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Shipping stuff to Italy

Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 5:34 am
by magicmisprints
What shipping services are people using from USA to Italy? It's been a while since I sent anything there, but I remember it was a real pain, and that there was great concern about postal misappropriation.

Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 6:05 am
by l0qii
Registered mail via USPS. it's a little slow, but the cheapest way to send with a tracking number.

Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 7:55 am
by kalimno
Italian members can correct me if I am wrong but I believe the real problem is that trading cards are in same status as playing cards, and they are not allowed through Italian customs. That is the main reason many cards do not reach their destination.

Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 9:13 pm
by ende73
kalimno wrote:Italian members can correct me if I am wrong but I believe the real problem is that trading cards are in same status as playing cards, and they are not allowed through Italian customs. That is the main reason many cards do not reach their destination.
Yes it is advisable you describe the item as "collectable cards / toys" rather than "trading cards" or "gaming cards", since gaming cards (i.e. Poker cards and the like) are theoretically prohibited as imports (due to very old laws).

Apart from that, registered airmail with tracking number (USPS) works just fine in 99% of cases, but does take 15-25 days for delivery.

If you're in a hurry you should use UPS or FedEx, agreeing with the buyer about insured / declared value, since this value is taxed about 25% in VAT and duties, and if the parts involved aren't aware of this it can cause some trouble and complaints.

Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 12:03 am
by magicmisprints
Thanks for the tips, guys.. registered sounds like the way to go.

Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 11:12 pm
by Magic61983
If it's a high dollar item I usually go FedEx. It runs about $50 which is a bit much but it's better safe then sorry on anything over $1000 I'd say.

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 5:57 am
by Super_Morphling
Italian customs usually hold and tax high-value packages, so the best shipping method it's registered with a fishy value of 10$ on it.

Regular airmail with a low value it's ok too, for small transactions.

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 12:43 pm
by mystical_tutor
Don't forget. If it is older cards they were made in Belgium and not subject to VAT. This has to be noted on the customs lable though. I have had no problem with boosters and decks that plainly say made in Belgium but I imagine singles might be a problem.

Gary

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 5:26 pm
by Super_Morphling
Good to know, thank you Tutor :)

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2010 2:06 am
by mystical_tutor
Super_Morphling wrote:Good to know, thank you Tutor :)
I must quickly say, however, that I have never mailed to Italy. This has worked for Germany, Finland, UK and France.

Best of luck.

Gary

Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2010 7:39 pm
by simonl6714
It's the same problem from france to portugal ?
What sort of shipment is used by french members ?

thx, simon.

Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 4:40 pm
by bertie312
Hi Simon,

I Usually make a lot of international trade with MOTL and i use :

Fiche de depot d'un recommandé international.

Like this one :

Image

it's work for everywhere :

China
Sweden
Danemark
Italy
Crotia
Usa
Canada
Portugal
Germany
Hong-Kong
Singapoore
Greece
Etcetera...

Pretty safe and trackable through :

http://www.track-trace.com/

Hope this Help, Bertrand