Sending packages to non-EU countries

[Nella]

I live in Holland (EU), so I believe there are custom forms to fill in when I am sending something to non-EU countries (like US). Because I want to do it all correctly, I have a few questions:

1. What is the best way to put the pony's in a package? Do you wrap it in paper / plastic / little boxes or else?

2. And is it normal for the customs (douane) to open up packages? If so, how do you make sure the pony's won't be harmed?

3. I believe you have to fill in the custom forms, but what do you do with it? Will these be put on the package or are they just for online registrations?

Hope someone can help me out. Feel a bit nervous sending things that far away

[Barnacle_lady]

1. I Usually wrap them up in bubble wrap and make sure they can not shift in the box with air bags

2. Yes there is always a possibility that your package will be opened and no guarantee if they will put back nicely in the box

3. Yes it will be sticked on the package so customs can read whats in it and decide wether to open it or not.

[Taffeta]

If you're selling a pony, then you're safest making sure you put the actual sale value on the custom form, and tick it as merchandise or whatever the similar option is for the Netherlands.

If you are doing a trade, I think then it's not "merchandise" or a sale, so either "other" or "gift" is probably fine (anyone know that for sure?) but you still need to put a valid cost amount so customs can adjudge its value. Second hand stuff is such a grey area.

If the pony's delicate, use a box. For more than one, use a box. Padded mailers are fine - I use them within the UK and Europe, and sometimes to the US but it depends on what I'm sending pony-wise. Lots of bubble wrap or you can use foam pellets in the box, too. It also saves you money if you recycle boxes other people send you ponies in, rather than always buying a new one

Worth checking as well the size regulations for your postal service/destination country. I know in the UK we have some strict size and weight thresholds with sending items. For example anything over 2kg or with a length/width/breadth total of more than 90cm can't be sent as a small parcel, and costs the earth (making playsets very tough). Also worth looking into how much extra tracking and insurance might be, if that's an option you want (some countries provide it automatically, some don't, I don't know what the Netherlands' policy is).

[hathorcat]

My simplest advise is to make sure you tell the truth on your declaration These are legal documents and a declaration of what you and your buyer are trying to import in to a country. For your own sake and your buyers, its better to be clear on what the parcel contains. Thankfully not all countries have the same strict import taxes that places like the UK and the Netherlands seem to have, so the value declaration should not be too much of a concern. If its a sale, make sure you state it as such and not as a gift and be as accurate with the value as you can.

Tracking international is expensive but having personally experienced a few missing parcels over the years as a  buyer, I would recommend you try to ship with a tracking service. It protects you, it protects your buyer and, if the sale is through paypal, proof of postage and proof that something is missing or not delivered, may be demanded during a claims process (by paypal and by your postal carrier). The cost for a tracking service is for your buyer - so its not something you have to cover. 

[ladygodiva]

In my case, if the package will outside Europe, I have to fill out a green sticker for customs and declare the value, both in print and in the green sticker.
I usually put less amount on the sticker, because, deep down I'm afraid that someone might steal the contents of the package, usually put 10 euros. In addition, if returned, if it is too high I would have to pay taxes on what has been declared. I put "used toy"
Always shipping box and packed in wrapping paper. That deters open the package, which would have to re-package and the address is on the wrapping paper.
Only once it was lost or stolen the contents of a package (in Italy), so lately I take many precautions.

[lovesbabysquirmy]

I usually put less amount on the sticker, because, deep down I'm afraid that someone might steal the contents of the package, usually put 10 euros. In addition, if returned, if it is too high I would have to pay taxes on what has been declared.

NO NO NO NO.  If you under-estimate the value of the pony on the customs form, nobody can claim more than that value should the package get stolen, go missing or get destroyed.  And wouldn't it be just terrible to tell someone, "Yeah, the $300 Nirvana pony you bought?  Yeah, I marked it as $10 so it didn't get attention.  Except now it's missing and I have no way to refund you the $300 because the postal insurance will only give ME $10."    How fair is that to anyone?

And as stated above by a moderator, lying on these forms is a very serious form of fraud, and it's not a risk that anyone should be influencing anyone else to make! Do NOT lie on customs forms!  Even by omission....