G'day list,
I've personally received many packages from Argentina and never had a
problem. But I do have an interesting story about some packages that went to
the US. This is going back a few years ago but on one occasion I sent TWO
IDENTICAL packages which were both meteorites to the US at the SAME TIME.
They were both sent using ECI which is an EMS international door to door
courier. It is also trackable on-line through every step of the way down to
the minute that each process happens. The packages were both packed in the
same size box and put into the satchel.
Both were given the description "Mineral/rock specimen for study" but one
was insured for approx AUS$1400 dollars and the other was given a $0 value.
They all went through the same processes within minutes of each other.
Cleared through Australia and sent to the US, arriving at LAX, going to
customs and then... gone!!! The $0 value went through to the receiver
without problems but the $1400 package completely disappeared at LAX!
(Neither package had any documentation either.) Insurance covered the stolen
package but that's small comfort when a unique specimen was lost!
Cheers,
Jeff
----- Original Message -----
From: "John.L.Cabassi" <[email protected]>
To: "'meteoritelist meteoritelist'" <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 12:16 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Dealers, Sellers: Please INSURE your shipments
G'Day List
Ahh, mailing problems. It's interesting that this should pop up on the
same day that I also received a package from Argentina. It possibly
could have been from the same supplier. But my package was also tampered
with, either by mechanical sources due to sorting or human influence,
but whatever it was, it only managed to open half the package. Maybe the
machine broke down or the human was interrupted. Either way, I did not
lose anything.
As for declarations, I don't sell, but from time to time, I give some
away and I always put "No Value" and "Mineral Specimen" But for the
first time, this package from Argentina had the full value and on the
green declaration stamp it is written "Rocks for study without
commercial value - meteorites" But the value was also included. This is
the first time this has ever happened to me.
Cheers
John
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of
Galactic Stone & Ironworks
Sent: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 3:41 PM
To: Pete Pete
Cc: meteoritelist meteoritelist
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Dealers, Sellers: Please INSURE your
shipments
Hi Pete and List,
When shipping meteorites outside the US, I declare them as "mineral
specimens for study".
Most of the overseas dealers I buy from mark their forms in a similar
manner.
I rarely, if ever, see "meteorite" on the declaration form.
Best regards,
MikeG
On 6/2/09, Pete Pete <[email protected]> wrote:
Hi, Aubrey and List,
One package I received labelled "Mineral Specimens" was taxed as
vitamins.
Another package I received labelled "Meteorites" was taxed as
antiques!
I have never had a problem with (what the vast majority of sellers
use) "Rock Specimens for Scientific Study", with little or no monetary
value.
For what it's worth,
Pete
----------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 2 Jun 2009 22:31:03 +0300
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Dealers, Sellers: Please INSURE your
shipments
I am always careful about declaring a meteorite - it makes it
tempting to steal. 'Mineral specimen for research' is accurate and
yet far less tempting to steal. Also I prefer not to declare the full
value. When I have stuff sent to the Philippines I like a low value
as again it reduces the risk of theft (although I have never
experienced a problem). The main problem I have is that if a high
value is declared then I have to pay import duties, and various other
taxes and post office expenses that basically convert a bargain ebay
purchase into very expense deal - almost to the point that it's not
worth picking up, due to the expense. I once bought $120 of tektites
and then had to pay $60 to the post office to get them!
Aubrey
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--
.........................................................
Michael Gilmer (Louisiana, USA)
Member of the Meteoritical Society.
Member of the Bayou Region Stargazers Network.
Websites - http://www.galactic-stone.com and http://www.glassthrower.com
..........................................................
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