Any Pros Out There on Sending FedEx from Italy to U.S.?
 

We're arriving in Venice on 4/20/15 from Paris. We need to send back to the U.S. a tuxedo we rented - we don't want to carry it around, or pay the rental fee, for Italy for 3 weeks! Anyone done anything like this?

So far I've gotten two different versions from FedEx on what documentation is needed.

I person says to simply use an international air bill while someone else says you need that and a commercial document too.

Input?

Have done this many times. To avoid customs problems you must say "used clothing (or documents only if so) no commercial value". And you can't insure it. If you insure it, it may stay in customs until someone pays the duty.

We used DHL when shipping home from Venice so there other choices. Yes, put used clothing on customs declaration.

Thanks! That's a help. We'll check into DHL and also checking UPS. Would love to be able to just have the pick up done by our hotel so that's why we would like to know in advance what documentation is required.

We dound a little shipping location a short distance from our apartment in Canareggio area. They took care of everything for us. Sorry I don't have the name/address to share. It wasn't too expensive either.

Have you looked into renting the tuxedo near the location it's needed and simply returning it there?

We always ship stuff back home from Italy and use Mail Boxes Etc (MBE) and have never had a problem.

the only problem is the cost which can be shockingly high IME - like others say just fill out a Customs forms for U.S. Customs, declare a low used value and yes say American clothing returned to America - should in that case be no duty on it if true.

I always used Mailbox Etc they will package everything for you. Bring your passport with you when you drop off your items.

Mailing things home myself, including clothes I'm done with, describing them as "used clothes returning home" has never caused any customs reaction whatever. They're simply delivered.

I suppose it's possible that 3rd parties, like MBE, must adhere more strictly to some sort of rule, I don't know. But it's perfectly simple to buy mailing supplies at the PO, likely also less expensive that private services, choose airmail for this purpose, I always choose surface, and send them on their way. I've mailed dozens of boxes home from around the world and they've always arrived home.

Wondering if DHL would be easier to use. It made its reputation on international shipping.