shipping to USA... is this legal?? | ExpatWoman.com
 

shipping to USA... is this legal??

65
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 March 2011 - 18:33

We're moving to the states but only need to ship a few boxes of things (artwork & rugs). We don't need a container or even partial container. We've been calling around to shipping companies and they have all said their is an embargo on sending 'personal item' by air cargo from UAE to USA.

Several companies have mentioned that they could send our boxes commercially. Basically, Have an exact inventory of what is in each box and an invoice saying what its worth etc. Instead of personal items it would say "12 used paintings & 6 rugs" or something like that. Then we pay shipping and whatever taxes customs puts on it.

My concern is what if the things arrive and get opened and its obvious that they are are personal belongings? The shipping companies and airlines are saying it works, but..... just worried that we'll end up losing the few belongings that are precious to me.

anyone have an experience with this?

TIA

2222
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 21 March 2011 - 19:51
Can you not deframe them and roll them up? Or try shipping to Canada?
65
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 March 2011 - 19:48
I've tried emirates cargo, delta cargo, etc etc. They assured me that there are new regulations (after the yemen bomb letter or whatever was found at DXB) and that they can no longer send any personal effects as cargo. I would try excess baggage, but the problem is the dimensions of the paintings..... ETA: CanadianinDXB. Yes. I felt like calling items "used goods" instead of "personal effects" would be misleading, if not illegal. The shipping companies keep tell DH and I its no big deal, but maybe its like them saying ... "Hey.. run the red light.. most likely you won't get caught" :\: <em>edited by jeniawwad on 21/03/2011</em>
1238
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 March 2011 - 19:35
Last I heard there were restrictions on shipments to the US after the whole attempted bombing of the UPS plane. This is true - its what Empost told me when I tried to ship old maternity clothes to the US and they wouldn't accept. I ended up sending them DHL for a small fortune.
409
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 21 March 2011 - 19:23
Is what legal? Shipping personal effects and not declaring them as such? Yes, it is illegal. All North American courier companies I know of do not carry personal effects internationally - it's never been an 'embargo' - just a restriction because it's such a pain in the neck for customs. Have you tried airlines - like Emirates Cargo, to send them as excess luggage?
542
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EW GURU
Latest post on 21 March 2011 - 19:14
Last I heard there were restrictions on shipments to the US after the whole attempted bombing of the UPS plane.
2222
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 21 March 2011 - 18:52
whats the weight of the stuff? could you not go the excess baggage route. Or ship to canada?
 
 

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