Shipping Overseas???

[JSMcustoms]

I've got a few questions about how to deal with shipping items overseas and dealing with the dreaded customs. How do you guys deal with them when it comes to shipping knives over to other countries? Is it a flat out 'no' or are there specific ways that it needs to be handled? As far as declaring what's in the package, does 'hand tool' cover it or should you list exactly what's in the package and the exact value of the contents?

 

[RevDevil]

The best place for this kind of thread (since it deals with shipping items that are bought and sold) is the Exchange. There are sticky'd threads located in the Feedback forum specifically that have been compiled over years worth of input and experience. I'd suggest that as a starting point. There really is very little in this regard that has not been covered in detail. In short, be honest, declare the actual value, don't ship items that might be illegal in another country, if you disregard these simple steps you may be on the receiving end of some headaches, paypal disputes, and long winded threads.

 

[2manyknives]

I can only speak to Australia as a destination and the simple answer is to be honest. Most parcels are x rayed so Customs will know that it is a knife. Calling it something else won't help matters. Call it a camping knife, pocket knife, hunting knife or whatever the case may be. I don't recommend combat knife or zombie killer or the likes as a description.

Declare the correct value of the goods. The threshold for duty here is $1000 and even beyond that value the duty is not that excessive. Valuing an expensive looking knife as $10 etc only makes it look like someone is trying to fool the system. Also creates issues if the item is damaged or lost.

Make it clear that you will label honestly and that the decision of Customs is the buyers problem and that no refund will be provided if the item is seized.

Insurance and tracking are about balancing risk and value to me. I would not pay $40 postage on a $50 knife but would carry the risk as a buyer and request a basic postage option. A $300 knife would be a different matter. Having said that I have never had a knife lost in the post and have never had a problem with international delivery in over 30 years of buying and selling.

 

[JSMcustoms]

I'm assuming I'm good if I spell out in writing (email) exactly what terms each party is agreeing to before any payment, shipping etc takes place? That way if any issues arise, I have in writing what each party agreed to.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I'm assuming I'm good if I spell out in writing (email) exactly what terms each party is agreeing to before any payment, shipping etc takes place? That way if any issues arise, I have in writing what each party agreed to.

Don't assume. If you use PayPal and Customs seizes the item, PayPal won't care what you have in writing from the buyer, if he insists, they will refund his money.

I have moved this to FEEDBACK. Read the stickies. We put a lot of effort into making them informative.

 

[steve111]

if your shipping to the UK insurance is a must most UK buyers are happy to pay the extra, describe the item correctly and declare the full value or the insurance may not be valid,

Do not ship balisong, push dagger/knives, knuckle duster knives or autos to the UK as the are prohibited

A bill for import duty and handling charges will be sent to the buyer when the item has cleared customs

 

[JSMcustoms]

I figure it's also a good idea to check the buyer's feedback score closely. I do this anyway with any deal, but for shipping things out of the country, I figure it's even more important to do so.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I figure it's also a good idea to check the buyer's feedback score closely. I do this anyway with any deal, but for shipping things out of the country, I figure it's even more important to do so.

Definitely good idea.

I saw a sale yesterday where a customer from overseas wanted to buy the item. The seller declined to ship outside the US. Looking at the buyer's history I saw only 4 posts. That would have turned me off by itself. If I don't know them, I like to look at their posting history and see if they participate in discussions or just come here to buy and sell.

 

[Steven65]

I can only speak to Australia as a destination and the simple answer is to be honest. Most parcels are x rayed so Customs will know that it is a knife. Calling it something else won't help matters. Call it a camping knife, pocket knife, hunting knife or whatever the case may be. I don't recommend combat knife or zombie killer or the likes as a description.

Declare the correct value of the goods. The threshold for duty here is $1000 and even beyond that value the duty is not that excessive. Valuing an expensive looking knife as $10 etc only makes it look like someone is trying to fool the system. Also creates issues if the item is damaged or lost.

Make it clear that you will label honestly and that the decision of Customs is the buyers problem and that no refund will be provided if the item is seized.

Insurance and tracking are about balancing risk and value to me. I would not pay $40 postage on a $50 knife but would carry the risk as a buyer and request a basic postage option. A $300 knife would be a different matter. Having said that I have never had a knife lost in the post and have never had a problem with international delivery in over 30 years of buying and selling.

All excellent advice..........^^

Some descriptions I ask sellers to use when shipping to me in South Africa:

Fixed Blade Knife

Pocket Knife

Folding Knife

Pen Knife

Axe (all tomahawks, hatchets, etc get this description)

I avoid the "camping tool" description. For anything over $100-00 I always have the seller ship to me with USPS Express Mail International Insured. The Insured Value and declared value are always the same and truthful. I would rather pay the duty than have a knife seized.

I have received literally hundreds of knives from the US and other countries without a single problem.

good luck with your sales.............(and Merry Xmas)

Steven

 

[ooitzoo]

Don't assume. If you use PayPal and Customs seizes the item, PayPal won't care what you have in writing from the buyer, if he insists, they will refund his money.

I have moved this to FEEDBACK. Read the stickies. We put a lot of effort into making them informative.

Second time today but: ^^^THIS^^^

Either ask the buyer to pay via PP gift / personal / payment owed (or whatever other means that has no recourse to you) and have them agree, in email, that you're not going to be held liable for anything once the package leaves the country. With that said, if the buyer agrees, you can ship using whatever method the buyer wants (as they're likely paying for it.)