[meteorite-list] Dealers, Sellers: Please INSURE your shipments

[Jeff Kuyken]

G'day list,

I've personally received many packages from Argentina and never had a 
problem. But I do have an interesting story about some packages that went to 
the US. This is going back a few years ago but on one occasion I sent TWO 
IDENTICAL packages which were both meteorites to the US at the SAME TIME. 
They were both sent using ECI which is an EMS international door to door 
courier. It is also trackable on-line through every step of the way down to 
the minute that each process happens. The packages were both packed in the 
same size box and put into the satchel.

Both were given the description "Mineral/rock specimen for study" but one 
was insured for approx AUS$1400 dollars and the other was given a $0 value. 
They all went through the same processes within minutes of each other. 
Cleared through Australia and sent to the US, arriving at LAX, going to 
customs and then... gone!!! The $0 value went through to the receiver 
without problems but the $1400 package completely disappeared at LAX! 
(Neither package had any documentation either.) Insurance covered the stolen 
package but that's small comfort when a unique specimen was lost!

Cheers,

Jeff


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John.L.Cabassi" <John at Cabassi.net>
To: "'meteoritelist meteoritelist'" <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 12:16 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Dealers, Sellers: Please INSURE your shipments


> G'Day List
> Ahh, mailing problems. It's interesting that this should pop up on the
> same day that I also received a package from Argentina. It possibly
> could have been from the same supplier. But my package was also tampered
> with, either by mechanical sources due to sorting or human influence,
> but whatever it was, it only managed to open half the package. Maybe the
> machine broke down or the human was interrupted. Either way, I did not
> lose anything.
>
> As for declarations, I don't sell, but from time to time, I give some
> away and I always put "No Value" and "Mineral Specimen" But for the
> first time, this package from Argentina had the full value and on the
> green declaration stamp it is written "Rocks for study without
> commercial value - meteorites" But the value was also included.  This is
> the first time this has ever happened to me.
>
> Cheers
> John
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: meteorite-list-bounces at meteoritecentral.com
> [mailto:meteorite-list-bounces at meteoritecentral.com] On Behalf Of
> Galactic Stone & Ironworks
> Sent: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 3:41 PM
> To: Pete Pete
> Cc: meteoritelist meteoritelist
> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Dealers, Sellers: Please INSURE your
> shipments
>
>
> Hi Pete and List,
>
> When shipping meteorites outside the US, I declare them as "mineral
> specimens for study".
>
> Most of the overseas dealers I buy from mark their forms in a similar
> manner.
>
> I rarely, if ever, see "meteorite" on the declaration form.
>
> Best regards,
>
> MikeG
>
>
> On 6/2/09, Pete Pete <rsvp321 at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Hi, Aubrey and List,
>>
>> One package I received labelled "Mineral Specimens" was taxed as
>> vitamins.
>>
>> Another package I received labelled "Meteorites" was taxed as
>> antiques!
>>
>> I have never had a problem with (what the vast majority of sellers
>> use) "Rock Specimens for Scientific Study", with little or no monetary
>
>> value.
>>
>> For what it's worth,
>> Pete
>>
>>
>>
>> ----------------------------------------
>>> Date: Tue, 2 Jun 2009 22:31:03 +0300
>>> From: tektites at googlemail.com
>>> To: Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
>>> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Dealers, Sellers: Please INSURE your
>>> shipments
>>>
>>> I am always careful about declaring a meteorite - it makes it
>>> tempting to steal. 'Mineral specimen for research' is accurate and
>>> yet far less tempting to steal. Also I prefer not to declare the full
>
>>> value. When I have stuff sent to the Philippines I like a low value
>>> as again it reduces the risk of theft (although I have never
>>> experienced a problem). The main problem I have is that if a high
>>> value is declared then I have to pay import duties, and various other
>
>>> taxes and post office expenses that basically convert a bargain ebay
>>> purchase into very expense deal - almost to the point that it's not
>>> worth picking up, due to the expense. I once bought $120 of tektites
>>> and then had to pay $60 to the post office to get them!
>>>
>>> Aubrey
>>> ______________________________________________
>>> http://www.meteoritecentral.com
>>> Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
>>> http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
>> _________________________________________________________________
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>> http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9660826
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>>
>
>
> -- 
> .........................................................
> Michael Gilmer (Louisiana, USA)
> Member of the Meteoritical Society.
> Member of the Bayou Region Stargazers Network.
> Websites - http://www.galactic-stone.com and http://www.glassthrower.com
> ..........................................................
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