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

[HenrikO]

When I posted this thread I never thought it would get stickied. Pretty cool. Doing my second one of these with HenrikO again. Even after the original going smoothly, the nerves are starting to ramp up. His box is on the way. I will be shipping soon. It's scary when these things are in transit. It's good to see so many successful stories in this thread.

Speaking of which, Barry, I just saw your package is moving, currently at the Swedish international transit hub. Delivery estimated Friday next week. Fingers crossed!

 

[thrashD]

Just read through the entire thread..great stuff and lots of awesome advice! I am just finalizing some details on my first international trade and had a question.

In regards to delcaring what the package is and assigning a $$ value, declaring it as "collectible glassware" and valuing it at $20 which seemed to be the 'go-to' amount. There was mention of boxes getting flagged by customs because ~20kg of glassware should be valued higher. So my question is, is $20 still a safe (relatively) valuation for a 12 shipper full of "collectible glassware"? the whole package should be about or even a little less than 20kg since half the box is smaller bottles. Or should I value it higher?

I have yet to start to fill out the customs form so i apologize if there is a table about declared values and taxes, im trying to get my ducks in a row before starting the whole process.

many thanks!

 

[gregkoko]

Just read through the entire thread..great stuff and lots of awesome advice! I am just finalizing some details on my first international trade and had a question.

In regards to delcaring what the package is and assigning a $$ value, declaring it as "collectible glassware" and valuing it at $20 which seemed to be the 'go-to' amount. There was mention of boxes getting flagged by customs because ~20kg of glassware should be valued higher. So my question is, is $20 still a safe (relatively) valuation for a 12 shipper full of "collectible glassware"? the whole package should be about or even a little less than 20kg since half the box is smaller bottles. Or should I value it higher?

I have yet to start to fill out the customs form so i apologize if there is a table about declared values and taxes, im trying to get my ducks in a row before starting the whole process.

many thanks!

I can only go by what happened to me. I shipped to the Netherlands, declared $20, and it sat at customs for almost three weeks. My sender told me to do an odd number value a bit higher than $20 (but under $50) like $34 or something like that. Round numbers look suspicious according to him. Just one man's opinion

 

[thrashD]

I can only go by what happened to me. I shipped to the Netherlands, declared $20, and it sat at customs for almost three weeks. My sender told me to do an odd number value a bit higher than $20 (but under $50) like $34 or something like that. Round numbers look suspicious according to him. Just one man's opinion

precisely where I am sending. Thanks for the tip!

 

[blue_bleeder]

Just read through the entire thread..great stuff and lots of awesome advice! I am just finalizing some details on my first international trade and had a question.

In regards to delcaring what the package is and assigning a $$ value, declaring it as "collectible glassware" and valuing it at $20 which seemed to be the 'go-to' amount. There was mention of boxes getting flagged by customs because ~20kg of glassware should be valued higher. So my question is, is $20 still a safe (relatively) valuation for a 12 shipper full of "collectible glassware"? the whole package should be about or even a little less than 20kg since half the box is smaller bottles. Or should I value it higher?

I have yet to start to fill out the customs form so i apologize if there is a table about declared values and taxes, im trying to get my ducks in a row before starting the whole process.

many thanks!

I actually did $120 on the one that went out today. I had no problems with the one I started this thread with but I thought I went higher than $20 because claaark13 said something about $20 X 6 or something, if I remember correctly. Good luck!!!

 

[thrashD]

I actually did $120 on the one that went out today. I had no problems with the one I started this thread with but I thought I went higher than $20 because claaark13 said something about $20 X 6 or something, if I remember correctly. Good luck!!!

Interesting, thanks for the info! I think what claaark was referring to was dividing the total weight/price by six for every item you declare (ie 6 items on the form). I did a test run on USPS' website and that's how I did it. Might be wrong, but that's how I intrepreted it.

How much did your box weigh? And thanks for the luck, you as well!!

 

[claaark13]

I actually did $120 on the one that went out today. I had no problems with the one I started this thread with but I thought I went higher than $20 because claaark13 said something about $20 X 6 or something, if I remember correctly. Good luck!!!

It was ~$20 for x6, or something like that, not $120 = 6 x $20

That's ok though, I think it is just a tax that gets imposed depending on the import company.

 

[blue_bleeder]

How much did your box weigh? And thanks for the luck, you as well!!

This one was 35lbs...

 

[HenrikO]

This one was 35lbs...

 

[blue_bleeder]

Last one to you was heavier, funny guy. I am always nervous picking the bottles to send to you. I never feel worthy...

 

[mattvandyk]

From the luck-out department, I discovered this thread the day AFTER sending a large box to Sweden. Said box had the following characteristics: USPS, 63 pounds, yeast samples (b/c it was sloshing a little so didn't want to go with glassware), $30 declared value. Basically, I sent it off based on some very loose research I had done, then read this thread and sweated bullets for 2 weeks. The luck part...cleared both sides no problem, even arrived 4 days early.

Going forward, though, I think I'll go with the conventional wisdom...now that I know what it is!

 

[gregkoko]

From the luck-out department, I discovered this thread the day AFTER sending a large box to Sweden. Said box had the following characteristics: USPS, 63 pounds, yeast samples (b/c it was sloshing a little so didn't want to go with glassware), $30 declared value. Basically, I sent it off based on some very loose research I had done, then read this thread and sweated bullets for 2 weeks. The luck part...cleared both sides no problem, even arrived 4 days early.

Going forward, though, I think I'll go with the conventional wisdom...now that I know what it is!

Holy poundage Batman. Don't even want to know what that cost to ship

 

[mattvandyk]

Holy poundage Batman. Don't even want to know what that cost to ship

http://www.talkbeer.com/community/threads/things-got-a-little-loony-this-morning.17700/

Discovered too late that there's a 66 pound limit on US-Sweden, so actually ended up having to send 2 boxes (one small, one large).

 

[blue_bleeder]

Holy poundage Batman. Don't even want to know what that cost to ship

 

[mattvandyk]

Yeah, that was not pleasant (especially when I realized I was gonna have to send 2 boxes), but fortunately, I had a partner on this side, so we split it.

 

[HenrikO]

http://www.talkbeer.com/community/threads/things-got-a-little-loony-this-morning.17700/

Discovered too late that there's a 66 pound limit on US-Sweden, so actually ended up having to send 2 boxes (one small, one large).

Michigan and Dunt once sent me a 67-pound package.

Made it OK but was slightly delayed because it crushed 2 Customs officials on the way.

 

[mattvandyk]

Michigan and Dunt once sent me a 67-pound package.

Made it OK but was slightly delayed because it crushed 2 Customs officials on the way.

Good to know! I didn't know how strictly enforced they poundage limit was enforced and didn't want to risk it! It was risky enough!!

 

[Michigan1]

Michigan and Dunt once sent me a 67-pound package.

Made it OK but was slightly delayed because it crushed 2 Customs officials on the way.

Well, actually it was 67 pounds but it weighed 63 at the post office because I had my hand under the box to lift it up a bit while it was on their scale. I was very sneaky!

 

[thrashD]

Wow, I just got a package from the UK delivered in just under three days. It arrived at Customs, was cleared in just an hour, and was delivered six hours later (about a 140 miles away). I don't think this is normal, but I hope my next shipment is as easy! Still need to complete my end of the trade when I get back into town.

 

[blue_bleeder]

Holy ****!! It is such a relief when a package to Sweden finally gets to it's destination!!

 

[MKtheGeneral]

Honestly, at this point we might as well just rename this the "Int'l Shipping to HenrikO and others: Tips/Tricks/Advice" thread

 

[blue_bleeder]

Honestly, at this point we might as well just rename this the "Int'l Shipping to HenrikO and others: Tips/Tricks/Advice" thread

Who else sends the loons the way he does?!?!

 

[MKtheGeneral]

Who else sends the loons the way he does?!?!

And I say this with all due respect,

Shhhhhhhhhhhh

 

[blue_bleeder]

And I say this with all due respect,

Shhhhhhhhhhhh

Yeah, I am bad at that.

sorry.

 

[HenrikO]

Honestly, at this point we might as well just rename this the "Int'l Shipping to HenrikO and others: Tips/Tricks/Advice" thread

There are actually a lot (well, a handful) of Europeans besides me who trade over here. They're just not very active besides sending PMs responding to ISO/FTs.

But sure, I'll take it.

 

[MKtheGeneral]

There are actually a lot (well, a handful) of Europeans besides me who trade over here. They're just not very active besides sending PMs responding to ISO/FTs.

But sure, I'll take it.

Ha I know but moreso mean a majority of the posts are relating to sending your way. All in good fun, I swear!

 

[Wagon Circler]

HenrikO

You mentioned Germany customs earlier in this thread. Sending a box there soon. What's the deal bro?

 

[gregkoko]

Honestly, at this point we might as well just rename this the "Int'l Shipping to HenrikO and others: Tips/Tricks/Advice" thread

I want to bang HenrikO

 

[blue_bleeder]

I want to bang HenrikO

Of course you do. This isn't like talking about which Emma you want to tap, there is only one HenrikO after all.

 

[gregkoko]

Of course you do. This isn't like talking about which Emma you want to tap, there is only one HenrikO after all.

Even if I tried MKtheGeneral would be all

 

[caaam]

This thread actually makes me want to pop my international cherry… HenrikO you have a mid/south Atlantic connection already?

 

[MKtheGeneral]

Even if I tried MKtheGeneral would be all

Greg you're half way there. The other half..

 

[user 306926]

I'm going to threadshit and not talk about HenrikO dealings.

Mailed two boxes to US from Canada using the Canada Post/USPS handoff.
I'm astounded as tracking is working at both ends and both are moving without interuptions (albeit a bit slower than I'd like in this weather). I am much excite. Gone are the days of me smuggling beer in me bottom through customs only to wrap up and box on the streets of the D outside UPS.
Of course I've never heard good things about beer coming into Canada from the US so I'll keep my Detroit mailbox.

tl;dr USPS (like the US) trusts its northern little brother (Canada Post) to give them stuff thats on the up and up.
But little brother is oddly a rat when it comes to big bro sending stuff.

 

[HenrikO]

HenrikO

You mentioned Germany customs earlier in this thread. Sending a box there soon. What's the deal bro?

German customs are somewhat more thorough than Swedish or US customs, that's all. Take the normal precautions (i.e. tick "gift", don't declare too high a value, pack well - no sloshing, don't get creative etc) and you should be fine.

 

[HenrikO]

I want to bang HenrikO

This thread actually makes me want to pop my international cherry… HenrikO you have a mid/south Atlantic connection already?

I want to bang you all, but I'm getting a bit stretched (ha!). Feel free to get back to me around March/April, I'll hopefully be restocked on 'loons by then.

MKtheGeneral and blue_bleeder , there's still enough love to go around! I'm just not a one-man man, fellas.

 

[MKtheGeneral]

I want to bang you all, but I'm getting a bit stretched (ha!). Feel free to get back to me around March/April, I'll hopefully be restocked on 'loons by then.

MKtheGeneral and blue_bleeder , there's still enough love to go around! I'm just not a one-man man, fellas.

Oh I know, so much for joking! You are a class act good sir.

 

[HenrikO]

Oh I know, so much for joking! You are a class act good sir.

THERE MUST BE NO JOKES

 

[MKtheGeneral]

THERE MUST BE NO JOKES

"Hold up, we're on TB here and not on my webpage."

 

[HenrikO]

"Hold up, we're on TB here and not on my webpage."

Great, you compared me to Tawd. Now you made me cry. HAPPY?


Sorry for the threadshit. Everyone should go back to talking about how much they want to trade with me, it's great for my ego.

 

[MKtheGeneral]

No!!!!!! That's why I put it in quotes! There is no one one here that should get compared to Tawd... well not many at least but you're certainly not one of them!