Shipping Coins Internationally With Insurance.

just send the coins express and write that you have tokends in the parcel

I went to the post office today and as usual I marked some oversees parcels as numismatic item. The lady at the counter told me straight away they just had an internal memo going around recently notifying them of the prohibition of sending coins inside or outside Australia. She was friendly and told me she will take the parcels, but they could come back to me if custom picks it up.
I don't think custom will turn it back because it is not illegal to send numismatic coins oversee only Australia Post has this stupid policy.
Anyway straight away I asked her about the transportation of the coins they are selling in most post offices, and if they are getting them with the postal service or with a third party courier service. After that she tried to explain to me the different rules for businesses, but I said this has to be in official writing otherwise the post office is the first one who breaking their own rules.
I believe the whole problem comes from the inside stealing of the parcels, and the post office should work to stop their own thieves instead of punishing the public. After all originally the post office was set up with the intention of a non profit public interest serving entity. This obviously has changed over the years with profit first before the public interest mentality.
Does ANDA have a position or policy on this? How many of their dealers doing mail orders are impacted by this?

I have sent a number of packages overseas from Australia to various countries described as HOBBY SUPPLIES and I usually insure them for the minimum value (A$100) so that I have a tracking number.

Twice they have been delayed by customs in the importing country but once I do a check thru Australia Post they were released.

Main problem country was India.

Every country seems to have different requirements. Canada will not accept coins and does not allow insurance for valuables (What else would you want to insure).
Most countries have restrictions on importing/exporting coins and/or bullion but I have never had a problem with collector coins. I think, from memory, US will not allow coins for hobby purposes but does allow dealers to receive coins!
Some countries have a limit on insurance value (one I just found was Ukraine US$250 -I sent a large order [over $300] but insured for $200 at buyer's request).

If shipping from ebay sales probably best to use registered or express post (depending on weight) and forget insurance. That gives tracking (and signed for delivery for most countries) which would satisfy Paypal requirements, if a claim ever became necessary.
One exception is parcels between 250g and 500g. Air mail + $100 "extra cover" is usually cheaper than registered.

Never describe valuable coins to suggest that is exactly what they are in a customs declaration. It is stuck to your item and your description is clear for anyone who handles it to read. A sure recipe to encourage an item to go missing. Also, get the appropriate customs declaration before packing -your package has to be big enought for it as well as ID sticker and stamps or payment sticker, air mail sticker etc.

Another handy thing to know is that international letters will likely be rejected by customs if they contain other than paper. Australian letters can be any packing and contents that comply with the size and weight restrictions. A 500g "parcel" 250x350x20mm is $2.85 cheaper to post as a letter than as a parcel.

Read more here (if you really have the time)...http://auspost.com.au/apps/internat...t-guide.html

Jeff