We bought three pieces of furniture and shipped them to Seattle, WA. We paid by credit card for both the furniture and the shipping at the store in Bali. About a month before our container was due to arrive, we received a notice from a totally different shipper located in the United States asking us for an additional $150.00. From what I could understand, the original shipper only ships as far as the port of Los Angeles, and the second shipper was hired by the first shipper to get my container to Seattle. Grrr.
This second shipper was also kind enough to give my phone number to some customs agency (not US Customs) which solicited me night and day. As my goods only cost me $500, I told them to kiss my butt (no duty is owed if your goods are under a certain amount and I was well under that figure). These independent customs guys charge an arm and a leg; make damn sure you really need one before you hire one! All you need to get through customs is an original bill of lading or receipt. Its a breeze.
Now once these shipping companies give you an estimated time of arrival its up to you to call on that date and confirm whether your stuff arrived or not. There will be no additional notice, and your stuff will be warehoused at your expense.
If you have a polaroid camera, this is a good time to use it; when we went to go pick up our container it was practically in splinters. It was literally held together with reams of that plastic wrap that is used to hold boxes on pallets together. Fortunately our furniture was not significantly damaged.
Finally, we were charged a mandatory $35 dollar handling fee, as well as an optional disposal fee for the crates and packing material.
In conclusion, I would say that if I'd just been on the look out for some nice furniture on the cheap, I could have done as well or better here at home. But for truly unique, gorgeous and exotic additions to my decor, it was worth the hidden costs and all the aggravation. Those weathered antique pieces that you see in such profusion at the furniture stores in Bali look fabulous once you get them home.