Post #983 by Trader Woody on Wed, Apr 24, 2002 3:41 AM

Just a couple of other points regarding getting stuff sent from the
States. It's worth mentioning to the people sending the package that
they should state the correct paid amount if it's lower than $27 as on a couple
of occasions people have actually inflated the price they put on the customs form drastically.
I don't know if that's so I think I'm getting a bargain or something, but it's not at all
helpful! Conversely, if they state that it has no value when it obviously does,
the package may well get opened and customs can then make up their own value,
which is inevitably high. So, stick to the actual price if it's at a value that's not
subject to import tax & VAT.

I also keep prices down by having stuff sent surface rate instead of airmail.
It can take a while, but I've yet to lose anything in the post that way, and stories
of packages being full of sea water or being flattened into a pancake shape are
grossly exaggerated. Half the time these packages end up going by air anyway!
By having them sent surface, my Shecky's cost pretty much the same as they do
in the US.

Trader Woody