Posting Blankets.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by P. Jeanne Haessler on July 4, 2009 at 2:11am

That's encouraging news. I've just started doing squares for mine. I'll let you know how it goes, now that I've gotten myself a cracker of a kitchen scale so I can avoid nasty surprises at the Post Office. :)

Permalink Reply by W.Dorothy on July 20, 2009 at 12:41pm

Jeanne what a good idea........to get a kitchen scale. This I will do next time I go to Walmart, Kmart, Target or the like. LOL. Wouldn't it be grand if there was a huge store called Yarnmart where there was nothing but yarn and hooks and needles and books, and, and, and......oh well dreaming.

Permalink Reply by kyla on July 20, 2009 at 1:24pm

I've been weighing mine on our kitchen scale as well, it does help save the long lineups that pile up behind me at the post office!

Permalink Reply by RhondaH on July 18, 2009 at 8:09am

Dawn, Did you put the word blanket on the form or knitted squares? The blanket I'm working on is technically a very large square.

I did send some hats today (plus a few squares). I put Knitted Squares and Hats for Charity on the declarations form. I don't like to fudge on the contents, but also don't want to attract undo attention at the receiving end. Sandy said hats and vests (listed on the customs forms) has not presented a problem so far, so I decided to go ahead and list the hats. I think I'm more concerned about having them "walk," than I am any additional fee (I'd gladly pay the fee if they got slapped with one).

I'm even more concerned about the little blankets, but I guess we'll find out. Rhonda

PS to Jeanne, I've used a scale for a number of years, but the first package to SA was still a surprise. Now that I know what to expect, I'm more or less resigned that the postage is just part of the expense of donating things. The thing that keeps me going is knowing everything is appreciated and is going to a good cause.

Permalink Reply by dawn laverty on July 19, 2009 at 4:21am

So sorry Rhonda I just saw your post today.
I posted everything in a jiffy bag, and didnt need to complete a customs declaration at all.
I marked the envelope "knitted squares. No commercial value".
The postage is a bit off putting, but I was brought up to believe that what you give you get back, and I have found this to be true so far. I just kind of take a deep breath, and try to think of the faces at the other end!!

Permalink Reply by RhondaH on July 19, 2009 at 4:29am

Thanks Dawn, and not to worry. I had to go to "my page" to find it again. I wish this site could be set to show just the posts since your last visit. I spend too much time looking for things that I KNOW are there.

I'm a big believer in what goes around comes around. I think with charity knitting, you get back more than you give, but it's hard to explain that to some.


Filling out the customs form is a pain, but the last time I went, I got a pile of forms so I could just fill out the form at home. I read on another threadthat a lot of people are fudging the contents, and I'vedone it myself, but decided to write HATS on the form this time. They're so small, they wouldn't be of much use to anyone else.

Permalink Reply by Liz Connelly on July 19, 2009 at 5:14am

hello I sent 28 squares the other day and I wrote on the envelope no value and that they were for charity and I did'nt need to fill a declaration form in and it cost just over £4 hope they receive it and that went airmail

Permalink Reply by RhondaH on July 19, 2009 at 5:34am

From the US, the post office requires a customs form very time. It doesn't seem to matter if it's For Charity and No Commercial Value. I also check off the box that says gift, and write NCV and For charity on the box itself.

You're lucky you don't have to fill one out! It's not difficult, of course, but takes time, and by the time you're done, there's always a line behind you. It's one reason I got a pile of forms.

There is a list compiled periodically of the packages/parcels received in SA. It's updated about once a month, and there's usually a link in the e-ziine. I'm already looking forward to the next issue.