posted on March 8, 2001 03:53:56 PM
Seems I'm a glutton to the worlds Custom Services.
Today, I find in my mailbox the "dreaded" card telling me to come to the Post Office to Pay a Customs Fee.
When I arrive, the Clerk shows me the "bodybag" of the tattered remains of my Global Priority Mail Envelope, and my payment (a $50 Bill) ripped in half. It looked like it got caught in some machinery or a belt. Plus, a bill from British Customs for 2 Quid was in the package.
Inside was a notice from British Customs telling me "They cannot allow my mail into the UK due to my contents and to pay the "Service Fee" for sending it back."
Funny, and I thought they would confiscate the darn thing!!
The Clerk told me she can give me a refund and try again...
How in the world am I suppose to explain this to the seller?
:\\\\\\\"Crystalline Sliver cannot be the target of spells or abilities.
posted on March 8, 2001 04:03:25 PM
I'm confused, was this an item you were selling, if so, what was it? I can't imagine they won't allow $50 to enter the country?
posted on March 8, 2001 04:38:31 PM
I quit selling at the end of Febuary, closed up shop and settled thru my other venues outside of the Internet. I'm still bidding on eBay thought.
The $50 was to pay for an item I bidded on for a seller in England. Now, I have to get a new one from the Bank since the first one is basiclly half eaten by something.
I can't see why British Customs would do such a thing. Unbvelieveable!!
:\\\\\\\"Crystalline Sliver cannot be the target of spells or abilities.
posted on March 8, 2001 04:44:22 PM
A lot of foreign countries do not allow cash into the country via the mail. Don't know why exactly, but when I worked Foreign mail it was a big no-no
posted on March 8, 2001 06:58:14 PM
Take a photo of the bodybag, the ripped bill and the note from customs, and email it to the seller. Unless s/he is a real jerk, s/he should cut you some slack. You may want to try sending the payment next time in a regular letter-sized airmail envelope. It will get there nearly as fast, and will attract less attention. Put something like "Calculus equations inside" on the envelope and no one will open it.
posted on March 8, 2001 10:15:11 PM
According to the USPS website you can only send currency to the UK by registered or insured mail.
Coins; banknotes; currency notes (paper money); securities payable to bearer; traveler's checks; manufactured and unmanufactured platinum, gold, silver; precious stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles, may only be sent in registered letter packages or insured parcels.
When using the International Calculator you'll see links at the bottom of the rate page for Prohibitions, Restrictions and Observations which will give you the necessary info for sending packages to that country.
posted on March 9, 2001 07:02:01 AM
I am sorry you had this happen... it really bugs me when I get stung by Customs, but it is a hazard of auctions, I reckon. I must say that you got off lightly with only a £2 charge for return though.. When I have to pay duty, I have to pay £5 fee (for ordinary mail) or £10 fee for Priority/Express mail - just for the privilege of them collecting the Customs/Duty charges. ACK!
I would email the seller, explain, and re-send it inside a card. Loads and loads of people send cash inside letter mail - but you risk losing it. My daughter never got her birthday card with £20 inside it - and that only came from inside London.
