[Neate Michael]

How should I ask them to send it? I guess they won't Fed-Ex it... I won it on ebay, so if it got "lost" what would happen? It's £500, so it is not HUGELY expensive but I wouldn't wanna throw it away either...

[pimp]

it's like groundhog day

[Neate Michael]

Why's that? I cannot see a similar thread? (But I am stoopid so perhaps I have missed it).

[easycraig]

when I ship overseas... I use US Postal Priority, double tube it, ( costs $27 to ship something up to 2 pounds ) -takes about 2 weeks. I always mark it a 'gift' with a $20-30 value. - ec

[wave]

All depends if they are sending it as a low value gift item (ahem ? Though if it gets lost, you'll be insured for a £1.

Express Mail International USPS if you can afford it. 3-5 days with insurance.

or

Priority Mail International if you want a 2 month wait of paranoia and no one knowing where the hell your print is.

[Michael Jacob]

Its a double edge sword like wave says. if you fully insure it, you end up paying VAT which is expensive. if you dont insure it, its alot cheaper, but if it gets lost or damaged, you lose everything. Personally, I recommend USPS Express Mail with full insurance. It cost more, but you'll sleep at night waiting for it. Ive shipped about 150 pieces to the UK from the US. One was lost, one damaged and the rest arrived safely. Good luck.

[curiousgeorge]

Jun 10, 2008 16:50:36 GMT 1 @pimp said:

it's like groundhog day

That's ironic, instead of sharing your vast knowledge all you seem to do is poke fun at folk asking silly questions*

It could be said of everything you post is like groundhog day


*There are no silly questions

[Heavyconsumer]

Jun 10, 2008 16:50:36 GMT 1 @pimp said:

it's like groundhog day

Constructive and helpful contribution as usual. Must be fun looking down at all the stupid, less knowledgable people.


The most important issue imo when arranging to receive a package from overseas, is that it is packed with as many extra layers of protection as possible. Sounds obvious, but sending (for example) a POW tube with only tissue paper and a print inside, is asking for trouble. RM staff see it as an invitation to re-enact the death of Obi-Wan Kanobi. Double tube, or use a Fedex triangle type outer with loads of bubble wrap whenever possible (the kind with big bubbles). Packaging well is the best and cheapest insurance available.

I like to use USPS Express service, which is fast and good value for money. There is a very real chance of getting hit for VAT, but equally, many times they slip through the net .

Hope your art gets to you well.

[bobbymeachamjr]

fedex courier @$50 more than usps express and you'll greatly reduce your heart pain. Trust me...

[Filipino Box Spring Hog]

mark the customs form such that the print is a gift or I found it to be even better if you don't mark it a gift and put down merchandise returned to sender or original owner or some such. There is a good chance there will be no VAT to pay - you can still insure it - and yeah, don't use priority mail international unless you're a fan of paranoia - I've had my paypal account frozen until the prints arrived - 5 of them, flat packed and sent that way - it took 2 months to arrive. They were impossible to track without a serious amount of effort and only then will you have a vague idea which country the package is in.

[Heavyconsumer]

Why do you say that Bobby? Just curious. I only used Fedex once, it was a great service, although I did get hit for tax + a handling charge for paying it. I have not experienced any issues with USPS Express so far on the few ocassions I've used them, but as a US resident I guess you have a lot more experience with both services.

If memory serves, Express includes tracking.

[bobbymeachamjr]

You must use courier service ie. fedex if you're shipping stuff over $1k usd. Period. The postal service will lose your package at some point...

[bobbymeachamjr]

Declare low value gift and fedex 2 day priority = awesome, minimal stress.
USPS is terrible with their tracking. You can have stuff delivered and it doesn't show up in the tracking as delivered. Once it reaches uk its in the hands of uk postal. No one to call. Not much they can do once its reaches the uk. You're basically helpless.

[timba82]

i had a print of around the same value shipped over to me from the U.S.
i swear to you it came almost bomb proof it was packaged so well.
he sent it USPS and it arrived about 7 days later.
he insured it for the full value of the print but stated to customs that the value of the item was only $30.....that way those that are the thieving customs people wouldnt have seen a high value print and decided to half inch it.
i never had to pay any VAT or handling costs when it arrived which was great.
dont worry....thats all i have to say.
as long as its packaged well - i recommend using 2 sturdy tubes and then a 'fed-ex triangle' - you'll be absolutely fine