We purchased 3 items while on the Essential Europe Tour and had them shipped home. So far I have received two bills from the Carrier which were initiated by US Customs. Be aware that when you purchase overseas and request a shipment to your home, you pay for the shipping and the insurance and pay again like I am discovering. Considering all of the charges, the deal may not be such a good deal after all.

Thanks for the heads up. I was actually considering shipping purchases home from my river cruise next summer. Now I will really think about it!

Letsgo, you are most welcome. Something else that I forgot to mention- One of the items purchased arrived with some cosmetic flaws. I contacted the store from which it was purchased to request an exchange. I was told that I would have to pay shipping and insurance to send it back ($100 + ) and that I would have to pay shipping and insurance to have the new item sent to me ($94). . Now I think I will just keep it and if something is wrong mechanically with the item, I will send it for warranty work here in the US to one of the authorized service centers. Talk about learning the hard way.

I just returned from the Christmas Markets of Germany tour with Globus. I did buy a few Christmas decorations there which I had shipped home. Although it was expensive (with shipping, packing and insurance), nothing was damaged and it was very carefully packed. It also arrived in about 9 days, just as promised. We were charged US customs for the total amount, but it wasn't much - about 10% of the price. It was definitely worth shipping this purchase home since I didn't have to worry about carrying it with me or packing it in my suitcase (and be charged overweight fees). .

[quote="mangoeater"]Letsgo, you are most welcome. Something else that I forgot to mention- One of the items purchased arrived with some cosmetic flaws. I contacted the store from which it was purchased to request an exchange. I was told that I would have to pay shipping and insurance to send it back ($100 + ) and that I would have to pay shipping and insurance to have the new item sent to me ($94). . Now I think I will just keep it and if something is wrong mechanically with the item, I will send it for warranty work here in the US to one of the authorized service centers. Talk about learning the hard way.[/quote]

We were going to purchase a cu-cu-clock in the black forest area of Germany in 2002. We decided not to and returned home. We then went to a local clock shop here in Orlando and purchsed one for about the same price as in Germany. We have had it 5 years now and need to take it in for some minor adjustments.

I just returned from the Christmas Markets of Germany tour with Globus. I did buy a few Christmas decorations there which I had shipped home. Although it was expensive (with shipping, packing and insurance), nothing was damaged and it was very carefully packed. It also arrived in about 9 days, just as promised. We were charged US customs for the total amount, but it wasn't much - about 10% of the price.

It was definitely worth shipping this purchase home since I didn't have to worry about carrying it with me or packing it in my suitcase (and be charged overweight fees). .

bump, bump

I returned last month from the Christmas Markets of Germany tour with Globus. I did buy a some Christmas decorations there which I had shipped home. Although it was expensive with shipping, packing and insurance, nothing was damaged and it was very carefully packed. It also arrived in about 9 days, just as promised. We were charged US customs for the total amount, but it wasn't much - about 10% of the price. It was definitely worth shipping this home since I didn't have to worry about carrying it with me or packing it in my suitcase and be charged overweight fees.

Bump Bump Bump to keep it fresh in travelers minds.