SENDING QUILTS OVERSEAS: A WARNING

© Catherine Brown

Ozquilt Network Newsletter #27, March 1998

I know better now! I certainly didn't expect when I entered my quilt in an overseas exhibition in August, that I would be fighting to have it returned safely by Christmas.

In mid 1997 I submitted my entry form for an exhibition to be held in America later in the year. From the brochure it appeared to be a big, prestigious event with many quilts on show and good prize money for the winners.

I received a letter from the organisers congratulating me on having my quilt accepted, and information to assist shipping it to the United States. It was suggested that in order to minimise customs problems, it should be assigned to a particular carrier. It was made clear that the carrier should be told that the quilt was for exhibition only and not for sale and would be returned to the country of origin after the exhibition. Special customs labels were provided. The letter also stated that the exhibition organisers were working closely with the carrier to ensure that all quilts arrived on time for the exhibition. All instructions were followed exactly.

I know better now, with the wisdom of hindsight, that I should have responded to my gut feeling and given the idea of exhibiting overseas a big miss. I guess the temptation of perhaps having my quilt recognised was too great!

The carrier is a large international organisation, but the Australian operation proved to be, in my opinion, most unprofessional and unreliable. I was charged $221.30 freight one way! This sounded expensive, but I was assured by their Custom Service Supervisor that this is the price for professional handling to make sure the quilt arrived at the specified destination and time. Ho hum!

A few days before the exhibition was due to open, I was advised by the carrier that my quilt had not been accepted by the exhibition organisers and there was American customs payment of $331.33 due. After many attempts I was finally able to speak with a member of the exhibition management. He was not helpful and said that the carrier's representative had been rude. He indicated that it was my problem as 60 international quilts had been delivered without problem or payment to customs. I was advised that judging was nearly completed.

It appears that, after following all instructions, my quilt was not received, not judged and not exhibited. I received a letter from the carrier which stated: "In order to bring a shipment into the United States for a temporary exhibition, it must firstly be placed under a special bond for which an additional charge will be incurred. It requires very special handling in and out of America. If conditions of entry are not followed explicitly, penalties will be applied by U. S. Customs to the carrier. The consignee did not provide all the necessary information so that we could provide this service". It then goes on to say "Would you like us (the carrier) to abandon your shipment or return to you at your cost?"

The total cost could have been $32 entry fee + $221.30 freight to U. S. + $337.33 U. S. Customs charges + $221.30 return freight to Australia. A total of $791.93 plus phone calls! The fight to have my quilt returned to me at no further cost began. Our local member of Parliament, Mr Syd Stirling took on the challenge. Every day his secretary, Virginia steadily wore down the powers that be at the carrier's headquarters and advised me of progress. An impressive effort! Success at last! Just before Christmas, I finally received my quilt back, still in its original packaging, but brightly decorated with a patchwork of stickers from the carrier and U. S. Customs. Some threatened a fine, imprisonment or both if the parcel was removed from Customs! Heavy Stuff! Virginia and I opened the parcel to find the quilt in good condition. It was then she told me that the carrier had informed her that U. S. Customs burn parcels that are not cleared within two weeks. I think the lesson to be learned from this experience is to follow your gut feeling, and if in doubt, don't continue. Has anybody else had a similar experience? If so, can quilters be protected from this happening again?

© Catherine Brown 1998

(Cathie was very unlucky - she followed all instructions but still had severe problems. We all need to know a lot more about sending quilts overseas. Another point to note - Cathie didn't have a problem with Australian Customs when her quilt returned but you can certainly incur fees if you don't follow the correct procedure. Editor).