The safest way to send a lens internationally

Currently, I'm living in Japan and in the next few months, I'll probably be dabbing into studio photography here in Tokyo. I have some friends who can introduce me to some people in the industry.

I left my 70-200 back in Los Angeles the last time I went back, so I want my brother to send me my 70-200 to Japan.

What's the safest way to send it? I don't want any post office worker breaking into my package and then claiming that they "lost it."

Can anybody recommend a carrier and method? I'm sure I have to buy insurance, too.

Still have the original box? Place it in there and then give it an additional layer or two of bubble wrap and it will be fine.

Have you heard about shipping insurance?

Well the "safest" would be for him to buy a plane ticket and hand deliver it to you himself.....but shipping it FedEx/UPS/whatever with insurance is likely much cheaper.

The safest and quickest would be for your bro to sell it locally and transfer money to your account and you walk out to the local camera store and buy a replacement there in Japan

EMS once had a decent reputation even in Russia with it notorious post office.

Whatever carrier you select, it is not going to be cheap. It is considered an international shipment, your bro will have to fill in a lot of forms (such as an AWB). When I had the hotel in Barcelona ship me to the States a backpack that I left there, UPS, FedEx, and DHL all quoted about $200, plus insurance.

Agree on the expense. I had to send an 8.5x11 envelope package by Fedex to Korea and it was almost $70. I don't see why shipping internationally would be different than domestic. I'd pack it in the original if you have it plus some more packing material into another box (either domestic or international).

Shipping anything internationally is expensive and requires paper work. My company ships stuff between here and Canada and here and Switzerland. The paper work sucks and if you miss something, its a hassle.
It might be easier to sell the lens and pick up another one locally. You lose value but the price to ship it and paper work isn't worth it IMO.

They may try to hit you up for import duties, as well. There may be a way to get around that, but you should check into it ahead of time.

Shipping with insurance is no way under 100.. 200 is quite possible, as 70-200 is huge.
Let u bro sell it and buy another locally..

Andrushka wrote in post #15218443
The safest and quickest would be for your bro to sell it locally and transfer money to your account and you walk out to the local camera store and buy a replacement there in Japan

I second this.

USPS Express Mail which is cheapest compare to UPS, FedEX, and other carrier. They will also provide insurance, tracking number, and signature. Usually, it takes 2-3 business days via USPS Express Mail.

I think in this particular situation, the safest way is selling the lens in Los Angeles, then use the money to buy another 70-200 in Japan. If it was me, I would do that.

Since you are in Japan, shouldn't be a big deal at all to buy another one... now if you were in the Central African Republic, that might be a different story...