Shipping to the Netherlands?

bobbywett

bobbywett

Joined
Jul 23, 2006
Messages
1,231
Hi Folks,

I just was offered a commission to forge a Bowie knife for someone living in the Netherlands. I'm fairly new to forging knives and have only sold 15 or so within the U.S. How do you folks handle shipping outside the U.S. and in particular the Nerthlands?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Bob,

Hershey, PA
 
You can use USPS or FedEx.
If you use USPS Global Express it will go FedEx
anyhow.....but cost half as much.
USPS and FexEx will both ship knives, but FedEx
is pickier about terminology.....Last time I used them
I asked about what to call it so as to be accurate but
not use the word "knife", thereby minimising the potential
for mis-direction. I was told to call it "Custom Collectable Cutlery"
on the Customs form. A large Bowie cost about $110 USD to
ship overnight with Ins. and tracking.

I prefer USPS International Express....same tracking and
Insurance options...same overnight service...and USPS
straight through.

Whichever you choose, Youll be required declare the contents,
it's velue, and insurance amount on a U.S.Customs form....Be
accurate..!
 
Last edited:
Thank you very much Russ
"I was told to call it "Custom Collectable Cutlery"
Click to expand...
......that seems like the most appropriate way to describe the contents. Most of the folks who have responded to my emails suggest using USPS Global/International...just as you have. Looks like I'll be continuing the trend.

Thanks Again,

Bob
 
I am Dutch and receive lots of knives by USPS. Tracking is excellent and cost is reasonable. Most of the knives I order are marked "Camp tool."
Never had a problem.
 
I am Dutch and receive lots of knives by USPS. Tracking is excellent and cost is reasonable. Most of the knives I order are marked "Camp tool."
Never had a problem.
Today 09:52 AM
Click to expand...

philwar,

Thanks for the feedback!
 
USPS Global Express is contracted out to FedEx.

USPS International Express goes USPS.

USPS is more likely to accept "camp tool" as a
discription. I had one occasion when FexEx
kicked back a shipment listed as camp tool.
 
I shipped one there recently via USPS and listed it simply as "cutlery" as per the customer's request. It only took a little over a week and only cost $20. We were both happy. Good luck.

-Mike
 
I live in the Netherlands and imported around 40 to 50 knives in the last couple of years. I normally use USPS or UPS. I stopped using FedEx because of some problems. They were related to FedEx not accepting some descriptions like "camping tool" and they flat out opened the packages and returned them to me with the message that they didn't ship knives.

As for USPS and UPS, both are in my experience reliable but UPS is generaly a bit faster. That's because UPS takes care of customs for you while the package is underway. USPS doesn't provide that service which means that sometimes the package get delayed at customs. Not USPS's fault just inevitable because of the shipping method. The flip side is that UPS is about twice as expensive.

Marcel
 
I appreciate the feedback Marcel. Your information seems to echo what other folks have told me. It looks like the customer I'm working with like to use USPS...so, I guess will give them a go.

Thanks,

Bob
 
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