shipping to China

[1001smiles]

Hi, folks. Has anyone shipped stones to China? Any advice? Which method is safer/chaper, what to declare, etc.
I am considering sending my stone to an ebay jeweler in China, and feeling nervious about shipping there...
Thanks!

 

[chrono]

I dare not send my stones overseas unless it is easily replaceable at a low cost. What I do know is to never declare it as a gemstone, but a mineral sample for the customs paperwork. USPS Registered seems reasonably priced and provides tracking until it leaves the country.

 

[beau-wy]

I have had no problems using Priority Mail several times and declaring "polished tourmaline mineral sample" and weight in grams. However, my situation was different, I had their money and they were purchasing the gems and had accepted responsibility for customs clearances or non-receipt.

 

[minousbijoux]

I have had no problems using Priority Mail several times and declaring "polished tourmaline mineral sample" and weight in grams. However, my situation was different, I had their money and they were purchasing the gems and had accepted responsibility for customs clearances or non-receipt.

Beau, how does that work, was it somehow implicit in your transaction, or did you have to make that part of the agreement - that you would not send them unless they took responsibility for them not showing up? TIA. And did you know them, because why would someone agree to that responsibility?

 

[jstarfireb]

I've never sent anything to China, but I have sent stones to Thailand for Sally to set. I used registered airmail and declared them to be "craft supplies." All of my stones are inexpensive and pretty easily replaceable, so I didn't worry too much.

 

[beau-wy]

Minou, I did not know them. I do that routinely with new overseas customers, as I cannot begin to try and determine what is or is not dutiable or even prohibited, much less double-guess a foreign customs service. The importer is always responsible for any import duty, in the case of a private sale that is the buyer. It is pre-arranged prior to purchase if they contact me first, otherwise they agree to those terms or I cancel the transaction and refund their purchase price.

I encourage foreign buyers to speak with their own customs service to minimize surprises. Those who go through with it (over 90%), I presume do so because they want the gem at the price offered.