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Sending Cards to Non EU contries from the UK

  • yeoldcuriocabinet
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    61 messages

    United Kingdom

    My local post office keep telling me that I don't need to fill out a customs form when sending items if I write Printed Paper on the packet. My understanding is that all goods should have a customs declaration, but I have not been able to find a definitive answer from Royal Mail website which seems to give conflicted advice.

    Has any body ever had packet stop or rejected by customs for not having a customs declaration and what was the consequence if any?

    Thanks
  • Account deleted
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    0 messages

    United Kingdom

    My local post office keep telling me that I don't need to fill out a customs form when sending items if I write Printed Paper on the packet. My understanding is that all goods should have a customs declaration, but I have not been able to find a definitive answer from Royal Mail website which seems to give conflicted advice.

    Has any body ever had packet stop or rejected by customs for not having a customs declaration and what was the consequence if any?

    Thanks
    • Created on 25 Oct 2011 at 06:49
    • #355379
    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
  • Account deleted
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    0 messages

    United Kingdom

    My local post office keep telling me that I don't need to fill out a customs form when sending items if I write Printed Paper on the packet. My understanding is that all goods should have a customs declaration, but I have not been able to find a definitive answer from Royal Mail website which seems to give conflicted advice.

    Has any body ever had packet stop or rejected by customs for not having a customs declaration and what was the consequence if any?

    Thanks
    • Created on 25 Oct 2011 at 06:49
    • #355379
    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
  • moonstone
    moonstone 100% (54166x)
    advanced

    1016 messages

    United Kingdom

    My local post office keep telling me that I don't need to fill out a customs form when sending items if I write Printed Paper on the packet. My understanding is that all goods should have a customs declaration, but I have not been able to find a definitive answer from Royal Mail website which seems to give conflicted advice.

    Has any body ever had packet stop or rejected by customs for not having a customs declaration and what was the consequence if any?

    Thanks
    • Created on 25 Oct 2011 at 06:49
    • #355379
    I've never had a packet rejected because I didn't have a declaration on it, having been told that unless it's a 'packet' it doesn't need one,but the whole thing is totally confusing. If you check Royal Mail's leaflet 'Pricing made easy', you will find that any weight of item can count as Printed Paper / small packet, but it would be daft to send anything less than 100gm, as this is what the RM composite rate for such items pays up to, and th eletter rateis less (up to 80gm for Europe and 60gm for th eRest of the World). Hence, if its less than 100gm, I send it letter rate (and note the cover of the envelope accordingly), without a Customs form, and if over 100gm, it's marked Small Packet and a form attached.

    Australia is very strict on this, I'm led to believe
  • Account deleted
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    0 messages

    United Kingdom

    I've never had a packet rejected because I didn't have a declaration on it, having been told that unless it's a 'packet' it doesn't need one,but the whole thing is totally confusing. If you check Royal Mail's leaflet 'Pricing made easy', you will find that any weight of item can count as Printed Paper / small packet, but it would be daft to send anything less than 100gm, as this is what the RM composite rate for such items pays up to, and th eletter rateis less (up to 80gm for Europe and 60gm for th eRest of the World). Hence, if its less than 100gm, I send it letter rate (and note the cover of the envelope accordingly), without a Customs form, and if over 100gm, it's marked Small Packet and a form attached.

    Australia is very strict on this, I'm led to believe
    • Created on 25 Oct 2011 at 08:56
    • #355401
    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
  • moonstone
    moonstone 100% (54166x)
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    United Kingdom

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    • Created on 25 Oct 2011 at 09:27
    • #355405
    They're not, according to my leaflet - non European packet rate is £2.07 up to 100gm, but £2.07 only covers the up to 60gm letter rate, up to 80gm being £2.51 and up to 100gm £3.19, hence it's always cheaper to send 60gm+ items by packet and less tha 40 gm by letter
  • mainlypostcards
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    3540 messages

    United Kingdom

    They're not, according to my leaflet - non European packet rate is £2.07 up to 100gm, but £2.07 only covers the up to 60gm letter rate, up to 80gm being £2.51 and up to 100gm £3.19, hence it's always cheaper to send 60gm+ items by packet and less tha 40 gm by letter
    • Created on 25 Oct 2011 at 10:17
    • #355414
    I use letter rate up to 60 grammes, which doesn't need a customs form.
    Overy 60 grammes I always write "Printed Papers" in the top left corner and don't use a customs form either. Never had a problem. And that is based on advice from my local post office.

    As far as Canada is concerned, I once had a letter (board backed enveloppe with a single postcard) returned, because it only had my address on the back and not my name.
  • wassail
    wassail 100% (2297x)

    68 messages

    United Kingdom

    My local post office keep telling me that I don't need to fill out a customs form when sending items if I write Printed Paper on the packet. My understanding is that all goods should have a customs declaration, but I have not been able to find a definitive answer from Royal Mail website which seems to give conflicted advice.

    Has any body ever had packet stop or rejected by customs for not having a customs declaration and what was the consequence if any?

    Thanks
    • Created on 25 Oct 2011 at 06:49
    • #355379
    Most definately yes! I did a few posts on mailing and receiving mail from abroad. I personall have had to pay £12 at the door because the envelope did not have a customs label on it , and they do spot checks , and if "unlucky" they have the right to open the pkt to see if it SHOULD have had one on! Best way to avoid this? Don't put a copy of the transaction in the envelope! One can see it on the site at any time,
    It is not a nonEuropean country, but a NON -European UNION country. Switzerland foe example is not a European UNION country. and therefore MUST have a customs label attached. Putting the words "printed Matter Only" Helps, as long as the total amount is less than £41 (whatever that is in Euros or Dollars). So, don't put a copy of the transaction in the packet, and keep the value below £41.
    Many many pkts get through far more than don't, but these are the lucky ones! As I said it is the spot checking that does it. An ordinary envelope does not need a customs label if it contains only printed matter. However, sending precious postcards in such a way is irresponsible in my own opinion, therfore, if in a cardboard mailer or a plastic rigid sleeve they must have a customs label. Don't be fooled into thinking that registered post is safe! I have had two packets stolen, both sent by registered post by two different sellers, the value being for a considerable amount of money. Never put "UK", always print the address in full. I had 2 pkts go to Japan because the seller put only "UK" (apparantly).
    Just a note on something different.. it costs a person from the UK or not on the European mainland £18 to send a payment via IBAN. The reason being , we are "overseas". That given recently, from my bank. So sellers should not advertise international IBAN Transfers its just TOO expensive for ONE Item.
  • xtf70
    xtf70 99% (9308x)
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    1490 messages

    United Kingdom

    Most definately yes! I did a few posts on mailing and receiving mail from abroad. I personall have had to pay £12 at the door because the envelope did not have a customs label on it , and they do spot checks , and if "unlucky" they have the right to open the pkt to see if it SHOULD have had one on! Best way to avoid this? Don't put a copy of the transaction in the envelope! One can see it on the site at any time,
    It is not a nonEuropean country, but a NON -European UNION country. Switzerland foe example is not a European UNION country. and therefore MUST have a customs label attached. Putting the words "printed Matter Only" Helps, as long as the total amount is less than £41 (whatever that is in Euros or Dollars). So, don't put a copy of the transaction in the packet, and keep the value below £41.
    Many many pkts get through far more than don't, but these are the lucky ones! As I said it is the spot checking that does it. An ordinary envelope does not need a customs label if it contains only printed matter. However, sending precious postcards in such a way is irresponsible in my own opinion, therfore, if in a cardboard mailer or a plastic rigid sleeve they must have a customs label. Don't be fooled into thinking that registered post is safe! I have had two packets stolen, both sent by registered post by two different sellers, the value being for a considerable amount of money. Never put "UK", always print the address in full. I had 2 pkts go to Japan because the seller put only "UK" (apparantly).
    Just a note on something different.. it costs a person from the UK or not on the European mainland £18 to send a payment via IBAN. The reason being , we are "overseas". That given recently, from my bank. So sellers should not advertise international IBAN Transfers its just TOO expensive for ONE Item.
    • Created on 13 Dec 2011 at 13:58
    • #361724
    A word of caution:

    There is no such thing as 'Registered Post' FROM the UK - you can choose either International Signed-for (virtually worthless as it doesn't guarantee anything) or Airsure which is available to selected countries only (the RM website claims 'over 30 destinations worldwide' but neglects to list them)

    With regard to IBAN payments, it costs me nothing to RECEIVE payments so yes, I do advertise its acceptance

    Finally, this is lifted direct from the RM website:
    "You will need to complete, sign and attach a customs declaration to all items containing goods or gifts being sent to destinations outside the European Union, including “printed papers”."

    You also need Customs Declarations for the Channel Islands, San Marino, Gibraltar, Canary Islands and Vatican City

    Link (http)
  • wassail
    wassail 100% (2297x)

    68 messages

    United Kingdom

    A word of caution:

    There is no such thing as 'Registered Post' FROM the UK - you can choose either International Signed-for (virtually worthless as it doesn't guarantee anything) or Airsure which is available to selected countries only (the RM website claims 'over 30 destinations worldwide' but neglects to list them)

    With regard to IBAN payments, it costs me nothing to RECEIVE payments so yes, I do advertise its acceptance

    Finally, this is lifted direct from the RM website:
    "You will need to complete, sign and attach a customs declaration to all items containing goods or gifts being sent to destinations outside the European Union, including “printed papers”."

    You also need Customs Declarations for the Channel Islands, San Marino, Gibraltar, Canary Islands and Vatican City

    Link (http)
    • Created on 13 Dec 2011 at 15:38
    • #361741
    You are right. Registered was an "old " term to use, however the service is the same. It is "signed for at the door, and now called international recorded delivery It costs £6.77 from the UK for small packets and printed papers. Airsure costs £6.72 for a small packet or printed papers. It is tracked in both countries and is NOT signed for at the door.
    Ordinary envelope letters or printed papers in an ordinary letter envelope do not require a customs label, ONLY when it becomes a packet. (we don't put customs labels on letters). If one is sending from or into a non-European Union Country it requires a customs label.
    If one is sending from a european Union country to another, it only requires a customs label if it is a gift or not, if the value is above £41 and other than printed matter. It is very inadvisable to put "postcards" Vintage Postcards" or similar on the declaration label, they are more likely to be pinched, just put "Printed matter" or "Printed papers".
    My comment about the IBAN is because advertising that you accept it is fine it costs you nothing to receive it, but unlikely for a person overseas to use that method of payment because it is so expensive. Thank Goodness for Paypal. Incidentally it is against the rules in having a paypal account, to charge the customer the sellers fees for accepting it. That from paypal themselves. This is ignored on here. No other shop or business that I personally deal with on the internet, charge me for using paypal.
    To answer the original question again, if one is sending mail in PKTs, as a gift or otherwise, it MUST have a customs label if going to or coming from a non -european UNION country. If going to another european country if holding other than printed matter, it must have a customs label, also if that printed matter has a value over £41 it must have a label. If customs, during a spot check think it maybe should have had one on, they open it, re- seal it and charge the recipient at the door £12 for the privledge! The has happened to me dozens of times.
  • Account deleted
    Account deleted

    0 messages

    United Kingdom

    You are right. Registered was an "old " term to use, however the service is the same. It is "signed for at the door, and now called international recorded delivery It costs £6.77 from the UK for small packets and printed papers. Airsure costs £6.72 for a small packet or printed papers. It is tracked in both countries and is NOT signed for at the door.
    Ordinary envelope letters or printed papers in an ordinary letter envelope do not require a customs label, ONLY when it becomes a packet. (we don't put customs labels on letters). If one is sending from or into a non-European Union Country it requires a customs label.
    If one is sending from a european Union country to another, it only requires a customs label if it is a gift or not, if the value is above £41 and other than printed matter. It is very inadvisable to put "postcards" Vintage Postcards" or similar on the declaration label, they are more likely to be pinched, just put "Printed matter" or "Printed papers".
    My comment about the IBAN is because advertising that you accept it is fine it costs you nothing to receive it, but unlikely for a person overseas to use that method of payment because it is so expensive. Thank Goodness for Paypal. Incidentally it is against the rules in having a paypal account, to charge the customer the sellers fees for accepting it. That from paypal themselves. This is ignored on here. No other shop or business that I personally deal with on the internet, charge me for using paypal.
    To answer the original question again, if one is sending mail in PKTs, as a gift or otherwise, it MUST have a customs label if going to or coming from a non -european UNION country. If going to another european country if holding other than printed matter, it must have a customs label, also if that printed matter has a value over £41 it must have a label. If customs, during a spot check think it maybe should have had one on, they open it, re- seal it and charge the recipient at the door £12 for the privledge! The has happened to me dozens of times.
    • Created on 13 Dec 2011 at 16:11
    • #361745
    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
  • wassail
    wassail 100% (2297x)

    68 messages

    United Kingdom

    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
    • Created on 13 Dec 2011 at 17:24
    • #361758
    We are getting off the subject here a bit so please forgive me, but in relation to this
    "you will only surcharge for the use of PayPal in compliance with any law applicable to you."
    But what law is applicable? I don't know of any unless you mean vat? but I don't think it means that. I rang Paypal UK and they said nobody should add a surcharge for the use of paypal. Thats what they said.
  • edwardx
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    55 messages

    United Kingdom

    We are getting off the subject here a bit so please forgive me, but in relation to this
    "you will only surcharge for the use of PayPal in compliance with any law applicable to you."
    But what law is applicable? I don't know of any unless you mean vat? but I don't think it means that. I rang Paypal UK and they said nobody should add a surcharge for the use of paypal. Thats what they said.
    • Created on 13 Dec 2011 at 17:50
    • #361761
    Paypal merely said that "nobody SHOULD add a surcharge". They did not say that one cannot do so.

    As ebay owns paypal, it is perhaps not surprising that ebay specifically prohibit ebay sellers from adding a surcharge for paypal use.

    Many sellers on Delcampe demand surcharges for Paypal payments, and some add surcharges for Moneybookers/Skrill payments too. If this practice was in contravention of some law, I have little doubt that Paypal would have taken steps to prevent it.

    Personally, I do not add any surcharges. But, I do strongly prefer to receive Moneybookers/Skrill payments, as their fees are rather lower!
  • Account deleted
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    Philippines

    Paypal merely said that "nobody SHOULD add a surcharge". They did not say that one cannot do so.

    As ebay owns paypal, it is perhaps not surprising that ebay specifically prohibit ebay sellers from adding a surcharge for paypal use.

    Many sellers on Delcampe demand surcharges for Paypal payments, and some add surcharges for Moneybookers/Skrill payments too. If this practice was in contravention of some law, I have little doubt that Paypal would have taken steps to prevent it.

    Personally, I do not add any surcharges. But, I do strongly prefer to receive Moneybookers/Skrill payments, as their fees are rather lower!
    • Created on 11 Feb 2012 at 10:10
    • #371489
    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
  • wassail
    wassail 100% (2297x)

    68 messages

    United Kingdom

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    • Created on 11 Feb 2012 at 11:15
    • #371504
    It is lucky for you that you are not charged for Bank transfers because you are on mainland Europe. Unfortunately those of us on the British Isles have to pay a huge amount 18 euros for one transaction!
  • mainlypostcards
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    3540 messages

    United Kingdom

    It is lucky for you that you are not charged for Bank transfers because you are on mainland Europe. Unfortunately those of us on the British Isles have to pay a huge amount 18 euros for one transaction!
    • Created on 11 Feb 2012 at 16:42
    • #371547
    That varies greatly from bank to bank.
    I have accounts with 2 different banks, one charges £10 for an international transfer, the other £25.

    As for receiving money, the first one charges £1 for transactions up to £100 and £8 for transactions over £100 at the other one it's free to receive money.
  • wassail
    wassail 100% (2297x)

    68 messages

    United Kingdom

    That varies greatly from bank to bank.
    I have accounts with 2 different banks, one charges £10 for an international transfer, the other £25.

    As for receiving money, the first one charges £1 for transactions up to £100 and £8 for transactions over £100 at the other one it's free to receive money.
    • Created on 11 Feb 2012 at 17:04
    • #371552
    You are perfectly correct. I should have pointed out that bank charges differ in their charge. I was just making a point as a buyer, that if a seller does not have paypal (I would think the most popular way of sending money over the internet) then even £10 on the top the card which could say possibly be 5 euros + pp makes it an expensive transaction.
    With regard to the member who said they are not interested in the 1euro buyer, well I may spend just a couple of euros on one card at a particular time, but I nearly always browse through their other items, put whatever in my watching list, and maybe later end up buying £100 worth of cards. I budget my money and I may have to wait a couple of weeks before I can go back and purchase the cards I was watching, so don't be put off by a person maybe initially just buying one card.
  • Account deleted
    Account deleted

    0 messages

    United Kingdom

    My local post office keep telling me that I don't need to fill out a customs form when sending items if I write Printed Paper on the packet. My understanding is that all goods should have a customs declaration, but I have not been able to find a definitive answer from Royal Mail website which seems to give conflicted advice.

    Has any body ever had packet stop or rejected by customs for not having a customs declaration and what was the consequence if any?

    Thanks
    • Created on 25 Oct 2011 at 06:49
    • #355379
    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
  • Account deleted
    Account deleted

    0 messages

    United Kingdom

    A word of caution:

    There is no such thing as 'Registered Post' FROM the UK - you can choose either International Signed-for (virtually worthless as it doesn't guarantee anything) or Airsure which is available to selected countries only (the RM website claims 'over 30 destinations worldwide' but neglects to list them)

    With regard to IBAN payments, it costs me nothing to RECEIVE payments so yes, I do advertise its acceptance

    Finally, this is lifted direct from the RM website:
    "You will need to complete, sign and attach a customs declaration to all items containing goods or gifts being sent to destinations outside the European Union, including “printed papers”."

    You also need Customs Declarations for the Channel Islands, San Marino, Gibraltar, Canary Islands and Vatican City

    Link (http)
    • Created on 13 Dec 2011 at 15:38
    • #361741
    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
  • mainlypostcards
    Closed account
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    3540 messages

    United Kingdom

    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
    • Created on 29 Apr 2012 at 15:16
    • #383970
    International signed for tracks the item until it gets handed over to the postal authority in the receiving country and provides you with a signature once it has been delivered. For many countries you can track it on their postal service website once it has reached the destination country.

    You can track Airsure all the way to it's delivery address on the RM website, but no signature is obtained at the other end; i.e. the final message will be: delivered on 29/4/12 at 15.00.

    Personally I've always used International signed for and the one occasion an item did go walkies I got a full refund from the RM.
  • Account deleted
    Account deleted

    0 messages

    United Kingdom

    International signed for tracks the item until it gets handed over to the postal authority in the receiving country and provides you with a signature once it has been delivered. For many countries you can track it on their postal service website once it has reached the destination country.

    You can track Airsure all the way to it's delivery address on the RM website, but no signature is obtained at the other end; i.e. the final message will be: delivered on 29/4/12 at 15.00.

    Personally I've always used International signed for and the one occasion an item did go walkies I got a full refund from the RM.
    • Created on 29 Apr 2012 at 15:37
    • #383972
    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
  • xtf70
    xtf70 99% (9308x)
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    • Created on 29 Apr 2012 at 15:44
    • #383974
    To date I've never had a PayPal chargeback for postal loss - if a buyer says he hasn't received an item I refund him/her myself and claim back from Royal Mail
  • mainlypostcards
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    3540 messages

    United Kingdom

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    • Created on 29 Apr 2012 at 15:44
    • #383974
    That is indeed how it works, but a word of warning. If you allow a Paypal dispute to run its course, Paypal will refund the buyer from your account, but will not return your fees to you, even though you provide them with a tracking number.

    If you ever have to face that situation, I strongly recommend that you refund your buyer before Paypal does.

    Further more, since I had that bad experience, additions to the PP user agreement have been made and they can now freeze your money in your PP account for anything up to 3 months.

    And I do not know a single seller who has ever "won" a case under their so called seller protection.
  • mainlypostcards
    Closed account
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    3540 messages

    United Kingdom

    To date I've never had a PayPal chargeback for postal loss - if a buyer says he hasn't received an item I refund him/her myself and claim back from Royal Mail
    • Created on 29 Apr 2012 at 15:58
    • #383976
    That is what I normally do, except in that one case and I really thought I stood a chance.

    The buyer in question had a habit of making chargebacks and I had a tracking number.

    It made me realize just how useless their so called seller protection is.

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