit of time sucking here.
mwkeefer
1 MW
Bah on the weather - I rode the blizzards, whatcha got?
I actually have only seen bikes I have built here (being actually ridden) but the dealerships branching out into ebikes is somthing, they wouldn't be doing it if there wasn't a reason = )_
That said... I'm always looking for eBikers and sadly I never see any, was supposed to meet up with Def215 once but I had a family emergency and couldn't get into the city...
I would actually rather ride an ebike even over a motorcycle for most of my trips, I avoid so much traffic - heck, I made better than car time according to google maps on my 32 mi trips to my dad's house... it's funny.
-Mike
I actually have only seen bikes I have built here (being actually ridden) but the dealerships branching out into ebikes is somthing, they wouldn't be doing it if there wasn't a reason = )_
That said... I'm always looking for eBikers and sadly I never see any, was supposed to meet up with Def215 once but I had a family emergency and couldn't get into the city...
I would actually rather ride an ebike even over a motorcycle for most of my trips, I avoid so much traffic - heck, I made better than car time according to google maps on my 32 mi trips to my dad's house... it's funny.
-Mike
dogman dan
1 PW
No critical mass here. In fact, the half dozen ebikes I used to see now and then haven't been spotted in a year. $2.50 gas. I find my self finding an excuse to take the car today at times.
andreym
100 W
Just logged it to HC and saw this message:
Air transport delay.
Please be aware that the Hong Kong/China Airports have placed an increased focus on parcel security. This has delayed many orders for up to 7 days.
If you find that your order is marked as shipped but does not have a tracking number, or the tracking number isnt working, please do not be alarmed. Over the coming days the tracking numbers will be registered as the Airport filters through the backlog of parcels.
To help reduce the backlog, we're shipping out alot of orders via alternative express methods and via different countries. This is helping to reduce a possible 2-3 week backlog to around 1 week only. We are doing this at a considerable cost to us and hope you can appreciate the extra effort we're taking to avoid these delays which are out of our control.
The current delay is expected for another 7 days and we will update this message early next week or as soon as there is any change the the current status.
So it seems like they are doing something to improve service.
Also found bit strange tracking number appeared instead of one of previously sown and dissapeared than.
here it is: EC302045515SG (previous one was CP828893185HK)
Do anybody have a clu what this tracking number means?
Thanks,
Andrey.
EDIT: checked the tracking and it looks like they really sent package via Singapoure EMS instead of air parcel. I`ll post update when it reaches Russia.
Air transport delay.
Please be aware that the Hong Kong/China Airports have placed an increased focus on parcel security. This has delayed many orders for up to 7 days.
If you find that your order is marked as shipped but does not have a tracking number, or the tracking number isnt working, please do not be alarmed. Over the coming days the tracking numbers will be registered as the Airport filters through the backlog of parcels.
To help reduce the backlog, we're shipping out alot of orders via alternative express methods and via different countries. This is helping to reduce a possible 2-3 week backlog to around 1 week only. We are doing this at a considerable cost to us and hope you can appreciate the extra effort we're taking to avoid these delays which are out of our control.
The current delay is expected for another 7 days and we will update this message early next week or as soon as there is any change the the current status.
So it seems like they are doing something to improve service.
Also found bit strange tracking number appeared instead of one of previously sown and dissapeared than.
here it is: EC302045515SG (previous one was CP828893185HK)
Do anybody have a clu what this tracking number means?
Thanks,
Andrey.
EDIT: checked the tracking and it looks like they really sent package via Singapoure EMS instead of air parcel. I`ll post update when it reaches Russia.
grindz145
1 MW
There are new regulations that will be in effect soon that essentially make more batteries class 9. You used to have about 200w-h or so before they HAD to be considered class 9. The new regulations require that even cells are class 9. Many chinese sellers (such as BMSBattery) don't bother with regulations anyway... Hobbycity is certainly more lagitt.
P.S. There are virtually no ebikes here in Rochester, I still get pumped when I see a currie bike. There are a couple of currie bikes I've seen around, but certainly nothing else that I've seen short of the RIT green vehicle challenge.
P.S. There are virtually no ebikes here in Rochester, I still get pumped when I see a currie bike. There are a couple of currie bikes I've seen around, but certainly nothing else that I've seen short of the RIT green vehicle challenge.
tostino
10 kW
Surprisingly, in my area of FL (pasco, pinellas, hillsborough) I see quite a few ebikes around. I actually do some work for a guy that sells the cheap scooter type chinese ebikes right down the road from my house from time to time. He has told me he sold like 150 of them in the past couple years. I think maybe apart from SilverSurfer (I haven't checked his progress recently), I have the fastest ebike in the area by far. So it seems for most, it's a transportation method rather than a hobby.
Anyways, I really hope that they find a solution for this shipping issue... I need to save up a couple grand and make a big purchase of them (probably in the fall), and I really hope things are better by then!
Anyways, I really hope that they find a solution for this shipping issue... I need to save up a couple grand and make a big purchase of them (probably in the fall), and I really hope things are better by then!
mysterywhiteboy
1 mW
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2010
- Messages
- 17
Just loggged in to my HK account, waiting for 4 x 5ah 30c 6s turnigys and a bunch of other bits that i ordered on the 28th, still no tracking number and no bits, this is what was waiting in my in box. I am hoping that it is only temporary and my batts turn up soon, I paid for EMS express shipping as well :-(
Air transport delay.
Please be aware that the Hong Kong/China Airports have placed an increased focus on parcel security. This has delayed many orders for up to 7 days.
If you find that your order is marked as shipped but does not have a tracking number, or the tracking number isnt working, please do not be alarmed. Over the coming days the tracking numbers will be registered as the Airport filters through the backlog of parcels.
To help reduce the backlog, we're shipping out a lot of orders via alternative express methods and via different countries. This is helping to reduce a possible 2-3 week backlog to around 1 week only. We are doing this at a considerable cost to us and hope you can appreciate the extra effort we're taking to avoid these delays which are out of our control.
The current delay is expected for another 7 days and we will update this message early next week or as soon as there is any change the the current status.
Air transport delay.
Please be aware that the Hong Kong/China Airports have placed an increased focus on parcel security. This has delayed many orders for up to 7 days.
If you find that your order is marked as shipped but does not have a tracking number, or the tracking number isnt working, please do not be alarmed. Over the coming days the tracking numbers will be registered as the Airport filters through the backlog of parcels.
To help reduce the backlog, we're shipping out a lot of orders via alternative express methods and via different countries. This is helping to reduce a possible 2-3 week backlog to around 1 week only. We are doing this at a considerable cost to us and hope you can appreciate the extra effort we're taking to avoid these delays which are out of our control.
The current delay is expected for another 7 days and we will update this message early next week or as soon as there is any change the the current status.
mwkeefer
1 MW
I have some bad news...
After speaking with a friend who deals in large container sized shipments from China and Hong Kong, a bit more reveals itself...
#1.) Cost for sea shipping via cargo vessel is up by 10c USD per lb, you saw it right 10c a lbs - so what right, imagine 18K LBS for 1800 additional shipping charge to be absorbed (for freight?)
#2.) China and HK alike (I know they are the same, just meaning the phyical locations) have docked a large portion of their shipping fleets (commercial vessels) and are thus running about 1/2 capacity at best right now... perfect timing eh?
It would seem that China decided to time everything in strategy to create more profits... they block all air of lipo and other hazmat chemistries (ok, so they should have done this a while ago really I guess) and then they dock half the fleet driving sea shipping prices and times up ?
Sadly that will increase the cost of import of any really large shipments, and there's no chance of piggybacking on with a friend... their most recent shipment left dock beginning of last week so that ship has Sailed, literally...
This also means a slow down of all merchandise from China no matter it's method for transit.
No matter what or who you order from, or what method of freight you option... your going (we are all going) to be waiting patiently for now. {unless luke figures out how to mine and refine lithuim locally?}
-Mike
After speaking with a friend who deals in large container sized shipments from China and Hong Kong, a bit more reveals itself...
#1.) Cost for sea shipping via cargo vessel is up by 10c USD per lb, you saw it right 10c a lbs - so what right, imagine 18K LBS for 1800 additional shipping charge to be absorbed (for freight?)
#2.) China and HK alike (I know they are the same, just meaning the phyical locations) have docked a large portion of their shipping fleets (commercial vessels) and are thus running about 1/2 capacity at best right now... perfect timing eh?
It would seem that China decided to time everything in strategy to create more profits... they block all air of lipo and other hazmat chemistries (ok, so they should have done this a while ago really I guess) and then they dock half the fleet driving sea shipping prices and times up ?
Sadly that will increase the cost of import of any really large shipments, and there's no chance of piggybacking on with a friend... their most recent shipment left dock beginning of last week so that ship has Sailed, literally...
This also means a slow down of all merchandise from China no matter it's method for transit.
No matter what or who you order from, or what method of freight you option... your going (we are all going) to be waiting patiently for now. {unless luke figures out how to mine and refine lithuim locally?}
-Mike
Zoot Katz
100 kW
There's over 150 ebikes listed on Vancouver's craigslist today.
Sitting at a café on Main St. yesterday I counted six ebikes pass by in a two hour period.
(The "bike route" is two blocks over and sees considerably more bicycle traffic.)
Most noticeable are the scooter types but with Grin Technologies just up the street I see plenty of conversions too.
I've met and chatted with at least twenty ebikers in this area. Several of them I count as friends.
Vancouver has a vibrant cycling culture. Ebikes are but a small segment of that population though they are gaining numbers each year.
I'm hoping that Hobbypartz gets their shipment soon and that the batteries check out okay.
Sitting at a café on Main St. yesterday I counted six ebikes pass by in a two hour period.
(The "bike route" is two blocks over and sees considerably more bicycle traffic.)
Most noticeable are the scooter types but with Grin Technologies just up the street I see plenty of conversions too.
I've met and chatted with at least twenty ebikers in this area. Several of them I count as friends.
Vancouver has a vibrant cycling culture. Ebikes are but a small segment of that population though they are gaining numbers each year.
I'm hoping that Hobbypartz gets their shipment soon and that the batteries check out okay.
mwkeefer
1 MW
I suppose it's still a matter of where your located and if there are any industrious individuals offering turn key or conversion service?
On another topic... the HobbyPartz 5S packs I ordered arrived at my doorstep about 30minutes ago... Sure I did a quick unbox shots session and you know the video will make you dizzy (upside down) but eh, alas I have more coming on Tuesday next week and will reshoot the unbox with a Real Video Camera!
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=18901&p=275689#p275689
-Mike
On another topic... the HobbyPartz 5S packs I ordered arrived at my doorstep about 30minutes ago... Sure I did a quick unbox shots session and you know the video will make you dizzy (upside down) but eh, alas I have more coming on Tuesday next week and will reshoot the unbox with a Real Video Camera!
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=18901&p=275689#p275689
-Mike
AussieJester
1 TW
mwkeefer said:
For once it might be beneficial to be living in OZ if
you want cheap freight prices on slow boat from China :lol:
China->OZ is 7,469 kms USA ->China ~12 000km
KiM
liveforphysics
100 TW
mwkeefer said:
My engine importing buddy gets a full cargo container in of engines from Japan every month. It's not that bad of prices, and I think the boat only takes about 2-2.5 weeks from the time he orders until our container is sitting at the port of Tacoma. We've gone halfsies on a container a couple of times, and I don't remember my half of shipping ever being over $2,000. Considering just half a container would hold $50,000+ of LiPo, shipping from overseas to the states could be at little as 4-5% additional cost. But... this was around 2005-2006, so maybe prices doubled a few times since then.
I would assume just due to shipping route volume that China is even cheaper than Japan to ship from right?
It's about 1/3rd the distance to just ship to Seattle/Tacoma rather than to the east coast right? I would think that translates to something like 1/3rd the wait time, and 1/3rd the fuel cost for the boat as well, which should trickle down to a lot lower shipping cost I would assume. I've got access to a flat bed here, and my Dads shop has it's own forklift and space to stage about 16 pallets (1 high) in a dry secure area.