shape
carat
color
clarity

Shipping a ring from UK to USA

SapphireLover

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jan 12, 2009
Messages
631
Calling @meely @diamondhoarder @Maisie and other UK based people (I did a board search for this and your names came up).

I am sending my ring to David Klass to reset my sapphire in it and I’m totally confused as to how to do it best.

Amy recommenced Fedex. I duly searched for my nearest drop off place (Money Box place), drove 45 minutes to it only to get the guy to fill in the paperwork and tell me I’d get my tracking number on Monday! Apparently the FedEx system is that they don’t generate the number until the guy collects it. No way am I leaving my ring in a shop for 48 hours without any tracking details! I then went to the local Post Office to be told they don’t do ParcelForce.

So my question is, what is the most reliable postal service from the Uk to USA? And also, if I send it fully insured, would it be taxed on the way in to the USA? Even if i listed it as repairs? I was so confident that this was the right thing to do but now I’m getting anxious about the whole process.
 

whitewave

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Feb 29, 2012
Messages
12,331
Can Amy send you a prepaid label and add it to the cost of the setting?
 

dk168

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jul 7, 2013
Messages
12,491
Try Parcel2Go and select the services provided by FedEx.
They can come and collect too.
Shipping documents and labels can be printed at home, does not need sticky labels, just put it inside a plastic bag and tape it to the box will be fine.
Tracking emails will be sent to both the sender and recipient.
I learnt about Parcel2Go via work, highly recommended.

DK :))
 

SapphireLover

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jan 12, 2009
Messages
631
Can Amy send you a prepaid label and add it to the cost of the setting?
It’s not about the label, even with a label I’d still have to take it to the FedEx drop of place that don’t issue a tracking number until the next day which is ludicrous. I want proof of where my item is at all times! FedEx in the uk just seem to want to focus on business customers.

I’ll look at Parcel2Go. I was also contemplating DHL.

Annoyingly I just discovered a family friend flew out to LA yesterday. I could have asked her to take it out for me. It would have been far less stressful.
 

Ally T

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Oct 24, 2012
Messages
8,506
What is the value of the ring? As the Post Office insures upto £2k & provides full tracking. I went this route sending my Amethyst to Daniel M in October. It's not worth anywhere near that amount, but it was good to know.
 

Phoenix

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Oct 5, 2006
Messages
9,975
I don't live in the UK, but have sent many things to the US. Almost everything that ends up on US soil gets taxed US Customs duties and taxes (subject to a very small amount exemption). This is certainly the case if you send by FedEx. The only few times I wasn't charged anything was when I had a return label and had to follow very strict instructions as to what to put on the form, for example "repairs" (like you've said) and you have to prove that the item originated from the US in the first place etc etc. It's a complete nightmare!!

I'd suggest asking someone to hand carry it for you if they go to the US and send it to DK once they're there.
 

diamondhoarder

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Apr 5, 2012
Messages
995
DHL-it-now provides a good service for private customers, and jewellery up to the value of £4.5k can be shipped to the US from the UK. They will send a courier to collect the item from your home and it is insured and tracked from that point onwards.
 

SapphireLover

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jan 12, 2009
Messages
631
It’s not a massive value, I think replacement value on my Insurance certificate is about £5500.

I don't know whether or not to send it uninsured (which won't attract as much attention in transit), or pay the extra and use DHL and risk getting stung with customs charges. At 5% in tax for an insured value of £4000 plus the 1.5% insurance fee that DHL charge that is quite a lot, approximately £260. At the same time, it isn't that much for peace of mind.
 

OoohShiny

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Apr 25, 2014
Messages
8,228
It’s not a massive value, I think replacement value on my Insurance certificate is about £5500.

I don't know whether or not to send it uninsured (which won't attract as much attention in transit), or pay the extra and use DHL and risk getting stung with customs charges. At 5% in tax for an insured value of £4000 plus the 1.5% insurance fee that DHL charge that is quite a lot, approximately £260. At the same time, it isn't that much for peace of mind.

£260 will seem cheap if you have to replace a 5-grand ring... ;-)
 

arhzay

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 9, 2019
Messages
52
It’s not about the label, even with a label I’d still have to take it to the FedEx drop of place that don’t issue a tracking number until the next day which is ludicrous. I want proof of where my item is at all times! FedEx in the uk just seem to want to focus on business customers.

I’ll look at Parcel2Go. I was also contemplating DHL.

Annoyingly I just discovered a family friend flew out to LA yesterday. I could have asked her to take it out for me. It would have been far less stressful.

To my knowledge if they provide you with a prepaid shipping label for FedEx it will already have a tracking number on it.

I’m also in the UK and sent two diamonds to CBI recently. They emailed me a FedEx shipping label and the tracking number became active as soon as I dropped the parcel off.
 

SapphireLover

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jan 12, 2009
Messages
631
To my knowledge if they provide you with a prepaid shipping label for FedEx it will already have a tracking number on it.

I’m also in the UK and sent two diamonds to CBI recently. They emailed me a FedEx shipping label and the tracking number became active as soon as I dropped the parcel off.

I’ve paid and booked for a DHL collection so it’s going properly insured, thanks for the recommendation @diamondhoarder My mother went ballistic with me for even considering using somebody in the USA as opposed to the UK, and if it had gone AWOL uninsured I would never have loved it down.

I stupidly thought dropping at a FedEx place would be easier.
 

clumberlove

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Sep 22, 2018
Messages
279
Sorry to thread jack, but does anyone have advice for shipping a stone for setting? I bought a stone from the US and have already paid duty etc. on it. I now want to ship back to the US to get it set. I don't want to pay duty on it twice, but I am worried that the vendor will want to put the full value of the ring when shipping to make sure it's fully insured.

Unfortunately, I've had it for more than 3 months, so I can't claim to be "returning" it. All the stuff I've found online is confusing!
 

SapphireLover

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jan 12, 2009
Messages
631
I’d call DHL direct and ask for advice.

My ring has been collected by DHL but hasn’t left the UK yet as they keep asking for more and more info for customs and insurance! Every time I provide one let they ask for more. I keep telling myself that it’s not a race and I want my ring doing properly and it’ll all be ok in the end!
 

clumberlove

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Sep 22, 2018
Messages
279
That's what I'm worried about! I'm sure it's an intentionally complex process to make people give up and just pay the extra.
 

SapphireLover

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jan 12, 2009
Messages
631
That's what I'm worried about! I'm sure it's an intentionally complex process to make people give up and just pay the extra.
I think the problem is they aren’t used to private individuals sending large value items abroad. They’ve asked for my VAT number even though I’m not a business and then proof of ownership etc.
 

clumberlove

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Sep 22, 2018
Messages
279
I think the problem is they aren’t used to private individuals sending large value items abroad. They’ve asked for my VAT number even though I’m not a business and then proof of ownership etc.

I expect so, I think it is still unusual to do jewellery the PS way in the UK! I really meant that HMRC like to complicate things. I know I had an issue at work where a customer put the wrong code on some samples and ended up with a 6 figure tax bill, when it should have been zero! That took quite some work to get fixed. At least my stone isn't valuable enough to end up owing that much!
 

SapphireLover

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jan 12, 2009
Messages
631
It’s not HMRC that are holding things up, it’s DHL. Instead of asking for everything at the start they’ve asked for one thing (eg receipts showing proof of ownership), then the next day another (confirmation I’m not VAT registered), etc etc. I paid for extra fast shipping and they have wasted 5 days asking for more and more information. It’s not even approved to leave the country yet and I paid for it to arrive tomorrow! It would have been much easier if they’d asked for everything at once.
 

clumberlove

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Sep 22, 2018
Messages
279
It’s not HMRC that are holding things up, it’s DHL. Instead of asking for everything at the start they’ve asked for one thing (eg receipts showing proof of ownership), then the next day another (confirmation I’m not VAT registered), etc etc. I paid for extra fast shipping and they have wasted 5 days asking for more and more information. It’s not even approved to leave the country yet and I paid for it to arrive tomorrow! It would have been much easier if they’d asked for everything at once.

Oh, what a pain! I hope it's only difficult at this stage but smooth when it comes back again. You'd think they'd just have a list of what they need and ask for everything at once.

Fingers crossed it makes it out of the country soon!
 

SapphireLover

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jan 12, 2009
Messages
631
Oh, what a pain! I hope it's only difficult at this stage but smooth when it comes back again. You'd think they'd just have a list of what they need and ask for everything at once.

Fingers crossed it makes it out of the country soon!

Oh well this is all very stressful. I’ve had an email telling me that my shipment to DK is in LA but “Shipment held - Available upon receipt of payment”, which I’m assuming is tax. I’ve emailed DK and they haven’t had any requests for funds, and a question asking me if DHL deliver to their address! I keep telling myself it’s all insured and if it goes wrong and they lose it then I am covered.
 

clumberlove

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Sep 22, 2018
Messages
279
Oh well this is all very stressful. I’ve had an email telling me that my shipment to DK is in LA but “Shipment held - Available upon receipt of payment”, which I’m assuming is tax. I’ve emailed DK and they haven’t had any requests for funds, and a question asking me if DHL deliver to their address! I keep telling myself it’s all insured and if it goes wrong and they lose it then I am covered.

Oh wow, so stressful! It does sound like it's waiting on customs payment. I think DHL will pay the bill and then claim it back, so maybe they are sending a bill to DK?

Hopefully it get resolved soon, but I'm sure DHL should have put a code on that it was going for repair, so you shouldn't have to pay import tax?
 

SapphireLover

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jan 12, 2009
Messages
631
Well, my ring is still stuck with DHL. It is nothing to do with DK, they have confirmed they get many DHL items sent to them. It has cleared US customs without incident.

DHL are being a nightmare. After assuring me that it would be delivered on Thursday, it is still stuck in their warehouse. They have sent me blank copies of the pro forma that was sent in the original packaging (and was checked by the courier that collected my ring) and asked me to fill it in again and send letters I’m headed paper. I am beyond at my wits end. I have sent them copies of the original paperwork which they now accept has been filled in correctly. They can’t tell me how long they will keep my item in their warehouse before it is returned to sender. They have no idea how to deal with private customers.
 

clumberlove

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Sep 22, 2018
Messages
279
Well, my ring is still stuck with DHL. It is nothing to do with DK, they have confirmed they get many DHL items sent to them. It has cleared US customs without incident.

DHL are being a nightmare. After assuring me that it would be delivered on Thursday, it is still stuck in their warehouse. They have sent me blank copies of the pro forma that was sent in the original packaging (and was checked by the courier that collected my ring) and asked me to fill it in again and send letters I’m headed paper. I am beyond at my wits end. I have sent them copies of the original paperwork which they now accept has been filled in correctly. They can’t tell me how long they will keep my item in their warehouse before it is returned to sender. They have no idea how to deal with private customers.

Oh no, what a nightmare! Sounds like they're really messing you around. Are they going to return the ring to you rather than send on to DK? It really shouldn't be this difficult.
 

SapphireLover

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jan 12, 2009
Messages
631
Oh no, what a nightmare! Sounds like they're really messing you around. Are they going to return the ring to you rather than send on to DK? It really shouldn't be this difficult.
I have no idea when it will get delivered. Despite the fact that I have filled out every bit of paperwork they are still asking for more and duplicate copies. It’s been in LA for over a week now. I asked how long will it be kept there before it is sent back to the UK if we can’t sort out this stalemate. They can’t answer that.
 

meely

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jan 2, 2014
Messages
1,859
Oh no sapphirelover what a stressful nightmare for you. Fingers crossed this is resolved soon.
 

Ally T

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Oct 24, 2012
Messages
8,506
This is awful. They should absolutely not be returning to sender as you have followed protocol down to the wire, more than once, and now what? They want you to jump through hoops?

Maybe contact DK and provide him with the info & ask if he can contact the facility directly to arrange the delivery to him. He may be more clued up on the US lingo etc. Worth a shot?
 

SapphireLover

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jan 12, 2009
Messages
631
This is awful. They should absolutely not be returning to sender as you have followed protocol down to the wire, more than once, and now what? They want you to jump through hoops?

Maybe contact DK and provide him with the info & ask if he can contact the facility directly to arrange the delivery to him. He may be more clued up on the US lingo etc. Worth a shot?

DK have been great and chasing it up and have got a brick wall too. DHL haven’t said they are sending it back, however I asked “how long do items sit in warehouses before they get sent back” and they couldn’t answer. I know in the UK you have two weeks to pay the Post Office before they send stuff back to sender, hence me asking. I also paid £105 ($140!) for this debacle. I’d have got better service sending it standard, uninsured and marked as a silver ring worth under $100! I am saving it all up as one big complaint and will be asking for a refund. I paid for it to be delivered before 12pm
Christmas Eve!
 

Ally T

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Oct 24, 2012
Messages
8,506
DK have been great and chasing it up and have got a brick wall too. DHL haven’t said they are sending it back, however I asked “how long do items sit in warehouses before they get sent back” and they couldn’t answer. I know in the UK you have two weeks to pay the Post Office before they send stuff back to sender, hence me asking. I also paid £105 ($140!) for this debacle. I’d have got better service sending it standard, uninsured and marked as a silver ring worth under $100! I am saving it all up as one big complaint and will be asking for a refund. I paid for it to be delivered before 12pm
Christmas Eve!

Horrible service! Yes, keep all info & put in a complaint. I used standard Post Office services to send tracked to Daniel M, but my amethyst & subsequent ring he sent back, while irreplaceable to me, are nowhere near the value of your ring.

Good luck & keep up posted.
 

SapphireLover

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jan 12, 2009
Messages
631
For those still interested, my ring is still stranded in a DHL LA warehouse with no sign of movement. They still haven’t decided if they are going to charge fees. DK have not had any contact from DHL informing them that taxes are owed and nobody from DHL has contacted me. If both of us hadn’t chased this up we would be none the wiser.

This is a shipment that is insured to the maximum value that they allow £4000, and is actually under insured. I would NEVER use DHL again.
 

737liz

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Oct 18, 2015
Messages
690
I'm sorry it is turning into such a nightmare. I can imagine your frustration. In case you've not already done this, would sending them the original invoice showing it was a US purchase help them to be less horrible?
 

arhzay

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 9, 2019
Messages
52
If you listed it as repairs there should be no tax to pay, therefore no hold up. I can imagine how worrying and frustrating this must be for you
 
Be a part of the community Get 3 HCA Results
Top