Although I haven't seen this topic since I joined the list, it has probably come up before. So please excuse me if this repeats a thread from your recent memories. When sending USD to England, for example, via registered mail the Postal Service's maximum liability for the contents of your registered letter is $45.50. Clerks have told me this again and again regarding dozens of transactions for vintage bike parts. The odds finally turned against me and I am out a substantial amount of cash. The seller has already sent the goods (received) so I will have to pay him again. Today a postal clerk told me how to get around the value restriction. (some of you may already know this). Put the currency into a small box and insure the contents for the full amount. If the package is lost a claim can be made after 90 days for the full amount. The Postal Service has no way of quickly tracing a registered letter that leaves this country. In some countries even a slow trace is impossible. REgistered letters are not scanned as they move from on post office to another. All initial record keeping is on paper; even when a return receipt is requested. So the letter can disappear without a trace at any point.
Paul Patzkowsky Longmont, Colorado