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 Replies: 27 / Views: 2,746 |
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Valued Member
United States
254 Posts |
I am shipping some coins from the US to Australia, and I thought I could easily do so via USPS International services. After filling out the information online, I got to the end where it listed prohibited items; coins were the first on the list! Also listed were gold, silver, currency, other precious metals, jewels, and much more. I talked to a manager at my local USPS this morning and she said they can't send that stuff due to customs restrictions. I went to a UPS store and they told me the same thing. I haven't spoken with anyone at FedEx, but the information I found online indicates they can't ship coins either. I'm going to look into DHL as well. Whatever I do, I don't want to lie about the contents and risk confiscation and/or fines. Can someone please help me? There *must* be a way to ship this kind of merchandise! If it makes any difference, I am shipping to a fellow CC member.  Thanks! Regards, ~neuron |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5953 Posts |
I have had no problems in the past. I just label the package Numismatic teaching aids on the customs form and mark it as a gift.
I know some one else who sends coins as 'machined parts' I never checked to see if it was legal to send coins to Australia and my PO has never asked me.
Now I am no longer ignorant so your question has added cause for concern.
RGoodie would be the person to ask as he deals with AUS coins all the time.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2600 Posts |
I have mailed coins twice to down under and never had a problem. I just showed up at the counter with the package addressed to Australia, paid for the required postage and insurance and left. Both arrived fine. I was never asked what was in the package. Maybe mailing from a small town post office has it's advantages. Or, maybe it is easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission.  Jim |
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Member
United States
703 Posts |
How about list them as round metal disks. There is no lie in that statement as I hate LIARS.
errror
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Pillar of the Community
United States
597 Posts |
I have been using "stamped metal disks" lately. I have never sent a huge quantity of coins to Oz, but I got a 5 kilo package of old pennies from Oz once.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1984 Posts |
You are not sending coins, you are sending numismatic collectibles. There are no post office prohibitions against this. You may have to go to a different post office or explain clearly that you are not sending coins or money.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
2830 Posts |
G'day from the Top End of Down-Under,
I've bought several dozen items from sellers in the U.S. of A. USPS provides the best service. As long as you describe the contents vaguely, no-one checks.
I bought a lovely 1818 half-sov (gold) from a lady in Pennsylvania. I paid for it on 16 June, and received it here on 27 June. I ought mention that I live 4,000 km from Sydney, which is where all mail from USA enters Oz. It was well packaged, in terms of padding. I can't recall the precise description on the green form. It was opened by customs, and allowed to continue on its journey.
Peter
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Legally you can't mail coins to Australia or New Zealand and several other countries. SO you don't tell the PO what they are specificly and mail them anyway. Ok, so if they get lost and they find out they are coins you wont be able to collect insurance, but insuring overseas packages is a questionable thing anyway and I don't believe they normally pay out on that insurance anyway, or the payout is usually low such as a maximum payout of about $47 even on Registered mail no matter how much it was insured for.
So if you want to send coins to Australia just send them with a vague description and if you want them insured use a third party insurer.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
3831 Posts |
Just declare it as "tokens" or "numismatics materials". No problems at all after receiving at least 100+ packages from the US.
My partial coin collection http://www.omnicoin.com/collection/gxseriesMy numismatics articles and collection: http://www.gxseries.com/numis/numis_index.htmRegularly updated at least once a month. Edited by gxseries
08/16/2007 12:13 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
I agree with everyone. When my Son was in Europe we sent all kinds of coins back and forth. Just never said coins, money, etc on any forms. I really think the rules and laws are intended for people atepting to send coins for melting purposes, not collectibles. Also, every time we have international coin shows here, there are dealers from all over the world with coins from all over the world. I don't think they grew them or minted them here. If they can carry, ship or transport millions in coins, so can anybody.
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Forum Dad
 United States
24147 Posts |
"Numismatic Collectible" Most postal employees will think it's an old drill bit.
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Forum Mom
United States
5877 Posts |
We ship overseas all of the time and always use "Numismatic Collectible" as the description. Many of these packages have been sent to Australia We have never had a problem in the 5 years we've been doing this. I do not believe it was originally intended that this law would apply to collectible coins. I think it was put into effect to prevent currently circulated currency and bullion from entering the country. Also, keep in mind that the USPS will not insure money or checks. As such, it is important to list the contents as something other than coins/currency. This is another rule that was put in place in regard to currently circulating coins/currency. Collectibles are insurable; just don't call them coins or currency.  (Bobby and I were typing at the same time.  ) |
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Pillar Of The Community
3147 Posts |
I have gotten into listing the items as "hobby supplies" and quit wasting my time with insurance as after the package leaves the country your insurance is out the door so to speak. Also I have found if you list your items as hobby supplies or numismatic supplies, check it as a gift, with actual face value of say $10 to $20 bucks it will clear customs without a problem!
Edited by crystalk64
08/17/2007 12:38 pm
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Valued Member
 United States
254 Posts |
Thanks for the great advice, everyone! I'll try again using USPS, although I am reluctant to send the coins uninsured. The face value of these coins (4 $25 gold coins) is only $100... should I insure for that or for the numismatic value of $1400 (minimum)? The gold value would be about $500 or so. It sounds like it might not matter too much, as claims tend to go unanswered? I'm worried that someone in customs might have sticky fingers though, in which case I would be totally screwed without insurance. :/ Should I send multiple packages instead, with lower values per package? Thanks for your advice and prompt responses... I *really* appreciate it! Regards, ~neuron |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Question for the membership. What has been your experience getting the PO to pay off on an insurance claim on an overseas shipment?
And don't waste your money sending it registered. As I said earlier, the MAXIMUM the PO will pay for a lost Registered mail package sent overseas is $47. Not even half the face value, let alone the numismatic or gold value.
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Pillar Of The Community
3147 Posts |
First off I would forget insurance. Secondly send them in separate bubble mailers with an honest face value as hobby supplies or something like that. I have NEVER lost a registered package but they do take longer to get to the destination.
Condor I only ship Registered when it is such value it MUST get there with out a doubt. It is worth the extra bucks to know and, as I said, I never insure. Registered mail MUST be signed for by every carrier that handles the package and when the package is on the ground it must be locked in a safe over night if not in transit. That is why it traditionally takes longer to arrive.
Edited by crystalk64
08/17/2007 12:37 pm
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Replies: 27 / Views: 2,746 |
Posted 08/16/2007 10:24 am
