What items are illegal to ship?
The answer to this question is a long and complicated. In summary, we can’t ship alcohol (including beers, wines, and liquors), tobacco, explosives, and hazardous materials. While this list sounds simple and short, it includes many items that may not come to mind upon reading it initially. For example, it is illegal to ship fireworks (explosives), ammunition (explosives), perfumes (they contain alcohol), and ink (hazardous material). This list is not exhaustive.
Do you ship and insure loose precious gems?
The Shipping Place will not ship loose precious gems. While it is not illegal to ship precious gems, a false claim can be made by the recipient that fewer or different gems were received than were actually sent. An alternative to sending precious gems would be to sell the gems and then wire or transfer the money to the intended recipient.
Can I ship cash to someone?
The Shipping Place will not ship cash. It is not illegal, but there is no way to prevent a potential claim by the recipient that there was less cash received than was actually sent, and no way to resolve such an issue. In lieu of sending cash, we recommend the money be wired or transferred electronically to your recipient’s bank account. Funds transfer services are provided by banks and Western Union, among others.
I want to insure my stock certificates for $50,000. Can you do this?
The carriers and insurance companies will not insure any kind of document for over $500. In addition, shipping stock certificates is very risky and extra precautions should be taken.
Can I ship an item which is still in its original box and packaging?
Most items you purchase were shipped to the store on a pallet. The packaging of such items is designed specifically for shipping on a pallet inside a tractor trailer. This packaging cannot withstand the rigors of shipping through the US Postal Service, FedEx, or UPS. We recommend that this type of already packaged item be shipped inside another box, cushioned by padding to properly protect it while en route via one of our carriers.
Can I insure items I packed myself?
If you do your own packing, you can insure your package for up to $500, but only to cover loss. We cannot submit claims for items you packed that arrive broken.
I want to insure my international shipment for one value and list a different value for customs purposes. Can I do this?
When shipping internationally, the declared value and the customs value must be the same. If they are different, there will be a serious delay in customs, or the shipment may not even clear customs.
My package weighs 5 pounds. Why am I being charged as if it weighs 10 pounds?
You have defined the concept of dimensional weight. Dimensional weight allows carriers to apply a formula determined by the federal government to charge more for shipping a big box weighing 5 pounds than for a little box weighing 5 pounds. In other words, it will be cheaper to ship 5 pounds of lead than 5 pounds of feathers. The reasoning behind dimensional weight formulas is that 5 pounds of feathers will consume a lot more space on the plane or truck than 5 pounds of lead will.
Can I insure items I packed myself?
If you do your own packing, we can insure your package for up to $500, but only to cover loss. We cannot submit claims for items self packed which arrive broken. In addition, when shipping internationally, dimensional weight costing may kick in, resulting in sharply higher costs based only on the size of the box (not the actual weight). Put your mind at ease and let the packing professionals at The Shipping Place take care of both your packing and your shipping.
I want to insure my international shipment for one value and list a different value for customs purposes. Can I do this?
When shipping internationally, the declared value and the customs value must be the same. If they are different, there will be a serious delay in customs, or the shipment may not even clear customs.
What time will my international documents or package arrive?
International letters and packages do not have specific delivery times. They will be delivered by end of business on the designated delivery date, assuming normal customs clearance.
Can international documents or packages arrive next day?
Unless you are shipping to one of the major cities in Canada, your items will not be delivered tomorrow. International delivery times depend upon the destination country as well as carrier and service options you select. The delivery date will vary from two to seven business days in most cases.
