I'm quite angry typing this because once again, my USA bound parcel has been returned due to it containing nail polish. USA have stepped up their security scanning procedures and consequently we, here in Australia, have to pay an extra $9 per USA bound parcel for that. Yes, basically we are paying the postal workers EXTRA to do their job *properly*.
Since this extra procedure has been implemented I have not successfuly been able to complete a swap or send on nail polishes to my USA buddies as all my parcels have been returned. I'm angry because each parcel costs me an average of $45 to ship. And when a parcel gets returned, my money doesn't get refunded. So on top of the money paid out for the stock insides the parcel and original shipping costs, I am out of pocket at least $100.....each and every time.
But get this, all you USA people can send us here in Australia NAIL POLISH!! We just can't send it to YOU! So it's OK for the Australia Post planes maybe getting blown up due to a teeny tiny bottle of nail polish, but definitely not OK for a USPS plane....rationality and hypocrisy be damned.
So, at this time I am sorry to say that I cannot participate in a swap to anyone in the USA. The rest of the world is fine for me to ship polishes to.
If any of my Aussie followers has any shipping advice for me I would be most appreciated to hear it.
That's so tragic and I can understand your plight :( *sigh* I don't understand why this has to be such an issue being from America and all, it prevents me from ordering overseas. I just can't afford that kind of shipping.
ReplyDeleteThe same thing happens when you try to send polish from here (Finland) to USA. I tried twice to send the package to my giveaway winner and it came back twice.. Then I was visiting Estonia and tried to send it from there and it worked.. Guess they aren't so strict yet. But anyways, it really annoys me too!
ReplyDeleteActually, it is against USPS shipping regulations to send nail polish outside of the US, to anywhere in the world. Heck, within the US, the only way it's legal to ship it is Parcel Post, unless you get a license from the USPS to ship nail polish (which is what businesses tend to do).
ReplyDeleteAnyone sending you polish from the US is doing so illegally, and taking a big risk.
Yeah USPS has really cracked down lately too. So here's the deal:
ReplyDeleteWe can't ship polish outside Australia or we risk a huge fine [$800+].
The US girls can't ship outside the US anymore either.
= we all get screwed over and no one gets swap parcels :(
I haven't had any problems yet but I heard about someone getting caught and fined $800 so I've put a stop to all my overseas postage, it's just not worth it.
Ah crud ... I just sent something from Oz to the USA today :( How long before they get returned? :(
ReplyDeleteRoxy. I can get swaps from the USA no problem, maybe they havent cracked down as hard yet?
ReplyDeleteAnnie. Sound like the USA are stopping polish parcels from everywhere around the world. Do you have to pay extra for USA bound mail?
Sahttered. I thought so, but sending it also seems to be standard practice and not really 'policed'....maybe thats changing.
Girlwithabow. Todays parcel came with a letter so I'm just not game to risk it anymore with USA parcels. I certinaly cant afford $800.
Claire. It only takes a couple to a few days...you'll find out soon enough if you escaped the dreaded x-rays!
Here's hoping ... I'm also crossing everything that I don't get an $800 fine. Thanks for sharing the word though :(
ReplyDeleteI notice on the Australia post website that you only have to pay that extra $9 'security surcharge' for parcels weighing more than 500g. I wonder if that means parcels under 500g don't get scanned and get through ok.
ReplyDeleteI posted three mini bottles off last week, and they haven't been returned yet. That package was about 100g.
How big was your package?
I posted 2 parcels in the last few weeks, one under 500g and one over 500g. Both got there safely and quickly thank god, but having heard about all these shipping issues I had already decided (before I shipped, but I'd already committed to the swaps) that was going to be the end of international swaps for me.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad, but even though I haven't been affected the risk is so not worth it...
Kitties. That's worth a try. My last box was 543 grams reading on the box now but I dont think I paid the extra $9 as my PO is a little lax about those things. My understanding is they scan every USA bound parcel....maybe I'm flagged in their system??!!
ReplyDeleteMichelyne. Lucky you! Up ptill recently everything of mine went thru, but no more.
That really sux:( I can't afford an $800 fine either. I suppose it's a good incentive to keep my stash small. I really hope USPS doesn't start doing some funny sh@t too. It really doesn't make sense. The parcels are leaving Oz so it's not their problem if something goes wrong somewhere else.
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ReplyDeleteAll of this makes me sad! Being in the US I would love polishes from Oz. :(
ReplyDeleteI have had problems getting polishes from the UK. For supposed stepped up security measures- a lot of smaller packages are being deferred to boats instead of planes. It takes forever!
In the US, we cant send either and those who do are illegal as all get out. We can send to each technically through parcel but then again youre still taking a risk. Everyone has cracked down and I for one am not sending anymore swaps out with nail polish in it from Georgia. Hopefully one day it will change.
ReplyDeleteCarina. Thanx for that, I'm starting to see why this has started all of a sudden. Will wait for email!
ReplyDeleteL. Hopefully! I want to keep swapping!
I haven't been able to since November. I've been threatened with the fine in the form of an official looking letter.. it scared the crap out of me so I haven't swapped internationally since then :(
ReplyDeleteYep, got that letter too Stef!
ReplyDeleteSucks so bad, but like others said it goes both ways. USPS has been horrible lately to us in the USA also about shipping polish. Killed swapping for me also :(
ReplyDeleteThe postal service needs to 'calm their tits' so to speak. It's JUST polish and in small quantities too. It's not dangerous at all, they just want to police us. If it was so dangerous, businesses wouldn't be able to 'pay extra' to be able to ship it. Stupid, moneygrabbing beaurocratic nonsense.
ReplyDeleteI've been lucky and have never had a warning letter or anything returned, even after the $9 charge was implemented but I have a package of Ozotics to send soon to the US so I'm hoping I don't get stung on that.
I have noticed that all the people that I hear of getting in trouble seem to be in Victoria. Perhaps VIC customs is much harder on stuff leaving the country than NSW.
that sucks. I live in the U.S. and have gotten a package with polish in it from switzerland kind of recently. What I've noticed is that it goes through fine if you don't say it's nail polish on the customs form.
ReplyDeleteThat is just plain retarded! I'm sorry you have to deal with that crap.
ReplyDeleteIt's not fair that individuals should suffer and not be able to mail packages. There should be legal ways to do this. Laws are getting stricter because of terrorists. We all have to suffer because of them. It really does seem crazy. Many things wouldn't get through the mail if people really were doing their jobs. I worked for USPS and many scary as hell things were sent through the mail. Terrorists have ruined our llives in more ways than one.
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