need to ship a package to germany...

[WiseOne]

I need to ship a ebay package to germany, what's the best way to go about it? I never shipped anything international so i have no idea. The guy asked me to declare the package as "watch for repairs" and a value of $15.

 

[bacillus]

The guy asked me to declare the package as "watch for repairs" and a value of $15.

is that actually being truthful or is it to avoid duty at the other end?
you could simply send it via air mail postage if it isn't too large!

 

[Moonbeam]

You can use the post office, even international express via the PO.

What kind of repairs does he want you to watch for?

 

[WiseOne]

sorry I guess I was vague, he wants to save on duty fees so he asked me if I could please do that. The actual thing is worth $200. I will try the postoffice, I checked airborne and ups but they quoted me $40! eek . But when I go to the post office will they ask me what's in the package and how I want to declare it?

 

[aphex]

Fedex is a fantastic way to send it. I sent a few things to the netherlands this summer and ALL of them were at their location in 3 days.

 

[Moonbeam]

Better know what the penalty is for lying to save customs. He is not at risk, you are. Personally I wouldn't do it. I'd tell the guy that you will ship only above board and legit. If he doesn't want to pay customs, too bad. I think they open stuff to see if what is declared is what's in there.

 

[Christoph]

Fedex, UPS, US Postal Service--all will deliver to Germany.

$40 sounds about right for UPS or Fedex, depending on weight and packaging--remember this buys you 1-3 day service.

Your best bet is probably USPS Global Priority Mail or just airmail. They have a rate calculator on their site

I wouldn't worry too much about stretching the truth on the declaration. It's a used watch, right? Surely it needs some kind of repair. Just don't include anything in the package that contradicts the declared value on the waybill or cusoms declaration.

 

[max105]

USPS is probably the cheapest way to go. I believe UPS and Fedex get charged some extra custom fees or something so it usually costs more to ship through them. The only bad thing about shipping with USPS is that there's almost no way to track where the package is (i don't know if this is the same with hte other two). The only way you can get any sort of tracking information would be through Global priority. Since you're dealing with an eBay guy, I would either have him pay the full price of a legit shipment or get him to agree somehow that if anything happens to the package, it's his own fault.

 

[Gunslinger08]

UPS and Fedex RAPE you on international shipments. USPS air parcel post (not surf parcel post.. that takes months) is pretty speedy (week or two), and inexpensive. There is no way whatsoever to track it, and it's not guaranteed, but it's pretty reliable.

There's no penalty for lying on a customs form (unless it's hazardous goods, or something restricted in that country). If they do open the package and assess it's value at over $15 (which won't happen), then they would just charges duties/taxes to the recipient. I would just declare it as a gift watch, value of $30 or less. You'll have to fill out one of two forms, depending on the weight of the package.. a small one for under 2 lbs., and a larger one for anything else.

Josh

 

[aa_koch]

I live in the Netherlands and buy frequently from people here on AnandTech's For Sale/Trade Forum. All items I have received were sent by USPS Global Priority, and the most I've ever had to wait was nine business days (and the last two packages I received in only four business days). In my opinion, it's not worth spending the extra money on UPS/FedEx/etc., unless the buyer wants it overnight or something.

Depending on the weight and size of the package, customs may open it for inspection. However, I've only had this happen to me twice in over 30 shipments. I don't know if they have an x-ray machine or something, but unless they think it looks "suspicious," they won't bother to open it. That said, I think they'll definitely want to take a closer look if you mention the fact that the item's worth $200. If you tell the clerk at the PO that it's a $50 watch, you'll be fine. I guess the drawback about doing that is that you can't insure it, because it would be silly to insure a $200 watch for only $50. I do think you can get delivery confirmation, but I'm not absolutely sure.