[meteorite-list] International Shipping/Customs Questions

From: Greg Catterton <star_wars_collector_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun, 3 Oct 2010 19:20:39 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <740848.21471.qm_at_web46403.mail.sp1.yahoo.com>

I use the term "Rock/Mineral Sample for Study" and have never had an issue with customs. It is honest and leaves out the word "Meteorite" that can cause issues. If they open it, thats a different story, I always include an ID that clearly identifies the sample, but it is still a Rock/Mineral under the broadest term.

Greg Catterton
www.wanderingstarmeteorites.com
IMCA member 4682
On Ebay: http://stores.shop.ebay.com/wanderingstarmeteorites
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WanderingStarMeteorites


--- On Sun, 10/3/10, Marcin Cimala <marcin at meteoryt.net> wrote:

> From: Marcin Cimala <marcin at meteoryt.net>
> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] International Shipping/Customs Questions
> To: "Matthew Martin" <mmartin at meteoritetreasures.com>, "meteorite list" <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
> Date: Sunday, October 3, 2010, 7:55 PM
> > 1. What is the proper
> declaration description of a meteorite for? customs
> forms?
>
> Good question!
> > From my experiences I can say that its better to write
> anything than "inside
> of this box is meteorite and its propably worth alot". We
> KNOW how normall peoples react when they hear about
> meteorite. They are expensive, they are interesting, they
> are rare. So its not a good idea to write "Meteorite" on
> your shipping box. Better write "sample rock" or "rock
> sample for classification + no value" etc... Whatever You
> want. Customs or postman in 99.99% have no idea what its
> inside and how much its worth, so better dont tell them.
>
> I even delete word "Meteorite" in peoples destination
> address!! Good example is Mirko Graul :). Mirko why You have
> as Your shipping address in Paypal "Mirko Graul Meteorites"?
> I dont think its good idea if You want receive Your
> meteorites without problems. I alvays delete "Meteorites"
> from Your address.
>
> I dont remember when my shipping was lost for the last time
> or if any was ever lost, but I dont send meteorites as
> parcels where I need to fill this small green form and
> declare what is inside, how much its worth and what is
> origin... Its better to send specimens as normal, ordinary
> registered airmail lettes without declaring anything.
>
> Once I have funny story with polish customs when I bought
> 30kg ordinary chondrites from Morocco. They send me customs
> form to declare what is in box, how much its worth. They
> need to know this to add taxes etc. So I declare its worth
> 200$ rock samples for classification. Hmm it was 50% truth
> becouse this NWA xxx is still only rocks. Few days later
> they call me and Mr. Geologist told me that he know that
> they are meteorites and they are for sure worth alot. So I
> told? OK, they are meteorites and worth 400$ and if he
> know better then he need to prove me that its worth more.
> Few days later I got my meteorites, they got their taxes,
> everyone was happy.
>
> Thats my night time impressions.
> Good night.
>
> -----[ MARCIN CIMALA ]-----[ I.M.C.A.#3667 ]-----
> http://www.Meteoryty.pl? ? ? ?
> ? ???marcin(at)meteoryty.pl
> http://www.PolandMET.com? ?
> ???marcin(at)polandmet.com
> http://www.Gao-Guenie.com? ? ? GSM: +48
> (793) 567667
> --------[ Member of Polish Meteoritical Society ]--------
>
>
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Received on Sun 03 Oct 2010 10:20:39 PM PDT