Hi
Do you have any problems on your USA orders to Europe on custom duty, lost, damages, etc?
How about the different postal and courier agencies and their insurance?
Thanks!
I’d say don’t go with the mail/postal service and choose a courier (like DHL) instead. I’ve sent stuff from the US to the EU both ways, and through the mail, sometimes things languish in customs for weeks before they get to them. If you use a courier, you generally end up paying a brokerage fee (or something of the sort) basically to have them get the thing through customs in a timely manner.
Insurance: the only “problem” with insurance of any type (whether it be provided by the courier, or as part of some other package) is that it requires that you then declare the full insured value of the instrument on the customs sticker. It’s just the way things are. Pipes going INTO the US are safe, since they’re specifically excluded from duty, but not going into the EU (or anywhere else). You’re likely (probably depends on the country, and how keen the customs agent is) to have to pay VAT on a set you import. Or a part. Or a flute. Or whatever.
I just recommend against using the mail and FOR using a courier. DHL has done a good job for me several times.
Stuart
Thank you.
What about UPS?
I’m waiting for a Seth Gallagher’s set and probably he sends my pipes through UPS.
I don’t know how it is on that side. Probably fine. I’ve just not used it to send to Europe because I’m not super-happy with how they act in the US.
But if you like them for domestic (Spanish) shipments, you’re probably fine!
Stuart
I received a shipment from Spain through UPS, no problems encountered, Just make sure it’s packed well!
No E
Probably Mr. Gallagher send my pipes through UPS, and I gonna insuring it through UPS too, to avoid damages, robbery, etc
The problem is that I must to declare the pipes value to customs, paying a 16% (IVA or VAT) + 4% (tariff, CITES…)!! 
I found when shipping that most courier services (UPS, Fedex, etc.) will only insure up to $1000. Anything over that and they tell you to get an independent insurer or broker.
djm
i feel sure that seth will insure for full value, whatever service he uses. and may i say that prices for shipping from usa to europe even with insurnance seem to be more reasonable than prices on the reverse. i have a chanter from preshaw which i love. he delivered on time, and its a beautiful instrument to hold and listen too. but the shipping charge from northern ireland to the usa was out of control. next time i will pick it up personally for what i paid.
meir