Question about mailing from US post office

worldcoinguy · October 19, 2006 9:11AM

Slightly off topic, but I will throw it out there to see what others think. I just returned from the local post office here in Ohio, where I just mailed 3 packages. Two of the packages went to domestic addresses, and the third went to Japan via registered mail. I filled out the customs form, and wrote numismatic, as I usually do. They usually never question it. Apparently today I had to deal with the queen supreme commander of the USPS. She asked what numistmatics meant, and I told her it refers to collecting coins. She proceeded to tell me it is illegal to send coins overseas, and most countries will confiscate them at the border. She walked into the back and brought out a thick catalog with all the world wide laws surrounding mail, and a coworker joined her. They proceeded to look up Japan, and sure enough, it says that shipping coins or banknotes is illegal. I told her this seemed crazy. Next, we then looked up some other countries I have send coins to in the last 2 years, and saw similar results. She told me I can "chance it" and wished me good luck (this is insured registered mail remember). I sent the package.

My question to forum members - is this the case of a postal employee taking things too serious, or is this a legitimate concern? So far, eBay has connected me with buyers in China, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Iceland, Isreal, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, the UK, and Russia. So far, I have never had a single problem. Thoughts?

ajaan · October 19, 2006 9:39AM

I have never had a coin confiscated by a foreign post office.

Bailathacl · October 19, 2006 9:42AM

How far away is the next nearest post office?

newsman · October 19, 2006 9:44AM

<< I have never had a coin confiscated by a foreign post office. >>

I have had one or two "consfiscated" by dishonest postal workers, but not by a customs agency.

When sending overseas, I usually label the customs form as "product samples," or something non-numismatic that is also not necessarily false.

spoon · October 19, 2006 10:45AM

<< How far away is the next nearest post office? >>

My thoughts exactly.

mrpaseo · October 19, 2006 11:01AM

I had a post office employee ask what Numismatic items was, he was persistant and finally got the word coins out of me... That package did not make it to the receiver... go figure.

Since then, I put metal disks as the contense and they have never questioned what was in the package. If they ask, I'll say, Like a washer... it's not a lie and it keeps the post person honest.

It's a sad world we live in.

Refrema · October 19, 2006 11:07AM

I think her sister works at one of the offices here in Albuquerque. She gave me such a bad time for two or three international shipments that each time I took the same package to another office, and had absolutely no problem. If it is anything slightly unusual, I just don’t use that Post Office.

Your first clue should have been when she did not know what Numismatic meant.

Don’t try to fight a bureaucrat, you can never win.

I ship items overseas regularly, and have never had any problems.

Bob

worldcoinguy · October 19, 2006 11:17AM

<< Don’t try to fight a bureaucrat, you can never win. >>

Isn't that the truth!

Thanks for all the comments everybody. Its funny - despite all the USPS rules and regulations, there seems to be a dozen different ways to interpret them. For example, some workers let me send registered mail in padded envelopes, others require plain white envelopes, and others tell me it can only be in the cardboard mailer that the USPS sells. I think it is best to take my next mailings elsewhere during regular hours. Maybe the personnel that work the extra hour until 6:00 in the local post office (the only local one with extended hours) are just frustrated that they drew the short straw on the extended hours.

Silvereagle82 · October 19, 2006 11:46AM

<< For example, some workers let me send registered mail in padded envelopes, others require plain white envelopes, and others tell me it can only be in the cardboard mailer that the USPS sells. >>

I have run into that same problem here in Louisiana. It is so aggrevating when you have a package prepared perfectly. stand in line for 30 minutes (There's always a line at my post office) and then have a clerk tell you that you can't use a certain envelope package that you've used with no problems several time before !!!!!

Aethelred · October 19, 2006 12:00PM

<< Since then, I put metal disks as the contense and they have never questioned what was in the package. >>

That is great thinking, I am going to start doing that with overseas mailings. While I have never had an issue with this, it has concerned me. In most cases if I am questioned by the PO clerk I will just take the package home with me and mail it at a later date. I know most of the PO clerks at the two post offices I use and they know I am mailing coins and in any event don't even ask, every now and then I get a new clerk that is full of piss and vinegar and have to break them in. A few of the PO clerks are also customers at the coin shop, so that helps matters quite a bit!

spinaker2000 · October 19, 2006 12:06PM

In many cases the coins we all send are no longer legal tender, and nothing more than a token. And that's what I call them on the customs forms, "tokens".

Aethelred · October 19, 2006 12:14PM

<< In many cases the coins we all send are no longer legal tender, and nothing more than a token. And that's what I call them on the customs forms, "tokens".

>>

I am going to have to report you to the post office for that, you could go to post office jail!

coinpictures · October 19, 2006 12:35PM

<< In many cases the coins we all send are no longer legal tender, and nothing more than a token. And that's what I call them on the customs forms, "tokens".

>>

That's how I label mine as well. None haven't made it thus far...

cacheman · October 19, 2006 12:56PM

I label with "exonumia disk(s)"

mrpotatoheadd · October 19, 2006 1:22PM

<< Thoughts? >>

The post office's rule book is not always accurate regarding what can and cannot be imported into other countries. If you check the USPS website for Australia, "coins" is the very first thing listed as prohibited. I was told by an Australian customer that he had contacted Australian customs and was told that numismatic items were not prohibited. When he told them that the USPS website disagreed, the customs agent basically told him "That's their [USPS's] problem." He also said that he contacted the USPS and told them what Australia customs told him, and the USPS said that they'd update their website when they received notification from Australia that their posted policy was not correct.

I no longer mail "coins" internationally- now, I send "processed planchets".

1jester · October 19, 2006 6:38PM

<< 

<< T

I no longer mail "coins" internationally- now, I send "processed planchets". >>

Maybe they'll tell you that sending food is against postal regulations!!

I've seen "stamped metal discs" as well.

Dentuck · October 19, 2006 7:09PM

I imagine most countries make a distinction similar to the one the United States made between owning "gold" and owning "collectible gold coins" after the 1933 Executive Order.

Does Afghanistan want you shipping thousands of U.S. dollars in unmarked $20 and $50 bills into its heartland? No. But do they care if you repatriate an 11th-century silver dirham of Mas'ud? Or if you ship an Afghani customer a "Dowager Head" Victorian British crown? No.

-- Dentuck

P.S. I like "processed planchets"! Very clever, and not untrue. But "processed" might sound too threatening in today's sensitive security-heightened climate. Maybe "machined planchets"?

Dentuck · October 19, 2006 7:12PM

MrPaseo, I like your picture of "Flaming June." Have you been to the art museum in Ponce to see it in person? A great painting!

Stork · October 19, 2006 7:56PM

I've used 'obsolete tokens/medal'.

Cathy

ps. I've been to the museum in Ponce

-- beautiful!

Gazza · October 19, 2006 10:48PM

I'm not aware of it being illegal here in the UK to post coins but but anything did happen any insurance would be voir as they don't cover coins or jewellery.

silverpop · October 20, 2006 2:15PM

I've mailed coins and notes to england, the netherlands, russia, germany, canada and never had a problem, the post office just ask the usual questions and then they stamp the package and i pay. they know excatly what is in the packages i send cause i tell them, nothing has ever come up about laws and such

Just today an auction package for one of my customers arrived in the netherlands safe and sound without any problems

Question about mailing from US post office

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