On Wed, 11 Oct 2000 18:36:12 -0700, Paul Kanner <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>Hey Chris,
>How would you interpret this in regard to self collected specimens? I have
>never declared them as to a dollar value. If I did, I would have to
amortize
>them as to how much the trip cost. That would make for some interesting
>calculations on how much each shell actually cost. I don't even want to go
>there.
>Salud,
>Paul Kanner
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Chris Takahashi" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 5:58 PM
>Subject: AIRLINE DECLARATION FORM
>
>
>> Aloha All!
>> Some of you collectors, divers, dealers have traveled abroad to collect
or
>> buy shells from different localities. When returning home you must sign a
>> declaration form stating how much you spent & on what. What do you do
>about
>> the shells?
>> You ask yourself do I lie? Do I dare declare them & how much? Of course
>you
>> declare them. If you don't you risk your babies being confiscated. Now
how
>> about the declared value? You just spent, say $2,000US but you're allowed
>> $400 duty free. What now?
>> There's a international code dealing with un-worked seashells (meaning
>non-
>> handicrafted shells like specimen shells) that allow importation without
>> declaration payment. The code is #.0608-.000-.000. Custom officials
aren't
>> usually aware of this but a custom broker is.
>> When travelling abroad write this code number down. It saved me alot of
>> money (15%) in possible declaration tax when last I arrived from
>Australia.
>>                                                Mahalo! Chris Takahashi

Aloha Paul!
You would list the self-collected shells as "Miscellaneous Seashells" &
claim $0 value since you never purchased, bartered, or received them as
gifts. CHRIS