Overseas shipping-How do you avoid the pitfalls?

laurentyvan

If your USPS postmaster checks the "do not ship items to France", coins show up on the list. I suspected that, and described the shipment as "books". The list of proscribed items actually addresses "Gold Coins" as items that can't be shipped (but not at the post office, only online).

How do you handle overseas shipments to Europe if you are selling coins?

I label items as books, (Ebay Laurentian Books Store) but if you buy the insurance necessary to be protected for the items value, it goes pretty much heavily identified (as to value), something that makes me nervous.

I keep looking for an anonymous way to ship coins overseas but it seems to be fairly difficult to do so. How do you handle this kind of situation?

Edited to add content

ajaan

I put 'numismatic item for collector' on all my green custom forms. Never had a problem. It is my understanding that insurance is only available if you ship Parcel Post or Global Express. Registered Mail has a maximum insurance of only $44.

laurentyvan

Everything I ship overseas is Airmail Parcel post, which is the only way I know of to obtain (adequate) insurance. Registered mail is awful slow and I avoid it for that reason. I use paypal connected to USPS and it works like a charm but: USPS postal site only allows Airmail Parcel Post if you want insurance overseas (which is allright with me, but any postal worker who is inclined to rip will easily identify this package). Again, anonymous (as much as possible) is my main goal.

I shudder to think that major coin outlets (regardless of who they are), identify themselves as a shipper of coins.

Edited to add: I put 'numismatic item for collector' on all my green custom forms. I like this phrase and will use it in the future...

Cladiator

Use FedEx Int. for anonymity. 99% of the worlds jewelery and diamond sellers use them with very few problems.

laurentyvan

Use FedEx Int. for anonymity. 99% of the worlds jewelery and diamond sellers use them with very few problems.

If i can be lazy, how comparable do you find the costs between the two?

coinpictures

USPS regulations are insanely stupid. Typical bureaucratic boondoggle.

I cannot insure anything going "Air Letter Post", which means I'm paying a minimum of about $15 to ship (Air Parcel Post rates assume a minimum of 1 lb weight).

I can insure a coin going "Air Parcel Post" oversees for thousands of dollars, but if I want to send the coin via the safer registered mail method, the indemnity is capped at $44. Completely illogical.

I can insure Global Express Mail, but not Global Priority Mail.

FedEx and UPS international rates will make your eyes water. Unless you are shipping coins worth thousands of dollars it is not cost effective.

I find that the best option is to ship via air letter post and use a third-party insurance carrier like DSI or U-PIC, marking the customs slip as "tokens".

Cladiator

<< <i>how comparable do you find the costs between the two? >>

You'll pay more for FedEx no question. The question is it worth the extra you'll pay for the added security and peace of mind?

Stork

<< <i>I find that the best option is to ship via air letter post and use a third-party insurance carrier like DSI or U-PIC, marking the customs slip as "tokens". >>



That is pretty much what I do, though I sometimes throw in the word 'obsolete'. If it's pricey, it goes registered and slowness--oh well . So far no problems, and DSI has been the insurance I've used a handful of times. I've even shipped a gold coin to Lebanon without trouble. We'll see how well my coin going 5 miles from my house does next .


Cathy

laurentyvan

Not familiar with DSI- I assume your experiences have been good with them?

johnsim03

This is an interesting thread.

The safest way has got to be registered mail. Registered mail from the States to Germany, where I live,
takes about 7-10 days, about the same as regular airmail or priority airmail. If the sending is valuable
enough, I would probably go with registered mail.

Always tell the truth on customs forms. It makes it easier for the person who receives the letter to deal
with customs. Naturally, in most western countries, collector coins have no duty imposed upon them,
unless they reach some value threshhold, or are in some kind of quantity which makes re-sale as the
motive obvious.

Some countries are strange. I can ship an airmail bubble bag (small) to Canada and it will reach its
destination in 4 days or less. To the states can be much longer - in the 7 to 10 day range.

I have had hundreds of transactions going both ways, buying and selling, and never once has anything
gone lost. Perhaps I am lucky. Most of the guys I regularly deal with just send stuff priority airmail, with
a proper customs label.

Another consideration is that sometimes you have to prove receipt. Here in Germany, you have to sign for
registered mail... Lots of other forms of mail you do not have to sign for.

John

CIVITAS

I've had my FedEx packages returned to me with "Numismatic Items" as uninsurable items when going overseas. So I sent $2500.00 worth of "Machine Parts" to a customer once via FedEx.

CIVITAS

Also re: DSI. I know of at least 2 very bad experiences with DSI when dealers I know tried to make a claim for lost packages.