True enough -- the seller had to complete some paperwork for the
broker, IIRC, basically itemizing the contents on a declarations
form, and of course get the block to the freight depot.  Was probably
easier from his perspective, but still not quite as simple as
dropping a package off at UPS.

As I recall, anything small enough to go parcel post through the
postal service avoids a lot of the customs headaches.

Allan

On Jan 1, 2008, at 11:22 PM, Mike Collum wrote:

> It sounds like your experience was from the receiving end.  What
> did the seller have to go through?
>
> Mike
>
>
>
> Allan Streib wrote:
>> Have you ever had to ship anything significant to/from another
>> country?  It's a complete PITA if you're not a regular at it.  I
>> bought a long block several years ago from a seller in Canada.
>> Dealing with the customs paperwork, getting a broker to get it across
>> the border, etc. was time consuming and expensive.  Then you have to
>> deal with payment using some instrument that is acceptable to the
>> currency exchange folks in the other country.  All in all, more
>> trouble than it was worth, looking back on it.
>> Allan
>> On Jan 1, 2008, at 9:19 PM, Mike Collum wrote:
>>> FWIW, I would certainly have no qualms about selling/sending things
>>> to you ... if only I had what you need.  I'm honestly surprised
>>> that you haven't had better luck in that regard.
>>>
>>> Mike
>>> Houlton, Maine