Help with my first trade across the pond

Call me if you have any specific questions but at a high level, here are my tips:

Ship USPS (unless you can afford to pay a buttload more for FedEx/UPS)
Claim value as no more than $20
State it's a gift
Call it anything but beer (ceramic pots, books, etc.)
Double box if you can

 

I shipped one box overseas and i completely agree with torgo i did all that and it went out without a hitch

Edit: also when using usps give the exact weight, they don't fool around with bad estimates from my experience

 

I am typically paranoid and bubble wrap each bottle and place bottles in extra large zip lock freezer bags. I will also wrap boxes in brown parcel paper, the crinkling of the paper masks the sloshing of the beer fairly well.

If you are shipping into Canada take all precautions as our border guards are hardcore......

 

Leave the custom form blank, they'll weigh it themselves.

 

I've sent and receive quite a few packages from the US (I live in Germany).
I agree with most points.
"Collectible Glassware" is the preferred deceleration, mostly for US customs (many European countries allow alcohol).
$20 is a good declaration value for packages weighing about 20 lbs, if the package is bigger declare a bit more , but never more than $40. I once had a package coming my way weighing 35+lbs and the value declared was $10. They found it hard to believe that someone would give 100+ usd for shipping for a $10 cargo.
Always check the gift option (in most european countries gift + <$40 USD declaration = no customs and you get it straight to your door).
Perfect packing, try to hide the "slushing" sound (styro-shippers, double box, nothing should be able to move in the box)
Sometimes shipping to Europe is easier than shipping to Canada (tough control) or another state, because they allow alcohol (so you just have the US customs to worry about).

Good luck and keep on trading !

 

It could take weeks to get your box from Europe. my first intl trade, the BA got his box in about 10 days. Mine took about an additional 10. On the second trade, I got my box way before the other trader so plan on waiting somewhere around 2-4 weeks to get your "collectible glassware"


And don't declare too much $$$. I sent a box to the Netherlands over the winter and claimed it around $100 and the BA had to pay some extra tax to get his box! I plan to contact Mark this fall for a 3rd trade and hook him up for the trouble.

 

I can concur you shouldn't declare too much. I had to pay extra for customs as well when I got my box from the US. Something along the lines of $60 too, I was pretty pissed but of course it wasn't my trading partner's fault.

 

I'd say a minimum 2-3 weeks, and don't freak out when the tracking number doesn't have any updates for a considerable amount of time.

 

Holy lord! But it is Fed Ex vs. USPS, so that explains a lot!