Shipping Coins To And From The U.S.

Thanks, Ripley, Collect89 and wd40 for your latest replies and suggestions.

I have to agree with Collect89 and wd40 regarding the declaration of items purchased from outside Singapore and being brought into Singapore. Although there is some leeway in how I describe the items -- such as declaring them as 'numismatic collectibles' -- if I make the customs people unhappy or suspicious, all my subsequent shipments will be subjected to inspection by the customs.

To be honest, I was initially horrified to discover that all my consignments had been opened for inspection by the freight-forwarding company. Prior to purchasing coins over the internet, I had only bought DVDs from Amazon, and these were shipped directly to me by Amazon -- they arrived unopened.

However, I got used to my shipments being opened for inspection by the freight-forwarding company when my coins arrived intact and nothing was missing. I realized that freight-forwarders have to do this to safeguard their own reputations and standings with the customs people they have to deal with on a daily basis.

I also suspect freight-forwarders may have an agreement with both the customs people as well as the courier services they use -- they must open the packages and envelopes for inspection at their warehouses as soon as they receive these packages and before shipping the consignments, so as to facilitate the delivery of the consignments to their recipients. Contraband and prohibited items are immediately stopped from delivery by the freight-forwarders who may even have to notify the U.S. government or other relevant authorities.

If a freight-forwarder loses its standing with the customs people, then all their future shipments will be subject to inspection by customs, causing unnecessary delays in delivery. They may even lose their operation licenses, depending on how serious the lapse is. The freight-forwarders' operations may be subject to spot-checking by the customs people from time to time.

What I'm also concerned about is the insurance coverage for shipments from outside Singapore to within Singapore. Insurance companies will cover shipments of DVDs but they often decline coverage of coins because coins are categorized as 'unusually expensive items'. At times, this may be untrue -- a box-set collection of the legendary Japanese classic television series, 'Magma Taishi', comprising 12 DVDs, is priced at USD 724.00, but it is still classified as 'DVDs' and can be insured. An Australian Silver Kookaburra that costs around USD 45 is categorized as 'coin' and some insurance companies won't cover it.

I've also checked the ANACS website -- it says USPS will insure coins up to a certain limit. If this were the case, I think Singapore Post ought to do likewise, since they have the same postal agreement, but I'm still waiting for the SingPost reply.

 

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