Paul: I've sent American Express Travelers Checks overseas with no problem. It will cost you a 1% charge for the cost of the checks, but if lost, the funds can be recovered. For a few more dollars you can send the package overnight by DHL registered with the Post Office. I'm noy sure, but I think DHL is trackable like UPS. It may cost a few more dollars, but you won't have heart failure waiting for your funds to get overseas. Only problem with DHL is that they will not ship to a post office box, or some remote locations. Hetchinspete Boston, Mass
>From: paul patzkowsky <atrikerider@juno.com>
>To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
>Subject: [CR]mailing currency overseas
>Date: Mon, 15 Jul 2002 17:00:15 -0600
>
> 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