Shipping packages/keyboards from USA(NY) to EU(DE) - Help?

blighty · 25 Jun 2013, 19:53

So I have someone in Germany interested in a SSK I'm offloading. Anyone have any recommendations as to who I should ship through for package safety, tracking, and/or economy? What methods have you used in the past and what would you recommend?

7bit · 25 Jun 2013, 20:24

blighty wrote:So I have someone in Germany interested in a SSK I'm offloading. Anyone have any recommendations as to who I should ship through for package safety, tracking, and/or economy? What methods have you used in the past and what would you recommend?

DHL-Experess and attach invoice outside of the package.

Don't mention any GIFT!!!

blighty · 25 Jun 2013, 20:41

LOL, I must of done DHL's online calculator wrong, the cheapest price was more than I'm selling the board for. USPS's quote was for about $60 for Express Mail® International, Large Package, weight 5 lbs 0 oz to Germany, and DHL was $170ish. When you say invoice, are you referring to the customs form, or do i actually need to draw up an invoice?

7bit · 25 Jun 2013, 20:47

The DHL Express thing was trolling, but the rest was not.

Invoice: Just write your name and address on top and list the contents with prices (or values).

Or just in a less formal way:
IBM Model M space saver computer keyboard
Type: 13654789
Origin: USA
HTS-code: 8471 60 20 00
Value: $399.00

blighty · 25 Jun 2013, 20:54

7bit wrote:The DHL Express thing was trolling, but the rest was not.

Hell, If someone really wants to pay DHL's shipping prices, I'm all about it. How about declared value? What was paid? Or under 30 (or is it 50) euro to keep them from charging duties.

7bit · 25 Jun 2013, 21:01

blighty wrote:
7bit wrote:The DHL Express thing was trolling, but the rest was not.
Hell, If someone really wants to pay DHL's shipping prices, I'm all about it. How about declared value? What was paid? Or under 30 (or is it 50) euro to keep them from charging duties.

You just write what it was worth.

Old keyboard with missing numpad and old non-USB-plug can't be worth much!

If you want to be on the safe side, just declare $79 for the keyboard, becuase Unicomp still sells them (kind of) for that price. If it is used and a little dirty, it might be less valuable...

blighty · 25 Jun 2013, 21:13

7bit wrote:
blighty wrote:
7bit wrote:The DHL Express thing was trolling, but the rest was not.
Hell, If someone really wants to pay DHL's shipping prices, I'm all about it. How about declared value? What was paid? Or under 30 (or is it 50) euro to keep them from charging duties.
You just write what it was worth.

Old keyboard with missing numpad and old non-USB-plug can't be worth much!

If you want to be on the safe side, just declare $79 for the keyboard, becuase Unicomp still sells them (kind of) for that price. If it is used and a little dirty, it might be less valuable...

HAHAHAHA. Thanks! I'm just trying to save everyone money/time/effort.

JBert · 26 Jun 2013, 20:16

Another note: the shipping should not be included in the item's value, customs rates that on their own based on size and weight.

Daniel · 26 Jun 2013, 20:57

blighty wrote:LOL, I must of done DHL's online calculator wrong, the cheapest price was more than I'm selling the board for. USPS's quote was for about $60 for Express Mail® International, Large Package, weight 5 lbs 0 oz to Germany, and DHL was $170ish. When you say invoice, are you referring to the customs form, or do i actually need to draw up an invoice?

Last time I ordered sth. in the US which was sent through USPS it was delivered here by DHL...

Acanthophis · 26 Jun 2013, 21:18

Daniel wrote:Last time I ordered sth. in the US which was sent through USPS it was delivered here by DHL...

All carriers which do not operate in the country of destination let their shipment fullfill by the standard carrier of the designated country, if they don't have a special contract with a distinct carrier.

So if you take carrier XYZ which is not represented in Germany, of course the package will be delivered by DHL...

Daniel · 26 Jun 2013, 21:26

Yes, I only wanted to point out, that there's no need to use DHL to ship sth. from US to Germany in a secure way.

Acanthophis · 26 Jun 2013, 21:27

True.
Just take the cheapest option with insurance/tracking, that'll do it

Peter · 27 Jun 2013, 02:03

Acanthophis wrote:
Daniel wrote:Last time I ordered sth. in the US which was sent through USPS it was delivered here by DHL...
All carriers which do not operate in the country of destination let their shipment fullfill by the standard carrier of the designated country, if they don't have a special contract with a distinct carrier.

So if you take carrier XYZ which is not represented in Germany, of course the package will be delivered by DHL...

In other words :
They LEECH on the national postal services of The Old World !

matt3o · 27 Jun 2013, 08:12

don't sell it to him! sell it to me and I'll tell you how to ship

I always use Express Mail and I get goods in 5-7 days (priority sucks! avoid that). As other have said, buy one of those transparent envelops and stick it onto package, put a document declaring the value of the keyboard, your address, the buyer's address and date of purchase.

For the description I always had "Used computer keyboard", value in the $40-ish.

blighty · 09 Jul 2013, 22:48

I ended up shipping the SSK via USPS Express mail ($64.50 with insurance/tracking - 5lbs 11.3oz package) valued for customs at $79. Shipping was $15 more than I had planned on paying, but live and learn. Thanks for all the advice!

@ matt30 - I still have a lexmark made black M13 that I could trade for cash/plates from your GB