[time-nuts] Overseas buying?

[Bryan _]

I am in Canada and have sold items Stateside, scopes, etc. I prefer whenever possible to use regular parcel post. Once you get into using couriers, DHL/FedEx/UPS the seller really has to know their paperwork. When using mail, whether priority or regular mail the customs form is easy. Just make sure the sellers itemizes clearly on the customs form what the item is. I always clearly describe it and put hobby use/used. Customs is more forgiving when it comes to personal importation vs a business.

Being in the US you are allowed $800.00 importation before duty (although I have heard that states may grab some sales tax from you).


-=Bryan=-

________________________________
From: time-nuts <time-nuts-bounces at lists.febo.com> on behalf of AC0XU (Jim) <James.Schatzman at ac0xu.com>
Sent: July 4, 2019 9:31 AM
To: time-nuts at lists.febo.com
Subject: [time-nuts] Overseas buying?

Anyone have suggestions about how to buy equipment from out of the country without getting US Customs delays?  I have the impression that precision timing devices are on some kind of US list of sensitive technologies, but Customs seems to also be concerned about importing such items.

I recently purchased an Oscilloquartz OCXO from a seller in France and FEDEX delayed delivering the item, requesting documentation about the item and about the purchaser (me) over and over again. I found FEDEX's communications to be atrocious - 7 different FEDEX people wanted me to email them information, and they kept asking me to email documents to paperwork at fedex.com, which bounced everything I sent it. For a few days, it looked like FEDEX was going to return the package, because they kept complaining that I wasn't responding to their requests for more information. Emails to them bounced. My phone calls to them went unanswered. Eventually FEDEX did release the package but it took over a week.

This was a frustrating experience and I am wondering what I should advise sellers in the future about how to document items so as to get through US Customs more smoothly. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Jim


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