Shipping from US to UK (1 Viewer)

[Spitfrnd]

I am about ready to ship a soldier figure to England for repair. I was wondering if any of you who have this experience could offer some insight on the best and most economical way to do that? Also, if you are shipping something over for repair, do you have to pay duty on that and if not is it simply non dutiable or is there some special designation you have to make? Any guidance would be appreciated.

 

[uksubs]

I am about ready to ship a soldier figure to England for repair. I was wondering if any of you who have this experience could offer some insight on the best and most economical way to do that? Also, if you are shipping something over for repair, do you have to pay duty on that and if not is it simply non dutiable or is there some special designation you have to make? Any guidance would be appreciated.

With British post office I would make Shaw that you send it insured with a tracking number

 

[thebritfarmer]

Mark it as a gift so the person receiving it doesn't have to pay duty and when they send it back have them do the same.

 

[aujj65]

Mark it as a gift so the person receiving it doesn't have to pay duty and when they send it back have them do the same.

Yes and also it has to be less than £36 as well!

Jeff

 

[jazzeum]

The most economical way is first class assuming the package is under 64 ounces. If it's over, it has to go priority. About a year ago or so, surface mail (or sea mail, as it used to be called) was eliminated. However, if you plan to insure it, it has to go priority, which is more expensive.

I've never had a problem with a lost package to the UK or anywhere for that matter, but if it means a lot to you, you could insure it. However, let's look at the practical side. If it gets lost, you'll have to deal with the post offices and good luck, from what dealers have told me. Recently, I sold some Trophy sets to a buyer in the UK and the buyer claimed he didn't receive them. I asked around about filing a claim and everybody told me you're better off just refunding the money. Fortunately, it had gotten stuck in customs and the buyer received it shortly thereafter.

If you have any other questions, please let me know.

 

[Peter Reuss]

You: I have a claim for a lost package! Here is my tracking and isurance information.

USPS: This surely can't be our problem, here is the contact information for ParcelForce in the UK. You can file your claim with them.

ParcelForce: I'm sorry, this can't be our claim to deal with. You need to inititate the claim with the USPS.

USPS: Oh, you want to file a claim? Here's the paperwork. I'll need proof that it wasn't delivered.

You: How can you prove something didn't happen?

USPS: This claim is looking shakey already!

You: Here's all the paperwork you requested.

USPS: I need the recipient's signature proving it never arrived.

You: The recipient is in the UK.

USPS: Here's a shipping envelope to send the paperwork to them. That'll be $29.99.

You: Fine! Anything to get the claim started.

{{months elapse}}

You: Hey, USPS. What happened to my claim.

USPS: It's in process. We sent it on to ParcelForce, since it's definitely not our problem. Here is their number.

You (to Parcelforce): I started an insurance claim with USPS and they referred me to you.

ParcelForce: We have no documentation on that claim. You will need to contact USPS to check on how it is progressing.

And so it goes...

 

[Spitfrnd]

Thanks for the replys mates. I have since read in various online sources that US Post is the best, UPS is an expensive nightmare and that you can avoid custom fees (regardless of value) if you state "For Repair and Return". Any thoughts or experience with this?

 

[Wraith]

Bill,

I don't think it matters too much what's marked on the declaration, the only thing the UK customs seem to hone in on, is the price. If it's got a declared value of anything under about $40, they tend to just let it through. Start getting much more than that, and tehy start clobbering you. Just stick a lowish declared value, and you should be fine.

I also agree about US Post. By far the cheapest in my experience (noted from the receiving end). Priority mail is slightly quicker by a couple of days, but all seem to come through within a week or two.

And for what it's worth, I've had hundreds of packages from the States and elsewhere. Never had a single one go missing. And the odd few that have been damaged, tended to be due to poor packing by the seller.

Hope that goes a little way to alleviating any concerns you may have.

Simon