Need Help Sending a Package to England

Naturally

Naturally

Senior Member
Location
Corner of Walk 'n Don't Walk
Ever sent a package to England from the U.S.? ... If yes, maybe you can help.

The package I'm trying to send is NOT an EXPORT.
So I'm trying to avoid any and all LANDING COST when filling out the Customs Form.
Landing Costs are cost the recipient is expected to pay when the package is delivered.
The recipient in England isn't keeping the item, so shouldn't have to pay any fees.

I'm trying to send a watch for repairs/servicing.
Once repairs and servicing is completed, the watch will be returned to me.
So, it is not an Export item.

When I use USPS online Click 'n Ship service, Customs Forms always come out with a Landing Cost.

Any heads-up, help, recommendations are appreciated :)
 

I had no problems when years ago, I would send small gifts to England, so perhaps you should gift it to the repairs people? šŸ™ƒšŸ˜ŠšŸ˜

Well, probably not a good suggestion.;)

And not likely it's a heads-up or help or recommendation, either.
:LOL:
But you know how the forum is.
Needless and useless comments somehow get posted.šŸ˜
And hopefully bring a smile to someone's day.
 

There isn't any old-style watch repair craftspeople, here in the USA, that you could access?
That have skills to work on various types?

Some cities have had some, that I used to see at times.
 
I suggest calling the repair shop and ask about it.

I used to send stuff to a friend in Hastings once in a while. I'd just box it up and take it into the post office, and I don't recall having to fill anything out except a label, or my friend having to pay any cost. But the last time I sent him anything was about 5 years ago.
 
Naturally said:
Ever sent a package to England from the U.S.? ... If yes, maybe you can help.

The package I'm trying to send is NOT an EXPORT.
So I'm trying to avoid any and all LANDING COST when filling out the Customs Form.
Landing Costs are cost the recipient is expected to pay when the package is delivered.
The recipient in England isn't keeping the item, so shouldn't have to pay any fees.

I'm trying to send a watch for repairs/servicing.
Once repairs and servicing is completed, the watch will be returned to me.
So, it is not an Export item.

When I use USPS online Click 'n Ship service, Customs Forms always come out with a Landing Cost.

Any heads-up, help, recommendations are appreciated :)
Click to expand...
I asked my AI friend your question :

Sending a watch to England for repairs and servicing is a specific situation that requires careful handling to avoid unnecessary customs fees. Here's how you can approach this:

Temporary Export for Repair​

What you're doing is known as a temporary export for repair. This is different from a regular export and should be treated differently on customs forms to avoid landing costs.

Key Points​

  1. Declare as "Temporary Export for Repair": On the customs form, clearly indicate that this is a temporary export for repair or servicing. This helps customs officials understand the nature of the shipment
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  2. Accurate Valuation: Provide the actual value of the watch. While it might be tempting to undervalue it to avoid fees, this can lead to problems. Customs officials are trained to spot undervaluation
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  3. Detailed Description: Include a clear, detailed description of the item, stating it's a watch being sent for repair and will be returned to the U.S
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  4. Documentation: Include any relevant documentation, such as a repair order or correspondence with the repair service, to support your claim that this is a temporary export
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  5. Use ATA Carnet: Consider using an ATA Carnet, which is an international customs document that allows temporary duty-free and tax-free import of goods for up to one year
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USPS Customs Form​

When using USPS Click 'n Ship, you may need to manually adjust some fields:
  1. Purpose of Shipment: Select "Other" and specify "Temporary Export for Repair" in the description.
  2. HS Tariff Number: Use the appropriate HS code for watches being repaired (if available).
  3. Value: Enter the actual value of the watch, but make sure to clearly indicate it's not for sale.

Recipient's Responsibility​

Inform the recipient (the repair service) that they should mark the package as "Returned Goods" when sending it back to you. This helps avoid import duties when the watch re-enters the U.S
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Additional Tips​

  1. Insurance: Consider insuring the package for its full value, especially if it's a valuable watch.
  2. Tracking: Use a service that provides tracking for international shipments.
  3. Customs Broker: For very valuable items, consider using a customs broker who can ensure all documentation is correct
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Remember, while these steps can help minimize the chance of landing costs, customs procedures can be complex and may vary. It's always a good idea to check with both U.S. and UK customs authorities for the most up-to-date information on temporary exports for repair.
 
@hollydolly ... Postage Priority Mail to England in a small flat rate box is running about $48.70

@Kaila ... Not a bad suggestion at all but when I tried filling out the customs form as a GIFT, it still came up with a Landing Cost (to the recipient) of about $25. It is a vintage Omega Watch called an Omegamatic. It requires an updated circuit board and accumulator. Local jeweler can't help with something as specialized as this.

The watchmaker in England has done the service on just under one hundred watches and is the only person I know that does this service, I could send the Omega watch to their service center in New Jersey but it would cost much more for the upgrade and besides, they may not even work on it. This Omega was a gray market purchase and the serial numbers were removed from the watch case lug, so Omega may not even look at it and reject anyway. I've sent my other Omega to New Jersey for service and they always want serial numbers for tracking and warranty.

@Murrmurr ... The watch repair guy simply said, "
I would advise taking the watch into a shipping office rather than doing it online - you will be able to explain to the shipping agent directly that it is being sent for repairs rather than being exported. We want to avoid any unnecessary taxes of at all possible." ... the thing is, what the heck kind of "shipping office" might I have around here. There's USPS and UPS and that's about it.

@Paco Dennis ... Thank you for the suggestions. I hadn't tried the "Other" category where "Temporary Export for Repair" might be available !!!
 
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Naturally said:
@Murrmurr ... The watch repair guy simply said, "
I would advise taking the watch into a shipping office rather than doing it online - you will be able to explain to the shipping agent directly that it is being sent for repairs rather than being exported. We want to avoid any unnecessary taxes of at all possible." ... the thing is, what the heck kind of "shipping office" might I have around here. There's USPS and UPS and that's about it.

​
Click to expand...
Post Office. Definitely the post office.

They use different terms in the UK.
 
This is the Omega Seamaster going for repair/upgrade and service
Wait ... is that gray hair on my arm ?!?!?! Shoot

EDIT: Photo obviously taken a couple of days ago.
I have an Omega stainless steel bracelet but prefer this handmade soft Horween Leather strap for now.

FPmH3xh.jpeg
 
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Naturally said:
This is the Omega Seamaster going for repair/upgrade and service
Wait ... is that gray hair on my arm ?!?!?! Shoot

EDIT: Photo obviously taken a couple of days ago.
I have an Omega stainless steel bracelet but prefer this handmade soft Horween Leather strap for now.

FPmH3xh.jpeg
Click to expand...
oooooh the irony.. sad..... My husand has Rolexes..Seamaster.. Submariner and Oyster...

he took training in repairing High End watches , which started off as a hobby..and repairs all his friends watches.... sadly.. he's not here now..what a shame , otherwise he would have happily done it..
 
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Well looks like I'm just going to have to go to a shipping office for help in this matter. I've seemingly exhausted all online customs form and shipping label possibilities and can't for the life of me figure out how to avoid a Landing Cost.
 
oslooskar said:
My best advice is to avoid using USPS, as they've proven to be very unreliable. I use DHL and pay a bit more, but they get the job done.
Click to expand...
The nearest DHL service point is a 60mile round trip away (next town over), but just may have to go that route.
Over the years, I've received a few items via DHL and never been a hitch or glitch. Thanks :)
 
hollydolly said:
oooooh the irony.. sad..... My husand has Rolexes..Seamaster.. Submariner and Oyster...

he took training in repairing High End watches , which started off as a hobby..and repairs all his friends watches.... sadly.. he's not here now..what a shame , otherwise he would have happily done it..
Click to expand...
The guy I'm sending the watch to for repair/upgrade and service is located in Okehampton, Devon
 

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