Hello Sam,
 
I have been sending packages to trading contacts in Australia, Coatia and
Singapore regularly without problems. Just sent a parcel to Northern
Ireland without incident. I simply fill out a customs form that says the
contents are a "gift" and that they are "sea shells for scientific study --
no commercial value."
 
The first package I sent to Singapore got held up because I stupidly placed
a value of $100 on the form and they waited a few weeks before contacting
my guy over there to tell him he owed an import tax. So never place a value
on the shells. Personally, when adequately packaged (just like I would send
a shell to you), they have always arrived safe and sound. But I would
stress, package them well with plenty of padding.
 
Best regards,
Jim
 
P.S. I hope this means you might be interested in trading some shells with
me -- or do I really need to move to . . . Austria?
 
Jim Miller
Tallahassee, Florida
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