Problems With Swiss Customs

Apparently Switzerland has recently decided to open all packets parcels in the last few months regardless what the customs form on the outside states. I fill out those custom forms with the exact value of the purchase price and labeled correctly. Most items I sell are less than $5 each - many at $1 each. The Swiss customs apparently doesn't believe this fact. A couple of weeks ago a buyer in Switzerland was contacted by customs since they didn't believe the customs form, but it was resolved when the buyer presented the Delcampe invoice - problem resolved. Today (and I'm away from home for a work project) my wife lets me know that I received a return package from Switzerland that I mailed back on August 17th. I guess customs couldn't believe that I sold a few low priced lots for $3.50 and they returned it without contacting the buyer. The buyer hasn't contacted me either, but I already sent an email with an explanation and apologies. Since the first case of customs problems and before my last auction, I purchased an invoice form booklet from Staples and have used those for all orders to Switzerland. I'm hoping those "official" forms will keep Swiss customs happy. Yes, I could print out the Delcampe invoice and send that, but my printer broke 5 years ago after which I went "Office Space" on it. I do not want to have to buy a new printer since ink is more expensive than unicorn blood. Is Swiss customs on the warpath? Anyone else experiencing problems with Switzerland or other countries? After 11 years of selling online, this problem is a first for me.
Will

Hi Battlestamps,

I actually lived for three years in Switzerland (2005-2008) and didn't have much of a problem with Swiss customs. You will find that they really follow the "rules" since that is very much a part of being Swiss. (Go onto their website, check their rules and make sure you are in total and complete mindless compliance with every rule, no matter how stupid.) There also tends to be a large degree of trust and presumed honor in their system and all Switrzerland. For example, Customs will allow an item to pass to the recipient and sends a bill afterwards, expecting payment after the item is delivered.

But, if they believe that there is a reason to doubt self compliance they can be a horror and it would not surprise me if they kept a list of names they did not trust. I don't know why and there is no way to confirm it, but you might be on such a list.

I would give it another try (after checking the rules) but would also strongly suggest you pack the items in a different manner then you previously did. The way you packed the items may have flipped a switch there. If it happens a third time then you might want to stay away from CH.

Just my random thoughts,

Larry

Thanks for the information about the "customs" about Customs. I've been mailing in the same manner for years and it's just recently happened as if they are having a "crackdown". Other items are passing through fine so I don't think I'm on a list. I'm just going to include the itemized invoice form Staples and hope for the best. The packing is rather simple, but I think they cannot believe a postcard can only be worth $1. I'll check out the rules to see if I committed any high crimes.
Will

I have encounterd problems with Italy. Delayed parcels, Impractical Import duty(to buyer) and returns.

I do know some Countries will tax based on value rather than selling price. You have to look at the USPS Website to see terms and restrictions.

Why would you use a customs declaration to send a post card?

Have you considered using a greeting card style envelope (nearly rectangular) and cutting a piece of manila folder to fit, and sending the post card in that, hand addressed, as if mailing a greeting card, and with some non-business style return address label such as many charities send out soliciting funds? Or if you can find cheap enough greeting cards actually using those?

So you are sending a card to a 'friend' and enclosed a post card for their collection. Maybe a little note, such as "I thought you'd like this."

So far Italy has been good to me. It did take 4 months for a packet to get from the U.S. to Macau earlier this year, but it made it without any reason for the delay. As for value vs. selling price, there really isn't a way for me to determine the former and the invoice only can state the latter. Luckily, it's really only a couple of isolated incidents from one country. Also since I placed a couple of those completed invoice forms from Staples in with the orders to Switzerland, they seem to be arriving without problems.

from the USPS:
Country Conditions for Mailing — Italy
Prohibitions (130)
Albums of any kind (of photographs, postcards, postage stamps, etc.).
Postage stamps in sealed or unsealed First-Class Mail International shipments.
Postage stamps for philatelic purposes are admitted in registered First-Class Mail International shipments on condition that the package bears a completed Form 2976 and the addressee complies with the Italian financial regulations.

Sounds like the only way to mail stamps to Italy "legally" is via registered mail...thus who is going to want to pay an additional $11.50 for say $3.00 worth of stamps?

Switzerland doesn't have any restrictions on stamps (but radar detectors are a no-no), but from their customs website they want an invoice or "contract of sale" included. The USPS only mentions the need for an invoice for items of $300 or more.

Maybe this is why I see people selling stamps on ebay saying they will not ship to Italy. I guess they get claims of non-receipt and it could be the fault of customs.

There are lots of ebay folks (not just stamps) that will not ship to Italy and my understanding is that it is because the stuff doesn't get to the intended recipient as frequently as one would wish.

Basically I have to use a customs form for anything that is "rigid" and cannot be bent - the USPS has declared it so as it's nonmachineable. I sandwich everything between two pieces of chipboard inside of 28lb weight envelopes (usually 6" x 9" and many times I'm mailing more than one). Anything less can be subject to destruction by postal workers and their machines - not that it cannot still happen, but as far as I know I've never had a problem. I abide by the better safe than sorry motto especially as I have been selling a lot of older material, some which is more fragile than modern paper stock. I do hand address everything as I don't own a printer. (I actually never get the charity labels although my wife's grandmother gets those from every scam artist around town).
On the form I have to declare it as merchandise, not a gift. I think the USPS would become suspicious if I had 100+ gifts to send in one visit to all corners of the globe. I don't want to trick a postal service either. I just want what is fair, but it seems extra steps are needed to prove the fairness.
Will

I have a sister in Rome. We don't parcels anymore a select the postal worker have had sticky fingers in the past. But I ship covers and postcards there all the time and luckily no problems so far (knock on wood). I've actually had worse luck with FedEx within the U.S. - my wife's first wedding band was stolen someone at the FedEx facility in the Albany, NY area...the replacement was sent by USPS with no problems.

I have Never had a problem shipping stamps.
However, Some time ago I shipped some High End Stereo Speaker Cables to Italy. They arrived in Italy in 3 Days. Customs clearance took 3 1/2 weeks. These were a used item that they bought for $300.00USD and I included the invoice. The New retail was $1100.00. They were charged Customs on $1100.00USD. The Buyer proceeded to blame Me and give me Neutral Feedback and left a nasty comment in Italian(I did find out what it said) about how I mislead them about the Import Duty. I clearly put in the description Customs were the Buyers responsibility and to check local laws. I later looked at his Feedback and saw he had done this to others as well. I have also had Hummel's returned by German Customs because they didn't like them being called Figurines. Some customs laws are really annoying. Just to cite a few examples. But, no stamp problems.

Go figure!

I forgot to add 1 part. I also put for country of Origin/Mfg. West Germany(as marked on the Hummel's). When it was returned I found out their is "No Such Country", go figure!

okay who on this list needs a printer?
I have an very nice inkjet, which uses VERY INEXPENSIVE inks..
anyone care to know more,.. mail me off list.

I will never own an inkjet printer again...not a Lexmark, Epson, HP, Cannon or any other make. I loved my old Brother dot-matrix printer..the ribbon lasted for years.

Several reasons why I hate inkjet printers in humourous comic fashion: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/printers

Back to customs: I emailed a few other recent Swiss buyers and the invoice forms from Staples is working well. Customs hasn't given them any grief. All Swiss customs wants is to include an invoice, but apparently in the last 2-3 months they have been cracking down hard and inspecting everything that comes their way. One buyer think it's due to pressure from abroad about bank secrets, etc, but just a guess.

Battlestamps, that printer link is HILARIOUS (but true)!