I sent a lantern sized parcel to Japan recently with Royal Mail and they were, on average, around £30 cheaper than other couriers that i've used, apparently the buyer says he has never had any problems with them, even on larger items like Aladdin Blue Flame heaters etc, it is quite a difference in price that's for sure.
My local post office staff are great. But the local sorting office are a bunch of................ Both in receiving and delivering. When I send stuff over sea's I use Fed Ex, as the Post office sometimes will not take some of my items. If I use the Post office I hope over the boarder to Somerset.
I normally use Evri/Herpes for internal post as their drop off is a minutes walk away but only made that mistake once Internationally, for overseas post i use comparison sites as each time i have had quotes from the main courier sites their prices are so much higher so i gave up, i was quite surprised at Royal Mails cost saving as they are usually dearer on comparison sites, i use them for small parcels and have had no issues but there have always been stories of them confiscating pressure lanterns etc.
They are a waste of time if you want a pressure lamp to get through to Australia. I have tried about 5 or 6 times and they are confiscated, so I don't waste my time anymore.
I have not tried to send parcels abroad for several years now and that's because of the hassle which I had with the Royal Mail.
Well, in theory they've only got to get the package to the nearest international airport. After that, it's out of their hands. When I sent out Trevor's lanterns I think they all went by Royal Mail and no problems were encountered. Having said that, I'm not a fan of them at all...
Small parcels via Royal Mail seem fine to Australia. The two larger items I have had confiscated were from a Global Shipping program from a well known online auction mob. The cost of postage from the UK stops me bidding for most items I would be interested in.
For sending lanterns, what do you specify on your customs declaration forms? I've heard of people in the US and Canada who would specify lamp parts on the customs forms. They don't use anything like gas, pressure, lantern, or any other word that might draw negative attention to the package
that’s what I do.. lamp spares or spares for lamps Don’t mention what kind of lamp it is , never mention the fuel Some folks add electric cables so if it’s x rayed it looks like a table lamp don’t use the global shipping, there are other options and insurance bid available when you book them
Thanks all for the answers, i sent a heater to Japan via RM which got through ok but they don't make it that easy with their customs codes unlike comparison sites, i think it went as an antique, As David said they only have to get it to an airport, i can't remember ever having problems with internal post, I guess i will keep trying until something goes wrong, Yes, agreed, a certain online auction sites global shipping program is atrocious, i have heard on here that some of the items confiscated end up back for sale on that site again unbelievably!
