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ExtremeVegetables.com

I've lost a fairly large package of seeds to German customs early this season and don't want that to happen again. What are the most effective means of assuring a package arrives safely across borders?
How do clubs make certain the more expensive seeds reach their destination?
Are these seeds insured?
Are they normally sent Priority?

I have three packages of fairly expensive seeds here which are headed for Italy and Germany, and need to do everything I can do to ensure safe delivery.

Tips appreciated .

Thanks!
Duane

2/14/2010 9:42:07 AM

South Hero, VT

Duane, Registered mail might be the way to go. It's expensive, but a registered piece of mail is documented for each step of the journey it takes.

You can also insure it along with the registration, or send it express mail.

Go to your local post office and get all the details. You could go to USPS.com, but a live person can be faster(outside of waiting in line).

DISCLAIMER: I work as a letter carrier, but I don't favor the USPS over it's competitors. The best deal is what I go for.

Steve.

2/14/2010 10:18:52 AM

ExtremeVegetables.com

Thanks Steve.
I'm pretty familiar with the various mailing options.
What I am most concerned about is the package being stopped by customs.
As you may already know, writing seeds on the declaration is a sure fire way to have the seeds confiscated.
Will sending priority or adding insurance raise red flags for customs officials?

2/14/2010 12:12:54 PM

Mcminnville, Or. ([email protected])

I use to work for United Parcel Sevice for many yrs. Now, I rarely use any other carrier other than the post office, and prefer them for ease of use & price. I have written in the customs box "Cucurbit Supplies" with no problem, in fact, I had seeds delivered to Germany & Italy in two days last year.
That being said, I think UPS has better accountablity, for packages & contents. If something does go awry with customs, I think you have a better chance of the seeds being returned unharmed. If you are very concerned about the seeds, UPS actually has special handling for packages insured for $5,000 or more. This insurance cost may be worth the extra money. However, also maybe an extra "flag" for customs. Cheers, Brent

2/14/2010 12:20:33 PM

ExtremeVegetables.com

Thank You Brent!

Another questions come to mind regarding insuring the package. If the package is insured for $500 then on the customs declaration the value of contents must also be $500.

Wil the recipient have to pay duty or taxes on that amount?

2/14/2010 12:29:03 PM

Milky Way

Hi Duane,

if you give the value $500 for an UPS package, the recipient in Germany has to pay duty for the $500 and the postage.
I got UPS Packages from USA in Germany and had to pay duty on the value of the items and additional duty on the postage.

Stephan

2/14/2010 1:04:53 PM

Rhode Island

pumpkin seeds are fairly hard shelled and make excellent guita picks. they are shaped just like them as well.
i have sent many such guitar picks to italy,etc, over the years and never had a problem

2/14/2010 1:12:03 PM

Milky Way

Hope the recipient can play guitar.
If this is suspect for the customs maybe the recipient must come to the customs office and have to play guitar :-)))))

2/14/2010 1:34:40 PM

South Hero, VT

Do we have any growers who work in customs? Can someone contact either German customs or a German consulate to try to get answers?

I do like Pap's idea. :-) Just don't play guitar with a 1725 Harp seed.

Steve.

2/14/2010 3:00:57 PM

South Hero, VT

Duane,

I posted your question(s) on a forum at the EGVGA website(European growers) under my name.

Someone has to have an answer.

Steve.

2/14/2010 4:11:03 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

I've shipped seeds to family in Portugal and have declared them as gifts. Never had a problem with getting them there. And the best part is no improprieties can be claimed.

2/14/2010 4:21:53 PM

Hamilton Nj

guitar picks worked for me mailing to emanuele in italy only took 4 weeks pizza

2/14/2010 4:58:27 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Grower supplies sample (gift) works. No value.

2/14/2010 10:14:55 PM

Germany

I know some german growers had to go to the customs office, pay customs and fees and get their seeds. But I think no phytosanitarian problems or loss of seeds.
Parcels may be lost otherways.
OkieGal made good declaration instruction !

2/15/2010 4:33:45 AM

ExtremeVegetables.com

Thank You Everyone!

I have sent countless packages around the world successfully and have only ever lost that one package. I guess my biggest problem, and what I was hoping to avoid, is lieing on the customs declaration. I see now, that is not an option. Committing felony fraud is not something that jives well with me. I don't know what the penalty for that crime is, but I have never heard of anyone being prosecuted for it.

2/15/2010 6:47:33 AM

Massillon, Ohio

i agree with duane on feeling guilty / nervous with lying! i can only picture myself in a european jail when they opened it and didnt see guitar picks LOL. i always say "garden supplies" and it usually works. usually isnt good enough, i understand! i had a package returned from italy this year, and germany is tough too. about 4 yrs ago i had one destroyed trying to get into germany.

2/15/2010 8:46:34 AM

ExtremeVegetables.com

Thanks Christy.
I've made soo many appearances at the post office over the years I am known by all of the tellers.
When I send a package that is marked as something other than seeds I get this look as if, "yeah right".
My own mailman is very anal about rules. It would only take one teller like him to figure it out and I'm in trouble.

When my little girl started getting mail, my mailman would write question marks all over the package. It shouldn't matter who's name the package is in, just the address. he's also asked several time what is in the packages I receive. What's it any of his business who is receiving mail at my home or what's in it? Just do your damn job and deliver the mail! LOL

2/15/2010 8:57:36 AM

Massillon, Ohio

duane, i'm laughing so hard right now!! dont get me started on the question marks!!!!! It must be an Ohio thing.

you know how i used to live on the same street as i do now? and i used to have a different last name than i do now? THE MAILMAN TRIED and still TRIES TO OVERTHINK EVERYTHING!!!!! i still get stuff with questions marks on it weekly. EVEN MY PAYCHECK HAS QUESTION MARKS ON IT!! then sometimes they see dieffenbaugher and try to deliver it to my mom's house. i finally put a note in my box saying "CHRISTY HARP and CHRISTY DIEFFENBAUGHER are the same person. NICK HAMILTON and NICK HARP are the same person. They both live here". Didn't help. LOL. But I get mail for people who live on the other side of town all the time! :)

i agree, it should be address only regardless of name.

2/15/2010 10:26:09 AM

South Hero, VT

Duane,

It must be an Ohio thing for sure. Here in Vermont mail is delivered as addressed.

Sorry I couldn't come with a good answer to your question.

Steve.

2/15/2010 2:00:45 PM

Hamilton Nj

u could throw one guitar pick in and then u would be safe now that u said that im gonna do that to be safe lol !!!!! pizza

2/15/2010 5:04:53 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Duane, my only advice...and you know this already...is NOT to put Zero as the value of the pkg., on the customs declaration form. My pkg this year to Italy, made it thru...with gardening supplies as the description, and $5 as the value!! Peace, Wayne

2/16/2010 12:04:22 AM