[Mark T]

Hi all,

Just a heads up: remailing service myUS are getting twitchy about sending swords again.

A year ago, they stopped sending them, citing a review of their policies, but eventually relented, and we've had a year of no problems.

However, I recently went to send a *blunt feder* and got this reply:

[Mike O'Hara]

Thanks for the heads up Mark

Given that those of us in the antipodes have few choices and these folk are my main shipper, I will also write to them directly and ask politely, noting that this is why I joined.

I do know that they may have had a couple of hassles at this end - there were some Customs challenges in NZ recently. All fixed but it did take some time and work so maybe that has contributed

cheers
mike

[Philip Melhop]

Hi Mike
what were the challanges from NZ Customs??????
Phil

[Mark T]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for following this up with myUS.

I think when they first made this policy change a year ago, they'd also just been raided by US authorities, which might have contributed to their skittishness.

No doubt that people wishing to ship problematic items might want to use remailing services, but given that myUS open every package they receive, and that export laws are clear, and import laws are policed, it doesn't make sense for them to make policy decisions like this on the run.

Given the large response last time, and that they saw reason, it's odd that they do it again.

In my case, the sword was in their care *before* they made their policy change, so it's pretty poor process. And that's in addition to swords not actually appearing in their revised restricted items list ... and that the one I am wanting to send is a blunt feder.

Anyway, the more of us who contact them, the better!

[Mike O'Hara]

Hi folks

Just in follow up:

@Phil. I have discovered that the process is little different depending on whether you import via the normal post or using the myUS/FedEx or DHL route and it has to do with whether you are acting through an agent or not - as myUS is.
NZ has introduced a new model of Border management. When I used an agent I had to register under Trade Single Window. Apparently now that I have, I'm good to go for the future (I'm in the system ).

They also seemed to need a fair amount of verification - I was importing an Albion Fiore. Mike Sigman was awesome (just before his terrible news, poor chap) but as much as anything it seemed to be time to verify and validate. Not sure if it was cost, use , location shipped from or some combination.

Can I say that this is not a rant against the 'revenoo'. The laws are the laws and I have no problem working to them.

NZ doesn't normally have a problem with importing sharp swords. Daggers, yes. I needed Police permission for that - all good.

I HAVE actually struck a similar problem importing blunts via myUS once before. Some email exchanges did seem to sort it out.

@Mark: I note there are some comments on their website now about change of process. I shall let you all know the result of my email conversation.

cheers
mike

[Mike O'Hara]

Hi folks

Well, here's the news

[Li Fu Xiang]

[Mark T]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for posting that here. You received more detail than me - after three emails to ask for specifics, they just told me 'it's against policy' with no explanation of what the policy was, or why it would exclude a blunt federschwert.

So what they sent you helps make sense of this, even though it's absurd.

Li: Thanks for the lead on stackry.com. What were their prices like compared to myUS?

[Li Fu Xiang]

[Mark T]

Hi Li,

Thanks for that. From past experience, and without using the myUS calculator, that does seem like a much cheaper price for that size.

Great news - thanks!

[Mark T]

This just in from myUS:

[Mike O'Hara]

Thanks for this information, Mark

Shame, because their prices were reasonable.

I'm intending to directly email a few, including the place Li suggested, and get something from them on shipment of swords.

Will let you know.

cheers
mike

[Li Fu Xiang]

MyUS.com is accepting sword shipment again. Last week my package from A&A arrived at MyUS.com warehouse and DHL delivered it to destination early this week.

Just to let you all know that myus.com has reversed its position (again) and hopefully this time for good.

[Mark T]

Hi Li,

Great news! Craig had given me heads up that you were testing it out again. I might contact them first to get written confirmation first, and then try again.

Thanks for letting us know - myUS is such an important service.