Can anyone tell me what’s required to fedex a flute to Japan or Israel? I’ve never shipped to either of these countries before and wondering how involved the process is (I’m assuming fedex is the best way to go), are there any special requirements ?.. thanks for any advice - Tod
Hi Tod,
I would ship USPS Global Priority Mail, gets there in 4 to 6 days. I have had better luck with USPS then Fed Ex, though I am sure they would do the job.
Does this mean that you have got a buyer for D’Almaine… 
I agree with Jon C that the Postal Service does a good job and they seem to be cheaper than the alternatives. I have used their Global Express which is still reasonably priced and takes 2-3 days to most places. The wild card is the Customs Service of whatever country it is going to. Canada and EU countries seem to have the longest delays (2 or 3 weeks is not unusual). There may also be an import duty and some some sort of tax (VAT or GST). Antique flutes are often exempt from duty, so if appropriate you should identify it clearly - something like “Antique, over 100 years old”.
Dave Copley
Loveland, Ohio
Hey Tod,
I’ve used the USPS successfully to Japan (and many other destinations, the only problem is when things get held in customs).
The USPS is a bit confusing: 
Global Priority Mail is non-insurable (though I’ve never had a problem).
AirMail Letter Post can be sent Registered Post (signatures at every point of delivery) but only insured for ~$50.
AirMail Parcel Post can be fully insured and have a return receipt.
I presume we’re talkin about the Goulding & D’Almaine. 
But you don’t want to go through all that trouble. Just send it to me in Missouri via Priority Mail! 
Having received things here both through the USPS and FedEx, my choice is the post office hands down. FedEx service is very spotty here.
Be careful about identifying something as “antique” or even “used” when shipping into Japan. When I moved here, the Customs people weren’t thrilled that some of my instruments were over ten years old. I kept giving the “wrong” answers and finally the agent told my wife Miwako (in Japanese) to be quiet. They did charge me some duty.
The rules might be different now. That was almost 15 years ago.
Oh, I didn’t proofread carefuly enough. javascript:emoticon(‘:oops:’)The agent didn’t tell Miwako to be quiet. He told her to tell me to be quiet so he wouldn’t have to charge me. He really was trying to help me out.
I have received several instruments (whistles, bagpipes, a flute ) and never had them held in customs nor paid any taxes. The senders declared NCV (non comercial value), second hand stuff or gift. The only time I paid some customs fee was when I got some new bagpipe parts sent from a maker, and it wasn`t that much. As far as I know they were not detained at customs. If there is any need to pay taxes, the package is normally sent to the post office and then you pay the customs taxes when you get the package at the post office.
Thanks for all the responses… yes, I’m getting interest in the D’almaine from international bidders, and considering if I want to ship overseas - sounds like US airmail parcel post is the way to go, given the insurance… - Tod
I agree with the majority of your respondents so far but for a different reason. Go with USPS because many courier services charge “rip-off” brokerage fees shipping between countries.
Paul
Even though I have been asked to do so, I do not falsely describe the contents of an international package as “a gift” or “no commercial value”. I declare the contents as “merchandise”, describe the item, for example, (1) plastic Irish flute, and declare the value of the flute in US dollars, although I do declare a value less than what the actualy selling price may be. Occasionally there may be a VAT tax that the buying will have to pay, but usually, if the declared value is not too large, there is no tax.
I think that for items that do not have such a great value, where the shipper can self-insure (charge a fee and assume the risks), the USPS airmail letter post rate is about as low as you can get. There are size limits and a four pound maximum at this rate. The post office also has free priority mail boxes that you can turn inside-out, and they are just the right size for shipping a 3-piece Irish flute anywhere in the world. I have used this method for shipping pvc flutes to many countries in Europe, the Far East, and Australia, and, so far (knock on wood), I have not had a package that was severely damaged or lost.