Customs stickers

My first swap (France), the post office did not ask what was in the package (a small bubble envelope).  The second swap (France), they asked, and I said "collectibles", she looked at me funny and handed me a customs slip to fill out.  I wrote "hobby supplies" on the form.  No problem there, either.    The third swap (Lithuania) went the same way (but that was the most recent and I have not received confirmation that it was recieved).  

I don't want to put "US Coins" on the sticker for obvious reasons, and I take steps to hide the contents.  They also ask the value of the contents, and I put the real value of the coins.

Lately, I've been reading that vague descriptions, such as "collectibles" or "hobby supplies", might give cause for customs inspectors to open the package.   

Any advice on good mailing practices from the more experienced traders?

A couple of days ago I posted a parcel in China. In the customs declaration has written the truth: "1923 10 000 Mark Banknote Germany". I think the buyer will receive it. Value, too, have a real: 5 USD. In the case of false information, when completing the declaration may cause problems for the sender and recipient. Need to know banned for export and import items for the country.
Take it easy.
Good Luck.

I find the best thing to write on these dammn labels is Numismatic materials, Firstly it is the truth and secondly 98% of the Muppets who read them have not got a clue what it means anyway.
Re value, It depends on the method of postage you are using as the Royal mail only insure up to certain amounts and you may be asked to cough up more cash if it is a higher value, I watched the post office assistant fill one of mine in, and I assume she was a doctor in her last profession as I couldn't read any of it.

So I wouldnt worry too much about what you write on them. Unless you put SOLID GOLD KRUGGERAND on it

 

Verweis : montysghostSo I wouldnt worry too much about what you write on them. Unless you put SOLID GOLD KRUGGERAND on it

 

Right.

All envelopes cann't be checked! Despite we live in information age, the number of postings increased. Customs and other government services aren't able to test to check each envelope.    

Try .send one with. Semtex on it They might send it quicker /!

I had a good conversation with a US postal worker, and he referred me to the postal service website, and told me that "coins" were "banned for import" by many countries.  I checked around, and Morocco (where I had just mailed coins to) has coins as the #1 item on their list.  He said the customs inspectors in those countries can open the package, remove the banned items, and keep them.

I think I found my way around this, though.  I found a little neighborhood post office with a really old man running the desk, who's very lazy, and doesn't bother with customs stickers.  

Here is a very good list of banned items by country, if anyone is interested:  

http://pe.usps.com/text/Imm/immctry.htm

it is ver simple:
NO postal employe should ever ask you what is in the envelope! they have NO right.
if mailing coins please consider the following unless you mail a PP, absolute spotless coin:

1 do you really think that a 100 year old coin, when mailed will benefit being mailed in a bubble envelope?
   it just creates attention (oh, must be something valuable) and opportunities for thieves.
2 declaring the contents as coins is outright stupid and dumb. again, just invites thieves
3 padding a coin un-neseeccary is just as stupid. see above.
the following is absolutely the best method:

keep the coin in a 2x2 or plastic flip
find some thin card board sheets or purchase coin mailers (great item)
cut them a double size than your envelope, fold over in the middle
tape the coins inside the cardboard so they will not move around
wrap with ONE sheet white paper
insert in to envelope and seal.
make sure you stay UNDER 5 mm thickness otherwise different postage applies. (6mm to 20 mm as large letter. check with Canada post or USPS for conditions. they are all the same.)
If you have to declare the contents write numismatic token or Card token scribbled in the CN 22 sticker
send either as regular mail or registered letter.
NEVER lost one
Please also note: There is NO insurance possible for international shipments!!!!! they take the money BUT the post office will not pay....see the small print online ...valuables etc.......

Do you work in Post Office?

NO, i do not.
BUT i have shipped and received a lot of coins this way and never had a problem

Gee thats a mega idea doh
Maybe woman have better brains eh?

How about, we post it in a yellow and red striped envelope, Marked Vetinary excrement sample!. /!
That shouldn't attract too much attention eh?

Verweis : montysghostGee thats a mega idea doh
Maybe woman have better brains eh?

How about, we post it in a yellow and red striped envelope, Marked Vetinary excrement sample!. /!
That shouldn't attract too much attention eh?

You have a good sence of humor!  

nO NOT REALLY i AM JUST cRAZY i GUESS  

i did that too sent coins to lithuania and marked on customs form old coins it contained an old three pence silver great britain coin uncirculated after i shipped package read postal laws and seen coins banned in lithuania so i feared they would not arrive but then the man sent me email saying he received them stupid me, lucky me well you think postal services would only hire honest people no matter which country it is  it seems like coins are banned from shipping to nearly every country but you really think they care its just a coin

Unfortunately the Royal mail only hire people who are willing to work for peanuts!!! and have little common sense. you pay peanuts and you get...............Monkeys!  
 (Actual Quote from a Royal mail post master.!!!!)

The other sad thing about the whole selling and shipping thing is. If you use ebay and paypal to sell the coins You first have to pay all the extortionate charges, that Greed bay prise out of your hands. Then run the gauntlet of the Post office and customs fiasco. And then You get the buyer from hell, who waits a month or so without posting feedback, then hits you with a none receipt claim. Whamo!! its cost you to sell the damn coin.  

How about having a coin buying and selling section here guys?  

why sell when you can trade

The few coins I really want folk do not tend to trade

then they probably sell them at a jacked up price anyway

Verweis : montysghostHow about having a coin buying and selling section here guys?  

Great idea. I think it will be fine. Not always two people can agree on an exchange (swap). The reasons are many. First of all, it's different price of coins. Therefore, buying and selling coins must exist!

Verweis : limbocoins

Verweis : montysghostHow about having a coin buying and selling section here guys?  

Great idea. I think it will be fine. Not always two people can agree on an exchange (swap). The reasons are many. First of all, it's different price of coins. Therefore, buying and selling coins must exist!

True.
I find that living in the UK most folk collect Brit coins so their swaps tend to be British. My area is German stuff. So I may have one old Brit coin that is of interest to someone, yet they have nothing I need.

So having said that does anyone have a 1945E 10 Reichpfennig they dont want hahahaha