International shipping - Italy - Anyone with experience?

[harlequintde]

I have a buyer who wishes to pick up an army that I have listed for sale, but he's in the process of being relocated to Italy by the US Navy. Unfortunately, we didn't match up until just before his ship-out date.

Now, I've never really been daunted by international shipping, but from what I'm reading Italy is a huge pain. Namely, I see a shipping prohibition for "Toys not wholly made of wood", which leads me to wonder if they were to open the package, would they consider "scale models" the same thing as "toys".

Anyhow, right now I'm putting the deal on hold until I can investigate this more. If anyone has experience with this sort of situation, I'd love to hear about it.

Thank you!

[saramin]

If he is military, he should have access to the APO system ... That would cost the same as shipping to New York, but you would need to fill out a customs form

[harlequintde]

If he is military, he should have access to the APO system ... That would cost the same as shipping to New York, but you would need to fill out a customs form

I was wondering about that. Have you ever had issues with not receiving something due to customs? We would certainly insure it, just in case though.

[saramin]

I have never had anything with tracking go missing... Did have things shipped to the wrong place first and take a long time to get there, but I have done dozens of trades through the the APO system.

[harlequintde]

I have never had anything with tracking go missing... Did have things shipped to the wrong place first and take a long time to get there, but I have done dozens of trades through the the APO system.

Thanks for the information. I've only ever used APO once, and that was to send a gift to a buddy in Iraq a few years back.

[MagickalMemories]

If he's in Italy, I would not ship there (personally), unless sending to an APO. If using an APO, I would do it.
Sending to an APO *does* tend to take a while, but I have never had an issue with something not arriving. Just be certain you insure it, just in case. Planes DO crash and items DO get lost.

Eric

[kturock]

Also, APOs/FPOs are cheaper than shipping internationally.

[harlequintde]

Thank you again for the input everyone. We decided to move forward with the trade using his APO address once he's set up in Italy.

Thanks again! Was great to get such a response from the community experience(especially from MagickalMemories himself!).

[osloco]

I had one sale on ebay to Italy. The purchaser never left feedback, so I imagined it arrived. After the trade I researched shipping to Italy and the Italian Post is supposed to be very unreliable. APO sounds like the best way!

[MagickalMemories]

Was great to get such a response from the community experience(especially from MagickalMemories himself!).

Heh heh. As if I don't post in damned near every thread that comes up. LOL


Eric

[Sinjin]

Heh heh. As if I don't post in damned near every thread that comes up. LOL

*cough*postwhore*cough*

[harlequintde]

As a note, everything went well shipping it to him via APO. Thanks again for the advice!

[kturock]

APO/FPO are US post offices, run by the military. You pay the same or almsot the same as shippng in the US.
The only 'problems' are it's only tracked and is only signed for, by the 'mail room/department/section; not the actual intended receipiant.