getting international packages safely through US Customs

[kellyponyfeathers]

Yum-yum has been nice enough to consolidate a whole lotta ponies that I've bought from various Dutch collectors over the last several months.  I'm definitely getting tracking for the package, and it's going to be expensive enough that I think it's worth insuring.  Will that mean that I'll be hit with a big ol' duty fee?  Does anyone know how this works from experience?
 
I actually called US Customs with my questions.  They weren't sure if there would be a duty fee for toys like this, but they seemed to think that, even if there was one, it wouldn't be insanely expensive.  Even a $50 fee wouldn't upset me tooooooo much, but I really hope it won't be more than that.
 
What's in this awesome package, you're wondering?  Some pretty good stuff:  MOC G2 Copper Glow, MOC G2 Prince Firefly, MOC G2 Lady Elegant, lavender Woosie, Dad Berrytown, 4 Dutch ponies, and numerous other ponies and items.  So, yeah, I definitely don't want this package to get lost or damaged.
 
I also asked Customs if there was anything I could do to prevent the ponies from being damaged in case the box was opened for inspection (remembering past horror stories I've heard, including the recent ones about Venezuelans).  They didn't seem to have any advice other than to file a claim against damages if they were ripped apart.  But I also asked if it would help if I wrote a note explaining that they were vintage toys and asking them not to damage the items; they said it might help.
 
Does anyone else have any other advice about getting international package safely though Customs?  And preferably without spending more than necessary?
 
And should I declare the full value of the items in case I do need to file a claim?
 
Thanks everyone!  And a big thanks to yum-yum for consolidating this package for me!

[Chi]

I usually ask that the seller declare full value just in case. I've never had to pay customs fees, but I've never bought anything overseas for more than $100. I'm sure someone else will have better advice on this. I did send FS Pony declared at her full ~$200 to Sarah-Bee in the UK and she did not have to pay any customs fees, so maybe it varies sometimes?

Also listing them as "Vintage collectable horses/ponies" will probably help with the whole damaging them thing. I believe the reason the Venezuelans are so violently inspected is due to the fact that Venezuela (along with several other South American countries) has a lot of drug trafficking issues. They can smuggle drugs in just about anything so a toy that appears to still be in a box will appear like the perfect disguise for a drug dealer to someone working customs for that country.  Considering how high it's declared you may have to sign for it, not sure. I know if you are shipping within the US anything over $200 requires a signature, but maybe not for international packages?
 I honestly don't think you have too much to worry about, though.

[partypony566]

Moving this to Trader Support for you

[ponylady]

I honestly think you have covered all your bases.
 
And I would most definitely declare full value if you already have concerns about it being damaged.  It will be the only way you can file a claim and recoup all of your money.
 
But I am sure it will arrive safely, it will just be the wait inbetween that stinks. 

[mlpfan]

I have never had to pay customs fees. i have bought things up to a hundred dollars from overseas before. i think you have to import ALOT before the fees kick in.

[babystarz]

I've bought a few hundred dollars worth of ponies at a time from kmlahti before, with insurance, and have never had to pay any sort of customs fees So I think you're in the clear!

And should I declare the full value of the items in case I do need to file a claim?

Yes, definitely declare the full value! You're getting it "just in case" so I say prepare for the worst possible outcome. It most likely won't happen, but at least you'll have the money to replace them if something does damage them.

[kitkatvintage]

I'd also agree with declaring full value & mark the package as "gift". I've bought a lot of high value ponies over the last 15 years and never had any customs fees. I don't think the US has the problems that a lot of other countries have with fees on incoming packages.

[pinkkittywinks]

Yum-yum has been nice enough to consolidate a whole lotta ponies that I've bought from various Dutch collectors over the last several months.  I'm definitely getting tracking for the package, and it's going to be expensive enough that I think it's worth insuring.  Will that mean that I'll be hit with a big ol' duty fee?  Does anyone know how this works from experience?
 
I actually called US Customs with my questions.  They weren't sure if there would be a duty fee for toys like this, but they seemed to think that, even if there was one, it wouldn't be insanely expensive.  Even a $50 fee wouldn't upset me tooooooo much, but I really hope it won't be more than that.
 
What's in this awesome package, you're wondering?  Some pretty good stuff:  MOC G2 Copper Glow, MOC G2 Prince Firefly, MOC G2 Lady Elegant, lavender Woosie, Dad Berrytown, 4 Dutch ponies, and numerous other ponies and items.  So, yeah, I definitely don't want this package to get lost or damaged.
 
I also asked Customs if there was anything I could do to prevent the ponies from being damaged in case the box was opened for inspection (remembering past horror stories I've heard, including the recent ones about Venezuelans).  They didn't seem to have any advice other than to file a claim against damages if they were ripped apart.  But I also asked if it would help if I wrote a note explaining that they were vintage toys and asking them not to damage the items; they said it might help.
 
Does anyone else have any other advice about getting international package safely though Customs?  And preferably without spending more than necessary?
 
And should I declare the full value of the items in case I do need to file a claim?
 
Thanks everyone!  And a big thanks to yum-yum for consolidating this package for me!

it is venuzelan customs that opened and damaged the packets and ponies not US customs

love pkw xxx

[Ringlets]

You should be fine    The US does not normally charge customs fees  Definitely have the full value declared though, have it tracked, and make sure Yum -yum packs it really securely as well - plenty extra tape  all around the box to seal it up and protect it from water damage/getting accidently ripped open due to rough handling and to deter people from opening it    
sounds like an awesome package BTW!!    
 

I did send FS Pony declared at her full ~$200 to Sarah-Bee in the UK and she did not have to pay any customs fees, so maybe it varies sometimes?

Really?  wow   normally anything over £40 marked as a gift (and anything over £15 not marked as a gift) should get a very hefty customs fee  (plus £8 handling fee) here in the UK    looks like they had a biiiig fail when they let that package get through huh?   thats great news for you and Sarah-bee  though      just be aware that you might not always be so fortunate with getting past UK customs or other European customs without your buyer paying fees (so it might help to make sure they are aware of that when they purchase high value items     ) 

[banditpony]

Here is a link with lots of info: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_trade/internet_purchases.xml

I think it's a possibility anywhere, if customs believes that an item might contain something dangerous, that they will inspect it-- and possibly damage it. For instance, if they believed something was stored in a MIB pony.. and they couldn't tell from x-rays.. they will open the item. Safety first. But that's very rare.

[kellyponyfeathers]

Thanks for the good advice everyone!  I've been buying ponies for this package over the last 4 or 5 months, and all together they're worth about $600!!!  So, yeah, I don't want anything to go wrong.

I'll declare the full value, then.  But should I mark it as a "gift" or a "purchase"?  Does anyone know if that makes a difference?

[kitkatvintage]

I would definitely mark as a gift. A "purchase" may indicate that it's good bought from a business or something similar & customs may be more likely to consider opening or taxing it. A "gift" sounds like its just a package sent from one person to another... which is exactly what it is.

[Ringlets]

I would say its a gift as well