International shipping help...

[darkcloud]

Anyone deal with customs? I'm shipping a clothing item for the UK to Cleveland and was wondering if anyone had some first hand knowledge of the process? The store I'm buying the stuff from has never done this before. So far they quoted me at 15pounds for shipping and then they were unsure of any customs/duty charges if any.

Do I have to contact customs or should they just send the item and it will eventually get to me? I do have the break down of material for the items which the customs website said is necessary.

Please help

[Taittinger]

Originally Posted by darkcloud

Anyone deal with customs? I'm shipping a clothing item for the UK to Cleveland and was wondering if anyone had some first hand knowledge of the process? The store I'm buying the stuff from has never done this before. So far they quoted me at 15pounds for shipping and then they were unsure of any customs/duty charges if any.

Do I have to contact customs or should they just send the item and it will eventually get to me? I do have the break down of material for the items which the customs website said is necessary.

Please help

How are they shipping it? Not sure of the carriers in the UK but UPS, FedEx, and DHL able to assist. The shipping form itemizes the information required. That and a copy of the invoice should suffice. Also, depending on the dollar value, there may not be any customs charges.

[leejoobin]

if it's clothing item.
i say just send it. but i would get insurance.

[darkcloud]

Originally Posted by Taittinger

How are they shipping it? Not sure of the carriers in the UK but UPS, FedEx, and DHL able to assist. The shipping form itemizes the information required. That and a copy of the invoice should suffice. Also, depending on the dollar value, there may not be any customs charges.

I dunno what they were going to send it. They did mention insured it would be 15pounds. The items cost 80pounds so out there door it's just under $200 I think.

Originally Posted by leejoobin

if it's clothing item.
i say just send it. but i would get insurance.

That's what I thought, just wanted to see if anyone else dealt with this before.

[Taittinger]

$200 is fine. Whatever carrier they use should be able to advise them; it is really simple, just some additional fields to complete on the form.

[ettil]

Most merchants are kind enough to mark off "gift" and you don't have to pay any additional. If they use Royal Mail it's very simple. If they mark merchandise you may or may not have to pay customs, it's the carrier's responsibility to charge on delivery. It's a couple of additional lines the shipper has to fill out inc. contents.

[DasBlitz]

I have shipped numerous international items.

Just gotta fill out a customs form, on the form say its a gift and that evades from any further charges.

On the paper just say a jacket or whatever it is. All should be fine. Especially if it is going to the United States. I mean come on it is the US do you think they will actually check the stuff?

But again mark it as a gift.

[MCS]

mark it as a gift and if asked about the price/cost - list a wholesale price. i.e price it would sell for at a salvaiton army thrift shop.