I have decided not to have my designs made into PCBs in China. So I am looking for an alternative low cost source of PCB fabrication.
Cheers
Ian
Cheers
Ian
Thanks! Should have know that before. Shipping and import from China is less than fun. Especially with Dutch Postal Services returning pcb's to sender after payment of import duties without giving any reason whatsoever.
Yes, Aisler is a definite possibility. However, they have some production disadvantages. The main on is that they do not V-cut the boards outline. This means you get several protrusions of PCB on each edge. This is no good at all for PCBs that need to slide into card guides. OK, for prototypes you can hand finish them but this is not good enough for quantities. I never had this issue with any other PCB fabricator. I am in discussion with them about this right now and hopefully they will be able to offer V-cut outlines because there prices are very good and shipping and duties are not an issue.
Cheers
Ian
Cheers
Ian
Here in Argentina very small PCB orders, say 10 or less, are getting through because they are dealt with by plain Mail , think "whatever can fit in a padded envelope", I guess because "they fly under the radar", but small "production" quantities, say 50 boards or so are being stopped in their tracks.
Not being straight sent back, but now being classified as "commercial/industrial" they DEMAND processing through a Registered Customs Handler ("despachante de aduana") who knowing they have the fryer by the handle, start by charging for $400 and up.
A deal killer for $200 PCBs + freight TOPS expected, so in general they are abandoned.
No sending back because PCBS are very specific, useless for everybody else.
We used to be in that position. Now everything is being taxed. After the Dutch Postal Services did whatever someone in their organisation felt like and not telling me or the sender why. I ordered again and had it shipped with DHL. For a 25 dollar package (5)pcbs. I paid 26 dollars shipping and then another 29 euro for admin and duties.
I've found Fedex to be the best choice for JLCPCB. Cheaper than DHL and shipping takes about 1 week to Finland. Package delivered to home.
It's fast, but for Canada, it's 5$ for global line, no duties or taxes need paying. For DHL or Fedex, they charge more than 20$ and then they charge brokerage, tax, and duty. I'll wait 2 weeks if I can save 35$ on the cost of 8$ boards 🙂
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In my latest order I used "Standard Global Direct Line" which I guess is the same as "global line". Yes, that was very cheap but let's see how long it takes 🙂
I once tried their "EuroPacket" but that was snail's pace (about 4 weeks). Fedex charges have only been about 15-25 euros all inclusive but my typical orders include at least 3 designs (i.e. 15 boards) .
Yes, it's "Economical Global Direct Line" here... I think they just call it global line on LCSC...
It's airmail by courier with last kilometre by postal mail.
I have boards that left on March 4th, they arrived in Canada on the 14th, most likely Vancouver. They will then clear customs for a few days, and be transferred to Canada Post for Ground mail delivery (about 4 days from BC to Ontario) so I should have them next Monday. 2½ weeks isn't bad... It's not 3 days, but it's not 35$ either 🙂
It's airmail by courier with last kilometre by postal mail.
I have boards that left on March 4th, they arrived in Canada on the 14th, most likely Vancouver. They will then clear customs for a few days, and be transferred to Canada Post for Ground mail delivery (about 4 days from BC to Ontario) so I should have them next Monday. 2½ weeks isn't bad... It's not 3 days, but it's not 35$ either 🙂
One of the old Hollywood moguls started out from Gloverstown. He imported cheap gloves. His trick to avoid customs charges was to have all the left handed gloves sent to one port and the right handed ones to another port. He then did not pick them and pay the tariffs. So they went to a public disposal sale. As no one in their right mind would buy a lot of same side gloves, he was the only bidder and bought each lot for much less than the taxes should have been!
I have had the import tariff service charge from the carrier cost more than the product. Stopped using those folks, and found parcel post to just charge the actual duties. No real difference in delivery time!
I have had the import tariff service charge from the carrier cost more than the product. Stopped using those folks, and found parcel post to just charge the actual duties. No real difference in delivery time!
Is it possible to get an online quote from Aisler? I've been trying to upload a gerber .zip file and in return I get an "oops error" kinda thing message...
Yes, it is but you need to make sure the naming convention of your Gerber fles is correct. There is info on this on their web site.
Cheers
Ian