Re: air mail, sea mail, UPS ? shipping from Germany to U.S. ?

["T. A. Dapper" <tdapper@value.net>]

I suggest that you never use UPS for foreign shipments.  When that 
package gets to the US it will go to a private customs broker.  You will 
have to pay for the services of the broker, plus any customs.  If you use 
the postal service, the packages go directly to US customs, so that there 
will be no broker's fee.  In addition, there is always the chance that US 
Customs will be swamped, and just pass the package.

The next thing you will find is that foreign postal rates are very much 
higher than US rates, and air is a big premium.  Unless you insist on 
delivery within a week or so, just go with surface post.  It works fine, 
but can take three weeks or more.  By the way, a container marked 
'unsolicited gift' is not so likely to be assessed customs duties.

Tim Dapper

My65notch@aol.com wrote:
> 
> Does anyone have any suggestions with regards to getting a package shipped
> from Germany to the U.S. ?
> How long does " Sea mail" take ? it's my cheapest option. U.P.S. is of course
> the most expensive. Air mail is priced in between them. I want this to get
> here in one piece and it is quite a large package.
> 
> Dan