Checking chainsaw QF international

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ozimax

ozimax

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Feb 23, 2009
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Has anyone checked in a brand new chainsaw from LAX to SYD in recent years? (I did this about 20 years ago, but times have changed.) I did contact QF dangerous goods & received a standard reply. I THINK it is ok to do so (as long as the engine is brand new, never fired up etc) but if anyone has actual experience it would be appreciated. I don't want to get to LAX next Tuesday and fine I have to throw a $500 Stihl into the rubbish!!

Many thanks in advance.

Ozi
 
I think this is the most unusual question I have seen on AFF. Until someone pipes up and says they have been travelling with their chainsaw for years, of course! :D

I would think if it had not been used and therefore had no fuel or oil residue it should be fine. The original packaging would help too.
 
JessicaTam said:
I think this is the most unusual question I have seen on AFF. Until someone pipes up and says they have been travelling with their chainsaw for years, of course! :D

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You've been around a lot longer than me but it is definitely in the out there category :)
 
ozimax said:
Has anyone checked in a brand new chainsaw from LAX to SYD in recent years? (I did this about 20 years ago, but times have changed.) I did contact QF dangerous goods & received a standard reply. I THINK it is ok to do so (as long as the engine is brand new, never fired up etc) but if anyone has actual experience it would be appreciated. I don't want to get to LAX next Tuesday and fine I have to throw a $500 Stihl into the rubbish!!

Many thanks in advance.

Ozi
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Off to Texas???? ;)
 
I looked at bringing a stihl back from Indonesia. They are apparently all tested and are fired up prior to despatch. Don't know if it's true or not but it made me give up on the idea.
 
Believe it or not in the late 90s I purchased a Stihl (chainsaw that is, not moonshine producing facility) from Poplar Bluff Missouri and took it around the world as carry on.

You may ask why? Because firstly I like chainsaws and secondly, even with the exchange rate they're less than half the Oz price when purchased in USA.

And no, I'm not going via Texas
 
Doing a quick google search actually returns quite a lot of threads on carrying chainsaws! (who knew??)

Anyway - it seems as long as the chainsaw gas tank has been 'run dry' then it has been good to go (yes, 'gas tank' - US websites).

However, the threads are a year or two old, so dunno if anything has changed.

I presume it is gas rather than battery?
 
MEL_Traveller said:
Doing a quick google search actually returns quite a lot of threads on carrying chainsaws! (who knew??)

Anyway - it seems as long as the chainsaw gas tank has been 'run dry' then it has been good to go (yes, 'gas tank' - US websites).

However, the threads are a year or two old, so dunno if anything has changed.

I presume it is gas rather than battery?
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I once carried on a drill .....no not a cordless one. I was searched and then let through at Heathrow. This was 20 yrs ago. I still have it to this day and used it the other day to re-seat a tap. Black and Decker indestructible and cost me 5 dollars back then.
 
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ozimax said:
Has anyone checked in a brand new chainsaw from LAX to SYD in recent years? (I did this about 20 years ago, but times have changed.) I did contact QF dangerous goods & received a standard reply. I THINK it is ok to do so (as long as the engine is brand new, never fired up etc) but if anyone has actual experience it would be appreciated. I don't want to get to LAX next Tuesday and fine I have to throw a $500 Stihl into the rubbish!!

Many thanks in advance.

Ozi
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Even if it is "new" it would still have been tested in the factory. When you open up the box can you smell the fuel? This would not be able to travel as checked baggage.

What was the "standard reply" you received from QF? Did you send the emal to [email protected]?

I would send a pm to the QF Facebook peeps and ask if they can give you a contact number of the DG's people that you can call from the US. Sometimes these things can be consigned as freight although the cost of doing that may outweigh any savings made by purchasing one in the US which means you may as well just buy one here when you get back to Oz.

Is returning the chainsaw and getting a refund an option for you?
 
Reading up onthe QF website, the common theme of the engine being flushed seems to be correct.

Have a look at the QF dangerous goods page. Seems you are required to fill in a declaration about this.
Dangerous Goods | Qantas

I didn't read it entirely, but it suggests it should be done prior to actual check-in. Meaning, don't just turn up at the Airport with the paperwork and said chainsaw.

But, I would have thought ozbeachbabe's suggestion about sending it via frieght, might have been a better idea. How much does it weigh? 5 to 10kgs? at first, if you have time I'd look into that

edit: further reading, it does need to be completed beforehand. Not sure of the timeframe though.
 
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Could you allow the fuel to evaporate by opening it all up to the air for as long as possible. There must be a way to clean out the fuel reservoir too?
 
Thanks for the input folks. I have applied for and received approval from Qantas Dangerous Goods to transport the chainsaw to Oz. (Don't worry, I didn't buy the chainsaw until I had approval etc). Procedure seems fairly straight forward. The Dealer could only sell the chainsaw to me if had been started/tested which is most probably a good thing anyway. I have drained and dried the fuel tank and am letting it air overnight before tomorow's flight. It will then be wrapped in a towel and then sealed in a plastic bag, then in a box/container. I have copies of the printed approval certificate to declare to check in staff at LAX tomorrow night.Hopefully things will go smoothly.

Why go to all the trouble? Stihl model 251 RRP in Pasco, Washington? $363 USD ($506 AUD.) Price in Oz? $1100. Same model. Made in USA. Go figure.

OZi
 
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