Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: paulsemp on November 08, 2013, 12:34:33 am

Title: International shipping questions
Post by: paulsemp on November 08, 2013, 12:34:33 am
ok, the bow for Danny F is packed and ready to go. all the money is in the PayPal account thank you everybody. Tomorrow after work I am going to the UPS Store to ship it off. I know I have to fill out customs paperwork, is there anything that I should not say and or do to get this Bow held up in customs? I want this to go as smooth as possible and I've heard of things getting held up in customs. I appreciate all replies.
Title: Re: International shipping questions
Post by: JackCrafty on November 08, 2013, 02:57:57 am
If you send it as a "gift", label it as "folk art" and put the value under $25, you should be good to go.  Customs does not like ANYTHING that is commercial goods, expensive, and can be potentially be used as a weapon.
Title: Re: International shipping questions
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on November 08, 2013, 08:27:16 am
Good info Patrick.
Title: Re: International shipping questions
Post by: paulsemp on November 08, 2013, 08:35:52 am
Thanks Patrick, that was exactly what I was looking for.
Title: Re: International shipping questions
Post by: half eye on November 08, 2013, 09:28:46 am
Paul,
     the wood and bows I have sent to friends in England and Scandinavia you may wish to avoid the term "art" as well.....perhaps handcraft or similar. Jack gave you good advise, keep the value low, don't mention anything about weaponry. Europe has a thing about "art" recently so you may wish to avoid that. The declaration form is pretty straight forward and it in it's self will give you good "prompts" as to your choices.
rich
Title: Re: International shipping questions
Post by: adb on November 08, 2013, 10:15:03 am
I learned the hard way that you should insure it for full value. Also, plaster it with 'FRAGILE' stickers.
Title: Re: International shipping questions
Post by: JackCrafty on November 08, 2013, 11:04:37 am
You could use "wood carving" instead of "folk art".  I ship stuff to Russia sometimes and they are VERY strict.  I've had only one package that got "lost" in the mail.  It was a small package that contained two flint arrowheads and was marked "FRAGILE" and declared as "decorative stones" and insured for between $40 and $60, can't remember.  I lost ONE item of the original paperwork and couldn't make a claim to get the insurance money...  even though the Post Office had a record of the postage paid.

So, I make the package as plain as possible; send it during the holiday season as a "gift"; declare it as some kind of art, sculpture, or carving; put it in a reasonably large container so that it's harder to steal; and no insurance.
Title: Re: International shipping questions
Post by: BOWMAN53 on November 08, 2013, 05:01:32 pm
tell them its a stave. not really a weapon, its not anything expensive or fragile.
Title: Re: International shipping questions
Post by: paulsemp on November 08, 2013, 06:18:39 pm
Thanks guys!! Exactly what I was wondering. Getting off the train in a few a then sending a bow to England.
Title: Re: International shipping questions
Post by: mullet on November 10, 2013, 08:40:12 pm
Hand craft and a gift is the way to go. If you ever have to send stuff we use, like animal parts, wood and etc. call it craft supplies and price it under $5.
Title: Re: International shipping questions
Post by: osage outlaw on November 10, 2013, 09:06:06 pm
I do like Mullet.  I always put "craft supplies" on the form and a cheap value.