Got two kites coming from the U.K. via Royal Airmail and I was wondering:

1) Can I expect to pay custom charges?
2) How do I track it from this point on - When I enter the tracking # on their site it says "Your item, posted on 01/09/08 with reference XXXXXXXX has been passed to the overseas postal service for delivery in UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."

Thanks.

1. depends on how the shipper listed your items on custom forms, etc ... remember the discussion on "shipping methods".
when ordering items, its always good to email / phone them to list a few special instructions. "gift" / "toy-kite", "contains no resell value", etc

2. Every country uses their own Postal Service, we have it good since Canada Post and USPS use the same system so you can track, however the tracking system isnt up to speed to others (UPS / Fedex / DHL). Basically when it was sent, wait 1-3 days, contact the their country Postal Service, (normally you can yahoo "x country postal service") once you know that, you can email or phone with the current tracking number you have, and when it arrives on this side of earth, a new tracking number will generate.

for sample: DHL Post isnt like DHL courier, DHL Post is used in Germany, and when it arrives to canada or usa, they forward it onto Canada Post / USPS, and than a new tracking number gets generated. oddly i have to DHL Post with the old tracking number to get the new tracking number.

hope this explains things, and helps.

Do you mind if I ask how much shipping cost you? I had someone from the UK inquire about a kite I had for sale and it looked like shipping was going to run $100 which was a deal breaker.

Quote:

Do you mind if I ask how much shipping cost you?

Sure, not at all. I orginally was going to buy a Yak 10m and he was going to charge me $50. I then bought another 6m Yak from him and asked him if he could include it with the 10m...I didn't want to pay another $50 again.

As it turns out, he paid $34 for the 6m and $46 for the 10m. He emailed me the receipt. Not quite sure why he shipped them separately, I'm assuming it was more money to ship them together.

What's strange though, is it shows the 6m (kite only) weighing 2.74lbs and the 10m weighing 4.26lbs. I knew the Yak material was light but didn't realize it was that light.

Anyway, HTH.

Quote:

Basically when it was sent, wait 1-3 days, contact the their country Postal Service, (normally you can yahoo "x country postal service")

Thanks Rip! So if I understand you correctly, I could get the new tracking # from Royal Airmail? If so, obviously I don't want to call them, is there a way to get that information from their web site or would I have to email them?

Quote:

Originally posted by lunchbox Quote: Basically when it was sent, wait 1-3 days, contact the their country Postal Service, (normally you can yahoo "x country postal service") Thanks Rip! So if I understand you correctly, I could get the new tracking # from Royal Airmail? If so, obviously I don't want to call them, is there a way to get that information from their web site or would I have to email them?

yes, contact Royal Airmail ... 99% of time you can email them your current tracking number and ask them for the updated one.

Web: http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/jump2?catId=400033&me...

Email: http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/content2?catId=400144&...

hope this helps.

Thanks Rip...I sent them an email.

Just for kicks though, I put both of the tracking #'s into the USPS web site and I'm now receiving the msg -

Status: Origin Post is Preparing Shipment

We have received notice that the originating post is preparing to dispatch this mail piece.

Hopefully it won't get stuck in customs and I'll get it soon