Advice on sending guns by courier.

[Andygoth]

After having a few issues sending some guns and parts abroad I thought I would pass on some advice I was given by TNT.

When filling in the declaration put Paintball GUN and not Paintball MARKER

The handlers do not know what a paintball MARKER is and so rely on the computer system which doesn't understand MARKER but flags up the word paintball, unfortunately paintballs class as a hazardous material for planes and your package will be rejected.

Putting paintball GUN solves this as they are on the system and not classed as hazardous.

This is the advice of a manager from TNT so other companies may work differently but he suggests using plain simple language on the declarations.

Hope this helps

Andy

 

[Gee Tee]

So if that statement is true - the word 'gun' causes less aggro with airlines than the words marker or paintball

How stupid is that?

FWIW I have sent several paintball markers to both the USA and Canada. All were set via Royal Mails 'Airsure' tracked airmail service, and clearly identified as paintball markers. Never had any issues at all with customs, couriers or airlines. I've also used UPS recently and again had no problems at all. This sounds more like an issue with TNT than couriers in general

 

[damocarlisle]

I've just sent my gat to Kohn to get lasered via Royal Mail and just put down Paintball Equipment and according to the tracking was in customs in the USA for all of 5mins.

 

[EELZ]

I always put 'pneumatic paint applicator' and have never had a problem shipped approx 10-12 markers worldwide. …*touches wood*.

Australia have extremely tight laws regarding paintball markers as users need a licence to own them and boards must only be able to shoot semi-auto only

 

[T-T]

Never shipped outside the country, but have received a few things from the US. Always asked that the sender labels the package as "Paintball equipment" and I've never had a problem with customs.

 

[WihGlah]

I had an airsure package get rejected for the flight - it went by boat and took 8 weeks.

Luckily I had a very understanding customer.

 

[Gee Tee]

WihGlah, Did Royal Mail or the airline they used give a reason for why it was rejected?

 

[EELZ]

I had an airsure package get rejected for the flight - it went by boat and took 8 weeks.

Luckily I had a very understanding customer.

This is also happening to me at the moment on 2 occasions. I hope my customers are of an understanding nature too (both on c.cockers forum)

 

[Gee Tee]

Oh dear - hope you get it sorted ok

How were the packages identified on customs declaration out of interest?

 

[EELZ]

All 4 dc2's were described as 'paint applicators' ( 3 of which are delivered) 1 dc2 is going by ferry according to royal mail today and a cocker body too I hope-buyer didn't want to pay for tracking/ insurance which I should of enforced really.

Both buyers are being very understandable and patient at the moment.