UPS, don't be vague.

[Alex A]

Just in case anyone uses UPS to US and is vague when it comes to descriptions.

 

Actually, having read it again then im not too sure whether relevant to us. I have a non business account with UPS and i got the mail.

 

I guess its best not to be vague though

 

Had this email.....................................................

 

Significant new regulations will come into effect in the coming months: 

Shipments to the US - Enforcement on vague commodities descriptions starting 12 November 2024 

On 4 September 2024, U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) announced that vague descriptions of goods in Air Cargo Advanced Screening (ACAS) will be rejected. A precise and specific description of the merchandise is now mandatory for shipments to the U.S. or transiting via the U.S.

Starting on 12 November 2024, stricter enforcement will take effect. As a direct result, shipments with vague descriptions may be delayed at the point of origin. Item descriptions must be specific and precise to be considered acceptable. 

The best descriptions use the 3 W’s, supported by additional details: 

What is it?

What is it made from?

What is it used for?

Additional things relevant to the commodity. For example: gender for clothing, size for water bottle, etc.

For further guidance you can refer to the guide of acceptable and unacceptable descriptions on the CBPD website. 

Shipments to Germany – New German Postal Law effective 1 January 2025 

Effective 1 January 2025, a new German postal law will impact the design of the UPS shipping labels. 

To comply to this new law, parcels weighing between 10 and 20 kilograms and those over 20 kilograms will have new labels that display a small ‘package’ icon indicating the weight class. 

Labels generated from UPS systems, such as UPS.com, CampusShip, WorldShip and Ship API, will automatically display this new requirement. 

UPS WorldShip® users should ensure that they are using the latest version, as only the most recent version will generate compliant labels.

Customers who generate their own labels (e.g. Host to Host) will receive labelling requirements from UPS (UPS Guide to Labelling) to comply with these new requirements. 

It will be essential to input accurate weight data to ensure compliant labelling for any shipment to Germany. 

[Brian]

This is going to cause HUGE issues. No more shipping custom knives and "camping tool"
And as soon as people mention knife, UPS will reject it. No more antique Japanese wallhanger etc. You are going to have to write Japanese sword, made from steel, antique for collectors purposes. Makes it much easier for the shipping thieves to identify goods for looting. Wow.
Also they will have far more reason to open parcels to inspect the contents since the description won't be specific enough. Ouch.

[Alex A]

Id say you will be ok Brian, they ship knives.

 

They are not at a "parcelforce" level yet, by a long ways.

 

 

[PNSSHOGUN]

You can still be accurate on what it is, but vague on precise details to prevent unnecessary interest.

[Alex A]

Been thinking about this.

 

With knives and UPS, don't think there would be such a big deal about stating the word "knife" on the description because as stated, they ship knives.

 

Mentioned a while ago i sent a WW2 commando dagger to the US with UPS and avoided the word knife. I stated "WW2 Souvenir collectable" but obviously they knew it was a knife as they contacted me about it. Answered a question regarding legality for ownership and they continued to ship it without an issue. I did not state knife originally but now wonder if it would have been a big deal. Will find out in the not too distant future when i ship another.

 

Cant see any issue with describing a knife such as maybe "camping equipment utility knife for outdoor camping use, steel) or "Tradesman Utility knife for tradesman use, steel) etc.

 

I guess one could still leave out the word knife if they wish and just state equipment, but they will find out its a knife anyways.

 

Antique Japanese sword something like "Genuine Antique Japanese artwork katana/wakizashi/tanto collectable for collector/study, over 100 years old, traditionally forged steel)

 

As said, UPS website mentions knives on their restrictions page, for UK it comes with an over 18 rule.

 

Honesty is now the best policy. We are not trying to ship anything illegal.

 

Anyone using stuff like "wall hanger" is asking for trouble and at the same time causing potential further problems down the line for future exporters. As in customs becoming even more pissed off with dealing with such issues and just throwing a blanket ban on everything.

 

Now at the point where i don't want to see any non traditionally forged or historic ww2 blades entering the country as they are muddying the water for customs that are not experts on the subject. In this day and age descriptions must mean what it says on the tin, so to speak. Just sick of seeing stuff on the news where we all get thrown in the same basket as criminals and your youngsters buying Chinese reproductions. Sad, as i used to be one of those kids, not a criminal lol.

 

Stuff like this, cant believe they still will ship to the UK.

HANDMADE Japanese SAMURAI KATANA SWORD DAMASCUS FOLDED STEEL SHARP FULL TANG | eBay

 

There may come a day where UPS and others decides to go full on "parcelfarce". Hope not, we would be well and truly knackered and have to resort to other means that will kill the hobby for many.

 

[Alex A]

Excuse my ignorance, was unaware. Appears one can buy stuff like above in the UK.

Buy Samurai Swords katanas on Katanamart.co.uk | The best Handmade Samurai Sword Katana for Sale | - Katana Mart

Japanese Katana Swords | Buy Japanese Samurai Replicas Swords from our UK Shop

 

 

I guess there's a lot of martial arts practioners and reenactors about.

 

[Alex A]

Just posted a tanto off to the US with UPS.. 

 

As for descriptions. Online, you get 2 to fill in, one for the packing label which can only be short and a rather lengthy gap for the customs invoice which lets you go into great detail. The label description being short, your kind of limited. Having attempted to follow the "non vague and accurate" guideline then the best i could do there is "Japanese artwork tanto", followed by a more lengthy description in the customs invoice which included "traditionally forged cultural artwork by such and such, made from steel and in wood sheath, year 2007" , along with the customs tariff number.

 

Had a few issues this time with their website and the pick up where they totally ignored my scheduled pick up time of no earlier than 2.30 pm as i wasn't home from work. Yesterday, waited all day with a no show so i called them and they said they arrived earlier than anticipated and apologised. Rearranged for today and they show up at 10.30 am instead of the agreed 2pm. Luckily off work with a cold so didn't miss them. Had a bit of a moan to the driver who just apologised and said they were busy.

 

The other issue, their website. It didnt like to keep the information with the booking. I could not retrieve my online filled in customs form so had to print a PDF off their website and fill it out by hand. It does state when you print your package label out that they require 3 printed customs invoices. I called UPS and they were not much help but did say the written invoice should be fine. The call centre is in the US, i think they struggle with my accent.

 

Last time i had no problem printing out the customs invoices, i should add.

 

Anyways, info put here for folks that may want to use UPS, hope it helps.