International Shipping & Ordering: Stories/Tips/Tricks/Advice

[koplamp]

Here's where the rubber meets the road. Yes it is that much cheaper. I got quotes through both my UPS account and Fedex account. FedEx was the cheaper of the two at $311. That's basically 3x what usps cost ($116) for the same box. We're not talking about saving $30 here, if that was the case is pony up the extra for FedEx.

Same goes for shipping from BE to the US. So much cheaper through postal service. And pretty fast actually. My last package I sent about a month ago made it to its destination in 7 days. Wish it was the same on the orher end, Belgian customs are picky!

 

[thejukes]

Well, there you have it. Why not roll the dice?

 

[koplamp]

Well, there you have it. Why not roll the dice?

Picky, as in wanting to get more money out of it. My last two boxes were in customs for 5 days. Had to pay 25€ to receive it. Afterwards I claimed my money back, because it was listed as a gift. They refunded me. Never heard about a box being seized over here. Why the fuzz lol..

 

[nophunk]

Picky, as in wanting to get more money out of it. My last two boxes were in customs for 5 days. Had to pay 25€ to receive it. Afterwards I claimed my money back, because it was listed as a gift. They refunded me. Never heard about a box being seized over here. Why the fuzz lol..

Theoretically it can happen, but it doesn't happen that much. Canada seems to have the worst luck, but most of those dudes get US shipping addresses for that reason.

 

[thejukes]

The truth is CBP probably isn't going to worry about your box of beer unless you are shipping commercial quantities or smaller quantities extremely frequently.

Or unless you sass me too much. Dat mandatory inspection list.

Is that really a thing? Maybe.

 

[Ispeakforthetrees]

I posted about this topic several pages back, but I'm definitely the one not reading it.

Why did I come into the thread? Gee, I don't know; maybe I have a bit of actual statutory knowledge to add to all the anecdotal trial and error.

I never said customs was the issue, I said it is illegal to use USPS, even domestically. Again, I commented on the legality with reference to customs several pages back. Yes, common carriers are subject to customs inspection, but alcohol shipped via common carrier wouldn't necessarily be subject to summary seizure as contraband as it would via USPS. It is at the discretion of each individual port director on the weather to levy duty against personal use alcohol being shipped internationally outside of the postal service.

Dude,
You sound like you need a ******* beer...or 6.
Christ, way to sound like a know it all.

No one cares about your credentials. We like to ship beer. Ofuxgiven

 

[thejukes]

Dude,
You sound like you need a ******* beer...or 6.
Christ, way to sound like a know it all.

No one cares about your credentials. We like to ship beer. Ofuxgiven

Seems like you gave at least one fux if you felt the need to respond. Glad I know how you and the trees feel about it.

Like I already said, a thousand pardons for trying to add some pertinent info. Throw some paper clips and lentils in an envelope and send those artisan olive oils wherever you want. Didn't mean to interrupt your bliss.

Can the thread title be changed to International Shipping & Ordering Stories? The other parts don't seem to be welcome here.

 

[owens99]

Dude,
You sound like you need a ******* beer...or 6.
Christ, way to sound like a know it all.

No one cares about your credentials. We like to ship beer. Ofuxgiven

For what it's worth, I'm interested in knowing more about the legalities/customs issues/consequences surrounding shipment via USPS vs. private couriers.

 

[Ispeakforthetrees]

Seems like you gave at least one fux if you felt the need to respond. Glad I know how you and the trees feel about it.

Like I already said, a thousand pardons for trying to add some pertinent info. Throw some paper clips and lentils in an envelope and send those artisan olive oils wherever you want. Didn't mean to interrupt your bliss.

Can the thread title be changed to International Shipping & Ordering Stories? The other parts don't seem to be welcome here.

Again, you come off like quite the prick.
Is your sarcasticass ******** attitude how you engage with people on a daily basis?

The "pertinent info" wasn't all that pertinent or informational really. We all clearly know this is in violation...glad you felt the need to casually dick-swing your credentials.

But cheers man, enjoy being a dick to everyone you encounter!

 

[thejukes]

For what it's worth, I'm interested in knowing more about the legalities/customs issues/consequences surrounding shipment via USPS vs. private couriers.

That is not possible. **** doesn't matter; just lie about what you're shipping. What could go wrong?

 

[thejukes]

Again, you come off like quite the prick.
Is your sarcasticass ******** attitude how you engage with people on a daily basis?

The "pertinent info" wasn't all that pertinent or informational really. We all clearly know this is in violation...glad you felt the need to casually dick-swing your credentials.

But cheers man, enjoy being a dick to everyone you encounter!

I don't really know what to tell you man. I guess you get what you give. I think maybe you read too much tone into my post.

I thought my knowledge of customs law and policy might be a little beneficial to a thread about international shipments, maybe I was wrong. I really wasn't trying to dickswing my credentials as you put it. Customs law is actually boring as ****, so I don't know who you think I was trying to impress. It's actually my least favorite part of my job. Anyway I'm going to go have six beers and try to mellow out. I expect you might have an even better way living in Colorado.

I did enjoy that passive aggressive winkyface at the end though.

 

[Ispeakforthetrees]

I don't really know what to tell you man. I guess you get what you give. I think maybe you read too much tone into my post.

I thought my knowledge of customs law and policy might be a little beneficial to a thread about international shipments, maybe I was wrong. I really wasn't trying to dickswing my credentials as you put it. Customs law is actually boring as ****, so I don't know who you think I was trying to impress. It's actually my least favorite part of my job. Anyway I'm going to go have six beers and try to mellow out. I expect you might have an even better way living in Colorado.

I did enjoy that passive aggressive winkyface at the end though.

Just spreading the love. Sassy gotta be sassy. Two peas in a pod.

 

[thejukes]

Just spreading the love. Sassy gotta be sassy. Two peas in a pod.

Now we're BFFs. Have I told you about my sick credentials?

 

[bahnfire]

To follow up on my original post, my outbound box to Belgium is being delivered today according to bpost tracking. And my inbound box from Belgium arrived yesterday. 6-7 business days seems pretty impressive to me, esp considering a box from VT to the west coast takes 5-6 days.

 

[koplamp]

To follow up on my original post, my outbound box to Belgium is being delivered today according to bpost tracking. And my inbound box from Belgium arrived yesterday. 6-7 business days seems pretty impressive to me, esp considering a box from VT to the west coast takes 5-6 days.

6 days from Antwerp to VT. I shipped a box to RI in september and it arrived in 7 days. This is crazy!

 

[sunnrider]

Just to balance this out. I recently tracked a 12 shipper from Washington, sent to Spain on August 25th. Arrived in madrid August 29th. Stuck in customs with numerous calls to update until October 17th.

A personal record, all arrived in one piece.

 

[markextrae]

I send boxes across the pond everytime, and never had any problems! my last box to rhode island arrived after 5 days! ISC in new york and chicago are the best.

all I know is that you need to avoid Miami. they seize almost ALL alcohol content!

 

[RayP]

Do I have to email asking for a BIAB tracking number? Shows that it's shipped via bpost, and I've seen you guys mention you see your box shows its caught up in customs or whatever... But I don't see a tracking number or anyway to track it.

Help?

 

[CornAndBeer]

Do I have to email asking for a BIAB tracking number? Shows that it's shipped via bpost, and I've seen you guys mention you see your box shows its caught up in customs or whatever... But I don't see a tracking number or anyway to track it.

The initial email says something to the effect of:
Your order with the reference XXXXXXX has been shipped. You will soon receive a URL to track the delivery progress of your package.

You'll get another email in a few days.

 

[bahnfire]

Do I have to email asking for a BIAB tracking number? Shows that it's shipped via bpost, and I've seen you guys mention you see your box shows its caught up in customs or whatever... But I don't see a tracking number or anyway to track it.

Help?

The initial email says something to the effect of:
Your order with the reference XXXXXXX has been shipped. You will soon receive a URL to track the delivery progress of your package.

You'll get another email in a few days.

^What he said. And on more than 1 occasion I never received an email with the tracking number and everything arrived just fine and considerably sooner than expected.

 

[HeadytheElder]

Anybody else had an issue with USPS tracking taking a long time to update?

I shipped an international package off on Monday (six days ago) and it still hasn't updated since the packaged departed from the local facility that night. The last USPS package I sent to same international recipient didn't update until 3 days later, but it has reached the point where I am starting to get concerned.

 

[Rock31]

Anybody else had an issue with USPS tracking taking a long time to update?

I shipped an international package off on Monday (six days ago) and it still hasn't updated since the packaged departed from the local facility that night. The last USPS package I sent to same international recipient didn't update until 3 days later, but it has reached the point where I am starting to get concerned.

Not international but my last two Amazon orders via USPS were delivered to me before USPS tracking even showed them leaving Amazon warehouses.

 

[thejukes]

Not international but my last two Amazon orders via USPS were delivered to me before USPS tracking even showed them leaving Amazon warehouses.

Same. USPS tracking sucks donkey taint.

 

[adschus]

I've had two boxes that were stuck in the Chicago outbound warehouse for nearly 6 days according to the tracking. Then on day 7, the box showed up to its European recipient.

I feel USPS employees just don't scan the boxes.

 

[csano]

USPS employees:

 

[stakem1]

this is the first time ive had a status of "inbound out of customs" for 7+ days
usually any boxes im getting arrive the same day or day after I see customs clearance

 

[flip1]

USPS track this days sucks. Normally I have no problem with this (it's a better tracking than Spain Postal Service) but my last ship no update the track or update very slow

Btw, american buddies. Any problem receiving parcels with private carriers from Europe (UPS, Fedex....)? I don't know if you pay customs taxes or even extra customs taxes from the private agents (In Spain UPS and Fedex charge for its management in addition to public taxes)

 

[stakem1]

this is the first time ive had a status of "inbound out of customs" for 7+ days
usually any boxes im getting arrive the same day or day after I see customs clearance

im writing this one off as just holiday traffic. got an update that she has arrived in town. it is going to be a glorious Christmas!

 

[stakem1]

Btw, american buddies. Any problem receiving parcels with private carriers from Europe (UPS, Fedex....)? I don't know if you pay customs taxes or even extra customs taxes from the private agents (In Spain UPS and Fedex charge for its management in addition to public taxes)

Ive received overseas via fedex and ups, i just think its much more expensive for the sender.

 

[petrinoda]

From your guys experiences when it says "Arrived at Sort Facility" for over a week is that something to worry about? The last few packages I sent were arrived and processed at the same exact time. Not sure how long I should wait until I should be worried / file a claim with usps.