Advice on shipping a letterpress from Germany

I don’t know about in Germany but I do know that in Europe and especially UK there are several people who have extensive experience moving and shipping heavy printing presses. While 220kg is not especially heavy, all cast iron needs careful and thorough packing for shipping, especially internationally. There are also brokers who buy and sell such equipment and are experienced and equipped to ship it.

When I shipped my Pearl press, I took it apart and packed it carefully so the parts were protected and could not move, and in spite of my care, although the press arrived in good condition, one piece was broken (which I discovered had been broken prior to my acquisition and improperly repaired). Fortunately I was able to repair the break and the press is fully functional, but the lesson is that rough handling can overcome the most careful packing. The shipper must also be aware of the need for careful handling, and insurance against breakage is also a good idea.

Bob

Ramblings from U.K. re Shipping/Crating. From observations on frequent visits to (S/hand Division) C. DUGARD Machine Tool Dealers Brighton, U.K. Listed W.W.W.… Inward & Outward bound!! Crated Equipment.??
Wether it be a Machine Head (the size & weight of a Small Printing Press) or ONE UNIT of a C.N.C. Machine at several Tons per Unit!! . .Every item gets the same treatment, I.E. bolted to a base mounted, purpose built Pallet, & surrounded by a Skeleton Crate, (substantial) + often filled with polystyrene foam, (of course with the obligatory *Silica Gel* pack(s)??? The whole encapsulated with at least 1/2” or 3/4” ply, & Strapped with STEEL Strapping.?? Only as seen in U.K. but there is frequent posts & tales of woe, re Broken Parts on delivery, (inland) Here. Good Luck.

I think the poster is asking about how to contact international shippers, rather than how to crate a press.

Most communities have companies that specialize in shipping and crating; they are not always the same company, as I found out recently when shipping a press from the east to west coast of the US. You might want to enlist the seller’s aid in providing a list of local companies, and then do your research long distance. Sometimes what seems like a good deal is much less so when the cost of having someone else handle the details exceeds the original purchase.

Paul

Darryl, you don’t mention where you want the press shipped to from Germany (nor where in Germany). That detail can make a large difference in how to approach the problem.

Bob

I have used Schenker In Germany with success, they crate ,pick up and ship to you.

Thanks to all. The press is currently 30 minutes from Stuttgart. My destination would be (Clarksville)Tennessee or a port in (Mobile) Alabama.

Hi Typenut,

I have been in touch with Schenker and for over a week I have been waiting. The rep. there says he is waiting for an offer and will be back in touch with me. This was several days ago. I think I will call this morning and talk with him again.

Hello,
I´m pretty sure that you will have to pay more for shipping then for the press itself.
It surely will be several hundred dollars at least.
I´m from Germany and paid recently 90 Euro for a palette weighting about 90 kg with stuff I bought in a town 500 km from me.
What kind of press is it? I own two smaller tiegel so maybe I can help you with the correct weight estimation.
If you need any other help just contact me.

Marius

Or ultimately, when shipping would make buying the press unprofitable for you, maybe I could find a use for it ;)

Hello Darryl, I wonder – and maybe I wonder too often – why you want to buy a platen printing press in Germany and ship it all the way to the USA. First there are the costs and the risks involved, I dot even speak of getting spare parts if anything breaks. The difference in thread (continental metric thread compared to imperial thread) etc. I believe that you can more easily find yourself a very good quality American press instead. I’m the owner of a Vandercook proof press and I had trouble finding imperial threaded screws here in Europe, spanners and hex keys were not too difficult to find, but of course, more expensive.

Hello Darryl, I wonder – and maybe I wonder too often – why you want to buy a platen printing press in Germany and ship it all the way to the USA. First there are the costs and the risks involved, I dot even speak of getting spare parts if anything breaks. The difference in thread (continental metric thread compared to imperial thread) etc. I believe that you can more easily find yourself a very good quality American press instead. I’m the owner of a Vandercook proof press and I had trouble finding imperial threaded screws here in Europe, spanners and hex keys were not too difficult to find, but of course, more expensive.