Just checked your band out. Your name got anything to do with said ‘shrooms?

I’m not saying it’s the correct thing to do legally – just that we basically can’t be bothered and it’s never been a problem for us!

Obviously the best approach is to fill them out, but life’s just too short isn’t it!

I presume your mate was so off it at the time that he couldn’t work out the Dutch postage system! Not the first such incident that I have encountered.

I’ve posted several hundred items outside the EU over the last two years and I’ve always completed a customs form detailing the contents and the retail value of the CDs/T-Shirts/whatever. I always list them as ‘gift’ and so far haven’t heard of any problems.

I agree with you 100% on customer service. If I get an order before lunchtime then I post it that day or the next if not. I’d happily send another if the first didn’t arrive.

“….apart from that one time when the guys in Amsterdam sent the…….but that was another thing entirely!”

An old housemate of mine posted himself some mushrooms from Amsterdam and he didn’t put enough postage on it. Had our student house searched and everyone pulled up to the police station for a polite ticking off. Classic.

Strictly speaking you have to complete a customs form for anything that you sell and post outside of the EU.

See this at the Royal Mail site – http://www2.royalmail.com/delivery/mail-advice/customs-information?campaignid=customs_redirect

The form is a CN22.

That said, when we sell individual records (be they CD’s or vinyl), we just don’t bother. The concern is that they get opened at customs and returned, so your customer doesn’t get them.

We’ve posted upwards of 5,000 pieces over the last ten years and have never had one returned for failing the entry country’s customs check. I’d be surprised if even 0.1% of the mail going into the US or Aus/NZ is actually checked anyway.

Customer service with D2F is though essential. A customer who doesn’t get their package within a week or so starts to get the hump. So, a delay or stoppage at customs is to be avoided. Polite emails to the waiting customer that you have a lot of experience mailing records and are sure it will get there and that you’ll send another if it doesn’t are the order of the day.

Lastly, the reason we don’t bother is that a CD is probably a 60p cost to us and US postage maybe £1.75 (Airmail, Small Packet, Franking account), so we just figure 1 in 5000 that we lose and have to send again is a cost well worth taking on for the time saved filling out 5,000 forms!

I have never heard of anyone having any legal trouble by sending sold goods ex-EU without a customs form.

….apart from that one time when the guys in Amsterdam sent the…….but that was another thing entirely!

So, my advice, don’t sweat it.

Do you have any advice/knowledge on the legality of direct to fan physical sales when posting items outside of the EU? How do you complete the customs form properly etc.?

I’ve asked on many DIY music forums and no-one seems to know for sure.

Cheers

Chris.

(I realise this question isn’t directly related to this rather old post buy your contact page suggests commenting on a post is the best way to ask a question and this post seemed most appropriate)