DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

I recently had a new alternator shipped (UPS) from California to the UK but it got rejected twice.
Description of content: Used vintage car part

Message on tracking:
A hazardous materials irregularity occurred with this package. We'll contact the sender with additional information. / The package will be returned to the sender.

Message on Letter Rejection Notice:
"2ND DAY AIR PKG HAS A GROUND LTD QTY MARK

After the first rejection, we thought it was because the box that we used had prints on side which said Brake Cleaner.
So, we swapped the box with a plain one and dropped it off again with the same label. But it got rejected again and it's on the way back.


Any idea how this can be resolved?

Thanks

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Has the seller (or you) asked UPS exactly why it was rejected ?


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No, not yet. I think I will have to tonight.

Are new alternators hazardous?

Maybe I should PM Jonny Hart as he specialises in electrical stuff.

I think most of the time you have to be very specific about what the part is for, for US Companies, and Carriers.
Have had gearbox parts and distributors returned because they had Vintage / Classic car parts as the description, not what the item actually was. i.e Bosch 009 Vintage ignition distributor or First and second vintage gearbox cogs and syncros...........

I’ve just had a 915 gear shifter shipped over by USPS with ‘car part’ as the description on the packaging and it came through without any problems so I think it must be a bit of a lottery?

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Over the past ~20 yrs I've used USPS almost exclusively to ship parts from private sellers in the US & never had any problems.

Conversely, on the rare occasions I've had to use UPS or Fedex - usually insisted on by commercial sellers - there have often been problems (& additional charges/fees) ...

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The only problem I’ve had with USPS from private sellers in the US is slow delivery but I think that’s because they’re the equivalent of our Royal Mail (plus it’s delivered by RM anyway when it reaches our shores too)…

I hope this works out for you … but fyi you might also get stung with a import tax bill as I just got hit with surprise £90 bill for new Coco Matt’s that I ordered


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Your first package had a label on it which specifies not to be transported by air (white diamond with black edges).

Vendor needs specify an HS code, material and value for the commercial invoice.

P.s. nothing particularly hazardous in an alternator.
P.p.s. we have lovely new alternators in stock!

Many thanks.
What does HS refer to?
What material should I put down for an alternator?

HS codes are standard shipping codes. It’ll probably be 85115000 or similar. Google it.

Alternator main material is aluminium.

Jonny Hart wrote: ↑Mon Mar 24, 2025 7:51 am HS codes are standard shipping codes. It’ll probably be 85115000 or similar. Google it.

Is the HS code the same for USA (shipping from USA to the UK)

Thanks

^ Mostly the same but some countries may require full 8 digits and others only 6. The more digits, the more specific the code.

Thanks. Are shipping codes a new thing? It's the first time I've come across this.

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It's the responsibility of the seller to provide the commodity (HS) code which helps identify the contents of a package for customs purposes - which, in turn, speeds up customs clearance & determines whether import duty &/or VAT is liable.

For UK exports it became mandatory after Brexit.

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