FedEx priced 60 lbs at almost $400 - and that's economy. If there is a cheaper option - I am all ears Thanks!

What the heck kinda computer are you sending that weighs 60lbs? Thats almost server class weight...
But to answer your question Try UPS or the Air Freight/Cargo Dept. from any of the airlines that fly
to Bremen or Germany.

Well, I really guestimated. It's a DELL XPS with a 19" LCD - both together are probably right around 50+ - not sure.

ARe you flying? If so see if you can carry extra baggage with you, might run cheaper. Fedex, UPS, and USPS cost a fortune when the weight gets higher.

Given the screen will be less valuable than the XPS machine, I'd sell the screen in the US, and buy a replacement here (might cost a little extra over all, but you could get an upgrade, and you do not have the risks or hassle of moving the screen).

I have taken desktop PC's on flights before (granted company machines, so I cared less about them), as excess baggage. Just make sure it is very well parcelled (Dells are reasonably well constructed for shipping, so there should not need to be any securing of parts inside the case). Make sure the box is clearly labelled as fragile (though it is possibly a good idea not to make it obvious what it is on the outside), and have all your data backed up in your carry on bags. A USB2 external drive, is relatively cheap and small (especially one based on a laptop drive, although these are more expensive) so you can keep a lot of data on you relatively easily.

Don't forget insurance though.

Wow! A lot of great suggestions. I hadn't even considered taking it on the flight as excess baggage! And buying a new monitor would still cost less than shipping the whole shabang together.

Thanks!

For example, with American Airlines (different airlines have different policies and prices, so check before you get to the airport):

https://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/tra...geAllowance.jsp

1 item must weight less than 50lbs (23KG), and it's dimensions must be less then 62inchs (157cm) for Width + height + depth (although there is a premium of just $25 for items weighing 51-70lbs)

This should be sufficient for any PC.

If you can get it in your allowance (typically 2 items for long haul), it's free.

Otherwise:
* $80 per piece for the first three additional pieces
* $105 per piece for the fourth, fifth, and sixth additional pieces
* $180 per piece for the seventh and any additional pieces

Instead of using an ext. USB drive you can just remove the HD thats already in the PC. This way you know it's secure
from both shipping damage and prying eyes..

Yes, but removing the drive could void the warranty (haven't looked at a dell warranty in a while), you also have to explain to the airport security what it is. It is "a heavy block of metal with electronics and stuff on it", which is never a good starting point for a discussion with these people. Whereas the external caddies makes it more obvious what it is, or at least less like a "home made device". Also, you have a single point of failure if you remove the HDD, with a backup copy you have a backup :-). The PC is no use to you if someone snatches your carry on bag containing your HDD.

Sell it without the HDD (or buy a cheapo to replace it with) and buy a new one here. Seriously, no PC is worth the hassle these days. Just pack your HDD in your luggage and you are all set to go. Or buy a laptop, transfer all the info from the old to the new and just bring the laptop.

A Dell XPS machine can be a very expensive PC (with all options, it could be many thousands of dollars), selling it second hand in the US (especially with the weak dollar and lower tech prices out there anyway) and trying to replace it here could easily involve a loss of more than the $400 in the transaction, not to mention the issues with getting an English OS and keyboard here.

Getting an English OS and keyboard is the easy part. Getting your big $$$ computer safely to Germany without
getting Damaged,Stolen,Dropped from a truck, etc. is another issue..

Well, one way or the other my computer is coming with me. I did spend quite a bit of money on the highend options and I am not about to get rid of it at a loss. I have no issues replacing the monitor for a couple of hundred Euros.

If I pack it carefully with lots of padding in its own case/container/suitcase - I think it will be fine on the plane over there.

It should survive shipping, dells are designed to be shipped after all (as an online shop, they must arrive individually to your door safely, instead of other suppliers which only need to get to the show rooms in large, secured pallets).

Pack it carefully, clearly mark it as fragile, and get it insured to be on the safe side (should be possible for ~ 1-2% of it's value). That said, (as DK mentions above), you may want to ditch the keyboard and mouse, and pretty much all peripherals, as they can be bought again over here, and it means you are not wasting space packing extras which aren't really needed.

Hi all,

Last month I was about to visit my bro in USA. Unfortunately, my trip was cancelled. My bro bought me an expensive PC as a gift. Now he wants to send me via DHL/USPC etc.,.

But everything seems to be costly than expected.

Do any of you have any good suggestions to bring the PC from US to Germany.

Please help me.

Regards,
Nirmal

I think the customs officers will love you when (if) the package arrives...

Yeah tell your brother to stick some stickers and shit on the case or do something to make it look not brand new...

Too True.. And even if it does arrive, it might be in a few pieces, but its more likely to get stolen
Keep it in the US until you can get it, its not worth the xtra hassle to get it here (And pay duty on it).

I don't know much about german custom but the best thing is to call them and asked first. 2nd choice is if you know someone that have an apo address than they can send it overhere without german custom even touching it, only us custom. If you know any military retiree that live overhere, they have apo address. PM me if you have further question.

This and related questions are always being posted.

Hey,

there's no point. Customs is gonna make you pay wayyyy too much. USPS is quite expensive, especially considering you would need insured shipping. You should wait till u get back to the US.

Simple: I would assume 19%...

Edit: plus some more...

hey,

I think 19% is just German taxes...he has to pay an additional customs fee...correct me if im wrong. Maybe computers are exempt!? You should really contact German customs if you need the exact amount you have to pay.

You are right. Here is a post about that from someone who knows, and here is the thread.