I just shipped a watch to the UK via USPS Registered Mail. "Time piece for repair" was listed on the custom form. All seems to be going well. I sent my SM300 to Archer in Canada that way and it arrived a-okay. Now I am looking to buy a watch from a gent (and fellow forum member) but am wondering the best way to securely have the watch sent to me in North Carolina without it... A. Being Stolen... and B. Paying a big customs fee. I've no experience at this, but have read Fed-Ex, UPS and DHL will gauge and murder you with fees and pretty much hold a watch hostage. Advise?
USPS Express Mail International is probably the quickest method. Registered Mail is much slower, but more secure. I don't think either will insure jewelry or watches over a certain amount ($500, but don't quote me on that). So you need to find an outside company that will insure the shipment or trust USPS and Royal Mail to do their jobs. The private couriers don't insure either. gatorcpa
From the UK the USPS equivalent will be Royal Mail. Their international "signed for" service has never let me down. Forget insurance if it is not a very expensive piece. In that case I would consider other options, including added insurance (expensive!). Cheers!
A lot of small print reading and you find that the likes of Parcelforce in the UK don't insure watches. Post office staff will often accept an item through lack of knowlege and charge for insurance but in the event of trouble you are on your own.
Best insurance is to declare low and defective/for parts. Or have it picked up and delivered by someone you trust.
I can't vouch for this, but I got one labeled gift and all was well. The damn auction houses register for customs. What a way to invite an audit!
I've had watches fully declared using EMS to USPS and arrive here without a customs charge. The auction houses always use a private courier service, as they probably get a big reduction in fees over mere mortals like us. They insure separately, outside of the private service, and always fully declare. The governments are all over the auctioneers, and they would be nailed to the wall if they didn't ship "by the book". gatorcpa
This is my experience as well, have yet to pay any customs charges. Last year had a shipment from Italy with a declared value >$4000 did not attract a customs charge. Not sure why & I am not going to ask.
Consider asking an OF member who travels between the 2 countries to be your courier; it has been done by a few esteemed members in the past. I have asked my family members to pick up pieces from the US to come here to Canada without any problems; I expect overseas to be pretty much the same.
It's going to ship Monday via the UK';s version of Registered mail, declared as "Watch returned for repair." Seems like my best choice.
Too late. It shipped today. Hopefully it'll be a-okay., The 1441 quartz I sold week before last arrived this morning to the UK buyer. No duty or fees. So he is thrilled. I hope i have the same luck with my purchase and delivery.
