Info / help on shipping coins across sea's

sommerj

Anyone know why my local post office will not allow me to ship some coins across sea's? or maybe if there is a way to?

coindeuce

Declaring the contents as coins is the last thing you want to do. I declare them as "souvenir metal stampings". Also, some countries have restrictions on importation of coins. You can view the list by country at the U.S.P.S. website under the main heading of International shipping.

ccrdragon

I have successfully shipped coins to just about everywhere by marking them as 'numismatic items'. post office never complains and the customer always receives them.

sinin1

each country has its own restrictions

USPS website ->Index of Countries and Localities


sending is not as problematic as insuring to guarantee delivery and against loss




I occasionally have put raw coins in cut out cardboard and wrapped in
business sized envelope - and smaller coins come in for less than 2 ounces

mrpotatoheadd

<< <i>Also, some countries have restrictions on importation of coins. You can view the list by country at the U.S.P.S. website under the main heading of International shipping. >>

You also need to be aware that the website is not necessarily accurate in that regard. Australia allows coins to be imported (I asked the Australian customs office, and was told they had no prohibitions on importing collectible coins) even though the USPS website says otherwise, and I'd be willing to bet that's not the only country with this issue.

My personal opinion (I haven't verified the actual policy of every country on the list) is that there is some confusion about importation regulations when it comes to coins- most countries *do* restrict or prohibit the importation of cash, but collectible coins are not the same thing. In fact, lots of collectible coins aren't even money anymore- they've been demonetized and are longer redeemable.

As noted above, your best option is to not use the word "coins" to describe them. "Metal stampings" or "numismatic items" work- personally, I use "processed planchets".