Return to sender??

[CSSports]

As far as the custom form (which USPS makes you fill out), does the value mean anything? Its not insured......since the value is only on the envelope and not on the paper they keep, does it matter what value you put on it?
I usually put "playing cards" but like "hobby supplies" better and will use from now on....

[Glenn]

I can only speak of the way the Canadian system works.

The value is actually the value for duty. On a parcel or heavy small packet there should always be a Customs form with a value entered. If there isn't one on the package, it's a sure bet that it will be set aside for Customs clearance, which can add another day to delivery time. This entails someone opening up the item and inspecting it. The chance of them making sure they put it all back in exactly the way it was packed (especially if it was packed a certain way to prevent damage) is a crapshoot. If they assess a value and then add duty, the receiver is duty-bound to pay their assessment; if their assessment is totally off base you can appeal their ruling, but only after you have paid what they say to pay first. For that reason alone, it makes sense to put the Customs form on and a reasonable value (keeping in mind that technically speaking, each individual card only cost someone 10-25 cents when the pack was bought); whether you choose to call the item a "Gift" is up to you, but keep in mind that gifts are traditionally duty-free if they are valued at $50 or less.

I have had things as low as $30 charged duty on, which is a big hassle. First, your mail is held up until Customs gets a chance to look at it. Then they have to make a determination as to its value and assess duty, which can also hold it up. Then, when it finally makes its way to a letter carrier for delivery, the letter carrier will knock and try to collect the duty from you on the doorstep. The duty (if assessed) must be paid even before you can have your item. If you're not home, the carrier will leave a "Call For" card, which you have to take down to your local Post Office, but your item will not be available until the following day, and even then, you will have to prove your identification, pay your duty, and then you can have it.

If you have to appeal the duty as being unfair, be prepared to wait two weeks or so before your ruling is made and another few days until the money order with your refund arrives.

Keep in mind that Canadian Customs Officers are more like tax collectors than they are like law enforcement (like American Customs is).

So, with all the hassles we have to deal with, the best-case scenario is to have the item with a customs form on it, have it described as Hobby Supplies, with gift checked off and a resonable value entered. There is always still a possibility of Customs doing spot checks of incoming mail, but there would be nothing refutable in such a situation.

Second rule of thumb: if you can make the item look like printed matter or a letter (card(s) in a hard case in an envelope (either letter sized for one card, or a manila envelope for several) with cardboard the same size of the envelope on either side of the item, it has the best chance of getting delivered quickly.