My stamp exchange returns
Here’s a bit of news, I know many have been waiting. My stamp exchange is now back!!! Before you head out to exchange page, please take few minutes to read what’s new / changed this year.
First, and most importantly there’s a new customs regulation that affects all my non-EU stamp exchanges. Shortly put, there’s now a ‘value cap’ of $20 (including postage) to all non-EU mail going in and out of Finland… That said, I don’t think it will be much of a problem, as a majority of stamp exchanges have always fallen below this value limit (with exception of some very large exchange batches). However, in order to avoid potential issues with custom officials, I’ve set out a very specific set of actions that every non-EU exchage partner must follow. Basically it means that You have to use CN22 sticker with exchange letters heading my way, and make sure that their value (including postage) does not exceed $20.
Secondly, there’s a new PDF-sheet to go along with exchange lots. This relates largely to above.
And finally, this exchange season is open from Feb 1st till May 15th 2013. The reason for such arbitrary end date is that I’m heading to minor surgical operation in early June, and I want to have clean desk when I leave to operation / return home.
That’s all… I’m looking forward into having some successful stamp exchanges with You all.
hi Keijo,
hope you and your family had a good christmas and new year,
It’s nice to see the exchange is open again and will be sending some stamps your way soon from the UK
regards
stuart
@Stuart… Nice to see you back online too
Wish u steady recovery & back to active routine.i will be in touch for exchange after Sept as I am leaving for States to visit my daughter.
@Vidhu… Still a bit early to wish me a recovery, as there’s nearly 4 months before I’m even due to have the operation. And if ‘the system’ goes as it usually goes, it gets re-scheduled one time after another
well, i wonder if they would open a normal letter , even if there is no sticker. I don’t think so. i guess, as you say, that would apply to larger batches.
@Luca… Actually last year there were 5-6 exchange letters that were opened by the customs. So it happens from time to time… All in all, it’s better to be safe than sorry and apply the CN22 sticker on top of letters.
Sent off a letter last weekend, had a 1 week delay as the post office did not know of this EU change and did not want to initially supply the form because the value was below the minimum amount that the form is required to be used for.
@Cecil… Thanks for the tip. I’m sure it will land pretty soon. Based on my incoming mail, it now takes roughly 2-3 weeks for letter to ship from US to Finland.
As for troubles with CN22… Actually it’s not on EU wide change, it’s just Finland that is having this silly rule…. But getting a copy of CN22 should not be that hard. When I went to post office, they simply asked how many I need, and when explained the situation, gave me the entire roll of 350 stickers
Hi Keijo! I sent some stamps to you last week and I hope you will enjoy them! Thanks for the amazing blog. Phoebe
@Phoebe… Thanks for the tip. I’m looking forward to to receiving the lot.