Sending off Dag Gear to the World

[Pollywog]

This is posted for the current situation I am having now.

I have recently made a batch of fuming boxes and to be made available for the dag community. Which had fantastic responses so far and I am quite happy to continue making these.

I do have a question on the delivery description.

These fuming boxes had been sent out in EU from the UK without much of a glitch. All items sent out and received quite fast to the buyers and it went out smoothly.

Now I have recently sent out a couple of boxes to the USA and it was flagged as:
“There is an inadequate description of the merchandise. more documentation required / shipment submitted to clearing agency, awaiting final release – Philadelphia, PA, US”

I had contacted the courier company to see whether I could supply more information to hasten or smoother the process.

The custom declaration forms were filled out similar to the ones I had sent out in EU countries, which mentioned: “Daguerreotype Box/Tool”. It was packed firmly and sealed with foams and palettes of silica gels (I wonder if this flagged it?). I had sent out items to the States before without a problem, but those would be common items and nothing specific to the old process as these.

Of course, I had avoided using the word “fuming” as it will make things worse and complicated.

I was wondering if any members whom had sent out things similar to this with better advised description for the fuming boxes? At least something I could prepare the documents better just in case if I have to send out to much stricter countries like Australia and such.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

-Pollywog

[jgmotamedi]

Try something less specific and more descriptive; Wooden box with glass tray. Using the word Daguerreotype invites further inquiry, and an internet search is the last thing you want a customs agent doing.

[Andy Stockton]

I agree with Jason – say what it is in the simplest terms possible. I avoid the use of the word daguerreotype and even the word photographic. For instance a mercury pot might be “metal pot on stand” or “metal pot with electric heater”…

[Pollywog]

Good call guys,

So far the package went through, though I didn’t like the delay. I had sent in the descriptions as advised to the courier company for them as a supplement to the customs, simple description for layman works apparently.

I appreciate the advise on this. Many thanks!

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