Mailing your knife to me for repairs:

The update on current postage rates for 2008

Please, do include an International Money Order cheque with the knives,
or mail it in a separate envelope.
Price estimate almost never changes, and you will speed up the return.
Consult my Basic Prices so you are not surprised later.

Customs Declaration sticker  -  usually the Green one with a bar code on top, or the
Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note (white one)

You should get one automatically at the Post office, to stick to your parcel or padded envelope
when you ship items Internationally. Write contents:
Example: Knife for repairs and do NOT check any boxes. Enter Value=$0.00 and SIGN

YOU MUST ALWAYS FILL IN THE CUSTOMS DECLARATION AND DISPATCH NOTE CORRECTLY

Do NOT leave blank - The Value must always be entered - for mailing up repairs it is $0.00
So many people got the Value wrong, that I must spell it out - the sticker does not.
This is NOT the Value/price of YOUR knife, unless you are Selling it to ME.
This Value is ONLY for the duty and tax collection on items YOU are SELLING
or for Value of Services YOU provided.

You can insure the contents of your package (your own knife) for whatever you think is WORTH.
The Insured Value is NOT the same as the Value above, and postmaster does write it in the different spot.

Inside your package include a brief description of work required, your mailing address, phone and email.
If you have another email address on different server, like Hotmail or Yahoo include it too, because if I can't reply to your messages or send you my repair update and pictures because your email server blocks my IP address, I have no means to communicate with you properly, if at all.
Add my address to your Address Book and see that you can receive attachments.
Your telephone number is required for the return mail Expedited or Express stickers to be processed.
Also include my full address and telephone number (250) 455-2594.
This was recommended by customs, and it is helpful in case the package gets held for any number of reasons. The phones will save a couple of weeks of regular mail processing, and it is also required for mail declaration.
Email is important so I can notify you of the return shipment - my email frequently crashes.

Avoid mailing your knives by Global Express to Canada - they hand over your package to a third party couriers at the border - will cost you extra $32 brokerage / handling fee. The delivery time is also uncertain (took over 2 month in the past)

Have had no problem receiving packages by:


Note on insurance - unfortunately high insurance value on the parcel is like a red flag to a bull - there are still dishonest postal workers, just waiting for the right flag. Around holidays, especially around Christmas, expensive gifts can be found in parcels.
When packages get "lost", the value listed on the package seems to be determining factor.
But this said, if the package gets lost, this is all you going to get, so if the knife is valuable, insure it for what you deem worth.

Return shipping to you after the repair is finished:

I will be mailing your order immediately after finishing the repair/refurbishing and there are no outstanding issues,
through the local Post Office
Return shipping and handling by traceable mail is no longer included because of many cost increases, dollar exchange, taxes etc.
Extra insurance to a total of $200 Canadian is included for now.
Delivery time depending on the method of delivery chosen is 6-10 days.
Express Post Shipping of Custom orders and repairs over $350 US is included
EXPRESS POST is only for shipments in Canada and USA - delivery time 7 days max.
Additional Insurance can be purchased.

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Explaining the Customs sticker:

The Value is the price of the knife you have just purchased.
This Value is for the duty and tax collection and it does NOT include Shipping and Handling fees.
The Insured Value is the same in this case as the Value above, Currency exchange included.