OK, I know it's that time of year when you're supposed to be kind, compassionate, loving, etc., but after waiting over one hour in line at the post office and the mailman refused to accept my package, I nearly lost it. I decided against making a scene because I feared for my life from the crowd of people in line behind me!
Instead, I am turning to the Numista community in hopes of finding a way to send the coins without getting into trouble. I'm a newbie at this and was told that, "coins and currency" are forbidden by customs regulations in most countries, including the one I was trying to ship to. The value of the trade was under $50.00 and the package weighed just over one pound (515 grams). That didn't seem to matter to the obstinate mailman. He told me that the package would just be confiscated anyway once it got to its destination and that I would have no recourse because I broke the rules.
If this is really so, it might explain some of the disagreements that have arisen between members who insist they have mailed coins, and the other party who insists that they have not received them. Perhaps the customs officials are "confiscating" the packages.
Anyhow, sorry for the rant. If anyone can offer me any suggestions, I would really appreciate a PM.
It can be frustrating! I sometimes get different answers from different clerks or at different post offices.
If you are mailing a bubblewrap envelope or a box, you should be able to package it so that there's no way to tell there are coins inside. On the customs form, you can put something nondescript but truthful, like "Numismatic supplies" or "Hobby supplies".
I think most countries that have a prohibition on coins and currency are really referring just to currently circulating cash, since they don't want to encourage people to send money in the mail and risk having it stolen. But postal clerks are sometimes overly aggressive about those regulations.
Why don't you just put the coins between two cardboards, close the (bubbled) envelope, put the stamps on it and give it to the postal clerk with poker face? If they asks what's inside, the correct answer is DOCUMENTS. All those stories about the customs who will confiscate your coins are horror stories for little kids (one exception exists - Belarus). As soon as you managed the postal clerk to accept your package, nothing bad will happen to it. My 15 years swap experience confirms that.
I agree with the above responses. I used customs forms it is too heavy to go with out one, I put down hobby supplies. If it is light I use cardboard from a 12 pack of soda. Put the coins between them. Use an envelope (so it will not go as a package) . When asked what is inside say photographs. Have them stamp it "do not bend". That way the letter will not go thru customs and get there quicker.
Can you get away with "DOCUMENTS" when the package weighs a pound, though? I've sent a few coins in an envelope with no customs form and no problems, but once they get heavy enough to feel through the envelope the clerks start giving me attitude. (They don't like having to type in the customs information either, so even if I have the customs form filled out already I usually get a sour face, or they try to tell me I have to pay the package rate instead of the large envelope rate, etc.)
Quote: "Jesse11"Can you get away with "DOCUMENTS" when the package weighs a pound, though? I've sent a few coins in an envelope with no customs form and no problems, but once they get heavy enough to feel through the envelope the clerks start giving me attitude. (They don't like having to type in the customs information either, so even if I have the customs form filled out already I usually get a sour face, or they try to tell me I have to pay the package rate instead of the large envelope rate, etc.)
Those assholes tried that with me a few times now I just use the kiosk and it takes half the time with little to no lines.
Quote: "martins.lv"Why don't you just put the coins between two cardboards, close the (bubbled) envelope, put the stamps on it and give it to the postal clerk with poker face? If they asks what's inside, the correct answer is DOCUMENTS.
Do you write „Documents“ in the customs declaration?
Quote: "martins.lv"Why don't you just put the coins between two cardboards, close the (bubbled) envelope, put the stamps on it and give it to the postal clerk with poker face? If they asks what's inside, the correct answer is DOCUMENTS.
Do you write „Documents“ in the customs declaration?
I do not write the customs declarations at all. I just send the coins in registered letter and that's it. You no need to indicate the content of registered letter, at least it is so in this side of Atlantic. Story about the documents I use only in those rare cases when they asks me what is inside. And yes, this works also to heavy packages, over 500 grams. Why couldn't I send many documents in one package? :)
I guess within the EU we're sort of lucky because we don't need to fill in customs forms but for swaps across the pond you will definitely be better of doing so.
I have used 'collectibles' on the custom form before and there was no problem at all - even though to some post clerks that probably sounds like an invitation^^
Quote: "martins.lv"I do not write the customs declarations at all. I just send the coins in registered letter and that's it. You no need to indicate the content of registered letter, at least it is so in this side of Atlantic. Story about the documents I use only in those rare cases when they asks me what is inside.
Here in Lithuania you can't get away without declaration. Normally, at the post they don't ask what you are sending, but if you are sending something to a country outside EU, they always hand you a declaration to fill in. I didn't ever tried to refuse. I have doubts whether it makes sense to write „documents“. After all, at the customs they can see that there is some metallic objects inside.
Within the UK, a customs form is not required when sending to most if not all of Europe. I just tell the post office counter people exactly what is in there. They know me well enough now, so they already know exactly what the contents is.
For the rest of the world, including Russia, it is very different. Customs forms are a must and the package will not be accepted unless te form, which is stuck to the rear of the package. This applies whether the package is registered or not.
I just put 'collectables' and have never had a problem.
The saga continues... took everyone's advise into consideration. Tried using the kiosk first at another location, but the package was 34 grams overweight to use the machine. I didn't want to go back home to try to repackage it so I took my chance with a mail clerk. I used a padded envelope and didn't offer the customs form until I was told I had to. I used the generic "Hobby Supplies" description, but the mail clerk forced me to be more specific. I told him "album" with "poker face"...that did the trick.
We are usually pretty laid back here in California, but there's an exception when it comes to dealing with mail clerks. They take their job WAY too seriously!
No more swaps for me until after Christmas. It's time to get the eggnog and get jolly!
I decided against making a scene because I feared for my life from the crowd of people in line behind me!
