Big Brother is watching your parcels!

If I was posting something dangerous ( what? A gun, drugs, a live snake?) would I be honest and say so?!

I should love to know what the PO would do or say if you did!

Our local PO always asks, but I'm suitably vague - I just state 'clothing', 'toy, or 'gadget', never too specific in case someone else fancies what I'm sending!

I doubt it, lemon.

Which reminds me of the poor woman who actually ticked yes (by mistake, of course) to the question on her ESTA application: Do you seek to engage in or have you ever engaged in terrorist activities, espionage, sabotage, or genocide?. Is anyone ever going to tick that if they do or have ever?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-45678517

Oh well that's the US for you Lemon they want to know the ins and outs of everything. I remember prior to landing there on one occasion, forms were given out on the plane asking a series of questions, one was "have you been involved in any moral turpitude?" I wanted to answer "I do hope so, it sounds so good" but unfortunately didn't know what it was, actually still don't.

I’m always asked what’s in the parcel when sending them and that’s just to ?? Gibraltar.

I've never been asked anywhere in the EU, surprised they asked about the UK one. I expect we will have to fill in customs declarations for the EU after Brexit.

I've always had to state what was in parcels to the US (I send to sister and niece every Christmas.). There are nearly always some $$$ tucked into a book for niece, not that I ever state that! 'Book and candy' is the usual.

I have been asked recently about parcels for the Uk, and did rather feel like saying 'Mind your own business!' But presumably they're now told to ask. What's to stop anyone fibbing, though?

You have to put a custom label on all parcels going overseas bar EU countries You are never asked what’s in uk parcels well not in any of the PO s I use anyway I do a bit of eBaying so post a few parcels inland and have never been asked or had to fill anything in, in fact I posted last week to UK and Ireland (EU) and no questions at all
Also just a tip never overestimate the price of the goods when sending overseas as (I forget the exact amount) but say over £20 they have to pay tax at the other end and same coming this way

I don't think it has anything to do with whether it is something which shouldn't be posted like drugs or guns, more to do with value and tax as BB said. Perhaps they check in case someone has inadvertently posted something not allowed in the recipient's country too,

I live in Hertfordshire and was posting a parcel to Bedford and they asked what was in it, how can they tell if you are speaking the truth you could say anything really

We've always had to fill in a Customs Declaration for parcels going to Australia - which is annoying if it is a gift which is meant to be a surprise.

FYI Terribull, the definition of moral turpitude is:
Moral turpitude is a legal concept in the United States and some other countries that refers to "an act or behavior that gravely violates the sentiment or accepted standard of the community". This term appears in U.S. immigration law beginning in the 19th century
The concept of "moral turpitude" might escape precise definition, but it has been described as an "act of baseness, vileness, or depravity in the private and social duties which a man owes to his fellowmen, or to society in general, contrary to the accepted and customary rule of right and duty between man and man.

In other words, Men (or Women) Behaving Badly!

I don't think it has anything to do with whether it is something which shouldn't be posted like drugs or guns

I think it does, though, Nonnie.
Whether you're an Australian ordering something online or a foreigner mailing something into the country, there are a plethora of rules you absolutely must follow to ensure your goods are actually allowed into the country. Simply put, most flora and fauna is out, including but not limited to cured meats, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, plants, soil, seeds and nuts, laboratory material and live animals.
Failure to comply can result in stiff fines. !!

Here's a link to what you cannot post out from the UK:
www.postoffice.co.uk/mail/international-what-can-i-send

if you can be bothered to read it all!!

nail varnish, perfume, batteries etc etc

Frozen water
Including packs of ice.
Would anyone? Rally?

Filling out a customs form for the USA has been around for many years. Posted a parcel to the Stares the other day, The only thing that has changed has been the colour, They used to be green.
Requirements of weight, item and approximate cost and signature has remained exactly the same.
I write gift on it as well.

Dangerous goods act? That’s new to me.

My local post office always asks what's in UK parcels.
Except when I was sending a parcel of 9x500ml custard. Not a word about asking then!

I was in the queue at my local post office, before Christmas, when a young man was posting a number of live tarantulas. Apparently it's perfectly finer send them through the royal mail

I often have to send parcels abroad for work, filling in the little customs declaration form can be challenging!

The parcel might contain French curves (a drawing tool) or an item that would be accurately described as "a straight edge" or "a dovetail mitre tool"or

None of this would mean anything to anyone inspecting them, but they have to be filled in regardless.

I am always asked when sending parcels to GD in Denmark.

I've been asked the contents of parcels going anywhere, UK or abroad, for some years now.

I've always wanted, but have never been brave enough, to say 'Oh, just a sex toy for my mother!'

Sometimes they ask because if it's something valuable it may need insurance.
I was once going to send something silver from France to DD in the UK and they advised me against it, as it would probably be stolen. "Wait until you go there and give it to her."

I’m usually asked the value of a parcel for posting, within UK.
But just before Christmas, I posted a lovely story book , soft cover, of the Nativity to my grandson in Birmingham. It was within letter size guidelines, so to be sure I put 2x 2nd class stamps on it.
When the family were all together at New Year, I asked DIL if GS had enjoyed the story, as I thought they would ‘do’ the voices.
The letter had never been delivered. I just hope whoever intercepted it, that they enjoyed it and it wasn’t binned

My usual PO lady has never asked me what’s in a parcel ( she knows most people in our village) but this time I stopped at a new ( to me) PO as I was on my way somewhere.The PO lady was very nice, but stated that it was because of ‘the dangerous goods act’.
She also asked ( of the UK parcel) is it over £20 goods? I can understand that for sensible reasons.
However, if you are sending something you shouldn’t and you know it, you’re hardly likely to admit it.

No, you're not likely to say, and I doubt that they use sniffer dogs or X-ray machines for inland parcels.