Shipping knives over Sea's.

[Secret_77]

Hello all,

I've got a few knives for sale on the net.... I have a guy in Europe that wants to purchase.

Any legal issues or sand pits.

Last year I sold an expensive watch to someone in Germany, I told him once it leaves USPS and the good old USA your on your own.

 

[godot]

Hot tip seems to be to write camping tools instead of knives on the customs declaration. Less likely to be stolen or inspected. Contact the buyer and let him decide on how he wants it shipped.

 

[Bufford]

When shipping to Europe I learned that one can save alot of money by stating to customs declaration that the knife is a gift, and that way customs fees can be reduced or even elliminated.

 

[schluterc]

I agree that you should state your liabililty limits in advance so there is no confusion should something go wrong. I've shipped to Europe several times (probably a dozen or so), only one time did something go wrong- a package took 3 weeks to get to the UK (it was a flashlight), but it did show up. In every case I ask that the buyer tell me EXACTLY what I should write on the customs/duty forms and and for how much to insure the item. I also state that I'm not responsible for extra duties or if the item is lost or seized. I'll gladly jump through the insurance hoops for my buyer, and I'll give them whatever I get, but it will be the amount the that they asked me to insure the item for. Like I said, I've never really had a problem, but honestly, if customs in France or the mail system in Germany loses a knife or whatever, there's really nothing that I can do about it. Several buyers have gotten "scared" after this kind of a disclosure and not went ahead with a purchase- I fully understand, but that's probably the same buyer who will go nuts and speak negatively about you on the forums if their customs or mail service loses or siezes an item. That's not worth it to me, I would rather do business with a buyer who is aware of the risks and understands a reasonable liability on my part. The other option (Other than USPS) is of course of FedEx or UPS, which is much more reliable and safer but will cost the buyer between $50 and $100, maybe even more......

 

[Jack Black]

That all sounds like very good advice. I'm in the UK and have had some bad experiences (though only with E-bay purchases.) For example, I ended up paying more than the cost of two Cold Steel knives in customs duty because the dealer added the (excessive) shipping cost to the cost of the knives in the 'value' box of the customs declaration. The package also arrived with one of the knives sticking out of the side!

 

[Cougar Allen]

Let’s see if we can find the right forum …

 

[benyaM95 Ranger Knif]

I'm not in USA, but here what I do:
1) buyer chooses shipping method, amount of insurance(has to be same as declared value) and how he wants it to be declared(knife, tool, etc)
2) if there is a tracking # - I'll file the claim if lost in transit. I'll return money only after been paid on the claim(- shipping/office charges, etc)
3) if there is no tracking #(some of Canada Post cheaper services) - buyer SOL
4) confiscated by Forein Customs - buyer SOL

NOW THE MOST IMPORTANT THING - buyer HAS TO BE AWARE of those rules

 

[David1967]

Hello all,

I've got a few knives for sale on the net.... I have a guy in Europe that wants to purchase.

What country? For example all knives (even autos) are legel in Czech rep. - but in UK most are illegal... I bought almost all knives from US and never had any problems..

David

 

[idaho]

Secret77 - Before selling You must make sure that buyer understands that for uninsured shipment he takes the risk.
I bought a couple of knives from US to Poland (in prices from 30$ to 130$) and had no problem. I allways ask sellers to ship trough usps Priority Mail, or Flat Rate, and send pfd or scanned shipment receipt.
UK customs can delay or even push package pack to sender, telling that content is illegal in UK. There are also new laws in Germany now, saying that all folders and longer fixed blades are illegal to carry, but I don't know if they check mail from us in search of knives.