[slartibartfast229]

I've just remembered a set of my decals sitting in Hobby Link Japan.
Instead of around five Euro to send them by Japan post the only option is with Fedex - €35!
I'm at a loss to understand why a small paper envelope weighing less than 10 grams is a covid19 security problem.
A similar order from Hong Kong had to travel by surface, but at least it's on its way.....

 

[80Comp]

Just got 2 cars from China, took 66 days. 🙄

 

[blackvitzrs]

Model car from Ukraine, just shy of 4 weeks. No updates since its been processed by Ukrainian customs over 3 weeks ago. They said my country has received it yet. Hopefully it isn't lost and just sitting in Ukraine waiting for a flight.

 

[slartibartfast229]

1/18th scale 'Classics' model from Australia - 12 days!
Impressive, and a shout out to Antipodean efficiency.....

 

[colourkin22]

I tried calling CK Models for an update on my now 4 month old order with the contact number on the website and I keep getting that the number is no longer in service. Is there another number besides the +49 (0) 6441 -200 1977 or did they go out of business?

 

[vulpex]

I tried calling CK Models for an update on my now 4 month old order with the contact number on the website and I keep getting that the number is no longer in service. Is there another number besides the +49 (0) 6441 -200 1977 or did they go out of business?

Do you mean CK Modelcars?
I can hardly imagine that they are out of business.

On their German version homepage there is a different number for their service line:
https://ck-modelcars.de/de/kontakt/

 

[toyfiats]

FedEx is one of the very rare delivery service that remained in a 'business as usual' mode all this time.

I just wish other vendors had accounts with them, and wonder why more don't switch (at least for now). I have two groups of high-value packages stranded in Japan because EMS isn't operating. They are very quick - when they are operating. One of the vendors also uses DHL, but they always take a long time (been waiting over a month for a model from Germany).
[/quote]

As an update, on the recommendation of the vendor and with EMS not likely to be back up for the time being I used DHL. Fortunately they used DHL Express, and the package arrived within 3 days from Japan to the USA. It was more expensive than EMS, and I had to pay not unsubstantial import duties, which I'm sure is familiar to everyone but not something we normally have to deal with here in the USA. Since this was successful I decided to ship my other stranded models in Japan via DHL Express as well. Package #2 arrived within days, and the third and final one should arrive early next week.

Never fun having to pay extra unexpected fees, but at least there is another shipping option available that is quick and reliable, and more importantly I have my models at home to enjoy.

 

[colourkin22]

Does anyone have any experience with items going by boat? It is a lot longer, but is it just a reliable as air. CK Models has given that option to send the model.

 

[slartibartfast229]

Does anyone have any experience with items going by boat? It is a lot longer, but is it just a reliable as air. CK Models has given that option to send the model.

I have decals on the way from Hong Kong going 'surface mail'.
5 weeks and counting.
5 days by air.....

 

[Craig]

Does anyone have any experience with items going by boat? It is a lot longer, but is it just a reliable as air. CK Models has given that option to send the model.

I bought a model from Australia a few years ago and the seller sent it by boat. It took three months and I had to pay duties on it too. Never again!!!

 

[colourkin22]

Does anyone have any experience with items going by boat? It is a lot longer, but is it just a reliable as air. CK Models has given that option to send the model.

I bought a model from Australia a few years ago and the seller sent it by boat. It took three months and I had to pay duties on it too. Never again!!!
[/quote]

Ah, scary..thanks Mr. Craig for the tip..I will have just have to keep waiting.

 

[quattros8]

Also waiting since 23rd of march for my order from CK ....
about to cancel the damn order ..lol

 

[T1000]

You can follow DHL's international shipping status to various countries here:

https://www.dhl.de/coronavirus-en

A bit further down on the page they have a list with countries and continents and the abilities to send stuff with additional info for limitations for packages.

 

[jazzy426]

oh snap.. look like the international customers such as us will be in for a long wait now if order anything via Deutsche Post..

 

[slartibartfast229]

oh snap.. look like the international customers such as us will be in for a long wait now if order anything via Deutsche Post..

I think we all need additional patience these days, even if delivery times vary greatly....

 

[jazzy426]

Totally agreed mate. Average 2 months wait is the new normal now thats about the average lead time for my orders from China. Surprisingly I received registered post parcel (not the express one) from Singapore just the other day under 2 weeks which goes to show the delivery times do vary and can be unpredictable now. Thankfully the interstate delivery still around a week with being hauled in road trains around Oz.

On the flip side with the extended delivery window whatever virus or bacteria which snuck into your parcel at the point of origin would be long dead before it arrives at your door step haha

 

[vulpex]

There are positive examples too these days:
Last Tuesday evening I ordered a 1/64 Kyosho from Japan and was prepared to wait more than 2 weeks for delivery.
(Had such long shipping time already several times from the US.)

To my great surprise the little parcel arrived already today.

Less than a week for shipping from Japan to Germany seems to me a really good performance - and this in worldwide Covid-environment!!

 

[slartibartfast229]

There are positive examples too these days:
Last Tuesday evening I ordered a 1/64 Kyosho from Japan and was prepared to wait more than 2 weeks for delivery.
(Had such long shipping time already several times from the US.)

To my great surprise the little parcel arrived already today.

Less than a week for shipping from Japan to Germany seems to me a really good performance - and this in worldwide Covid-environment!!

Which shipping company was used, and how much did it cost?

 

[vulpex]

It was shipped with Japan Post and actually shipping was free for the buyer - the price for the model itself was only 20$.

 

[slartibartfast229]

It was shipped with Japan Post and actually shipping was free for the buyer - the price for the model itself was only 20$.

That's very interesting.
I have a set of decals in Hobby Link Japan waiting for posting to Ireland.
HLJ insist the option isn't available as yet......