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Sorry to be out of topic but...
How do you manage to ship a full bike box through La Poste these days ? They adopted size restrictions on parcels they handle due to Covid (height + lenght + depth < 150cm). Do you have a trick to subvert this ?
Cheers
CoconutCrab-
I only post framesets, and I take off the forks now to reduce the box size.
When I've previously taken boxed up frames which were a bit over the 150cm, they didn't usually check, I've only been called up on that once (a Trek mtb frameset with forks still in place, plus most of the bits, but not the wheels). It was also heavier than just framesets I've sent (11kg rather than about 5-6kg). They got the tape measure out that time, and the price went up from 30-something euros to 60-something euros.I haven't tried shipping a full bike. You might have to break it down and send in mutiple packages. And maybe customise the frameset box into a diamond shape to keep the overall length/size down to less than 150cm.
I didn't know they'd introduced new Covid size restrictions. The box I'm trying to post looks quite compact, and it's quite a snug fit, but it's a bit over 150cm in total (a large size mtb frame). I'll see what they say when I take it back to the post office this weekend.
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Just to confirm for the 150cm max box size. Guy in the main PO depot in town this morning confirmed that as of the beginning of January this year, no packages over 150cm total length will currently be accepted due to Covid restrictions, whether posting nationally or internationally, EU or non-EU.
Philbythesea
This has been discussed a bit in the Brexit thread already, but maybe useful to discuss specifically for buyers and sellers on here.
For me personally, posting France to UK:
I took a boxed up frameset into the local post office in France. I had the usual international postage doc already filled out (sender name/address, recipient name/address, desciption of item, value of item, date, signature). I was told that as of 01/Jan/2021 I would now need to download and print out additional customs forms, and bring them with me (preferably already completed), for all packages to the UK.
Details from La Poste on the new requirements (in French):
https://aide.laposte.fr/contenu/brexit-au-1er-janvier-2021-les-nouvelles-formalites-douanieres-vers-le-royaume-uni
English translation:
"From 1 January 2021, trade with the United Kingdom is no longer considered as intra-European trade, but as trade outside the EU.
As a result, new customs formalities, as well as tariff supplements apply to shipments posted after January 1.
You will need to include the following with any shipment of goods to the UK:
Two copies of the CN23 customs declaration. (Note: This CN23 declaration must be made electronically, and before shipment of the goods. You will be guided step by step through this process, whether you do it online or at a post office.)
The proforma invoice for a non-commercial shipment, or the commercial invoice for a commercial shipment. (Note: The UK requires these documents to be completed in English)
These formalities are necessary for any package containing anything other than documents (documents on their own are exempt from declaration), and whatever the nature of the shipment (including whether the goods are sent free of charge, as a gift, or a sample), and they are required whether it is a personal or a professional shipment."
With regards to the CN23 customs declaration itself:
"To create your CN23, you will be asked for:
The CN23 must be completed in French, English or in a language accepted by the country of destination.
Print 3 copies of the CN23 (two to attach with the shipment, one to keep for yourself).
How to attach customs documents to the shipment:
I haven't got as far as finding out how much the price has gone up by yet.