[meteorite-list] Dealers, Sellers: Please INSURE your shipments

From: Aubrey Whymark <tektites_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Tue, 2 Jun 2009 22:31:03 +0300
Message-ID: <c4604300906021231w4e726b5bo229228a76c428061_at_mail.gmail.com>

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
Received on Tue 02 Jun 2009 03:31:03 PM PDT