Help with Overseas Shipping Advice

[Jemlite]

I posted this in the Pub earlier today with no luck, but I need a plan tonight so I'll try here:

I just bought an old wah from a guy in France and am trying to make shipping go smoothly.

Any recommendations to shippers and how to avoid Customs bummers?

Help is greatly appreciated, I have to get back to him with my instructions asap.

Thanks.

 

[Jemlite]

Le'Bump

 

[Leonardo]

Have it shipped as gift or with a lower value.

 

[Jemlite]

Thanks.

Does anyone know the max value I can claim? I would prefer to get insurance on it but don't need getting stuck with extra tax. Let alone have it sit in customs for a month.

Any shipper recomendations? Is regular mail ok?

This thread seems to be a dull one. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[blueprint]

Ask the shipper to send the parcel "en envoi recommandé"
It's a very safe and fast way for us.
You can also ask him to use the same service with "remise contre signature", meaning you'll have so sign up a form to get the parcel. More expensive, but this way everyone knows the pedal is at it's new home.
Both are shipped via airmail. And yes, "regular" mail is ok; very serious and reliable in France.
Concerning customs, the sender will have to fill a small sticker. They used to be green, but new ones are white... Ask him to write "guitar parts", or "guitar pedal", value:$30.
Personnally, I do not use "gift" as can be suspicious, but at such a small value you won't pay any fees.
Hope this helped.
You can ask me more questions if you like; I have some experience in the domain...

 

[Jemlite]

Right on. Many thanks Bruno. :BEER

Since you have done this kinda thing. How much would you expect to pay for shipping something like a Wah to the US? The seller was guessing about $20.

Also, what have you found is the usual shipping time for a Priority Mail with the Post Office?

 

[blueprint]

Cost will be higher with a heavier package...
This said, $20 is honest. For a ligh pedal (Ibanez, Lovepedal...), it's more or less $15.
Regarding time, you will see your pedal within a week, or ten days. It's difficult to go faster overseas. Priorty mail is ok as far as I know.
Oh, one more thing: Insurance is function of declared value. So, "recommandé" is strongly recommended (!!!). Actually, it means registered in english.
A faster service would be "Chronopost international", but I think it will be much more expensive. It's the same service as Global Priority Airmail in the States;
Anything more?

 

[Unburst]

I usually pay $20 to have regular sized pedals shipped to the UK form the US, so $20 for a wah is pretty good.

Where was the pedal made?
If it is of US origin and he marks that on the package it will be exempt from import duty.

 

[Jemlite]

Thanks guys.

The pedal is a late 60's Italian CryBaby. Very cool.