Shipping overseas?

[jeepmang 3333]

As I assume most people are shipping things in this forum as tips on sending things? I'm looking to ship a good bit to Europe and wanted to know any tricks on doing so. The USPS has a flat rate box with a 20lbs weight limit for around $70 US but always looking for other options. I was thinking of sending 4 or 5 MREs as well as some loose goodies but its really a gift so if sending less saves me a good bit I'll try it.

[wats6831]

Pretty much every package is xrayed now. They are on the look out for MREs due to the FRH and the perceived risk (there is none). You can get away with sending other food items but I doubt MREs are going to get through. Most success I've seen is sending one at a time as a "gift" declare it as something not related to food, no insurance, declared value of less than $20. That avoids most scrutiny.

I'm sure others here have some tricks but my experience is mostly related to getting them into the US, not out.

[jeepmang 3333]

So you can't ship MREs with the FRH? Even in the origin packaging? I have no issues with it being xrayed not sending any media or anything strictly MREs which I guess its easy enough to take the FRHs out but did want to send him the complete ones without opening them. I just shipped some but it was inside the US so no customs to deal with. First time shipping anything out of country and want it to go well.

[jeepmang 3333]

USPS has a flat rate shipping box with a 20lbs cap for $70 US. Would it be less anywhere else? I think I'll be under the 20lbs mark.

https://postcalc.usps.com/Calculator/Ma ... =12&dvi=20

[wats6831]

I'm no expert but what they are looking for is the FRHs. If they see it's MREs you're screwed. You'll never get it back and it will never get through. That's been my experience.

[parafireboy]

USPS has a flat rate shipping box with a 20lbs cap for $70 US. Would it be less anywhere else? I think I'll be under the 20lbs mark.

https://postcalc.usps.com/Calculator/Ma ... =12&dvi=20

Based on the stuff I've sent into Europe, that sounds like a pretty good rate for a 20 lbs. package. A postage scale (a decent one will run $18-$25 on Amazon) is a great thing to have on-hand if you're going to be doing much shipping. It allows you to easily play around with different weights and has been a big help in letting me find the most economical shipping solution for packages, both domestic and international.

If it is significantly less than 20 lbs, you might be better off sending regular USPS.

[parafireboy]

It's kind of crazy that they would zero in on the FRH when it is sealed in the package where it is harmless, especially when they are allowed on commercial aircraft already when sealed. Wats6831 is right though, customs can defy logic sometimes. I've never sent regular MREs with FRHs into Europe, but I've sent them to Canada and the Russian Federation on several occasions with no issues.

As for anyone else who might be less expensive, I can't think of any. Every time I've shipped overseas, USPS has been the cheapest by far. It never hurts to check around, but none of the other major carriers has ever come close yet.

Hope this helps.

[wats6831]

It's kind of crazy that they would zero in on the FRH when it is sealed in the package where it is harmless, especially when they are allowed on commercial aircraft already when sealed. Wats6831 is right though, customs can defy logic sometimes. I've never sent regular MREs with FRHs into Europe, but I've sent them to Canada and the Russian Federation on several occasions with no issues.

As for anyone else who might be less expensive, I can't think of any. Every time I've shipped overseas, USPS has been the cheapest by far. It never hurts to check around, but none of the other major carriers has ever come close yet.

Hope this helps.

I did it the stupid way (through Ebay) to the UK. Didn't even make it out of the US. They are specifically looking for FRH's, they think that they are a hazard to aircraft, but I don't follow their logic.

That is why Ebay doesn't allow listing of "MRE" because USPS forbids the shipping of anything containing FRH. I'm sure there are ways around it, I know Steve has some experience. I'm better at getting them INTO the US, not out.

[jeepmang 3333]

So maybe removing the FRH and possibly the matches from the accessory kit before shipping will reduce the chance of customs seizing or delaying the shipment?

[Ymer34]

Have gotten a few MREs from soldier of fortune with FRHs. Only MRE that have been opened has been from eastern europe.