Here's something that makes me wonder--When I ship my orders via Canada Post Small Package Surface to buyers in the U.S., I am asked to fill in a customs slip which sticks directly on the package. On the slip there's a section in which I'm supposed to write what exactly is in the package, and how much it's worth. Now, if I were shipping pencil sharpener parts, that wouldn't be a problem, but I'm shipping my painstakingly, lovingly handcrafted jewellery. I might as well write, "Look here! Expensive, handcrafted jewellery in here! Help yourself!" Perhaps this is a jaded, suspicious view of the world, and I certainly don't want to suggest that the people who work in the postal services are especially suspect, but I've heard of many situations where stuff was waylaid in transit and never arrived at its destination. That's why you can't send cash in the mail, right?
So, how does one get around this? I understand that U.S. customs wants to know, especially after 9-11, exactly what is coming into the country, but geez! I finally came up with a plan. Instead of writing "jewellery" on the package, I'll write "beads." That's what the jewellery is made of, mostly, anyway, so I'm not misrepresenting what's in the package, and "beads" aren't as attractive as "jewellery" to potential thieves. As for the amount, so far I haven't had any orders over $45, so no big deal. I wonder what would happen if I got a big order, and didn't put the entire value on the package? How does knowing the value help customs or Canada Post, anyway? Do you, readers, have any insight on this issue? I'd love to hear from you.
Yours, Diana
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