glip22
Well-known member
With the falling Euro you can find some great deals. Just some FYI in case anyone is interested. Over the past six months I have imported a few pieces of gear and thought to share some snags that occurred, and my experience with Fedex, and UPS.
Fedex seems to do a better job with International Air as far as speed of air travel. Fedex Priority guarantees 1-3 days anywhere in the World. USPS uses them for their Global Shipping.
UPS had more snags in the Customs brokerages. Avearge time is about a week in transit or longer. They were very good with communication. Better than Fedex and I was able to deal directly with the Customs Brokerages. With Fedex it took longer to resolve and I had to rely on a rep to contact Customs.
Fedex seemed to charge me less for duties. I sent them a check when I received the bill but it was never cashed. It did not hold my packages up.
UPS was more expensive for taxes and duties and will require you to call them to pay or give the driver a check. If you call them, you will have to wait for there Brokerage department to call you back and then you can pay by card.
Aside from the standard Customs forms, and invoice stating clearly what the item is, there are two very important forms that will cause your packages to be held in Customs until you get them the forms.
Important Paperwork to make sure is in your Forms a sender is shipping to you.
The 5106 caused a snag with Fedex and UPS. The senders did not know about this one.
1)Form CF5106 This is the importer ID through Homeland Security. Basically they want your SS#.
2) The Lacey Act form. Guitars valued over 2500 will require this form. I filled this one out successfully knowing the woods to get my package released from hold. I was later able to get one from my sender and emailed it to the Brokerage simply saying I had wrong information and please update.
So if you want a smooth sail make sure these are filled out and included. The 5106 you will need to fill out and email to your sender to put in the pouch.
Attached forms downloads are virus safe.
Fedex seems to do a better job with International Air as far as speed of air travel. Fedex Priority guarantees 1-3 days anywhere in the World. USPS uses them for their Global Shipping.
UPS had more snags in the Customs brokerages. Avearge time is about a week in transit or longer. They were very good with communication. Better than Fedex and I was able to deal directly with the Customs Brokerages. With Fedex it took longer to resolve and I had to rely on a rep to contact Customs.
Fedex seemed to charge me less for duties. I sent them a check when I received the bill but it was never cashed. It did not hold my packages up.
UPS was more expensive for taxes and duties and will require you to call them to pay or give the driver a check. If you call them, you will have to wait for there Brokerage department to call you back and then you can pay by card.
Aside from the standard Customs forms, and invoice stating clearly what the item is, there are two very important forms that will cause your packages to be held in Customs until you get them the forms.
Important Paperwork to make sure is in your Forms a sender is shipping to you.
The 5106 caused a snag with Fedex and UPS. The senders did not know about this one.
1)Form CF5106 This is the importer ID through Homeland Security. Basically they want your SS#.
2) The Lacey Act form. Guitars valued over 2500 will require this form. I filled this one out successfully knowing the woods to get my package released from hold. I was later able to get one from my sender and emailed it to the Brokerage simply saying I had wrong information and please update.
So if you want a smooth sail make sure these are filled out and included. The 5106 you will need to fill out and email to your sender to put in the pouch.
Attached forms downloads are virus safe.
