Hello John:
As you recall perhaps, I actually *live* in Italy (for several years now) and can shed some accurate advice.
The negative comments actually come at quite a surprise to me. The Post here is quite good. As good as the States.
I have purchased, sold and shipped very valuable items ranging from $100 to $35000 to and from here without issue.
Folks, shipping a value item abroad via standard post is foolish regardless where you are sending it.
I have received and sent items via Accelerated Post without issue. Arrival 2 weeks time, however, an item of value I would never recommend once again to send via a standard Post system of any type.
Use only FedEx or DHL. ...and package very well. You want a tracked independent organization, where your item can be tracked and followed, always....
I have purchased cameras, large instruments, valuable artwork, etc. and they arrive and are received to and from the States in 3-4 days.l.likewise as far as China and Japan...3-4 days.
The insurance is in the packaging. Period. Collecting insurance on a damaged item is impossible and a cruel joke in my experience, whether within the States or elsewhere.
Whether one chooses to insure for full face value is their choice, however, a small item labeled watch with a value of $5k, well, I do not care where you are sending it, it send up flags...and is rather foolish IMO.
I always place a low value and request low value to avoid the absurd high taxes and fees, or ask for it to be stolen (in those *very rare cases) of course unless someone requests it. I ahve never had a problem. Should you sleep better at night paying all of your taxes, be my guest.
Any problems regarding shipping abroad generally has to do with ignorance, lack of common sense, or quite simply the person you are dealing with is not genuine or honest stating it was not recieved when you can or cannot prove otherwise.
Remain in control of the transaction.
Send an item abroad always via a secure, well-known tracked method (FedEx preferred) and package well, otherwise you are simply asking for trouble.
People who wish to save $20 or so on shipping are simply foolish. It is not, I repeat *not* worth it...
I have never had a problem once again. It only requires 1 story to create paranoia, you know?
Best regards
