shipping pipes from UK to USA

[mickspangle]

has anyone got any recommendations for couriers etc for shipping to USA?

I'm sending a practice set in a hard case (actually a rectangular mandolin case) so should be well protected, but just wanted to know who people have used successfully in the recent past.

also, any other gotchas regarding posting pipes across the pond would be useful

cheers

Mick

[An Draighean]

My pipemaker in Northern Ireland shipped my flat set via DHL courier and it was fast and painless, and the set (well packed) arrived in perfect condition. That was a few years ago.

I'm currently awaiting a chanter I bought from a chap in Hertfordshire, that he posted insured "global priority" via Royal Mail; hopefully I can tell you how that went very soon. He can track it even here in the U.S. from his end.

[MTGuru]

And I believe that pipes are explicitly exempt from US import duty, as long as you declare the right tariff code on the customs docs. A search of the old posts here should turn up the info.

[Mike Hulme]

The correct Harmonized Tariff Schedule Code for Bagpipes is:

9205.90.2000

Enter this on your Waybill and it should sail through Customs.

Mike

[Chris Bayley]

I use a company called Rand Logistics (https://www.randlogistics.com/) who act as middle men to get it at the best prices / delivery time scales. You get a choice of usually of several different carriers and prices and the option of dropping off the parcel at a convenient shop that acts as a post box for the company or having it collected. They offer full tracking and insurance at reasonable rates

Chris