legion wrote:Russell wrote:
Nevertheless, shipping stuff to Japan is going to be pretty bothersome. My dad had a huge collection of HO model trains, of which I'll receive most. I am wondering to take some of them in my carry-on luggage and check-in luggage on my way back next week, and ship the rest by sea on a later date. I guess nobody here has experience with how security at airports handles this? Some of them might actually think that I could use those locomotives as weapons? When I google, it appears not to be a big problem, but one never knows...
If I were you I'd pack them carefully and ship them over professionally. In my experience the customs guys here are very understanding when it comes to items of obvious personal emotional value. There are tax rates set according to the type of item. The main issue is you will set a value for insurance against damage or loss, and they will calculate the tax against this. I found going down to the docks and clearing the stuff quite interesting.
Thanks Legion. What would you consider a professional shipping company? (or do you mean to advise not to transport them as my luggage on a plane?) I was thinking about DHL Less-than-Container-Load; Wifey is thinking about two Japanese shipping companies (Nitsu, Yamato). Would they count as professional?