Prohibitve shipping costs keeping my car un-sexy.

[Poogene2001]

I want an Irmscher front bar for my AH Astra but theres no way to get it shipped to Australia!!
Id happily hand over the AUD$725 for the bumper, and the $400 for fitting and painting, but the online quotes from couriers and shippers are crazy. One place quoted $3300 to send it out! 4 times the cost of the item? I dont think so. Anyone know any alternative to sexify my Astra?
Heres what i'm talking about:

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[Gildo]

would be cheaper to fly there for a day and pick it up

[Ginge]

I'm about to but something through to a company in Athens. I'll ask for u. Nice bar.

[PaulyJ]

cal16v may be able to help you
speak with him

[R3N]

try asking about other shipping options... for example sea freight... that'll take a while but is mUCH MUCH cheaper

[mixmelb]

Irmscher stuff is generally expensive, been there done that!
I bought Irmscher stuff directly from them in Germany, get them to quote you with delivery price.

[EL BURITO]

the irmy airdams are very nice. wat countrys were u getting quotes from??

[Poogene2001]

The cheapest place to get Irmscher Accessories is in Germany where they are made. To deal with anyone who speaks english, though, they direct you to their UK branch, which charges substantially more for the products (extra Taxes i think). So it seems that the germans dont want to deal directly with an international buyer and are unwilling to even tell me the exact dimensions and weight of the bumber. I'm left somewhere between a rock and a hard place with no point of contact and crazy transportation quotes.
I'd be happy to have it shipped by sea, or donkey, or dolphin or what ever gets it here, but have no idea where to look. Generally you need to deal with an agent to buy cargo space on sea frieghters. But where to find such an agent is still a mystery. Someone said to direct my inquiry to customs... but I'm not sure what information they could offer!! So, i'm left feeling a bit like this and sometimes this .

[tmov81]

always ask them to exclude the VAT from the price... otherwise they will just leave it in there... its about 15% IIRC that we dont have to pay.

[Poogene2001]

Lots of helpful PM's so thank you to all those who have some experience with such matters. Any help is always appreciated.
Thanks again!