Shipping from Italy

[eftihis]

I bought some items from Czerny's last auction in Italy. According to them, something has changed in Italy, and only a specialised (?) shipping company can handle antique weapons. The result is that me and fellow collectors got extremely expensive shipping quotes like 300 euro for a single flintlock pistol! Can anyone guide me to a reasonable cost shipping solution? It is from Italy to Greece so it is inside EU and there are no customs involved.

[corrado26]

I think that there is no solution for this problem and the reason why I never buy anyhing at Italian auction houses. For you it will be probably cheaper to book a flight to Verona or plan a trip by car.
corrado26

[Victrix]

I think it will be tricky to try and take it out through Italian customs yourself? It took months to get my rapier sent to me and I understand it was due to Italian customs, or possibly the ”warehouse.”

[corrado26]

As you pass the Italian and Greek customs inside the EU there should be no control of the goods in your car. They may control just yourself that's all.

I do not know Italian prescriptions concerning the sending of arms by postal services. But in case these are the same idiotic prescriptions as in Great Britain, than it is absolutely impossible to send a rapier from Italy to your homeadress.
corrado26

[Victrix]

Originally Posted by corrado26

As you pass the Italian and Greek customs inside the EU there should be no control of the goods in your car. They may control just yourself that's all.

I do not know Italian prescriptions concerning the sending of arms by postal services. But in case these are the same idiotic prescriptions as in Great Britain, than it is absolutely impossible to send a rapier from Italy to your homeadress.
corrado26

Yes it may work by car. I understand the Italian authorities require permits to export antiques outside of Italy, whether it’s within the EU or not. Apparently it takes a long time acquiring these permits. But I’m no expert and not keen to become one as I will try not to repeat the experience!

[rickystl]

Not the last auction, but the previous Czerny's auction, I purchased a detached snaphaunce gun lock (lock only). A small item weighing less than 3-lbs. (1.4kg) cost nearly $100.00 USD to ship to the USA. Shipped by Air Courier - and still took 2 months to receive it.
Imagine the shipping quote I would receive to ship a complete long gun to the States !!

If the regulations have recently changed to something more similar to that of the U.K. with "specialized" licensed shippers, I think that Czerny's may loose a large amount of potential bidders going forward. They should publish the current regulations (and any changes)for shipping outside of Italy along with each auction so the bidder can make a determination whether or not to bid.

Rick

[kai]

As you pass the Italian and Greek customs inside the EU there should be no control of the goods in your car. They may control just yourself that's all.

P.S.: Small inoffensive pocket knives get regularly confiscated by the Italian customs (even when exciting Italy!) - better not try the ferries from IT to GR...

[silberschatzimsee]

My entry has nothing to do with italy or czernys

I was talking about fedex being the worst shipping experience.

[Jens Nordlunde]

Many shipping companies, almost all, will not transport weapons of any kind.
I think you will have to contact the international shipping companies working in Greece, to ask if they will do it, and what it will cost.

[Kubur]

They are thieves, they asked me 100 euros to ship 3 books.
Yes postage regulations have changed all over Europe.
But for Czernys they are just thieves and they do their money with shipping.
I will never buy or sell with them again.
This has nothing to do with your pistol... Good luck my friend