Shipping Cast Iron Cookware To Australia

Q: I am planning to purchase some cast iron cookware items from US, but suppliers do not seem to want to ship to Australia, anyone experienced this?

A: Why dont you spend that bit extra and get the enamel-coated cast iron (le Crousset or similar). They are safe and retain heat wonderfully and can cook food at very high termperatures. I like the idea of starting to cook on the cooktop and then transferring to the oven. I also have a Copco (Swedish or Scandinavian) Dutch oven type oven-proof casserole type cooking dish that can be used on a cooktop and then transferred to the oven. I am not sure of the name - but it is black and is guaranteed for life! It will probably outlive me! I just love it. It sears meat a very high temperatures and cooks meals like curries very very well. Why are you suprised... Australian suppliers do not seem to want to ship to the US either. Most retail companies won't ship to individuals out of country, how can they gaurantee payment? Payment (and *substantial* shipping costs) would need to be secured in advance, and they'd need to exchange foriegn funds, and deal with import-export tarrifs... most companies are not willing to get involved as they really don't have any legal clout if someone refuses to pay, and/or return merchandise. Besides, most cast iron is produced in Asia and Europe, so the same products are available directly from Australian purveyers, because they import the same as the US. For any item falling outside of that catagory you'd best secure a friend who will ship privately. I'm sure you can find someone who you can arrrange with in the US who will agree to ship your cookware if you agree to pay. Be aware though, that shipping cast iron cookware from the US to Australia can cost as much if not more than the cost of the cookware. And as you say, you're only "*planning* to purchase"... you don't sound too sure of yourself, I'd be leary of getting involved with a business transaction with you too... especially not some bloke so untrusting that they ID themself as Big Bazza from down under and with a munged email yet... too funny to take seriously. Can't say that I blame them. Unless they do a big business shipping things to other countries, the paperwork alone can be a nightmare. Shipping costs normally increase based on distance and weight, so just plain shipping is pricey. And if there are tariffs or import fees or whatever as the stuff crosses borders, not to mention delays in customs...well, the whole thing ends up being more time and money than anyone wants to deal with. If the company regularly ships to other countries, they have methods in place to deal with the red tape. But to do it once or twice for just a few customers, I don't think anyone's going to be real thrilled about the process. And if they've looked into it once, they probably realize that people aren't going to want to pay they shipping costs, so why bother even trying. You might be better off finding someone in the US who is willing to buy the stuff for you and ship it to you as a gift or whatever. But still, be prepared to pay a lot for shipping. I'm saying some US purveyers won't ship to me in Canada. Certain items...such as cookware...others in the US will...Example Amazon won't ship me cookware...But I did get a wok from a San Fran shop.

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